Boomerang

With so many great internet applications built around social music, it’s only natural that the next up-and-coming music-related social network would involve at least a little “booty shaking.” DanceJam, founded by Geoffrey Arone, Anthony Young, and MC Hammer, is a community that leverages social networks, video, and people’s passion for dance. The site provides an Internet destination where users can watch and rate videos of people dancing, compete in dance-offs, and check out the latest and greatest moves from around the world. According to Wired’s recent coverage, DanceJam will offer slow-motion tutorials that will allow viewers to break down dances one move at a time.

The popularity of TV programs like “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” illustrates how much people love to get their groove on – or at least watch other people doing it! And let’s not discount the incredibly popular YouTube videos like Soulja Boy (check out the instructional video here), the Evolution of Dance, OK Go – On Treadmills and the NBA All-Stars dancing debut. DanceJam will provide a yet another way for people to get their dancing fix.

If the site delivers on its promise, DanceJam could bring the love of dance to a much broader audience. In the same way that Dance Dance Revolution brought aerobic movement to video games – two things not usually associated with one another - I hope DanceJam increases enthusiasm for the social and physical elements of dance. DanceJam has the potential to be what social networks are meant to be – online interactions that ultimately enhance our offline lives.