Got Blues?

BLUES DANCING

You probably seen dancers on the dance floor dancing  a little groovier, a little closer, and little more in touch with the music than regular swing dancing.  They may seem to move in a different pattern or syncopation that fits closer to the music.  Maybe even may have an emotional quality that reflects what is coming from the song itself.  This isn’t new, in fact it is over 100 years old. 

It is called Blues Dancing.

 “Blues dancing” is a modern term used to describe a family of historical dances or the contemporary dances that draw on these dance traditions. These dances are aesthetically, culturally and musically connected, and they developed in response to Blues music. Over the years, these Blues dances have been refitted, reformed and reshaped by the people who have participated in the dancing culture.

The Swing dance revival in the 1980s and 1990s prompted interest in other traditional Black vernacular dances of the early 1900s (Blackbottom, Charleston, Peabody, Cakewalk, etc)  And the current interest in Blues dancing is also result of this.  As part of the movement to research and preserve Blues dancing and its traditions, the history of Blues dance found its traces back to West African roots with tribal movements, steps, and percussions.  As with Blues music itself, Blues dances originated and evolved from West African rhythms and movements combined with Western European influences. Even Blues songs still contain several of these conventions and developed over the decades into the movements you see on the dance floor. 

Historically, Blues dances were not considered a “social” dance or danced in public in the US.  Blues dances thrived in the house parties, smoky juke joints, and rent parties giving this style of dance a more intimate feel.  Blues dancing also has strong ties to the Blues music itself with call & response, emotional intensity, and spirituality.  Along with the many variations of Blues music (delta, jump, Dixie, rural, urban, slow, fast, electric, Chicago, Memphis), there are many style of Blues dancing each conveying the feelings and rhythms each of genre.  Historically, some Blues dances still contain some of its original forms of improvisation, connection, rhythmic motion, and emotion. 

Common misconceptions about Blues dancing is that it has be slow, sexual, and emotionally intense. Blues dance has similarities of  Blues music where dancers demonstrate the entire range of human emotions – from sadness to joy to passion to spiritual – not just sensuality. These expressions range across musical styles and tempos also. Dancing in general is a fun form of exercise that allows you to meet other people, spend some fun time doing fun exercising, and make new friends.  But Blues dancing is totally unlike other dance styles out there. Blues music is about real life - the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between.  To some, Blues dancing is the ultimate expression.

Blues dancing also offers a chance to delve into deep history, to connect with people from all walks of life, to interact and to share a part of ourselves that isn't always the easiest bit to access. Blues can be an expressions or release of what one is feeling at the moment.  More important, it’s what the music is says to each person.  Some hear happiness, some sadness, some passion.  But most important, Blues dance is a dynamic partnership between the lead and follow, a marriage between the dancing couple and the music.

In today’s Blues dancing community there are various notions about what constitutes “Blues dancing.” Blues dancing today may range from traditional Blues dances to less historically grounded forms, which have been adapted to suit the needs and interests of contemporary dancers.  One thing is for certain, Blues dances are a natural expression of Blues music, and as long as there is Blues music, there will be Blues dancing.

Instructors and dancers that not only have been bitten by the Blues dancing bug but also formed Blues dancing clubs and organizations across the country, offering Blues dancing lessons, workshops, and exchanges.  We encourage you to find out how you can learn more on Blues Dancing, check out the links below.

Sources:
Jeff Miller: www.DirtCheapBlues.com
Heidi Fite, Charlie Fuller, Damon Stone: www.blues-dance.com
Tina Davis: www.SweetTProductions.com
Bryan Spellman: www.GargleblasterBlues.com
Blues dance. Wikipedia. www.wikipedia.com