Ceroc

In his analysis of ceroc classes, Jonathan Skinner (2003: 16) describes how the grammar, tone and movements of the lessons have clear structure to their teaching which allows a safety valve for the expression of erotic play and sexual desires; as one dancer commented, these were 'nights to act out and act up, to perform, feign illicit passions and create romantic impersonations within a carefully controlled and contrived social matrix'.

Ceroc is really energetic and quite graceful – I had my share of whirls and twirls with one or two dips thrown in! Guess the men thought I'd be a safe bet to dip – safe for their backs I mean!

We catch a bit of the last band and then suddenly, provoked by a blast from the booming PA system, everyone breaks into an extended bout of ceroc dancing, a kind of Latin salsa thing that I only know about because it became quite popular back home for a while.

I was also intrigued to discover that my tramp-like friend is a keen dancer and had, in fact, cycled fifteen miles to attend a ceroc dance class in the local town.