Duvet
Member
I 'perform' for an audience, but I 'dance' for myself. Is this the general idea?
When I hear music and want to move - I'm dancing. I express myself and the music with little forethought, the more so if I feel that I'm not being commented upon by a watchful audience.
When I want to get my costume out, get the make-up on, put my name 'on the list' with a designated style and music track, and sort out a choreography or pre-think the mood I wish to portray - then I'm performing.
Performing does involve 'dancing', but performing sets standards that can inhibit (will my technique/costume/make-up be good enough; what if I get the routine wrong; is my music authentic; will the audience like me; will my fellow dancers like me; am I good enough to be here?), and barriers that can stretch and enhance experience (what if my costume/music/legs go wrong; I've never used that type of prop/music/costume before; I've never danced on stage/on a table/on a boat/on a film before; what if the audience join in/ignore/heckle me?). You are purposefully stepping outside an area of safety and exposing yourself, no matter how low key the 'performance' might be. You are setting yourself apart to be observed (solo or in a group) - declaring yourself as being worthy of being watched.
Some haflas I go to end up being all about 'performing' and not about 'dancing'. Some can be real stress-fests - more concerned with how photogenic the event will be for the DVD than with making the dancers and audience relaxed and comfortable - which is not fun to be part of. Even the freestyle dancing ends up being under bright lights and on the stage area - making what should be just 'safe' dancing into even more 'performing'. Performing is good if that is what you want to do, and enjoy the thrill and challenge (and the limelight), but sometimes it can be too overwhelming and inhibitive for some people. With haflas that forget that 'dancing' isn't about standing out and being noticed, but about sharing and connecting with yourself and others in a safe environment, it can put people off from joining in at any level.
What do others think about the difference between 'performing' and 'dancing', and which do they feel the haflas/parties available to them in their area focus on more? There should be room for all tastes, but I vote for more haflas where the 'performing' involves dancers who are able to make mistakes, fluff the choreography, get the music wrong, have a laugh and carry on, or elect to sit down and let someone else dance instead. I've been to these haflas too and they really are more enjoyable. Or better still, haflas with no 'dance platform' at all - just food, music, chats and friends. Dancing if you want to, and no worries (or queries) if you don't.
When I hear music and want to move - I'm dancing. I express myself and the music with little forethought, the more so if I feel that I'm not being commented upon by a watchful audience.
When I want to get my costume out, get the make-up on, put my name 'on the list' with a designated style and music track, and sort out a choreography or pre-think the mood I wish to portray - then I'm performing.
Performing does involve 'dancing', but performing sets standards that can inhibit (will my technique/costume/make-up be good enough; what if I get the routine wrong; is my music authentic; will the audience like me; will my fellow dancers like me; am I good enough to be here?), and barriers that can stretch and enhance experience (what if my costume/music/legs go wrong; I've never used that type of prop/music/costume before; I've never danced on stage/on a table/on a boat/on a film before; what if the audience join in/ignore/heckle me?). You are purposefully stepping outside an area of safety and exposing yourself, no matter how low key the 'performance' might be. You are setting yourself apart to be observed (solo or in a group) - declaring yourself as being worthy of being watched.
Some haflas I go to end up being all about 'performing' and not about 'dancing'. Some can be real stress-fests - more concerned with how photogenic the event will be for the DVD than with making the dancers and audience relaxed and comfortable - which is not fun to be part of. Even the freestyle dancing ends up being under bright lights and on the stage area - making what should be just 'safe' dancing into even more 'performing'. Performing is good if that is what you want to do, and enjoy the thrill and challenge (and the limelight), but sometimes it can be too overwhelming and inhibitive for some people. With haflas that forget that 'dancing' isn't about standing out and being noticed, but about sharing and connecting with yourself and others in a safe environment, it can put people off from joining in at any level.
What do others think about the difference between 'performing' and 'dancing', and which do they feel the haflas/parties available to them in their area focus on more? There should be room for all tastes, but I vote for more haflas where the 'performing' involves dancers who are able to make mistakes, fluff the choreography, get the music wrong, have a laugh and carry on, or elect to sit down and let someone else dance instead. I've been to these haflas too and they really are more enjoyable. Or better still, haflas with no 'dance platform' at all - just food, music, chats and friends. Dancing if you want to, and no worries (or queries) if you don't.