How to Dance at Parties

Co-authored by Val Cunningham

Last Updated: January 12, 2023 References

Dancing at parties is a great way to cut loose and enjoy yourself. You don’t have to be a pro to have a good time, but practicing a bit beforehand is always a good idea. Try downloading an app or watching a dancing video to get inspired. When you are at the party, check out your surroundings and then make your way onto the dance floor. Start simple by finding the rhythm and following it with some head nods or small snaps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Getting Comfortable Dancing

1
Watch online dance videos. Go to a free video streaming service and type in “dance instruction” or “how to dance.” Some dance studios also offer online video packages for beginning dancers. Even watching music videos can be helpful. This is a great way to safely learn how to mimic more experienced dancers.
2
Practice dancing to different types of music. Don’t just listen to the same song, or type of song, over and over again. Mix it up by dancing around to all types of tunes, from country to hip-hop, while you are at home. This way you won’t be caught off guard by a diverse playlist at any party.

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3
Practice with an app. There are a number of apps that you can download to your phone that will show you exactly what steps to do for a particular dance or style of dance. Pull up the directions and go through them at home. Or, for extra confidence, give the steps a quick glance through right before you step out on the dance floor.^{[1]
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4
Practice with a partner beforehand. Ask a friend, partner, or even family member to dance with you at home. Turn on some music and warm up by jumping around and trying out a few freestyle moves. Then, switch to a particular style of music, like hip-hop, and concentrate on moving with your partner to the rhythm.^{[2]
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- This doesn’t mean that you have to actually touch your partner, whether in practice or at the party. It’s more about being aware of how your partner is moving and responding to it.
5
Take a dance class. Look for a studio or private instructor in your area and enroll in a few classes. Contemporary or hip-hop classes will help you to become the most familiar with the types of music you’ll encounter in party environments. They can also make you more comfortable with your body.
6
Practice in front of a mirror. Put on some music that you enjoy and are familiar with. Go stand in front of a full-length mirror and try out a few basic dance moves. If you feel goofy doing this, that’s fine, but just own it and try anyway. This is also a good time to try some more complicated steps.^{[3]
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- Dancing by yourself at home will also help your body to develop muscle memory. This will make it easier for you to handle complicated moves when you are at a party surrounded by other people.
- As you practice you’ll probably realize that certain moves just aren’t for you. Knowing what steps to avoid is an important part of the learning process.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Dancing at a Party

1
Get out on the dance floor quickly. Give yourself a time limit, such as 15 minutes, before you start dancing at a party. Of course, you can wait until other people are out there. The point is to not wait too long before jumping in. Aim to be neither the first nor the last person who starts to dance.
- To keep yourself from leaving the dance floor too soon, set a goal of dancing for at least five minutes before you take a break.
2
Smile! With all of your concentration focused on dancing, it is easy to put on a serious, concentrated face. Check yourself every now and then to make sure that you are smiling. Dancing should make you feel good about yourself, so spread those positive feelings around.^{[4]
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3
Copy other people’s moves. Look around and pay attention to other people who are dancing. If you see someone who moves in a way that you like, try to imitate just one or two of their moves. Don’t make the mistake of mirroring them directly or they could take offense. Instead, repeat the same basic copied moves a few times until you feel comfortable with them.
- Once you feel comfortable with a move that you’ve copied, go ahead and modify it to make it your own. For example, you might like the way a particular dancer double-taps their toes to the beat of the music. You could make it your own by adding in a snap at the end of each tap.
4
Join in on group dances. A comfortable way to get started is to hop in on a synchronized and well-known group dance. The moves will probably be familiar and you can change them up a bit if you want. In fact, cutting loose and acting a little goofy is part of the fun with these types of dances.^{[5]
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- If you don’t know the moves to a particular group dance, stand at the side for a moment and watch before joining in. You’ll likely figure out the steps very quickly.
- For example, “YMCA” by the Village People or Kool & the Gang’s “Celebrate,” often lead to fun-filled group dances.
5
Add in more complicated dance moves as you get comfortable. Start off small with simple movements, such as hand taps. Take your time with these and gradually add in more complicated steps. Don’t expect to be an expert right away. You’ll probably blend in more with basic moves, so be prepared to draw more attention as you get more creative and original.^{[6]
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Get goofy. Don’t be afraid to make fun of yourself or cut loose a little. Dancing doesn't need to be serious, and you'll look more like you're having a good time if you don't take yourself too seriously.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Val Cunningham
Certified Dance & Yoga Instructor
Expert Interview. 6 February 2020.} So, bust out that air guitar for a few moments and feel no guilt!^{[8]
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7
Keep a consistent amount of space around you. Unless you are interested in dancing with a partner, try to maintain a little bit of distance between yourself and other people. In a crowded club, this might mean just a few inches of room. But, even that small amount of space could keep you from accidentally hitting others or stepping on their feet.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Performing Certain Moves

1
Nod your head. This is a nice move to start off with or to add alongside more complicated steps. Just softly bob your head with the rhythm. Try to make it look natural, not as if you are just stiffly moving directly up and down. Sometimes it helps to close your eyes for a few moments.^{[10]
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- This is a great way to join in on the fun without pushing yourself out onto the dance floor, especially at a crowded party.
2
Do the two-step. This is a move that can be used with any song, as long as you know the beat. Take one foot and move it to the side. Pick your other foot and meet it. Head back in the opposite direction with both feet. As you keep going, you are basically stepping from the side-to-side along with the music.^{[11]
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3
Do a snap roll. This is the more stylish version of clapping your hands mid-dance. As you move your feet from side-to-side, end each step with a quick snap of your fingers. Take it one step further by rolling your shoulders or upper body at the same time. You can even try snapping the fingers on both hands and rolling your wrists for an extra flourish.^{[12]
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4
Hit the four corners. You can do this move solo or with a partner, especially while holding hands. Slide your right food forward on a diagonal arch, pushing your right hip out with it. Then, slide your foot back in the same pattern. Do the same move with your left foot and hip. If you feel both your hips completing a small square of movement, then you are doing it right.^{[13]
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5
Keep your arms moving. It’s really easy to forget your arms and to simply let them hang like limp noodles at your side. Instead, gently sway them along with the music. Let them follow the motion of your feet and pop them off to the side slightly. Run your fingers through your hair every so often. Or, simply raise your arms up when the music reaches its peak.^{[14]
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6
Mix in a body roll. This move is a little wild, so make sure that it is appropriate for the party environment. The goal is to roll the center of your body. To complete this move, visualize passing a hula hoop from your shoulders downwards. This will force you to push out your chest, waist, and hips at different times.^{[15]
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Try a grapevine. This move requires a bit of extra space, but can be fun during a group dance. Take a horizontal step with your right foot. Bring your left foot over until it’s directly behind your right one. Move your right one over another horizontal step. Shadow it once more with your left and repeat. This will carry you across the dance floor.^{[16]
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- It’s not necessary to do a grapevine across the entire floor, if you don’t want to. Instead, just take a few steps right, shadow them with your left foot, and then let your left foot take the lead in the opposite direction.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you dance and not look awkward?

Val Cunningham
Certified Dance Instructor
Val Cunningham is a Choreographer, Lead Dance Instructor, and Certified Yoga Instructor at The Dance Loft, a dance studio based in San Francisco, California. Val has over 23 years of dance instruction, performance, and choreography experience and specializes in ballroom, Latin, and swing dancing. She is also trained in house, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and modern dance, and has studied with world renouned dancers such as Tom Slaterand Richard Lambarty. She is ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing), ProDVIDA (Professional Dance Vision International Dance Association), and Zumba certified. She is a member of the National Dance Council of America.

Val Cunningham

Certified Dance Instructor

Expert Answer

Don't focus on what other people are thinking while you dance. Just focus on having a good time! Besides, the more you practice dancing, the better you'll become and the more confident you'll be.
Question

What if a guy asks you to dance?

Community Answer

Do you like him? Say yes! If not, say "I'm a bit tired, I'm going to sit out the dancing for now." You can also pull him onto the dance floor with a few of your friends, making it more like a group dance. This is an especially good idea if you don't know the guy that well or if you aren't totally comfortable with him.
Question

What if my friends laugh at my moves?

Community Answer

Laugh along with them. It's quite possible that they are just having a good time and not really paying attention to you at all. You can also pretend like making them laugh was your plan all along, then copy someone else on the dance floor.

Warnings

You may think that drinking alcohol will relax you, but it could instead make you sloppy on the dance floor. Keep the drinking to a minimum, so that you can keep control over your body’s movements.^{[17]
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