I'm going to start by saying this is relative. Relative to what you may ask? If you're wondering what you should take with you when you go out dancing, make sure to keep these four things in mind:
What kind of social is it?
Where will it be?
Are there any item restrictions?
Do you feel safe?
#1: What kind of social are you looking into?
If you're looking for a salsa/bachata heavy social, you may want to consider investing in dance shoes that elevate your dance experience. I personally enjoy wearing heels with suede soles because I find that you have good balance of grip and slide on the floor. If you're in a bind and your heels are starting to get slippery (probably due to dust accumulation or floor gunk) and can't find your suede shoe brush, I recommend lightly wetting the bottom of your shoes to regain some of the grip. Shoes with built-in padding along the metatarsal and heel can be the difference between dancing for 2 hours and dancing for 5. Comfort is everything.
If you're searching for a brush, I recommend this one! I used to have a brush that covered the metal bristles with a leather strap, but every time I found myself searching through my bag, I would poke myself. So, to avoid that, I decided to get a more compact version. This one is small, easy to store, and easy to transport (it even fits in your pocket).
If you're looking for a more low-key social or want to dance without worrying about your feet hurting after a few hours, any old sneakers will do the trick. Their soles typically aren't so grippy, and you can get away with spinning quite a bit. For dances that are more grounded like Zouk or Kizomba, I recommend wearing flat-soled shoes to facilitate spinning and to keep your weight balanced. I've seen quite a few Zouk dancers wear Toms, so that seems like a good place to start.
#2: Where will the social/event be?
If the venue isn’t the type of place where you want to leave unattended items to the side, and you still want to wear dance shoes, you can wear what are known as “street sole” dance shoes. These have a little less grip than the suede shoes, but they’re the perfect transition shoe. You can wear it off the dance floor and shimmy yourself right back on it. They’re also good club shoes because you can still have all the perks of a dancing shoe without having to switch between your arrival shoes, or worry about storing them, etc. You can also clean the sole at the end of the night to get off any unwanted drink residue from the floors. Since it’s nearly impossible not to bring anything somewhere, especially if you’re going alone, consider wearing stretchy jeans or leggings with pockets so your keys, wallet, and phone are safely kept on you at all times. If you’re like me and have two wallets “just in case” (a full size and a mini) but really only end up needing a few cards here and there, I would suggest doubling one of those business card holders into a makeshift wallet. It’ll slide into your pocket without a hitch and goes unnoticed. I use something like this.
#3: Are there any item restrictions?
Dance studios that host socials are usually lax about what you bring, but restaurants or clubs can get picky about bringing your own water to the party because they sell their own. There are a couple routes you can take here: you can either purchase water (no harm no foul), or keep some extras in your car. If there’s no re-entry, the second option probably isn’t the best if you get thirsty throughout. Worry not! I drink a lot of water, so I feel your pain. In fact, I’m pretty sure people have started to recognize my bedazzled cup (#loml) I carry with me to socials for the hell of it. Studio events likely have their own refreshments or snacks, depending on the host, but I still like to take my 1.5L bottle to refill my 16oz cup throughout. YMMV depending on how strict the restaurants/clubs are about their bag policy. If they do a quick glance, I like to hold a regular water bottle, drink it when they tell me I can’t enter with it, and then have my spare tucked away in my bag to avoid suspicion of double crossing. Sometimes it feels like I’m a double agent. Kidding…not that serious; just trying to prepare you for anything. Another option is to make sure you hydrate throughout the day before your event, so you won’t feel like a fish out of water halfway through the night. Here’s a cool resource for picking bottled water if you’re in a pinch: https://www.wellandgood.com/best-bottled-water/. You can also try something like this that’ll do the trick: I use this one on occasion.
#3: Do you feel safe?
We kind of touched on this in #2 with the wallet solution, but there’s something else to keep in mind. If you take a bag/purse, consider always having some sort of self defense mechanism on hand since socials tend to go on late into the night and parking lots aren’t necessarily the friendliest if they’re a walk away from the venue. Pepper spray could buy you enough time to run for the hills. Something small like this or compact like this can do the trick (be sure to spray it once away from your face to ensure that it works). Consider storing a handheld taser in your glove compartment too. Double check with your state/country’s laws for any restrictions on what items can be stored in your vehicle, especially if the social is hosted by a university. In Georgia, for example, it is illegal to carry a taser within a school zone because it is considered to be a weapon (source: O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1). If you’re nervous about going to a social alone, especially if it’s one you haven’t been to before, take a friend or two! The buddy system is a tried and true method to getting out of uncomfortable situations or avoiding them all together.
Remember to always have your wits about you, but, mostly importantly, have fun! Dance the night away, make friends, enjoy yourself. Life is about living.
If you found any of these tips helpful, share them with a friend! Let us know any of your tips and tricks in the comment section below!
Comentários