Dancing while sitting at a table - is it dancing?

H

huey

New Member
I like going to hear live "rhythmic blues" type music in bars. There's one in particular I go to several times a month. The music is usually good, and the place has a good atmosphere. Nearly everyone there seems to enjoy themselves in one way or another.

Since I've got used to dancing, I've noticed the 'dance element' of this bar more. Most people in this bar don't dance. They drink, chat, laugh, and listen to the music. Occasionally, a few people start dancing by moving around the floor in loose jive-type moves (there isn't much space for this).

If they are enjoying the music, some of the people standing up will clap or sway in time to the music. And some of the people sitting at tables will move the top half of their bodies to the music. I've noticed the people sitting down will usually move more energetically than those standing up. Usually the people who are moving while sitting down do so in groups. Anything from two girls sitting next to each other to a table, to a large group of 8 or more. They all move together in time to the beat. It looks good, and it is clear that they are enjoying themselves.

A few questions arise in my mind about this.

  • Is this 'moving while sitting at a table' actually dancing?

    Why do the people sitting down move more energetically than those standing up?

    What can we learn from this if anything?
 
i'd say dancing standing ON the table is the way to go!

as for your questions.. hmm.. not quite sure i thought about it since i dont much notice those sitting down or at the bar.. hmm.. maybe i should take a look now and then incase i see something of interest..
 
huey said:
I like going to hear live "rhythmic blues" type music in bars. There's one in particular I go to several times a month. The music is usually good, and the place has a good atmosphere. Nearly everyone there seems to enjoy themselves in one way or another.

Since I've got used to dancing, I've noticed the 'dance element' of this bar more. Most people in this bar don't dance. They drink, chat, laugh, and listen to the music. Occasionally, a few people start dancing by moving around the floor in loose jive-type moves (there isn't much space for this).

If they are enjoying the music, some of the people standing up will clap or sway in time to the music. And some of the people sitting at tables will move the top half of their bodies to the music. I've noticed the people sitting down will usually move more energetically than those standing up. Usually the people who are moving while sitting down do so in groups. Anything from two girls sitting next to each other to a table, to a large group of 8 or more. They all move together in time to the beat. It looks good, and it is clear that they are enjoying themselves.

A few questions arise in my mind about this.

  • Is this 'moving while sitting at a table' actually dancing?

    Why do the people sitting down move more energetically than those standing up?

    What can we learn from this if anything?
Click to expand...

Huey, what you are mentioning here is what I believe to be at the core of dancing. While I would not call moving and swaying while seated at the table or while standing dancing as you describe, it is that same urge to move rhythmically to music that compels people such as us to do so in the form of dancing.
 
huey said:
A few questions arise in my mind about this.

  • Is this 'moving while sitting at a table' actually dancing?

    Why do the people sitting down move more energetically than those standing up?

    What can we learn from this if anything?
Click to expand...
I think peopke sitting down move more energetically BECAUSE they feel it's less like dancing. If you are standing and move energetically to music, then it feels too much like full-on dancing, which probably make them self-conscious about it. If you are seated, you can say "I'm not dancing, I'm just having fun moving to the music".

I wonder how many of these "moving to the music" people would accept a dance invitation?
 
If I'm at a musical event with a friend who dances, I never hesitate to get up off me bum and dance(as long as it's not disturbing anyone's view!). When we had our gig the other night and played some standard jazz tunes & bossa nova, I was dancing(because I was singing in the band!) but no one got up to dance. I am hoping to encourage this in the future as a lot of my dance buddies come to see our gigs. Guess they're a bit shy... :?
 
MacMoto said:
I think people sitting down move more energetically BECAUSE they feel it's less like dancing. If you are standing and move energetically to music, then it feels too much like full-on dancing, which probably make them self-conscious about it. If you are seated, you can say "I'm not dancing, I'm just having fun moving to the music".
Click to expand...

Yes, thinking about it, I am sure this is the reason people sit down to move. It can be sexy, rhythmic, and fun. It can be done on your own or with others. The reason it comes easily is because when you are sitting at a table, the "bottom half" of your body is anchored in the chair, and usually not visible, so you feel safe to move your top half. You don't feel so exposed, and feel safe to move.
 
I am an expert at dancing in my chair :lol: especially if I am somewhere where everyone/almost everyone was sitting :(

I suspect a few more people in London are going to have to be come "expert" because one of the venues used for band concerts (eg. Spanish Harlem Orchestra) has restrictions on dancing. Therefore, at their last concert, many people were sitting very politely :roll: :roll: :roll: for ages. Management said that the local council (local government) were enforcing fire regulations etc etc therefore they had to limit the number of people in various areas or even where they were in balcony areas as apparently some guy tried to jump down to ground level and ended up breaking his arm :shock: .

So yes, chair dancing may be on the increase 8)

PS. I sometimes "dance" in the car so I guess that could count as chair dancing :lol:
 
My ex-to-be would always dance while sitting. She could never sit nor stand still if danceable music was playing.

For decades I could never understand that. But now that I have started learning to dance, I simply cannot sit still when dance music is playing. Most especially swing music.

So dancing while sitting just comes with the territory and is a natural part of being a dancer. Doesn't it?
 
Sabor said:
i'd say dancing standing ON the table is the way to go!
Click to expand...
If a good salsa (or even merengue!) comes on and someone asks me for a dance on the table, I think I'll do it... :oops: certainly beats chair dancing! :lol:

The table of course has to be good sized and stable.
 
MacMoto said:
Sabor said:
i'd say dancing standing ON the table is the way to go!
Click to expand...
If a good salsa (or even merengue!) comes on and someone asks me for a dance on the table, I think I'll do it... :oops: certainly beats chair dancing! :lol:

The table of course has to be good sized and stable.
Click to expand...
No kidding! Especially if it's someone like me who weights 62 kgs! :lol:
 
MacMoto said:
Sabor said:
i'd say dancing standing ON the table is the way to go!
Click to expand...
If a good salsa (or even merengue!) comes on and someone asks me for a dance on the table, I think I'll do it... :oops: certainly beats chair dancing! :lol:

The table of course has to be good sized and stable.
Click to expand...

if we ever meet.. i'll remeber that and hold u to it :wink: .. and i will be sitting at the table .. staring up :lol:
 
what exactly is dancing? isn't it moving to music? if so then it doesn't matter if your sitting or standing. as long as you're moving to music you're dancing!

which brings up some questions... what if you're just tapping your foot. is that dancing? or tapping your finger? if it isn't then where is the line drawn between dancing and not dancing?

you could be standing and taping your foot (or finger). is that dancing? you're now standing and moving to music.

i say any time you're moving to music you're dancing. standing, sitting, on your feet, on your hands, heck... on your head! its all dancing as long as the music inspires you to move. it doesn't even have to be rhythmic movement (i know several students who aren't rhythmic :) ) as long as its the music that's making you move.

remember Footloose? :lol:
 
Sabor said:
MacMoto said:
Sabor said:
i'd say dancing standing ON the table is the way to go!
Click to expand...
If a good salsa (or even merengue!) comes on and someone asks me for a dance on the table, I think I'll do it... :oops: certainly beats chair dancing! :lol:

The table of course has to be good sized and stable.
Click to expand...

if we ever meet.. i'll remeber that and hold u to it :wink: .. and i will be sitting at the table .. staring up :lol:
Click to expand...
I'll remember to wear trousers! :lol: And remember, my balance is very poor -- I may lose my footing and accidentally step on the face of someone sitting at the table! You've been warned :twisted:
 
MacMoto said:
I'll remember to wear trousers! :lol: And remember, my balance is very poor -- I may lose my footing and accidentally step on the face of someone sitting at the table! You've been warned :twisted:
Click to expand...
I can just imagine someone saying "Excuse me, miss, but your heel is in my drink!" :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top