How to do the cuban shuffle line dance
31 Best Wedding Line Dances and Songs in 2022
Most Famous Wedding Line Dances of All TimeLine dances have been around for hundreds of years, and their popularity has only grown over time. While wedding line dances definitely had their heyday in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, we are seeing a resurgence of the trend thanks to new, catchy songs and the ingenuity of dancing teens on apps like TikTok. Before we move on to the modern hits, let’s take a look at some of the most famous line dances in party history!
Cupid Shuffle“Cupid Shuffle” is a song by singer-songwriter Cupid from his 2007 studio album “Time for a Change.” It has spawned a popular line dance, “The Cupid Shuffle,” which was a defining aspect of the early 2010s due to its meteoric popularity as a wedding line dance and at school dances, proms, or other festive occasions.
The Cupid Shuffle dance and the song itself immediately drew comparisons to “Cha Cha Slide” by DJ Casper. Like the Cha Cha Slide, the movements of The Cupid Shuffle are called out in the lyrics of the song, guiding participants through the dance. Cupid Shuffle and Cha Cha Slide are often played one right after the other at weddings or school dances.
Cha Cha Slide
While the Cha Cha Slide may seem ubiquitous to those who grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s, this party hit has only been around since August 2000, when it was released as a single by American artist DJ Casper. Producers of the track initially marketed it for use at aerobic sessions and nightclubs, but it quickly took the entire entertainment and event industry by storm. You can now hear the Cha Cha Slide at school dances, proms, birthday parties, ice-skating and roller rinks, bar/bat mitzvahs, quinceaneras, weddings and sporting events all around the world.
Like its spiritual successor The Cupid Shuffle, the Cha Cha Slide’s lyrics cue party guests to perform each dance step, like the titular “slide” to the left or right or—of course— “cha cha real smooth.”
Electric Slide
There’s no such thing as too many slide dances at a wedding! The Electric Slide, much like the Cha Cha Slide, is a four-wall line dance (meaning the participants will turn to eventually face all four walls of the room over the course of the dance) that has been incredibly popular at weddings since its inception.
Choreographer, pianist and Broadway performer Richard L. “Ric” Silver created the dance in 1976, setting it to Marcia Griffiths and Bunny Wailer’s song “Electric Boogie.
” The original choreography includes 22 steps, but there are multiple variations, the most popular of which is the 18-step “Electric Slide 2.”
Beyond the original track, there are at least 134 songs you can dance the Electric Slide to. Here are just a few:
- “Another One Bites the Dust,” Queen
- “Brick House,” The Commodores
- “December 1963 (Oh What A Night),” The Four Seasons
- “Get Down On It,” Kool & the Gang
- “Ice Ice Baby,” Vanilla Ice
The Wobble
This line dance stems from the song “Wobble” by rapper V.I.C., which was originally released in the summer of 2008.
Four years later, it debuted at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on January 7, 2012. The song’s belated popularity is attributed to the dance it eventually inspired, The Wobble.
It is a simple dance in the same vein as the Electric Slide or Cha Cha Slide, but with a more modern, hip-hop/R&B flavor. More recently, the song and its associated dance enjoyed another spike in popularity thanks to its discover by the next generation of party-goers on the video sharing app TikTok.
Macarena
Hey, Macarena! “Macarena” is a Spanish dance song by Los del Río about a woman of the same name. Appearing on their 1993 album “A mí me gusta,” the song became an international hit and dance craze in the latter half of 1996.
The song even got the group ranked the “No. 1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of All Time” by Vh2 in 2002! The associated dance consists primarily of arm and hand movements, making it a fun wedding reception dance for groups comprised of many different ages and mobility levels.
Y.M.C.A.
Disco isn’t dead! This 1978 hit by The Village People is perhaps one of the most famous songs of all time to say nothing of the lasting popularity of the dance by the same name. “Y.M.C.A.” is one of fewer than 40 singles to have sold 10 million (or more) physical copies worldwide.
“Y.M.C.A.” stands for Young Men’s Christian Association, an organization that built low-income housing and youth community spaces for underprivileged and unhoused city dwellers.
In the 60s and 70s, the YMCA was known as a safe space for young men of color and youth ousted from their homes for their sexual orientation, which inspired Victor Willis, lead singer and lyricist of The Village People, to pen the song.
The song remains popular at events around the world, with crowds joining in on the dance in which arm movements are used to spell out the four letters of the song’s title. Like the Macarena, this dance’s reliance on arm movements makes it a great choice for groups with mixed activity or mobility levels.
The Chicken Dance
Did you know that “The Chicken Dance” dates all the way back to 1950? That’s right — this notorious earworm is credited to Swiss accordion player Werner Thomas.
The original name of the song was “Der Ententanz” (The Duck Dance), and was a popular drinking song at Oktoberfest in Germany. In 1981, the song was played at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Oktoberfest. Performers wanted to don duck costumes, but none were available, so a local television station donated a chicken costume for use at the festival, accidentally making history by giving “The Chicken Dance” its name.
Since then, polka tune has been present at Oktoberfests, wedding receptions, school dances, proms and festivals across the country. Its four simple dance moves (mimicking a chicken beak opening and closing with one’s hands, flapping one’s arms like chicken wings, shaking one’s hips, and clapping four times on the beat) make it easy for everyone, from children to children at heart, to pick up quickly. It also happens to regularly top lists of the most common songs on couples’ “do not play” lists for their wedding DJs, so your mileage may vary with this old classic!
Cotton Eyed Joe
Believe it or not, “Cotton-Eyed Joe” is actually the oldest song on this list! Its roots date back before the Civil War, and is believed to have been sung by enslaved people in the fields of plantations in the American South. The first printed version of the song’s lyrics was published in 1882, and the lyrics have evolved since. Many different versions of the song have been performed and recorded with many different versions of the lyrics or without lyrics at all, but the most popular and recognizable rendition today was recorded by Swedish Eurodance group Rednex in 1994.
As a line dance, the Cotton Eyed Joe is essentially a heel-and-toe “poker” style dance, the likes of which are commonly seen at square dances or hoedowns.
The Cotton Eyed Joe is a great country wedding line dance song choice for couples having a barn or farm wedding, backyard wedding, or rustic-chic wedding.
New Line Dances and Tik Tok Trends
Social media video apps like YouTube and TikTok have breathed new life into line dancing! Over the past decade, artists have seen their songs skyrocket to fame with new, younger audiences. Of particular note is the prevalence of hip-hop tracks, in addition to tracks that mix hip-hop and country influences, as the new genre of choice for line dances. Below, we give you all the details on some of our favorite new line dances and TikTok trends for your 2022 wedding playlist.
“Old Town Road” is the debut single that launched American rapper Lil Nas X to fame. Originally released in 2018, then again in 2019 as a remixed version featuring country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, this country rap number gained popularity on Tiktok before hitting the Billboard charts. Tiktok users devised their own dance steps to the song, leading to the hit being widely considered a dance track despite being initially released without any associated choreography. The song went on to be featured in the dance-centric video game “Just Dance 2020,” which solidified the track’s line dance steps.
This dance is a great choice for younger couples who prefer a more modern twist on their wedding soundtrack’s country flair. Older guests may not know the dance, as it was conceived on and popularized by social media, but the steps are simple enough to pick up, especially for seasoned line-dancers.
Fancy Like
If you’ve seen an Applebee’s commercial since late summer 2021, you’ve probably heard “Fancy Like!” During the COVID-19 pandemic, country singer Walker Hayes and his family decided to make TikTok videos for fun, creating dances for several songs from his EP “Country Stuff” for his children. The TikTok video for “Fancy Like” received more than 2.4 million likes and 23,000 comments and became a viral hit overnight. What’s that got to do with Applebee’s? The restaurant is mentioned in the lyrics of the song, prompting the chain to use the track in its commercials, contributing to its popularity.
The dance created by Hayes and his family draws inspiration from both classic line dances and more modern hip-hop dance. As journalist Chris Deville wrote for Stereogum in 2021, “There’s probably some connection to be drawn between the hip-hop-adjacent ‘Fancy Like’ dance and the line dancing that used to accompany every country hit in the late 20th century.
” No wonder “Fancy Like” feels so familiar!
The Git Up
“Country rap” again went viral in early 2019 with “The Git Up” by American rapper Blanco Brown. The song has been described as the “sequel” to “Old Town Road” thanks to its mash-up of hip-hop and country sensibilities and viral popularity. Despite its decidedly modern conception, the dance associated with “The Git Up” is in keeping with the origins of classic line dances of the 80s through early 2000s: Brown himself performed a line dance to the song in a self-recorded video, which became a meme and was later used in the music video.
The dance takes cues from country line dance staples like side steps, heel-toe taps and turning, but with looser body language befitting its hip-hop roots.
“The Git Up” will fit right in at city weddings and farm weddings alike thanks to its genre-defying beat.
Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)
Thanks to a viral clip on YouTube in 2015, this song by rapper Silentó became popular for its dance — despite mixed reviews of the track overall! The dance includes a combination of the two popular moves cited in the title: the “Whip” and the “Nae Nae.” Both moves require the dancer to take a deep stance and use their arms and hips, so this is one dance that is best for the limber!
Since its original burst of popularity, this song has taken on a life of its own, becoming a popular tune at sporting events, dance clubs, school dances, proms, and weddings.
It has also been used as an alternative song for other popular hip-hop dances like those from “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” and “Stanky Legg.”
Baby Shark Dance
“Baby Shark” is a children’s song and associated dance — so rest assured this will be a huge hit with any kids in your wedding party and at your reception! Originating as a campfire song and dance, with participants using their hands to imitate shark’s jaws, “Baby Shark” became popular in 2016 when South Korean entertainment company Pinkfong’s YouTube music video for the song went viral. In January 2022, it became the first YouTube video to reach 10 billion views, and is YouTube’s most viewed video of all time.
Gangnam Style
“Gangnam Style” went gangbusters in 2012 when it was released as a lead single by South Korean rapper Psy. The term “Gangnam Style” refers to a lifestyle associated with the Gangnam District of Seoul in Korea. Psy’s amusing dancing throughout this K-pop dance song became a worldwide phenomenon, sparking memes, parodies, sketches and more. The dance itself is high-energy and involves galloping and lassoing motions, pulses and small kicks. Anyone who was around for this major cultural moment will undoubtedly dash to the dance floor when this is played at your wedding reception!
Crank That (Soulja Boy) – “Superman”
“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” is responsible for what was called “the biggest dance fad since the Macarena” at the time of its release in 2008. The debut single by American rapper Soulja Boy Tell’em, this song spent seven weeks at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and received a Grammy nomination. An instructional YouTube video for the associated dance surpassed 27 million views by early 2008.
Inspired by recent dance crazes in Atlanta, Georgia, Soulja Boy and his friends invented the moves that became synonymous with “Crank That.” As The Wall Street Journal described it, “dancers bounce back on their heels, ripple their hands, crank their wrists like motorcyclists, then lunge into a Superman pose.
” The dance became wildly popular at dance clubs and school dances at the time and remains a memorable line dance today.
The Time Warp
Originally featured in the 1973 musical “The Rocky Horror Show” and the subsequent 1975 film adaptation “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Time Warp” is a glam rock parody of the dance song genre. The associated dance of the same name is one of the major audience participation portions featured during screenings of the film and performances of the stage show. Like many popular line dances of the time, much of the lyrics of “Time Warp” are dance step instructions, making it easy to follow along.
“Time Warp” has become a popular song beyond the reaches of its source material and is often played at dances and weddings.
Because “Rocky Horror Picture Show” holds legendary cult classic status among film fans, this song will be an excellent choice for wedding reception groups of all ages — especially if the couple are self-proclaimed sci-fi or film nerds!
More Wedding Line Dance Songs Everyone Will KnowCountry Wedding Line Dance Songs
Since country music is the grandaddy of all line dances, you can bet there are more hits that make boot-tappin’-good country wedding line dance songs:
- “Achy Breaky Heart,” Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)
- “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” Trace Adkins (2005)
- “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” Shania Twain (1997)
There are almost too many great hip-hop dance songs to choose from — but here are a few more, just for good measure!:
- “Harlem Shake,” Baauer (2012)
- “Jump On It,” The Sugarhill Gang (1999)
- “Teach Me How to Dougie,” Cali Swag District (2010)
Here are some of our favorite pop, Latin and R&B-inspired fun wedding reception songs:
- “Thriller,” Michael Jackson (1982)
- “Conga,” Miami Sound Machine & Gloria Estefan (1996)
- “Twist & Shout,” The Beatles (1963)
- “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond (1969)
Dance Down the Aisle at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
Ready to get dancing down the aisle? We’re ready to help! Let the expert planning team at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center see to every detail of your extraordinary wedding and reception.
From the pre-ceremony cocktails to the perfect party playlist, we’re experienced in helping couples make their wedding day dreams a reality. Contact us today to learn more!
97 Best Line Dance Songs For Wedding (2022 Group Dances)
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If you want to treat your wedding guests to a great time, make sure you pick out a few fun line dance songs for your wedding reception. Group dances are a great way to get all of your friends and family on the dance floor at the same time.
If you need help choosing the best wedding line dance songs, we’ve got you covered!
Here is what we cover in this article:
- Popular group dances (including the newest line dances)
- Most popular country line dances for your wedding or party
- Group dances for the whole family
- Group dance songs like like Cupid Shuffle
- Hip hop, r&b, and pop line dance songs
- Top 10 line dancing songs
- Best sing-along wedding songs for groups
- How to learn line dances and group dances for weddings or parties
M.C.A dance a wedding receptionPopular group dances for your wedding reception (including new line dance songs)
These are the group line dance songs that are a staple at almost any wedding we plan or photograph. There are many more song choices in the other lists on this page, so check those out if you are looking for something a little more unique. The songs in this list are the most common.
- “Cha-Cha Slide” by Mr. C The Slide Man
- “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid
- “Fancy Like” by Walker Haynes (A new TikTok dance craze. Learn how to do the Fancy Like dance in this YouTube video). Once you learn the moves, you can follow along here.
- “Wobble” by V.I.C.
- “The Git Up” by Blanco Brown (This is the step to the left step to the right dance song)
- “Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People (Learn the Y.
M.C.A. dance moves here) - “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex (Learn the Cotton Eye Joe line dance moves right here)
- “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train)” by Quad City DJ’s (for all of you conga line lovers)
- “Shout” by Otis Day & The Knights (or this version from The Isley Brothers)
What are the most popular country line dances (songs) for a wedding or dance party?
If you are looking for a few country-line dance songs to include at your wedding reception or a dance party, we have some of the top choices for you.
Here are some of the best country line dance songs:
- “The Git Up” by Blanco Brown (Learn how to do The Git Up dance moves)
- “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle (Learn the Copperhead Road line dance here)
- “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus (Learn the Old Town Road dance moves here)
- “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
- “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn (Learn the Boot Scootin’ Boogie line dance here)
- “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
- “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain
- “Chattahoochee” by Alan Jackson (The Chattahoochee line dance)
- “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker
- “Watermelon Crawl” by Tracy Byrd (Learn the Watermelon Crawl line dance here)
- “Fancy Like” by Walker Haynes (TikTok craze.
Learn how to do the Fancy Like dance in this awesome YouTube video). Once you know the dance moves, you can follow along here. - “Two Step” by Laura Bell Bundy feat. Colt Ford (The Two-Step line dance)
- “Good Time” by Alan Jackson
- “I’m From The Country” by Tracy Byrd
- “Baby Likes to Rock It” by The Tractors
- “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” by Shania Twain
- “Indian Outlaw” by Tim McGraw
- “Louisiana Saturday Night” by Mel McDaniel
- “Down in Mississippi” by Sugarland
- “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” by Luke Bryan (Learn the line dance here)
- “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” by Big & Rich
- “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” by Trace Adkins
- “Do the Lasso” by Justin Champagne (The TikTok dance compliation)
For even more country music ideas, check out this article we recently posted: 470 Best Country Wedding Songs.
Fun family dance songs for your wedding reception or anniversary party
Not all group dance songs have to be line dances. Sometimes, you simply might want to get all of your family and friends on the dance floor to have a great time.
We reached out to our readers and multiple DJs and asked for recommendations for a few great group dance songs. Here are some of the songs that received multiple votes:
- “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge
- “Shout” by The Isley Brother (or this version by Otis Day & The Knights from the movie Animal House)
- “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles
- “The Twist” by Chubby Checker (Learn The Twist dance here)
- “Staylin’ Alive” by Bee Gees
- “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
- “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train)” by Quad City DJ’s (This is the song you want your DJ to play if you want everyone to join a long conga line)
- “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
- “Jerusalema” by Master KG (We love seeing everyone around the world doing this dance together.
It is very moving and so powerful. Check out the video on YouTube). You can learn to do the dance here on YouTube. - “The Time Warp” From The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- “Born To Hand Jive” by Sha Na Na (From the hit movie Grease)
- “Limbo Rock” by Chubby Checker
- “Y.M.C.A” by The Village People
- “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
- “You Should Be Dancing” by Bee Gees (To learn the step by step dance moves, check out this tutorial for beginners. Once you learn all of the moves you can follow along here.
- “The Hustle” by Van McCoy
- “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega
- “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
- “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls
- “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (There are always a few people who try to do the big lift from Dirty Dancing, and it always makes for great photos!) – This couple did the entire dance routine for their first dance and even pulled off the big lift.
- “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong (We have seen this played at a few different weddings and the dance floor was packed with people doing the baby shark dance. It was aboslutely hilarious! Make sure you ask your DJ to play the party remix)
- “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol
- “The Hokey Pokey” by Ray Anthony
- “The Chicken Dance” by The Emeralds
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
- “The Locomotion” by Little Eva
- “Conga” by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
- “You’re The One That I Want” by John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, and the cast of Grease (Check bottom of this article to learn this dance, step-by-step)
- “Grease Lightnin’” by John Travolta
- (Check bottom of this article to learn this dance, step-by-step)
- “We Go Together” by The cast of Grease
- (Check bottom of this article to learn this dance, step-by-step)
For even more music ideas for your wedding reception, check out this article we recently posted: 197 Best Wedding Reception Dance Songs.
What are some other group dance songs like cupid shuffle?
If you’re looking for group dance songs like Cupid Shuffle (where everyone on the dance floor is doing the exact same thing at the same time), here are the songs that you will most likely hear at every wedding or dance party:
- “Cha-Cha Slide Part 2” by Mr. C The Slide Man
- “Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)” by Marcia Griffiths (Learn the Electric Slide dance moves here and here)
- “Wobble” by V.I.C.
- “The Git Up” by Blanco Brown (Learn to do the Git Up Dance)
- “Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People
- “Macarena” by Los Del Rio (Learn how to do the Macarena dance moves right here)
Fun hip hop, r&b, and pop line dance songs
If you are looking for some great hip hop songs to get everyone dancing and doing the same dance moves, here are a few of our favorite songs to consider for your wedding reception or dance party:
- “Gangnam Style” by Psy (Learn the dance moves to Gangnam Style)
- “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” by Silentó (Learn the dance moves for Watch Me Whip/Nae Nae)
- “Teach Me How to Dougie” by Cali Swag District (Learn how to do the Teach Me How To Dougie dance)
- “Harlem Shake” by Baauer
- “Apache (Jump On It)” by The Sugarhill Gang (Check out Will and Carlton doing the dance on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air)
- “Con Calma” by Daddy Yankee & Snow
- “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy
- “The Bird” by Morris Day and The Time
- “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC (To learn the dance moves for Bye Bye Bye, check out this tutorial.
Once you know the dance moves, follow along here. - “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by Backstreet Boys (Learn the dance steps here, and then put it all together and follow along here)
- “Motownphilly” by Boyz ll Men
- “Every Little Step” by Bobby Brown
- “Toosie Slide” by Drake
- “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke (ft. T.I. & Pharrell)
- “Tootsee Roll” by 69 Boyz
- “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion
- “Same Ole 2step” by Ent. Distrikt
- “Walk It Out” by Unk
- “Stanky Legg” by GS Boyz
- “The Bikers Shuffle Line Dance” by Big Mucci
- “Da’ Butt” by E.U.
- “Forever” by Chris Brown
- “Vida Loca” by Black Eyed Peas, Nicky Jam, and Tyga
- “The Cleveland Shuffle Line Dance” by Big Mucci
- “Jungle Love” by Morris Day and The Time
- “The Percolater” by Green Velvet
- “Jump Around” by House of Pain (Play this song and we garuntee that your entire dance floor will be jumping up and down when it it’s the “Jump! Jump! Jump! Everybody Jump!” part of the song)
What are the top 10 line dancing songs (group dance songs)?
We asked our readers and 20 different wedding DJs what their favorite (or most requested) group line dance was.
Here are the top 10 winners from the poll:
- “Cha Cha Slide Part 2” by Mr. C The Slide Man
- “Shout” by The Isley Brothers (or this version from Otis Day & The Knights)
- “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid
- “The Git Up” by Blanco Brown (Learn to do the Git Up dance moves in this awesome YouTube video)
- “Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide)” by Marcia Griffiths
- “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
- “Macarena” by Los Del Rio
- “Wobble” by V.I.C.
- “Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People
- “The Twist” by Chubby Checker
The best sing-along wedding songs (for groups)
What if line dances are not your style? Just have your DJ play one of these sing-along songs and watch your dance floor turn into a giant party!
- “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi
- “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
- “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC
- “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
- “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
- “Sweet Home Alabama” Lynyrd Skynyrd
- “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)” by The Beastie Boys
- “Love On Top” by Beyoncé
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
- “Africa” by Toto
- “Piano Man” by Billy Joel
- “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
- “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC
- “Party In The U.
S.A.” by Miley Cyrus - “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by Backstreet Boys
- “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band
- “Wannabe” by Spice Girls
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
- “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
- “Build Me Up Buttercup” by The Foundations
- “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
- “You’re The One That I Want” by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (from the hit movie Grease)
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- “I’ll Be There For You (Friends theme)” by The Rembrandts
- “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
Popular TikTok songs (and dance trends)
TikTok is a great place to go to see some of the newest dance trends.
Here are a few from the past year or 2 that we really loved (each link opens up a great TikTok compilation of that specific dance on YouTube):
- “Shuffle (tuzelitydance)” by Meg & Dia (Monster) – LUM!X, Gabry Ponte
- “Lottery (Renegade)” by K Camp
- “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion
- “Say So” by Doja Cat
- “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd
- “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo
- “Attention” by Todrick Hall
How to learn line dances for weddings
We have been to so many weddings where a line dance song comes on and the DJ ends up having to spend half the song trying to teach the dance to everyone.
This is your chance to be prepared for your next wedding or dance party. We have put together a bunch of awesome dance move tutorials for all of your favorite line dance/group dance songs.
How To Do The Cupid Shuffle, Wobble, and Cha Cha Slide
We love this video because she teaches you how to do the Cupid Shuffle, The Wobble, and Cha Cha Slide all in one video (and she does the dance moves in front of a mirror so it’s very easy to follow along and learn these dance moves easily) Note: if the video does play directly from this post, you can watch it on YouTube right here
The video below is the dance moves along with the music for each song. If you want the beginner dance steps (she teaches them better than anyone), check out this video first.
If you want the individual dance move lessons from each of those songs, here they are:
- Learn how to do The Cupid Shuffle dance moves.
- Learn how to do The Wobble dance moves.
- Learn how to do The Cha Cha Slide dance moves.
And if you need a little more help, here are a couple more tutorial videos for The Cupid Shuffle and The Cha Cha Slide:
- The Cupid Shuffle dance moves tutorial
- The Cha Cha Slide dance moves tutorial
Learn the Git Up Dance Moves
The Git Up is a really fun dance to do at any wedding or party.
To learn the basic moves of the Git Up dance, check out this video on YouTube (this is a great tutorial for beginners).
Once you have learned the moves, follow along with the video/music below:
If you want another Git Up dance tutorial, this is a great one to check out.
How To Do The Wobble Dance
The Wobble is played at almost every single wedding.
Check out the following videos on YouTube to learn The Wobble Dance Moves:
- Wobble dance moves #1
- Wobble dance tutorial #2
- Wobble dance moves tutorial #3
How To Do The Fancy Like Dance
You might be wondering, what is this new Fancy Like dance, and how do I do it.
It’s a new dance that has been spreading all over TikTok (and now weddings and dance parties). to learn the dance moves, step by step, check out this great tutorial for beginners.
After that, you can put it all together and follow along with this video (If the video below does not play from this screen, you can simply see it here on YouTube):
Learn the Thriller Dance (Step by Step)
Here is an awesome Thriller dance tutorial for beginners: The Thriller Dance taught to you step by step.
Once you learn all of the Michael Jackson Thriller dance moves, you can put it all together and follow along in this video (I love that she does these instructions and dances in the mirror. It makes it so easy to follow along): Thriller dance moves with the music.
How To Do The Grease (John Travolta) Dance Moves (You’re The One That I Want, Grease Lightnin’, and We go Together)
Here are some fantastic dance move tutorials (for beginners) for all of your favorite songs from the movie Grease.
- Learn how to do the dance moves from You’re The One That I Want.
- Grease Lightnin’ dance moves (how to)
- Learn the We Go Together dance moves
Once you know all of the moves, follow along with the video and music below (if it is not viewable on your device, you can simply watch it on YouTube here):
Learn The Cotton Eye Joe Line Dance Moves (Fun Tutorial)
The Cotton Eye Joe Dance is a staple at most weddings. If you want to learn all of the moves to the Cotton Eye Joe line dance, we’ve got you covered!
Check out the video below to learn the dance moves (you can watch the video on YouTube right here if the video below does not play in this window):
The Time Warp Dance Steps
Learn how to do The Time Warp (step by step) right here.
Then put it all together and dance along to this awesome dance lesson.-Step-11.jpg/aid7826390-v4-728px-Do-the-Maxie-Ford-(Tap-Dance-Step)-Step-11.jpg)
Learn The Footloose Dance
The Footloose is one of those feel-good dances that you can put to good use at every wedding or party you attend.
Learn the Footloose dance moves (step by step) right here.
Once you have learned all of the dance steps, dance along to this final version.
Here are a few more dance move tutorials to some of your favorite songs:
- Dance move tutorial for The Macarena
- How to do the dance moves for Gangnam Style
- Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) dance moves tutorial
- Teach Me How To Dougie dance moves (how to)
- Learn The Electric Slide
Make sure you check out our blog each week. We post new wedding planning tips 1-2 times per week.
where to learn bachata, ballroom dancing, salsa, shuffle and other popular styles
Afina Erofeeva
choreographer
I am sure that everyone can find a dance style to their liking.
For example, locking and house are suitable for those who want to experience more positive emotions, and for looseness and confidence, you should pay attention to contemporary or social dances. With a measured lifestyle, you can try reggaeton or shuffle, and with an active and rich lifestyle, you can try calm and structured styles: a European ballroom program or classical ballet.
In this article I will tell you how different styles differ, and I will also help you find schools where you can learn all this.
Title
What dances are taught: ballroom dancing, club latin
Cost: one-time lesson - 600 R, subscription for 4 classes - 2000 R
Where: st. Profsoyuznaya, 56
More details: on the website
"Titul" is a dance club that specializes in ballroom dancing. The club has groups for beginners and advanced students, and you can study according to the European or Latin American program.
The European program includes Slow Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Fast Foxtrot. And in Latin America - samba, cha-cha-cha, rumba, paso doble and jive. You can also contact "Titul" if you need to prepare a wedding dance.
Ballroom dancing works almost all muscle groups, especially legs and core. In the dance hall, you won’t be able to get pumped up like from hard regular work in a fitness club, but dancing can compete with running. Dancing also affects posture and coordination.
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How much does it cost to send a child to ballroom dancing
At first, you can study in Czech, but over time you will need special dancing shoes: a lower heel for the European program, a higher heel for Latin. Men, as a rule, wear dark trousers, and women wear knee-length or ankle-length skirts.
First dance school
What dances are taught: salsa, bachata, kizomba, reggaeton
Cost: single lesson in a group — 500 R, subscription for 8 group lessons — 2900 R, individual lesson — 2500 R
Where: st.
Krasnoproletarskaya, 16
More details: on the website
The school specializes in social dances and reggaeton. Social dance is built on contact and interaction between a couple. The leader here is the partner: he invites the partner to make some kind of movement, and she answers him. It turns out a kind of dialogue, improvisation, which does not involve memorizing a sequence of movements.
Another advantage of social dancing is communication and new acquaintances: you can go to parties and dance with new partners every time. The First Dance School often organizes them: in the summer they usually dance on Pushkinskaya Embankment near Gorky Park.
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I'll tell you more about the specific styles that you can learn here.
Salsa is a Cuban dance based on communication, flirting and seduction. Physical contact in salsa is almost always limited to either hands or touching the waist or shoulder.
Dancing salsa is not difficult: each dancer independently combines the movements as he wishes.
Women should wear high heels and an ankle strap. From clothes, a dress or a skirt is suitable, which do not interfere with freely swinging your leg, bending over, raising your arms, bending over and sitting down deeply: the main thing is that nothing is torn or torn during movements. I recommend that men wear sports shoes or light shoes with flexible soles for classes: sneakers with thick rubber soles will not work. You can come to the first classes at the dance school in Czech shoes or sports slippers.
Bachata is a simple, affordable and popular dance from the Dominican Republic. Bachata is built on leading and following. To make the dance look spectacular, you will need to learn the backbends and waves: this requires skill and control of the body.
Science pop about the history of everyday life: about food, money, fear
Clothes made of elastic fabrics are suitable for bachata.
Just like other social dances, you can start bachata classes in sneakers and, as your dance level grows, switch to special dance shoes. For a partner, both shoes for the Latin American program and shoes for the Argentine tango are suitable, it is better to start with a low and stable heel - no more than 5 centimeters.
The choice of shoes for men is even wider. They can dance in jazz shoes, jazz sneakers, modern jazz shoes, European ballroom shoes. The main condition is a comfortable fit on the leg.
Kizomba is a dance and musical style that originated in Angola. There are no complex elements and connections in kizomba: to start dancing, it is enough to master three or four basic movements. Basically, the elements are performed by the lower body: hips and legs.
The partner covers the entire back of the partner with his hand and controls every movement, completely controlling her. But visually, the main role is played by the partner and the smooth movements of her back and hips: they move in the dance with a large amplitude.-Step-12.jpg/670px-Shuffle-(Dance-Move)-Step-12.jpg)
Any clothes are suitable for classes.
Reggaeton is one of the most active and dynamic dances for all ages. The roots of the dance go back to Puerto Rico and Panama, where it originated on the basis of reggae, hip-hop and dancehall.
Reggaeton is frank, sensual, sometimes even aggressive. The basis of the dance is rhythmic movements of the body, hips, chest simultaneously with the pelvis, waves, turns, shaking. The dress code is also not important, except that it may be inconvenient to dance in a skirt.
Oriental dances - belly dance school
What kind of dances are taught: belly dance
Cost: 8 lessons — 2900 R, individual lesson — 2500 R, first lesson — free of charge
Where: st. Krasnoproletarskaya, 16
More details: on the website
Belly dance is the modern name for a certain dance technique, a mixture of Indian, Turkish, Arabic, African and Gypsy folk dances, combined into one style.
When learning the technique of belly dancing, first perform various elements of the dance - waves, shaking, strikes, figure eights - in isolation: only with arms, shoulders, chest, hips or legs. Each part of the body works in a different rhythm and direction, while the dancer herself may not even move. The East is danced with almost relaxed muscles, composure and clarity are necessary only at certain moments to perform blows and shaking.
For classes, you will need a top that reveals the belly, arms and décolleté as much as possible. Plus, interchangeable shoes with thin soles like Czech shoes, gymnastic half shoes or ballet flats.
The school has different levels of groups: beginner, intermediate, advanced and show group. The latter regularly wins prizes at competitions and festivals.
MAYAKDANCE
What kind of dances are taught: classical dance, modern dance (contemporary), additionally conduct classes in stretching - stretching and maintaining physical fitness
Cost: trial lesson - 300 R, 4 lessons - 2800 R, 8 lessons - 4800 R, 16 lessons - 8800 R, 24 lessons - 10 800 R, individual lesson - 2800 R
Ivanovsky Pereulok 6 11/6, building 1
More: on the website
The teaching staff of the school includes dancers with a choreographic education, ballerinas and candidates for master of sports in rhythmic gymnastics.
In the classroom, students not only practice technique, but also perform elementary group studies, prepare for classical productions, rehearse performances and receive homework. Every year, the studio holds reporting concerts: students can take part in one-act ballets or modern numbers.
I'll tell you more about the specifics of different classes to make it easier to choose a direction.
Classical dance classes include exercise at the barre, exercises in the middle - the same as exercise, but without support - and small jumps. An exercise at the barre is a sequence of movements aimed at sequential warming up and inclusion of the foot, knee, hip into the work, working out the correct positions, setting the body and feet. All this is then used in the dance. There is also an opportunity to master the technique of pointe dance: after a general lesson, those who wish are given half an hour to train jumps, steps and combinations “on fingers”.
Those who want to practice classical dance will need soft ballet shoes and tight-fitting sportswear: leggings, leggings or ballet leotard, ballet leotard and skirt.
Modern dance, contemporary, incorporates elements of both Western dance styles - modern, jazz, pop and folk dances, classical ballet, and oriental techniques, such as yoga and martial arts. Each choreographer develops his own unique style of dance in accordance with his dance background and character, so the practice of this dance in different studios can vary significantly.
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How I made my online course
During classes, attention is paid to body awareness, quality of movements, work with space and body weight. Jumps, falls, movements are studied at different levels - at the top and in the stalls: on the floor.
Stretching is needed to increase flexibility and develop muscle tone. During the lessons, the muscles of the back, abs, legs, and buttocks are worked out in a complex way. With regular practice, stretching increases the mobility of the hip joints - this helps in classical dance classes.
A lot of attention is also paid to stretching into a split, which gives a large range of motion necessary for many areas of dance.
Loose sportswear and socks are required for class.
SHUFFLE MSK
What dances are taught: shuffle
Where: st. Malaya Dmitrovka, 5/9; Prospekt Mira, 5, bldg. 1
Cost: first lesson — free of charge, 1 lesson — 1000 R, 8 lessons — 6000 R, individual lesson — 3000 R
More details: on the website
80s. The main element of the shuffle is the hop: a small, almost imperceptible horizontal jump. It is used in the vast majority of movements and gives the dance the illusion of sliding on the floor. Shuffle can be danced to any music.
The dance is energetic, so the class is a complete cardio workout. For shuffle, it is important to choose the right shoes: sports sneakers or sneakers with a strong toe on non-slip thick soles.
The studio holds an annual Underground Shuffle Battle championship.
The group also participates in corporate parties, dances in parks, and conducts night training.
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"I already have my fifth pair": 12 proven and comfortable sneakers
Dragon Dance School
What kind of dances are taught: hip-hop, dubstep, popping, robot, breakdance and other street dances
Cost: the first lesson is free, one-time training is 700 R, 8 lessons is 3900 R
Where: st. Dobroslobodskaya, 3
Read more: on the website
The school has existed since 2000, its founder Alexander "Dragon" is one of the veterans of electric boogie and dubstep in Russia, who influenced the development of street dance, three times champion of Russia in top breakdance, organizer championships in street dance styles. Studio students also participate in dance events, competitions and battles.
The school has two courses.
The first one is called "Illusion-style", where they learn to create illusory movements imitating "non-human" ones - a robot, puppet, wave or bunch of energy, and spectacular performances based on movements from different styles. In Russia, these areas are called top breakdance.
Other - "Hip Hop Styles" - includes elements of hip hop and related styles such as popping. Classes are very active, they have a lot of intense amplitude movements - they are convenient to perform in everyday clothes: jeans, T-shirt, sneakers.
Here are some dance styles you can learn.
Dubstep consists of a series of long and short movements that are woven with accelerations and decelerations up to a complete stop. Waves, complex sharp and smooth movements of the hands and elbows, turns, glides and isolations are used. All this allows you to completely beat the music track.
Robot is one of the top breakdance styles. The basis is the possession of the dimestop technique - the ability to freeze for a while, standing on one foot on an imaginary coin.
The principle of style is the "isolation" of movements. The most difficult thing in the performance of the robot is the point control of the muscles: the dancer must convey the feeling as if the robot is trying to perform human movements. The movable joints of the arms and legs are hinges that perform rotational movements. Another important principle is the sequence of movements: the next movement does not begin until the previous one ends.
Animation is an imitation of the movement of animated cartoon characters. The main content of the animation is different types of gaits. Each movement is divided into many small phases with stops, the pattern of the dance is intermittent.
Hip-hop is just about any dance that is danced to the right music, so it's more commonly referred to as "hip-hop dance." New school hip-hop dance relies on active footwork. The main movement of hip-hop dance - "push" - is swaying the body back and forth or side to side with a straight back.
As a rule, the swing in hip-hop is not performed on its own, but with a springy movement of the legs, and all basic movements are performed in parallel with the swing. The dancer moves dynamically and at the same time relaxed, so it seems that the number is invented on the go.
Popping - the essence of this style is that each movement ends with a sharp deceleration due to muscle tension. A diligently engaged dancer in six months will be able to portray the "moonwalk".
Exotic Dance
What dances are taught: strip plastic and pole dance
Cost: trial lesson — 300 R, one-time lesson — 800 R, subscription for 8 attendances of group classes — 5000 Slave 8, unlimited days - 12 000 R, individual lesson - 1800 R
Where: st. Pyatnitskaya, 71/5; 2nd Cable passage, 1, building 2; Khokhlovsky lane, 7; st. Maria Ulyanova, 19
More details: on the website
Pole dance, in my opinion, is an alternative to both the gym and aerobics, since it combines strength exercises and aerobic exercise.
The difference between striptease and half-dance is that the first is a club version of the pole dance, and the second is more of a sport.
Pole dance is a unique synthesis of dance art and sport, choreography and acrobatics. The pole acts as a “partner” and at the same time a gymnastic apparatus, and the dance line can run both horizontally - movements near the pole, “twisting”, and vertically - elements performed on the pole, “tricks”.
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How I worked as a dancer in strip clubs
For classes, separate sets are suitable - a top and short tight-fitting shorts or leggings for exotic dance: so the movements will not be constrained by anything. T-shirts will not fit: without an open waist, it is difficult to perform elements on the upper and middle parts of the pole. A pole top should open the armpits and neck, but cover the chest as much as possible to reduce slippage and minimize injury.
Challenger Dance & Fit
What kind of dances are taught: Irish dancing, capoeira, acrobatics
Cost: one-time - from 750 R, subscription for 8 classes - from 4400 R, subscription for 4 classes - from 2600 R
st.
Cosmonaut Volkova, 10, building 1
More details: on the website
Rare areas of dance and acrobatics are taught at the school. Studio students participate in reporting lessons, concerts, competitions and other events.
Irish dancing are characterized by fast and precise leg movements, while the upper body does not move and the arms are tightly pressed to the body.
The most important thing in Irish dance is the shoes. Two types are used: soft lace-up slippers and hard boots. Acquaintance with the dance culture of the Irish begins only in light ballet shoes without heels, heels are required for more experienced performers for rhythmic hits on the floor.
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art with elements of dance and acrobatics. In a real fight, capoeira is almost never used, but it is used in a game fight, similar to a spectacular dance with complex movements and tricks: low positions, kicks, sweeps.-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Shuffle-(Dance-Move)-Step-9.jpg)
Class requires abada, a traditional pair of pants designed specifically for capoeira. They have enough elasticity to perform all acrobatic stunts without discomfort at the slightest movement. Shoes are not needed: capoeiristas practice barefoot.
Mainstream
What kind of dances are taught: house, crump, dancehall, locking, hip-hop, vogue
Cost: trial lesson - 300 R, one lesson - 500 R, 8 lessons - 30-00 R 5000 R, unlimited subscription for 30 days - 6500 R
Where: Krivokolenny Lane, 16
More details: online
The Mainstream Dance Center offers students a variety of street dance styles to choose from.
Crump. An impulsive and emotional style of dance that emphasizes interaction between performers and audience. The uniqueness of krumps lies in the nature of the movements - the krumper dances abruptly, moves quickly, often jumps and comes into physical contact with partners in a dance "fight".
House. The style consisted of dance movements of many styles like breakdance, hip-hop, jazz, disco, latin, but with house music. House is based on three basic elements: rocking the body to the rhythm of the music, acrobatic waves and footwork.
Vog is based on a quick change of model poses and a frilly podium gait. Usually the striking part in the dance is hands and emotional playing, but, in addition, turns, high throws of legs and virtuoso falls to the ground have been added to modern vogue. The vogue is usually danced to house music.
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How to start dancing twerk, how much does it cost and why shake your booty at all
Dancehall is a Jamaican street dance that combines movements of the buttocks, pelvis and body. Smooth movements are intertwined with sharp beats.
Locking is one of the directions of hip-hop. His technique is based on amplitude movements, turns, jumps, throwing arms and legs.
Locking is a synthesis of movement and stillness. Two elements are distinguished in locking: “lock” (“lock”) and “point” (“point”). The combination of lock and point creates the basis of this dance: a constant change in the sharp fixation of the body and the performance of original movements. It is performed at high speed and with great impact of forces.
Sportswear suitable for all styles: pants, T-shirt or tank top, sneakers. You can train not only in the classroom: the school holds bright battles, various club events, parties and master classes.
I want to dance. 10 misconceptions about dancing
The desire to learn to dance is natural and natural in the modern world. You can list the reasons, starting with obvious and popular pragmatic desires, for example, to start moving or losing weight, ending with unconscious and even existential ones.
This is due to the fact that dancing is at the subtle intersection of the inner and outer worlds, physical and spiritual.
Above this, music becomes a driver that cannot leave anyone indifferent.
In dancing there is magic inside a person, which is not always noticeable when observed from the side. At the initial stage, it is the external picture that attracts to dances, and sometimes repels, as it seems too frivolous and superficial.
But there are even stronger obstacles that stop many people from starting dancing. These illusions and delusions roam the minds of the majority, and are often afraid to ask about them directly, or they ask the question about it so often that they are no longer ready to hear an honest direct answer. I will try to do it in this article.
There are many examples of contemporary dance instructors sharing their thoughts about not expecting to be in the dance industry. Once upon a time there was a man and was engaged in adult, serious business. Sometimes even very serious. A person could have children and even grandchildren. I saw dances only on stage or on TV.
For reasons unknown to himself, he ended up in dances. At first, everything seemed like entertainment and a useful pastime. But time has passed, and a person catches himself thinking that he thinks about dancing not just every day, but really all the time. A couple of years pass, and he already becomes a teacher or organizer of some event.
A similar path can start at 15 or 55 years old. The only difference will be in the self-perception of the starting stage, that it’s too late to dance. In fact, for each age there is its own dance direction, which can reveal it to the greatest extent at this stage. Hip-hop or breaking is closer to children and teenagers, and Argentine tango is closer to adults. It's never too late to start dancing. You need to make the right choice of dance style based on several parameters: age, gender, music, goal. There is a dance direction for any arrangement.
Misconception 2: Men don't dance
Our culture has a number of restrictions related to dancing.
Most of these causes are psychological and lie outside the realm of rational reasoning.
First, in our culture, in principle, dancing for pleasure or self-expression appeared relatively recently. 20-30 years ago dance clubs were only for children. To start dancing even in adolescence was considered exotic.
Secondly, the aesthetics of the body in our country for men is not in the focus of attention. In general, this can be attributed to the fact that Russian men try hard not to draw attention to their appearance and clothing. Men in our country use other tools for this.
Third, dancing is associated with entertainment and alcohol. If a man feels serious and respectable, then he either does not have time or desire for this.
Nowadays the general cultural background has changed and the result is that men are learning to dance. It becomes as much a sign of masculinity as clothing, hair or beard.
Unfortunately, many misconceptions remain even among those who have already started dancing.
Dance teachers do not always pay attention to this, as it seems to them that this is a matter of course.
Fallacy 3: special training is needed
For an outside observer, there is always a cognitive dissonance about what dance is. What he sees on the big stage in the form of a show with sweeping movements and splits is obviously dancing. Breakers doing unimaginable elements in the air and on their hands, competing with each other, also seem to be dancing. Pensioners in the park waltz. Dancing again, but for some reason everyone is so different. How to understand that this is a dance, and what physical criteria should be in the body.
In fact, any self-expression through the body to music can be attributed to dance. There are a number of reservations, but they are not essential. For self-expression, a person uses the set of plastics that he has. Subtlety and technique do not depend on extreme ways of self-expression, and it often happens that splits and somersaults interfere with a meaningful dance.
The development of plasticity and the expansion of the body's capabilities are part of the preparation of the dancer, but not an end in itself.
Misconception 4: You must learn to dance in pairs
In couple dancing, the final learning outcome is that the couple dances at a party. It would seem that you should always train together to get the desired result. This is not true. Let's take an example from boxing. An indicator of a boxer's skill is a fight with an opponent, but this does not mean that he constantly has to fight. Also, the ability to dance is built on the possession of one's own body and the ability to interact.
The skill of the teacher is the correct selection of methods so that the student masters the skill. Based on the skill, you can engage in creativity and self-expression in dance. Not everyone knows, but it is no coincidence that almost all social dance dancers have a serious dance background, which is based on the development of individual techniques.
The same can be attributed to the interaction in a pair. The ability to separate in oneself the one who leads and the one who follows the lead is impossible within the framework of studying the sequence of movements in pairs. For this, there are special exercises that make the skill more versatile. For this, the presence of a permanent couple is not necessary, as well as the regular presence of a partner in general.
IMPORTANT! You can’t experiment at a party, and everything should be in its place there: men dance with women.
Getting rid of illusions is a complex internal process. If you leave them to yourself, you can even get the opposite result.
Misconception 5: plastique and stretching are mandatory attributes of dance
Much depends on the genre of dance that you want to master. In previous articles, I have already mentioned that different dance styles are suitable for different ages. It is appropriate to dance hip-hop in adolescence or youth, Argentine tango is a more adult dance, it is important to enter classical choreography at a young age.
The degree of necessary plasticity and sensitivity to the dance direction also correlates. For example, breaking requires great physical effort and dexterity. Elements are built on acrobatics and high speed of execution. Who are they more suitable for? Obviously young people.
There is a lot of interaction in salsa. It is necessary to feel the partner subtly, to be able to show a variety of figures and elements. Twine or acrobatics are completely inappropriate here. However, a variety of ways to show oneself are required. Accordingly, the dance is youthful, but not at all childish.
The older the dance, the less stretching or acrobatics is required. The main emphasis is on the quality of technology, the variety of ideas and the ability to show plasticity.
Misconception 6: Mirrors are necessary for learning
There is a set of instruments that dancers use to learn how to dance. The fact is that the dancer needs to receive feedback on how his movements look from the side.
It is impossible to dance and see yourself from the side at the same time. The most common tool is a mirror. But not the only one.
Like any auxiliary tool, mirrors have positive and negative effects. The positive is that they can receive feedback in real time and technically it is not very difficult. The downside can be dependence on mirrors. A situation where a dancer cannot capture the feeling of dancing, such as on stage or at a party. For these purposes, you can use, among other things, video filming or proper preparation.
In many countries in Latin America, dance classrooms are not equipped with mirrors. Classes are held in bars or large halls. The dancers initially form the skill of focusing on the inner sensation, and not the habit of looking for their reflection in the mirror with their eyes.
Misconception 7: there is a lot of obsceneness in dancing
A common question from novice dancers who are taking their first steps in more contact couple dances is “in order to dance cool, there must be passion inside the couple?”.-Step-11.jpg/aid1640374-v4-728px-Shuffle-(Dance-Move)-Step-11.jpg)
I immediately answer that no, not necessarily. Kizomba, bachata and Argentine tango attract many with their close contact. Like any other contact in our everyday life, in dances, contact can be different. We hug friends, parents, children. These hugs can wear many different shades. Sexual overtones are one of many.
The culture of dance also includes the boundaries of what is acceptable. A compliment from a well-mannered person is different from a statement about female sexuality by a gopnik. Usually, those who study at a dance school already have an idea of what boundaries should not be crossed. A good dance from a technical point of view will never look vulgar or vulgar.
Dancers always have a choice about the boundaries of contact. Most prefer to leave a good impression of themselves, as word spreads just as fast in the dance world.
Misconception 8: the best dancers are the bearers of culture
Even the very question of the origin of this or that dance can be paradoxical and ambiguous, especially when it comes to its development and performance.
For example, the Viennese waltz did not originate in Vienna, but in Germany. Salsa has its main roots in the USA, not in Cuba. The famous Greek folk dance sirtaki was invented for the film "Zorba the Greek" and appeared only in 1964.
The same can be attributed to the development of modern dance styles. Korea is known for its world-leading break dancers. People go to Turkey for Argentine tango, Spain is strong with excellent salsa and bachata dancers, in Egypt, Russians are considered the best belly-dance performers.
A good dance is based on quality training and diligence. Skin color, place of birth and age are secondary. Exotic appearance, unfortunately, is often a reason to be more superficial about one's own professional development. This becomes the reason for the low level of teaching among the bearers of culture. I am sure that few readers of this post will be ready to conduct a master class in Russian folk dance outside of Russia.
The mastery of mastering and teaching a particular style does not depend on the dancer's homeland.
And "they absorbed the dance with their mother's milk" is nothing more than a common misconception.
Misconception 9: You have to know a lot of moves to learn how to dance
Focusing on learning a lot of moves often detracts from the essence of dance. Of course, the sequence of figures is important. Especially at the start. Over time, the dancer should have an understanding of how movements can be generated independently. Accordingly, instead of memorizing millions of figures, you can understand how to create them.
From every system of improvisation that a dancer can use as an instrument, dozens, hundreds or thousands of variations are derived. This frees the head from trying to reproduce the exact sequence and definitely adds freedom in the performance of the dance.
The huge theme of musicality can be attributed to the same question. Not every pre-conceived or learned sequence will fit specific music. The dance should give freedom, and not drive the dancer into the shell of the ropes.
Misconception 10: dancing is homosexual
The unusually high attention to the body and the flair from stories about professional ballet led to the spread of this myth, among other things. Unfortunately, such an idea still exists in the minds of our fellow citizens.
The dance industry is now very broad and is represented by many dance styles. Some of them can even be called homophobic. Dances reflect the general attitude to the world and it is different depending on the life position and worldview of a person.
In many dances there is contact between the dancers. In Russia, dance contact between men has always been perceived very intensely. In most other countries it is different. An example of the fact that this tension is associated only with the dance theme and does not apply to other areas is, for example, wrestling. When practicing techniques, men are in much closer contact with each other. Sometimes lying on the floor and holding each other tightly.
