So you want to go táncház…

The countdown has begun!

With only a week to go before the Kodály Ensemble’s fall táncház, I’m super busy getting ready for the official launch of Foundling Folk! Got tons to do and I can feel the clock in the back of my skull ticking down. Plus, Little Z came down with a fever two days ago, and while he’s definitely feeling better, we’re still in clingy-only-Mama-will-do mode. *Sigh*. When it rains, it pours.

But here we go…

Last time I said I’d be continuing my táncház series that I started in the spring. You can check out the first post that I created for the spring táncház here. Also, if you’d like to really get into the history of the dance house movement (táncház mozgalom), this is a superb article written for this past summer’s Folk Life Festival at the Smithsonian, where Hungary was the feature culture.

This time, we’re going to be checking out some táncház etiquette. But before I forget, you can get all the info for the fall táncház on Kodály’s Facebook event.

So you want to go táncház… What to expect.

First off, there’s going to be folk music. Lots of it. All night live bands playing nothing but folk. Not so scary.

Second, there are going to be people dancing. All night. Just folk dancing. A little scary if you’ve never been and don’t know what to do. Do you need to know how to do those boot slapping, prancing and dancing moves? NO! You see, we’ll show you how.

Now, what I’m going to get into is mostly how things work at the Kodály dance houses. Every community sets up their táncház a little differently and there are subtle differences in local etiquette, but in general, there are some things everyone abides by. Also, going to a táncház in Hungary or Transylvania will get you into another batch of unwritten rules of etiquette, but again, the major ones still stand.

The Format

Here in Toronto, we open the night with a  kids’ táncház, followed by a brief show before we get the party started. There are teaching circles for first timers or old timers alike. You don’t need to know what you’re doing to get up and dance!

And what’s a good party without a little refreshment? The bar and buffet are open all night.

Now note – if you’re with Hungarians, drinking and having a good time go hand in hand. Expect alcohol but don’t feel like you must imbibe if it’s not you’re thing. That said, public drunkenness is not easily tolerated in most táncház. In Toronto, we have quite a few families stick around until late, and no one likes trying to dance with a slobbery mess.

What to wear

If you want to follow the traditional school, guys wear a collared shirt (jeans are ok) and girls wear a skirt (usually knee length or longer). This is definitely the format that you will find almost at any táncház, especially in Europe. You can’t go wrong if you follow this rule.

However, times are changing. It’s becoming more acceptable to wear t-shirts for guys (although looking presentable will always land you more dance partners). For gals, pants are becoming more popular, but many ladies opt for a cross between the two styles and wear leggings with a longer tunic-style dress/top. It’s entirely up to you. If it’s you’re first time, wear what makes you most comfortable.

Also a note from a few female friends to the guys. It’s going to get hot. You’re going to sweat. If you’re the type who’s going to be dancing all night and you sweat a fair amount, bring along a change of shirt and swap that sweaty, goopy old one out for a fresh one before you go ask that girl for a dance. Just sayin’…

Getting up to dance

You don’t need to know any Hungarian folk dance and you don’t need to arrive with a partner. I’m not going to lie, if you show up with either of these two points, you will be ahead of the game, but it’s not necessary.

So who asks who to dance? Again, there are traditionalists who think it’s only right for the guy to ask the gal up, and there are those “modern gals” who will ask the guy to dance. Again, here in North America, either goes. In Hungary, if you’re a gal and ask a guy to dance, you may be in for a surprised look, but nowadays, politeness wins out and I have yet to see a guy say no to a girl.

The easiest way to find a partner though, is to get up and dance during the teaching circles. Not only is it respectful to the teachers leading (trust me, most of them hate running after people to try and get them to dance), but it’ll also show you’re really interested in getting yourself out on the dance floor.

And even if you are a superb dancer, take note of your partner. Look at them every now and then and smile. No one likes feeling like a marionette who’s being used as a prop to showcase your folk dance glory. Dance with your partner. This is a dance conversation.

The musicians

These guys are in it for the long haul. They start playing in the early evening (earlier if there was a workshop in the afternoon), and they will be the last ones to leave. Treat them with respect.

The musicians play music for you to dance to, therefore the space right in front of them is prime dance real estate. If you’re there, interact with the musicians. Smile at them, dance for them, take note of how it feels. This is you and them having a dance/music conversation. So for Pete’s sake, don’t turn your back on them! This is akin to snubbing someone mid-sentence.

Also, don’t hog prime real estate for too long. Give others a chance to have that conversation.

As the night wears on, people like to request “their songs”. It’s polite to tip the musicians when you do this. You usually take a bill and put it in the violinist’s bow. This also lets other know that you’ve made a request and it’s considered rude to interrupt  someone else’s request too early. By all means, if it goes on forever… But again, it’s a conversation. Not nice to butt in.

So, there you have it

You are now well versed in táncház. Get off that tush of yours and get thee to a táncház! And if there’s anything I missed, feel free to comment or ask a question.

Hope to see you next week, and in the mean time, I’m back to my kitchen to work away on my own project for the táncház.