The information below, mostly common sense, is drawn from a survey of similar documents from folk dance groups both in and outside of the Un
ited
States. It probably isn't complete. But we hope it will help orient new dancers,
and remind experienced people of some basics.General Stuff
Smile and enjoy yourself when you dance. Remember why you came!
Welcome the stranger in your midst. Introduce yourself to newcomers and make them feel welcome.
Try to learn the names of dances you like; then you'll be able to request them at a dance.
There is no need to be discouraged if you do not learn a dance right away. Smile and have fun anyway. It will come with repetition over more dance sessions.
Clothing, Cleanliness, and Related Stuff
Few folk dance groups outside of organized square dance clubs have formal dress codes. At international dances, contra dances and the like, informal wear is fine. Wear something that is comfortable for dancing. At evening parties, some groups encourage folk costumes, but do not require them. If you've got them, flaunt them!
Cleanliness is a definite folk dance virtue. As dancers are in close contact with each other, please bathe diligently, use unscented deodorant, and wear a clean shirt or blouse. And some people are allergic to or very sensitive to the chemicals in strong perfumes.
Shoes! Rubber sole shoes may hurt your knees in turning dances, and in general inhibit dance movement. And no spike heels! Some groups require soft soled shoes, particularly when there are wooden floors that the proprietors of the hall are justifiably concerned about.
Line and Circle Dances: Joining, Dancing In and Leaving a Line
Join a dance at the end of the line, not ahead of the leader at the front of a line. Most of the dances move counter-clockwise (to the right) around the floor, though some move the opposite way. The leader of a line is therefore usually on the right end. In general, join the line at the end opposite the leader. You might join in the middle, but be sensitive that some people may have wanted to dance together. And of course, in a very fast dance, it can be disruptive to break a line attempting to get into it.
If you do not know a dance, it's good, and encouraged, to follow from behind until you know enough to move with the line. (You’ll learn many dances by this simple method!) Then as you begin to pick up the pattern, join the line... at the end of the line opposite the leader, of course. (And of course, just at that moment when you jump in, the music ends... it never fails!)
In the same way, if you need to leave a line, try to do it so the line can adjust to your departure; usually you can just say something to those on your left and right, and draw their hands together as you step back out of the line.
Staying connected: In a W position (holding hands at shoulder height) or shoulder hold, hold up the weight of your own arms.
Be aware of differences in people's height. If you are short, you will probably be more comfortable joining the line next to people closer to your own height. If you are tall and in a W hold next to a shorter person lower your arm to that person's shoulder height. Memorable quote: "If a short person is next to a taller person, the short person wins!" --Carol Wadlinger.
No
Vulcan Death Grips! Hold hands with your neighbors loosely. Some people say
"Don't use your thumbs!" I might not go that far; the hand hold can be
firm--enough to make the connection, but not so much as to hurt the hand you're
holding. In the "pinky" hold common to many Turkish, Armenian and Breton dances,
be especially careful about this, and remove that ring with the sharp edges!Follow the leader of the line in which you are dancing. If you had learned the dance a different way, it won't help people if you do it one way while the leader is doing it another.
Couple Dancing
Anyone can ask anyone else to dance.
According to tradition, the only polite reasons for declining a request to dance are (a) you do not know the dance, (b) you need to take a rest, or (c) you have promised the dance to someone else.
Don’t be offended if you are turned down requesting a dance.
Never turn down a request to dance and then accept a request for the same dance from somebody else, no matter how much you want to dance with that somebody else! There will be another chance.
Know the local protocol when it comes to monopolizing a partner's time or reserving dances ahead of time. In some dance sessions, you are expected to dance the first and last couple dances with the person you came with and dance all the others with someone else. In others, it is considered rude to book dances ahead.
If you are asked to dance but you don't know the dance, let your prospective partner know that before accepting so that he/she can decide whether to go ahead with it anyway.
It is good to make eye contact with your partner—and smile. In contra dancing, strong eye contact is almost considered a part of the dance. Yes, it can be a little unnerving the first time you are in the situation--but you'll grow to love it!
Always join a longways dance such as a contra at the foot of the set, that is, the end farthest from the music (which is at the head of the hall), and most especially if the dance has already begun. This is more than just etiquette and custom, but a necessity if the set is to be kept intact.
For the same reason, once you are in a contra, square, or English set dance, see it through! The entire dance depends on a set number of people, and it can fall apart if one person walks away!
The safety of your partner and surrounding dancers is your first concern. Both leader and follower should always be alert to the presence of other dancers in front, to the sides, and in back to help avoid collisions.
All Dancing
If you are not dancing, show respect to those who are by not walking through the busy dance floor and by staying clear of the dance space. First priority goes to the dance and dancers--give them room.
If you are dancing with a new person who does not know the dance very well, never try to help the person by pushing or pulling through the dance. This is rude, and unhelpful, and perhaps even dangerous. You didn’t always know the dance either.
Unless you have the kind of personal relationship with the teacher that allows you to do this, refrain from correcting the teacher when he or she is teaching a dance. Feel free to share your comments with the teacher later.
Just one teacher! It is distracting to the teacher as well as to learners to give additional instruction to a person next to you having difficulty. In the same way giving instruction to others behind the line while the teacher is teaching is generally rude; instead, encourage those people to join the line for the teaching session. You hop in too; it's always great to have more people in the line who can model the dance in a teaching session.
Remember the words of the late, great Dick Crum: