Trend of social dancing is sweeping dance floors across Mumbai

The Latin Twist nights are held every Wednesday. Pics/Bipin Kokate

It's a tradition that goes back 66 years. every Thursday, the JJ Rodriguez Cours De Danse in Colaba, holds a social dancing session; they call it Thursday practice class. "We train students to conduct themselves with the required etiquette when they go out social dancing," says Crystal Valladares, daughter of dancing legend, the late JJ Rodriguez. Lately, the dance institution has seen many youngsters signing up to sharpen their skills on the dance floor.

Sahiba Sawhney leading a social dance class in Lower Parel

Across the city, social dancing is finding form in an increasing number of classes and dance nights. Next weekend, Dance Design is organising a three-day Learn Social Dancing experience with workshops, dance parties and a championship.

Open to all
Simply put, social dancing is an informal style of dance where the primary focus is on socialising and recreation. "It is a connection with the dance floor, with the music and with other dancers," says Mary Lobo, a salsa dancer who organises Latin Twist nights with her partner, Derek Spencer, every Wednesday.

Rock 'n Roll nights at Kaitlyn's in Bandra

"It is more than dance; it is a way of meeting people, interacting and building self confidence," shares Marlon Almeida, 40, the founder of two-year-old Mumbai Jivesters. Almeida conducted a social dancing night every Tuesday at Kaitlyn's Beer Garden in Bandra for a year. Last week, he organised a social night at the club and lounge Drop; the crowds were largely millennials. "Social dancing is not age-restricted. A person from 16 years to 70 can tap their feet. Now though, we get a majority of youngsters coming in who want to learn dancing so they can go and do it socially," he says.

Crystal Valladares (centre, in black) with students at JJ Rodriguez Cours De Danse

Almeida reasons that the increase in social dancing has much to do with the popularity of salsa, which many consider the ultimate social dance.

Sahiba Sawhney, 28, a dancer and choreographer, and founder of Dance Design, started Learn Social Dancing (LSD) classes following a 'really bad social night'. "I was watching people dance and thinking, we aren't doing it right. The salsa dance form had become more of a performance art with too many tricks," she says. The LSDâÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088classes are held every week; they also organise social nights, which are dance parties featuring bachata, kizomba, mambo and salsa.

Sanket Mukadam and Marlon Almeida

Dancefloor matters
The words social dancing come with their share of hilarity. "We've had people coming in thinking they will be taught how to dance in a club. When we tell them its salsa, they walk out," laughs Sawhney.

Sanket Mukadam, 28, founder of StepNStep Salsa Dance Academy in Thane started dance socials so that his students could practice. "For anyone learning a social dance form, it is important to go out and practise. Many of my students find it difficult to travel to far-off suburbs for a dance social," he says. So, he started two socials; Salsa Saturday - a weekly dance night held in a rented studio, and the monthly Noche Latina, held at Harbour O'4, a hookah parlour. "I wanted to give my students the experience of a dance social. everyone needs a place where they can drop by and practise, which is not too expensive and has regular sessions" he says.

Shraddha Gurjar and Mary Lobo

One such regular session is Shiro's salsa nights. "When we started five years back, we knew there was a need for people to socialise. These people are not professional dancers, they don't want to showcase it or teach, they want to enjoy the moment and the space," says Lobo.

Architect Shraddha Gurjar, who has learned salsa, bachata, rueda, and kizomba, has attended dance socials across the city. "They give me a chance to socialise with people who are passionate about dance and come from different backgrounds, all while learning a new art form," she says.

Reaping the benefits
Why are these dance nights popular? "We don't promote a body type or social status. Here, no one asks what your job is, what you do or how much you earn. They don't have any inhibitions and they all think they can do it. These nights encourage you to have a community you feel a part of," says Sawhney adding that a lot of other dance schools in the city are now teaching social dancing or organising their own social nights.

The benefits are many. "You are not performing for people, but for yourself. This is an opportunity to keep your body physically active. It is a great exercise, too. It rejuvenates you as a person. It has energy, it is fresh and you feel like you're doing something new," says Lobo.

Valladares adds that there is a certain pride in perfecting the techniques needed for people planning social dancing. "At any social event, the proper etiquette for men is to pick up a lady who hasn't danced. The gent should be able to guide her, and the lady needs to know how to follow," she says.

For Lobo, the biggest takeaway is the chance to continue learning. "You learn how to dance at a school, but also by watching other dancers. This social night is where you come to practise, enhance your style, and express yourself," she adds.