How do people dance at a black tie event?

Question

I'm going to my first black tie event this weekend in dc with my boyfriend. His dad and stepmom invited us, and there will be congressmen there so its really formal. However, I don't know how to dance. I'm about as graceful as a rock...
What kind of dances do people do at formal events like this? And is there anywhere online to learn them? Thanks

well its a mardi gras celebration, so that might affect the dances I guess! Thanks :)

Answer 1

It depends entirely on the type of music that gets played. The last black tie event I went to was a charity ball attended by about 500 people from the legal profession. They had a rock band made up of lawyers... fantastic! Once you've seen a 65-year old High Court Judge playing air guitar to Status Quo numbers you never forget it!

Relax and do your thing and you'll have a good time!

Answer 2

I regularly go to events where the dress code is black tie - most people are wearing tuxes, but you wont look too out of place if you just wear a very smart black suit. If you imagine that you will be invited to similar events in the next few years i would definitely invest in a tux - they neednt be to expensive (my boyfriend got his from Moss Bros for £150) and you will quickly get your moneys worth if you wear it once or twice a year as it costs about £50 to rent. If you do decide to buy one, the cheapest places will be in university towns where they often do special deals for students, particularly at the beginning of the academic year. Whatever you do, wear the traditional suit or tux - colours and 'interesting' accessories generally just look tacky.

Answer 3

I'm betting it will be social ballroom. My next bet the music will be mostly Foxtrot and Swing, especially if they are going to have a band playing. Social ballroom is pretty easy to learn. You should find some beginner lessons - it will take you like 4-5 weeks to learn the basics and to be able to dance. It sounds like a lot of work for just one event, but you will be able to "re-use' this skill over and over again, even at your own wedding one day. You can find some basic steps here (Look Under Smooth Foxtrot and East Coast Swing or Jive)http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/Default.asp as well as some leads as of where to find lessons: http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Directory/Studios/Default.asp
http://accessdance.com
In my experience, if you are young and if you smile a lot, those who ask you to dance are totally thrilled when you know the basic steps and are happy to dance with you.

Answer 4

Social ballroom. You might get in a beginners' course of 3 or 4 hours especially stressing social foxtrot and waltz. You won't be Ginger, but it'll get you through, especially if you and your boyfriend can both go. Just hope those who ask you to dance will be forgiving (and those who really dance usually are). I discovered after about 3 years of lessons I had gained enough skills to dance with non-dancers and make them look less rock-like. It should be fun.

Answer 5

The same way you dance at any other event... The black tie is just a piece ridiculous and unnecessary clothing invented by the Croatians. Just make sure not to dance with the guy with the extra long black tie, you're bound to tread on it and end up choking him! ;-)

Answer 6

Try to find out about the entertainment. It will determine what kind of music is being played. When you find out you can then determine what types of dances will be done.

Answer 7

maybe some ballroom dancing? or better yet just don't dance-you might turn on all the politicians

Answer 8

Box step. Or getting all lickered up and jumparound like a wild billy goat

Answer 9

the last one i went to they had slow dances to fast ones..

Answer 10

They don't until they are liquored up.