Love Song: Artists’ Ode to Underground Dance Culture

American Society has been classically defined by a “pick yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality. Individualism is the standard here, but it is a biological fact that we are inherently social animals. It is no surprise, then, that we are seeing more & more studies demonstrating evidence that people are lonelier than ever before. Yet there are those who reject this institutionalized individualism by participating in rich communities of artists, dancers & music aficionados who regularly commune on the dance floor. As this ritual demands intense levels of energy in physical, financial & social forms, why is it so important to this group of people? By elevating the voices of those deeply engaged with this underground movement, we can gain insight into how the dance floor functions as an agent of community building, resistance & social change. Furthermore, we may even uncover a broader understanding about what it means to be human.