I dunno, Jack - I think a lot of the flamboyant stomping is aimed at impressing and subduing other males just as much as showing off to females. I can imagine that some women could admire a step dancer who danced skilfully and nimbly, demonstrating strength and stamina. The morris tradition has some "display" features of this sort, both in the single jig which includes much leaping and showy movements by a single dancer, and in some of the team dances, e.g. the corner dances where pairs of men take turns at springing and stepping opposite each other. Marje
|