This one was posted in March 2001
Is there a future for Line
Dancing? Wow, now that really does pose a question!
Read Lynne's viewpoint on this subject below, and then tell us what YOU think.
I am confident that we are going to be bombarded with replies to this one so
watch this space!
You can email Lynne
directly by clicking on the web address below. Alternatively you can send your
answers to the webmaster sue@bluelinecps.co.uk
and I will pass them on to Lynne on your behalf.
lschapiro@hotmail.com
Your opinion may be
posted on this page unless you request us not to do so.
If you would like to
view the last 6 Viewpoints and all the replies, click on the Archive buttons at the top
left hand side of this screen.
THE FUTURE
OF LINE DANCING
Is there a future for
line dancing and if so, what is it?
Well things have
certainly changed in the line dancing world since I entered it 8 years ago. At
that time, 95% of the
music was New Country;
the dances were relatively simple and because it felt so new, the enthusiasm
just naturally radiated from the dancers. I guess there was a certain innocence
that comes with any new 'craze' but obviously does not and cannot last.
Today things are very different. Numbers
of dancers have reduced by at least 50%
since line dancing peaked about 4 years ago. All forms of music are used; there
are an abundance of dances, mainly due to the accessibility of the internet and
the dances are, on the whole, more difficult. But although things are different
today, the ironic
thing is, IMO that actually not much has changed at all.
Is that a contradiction in terms or what?
I guess what I am trying to say is that very few in the line dancing world dare
to take risks, be different or move this style of dance on. Of course if
we dare to be different we are up for criticism;
whether it be dressing differently or taking on the media from a different
perspective.
Throughout my career I have taken risks, been controversial and dared to be
different. I have now done this again with my new video - taken the basic
concept of line dancing - i.e. the repetitive sequence of steps, and
demonstrated the variety of STYLES
and MUSIC,
in a contemporary fashion, thus moving the image into the 21st century.
Hopefully there will be enough people out there to have an open mind and accept
this.
Lynne
(17th July)
Hi Lynne,
I agree with you, things have changed and I do question whether those changes
are for the better. That innocence you mention is also true as it has become so
competitive these days. I also started dancing 8 years ago and I look back
fondly at all those lovely simple dances we all crowded the floor to do. Now it
seems a dance isn't worth doing unless it's got a Latin or Techno beat and
consists of 96 counts, has at least 2 bridges and a multitude of phrases. It
seems that everyone is struggling to outdo each other to learn the latest ones,
the quickest too. I know I am generalising and actually I do like some of the
Latin and Techno ones as well, but I know exactly what you mean. I am really a
country music fan so that is really where my heart lies. Oh, I notice in your
Top 10 that 'Single Moment' is your present favourite. I learnt that a while
back and I still love it; I just wish it was danced more often at my class.
Good luck too with your video Lynne.
Best wishes,
Lyn Fordham
Hampshire
Hi Lyn (what a lovely
name >g<; actually to tell you the truth I have never liked my name; hope
you like yours.) Thank you for such a wonderful email and you do make some very
valid points. I think the key is to create a healthy balance between the number
of dances taught, the right mixture of country, Latin, etc. (in my case I
average 55% country; 30% Latin, 10% swing and 5% techno & Pop) as well as a
mixture of difficulty. Those that come to my classes know exactly what they will
be getting. Don't let yourself be pressurised by any outside influences;
it is all so transient that it is not worth bothering about. The key is to find
yourself an instructor/s who you are happy with and not to worry about anything
else. In my eyes, there is no competitive element, as I really wouldn't know
whom I was competing with. Don't think too much about the past and what was,
either. Enjoy yourself for the 'now' and look at the positive changes.
Hope this helps a touch.
Thanks once again for writing in Lyn. Very much appreciated.
Lynne
(17th July)
As a youngster (16) who is new to line dancing, I think that the old dancers
don't want to let us in. I often feel an 'anti' when we dance to things like
'Wild Wild West' or 'Freaky Deaky'. The old dancers see us as taking over
'their' pastime. How can there be a future for line dancing if this is how some
react to change. There are 8 of us who dance happily every dance taught but when
our instructor dares to be contemporary you just know what the reaction is from
others. It ends up with just 8 of us learning that particular dance properly and
boy, you can hear the moans! If I didn't love it so much I wouldn't bother.
(Please don't print my full name and address, as I don't want anyone to link
this to me.)
Kym
Hi Kym,
Yes, I understand fully what you are saying but you also have to understand that
there are many 'tradionalists' who are very passionate about their style of
dancing which they have been doing for many years, so I do have a lot of
sympathy for them too. Sounds like you need to
find an instructor who has a class that is more on your wavelength. Your present
instructor sounds pretty brave as she is trying to branch out and does
understand that line dancing has moved on but is influenced by the reaction to
the majority of the class too. Give me more details of where you live and I will
try to help you.
Thanks.
Lynne
(21 May)
Hi Lynne
I dance every week in my local village hall - there are usually about 20 of us
and my teacher has a big rush to get to the class from her job - and we have
lovely evenings. I really can't say that anything that I've seen on the TV has
made much difference to me but then I am only interested in enjoying my little
local class. I can see that image becomes much more of an issue if your business
revolves around it but I don't think many dancers would even give it a second
thought. As long as I can go and do my dancing when and where I want to, I
really don't care what's on the TV. or the future of line dancing - i.e. unless
my class closes down. Then I would be upset.
That’s the difference, I guess, in dancing as part of your social life and
making dance your career.
Good luck anyway
Cynthia Doyle
Wales
Hi Cynthia,
I understand what you are saying and yes, you are right. As long as you enjoy
your dancing nothing else should matter. I have to take a much broader view as
line dancing IS my profession and therefore besides being passionate about it, I
have to view it as a business. Maybe one day I will leave the 'business' and
just enjoy it in the same way you do.
Best wishes,
Lynne
(21 May)
Well, Lynne, I thought John Prescott could pack a punch, but not quite like you
- I do hope Sally Jones managed to duck in time!! For line dancing to have an
expanding, on-going future it is of course linked totally to its image. The
dancers who have been around for years will continue to dance for as long as
boredom does not set in. BUT new blood has constantly got to be attracted and
this will always be based on the present day image. How many of us die-hard
dancers cringe away from telling anyone new we meet that we line dance so to
avoid the derogatory comment and the compulsory "Yeehaa" instead of
proudly sharing our undying passion with them. And the reaction of the
uninitiated is solely down to the naff image portrayed in the media.
How many times have we tried to explain that it is not like that; that we use
all kinds of music - yes, even Ricky Martin; that we get EXHAUSTED and EXHILARATED
on our dance nights - yes, they are really lively and ENERGETIC. And then
suddenly we get straw sucking cowboys, hats on back of heads in barn setting
playing banjos shuffling about as if on a gentle walk in the park on our TV
screens. Oh, and the compulsory YEEHAA!
So, Lynne, you are totally RIGHT to be fixated with its image. It will take an
enormous effort to change what seems to be the inevitable but as long as we have
someone like you brave enough to battle on at least we stand a fighting chance.
So I, for one, am in your corner!! Good Luck.
Maxine Parks
Buckinghamshire
Dear Maxine,
Thank you for such an excellent and highly articulate email - what a welcome
relief after the last one. You obviously understood what I was saying in my
Viewpoint and your observation of line dancing - its future and image are in my
opinion, spot on!
On a personal note, Thank you too for all the support you have given me with
'The Grapevine Connection' functions - I just wish you lived closer to attend my
classes.
Thank you for taking the time to write in. It was just what the doctor ordered.
Love,
Lynne xx
(14 May)
Lynne,
I think that you have a total fixation with image, and as for all this so-called
media coverage – well personally I’d like to see some. Please tell me where
all this adverse press and TV coverage of line dancing has been because I must
have missed every single bit! In all the years I have been line dancing I have
`glimpsed’ it on TV about twice and read about it about as many times –
apart from in Linedancer that is. So please tell me what on earth you are all
talking about.
And where on earth do you get your figures? According to you line dancing has
reduced by at least 50% - says who? I agree with you that the dances have become
harder, but apart from that I think very little has changed. The classes I
attend are as popular as ever; in fact on Social nights it’s hard to get in
the door. There are always new faces turning up as well so obviously the
apparent `poor image’ of line dancing hasn’t reached our neck of the woods.
Have you ever thought that maybe the only attitude that could do with changing
is your own?
Sally Jones
(Area unknown)
Well Sally Jones, I have
to say that I feel your letter is rather a personal attack that is both vicious
and vindictive - and dare I say, somewhat ignorant.
As any successful business person knows, image is everything when it comes to
marketing your product or service. Image can dictate the commercial viability of
your project. So yes, as a business woman in a very tough retail world I do have
a fixation with the image of my product but this does not mean I have a fixation
with my personal image - perhaps the problem is that you are complexed about
your image?
I can agree with you on one point - yes, you must have missed every bit of
adverse press and TV coverage of line dancing. I can assure you that I didn't
and could send you details of exactly where and when. It amuses me that you feel
able to comment on something that, of your own admission, you have merely
'glimpsed'.
So where do you dance that your classes are as popular as ever? My classes are
as popular as ever too, oh, and with new faces turning up as well. All I am
saying is that compared to a few years ago the numbers of dancers have dropped.
I'm sure your instructor, whoever he/she is, would agree with me if they have
been teaching for a few years.
I'm thrilled to hear it’s hard to get in the door on the social nights you
attend. How big is the venue? It's all relative, isn't it. The Grapevine
Connection held very large functions and I have held a couple of socials. If you
hire a hall that has a capacity of 100, I am sure it is very easy to sell out.
You have obviously totally misunderstood my Viewpoint and attacked it without
being able to substantiate your views with facts. I'm all for lively debate and
if your comments had been more specific and constructive without the bitchy
element, I too, could have replied in a more decent, polite manner.
Lynne
(23 April)
All these new dances and music is what has done line dancing in. We've always
had a nice night with our friends, getting done up in our western gear, having a
few drinks, listening to country music and then strutting our stuff to those
dances we know so well. We don't want to change and people don't have to go line
dancing if they don't want to. I feel angry that so many of you want to change
what we like. Just go dance in the discos or something.
Mr. Angry,
(Name and address withheld)
Hello Mr. Angry,
It would have been nice if you had put your name to your email.
Why don't you and your friends hire a little hall, and make it your own? There
still are many places that play just country music so dress up and check them
out too. I am sure I can put you in touch with a couple.
Lynne
(23 April)
The scene has changed Lynne and along with that the style and image. When I
began dancing in 1994, Stetsons and western dress was commonplace but you hardly
see that these days. The only time you really see this style of dress is in
competitions. I think this is sad - everyone used to look so smart in their
crisp shirts, bolos and waistcoats. Now, hardly anyone seems to bother what he
or she looks like. I do think this is why many of the older dancers have left
the scene - especially with all the youngsters coming in.
The dances seem harder too. It doesn't feel like home anymore.
Muriel Somersby
Somerset
Hi Muriel,
Surely it is a matter of finding an instructor that is suitable for you. The
majority of instructors teach the easier dances only and there are many who
cater mainly for the dare I say 'mature' dancer.
As for dress, there is nothing to stop anyone from wearing their western gear. I
know I love wearing my hat and boots and don't really care if others don't like
it. Wear what you want and don't be intimidated by others.
Thank you for finding my site.
Best wishes,
Lynne
(9 April)
Hi Lynne,
"What exactly does moving linedance on mean? To where? New styles? Ok, yet
does this mean less mass appeal? Do you want mass appeal?"
Well my new video is
where I want it to go. It has taken the concept of line dancing and broadened
the appeal. It does look cool and exciting to do. Of course I am biased
>g<.
"Sometimes
moving forward means going backwards, sideways and around. Yes, linedance has
been there, done that, got the T-shirt now what? The future is uncertain. Yet
there is great opportunity. The 'image' of LD has changed little in the media's
eyes. This despite your really excellent attempts to portray how LD really is or
can be. So do we become disillusioned? Some may. Though an alternative is to
acknowledge the past while moving forward."
That is exactly what
we are trying to do with 'Get Up & Dance'! The fact is you say to anybody in
the media the word line dancing and they either yawn, or go "Yeehaa"
and you definitely don't even get your little finger though the door. It is very
hard to fight a stereotype.
"Oh and lots of
people's fun is someone's hard work. Someone like yourself."
Dave Hook
Middlesex
Thanks Dave - I know you
appreciate it all.
Fondest wishes,
Lynne
(30 March)
Dear Lynne
There has to be progression for anything to have a future and line dancing is no
exception to this rule but as always the pioneers of change always have to take
the stick. You will offend some; you will appeal to more but without change
boredom will kill even the most dedicated dancer.
So, Lynne, carry on taking the risks and keep our interest alive!
Best wishes,
Sandra Harris
Suffolk
