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Formal Dance

Formal versus Informal

by: Shawn Trautman

As I have discussed in many previous articles, social dancing can be and is practiced in a broad spectrum of settings, ranging from the extremely formal ball or rigid competition to the impromptu slow dance on a beach during an inspiring sunset. Social dancing has made a place in myriad activities in contemporary Western culture.

Formal

The images that usually come to mind first when the term “ballroom dancing” is mentioned are couples swirling around the floor in bright and bejeweled costumes with rigid posture and regal carriage. This highly formal and stylized version of social dancing is usually reserved for ballroom competitions, performances, and the movies. This is the haute couture of the social dancing world.

The majority of the dancing that you see and practice in this realm is choreographed, as opposed to spontaneous lead-and-follow dancing, which is discussed in additional articles. This is the world in which the proverbial big bucks are spent in instruction, costuming, performance, and all-around lifestyle.

For some dancers, this enclave of the dancing world is a nirvana; however, for the majority of the dancing community and beginner dancers, this most formal end of the spectrum of social dancing is rather remote.

For some potential dancers, the image of the stylized formal ballroom circuit repels them and deters them from learning to dance at all, as the glittery and glamorous image becomes their only mental picture of social dance. For our purposes, it is most important that you know that this end of the spectrum of formality exists, but it is not reality for most of the social dancers out there. If it is your personal dancing goal, budget accordingly, and we will get you started with a firm foundation in the basics. If the glitz is not for you, keep reading, because there is much more to the world of dance.

Informal

At the opposite end of the spectrum from the glamorous world of ballroom competition and performance, you will find the informal venues for social dance. This is where the majority of people find enormous satisfaction from their acquired social dance skills. You do not need fancy costumes, expensive shoes, or even a hardwood floor to dance socially. All you need is some good music that gets you moving (or the ability to hum or whistle a tune) and a dance partner.

Many an evening in has been spent dancing in the living room or on the back patio to favorite songs. If you have the luxury and the energy to make an evening out, you can dance socially at many venues, from a restaurant with some tables pushed aside to a country-western nightclub where denim is the most prevalent fabric in the room.

Interestingly enough, you can see and practice several couples dances in either of these settings in cascual attire and a relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes you don't even need music to practice your dancing; a beautiful sunset at a beach is inspiration enough. You and your partner can slow dance to the fhythm of the waves crashing on the shore and christen dusk with a final dip as the sun sets on the water.

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