| Is it realistic to replace a typical high school dance with a swing/ballroom/salsa dance?

Is it realistic to replace a typical high school dance with a swing/ballroom/salsa dance?

odin123333 asked:


Most of my friends agree, we just can’t dance at these dances. The bumping and grinding just doesn’t free right. Not respectable. We’d all have a lot more fun dancing like they used to back in the old days. When dancing wasn’t about sex and jumping. So my question is…

It is realistic to expect high school students to swing/ballroom/salsa dance? We already believe we have a strong base of support and enthusiasm for the idea… But can we toss high school students in a ballroom with a jazz band and expect them to dance? Should there be lessons or an introduction before the night begins?

How can we pull this off?

Thanks.
Addition: I feel that salsa dances are much more romantic and sensual than the grinding dances. I don’t mind the sexual nature of the dance, but the “grinding” dances is becausely sex with clothes on. Dry humping. There is no beauty in it.

Related posts:

  1. How can I learn the type of rhythm or ballroom style of different songs? Eric W asked: I am taking ballroom dance lessons. For...
  2. latin dance lessons? frances.bacon&eggs asked: i want to learn how to dance latin...
  3. Where can i go swing and salsa dancing. In TX? B asked: I live in the DFW area in Texas...
  4. Are you taking dance lessons for your reception? Platinum Bride asked: We just began dance lessons last night...
  5. What is an inexpensive way to advertise and gain more clients as a private dance instructor? c2t asked: I teach various forms of dance such as...

Filed Under Dancing |

Tagged With , ,

Comments

5 Responses to “Is it realistic to replace a typical high school dance with a swing/ballroom/salsa dance?”

  1. ari on April 6th, 2009 8:00 pm

    I think that you should expect a low turn out in reality, but maybe you live in a different world than I. Definitely have lessons before.

  2. darkridr on April 9th, 2009 12:12 pm

    It is realistic, yes, but it will be very difficult to pull off. Remember, even though you and a few of your friends know how to dance those styles, most of the other students won’t know how to, so you’ll need to actually teach your classmates how to dance that way too. It’s easy to dance the grinding way that school dances do, as there’s really not talent involved in that.

    Btw: If you feel the grinding dances aren’t respectable due to their sexual nature, then you should scratch off salsa dancing immediately, as it’s such a sexual dance when done right, it could get a couple in the mood much more than the normal dances do…..

  3. :]..yay me!!! on April 10th, 2009 5:51 pm

    i agree with ari…its not gonna work….sorry…i wouldnt go if i went to your school…

  4. Snowflake on April 11th, 2009 1:15 pm

    It is realistic, if you offer a beginner group class before the dancing starts. Like, swing class starts at 7, salsa class starts at 8, dancing starts at 9. If it is possible at college where I am I don’t see why it is not possible at high school.

    Instead of replacing it, organize a separate event. Because there will be too many people who will feel you took away their grinding fun. Also, here is a marketing trick. Don’t reserve a gym for it, get a smaller room. You won’t get a huge turnout right away. If you have 20 people in a gym everyne will be saying it felt kind of empty. If you get the same 20 people in a small room everyone will say it was sooo popular and crowded. Start small.

  5. BeachGirl on April 13th, 2009 2:08 am

    If you replace the typical dance, with a ballroom type dance, you will likely have a much lower turn out. People fear what they don’t know. Realistically, how many people in your school know how the dance ballroom or salsa?

    Why not start small? Arrange for a qualified instructor to teach one dance, perhaps salsa or swing, at the start of the evening. Throughout the dance, alternate the type of music you place. You could have an announcer let everyone know when the next dance is (for example) a salsa. If it goes well, try to arrange for lessons at the school on a regular basis. Our ballroom dance society does this in several high schools, on a volunteer basis. If people get into it, then the next dance can have even more ballroom type dances. I’m sure you get the picture.

    I hope this helps.