Club Dancer, What's Dat?

By Franklin Matsumoto, Manoa:
As you may suspect, a Club Dancer is one who's main social activity is in dance clubs, and may go to studio clubs and night clubs. Most dancing activity is begun taking classes of some kind. From (street dancing,) private friends, parties, holiday activities (anywhere,) and in later life, the bulk of it more than likely comes from the Social Dance Clubs on this Island.

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible,

then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will,

they soon become inevitable.”

You can get a very solid dance background with just the Bronze patterns in American Style of dancing which is the most common among club dancers. Take some dance classes like Ballroom, Latin, Swing to learn how to move your hips, feet and chest muscles to music. Learn the rhythm and timing of each type of dance, first and foremost. Try to relate the same patterns or steps to different dances. Right off the bat, eliminate, Paso Doble, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz. Later for those, much later.

If you take Intermediate, that should be about the most you need to be a good Social Club Dancer which means dancing with a variety of partners and just dance to enjoy the dance. Besides learning to dance you meet many people with like minded interests in dancing. Club Dancers dance for the sheer pleasure of moving to music, with social interaction with others as an extra.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Matt Monroe

From there others gravitate to Studios and specialized teachers of Exhibition and Competition type dancing which is a horse of a much different color. They learn the term "Oodle" which is a unit of money that is takes for private lessons. Usually used in the plural. Those people have a different kind of fun. Their primary purpose is to be "seen."

Nightclubs are hot, happening places for the young. The atmosphere is made by the decor, the lighting, the drinks, the music and of course, the dancers. Many clubs have been known to hire dancers to get the party started and keep people dancing as well as show others how to dance in case they're inhibited. For most of us, all we need is the right music. And unfortunately, the right music is not always easy to come by.

"There Will Never Be Another You." by Andy Williams

For the over 40, it has yet to be established in Waikiki. Many night clubs come pretty close, but they have only one definition for success, the amount of booze consumed. They have no other criteria, they make no attempt to find out what the dancers want and how much they are willing to pay.

This will be redefined in the West. Dot's In Wahiawa has come pretty close a few times but not handled with enough precision. The cover must go up but the drink prices must be reasonable. You cannot put the drinks at a high level and expect the dancers to buy. That is not an inducement.

"I May Be Wrong" by Music Unlimited

The ladies really need no help. Just dress up and go out dancing with your friends. Make sure your hair and make-up is done and you wear clothing that shows off your body but that you'll still be able to move in. Have your friends take some photos of you before you head out. Also have them take a couple pictures of your doing your thing on the dance floor. Watch out for professional photographers.

Men, get dressed. You don't have to have a tux. A nice pair of shoes, dark slacks, and a nice neat clean shirt are all you need. No jeans, mechanic jumpers or the like even if women outnumber men two to one. Most men should understand good grooming. Everyone wants to dance when others look like they're having fun and good grooming is part of it.

Everyone will expect you to look and act your best at all times. There are an awful lot of good people in club dancing. Have fun and good luck!
Franklin

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 "Til The End Of Time" by Perry Como