Social dancing in the UK and Australia

[pygmalion]

Um. This never occured to me until today, when I found a pertinent web site. Just as the US has some ballroom stereotypes (old blue haired ladies dancing with gigolos LOL), the UK has some, too. But UK stereotypes are based on what Brits see on TV -- high level, competitive dancers. So what's the social dance scene like, in the UK, Australia, and other countries with active competitive scenes?

How do you convince people that they don't have to compete, and that just having fun is enough?

simplythebestdancing.co.uk

[MadamSamba]

Great question, Jenn...where do I start? Here in Aus, it depends on who you talk to (as with anything), but non-dancers generally think "Strictly Ballroom" when they think of social dancing, that or much older people. They think boas, fluffy foxtrot gowns and old-time dancing or tacky, flourescent dresses with glitter and gawdy make-up.

But, as we all know, there are plenty of cases where that is the case, but it's so much more. Here in Aus, the ballroom social scene has a LOT of younger dances in it (between 15 and 35). One studio down here offers free beginners' lessons and that attracts an amazing diversity of ages, races and sizes. The social scene is friendly and a huge part of the lives of the people who participate in it and most of the people who attend, at my studio at least, attend faithfully, one, sometimes two, often three times each week...and there there are people like me who do it five to seven times a week! :0

[johnnywalker]

The social scene in Sydney (Australia) is great for those involved in dancing. I've met so many wonderful people from all styles. In fact, one lovely mother and her daughter introduced me to the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug. Most of the people who frequent the various clubs I attend are friendly and will openly praise you on your dancing; even when I was only a newbie. The only places I tend to find where the patrons aren't friendly are some of the salsa clubs (sorry to the salseros and salseras out there) I too love the salsa but my wife and I have found most clubs to have unfriendly 'cliquey' people who cast unfavourable stares in your direction. Some of these people are even those we've seen in a couple of salsa schools we attend!. Other salsa friends of ours feel the same as we do. Such a shame because it's such a great, vibrant and lively dance which should be enjoyed.
As for those who don't dance, there's still that misconception that most forms of dancing are for old people. Some people I know or work with think the only styles which are performed by younger people are hip hop and breakdancing. One guy I know asked me recently if I wore suits to the clubs when I go dancing. His thinking was that you 'prance' about in formal attire or the like if you do ballroom. However, the dance scene here is attended by people of all ages and, i'm certain, is gaining more popularity and understanding. For example, there is a show on at the moment called Strictly Dancing in which dancers (not necessarily professional) of all disciplines are invited to compete against others. The styles performed range from the traditional ballroom styles to hip hop and jazz. The competitors are advised three weeks prior to their round as to what styles they will be competing in and use that time to 'get up to speed' if it isn't their discipline. It's interesting to see how those of one style interpret another. Anyway, having been in the studio audience a couple of times it's great to see the range of people who come along. I'm only in my mid 30s but it's heartening to see people of all ages there; especially with the experience i've had with the younger crowd I work with and their attitudes.

[johnnywalker]

The social scene in Sydney (Australia) is great for those involved in dancing. I've met so many wonderful people from all styles. In fact, one lovely mother and her daughter introduced me to the Lindy Hop and Jitterbug. Most of the people who frequent the various clubs I attend are friendly and will openly praise you on your dancing; even when I was only a newbie. The only places I tend to find where the patrons aren't friendly are some of the salsa clubs (sorry to the salseros and salseras out there) I too love the salsa but my wife and I have found most clubs to have unfriendly 'cliquey' people who cast unfavourable stares in your direction. Some of these people are even those we've seen in a couple of salsa schools we attend!. Other salsa friends of ours feel the same as we do. Such a shame because it's such a great, vibrant and lively dance which should be enjoyed.
As for those who don't dance, there's still that misconception that most forms of dancing are for old people. Some people I know or work with think the only styles which are performed by younger people are hip hop and breakdancing. One guy I know asked me recently if I wore suits to the clubs when I go dancing. His thinking was that you 'prance' about in formal attire or the like if you do ballroom. However, the dance scene here is attended by people of all ages and, i'm certain, is gaining more popularity and understanding. For example, there is a show on at the moment called Strictly Dancing in which dancers (not necessarily professional) of all disciplines are invited to compete against others. The styles performed range from the traditional ballroom styles to hip hop and jazz. The competitors are advised three weeks prior to their round as to what styles they will be competing in and use that time to 'get up to speed' if it isn't their discipline. It's interesting to see how those of one style interpret another. Anyway, having been in the studio audience a couple of times it's great to see the range of people who come along. I'm only in my mid 30s but it's heartening to see people of all ages there; especially with the experience i've had with the younger crowd I work with and their attitudes.

[dancin_feet]

The social scene is actually quite active. While I don't usually just go out to clubs outside of the studio, there are some that do and know all the little nightspots where you can go and dance. That said it is usually a mixture of latin, street latin that is danced and no so much of the ballroom style.

We have quite a healthy scene at our studio, beginners classes are full to overflowing. Whether they will stick with it is yet to be seen, but it's looking good. There were quite a lot of the beginners at the studio social last week, I even taught one guy the first couple of rumba steps, and he did quite well. If they can stick with it, we'll whip them into shape and it'll be really good.

[Auzzie_Dancer]

Theres not many social events for dancing here, save the moonlight dance once a year. But whenever we have a dance demo or a social dance thing at our studio about 300 people come to it and its pretty good.

The bad thing about it though is the only people that go are people who know someone who dances and thats a real shame.