Popular Dances

[silent_services]

What kind of dances and/or dance styles (either ballroom, social, club, etc.) are popular in Ukraine? Specifically, I'm going to Kiev in September.

I tried to search the board but didn't find anything pertaining to this. I know some American ballroom and social dances already and I take lessons. If no one (FSU)knows American style (from a ballroom point) then I'll take some international lessons before I go. If anyone has any insights into any dancing, I'd be happy to know!

[SANDRO43]

IINM, many mentioned that Latin dances like salsa, merengue, etc. are now very popular there.

[mendeleyev]

As Sandro says, Latin is very popular as is anything to do with the 50's and 60's swing, lindy, etc. There are clubs (societies/associations) and major competitions devoted to these styles of dances.

If you can ballroom dance, you'll do well in the FSU. Ballroom dancing like the waltz, foxtrot, quickstep, etc, is often part of student activities in school so many of the ladies enjoy meeting a man who actually knows how to dance.

[mendeleyev]

Western music and dancing were illegal during the Soviet years, not that it stopped anyone as even Prime Minister Medvedev has quite a collection of reel-to-reel Western rock music from the 60's.

Here is a video scene from the 2008 Russian film "Stilyagi" (Стиляги) aka "Hipsters" or "Boogie Bones" by Valery Todorovsky.. The musical is a salute to the underground culture of jump jazz, and hipster slang that sprung up in 1950s Soviet Union. Branded as "decadent, amoral, and corrupted by Western capitalist influences" by the Communist Party, participants faced social and official disapproval and suppression. It is now recognized as the groundbreaking youth counterculture of the period, similar to the "rockabilly/greaser" culture in the West.

[Fashionista]

What I believe the OP is asking is whether American style of ballroom dancing is popular in Ukraine. I've never been to Ukraine, but if it's anything like Russia, my guess is that international style is much more popular. Though I don't know if just a few lessons would make a difference.
 
You can easily see the difference even if you do not dance yourself:
 
American style Viennese waltz
 

 
International style Viennese waltz
 

[JohnDearGreen]

What kind of dances and/or dance styles (either ballroom, social, club, etc.) are popular in Ukraine? Specifically, I'm going to Kiev in September.

You would find more in the large Russian cities than in Ukraine.  But depends on age range.  Probably few ladies in Ukraine over 35 had time for activities like that.  If you are going to base your Kyiv trip around dancing, you will probably be disappointed in what you find.  My only suggestion would be to search the web sites for single ladies who are dance instructors or choreographers, and email them.


Here's a list of dance festivals in Europe: http://www.festivalsero.com/continent/europe-14/page:1
Rostov Salsa festival: http://salsacongress.ru/eng/index.php
St Pete Salsa Festival: http://www.festivalsero.com/international_salsa_congress_in_st_petersburg-2305
Moscow Salsa Festival: http://www.festivalsero.com/salsa_russian_style__moscow_salsa_congress-340
Kyiv Swing Dance Club: http://swingdance.kiev.ua/
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/lifestyle/a-swinging-party.html

Ballroom Comp: http://www.whatson-kiev.com/index.php?go=News&in=view&id=2719

[silent_services]

Thank you everyone for all of the good information.

I'm not planning to base my trip around dancing, but I do know how to dance smooth ballroom, latin and some swing. However, I dance the American style and not the International.

I was specifically interested if Ukrainian women would have knowledge of the American style of Foxtrot, American Tango, American Cha Cha, American etc. I realize that there is also an International style and it is obvious that Ukraine would be more likely to have people more familiar with that. I was just curious if anyone knew if the American dance styles would be known also, or if I should get more exposure to the International style before going because that is all that women are likely to know.

Again, I'm not even remotely trying to base the trip around dancing, but I do know that dancing is a nice thing to be able to do if two people both enjoy it.

-Peter

[calmissile]

Thank you everyone for all of the good information.

I'm not planning to base my trip around dancing, but I do know how to dance smooth ballroom, latin and some swing. However, I dance the American style and not the International.

I was specifically interested if Ukrainian women would have knowledge of the American style of Foxtrot, American Tango, American Cha Cha, American etc. I realize that there is also an International style and it is obvious that Ukraine would be more likely to have people more familiar with that. I was just curious if anyone knew if the American dance styles would be known also, or if I should get more exposure to the International style before going because that is all that women are likely to know.

Again, I'm not even remotely trying to base the trip around dancing, but I do know that dancing is a nice thing to be able to do if two people both enjoy it.

-Peter

Unless you are an exhibition dancer, I would not worry about it.  The one dance you might want to learn before you go is the Salsa.  It seems to be very popular among the younger crowd.  Dancing is a great way to meet women and make friends.  Since far fewer men like to dance, you will become popular if you have some dancing skills.  Don't overlook the opportunity to TEACH a women the BASIC steps to the Waltz, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Swing.  I can't tell you how many women I have given short lessons off in a corner or hallway at a pub in the US.  The are very greatful and their girlfriends usually also want to learn what they just learned.  The big mistake some men make doing this is to get way ahead of the women and make her look foolish by doing menuevers that she does not know.  Keeping it simple and in her comfort zone seems to be a winner.

Once you are on the dance floor with the second woman and obviously not attached to anyone, you are fair game for the rest of the ladies.  LOL

Good luck.

[OlgaH]

[mendeleyev]

I was specifically interested if Ukrainian women would have knowledge of the American style of Foxtrot, American Tango, American Cha Cha, American etc. I realize that there is also an International style and it is obvious that Ukraine would be more likely to have people more familiar with that. I was just curious if anyone knew if the American dance styles would be known also...

Not only will you find ladies with some knowledge, but some will be very good at them.

[mendeleyev]

Here are additional threads addressing dancing skills in the FSU:


http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=14065.msg286857#msg286857


http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=14065.msg282269#msg282269


http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=14065.msg282302#msg282302