Many local folk troupes rehearse as often as Austin's ballet, modern, postmodern and jazz companies, night after night after completing a full day's work at their day jobs. Now we understand the attractions, at least better than we did before. Let's look at them closer. It's been called the endorphin factor. Once you start dancing, physical stress activates those devilishly pleasurable hormones, and, before long, you are addicted.
Folk dancers can move for hours without asking for a break.
You read it right, massage, not message. Folk dance brings people into close physical proximity and weaves a common activity into their daily lives. In the world of folk dance, there's always the chance you might find a life partner, or, if you prefer, not. The man leads, but after that, everything is improvised. Dancer after dancer told me that their hearts were totally engaged by their off-hours activity.