DEBATE: Grass or Fancy...

[Tywolf23]

Ok, lets get a debate going on here. Which do you guys believe is prefered and state your opinion on it... and make sure you stick around to hear other people's opinions. It's always fun and amusing to see another's position in the matter. So what will it be? The beautiful grace of Grass Dancing or the stylish combination stamina, agility, and power of Fancy Feather Dancing?

[Josiah]

Neither
Straight Dance from Oklahoma has my Vote!

[Nezbah]

So what's the debate on this?? I don't really see a debate both styles are very much different from eachother. There are some dancers who are actually 'born' to dance and even 'born' to dance a certain category. Like if you grew up in grassdance country, more than likely you'll be a grassdancer and be in the society. Same as with all the other dancers and categories. And the same goes with growing up in a family of grassdancers or fancydancers, etc where majority of your family dance a certain style. I know in this day of age some of the dancers are choosing their style or what they want to dance. But like my son, he has always been and probably always will be a grassdancer, he's in a society and the elders have named him accordingly. They say he was born to do this.

Anyhow, so I don't think this is much of a debate, maybe more of a preference?? I dunno... anyways, my 2 cents :D

[lostsalt]

?

I don't know about a debate. But I'm a FF myself.
In line with what Nezbah said, I was called to it. Never a question as to what style. That was it. It could only be fancy, ....for me. There is no societal affiliation with FF (as far as I know), but we all have our historical basis.

Don't forget the dance itself has a personality, that may be a determining factor.

But I don't think it should be like a menu item. If you dont feel drawn to it, you probrably shouldn't do it.
Lostsalt

[sota5]

Originality

Using UTTC as a guide, not until 1980 did we even have a category for Grass dancing. As a matter of fact it wasn't even called Grass, we called it Non-bustle. Individuals in that category were Leo ChasingHawk, Milo Red Tomahawk, Virgil Running Bear, Joe Seaboy, Alex Spotted Elk and Milo Ironroad just to name afew. One point I'd like to mention is you hear M.C.s constantly talking about back in the day, dancers used to dance to songs 6,7, or 8 times thru, failing note tjhat we didn't start using 4 push-ups until 1972. Drum groups sang until their hearts desired. Also no two dancers danced alike. Chico vs, Nate both ole school, totally different. Therefore there really is no old style. As there is no set way to grass dance. Individuals dance from their heart. Their way is their right way. I have many more thoughts on Pow wows. But in todays dances, to much politics, to much tribal favorites, who knows who, pick your own. Like I said, I could go on and on. Just food for thought.

[Tywolf23]

Well hey... whether it was a debate or not... at least I got a conversation up and running. Seriously though, I like your thoughts and words. I also think it has to do with originality... or how your personality fits the dance. But I have a good question... what if you know andare born to dance, however, don't know exactly which one you fit into?

[PrairieTX]

Simply prefer watching grass dancers. I actually don't mind Fancy dancing as long as its a straight song or a crow hop. Something where you don't end up in a contest where you have everyone trying to go as fast as they can. That too me isn't much dancing. I guess I prefer to see the more graceful side to dancing...grass and a regular old somewhat normal speed grass dance. I hate to even watch the fancy dance contests anymore because I know exactly what they are going to do. The drum is going to beat as fast as it can and the dancers are going to dance around so fast that you don't even really see a heck of alot of movement except for a some spins, feet that look like the enegizer bunny, and at split, flip, or some kind of extravagant move at the end.....

My opinion.