so what is 'non' social dancing?

[rachel with the questions]

I'd define social dancing as ballroom, salsa, lindy hop, hip hop (what else?) but I am stuck to define non-social dancing....I'd say it includes ballet, modern (but what would you class as 'modern'?)

questions, questions!

[etchuck]

Personally there is partner-dancing and non-partner dancing. As for social dancing, that's tough to say... certainly the "artistic" dances probably wouldn't be classified as such, but I am not academically knowledgeable that there would be a clear distinction there since many "modern" dances take from social dancing sometimes.

[ShyDancer]

Modern to me is Ballroom! Modern Waltz ,Quickstep, Tango etc..... thats international style though.. its Standard in the US isnt it??

I think all dancing is social though, Id also stick Latin, New Vogue (sequence dancing), line dancing, belly dancing, irish dancing..as social dancing.

Do you mean non social as in not partnered? Or as in there are no social venues that hold events to cater for a paticular dance type?

Ive never heard of a ballet social on a friday night! :lol:

Maybe others can be of more help!

[D-spot]

Non-social. Anything that you don't 'commonly' dance at normal everyday functions.
So, ballet for sure, tap as well. Jazz I'm not too sure about where that comes.

Terminology.
Ballroom, used in England to mean both the ten international style dances or only the five standard dances (determine by context or ask).
Standard, International Style ballroom comprising Waltz (sometimes referred to as modern waltz or English waltz), Viennese waltz, slow foxtrot, tango and (my favourite) quickstep.
Smooth is the American Style (sometimes also known as Social Style)comprising of (help me out here) modern waltz, foxtrot, viennese and tango.
Social style, aka American Style, but can also refer to dancing in a social setting. Both American Style and Intenational style can be danced socially or competitively (mainly International in Canada and the rest of the world except for the states).
Latin - International Style referring to rumba, cha-cha, samba, jive and paso doble (a dance I would consider to be a non-social dance as it is not frequently danced even in the social ballroom world, perhaps one a night but usually only by request).
Rhythm - American Style, comprising rumba, cha-cha, bolero, swing, mambo.

Hope I have this right.
Hope it helps.
D-spot.

[Sagitta]

Social vs non-social? I believe that most dances can be danced socially, though some may be more difficult to do. For instance, international rhumba is more difficult because it requires more space then American rhumba, which is compact. Then there is paso doble that I've never seen done, except in competitions and performances...

[Kitty]

what would you class as 'modern'?

Modern is a type of ballet. Uses ballet technique, but has different style.

Search the web for Balanchine (greatest modern choreographer).

Almost forgot: in Ballroom world "Modern" means the four Standard Dances: Waltz, Fox Trot, Quickstep nd Tango. Vienniese Waltz is sometimes included, sometimes not.

[Genesius Redux]

Anti-social dancing is like when you kick your partner, or spill drinks on everyone, get burned with cigarette ash. You know, the kind of thing that usually happens at the club.... :wink:

[jon]

First define "non-social" more precisely. You get a different list of dances depending as you define it as "performance" or "non-partnered" or "not done in a room full of other people doing their own thing".

[DWise1]

I always figured that social dancing was like social drinking, where you do it when you're out with others.
As opposed to doing it alone at home.
With CDs of dance music hidden away all over the house so that you won't run out.
And polishing off a dance number or two before it's even lunchtime.

You know, a problem dancer.


Think I feel a bender coming on this weekend.

[Genesius Redux]

I always figured that social dancing was like social drinking, where you do it when you're out with others.
As opposed to doing it alone at home.
With CDs of dance music hidden away all over the house so that you won't run out.
And polishing off a dance number or two before it's even lunchtime.

You know, a problem dancer.


Think I feel a bender coming on this weekend.

:lol: Friends don't let friends dance and drive.

Do you dance when you're alone?
Do you dance before 10 o'clock in the morning?
Have you ever had a hard day at work and you just need that one dance to help you unwind? And then it turns into two, and four, and before you know it you've been dancing all night?
When a song comes on in the car while you're driving, do you start to move your hips?
Have you ever gotten up in the morning, and you don't remember who you were dancing with?

You may have a dancing problem.

Fortunately we have a Forum for you. It's called Dancers Anonymous. Just drop by any time, and say, "Hello. My name is X. And I'm a dancer."

:lol:

[DWise1]

:lol: Friends don't let friends dance and drive.

Last night in class, my partner started to panic a bit saying that she had completely forgotten the routine. So I told her to relax and not to worry because I'm the designated driver.

Though actually I think that was when she really started to worry.

[Kitty]

:lol: Friends don't let friends dance and drive.

Last night in class, my partner started to panic a bit saying that she had completely forgotten the routine. So I told her to relax and not to worry because I'm the designated driver.

Though actually I think that was when she really started to worry.

Awesome!:-)

[Sagitta]

:lol: Friends don't let friends dance and drive.

Last night in class, my partner started to panic a bit saying that she had completely forgotten the routine. So I told her to relax and not to worry because I'm the designated driver.

Though actually I think that was when she really started to worry.

Awesome!:-)

It's good that she started to worry that Dwise1 is the designated driver? :shock: By the way I like it - "designated driver" I'll make sure I remember that.

[DWise1]

It's good that she started to worry that Dwise1 is the designated driver? :shock: By the way I like it - "designated driver" I'll make sure I remember that.
OK, so maybe I do take a wrong turn now and then, but I always get there eventually. And usually in one piece.

Without ever having to stop and ask for directions.

[rachel with the questions]

Thanks all for shedding some light on this issue!
:lol:

[pygmalion]

Any time. I have a feeling we're by no means done, yet. :wink: :lol: Has anyone tackled the social versus competitive dance divide? Meaning social dance equals partner dancing in a non-competitive environement, versus partnered dancing in competition?

[Flat Shoes]

To me social vs. non-social dancing is dancing for the one self and the partner vs. dancing for an audience.

In that sense most partner dances can be both social or non-social. And many single (no partner) dances are non-social dances.

I don't however think there's any strict separation between these two categories though.

[rachel with the questions]

Nope! We're not quite done!

And to throw a spanner in the works, how about this one?

Is Egyptian Belly Dancing a social dance? Or a non-social dance?

My belly dancing teacher says it IS social - you can perform both with partners or alone.

I'm not sure! Surely ALL dance is social on one level - but I'm talking the official stuff here! Confused? I am!

:wink:

[SDsalsaguy]

Perhaps a distinction might be made between dances that one can do with a partner vs. ones that one cannot without one?

[tsb]

Anti-social dancing is like when you kick your partner, or spill drinks on everyone, get burned with cigarette ash. You know, the kind of thing that usually happens at the club.... :wink:

how about the assumption of the practice of courtesy as an aspect of social dancing? and along these lines, an expectation of common conventions/understanding...

[Sagitta]

I like that tsb. :) Very important. It is "social" so that should definitely eb part of the package.

[tsb]

I like that tsb. :) Very important. It is "social" so that should definitely eb part of the package.

well, the thing is that not everyone has the same concept of courtesy, etc. so it might be better to suggest that social dancing would somehow include the idea that everyone participating would have a shared consensus of what dancing meant as well as what constitutes acceptable behavior - even though that consensus might vary from venue to venue. for example, dance etiquette was a big part of my ballroom training at a time when dancing even two dances in a row was considered potentially rude. but i understand that this isn't the case in argentine tango.

[dragon3085]

Social dancing involved socializing or at least the oppurtunity for it. EVen techno could be considered social in that people go to a club with the intention to socialize- the club and dance merely act as meeting tools. (this is a bit over simplified but I hope you get the idea). So in a sense if more the purpose of the enviroment that defines if its social or non social. If it is to encourage socialization then its a social dance. If the purpose of the dance is to be alone or is part of a performance where there is no opportunity to socialize then its a non-social dance.

My thoughts..

Patrick

[SDsalsaguy]

Hmm, still seems to me that there's a difference between dancing (that can be) done socially and social dancing, no?

[Sagitta]

Hmm, still seems to me that there's a difference between dancing (that can be) done socially and social dancing, no? And also this definition can vary depending on the venue and the dance crowd. For instance, a ballroom dance where most of the people compete, vs one where people the floor is packed with people of a wide variety of abilities.

[tsb]

Hmm, still seems to me that there's a difference between dancing (that can be) done socially and social dancing, no? And also this definition can vary depending on the venue and the dance crowd. For instance, a ballroom dance where most of the people compete, vs one where people the floor is packed with people of a wide variety of abilities.

i think i understand the point you want to make, but people who compete also come in different shapes, sizes and skill (especially floorcraft) levels... individual & collective intent, motive, perspectives, etc. of those whom they dance with has an impact on the overall experience for each person - and those perceptions can vary from individual to individual.

[cocodrilo]

Nope! We're not quite done!

And to throw a spanner in the works, how about this one?

Is Egyptian Belly Dancing a social dance? Or a non-social dance?

My belly dancing teacher says it IS social - you can perform both with partners or alone.

I'm not sure! Surely ALL dance is social on one level - but I'm talking the official stuff here! Confused? I am!

:wink:

The belly dancing thing- that one really got me. Although I have never taken lessons, I have seen it performed in several countries. In Morocco, it was purely a performance. People didn't get up & join in. As for the social aspect of that occasion, the club drew people BECAUSE of the performance. (They were all locals, and no one dared near the dancer/band so I'm assuming bellydancing is a performance dance meant to be enjoyed by onlookers and not participated in) Perhaps someone living in belldyancing country can fill us in. Sabor! Where are we when we need you!!! :shock: