• Montclair State University

• DNCE 105

DNCE 105

Social Dance

1. How can knowledge about social dance make you a better critic of dance as a

performing art?

Social dance is composed of different sub-groups like salsa, ballroom, cha-cha, etc. that

have different movements and pace. Understand the difference movements can allow a

person to differentiate the style of dance. In addition, the speed in which the dancer moves

is different according to the music and this allows seeing if a dancer is on the right pace or

he/she is going too fast or slow. Nadel gives an example through salsa. “Salsa caliente is the

faster, Colombian sounding music, whereas salsa romantic favors sentimental love lyrics”

(Nadel 180). In other words, understand the difference in musicality is also essential to be

on the beat. Through social dance, a person can become a better critic as a performing art

because there different characteristic of social dance patterns, which makes the meaning

and emotions of the dance different. Some of these characteristics are “facing”, “body

touching” and “leading/following”. Each dance is unique and these elements have

metaphoric meaning. Facing each other shows a form of equality and intimacy. No body

touching can show a form a respect and distance or lack of confidence to the partner. Lastly,

who is takes the first step. In ballroom dance, the male leads and the female follows.

Understanding these concepts can allow a member of the audience to have more knowledge

of the dance and interpret the meaning of it and dancers in different ways. It is important to