Anywhere in LA that teaches white guys how to NOT embarass themselves on the dancefloor?

February 23, 2006 4:22 PM

Does anyone know any group teachers for club dance in Los Angeles. I'm tired of moving like a white guy on the floor. Basically I've never been a good club dancer and it's kept me from going to clubs. I've decided to do something about it. But I don't want to take individual lessons. For one thing, it'd just be too weird dancing with some teacher one on one. For another I've got nowhere in my apt for them to teach me. (I live in a studio). So what I want is somewhere in LA that kind of teaches a group 101 on "how to not look spastic on the dancefloor." Any suggestions?
posted by rileyray3000 to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (13 answers total)

Arthur Murray is still in business.
posted by paulsc at 4:27 PM on February 23, 2006

Does your local school board offer continuing ed courses? They usually offer an incredible range of classes, dance among them. And the classes will be held in a high school near you.
posted by orange swan at 4:30 PM on February 23, 2006

Whatever, just dance spastic. The real problem is that you are under the misapprehension that other people give a shit how you dance.
posted by aubilenon at 5:02 PM on February 23, 2006

I always used to mope around the edge of the dance floor, till one rave I took a bunch of drugs, found a corner, and danced myself silly. I've been fine ever since. It all about finding the confidence to actually dance, rather than trying to look like your dancing, which never works. I was a long-time drummer though, so rhythm wasn't such a stumbling block. Also, you would be surprised by just how few people can/do dance. Most people just stand there and shuffle their feet and bob their head trying desperately to look like they are having a great time. My advice is, find a club that plays great music, close your eyes, and just go for it.

Community college classes are great, mine has hip-hop dance classes which are low-key and excellent. It is way more intense dancing with other people you see every week in front of mirror and lights than in a dark club with a bunch of intoxicated strangers though. I would get to at the "beginner" stage before embraking on classes at your local college unless you don't really mind looking dumb (granted, you won't be the only one).

You might also want to look into hip-hop videos and practice at home, where no one is watching, or just put on music and go from there. I am not exactly sure what you mean by "club" dancing but the only formal "club" instruction you are likely to find is going to be hip-hop, which is applicable to most other genres of club music.
posted by sophist at 5:22 PM on February 23, 2006

Also, what aubilenon said.
posted by sophist at 5:24 PM on February 23, 2006

LA? Just run into my crew by chance and try to cop our moves - first step to domination, right there.
posted by thedaniel at 6:51 PM on February 23, 2006

Drugs and rum are your friends.

Or the Adult Ed Community College things.

But Drugs and rum are more fun.
posted by alana at 9:42 PM on February 23, 2006

The real problem is that you are under the misapprehension that other people give a shit how you dance.

I disagree. And I applaud rileyray3000's willingness to learn more about this.

You might consider that any kind of more formal dance instruction will probably help you feel more confident on the dance floor. I did a lot of contra and ceilidh dancing in very friendly low-key environments. This gave me a lot more confidence and understanding of how my body moved which made club dancing and more traditional ballroom dancing easier and more comfortable.
posted by grouse at 11:39 PM on February 23, 2006

Watching other people (good dancers) has always been my best lesson. That and developing a good sense of rhythm ie tapping your feet, drumming pitter patter beats on tables and generally just getting you body used to moving to music anytime you hear/listen to it. I don't have any "moves" like Travolta but tend to nod, clap and pace out patterns in a Northern Soul style, incorporating at least 4 other people's styles I've seen in the past. Generally I just listen up and see what my body wants to do to the music.
posted by brautigan at 2:12 AM on February 24, 2006

Shift your weight from one foot to another in time with the beat of music. Anyone who tries out any "moves" they have practised beforehand is a total spaz.
posted by dydecker at 9:21 AM on February 24, 2006

Lessons? Bah.

The only lessons you need are from watching other people dance. See someone moving in a way you like? Incorporate the idea into whatever you're doing.

Dancing at a club or a rave is not about the coolest move, or dominating the dancefloor, or whatever. It's about letting the music move through your body. So, have a drink or two, stop giving a flying fuck what anybody else thinks, and just let yourself move. As long as you can follow a four-on-the-floor rhythm--which anyone can do--you're good to go.

Stop overthinking, and just do it.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:06 AM on February 24, 2006

Some great advice in this thread.
posted by Xelf at 11:31 AM on February 24, 2006

Definitely take a hip-hop dance class. Try looking for one at a gym, community college, or school district's continuing education program. You'll feel a little silly at first, and there will *always* be that intimidating person in the front who is way too good for a beginner's class, but just suck it up and realize that 90% of the people in the class also feel like spazzes.

It's not that you are going to bust an entire routine on the dance floor. (You *will* look like a tool if you do that, unless you somehow get the entire crowd to do the same thing, but then you'd be stuck in a teeny-bopper movie.) But once you take some classes you'll learn to feel the beat more and how to move more comfortably. Dancing will feel much more natural.
posted by radioamy at 2:59 PM on February 26, 2006