Studio parties not only allow you an opportunity to practice your social dancing, but are perfect opportunities to socialize, add excitement to your week, get some exercise, and have a great night of dancing. Here are some pointers to help make sure everyone has a great time at any event, like studio parties, weddings, clubs, and any place there is social dancing.
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Asking Someone to Dance:
Smile, ask clearly & loud enough, make eye contact, and offer a friendly hand to escort them onto the dance floor. Be sure to actually ask and not demand someone dance with you. Avoid just taking them by the hand or arm and dragging them onto the dance floor unwillingly.
Escorting Your Partner On & Off the Dance Floor:
Leaders, it is apart of your responsibility to not only escort your partner on and off the dance floor, but to do so without interrupting the flow of dance traffic. Too often people dart on to the dance floor increasing their chances of causing an accident. If you want to keep your partner out of harm's way and excited to dance with you, be sure to look both ways before “crossing the street.” After the dance is done don’t just leave each other in the middle of the floor. Walk back your follower back to their seat while thanking them for the dance.
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If Your Dance Invitation Is Turned Down:
Don’t take personal offense. Politely say, “thank you,” and suggest you could have a dance later. Getting declined can be difficult to deal with but it does happen. When it does, don’t get discouraged. Just ask another available person to dance and continue having fun.
Turning Down a Dance Invitation:
A dance is only a dance, not a lifetime commitment to dance with someone for all eternity. If you are the one turning down a dance invitation it is best to have a legitimate reason. Don’t decine rudely, and definitely don’t decline an invitation only to turn around and immediately dance with someone else.
Start Simple:
Although it can be tempting to bust out all of your “cool moves” right away, it’s best to start with a few basic patterns. This allows both partners to get a feel for how the other dances and what they may know. Leaders can start to increase the difficulty level slowly once a nice foundation is established. Followers can start to add more styling and playfulness once they feel comfortable with the leads.
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Appropriate CONVERSATIONS:
Small talk is a great way to kick off your dance with someone new. Avoid prying into personal lives and hot button topics. Keep it simple and friendly. Talk about favorite dances, music, community events, or ask them how they started dancing. Find commonalities and build from there. Gentlemen, keep the compliments simple and minimal. Although every lady loves a compliment, too many can make your dance uncomfortable.
Wrapping It Up
So, do you have any of these bad habits? Do you need to create a few new social dance habits? Learning to improve on one of the above points will bring you closer to social ease, a group of friends you can really bond with, and the ability to help out newcomers who venture into our Arthur Murray family. Parties are not only great for growing in your dancing, but they are also wonderful learning opportunities that should inspire you to find ways to become a better social dancer.