Dancing in the Urban Jungle
by Panda
I saw a great band not too long ago. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. With a name like that, I had to see them!
Not quite sure what to expect, I waited with baited breath. But when the music started, I loved it. Two drummers, two bass, keyboardist, lead guitar (and more that I'm probably leaving out), they rocked the house with a reggae beat. Most everyone was grooving in their own way.
Still, when you're dancing in the urban jungle, you start to recognize the different species that frequent the bar. Here is my field guide.
Rocks are those people that wouldn't dance if their lives depended on it. They're solidly fixed to the floor, barely moving for anyone, even when people want to get by. I'm not sure if they don't like dancing, or if they're not crazy about the music. However, all I know is that generally, one of them, usually a very tall man, stands right in front of me. (Since I'm a shorter woman, this can be annoying.)
Then, we have Boppers who also stand there but bop their heads in time to the music too. Sometimes Boppers are people who don't like to dance more actively; perhaps they're too self conscious, or just indifferent. Other times, they are more active dancers that haven't had enough to drink to loosen up their limbs.
And as the evening wears on, we start to see those that dance in a very traditional fashion. It might be the average dance that we see the majority of people doing, with the little side to side steps, hands close and going back and forth. Or it might be line dancing or swing dancing or any of the dances that are named. Those all fall into the Lemming category.
One subspecies of Lemmings are Moshers, since moshing tends to be a group activity and most of their moves are similar. They generally sport black and blue mottling, though with some, it can be hidden under leather coats or black make up. Moshers are rarely seen, except at specific events with loud, headbanging rock.
Though these are not to be confused with what happens after someone has too much beer, and they descend into the Drunken Ass grouping. Spilling their drinks all over the place, they bash into people either knowingly or unknowingly, try to climb on stage, and generally act obnoxious. I stay away from them at all costs.
Dirty Dogs are named for their love of dirty dancing. It has to be with a partner (or group) and be provocative, with lots of touching, rubbing, and sliding up and down. I've seen a cluster of women Dirty Dogging, and I'll tell ya, the tongues were hanging out on all the guys watching. Though what usually happens to me, is a man (sometimes a Drunken Ass) will try to become a Dirty Dog with me. Since I generally don't appreciate strange drunk men trying to rub against me, I'm very good at flying off.
That's because I belong to the smallest species, Free Birds. (And you thought I was just a Panda! LOL) Free Birds dance in their own unique style, and generally don't care what other people think; they dance for their own pleasure. They also tend to flock together – Free Birds appreciate other wild dancers. However, not all the species appreciate Free Birds, since they often require more room and are more exuberant in their movements.
There are other types that inhabit the Urban Jungle, but those are the creatures that populate my watering holes most frequently. I'm sure you've seen them. Perhaps you are one. But whatever style you call your own, the most important thing is to listen to music, and let your soul dance however you like.
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