PolkMusic

Going dancing

What to expect at your first community folk dance

Community folk dances are usually friendly to beginners. Many start with a short lesson, and regular dancers are often glad to show newcomers the steps.

Kinds of dances you may find

Community dances come in many forms. A polka dance usually has a live band playing polkas, waltzes and a few other couple dances. A folk dance club may teach dances from many countries, often in circles and lines. Contra and square dances have a caller who teaches each dance. Heritage societies hold dances for their own traditions, and most welcome visitors. The finding groups guide explains how to locate each kind.

Before you go

  • Check the listing for a beginner lesson and its start time. Arriving for the lesson makes the rest of the evening much easier.
  • Check whether there is an entry fee and whether the organizers take cards or cash only.
  • Look for notes on accessibility, parking and whether the venue serves food or drinks.
  • If the listing is old, confirm the date with the organizer, the library or the parks department that published it.

What to wear

Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, in layers, because dance halls get warm. Shoes matter most: choose clean shoes with smooth soles that let you turn, and avoid rubber soles that grip the floor hard or anything with a high heel you are not used to. Some halls ask dancers to bring a separate pair of shoes to protect the floor. Bring a water bottle.

Asking and being asked

At most community dances, anyone can ask anyone to dance, and changing partners is normal. A simple "Would you like to dance?" works. Tell your partner if you are new; most people will adjust and help. If you are asked and would rather sit out, a polite "No thank you, maybe later" is fine. If someone turns you down, ask someone else.

On the dance floor

  1. Couple dances travel counterclockwise around the room. Faster couples usually keep to the outside and slower ones to the inside.
  2. Watch where you are going and avoid sudden stops in the middle of the floor.
  3. If you bump into someone, a quick "sorry" and a smile is enough.
  4. At the end of the dance, thank your partner and walk off the floor together.
  5. In circle and line dances, join at the end of the line, not in the middle, unless someone invites you in.

Pace yourself

Polkas are energetic, and a full evening can be tiring if you dance every number. Sit out a dance now and then, drink water, and watch how experienced dancers move. Watching is a good way to learn styling and turns. If anything hurts, stop. People with heart, joint or balance problems should ask a doctor before taking up energetic dancing.

The band

Live bands often announce each dance, and you will soon learn to recognize a polka, a waltz or a schottische from the first few bars. Clapping after each number is normal. If the band takes requests, ask politely between sets.

After your first dance

If you enjoyed it, go back. Most people need several evenings before the steps come without thinking. Regular dances are the best way to improve, and many groups also hold practice sessions or classes. Review the polka step and the other basic steps at home between dances.