Lindy Hop Culture
I just came across this website tonight and found its section on lindy hop culture to be absolutely brilliant. I felt like sharing:
"Lindy Hop culture is dance culture; this alone has significant meaning. Dancing in the eyes of popular culture is often seen as a means to an end, a method employed to become acquainted with someone they are attracted to. In dance culture dancing is its own reward; an experience unto itself where physical attraction between the Lead and Follow plays a small (if any) role. Indeed, within dance culture, the quickest way to improve your "attractive index" is to improve your dancing skills.
People who are serious about dancing will vividly remember and reflect on the details of a specific dance experience (partner, song, dance surface, etc.) the same way a serious sports fan might recount a memorable inning in baseball, play in football or hole in golf. In fact, many Lindy Hop swing dancers approach their dancing with the same intensity as a dedicated athlete.
Like any hobby or sport, Lindy Hop Swing offers a fun and friendly environment where people can pursue a common interest. It is open to all ages, family friendly, and in terms of most organized Lindy Hop events, smoke and alcohol free. It is also great exercise. While formal competition in Lindy Hop swing is possible (culminating every year at the American Lindy Hop Championships), it is not a driving force in Lindy Hop culture.
A partner is never required, and it is not uncommon to find a Lead or Follow whose significant other has no interest in dancing at all. When couples participate in dance instruction, they are encouraged to rotate partners to improve their lead/follow skills and not fall into the memorized choreography trap.
Lindy Hop swing dancers come in all shapes and sizes, and from diverse backgrounds. While the majority fall within the age range of early 20s to about mid 30s, there are are quite a few teenagers and middle aged folks in their 40's and 50's who are also involved."
-http://www.kclindyhop.org/history_c.htm#lhculture
Since I know most of you don't do this kind of dancing, I hope this gives you a bit of a peek into the part of my world that encompasses dancing. :)
"Lindy Hop culture is dance culture; this alone has significant meaning. Dancing in the eyes of popular culture is often seen as a means to an end, a method employed to become acquainted with someone they are attracted to. In dance culture dancing is its own reward; an experience unto itself where physical attraction between the Lead and Follow plays a small (if any) role. Indeed, within dance culture, the quickest way to improve your "attractive index" is to improve your dancing skills.
People who are serious about dancing will vividly remember and reflect on the details of a specific dance experience (partner, song, dance surface, etc.) the same way a serious sports fan might recount a memorable inning in baseball, play in football or hole in golf. In fact, many Lindy Hop swing dancers approach their dancing with the same intensity as a dedicated athlete.
Like any hobby or sport, Lindy Hop Swing offers a fun and friendly environment where people can pursue a common interest. It is open to all ages, family friendly, and in terms of most organized Lindy Hop events, smoke and alcohol free. It is also great exercise. While formal competition in Lindy Hop swing is possible (culminating every year at the American Lindy Hop Championships), it is not a driving force in Lindy Hop culture.
A partner is never required, and it is not uncommon to find a Lead or Follow whose significant other has no interest in dancing at all. When couples participate in dance instruction, they are encouraged to rotate partners to improve their lead/follow skills and not fall into the memorized choreography trap.
Lindy Hop swing dancers come in all shapes and sizes, and from diverse backgrounds. While the majority fall within the age range of early 20s to about mid 30s, there are are quite a few teenagers and middle aged folks in their 40's and 50's who are also involved."
-http://www.kclindyhop.org/history_c.htm#lhculture
Since I know most of you don't do this kind of dancing, I hope this gives you a bit of a peek into the part of my world that encompasses dancing. :)