Originally Posted by
sarah-flute:
“Keep meaning to post about this: just watched the professional lindy hop dancers from a few weeks back, and once again struck by how amazingly inelegant and ugly their dance was. As far as I recall they were champions at this style of dance...??
Maybe it's me but I thought the whole routine was just plain weird, and the girl looked like a frog much of the time swinging through the air with bent legs...
I found it very strange. Anyone actually know anything about this dance style? Was that REALLY how the best-of-the-best lindy-hoppers dance?
”
Yes, Lindy-hop can look a bit wierd. With most of these displays it never seems to be 'social-style' dance more show dance which I have to never looks as good as normal dancing.
I have started doing Lindy this year, taking a bit of a break from Salsa, and the Lindy I am learning is far ore laid back than what was shown. I believe it's a fore-runner of Jive and Rock n Roll and is not quite as energetic as the later ones.
These styles probably do look a little inelegant now you say it but it fits in with the style of music that the developed around. The style fits the Jive/Rock n Roll music beat.
Having done a bit of most of them the important thing is they feel great when you do dance those styles and that really is the important thing. The fact that other people might enjoy watching it is really of secondary importance. OK, ballet IS for watching but the styles shown on SCD are meant for two people enjoying the moment with each other and when done properly you forget there are other people around. So, if you are doing some strange legged dancey stuff but it feels great to you the fact that it looks wierd to someone watching is irrelevant.
The best thing you can do is go along to a class if something takes your fancy or even better these days try and find a few clips on the net.
And as for looking wierd the Paso Doble isn't exactly a normal dance by any means.