Dancing with the gays
Dance is a huge part of the gay community, whether it is our love of musicals or dancing in the clubs.
With shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars, it has become more popular.
The number of people wanting to start dance classes is growing. Where to start? This can be confusing for people because there are so many choices.
Let’s start with price. The average casual adult class ranges from $15 – $20 per class. You may find a suburban dance school offering cheaper adult classes.
Most schools will offer a multiple class pass with several classes on the card. This works out to be cheaper per class. Also, ask if they offer a free trial class.
If you’ve never danced before, give it a chance. Some people feel embarrassed when they start because they can’t do it perfectly.
There’s no need to be embarrassed — no one is perfect. Give a few weeks to a particular style and then if you don’t like it, try another.
Some classes can get very big and individual attention is hard for the teacher.
A good teacher will check to see if everone is happy and enjoyng themselves and will ask if there are any questions.
Some teachers will rush through the class and not stop. Some people like this teaching style — it’s a matter of taste.
There are many dance styles. Here are some of the most popular.
Jazz/hip hop/funk)
If you like Britney’s moves, this is the style for you. It has fast moves with a strong emphasis on technique. It’s good for muscle tone and flexibility.
Ballet
This style is great for core strength, flexibility, and muscle tone in your legs and butt.
Tap
This is great for your legs and ankles. Your calves and thighs will never be more toned.
Hip hop
This is a high-energy fast class. You will always work up a sweat.
House
This is technically a hip hop form that has evolved to its own style. Mainly danced to house music, it requires some seriously fast stepping.
Salsa
The dance of love requires some down-and-dirty hip-swinging and is great for the abs.
Ballroom
There are numerous styles within this. It is great for posture and is to be danced with a partner.
Lyrical/contemporary
These styles got a facelift, thanks to So You Think You Can Dance. They have slow fluid movements. Contemporary has a strong technique like ballet. Lyrical is influenced by jazz /hip hop and is more relaxed.
I know this isn’t your point, but i wanted to say anyway, I think it’s really interesting when you go out dancing at places and apply what you’ve learnt in classes.
I personally have done this, and mixed it up with copying what other people are doing on the dancefloor, then adding to it. If you’re creative enough, you can mix the two.
Next time you’re out dancing and you feel like you’ve done the “shaking the dice” one two many times, look around and check the vibe of the other participants and see if you can’t pick something up. I’d be flattered if i saw someone mimicking my style and running with it.
Also, if i may (as this is a subject close to my heart), I find that when you dance at gay clubs (generalising btw) the dancefloor fills up much quicker than at straight clubs. It also seems as though if you are the first one to dance (me usually coz i have no sense of shame) and do so in the middle of the room, it’s easier for other people to join in.
It’s like you create a space by being there, around which other people can dance within. Almost as if different people have different tolerances for the amount of room they can start out dancing upon. This may be related to the amount of people that can view their dancing openly. Then there’s the Catch 22: It’s far easier to dance when you’re in a big area physically, but it’s much easier to dance in a congested area emotionally. Onlookers will be distracted from you as they’ll be far too busy looking at the sea of arms, legs and jiggling hips :)
This of course assumes that people who go dancing are shy types or need a bit to get started at least. There are of course the people that Want onlookers to pay their attention their way.
Also, if you wear glasses, and are a shy dancer (and are short sighted rather than long sighted) try dancing without any specs or contacts at all. Depending on your level of vision, you won’t see the people watching you and you can go with it and have fun. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about. Having fun. Don’t get all caught up in ‘looking cool’ or being afraid of looking ‘tragic’. Unless you’re a regular you’ll never see em again, esp if you didn’t see em to begin with ;)