Dance gets people moving
By Nate Seltenrich
Dance knows no boundaries age or gender related, cultural, or otherwise. Similarly, almost anything can serve as an impetus for dancing, and most importantly, almost any kind of music.
That which moves the soul can move the body, and although hip-hop is often the music of choice at most Santa Clara parties, it has no monopoly on or special relationship to dance.
In particular, electronic music such as jungle, trance and house can offer beats that are a pure joy to dance to.
A recent off-campus party featuring Santa Clara student Andy Schneider as DJ Illuminati intended to explore the full range of electronic music's potential for great party music and even better dance music.
Early on, it took a while for the partygoers to become comfortable with the house's unique musical and visual setting, which also featured intelligent lighting that pulsed with the music, a fog machine, a strobe light, and an array of blacklights.
A few people even expressed concerns over not knowing how to or not being able to dance to this sort of music.
As they hopefully soon learned and as is the case with most dance, the secret is to feel the music, lose the inhibitions, and just move. Of course, this technique could result in wildly unattractive flailing, but some would argue that's better than timidly observing from afar.
Both activities and most everything in between took place at the party, but all in all the event seemed to have been a great success. Once the dance floor filled with writhing bodies and the party warmed up, it took hours to cool down.
Electronic music deserves recognition for its incredible danceability and the unique party ambiance that it creates. Although some may prefer other genres and other dances, something must be said for the complex rhythms and pounding beats that can act as a persuasive musical puppeteer for the willing participant.
But don't take my word for it; I encourage you to try it for yourself. When the time is right, give Snoop Dogg and Missy Elliot a rest and surprise your friends with something new. Be open-minded. Feel the music. Dance.
ATB and Paul Oakenfold may be good starters for those who are unfamiliar with the genre. For those who have already experienced what I'm talking about, don't be shy. Share what you've found with your friends.
Dance knows no boundaries, and you shouldn't either. Go out there, make me proud, and call me in the morning.