Social dancing in Finland

Dancing is a common social activity in Finland, like in most countries. You can dance at nightclubs, at some restaurants, at some parties, on Baltic ferries and on some cruises – but the most genuine Finnish experience of social dancing is to be had at the dance pavilions, where people are sober and many are quite skilled.

Understand


For those who like disco, nightclubs and the Baltic cruise ferries are probably the main venues.

Some restaurants, especially at small-town hotels and campsites, arrange dances with more traditional dances, such as foxtrot, waltz, (Finnish) tango and humppa, often weekly. Some bands add Latin music, swing and rock to the mix (or even concentrate on those).

The dance floor of dance restaurants can be small, with mostly just a couple of pairs dancing at the same time, or larger, more like those of dance pavilions. Depending on venue, day of week and the band, dancing may be simple, with most pairs using just the basic steps, often while talking. or mostly solo or group dancing like at discos – or with a larger share doing more advanced figures, and the music played and the dances danced to it more varied (or concentrating on some theme, such as tango or Latin music). Some of the people may expect part of the same culture as at dance pavilions, but most may be ignorant of at least some of its finer points. Asking at restaurants is often informal, with most people dancing with their friends. With some keenness to the situation, you should be able to dance with strangers regardless of your sex.

Some dance restaurants regularly transform into proper dance venues, with the restaurant and bar marginalised, perhaps weekly or monthly. At those occasions, most of the crowd and most of the culture may be that of the dance pavilions.

The Baltic ferries to Sweden usually have dances similar to those of dance restaurants as daytime programme (although with most people sober), live music at a dance floor in the early night – with the dancing more disco-like – and proper nightclub disco late in the night. Select cruises are marketed to dancers or demographics likely to dance, which will be reflected in the music played and on the dance floors.

Dancing is common at weddings and some other big parties, such as student union anniversaries. Usually waltz, foxtrot and tango dominate. At some such events other dances, such as walking polonaise, are also danced. If the more unusual dances (often danced just once, at the start) are regarded as challenging, an advance course may be arranged.

The primary venues to enjoy traditional social dancing in Finland are the dance pavilions (Finnish: lavatanssit at a tanssilava), usually by a lake or in some other nice countryside setting, with live music. They have lost popularity since the 1950s, but do have a faithful audience, also among the young, and seem to experience a renaissance in the 2000s, through a growing supply of dance courses. People come to the pavilions primarily to dance and a big share of the crowd is skilled. Still, socializing, listening to the music and enjoying the atmosphere are also important reasons to turn up. Similar dances are arranged in many rural community centres.

Valasranta in Finland Proper arranges a week of dance courses and dances in July, in addition to the seasonal weekly dances. Seinäjoki has Tangomarkkinat, a 4-day tango festival with a crowd of thousands, also in July.

In the winter you can find part of the crowd of the dance pavilions in heated indoor locations (mostly community centres, a few of the pavilions, some dance restaurants).

Finnish folk dances (kansantanssi, tanhu/folkdans) aren't any more a living tradition among the general public, but if you are interested in them, you can probably find a local club. The heritage is nowadays shared between Finland, Scandinavia and, to some extent, the rest of the Nordic countries.

At least in the biggest cities there are also clubs dancing Argentinian tango, U.S. country dances and other specific foreign genres.

Dancing at dance pavilions
In the summer (mid May–early September) there are dances at most dance pavilions at least weekly and often a dance somewhere in the region most days – in the regions with the densest networks. Where there aren't proper dance pavilions, similar dances may be arranged at community centres or other venues, often more sparsely, like weekly or monthly somewhere in the region. The price of a night is usually €12–25 (as of 2024; some venues offer youth discounts). Dancers usually number a hundred to several hundreds.

At the dance pavilions some dance with their partners or friends, but typically most participate in a scheme where women who want to dance line up by one of the walls, to be asked to by the men, with a women's hour at some point (when women ask), and at some venues also mixed asking part of or even all the night (there are usually signs lit to tell whose turn it is: miestenhaku/naistenhaku). Some venues have women's nights (naistentanssit), where women do all or most of the asking. There are usually more women than men and if so, some women dance also with each other. At some venues, there isn't a line of women, but you ask anybody who might be willing to dance, whether you are a man or woman. You can try this also where there are idle people in addition to the line, but in that case, don't be surprised if turned down.

Regardless of who asks, one is always expected to dance a pair of dances. Knowing waltz and foxtrot (or waltz, fusku and bugg) you can dance most dances, regardless of the nominal dance; jenkka/schottische, polka and mazurka are mostly left to those who know them (note the dance floor getting half-empty). Unlike in Sweden, bugg is never danced all night in Finnish Finland; it is just one among several dances. Waltz is usually played as first and last pieces (extras not counted).

If you don't know how to dance to the music played, or the style your partner wants to dance, you should make that clear immediately and either agree on your partner showing you the steps (or your showing them yours) or quickly excuse yourself, to let them find another partner. Some are happy to try to teach you, some just don't have enough skill, and some really don't want to be a teacher (for this dance or in general). In the latter case, don't take it personally.

To most music, there will be some couples dancing more or less in one spot and other ones advancing anticlockwise. The former should keep to corners and the centre, and those advancing the fastest should dance close to the walls (corners excepted). The lead should make sure the couple doesn't bump into other people or do things that cause others to bump into them. Small mistakes will happen, but you don't want to cause disruption.

At some venues, an unfamiliar woman can have difficulties getting asked to dance (men ask themselves most of the night, so don't have this problem). If you can talk to some local – preferably a skilled dancer – to have him dance with you, that may help to introduce you. Male company of your own can do the same, and at least lets you dance part of the night. Use the women's and mixed hour(s) both to get to dance and to find men who might ask you to later. Don't be shy and avoid showing any frustration; a smile can save your night.

Most dance pavilions have a café or a kiosk with at least coffee and snacks, and mostly free water. Some serve alcohol (which implies an age limit of 18, unless the serving area is separate), but getting drunk at these places is frowned upon. The café may be a good place to spend part of the night socialising, especially if the dances seem difficult, but try to get out on the floor quickly not to miss out on it.

The dress code is relaxed even though people dress carefully, with a nice short-sleeved shirt common among men and a light dress common among women. Think twice if you consider high heels (and don't use wet outdoor shoes). Leave any bag in your car, in the cloakroom or wherever other dancers leave theirs (often by the stage or just by the bench or chairs).

Dances danced
The most common among the traditional dances, somewhat depending on venue, are foxtrot, waltz, tango and humppa. Fusku, bugg and some (other) swing and Latin dances, including jive, cha cha, rumba, salsa – and whatever is the current fancy – are danced by part of the crowd to suitable music. Jenkka/schottische is quite well-known and occasionally played. Where there is a share of folk dancers, also polka and mazurka may be played. The swing and Latin dances are danced as foxtrot by part of the crowd, or simply skipped. Some slow dances are also played, and danced in varying styles.

The names "tango" and "rumba" are used for several dances internationally. In Finland, tango is mostly danced with foxtrot-like steps, while rumba (bolero) is danced in the rhythm 1-(2)-3-4. Waltz is played fast or slow: the traditional waltzes are slower than Viennese waltz, while slow waltz (danced as English waltz) is played about equally often at many venues. Humppa is a Finnish innovation, danced either with fast jumpy steps or as a figure dance with walk-like basic steps. Fusku (single swing) is a simplified jive in foxtrot-like rhythm, bugg one with an even four-paced rhythm.

Learn
In addition to dance schools, some dance venues regularly arrange courses, where you could check out one or a few of the dances commonly danced, and get acquainted to part of the dancing community. If you have the chance, going to such a course before going to the dance proper can be a good way to get some confidence, especially if you are anxious about the dance itself.