Most frequently asked questions about linedance:
1. What is linedance?
2. Who does make the linedances?
3. What is the history of linedance?
4. Are the linedances danced only to country music?
5. Will I be able to dance linedances if I have never learnt to dance any dances?
6. Will my age be a disadvantage for linedancing?
7. How much time do I need to learn to dance the linedances?
8. Do I have to start with beginers if I have been dancing other dances for a long time?
9. How do I have to prepare for the first session?
1. What is linedance?
To hear beautiful music and dance the dance that is specially made for
that music. Some practice and you are dancing different linedances to
salsa, disco, waltz, samba and even tango rhythms. To dance! – maybe it
is an old dream; let it come to reality. Have you been dancing?! –
maybe it is the possibility to come back to that times and experience
that unique feeling. Rely upon it, the linedances are intended for you.
We dance without couples – just in lines, the dances of 16, 24, 32, 40
or even 64 beats swinging round over and over to another wall. We begin
to learn from the most common dances, so you do not need any special
skills. The most important is your desire to dance, because we are
dancing for ourselves. The linedances are an entire movement becoming
more and more popular in Kaunas.
2. Who does make the linedances?
There are more than 9000 officially made and registered dances in lines
and each year the number becomes larger. One of the first dances "Tush
Push" was made by choreographer Jim Ferrazzan quarter age ago. He is
believed to be the father of these dances. Meanwhile the author of the
"Electric Slide" dance, which has 18 beats, is unknown. This dance was
made long ago and now has a lot of versions and is the essential dance
in parties in American clubs. Everybody is dancing this dance so it
would be a shame not to know and not to learn this dance. Also such
dances as "Lindy Shuffle", "Waltz Across Texas", "Cowgirl Twist", "Come
Dance" are the history of linedance and ABC of newcomers. There are
many choreographers such as Bill Bader, Chris Hodgson, Alison Biggs,
Kate Sala, Barry Durand, Maggie Gallagher and others. The largest
number of dances belongs to Jo Tompson Shymanski who has made 53 dances
(the author of the popular dance "Come Dance"). The dancers of Estonia
and Latvia that are dancing 7-8 years have their own linedance
choreographers: Dzintra Rozite, Iveta Kalnina, Kae Seger.
3. What is the history of linedance?
The
history of linedance is usually associating with Wild West countries in
America. Though the dances in lines and around are met in different
cultures by a long way earlier: the dances of Kurds, Georgians, Greeks.
So the first rudiments of linedance we can find in folk dances. The
popularity of linedances from American inns came to Europe and brought
the most popular rhythms of XX century such as swing, rock & roll
and disco. Then popularity came much more larger after the film
"Saturday night fever" with J. Travolta in about 1970. And the
linedances became the essential part of gatherings in dance clubs.
Though it was a wonderful thing for those who hadn't couples. In such
way dances like "Electric Slide", "Cotton Eyed Joe", "Black Coffee"
became well known and pleased all around the world. The novelty in the
list of the most popular is "Macarena".
4. Are the linedances danced only to country music?
Usually
the linedances are associated with cowboy's style and country music.
But the linedances changed mainly in about 1990: many young people
indulged in linedances and brought the music they liked. And now
country music often makes the way for other musical styles such as
celtic, swing, pop, rock, big band, folk and etc. in the clubs where
linedances are danced. Every generation dances the linedances to their
music.
5. Will I be able to dance linedances if I have never learnt to dance any dances?
The
feeling of rhythm is connate for everyone, so we all can dance. The
body of human is made for movement which is so natural and essential in
life as breathing. The dance helps both sides of brains to work in
consonant, it integrates the right, intuitional side of brains with the
rational left side. The system of nerves with the muscles turn the
musical rhythms to the forms of movement. Besides, all the linedances
are divided into several levels because of complication: the beginner's
level, the intermediate level and the advanced level.
6. Will my age be a disadvantage for linedancing?
No
one is too young or too old to learn these dances. They are intended
for different age of groups. These dances will give more energy and
sparkle for seniors. The theory is known that regular learning of
dances helps to avoid the illness of Alzheimer. In a process of dancing
both sides of brains are working because it is necessary to memorize
and count the steps that are specially made-up for the particular song.
Also you have to match up the movement of legs and body to the rhythm
of the music. One of our dancers says: "People do not stop dancing
because of senility. They start to get along in years because they stop
dancing".
7. How much time do I need to learn to dance the linedances?
The
linedances as every dance consist of the steps that you have to learn.
It is like fingering – you have to learn the notes and supple your
fingers before playing the instrument. The same is with the dance.
There are six main dancing steps from which the most dances in lines
are consist of: grape vine, kick, jazz box, rock step, shuffle and
sailor step. The dances for beginners are made from these main steps.
The technique of teaching appeals to worldwide linedance practice.
The session take part once a week. After 3 months you can dance 12 – 15
the most common linedances. Then you can start learning more difficult
dances. After another 3 months you are caught by linedance virus and
want to learn more and more beautiful dances to different music.
8. Do I have to start with beginers if I have been dancing other dances for a long time?
To
get acquainted with the main movements and particularity of the
linedances you will need 3-5 sessions in beginer's group. Then it is
possible to combine to advanced group because the dances here are more
difficult and every session we learn something new. For the further
perfection there are unlimited possibilities: you can dance in our
club's hobby group, prepare for the performances in different shows and
take part in World and Europe linedance championships or in Baltic
countries championship which is held since 2006. The last was in
Saulkrasti in Latvia. It is worth to get cowboy's shoes and hat. These
details are like tribute for America, where linedances were foremost
started to dance en masse.
9. How do I have to prepare for the first session?
Just
call us and come with comfortable shoes, good mood and a little bit of
patience to the right place at proper time. You don't need special
outfit, it is important that you feel good and could easily move.