Social Dancing in Other Countries

[Spitfire]

I don't plan on traveling overseas, but I was just curious.

From what I understand, in places such as Great Britain and Europe and Canada international style is done at social dances so does this mean I would have trouble at a dance since I've never learned anything international? but on the other hand I think I've heard that American style is also done in other countries so I'm not sure where I would stand.

 

[Frodo]

I think at a social level most people would have little idea of what American style is ( in the UK ).

There are probably relatively few opportunities (compared to Salsa, Lindy, Jive ) to dance latin and ballroom where you don't bring your partner in any case.

I guess it is an interesting question how compatible an American style lead with an International follow for the different dances.

 

[tacad]

It's manageable. Internationals dance with body contact on waltz, foxtrot, tango and I have trouble dancing like that since I do smooth. So I have to tell them I can't do that. I used to try but it was a disaster. With a little space I manage ok.

 

[Spitfire]

There are probably relatively few opportunities (compared to Salsa, Lindy, Jive ) to dance latin and ballroom where you don't bring your partner in any case.

How about West Coast Swing; is it big in the UK?

 

[Sagitta]

Ballroom, disco and trance dancing in Goa, India...

 

[Chris Stratton]

Internationals dance with body contact on waltz, foxtrot, tango

In actuality, the method of connection in closed position depends more on who a dancer studied with than on what style they are doing. While many competitors desire a strong body connection, others put more emphasis on the posture and connection through the frame - welcoming a light incidental contact when it occurs comfortably, but not considering it a primary goal, and certainly not trying to push it in a social dance.

I guess it is an interesting question how compatible an American style lead with an International follow for the different dances.

Again, the real question is compatability of technical philosophy rather than differences in material. For someone who can versatily follow international style without anticipating, following closed position smooth is no problem because allthough the syllabus figures are different, they are made from the same collection of component actions. Following open work might be harder, but a good 10-dancer should be able to borrow from latin experience and connection ideas enough to survive leadable things.

 

[DancePoet]

I think at a social level most people would have little idea of what American style is ( in the UK ).

There are probably relatively few opportunities (compared to Salsa, Lindy, Jive ) to dance latin and ballroom where you don't bring your partner in any case.

I guess it is an interesting question how compatible an American style lead with an International follow for the different dances.

Interesting. In the U.S. I can show up to just about any dance event in the Northeast by myself, and I've always been able to find dancers willing to dance. Mostly I find American style, but I can use the International style sometimes, too.

 

[Frodo]

How about West Coast Swing; is it big in the UK?

There might be about one weekly class at a time running somewhere around London.

On Jive derived dance weekends and workshops it is increasingly popular though. There was recently a major dance weekend billed as Jive and WCS.

Re-reading what I wrote I think the "in any case" bit gives far too strong an impression and should have been left out. It is relative to Salsa, Jive, Lindy (and AT).