#deathofart

After witnessing the recent performances 2015 has to offer, I was left with a feeling of slight discomfort and confusion. When did we, as dancers -- the visual instruments of a musical genre dating back for generations, compromise the respect, dignity, and artistry of our craft for high views, sexualization, and cookie-cutter choreography? No offense to those in the industry financially benefitting from this model (because the dancer life isn’t often known for being a lucrative career), but please stop diluting the dance. While Latin dancing can be fun, sexy, and technically sound, there is a line between classy and trashy many have somersaulted right over resulting in the travesty known as modern day “performances”.

However, the most heart-wrenching tragedy is A-list dancers are condoning and practicing this style of slash* when they possess the training, foundation, and experience to know better. While the realm outside the dance world may capitalize on the fact that sex sells, art, similar to religion, transcends trends and thus doesn’t need to use gimmicks to survive. There is a history behind what we do, people. Musicians create an auditory picture reflecting their specific time in a long line of human evolution, which older and younger generations can relate to.

We, as choreographers, owe it to these artists to analyze their song down to the person playing the triangle and, from that understanding, personify a fused message of our joined artistry. Scantily clad women, fast footwork, body rolls, and tricks have their place so long as the dance is preserved. My issue is when the costumes become so distracting the audience is more concerned with catching a quick peek-a-boo than appreciating the actual routine. There’s a failure when a ladies routine can easily be mistaken for a striptease without music. Seriously, ladies, why the hell are you on the floor with your legs spread eagle? Please, hide your hoo-ha. It’s a façade to call some of these routines (aka stage sex) performances where someone could get pregnant from the gyrations and body movement.

We, as dancers, have to possess a certain level of self-respect to say no to these types of routines and demand quality over quantity & availability. To determine if your routine is leaning towards the slash side of the line, take this self-assessment.

Would my routine be inappropriate to perform in a retirement home?

Do my dancers need to wear additional clothes over their costumes to walk around in public?

Is there a higher body roll to footwork ratio?

Do we get on the floor although this isn’t a modern routine?

Is there a higher tricks to turn pattern ratio?

At any time, do the dancers slap either their own or their partner’s butt

Would an outsider recognize any of my moves from sex or the club?

If you checked yes to more than one of these questions, chances are you should either a) redo the choreography or b) stop characterizing your routines with art and label them appropriately. If it’s bachata foreplay, salsa striptease, firstborn kizomba, etc. then call it like it is. People will respect you more as the person who openly gets rich off easy, sexy choreography than the sellout who didn’t take the time to create true art because their name, company, and Instagram photos bring enough of a following to cover expenses and make a little cash. This was meant for the longtime dancers who have brought some of the most well-known pieces of visual and musical art to the world. Once upon a time, you knew better….