Dance, dance evolution?

BOLOGNA, Italy – Italian men are terrible dancers. \nThis was my first impression upon entering the small “discopub” Corto Maltese a few nights ago. Scattered around the tiny room, amid groups of grinding American girls, were a few such men. They jerked and flopped around like bits of meat in hot oil. It was not pretty. The sound of late-90s American pop music was punctuated by random, offbeat claps and shouts. And I wondered how these men, who are reputed to have such strong powers of seduction, could be such fools on the dance floor. \nLast night, however, I discovered my error. My roommates, both Italian men, convinced me to go with them to the club Cassero. It is a club that typically hosts the young gay and lesbian population of Bologna, but because of its amazing house techno music, it draws dancers of every age and sexual orientation. I was slightly hesitant to accept their invitation, because of my previous experience with Italian dancers, but I decided to go along for the show. \nWhen we arrived at the club – literally housed in a castle – I could see the fashionistos and fashionistas pouring in and feel the music’s pulsing beat. We went into a dungeon and were assaulted by strobe lights, a DJ who blew my mind and AMAZING dancers. Everywhere. It was as if the music of Italy had just evolved to match the spastic movements of its people. \nI was immediately reminded of the episode of “Chapelle’s Show” where Dave Chapelle “proves” that everyone can dance – even white people – if they are given the proper music. He demonstrates that white people dance better to guitar music, black people have a positive reaction to the drums and Hispanics can’t stand still when they hear an electric piano or a trumpet. Apparently, Italians are genetically wired to appreciate the finer points of electronic mixing. \nAfter dancing until 5 a.m. with every man in Italy, I went home to nurse my aching feet and to reflect on the experience. I have come to realize that Italy does have its own pop culture. Up until last night, I truly thought that European youth based their existence entirely around what they encountered on MTV. But I now know that the mixing of cultures doesn’t always create the best results, and I was very relieved to learn that they are doing their own thing.