The buzz

Who says Asians can't dance?

It's a ridiculous stereotype that is also often applied to Caucasians (and basically anyone who isn't of Brazilian or African descent), but a sense of rhythm is obviously not just the sole preserve of scantily clad Sao Paolo samba girls and black dudes in MTV videos.

Hongkongers have enjoyed a long love affair with dance that has noticeably blossomed in recent years. Ballroom dancing, including Latin dances such as the tango and salsa, has become a popular pastime for many during the past decade. It didn't enjoy such a good reputation when it first arrived from Shanghai in the 1950s owing to its associations with bar girls and smoky back rooms, but was eventually embraced by society - with the help of support from politicians and powerful businessmen.

Less formal forms of dancing came into vogue during the '60s at the popular 'tea dances' where youngsters would gather at dance halls on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for performances by the top pop groups of the time such as D'Topnotes, Danny Diaz & The Checkmates, and The Playboys. And then of course during the '90s Hong Kong played host to its share of massive dance parties, which still continue to this day.

Aficionados have a lot of events to choose from over the coming days and weeks, regardless of whether they're into traditional or modern styles of movement.

Followers of experimental dance are particularly spoiled for choice. On Saturday and Sunday nights, the Neo Dance HK group will present Galatea & Passenger as part of the LCSD's New Force in Motion Series.