Here’s the problem: currently the most common music at parties and clubs is hip-hop, and hip-hop has no basic dance step.
If you look at any other style of dance — salsa, swing, tango, etc. — there is a basic step that is the foundation for the dance.Therefore anyone who know’s the basic step can go to party and dance with a girl or guy without being overwhelmed by the prospect of not knowing “how to dance.”
Beyond “grinding” there isn’t any basic way to dance with a partner when rap music plays at a party. People without a natural sense of rhythm and coordination are left to fumble there way through lil’ wayne and Jay-Z at parties — often relegating them to the beer pong table and games of flip cup.
I would even go so far as to say that our culture’s lack of a common popular dance is part of the reason that we have a binge drinking party scene.
Young people that are nervous about what to do at parties drink excessive amounts of alcohol so that they don’t feel awkward. If those people felt confident in they’re ability to dance, they would drink less and dance more.
I took one semester of salsa dance lessons and it did wonders for my dance moves and confidence on the dance floor. Even when I was grooving to “Gin and Juice” in a basement on Buel St, my understanding of basic salsa moves and ryhtm translated in to more creative and confident dancing.
We should all take a step back and realize how important dance is to individuals and society.
