Dancing Queen

Stake dances. 
Make them worse, and you get
YSA Dances. 


I'm not 100% sure why they still exist . . . I mean, I know the leaders pull out that bible verse about praising the Lord with singing and dancing, but I think they really just want to make sure you suffer the utter awkwardness that they did 20 years ago.  Green and gold ball.  Pukefest. 

But, I did say you HAVE TO GO.  Right here, see?  http://ldsinstituteofdating.blogspot.com/2011/07/where-boys-are.html

So here's how you handle it without making a complete fool of yourself. 
1.  Don't be a wallflower.  (Because you should have just stayed home.  You're not going to meet anyone AND you are perptetuating the awkwardness.  Plus you'll be in a terrible mood so if you DO meet anyone, you'll leave a less than stellar impression.)
2.  Dance. 
I realize this is the hard part, but beyond the wallflowers, who we've established are not in a good mood anyway, no one is watching because they're too busy trying not to look foolish.  Pointers on dancing: 
          a.  If you really think you can't dance, practice ahead of time by babysitting or volunteering in nursrey.  March to a beat.  If you're moving to the beat, you're doing fine.  If you can't, practice. 
          b.  Do some silly moves.  Because if you can laugh at yourself, you are confident, humble, and fun.  Shopping cart, baby! 
          c.  GIRLS:  Do not bust out your moves from your lap dancing work out video.  You'll just embarass yourself and others.  Keep it fun.  No one brought dollar bills anyway and you don't take credit cards.  Just sayin.
          d.  Talk while you dance.  If the music is too loud, ask them to turn it down just a bit.  You're there to be social, not get a work out. 
          e.  Dance with a group of girls and guys.  I'm mostly talking to girls here . . . you're notorious for dancing in a man repelling circle of bff's. 
          f.  Slow song?  Ask someone to dance.  Yes, I'm talking to the guys AND the girls.  Its not a big deal . . . . which brings us to . . .
          g.  Say yes.  Its a dance.  Its not even a date.  It ain't gonna kill you to dance with someone you're not in love with.  You might make a new friend, find out they're not as unattractive as you thought (see previous post), or, in the worst-case scenario, have a funny story to tell someday.
I know the music isn't great, the decorations laughable and the food, well, GONE, but make the best of it and have a good time.  They don't come around that often.  It'll be ok. 

What?  What do you wear? 

If its a costume dance, dress up.  Find two friends to do it too.  If no one else does, you're the cool one.  If its not a costume dance, wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.  (And maybe dust off your For the Strength of Youth pamphlet . . . hot pants and a corset might not be the best plan . . . . )  And flat shoes, girls.  You can wear heels, but bring flats.  You're not in charge of making sure the chairs don't float away.