I checked the rules and this seemed like it would be okay to post, if it's not, feel free to delete it.
Well, I moved here from the midwest about seven months ago. Where I come from, para para teams were pretty common. I was on a team that traveled around Missouri/Kentucky/Arkansas/Oklahoma/Kansas doing para para performances and worked as their manager for six years.
SO, there's a huge para para even at SakuraCon in April and I thought, what a great time to introduce some new people to the dance style!
For those that don't know what para para is, let me explain. Para para is a Japanese form of synchronized club dancing, where the moves are preset and it is performed in unison similar to line dancing. The moves are mostly done with the hands and there is minimal footwork. The dances are performed to several types of music including eurobeat, hyper techno, and some trance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Go7Si0NWs&feature=related - Here's an example of techpara, which is para para done to hyper techno.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hMPLS0clpI - An example of normal para para, done to eurobeat. This is a harder song. Most eurobeat songs are fairly easy.
SO! If anyone is interested, I'd like to put together a three minute performance for SakuraCon. After that, the sky is the limit. If the people that volunteer want to do more performances, I have experience in booking and can get us more shows. If not, well, I'd like to at least hold regular practices and teach panels at local area conventions.
No experience is okay, all I need are some guys or girls that are dedicated to learning. If you're under 18, you'll need parent's permission. Para para is a super fun way to get a little more in touch with another genre of Japanese youth culture, as well as get some fresh air and exercise. If you're interested at all, please reply and we'll figure out a meeting time from there.
