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Dance Games

On this page, you'll find a list of dance games (both vintage and modern) that can be used to liven up any social dance party.

Balance the Plate: Each dancer balances a paper plate on their head. Play a series of dances ranging from smooth (e.g., Fox Trot) to bouncy (e.g., Lindy). Couples are eliminated when both partners have lost their plates. No using hands to adjust the plates [JH66].
Limbo: Form a single file line and clap to the music as each person successively back-bends under a horizontal limbo pole. After everyone has attempted it at this level, the pole is lowered. "Those who fall on their after-extremities or knock off the pole are disqualified." The pole keeps moving down until a final winner makes it under [IP62].

Sources

IP62 — Ivy Pete and His Limbomaniacs. (c. 1962). Limbo Party [Vinyl Record with Instructions on Back of Sleeve]. Miller International Co.
JH66 — Joyce Hilmon. (1966, August). "Balance the Plate." Ballroom Dance Magazine. New York.

For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.

For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.

For help crafting a life you love, visit: Project Quartz.

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