I keep seeing Youtube and FB comments on clips of dancing, which mostly feature people dressed in a, shall we say, retro Northern Soul style.

Many of the comments say 'thats proper dancing' and I have to admit to being a bit mystified by this term. What do they mean? When I asked one of them they really meant a version that they recognise from a particular period, which in most clips is a hoppy, skippy, slightly teapot, wear my emotions on my sleeve, demonstrative style. 

Its a sort of judgement that seems to be on the rise amongst self-appointed dance aficionados, fuelled by a constant barrage of online clips filmed at oldies events. I have a problem with people, often long absent returnees, claiming authenticity in dancing because different people have different versions, all of which are correct to them. I personally enjoy watching people who are "in it', meaning 'in the music' and that might be full of movement or barely moving (eyes closed and gone!)

So, does anyone care to elaborate on 'proper' dancing please? Does this idea of a historicised, reified, certified version, fixed in time and space, come from the World Championships thing held at Blackpool and the many 'line dancing style' tutorial videos now available online where people tell you "this is how it's done"?

 

Cheers

 

Paul

 

17 hours ago, veedub said:

Now here's a shuffler .........  Amazing !

 

 

Who is it?

 

I dont know him or his name, but you do see him out n about....if it is the guy I think it is, he usually wears baggier clothes & a 'smock' style shirt.  Ironically, if you look carefully at this years Northern Soul Dance Masters Competition in Blackpool, I'm sure he's there in the heats ???....also, remember the rather large gentleman, who was made infamous vis FB, when they did the NS Flash Mob thing, I reckon he's there too, obviously been on a diet mind, but his whirling Dirvish style looks similar....    

33 minutes ago, Russ Vickers said:

I dont know him or his name, but you do see him out n about....if it is the guy I think it is, he usually wears baggier clothes & a 'smock' style shirt.  Ironically, if you look carefully at this years Northern Soul Dance Masters Competition in Blackpool, I'm sure he's there in the heats ???....also, remember the rather large gentleman, who was made infamous vis FB, when they did the NS Flash Mob thing, I reckon he's there too, obviously been on a diet mind, but his whirling Dirvish style looks similar....    

Think his names rob from Midlands never tire of watching him dance amazing! that blonde girl in the vid ain't bad either ;)