One of my streaks is dancing for at least a minute daily.
In a short time, I can change my mood and do something I love. Dancing can be done anywhere. I listen to a song and twist my hips.
However, the best version of my dance experience is at a wedding.
I don’t know how to dance. I have never taken a dance lesson in my life. Ok, that’s a lie. My wife and I paid for classes to have a planned dance for our first dance at our wedding. But that was a slow dance and specific pre-set movements, like memorizing a speech. I greatly respect dancers and choreography, but it does not create the joy of improvised dance.
I don’t think what I do is dancing. I’m more of a hype man.
I want everyone at the wedding to have a memorable night. Weddings are a time for celebration and joy. Remove all fears and worry and be excited for the happy couple. The pair getting married want everyone to feel amazing, but they are exhausted from the day and still have obligations. I feel empowered to be the party starter.
I find myself just constantly moving and mouthing the words to the songs. I love dance music and have heard 80% of the DJ’s rotation. I was shocked to listen to the same songs playing at a wedding this year that we heard at ours 17 years ago.
If I don’t know the words, I know the beat. I have never learned music theory, but I can predict where the rhythm will take me.
I don’t know the moves, but I know how to move. My hips must match the melody, and my feet must always be moving. If you are standing, you’re rusting. People want to see energy; movement is invigorating even if it’s not lovely.
I worked with someone who had a side gig in college to be a wedding hype man. It was his and his partner’s job to start the dancing and get people on the dance floor. I was accused of being a wedding crasher at my first roommate’s wedding. I was told to stop running with the kids at the latest wedding. I could be that guy.
