LARTS 254 Social Dance
Social dance can be defined as movement arts where sociability and socializing are a primary focus of the dance. In this workshop style class, students will get an introduction to partnering dances including Argentine tango, waltz, swing, and North American/English folk dances, all taught in a gender-free style (i.e., partnering roles will not be attached to gender). As Argentine tango represents one of the most challenging and exciting opportunities to explore partnering techniques, we will focus a large portion of the class on tango. To be an excellent social dancer, one must master five connections: to music, to self, to partner, to floor, and to community. We will focus on the deep connection between music and dance. Students will reflect on their own musicianship through dance. The course will be taught in a safe and respectful way; no previous experience is required. Personal physical contact between students will be expected. Although many components of the class will involve partnering, the entire class will work collaboratively as a community. In addition to dancing, students will also learn about the history and cultural interactions of the dances.