Dancing Socially at a Formal Ball |
Essay by |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
June 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Happy-go-Formal hints Here are a few personal observations on social dancing at formal balls, from a non-expert. Formal means a particular way of arranging a dance evening, with ballroom-style dances for couples — in the case at hand, Viennese Waltz, the fast original waltz form. Polkas, marches, mazurkas may fill out the program. Dressy attire is suggested or required; for a Viennese Waltz Ball, this licenses us to wear Nineteenth Century fashions of clothing: for the men, frock coats or old-country uniforms; for the ladies, beautiful ball gowns that brighten the ballroom and rustle and swirl as they turn. For wonderful background on the romance of Viennese Waltz and the amazing profusion of Waltz Balls in Nineteenth Century Vienna, see H. E. Jacob's classic biography, Johann Strauss, Father and Son: A Century of Light Music . Jacob discusses in theory and principle, but especially via a mass of gorgeous historical detail, why waltzing so appeals to us.
Men don't lead on the dance floor because we are better dancers; we are not. Men lead because we generally are stronger, heavier — and we like to lead the ladies. Of course, men leading the dance is so traditional we assume it is the natural order of things. This is reinforced by many dance steps having been designed or evolved for men to lead the women through the figures or around the floor. A firm frame with your partner's arms allows the leading to work well for both of you. Don't worry overmuch about your level of dance experience or skills relative to your partner's, or potential partner's, on the floor. From what I've experienced myself, as well as heard from others, the best dancers generally are friendly, polite, and non-critical. Line of Dance The circulation of couples around the dance floor is counter-clockwise, or widdershins. ((Widdershins is an antique dance term meaning, step wide of her shins or you'll be unlucky.) If you've forgotten which direction counter-clockwise is, ask a friend with an analog wristwatch. Faster dancers mostly move in an oval around the periphery. Slower dancers or beginners should gravitate to the center or corners, whether it is a dance hall or ballroom. A dance such as Viennese Waltz that includes stationary figures, as well as slow and fast moving steps, makes us especially collision-prone on a crowded dance floor. Balance Viennese Waltz requires you to keep a firm frame with your partner's arms. Formal behavior This refers particularly to politeness, to old-fashioned courtesy. Little bows or curtsies are kinds of formal compliments to your dance partner, and add to the fun. You shouldn't be stiff or stuffy. There's plenty of talk, smiles, and laughter at a Viennese Waltz Ball. Men don't begin conversations because we are better conversers; we are not. Men begin talking to a lady because we are interested in her — at least to the extent of appreciating her prettiness for the dance event, of course admiring her dress, wondering if she recognizes the current song, whether she likes the refreshments, maybe just curious what her voice sounds like — or asking her to dance. Smile and be gracious. Dance Cards See my writeup on Dance Cards: Dating Ahead at a Ball. Your mileage — around the dance floor — will vary. Dance and have fun!
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2003 Robert Wilfred Franson |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Music at Troynovant |
Rhetoric or Else |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|