Dance, Dance Wherever You May Be

I think our seasons are mixed up. At first, I didn’t think spring would ever arrive. Then, when it finally did stop snowing, it got so hot that I wondered, What happened to spring? Now, with all the rain, I wonder if summer will ever settle in.

Despite, the strange weather and mixed up seasons we’ve had recently, one summer tradition has returned to Dubuque—”Music in the Gardens,” sponsored by the Dubuque Arts Council and the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

For several years now, my wife and I have enjoyed this free Sunday evening concert series. We’ll get something special for supper, head down to the Arboretum in our Mustang, and find a nice spot to enjoy the evening.

I’m glad to see so many other people also enjoying the concerts. In fact, some people even have the courage to get up and dance. Yes, that’s right, they dance!

I’ve never been a dancer. I remember once, when I was a very small child, dancing at my aunt’s wedding reception. The D.J. spent most of the evening laughing at moves I thought were pretty spectacular. But even a small child can recognize when he’s the center of a joke. This probably stunted my appreciation of the art for years to come

So, now, whenever I see someone dancing, I admire them. I don’t just admire their moves, but their courage. After all, if I were to dance—and that’s a pretty big “if”—I’d be too self-conscious to enjoy it. Even though no one would really be paying any attention to me, I’d feel their eyes digging into the back of my neck. I’d probably die of embarrassment.

Yet, dance is an art—a beautiful one. I do enjoy watching the local ballet. I can truly appreciate the strength, grace, talent, and hard work that goes into it.

Even the great King David danced before the Lord. Scripture says that when David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem he “danced with all his might,” and with very little clothes on. This dance probably wasn’t for the fainthearted or even G-rated.

Did he feel embarrassment? I don’t know. But when his wife, Michal, looked out the window and saw him, scriptures says she began to “despise” him. Perhaps she was embarrassed for him.

This seems like a strange part of David’s story. I’ve seen some religious congregations use it to promote “liturgical dance.” We’re led to believe that David danced and it was beautiful, a primitive ballet.

But, not all scholars agree with that assessment. One Canadian scholar, Northrop Frye, argues that kings in the ancient Near-East had to be embarrassed once a year before the gods they served. It was a humble reminder that, even if you’re the king, you’re still answerable to someone, so behave or else.

Frye suggests that this is the context for David’s dance story. As David’s power grew, and as his kingdom came together around a new capital, he needed to show God that he understood he was answerable to a higher power. He had to kill off a bit of his ego. He had to humble himself before God. And, if Frye’s understanding is right, he did this by dancing.

Could you imagine such a ritual in America?

However, maybe it’s what our democracy needs? Every 4^th of July, we could gather our representatives, senators, elected judges, elected officials, and the president of the United States and make them do some sort of embarrassing dance—just a reminder, mind you. It shouldn’t bother us, after all, it’s biblical.

But, perhaps bringing back a thousands-of-years old tradition isn’t prudent. I think the idea behind it, though, could do wonders for our society.

It might be good for us to challenge our egos a bit and humble ourselves before God. By doing so, we might learn to move beyond ourselves and put ourselves in other’s shoes. Our humility may produce empathy for our neighbor. It may give us the courage to make friends out of strangers, and neighbors out of those who live close to us.

We might turn that “selfie” into a “group shot.”

So, the next time I see someone in need, I think I’ll just dance on over to help. For those who are far more talented them me, your dance will be a gift of joy to the rest of us.

P.S. Come and “Dance” with Us At St. Elias

St. Elias the Prophet (419 N. Grandview Ave., Dubuque)
Saturdays: Great Vespers, 4 pm
Sundays: Divine Liturgy, 10 am (our main service)

Or find your nearest Orthodox Church by clicking here

(This article originally appeared in the Telegraph Herald, June 30, 2018)