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Rock ‘n’ roll might be all the rage right now, but there’s no denying a big part of its appeal is due to dancing. It looks hard, sure, but if mastered it can provide hours of enjoyment.
Dancing has been important to humans throughout recorded history. Ancient Egyptians were said to have danced after hauling each of the huge blocks of stone into place for the pyramids. Roman guests danced as part of the orgy ceremonies during Emperor Caligula’s reign.
In the early days of the United States, then-President Thomas Jefferson is said to have danced a jig after signing papers for the Louisiana Purchase.
After the post-World War II boom days of swing and big bands, dancing fell out of favor in American society. Only radicals and hippies in the 1960s and, later, drug-induced disco fans in the 1970s did much dancing in recent decades.
That is, until the late 1990s, when rock ‘n’ roll finally dug a toehold in the popular culture. With it, dancing has re-emerged in many nightclubs and at private parties.
Don’t fret, though. The Enquirer can help you get in on the fun. Here are six easy steps to follow.
Just relax. Soon you’ll be dancing.
1. Listen to the music. Whoa, whoa, whoa, listen to the music.
2. Bite your lower lip. It seems to give you extra energy.
3. Move your hips back and forth. Try to time it with the music.
4. Swing your arms around, either up and down, side to side or in a big circle. Keep them as parallel as possible.
5. Nod your head. Again, try to time it with the music. But don’t do this too vigorously — you’ll get a headache.
6. Smile. You’re dancing!
Optional — Snap your fingers or clap your hands. But don’t do this unless you can synchronize it with the music’s beats, or you’ll mess up everyone else around you.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 6, 1999.