Learn to Rave Dance

If you want to learn to rave dance, it is not a difficult goal to reach. While it's not as common in dance studios as, say, hip-hop, many moves are similar, and there's a wealth of information on the web.

There are many different forms of rave dance, and new ones being developed all the time. Here are a few examples of rave dance styles, and each one has a characteristic music style to go with the dance moves:

Melbourne Shuffle: a flat-footed, stomping dance, it is similar at times to both the moonwalk and the running man from hip hop movement vocabulary. There are minimal upper body moves, mainly with the arms in natural walking motion. Occasionally pirouettes are done quickly, but the dance is usually facing a single direction for a while before turning.

The most basic jump style move consists of five hops, kicking the lifted foot. The arms are simply held loosely, with most of the moves being in the legs and body:

1. Hop on left foot, kicking right foot forward about a foot in the air.
2. Draw the right foot back and repeat step number 1.
3. Switch feet, hopping onto the right foot and kicking the left foot forward
4. Hop on the right foot again, but kick the left foot backwards.
5. Hop back on the left foot, kicking the right foot back and low.

This sequence can be repeated, or varied with other moves compiled into a jumpstyle routine.

This form takes the breakdancing traditions of popping and locking to an extreme; instead of looking mechanical, the body looks as though it is flowing from one move to another. Masters of this kind of rave dance seem boneless and amazingly flexible, almost like an octopus. Isolations in "liquid" are common – for example, a single hand may be the focus of the dance, or the whole body may be "flowing" along imaginary paths known as "rails". Builds and Splits are also techniques used when learning how to rave dance liquid style.

The neon colors of glow sticks (both the chemically activated kind and battery-operated LED lights) light up this form of rave dance. Sometimes these are held in the hands and moved around in a manner very similar to "liquid". Some dancers take this further, putting the glow sticks on the ends of thin cords and using a form of juggling known as "poi" or "spinning" to create wheels of light in the air timed to the music.

Usually done to the smooth steady beats of "house" music, the moves of house stepping are almost the exact opposite of the Melbourne shuffle – the feet take many steps lifting off the floor, touching with heel and toe. The arms are held up, elbows cocked, and the moves often seem to resemble Latin dances or tap dance moves. Many tutorials are available online, as well as DVD versions.

Rave dancing is an ever-changing form, with new moves and techniques being developed all the time. The best way to learn is to go to raves and watch and talk to people who are dancing, asking them to show you moves.

However, it's a good idea to observe dance etiquette – that is, people go to raves to enjoy getting into their dancing, almost in a trance-like state. Interrupting someone to say "How did you do that?" is probably not going to go over well. Watch them, try to imitate them, and give them the opportunity to volunteer to help you learn the moves. After the rave, or when they may be taking a break, you can compliment them on their dancing and ask for advice.

Remember, though, the best way to learn to rave dance well lies in enjoying yourself, your body, and the connection to the music.

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