Dancing As It Should Be

The Wholesome Joy of Folk Dancing Together

Please watch this two-minute video clip above before reading this post. Much like the adage says, talking about music is like dancing about architecture. Without seeing this above clip, it may be hard for unfamiliar readers to understand what is and is not being described.

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What Do You Mean by “Folk Dancing”?

When I speak of folk dancing, I’m referring to social dance that is group-oriented rather than individual or only pair-oriented. In other words, movement to music that takes more than one pair of dancers to perform properly. Folk dancing can refer to a particular kind of dancing native to a country, region, or culture.

I’m talking about when dancers form couples, and those couples form lines, sets, squares, or other types of group formations according to the type of dance being attempted.

When it Comes to Folk Dancing, Believing is Seeing

People quickly think of dances like the Virginia Reel or square dancing when describing this kind of dance. Each of these types of dance has specific names and subset categories. That is not for this post. When I speak of folk dancing in this post, think of group-oriented social dancing that can be accomplished in various formations and styles by groups of dancers of all ages and abilities.

Does Not Have to Be Sexually Charged

Two people on the dance floor embracing one another in a slow, rocking back-and-forth motion is not really dancing. Nor is wiggling at someone standing opposite you on the dance floor. These are pictures we have when we think of dancing for most people. Many of these “dance techniques” are sexually suggestive (or worse), and for that reason, many Christians have shied away from dancing altogether. But folk dancing does not have to be so. You may dance this rotation with your classmate and the next with your friend’s parent. The physical touch and interaction are neighborly and appropriate regardless of who your partner happens to be this go-round. Frankly, we need more practice in properly interacting with one another. Folk dancing provides a way to do that in neighborly ways.

A Lot of Wholesome Fun

I often speak of the forgotten fun of folk dancing. I get the opportunity to teach and call folk dances throughout the year. It doesn’t matter where I go or who I teach; folk dancing brings joy, smiles, and laughter. It doesn’t matter if folks made a wrong step or if they remembered the correct action. They are going to be smiling. They will be smiling because they are made in the image of a Triune or Trinitarian God who models fellowship, love, and community in the Godhead. They enjoy being together and moving in this fun and wholesome activity. Whenever I look at photos snapped at these events, you never have to search far for pics of people smiling ear to ear while moving. It’s just that good of an activity. If you look back at the video above, you see nothing but smiles from these folks. It’s contagious.

Does Not Always Have to Be Formal

Many folks associate folk dancing with 19th Century English country dancing or even Colonial American Balls. While it is always fun to dress up for an evening of dancing, don’t think you must always do this. Many folks would clear out the barn, have a fiddler sit on the rafters, and call an informal set of reels or square dances after a long day. Similarly, it’s been neat to hear the music start up in our church fellowship hall after evening worship with the young people gathering to dance for forty-five minutes or so. These are great opportunities for fellowship and fun.

Interested in Finding Out More?

Below is another article that I wrote on why it matters what songs we pair with our dances. It’s called “Like a Hand in A Glove: Fitting Folk Dance & Song Together in Complimentary Ways” Check out the link below.

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