Final answer:
The Village People performed "Y.M.C.A." in 1978, which involved spelling out the letters with arm movements. This song and accompanying fad dance engaged audiences in a way similar to traditional social dances that encouraged participation and community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The popular fad dance mentioned in the question is the Village People performing the song YMCA in 1978. In this song, the group used cheerleading arm positions to spell out the letters of the song. YMCA is a disco hit that became widely popular, and its dance moves, including forming letters with arm positions, became iconic.
The Village People performed the song "Y.M.C.A." in 1978, which became one of the most popular fad dances of the time. During their performances, they used cheerleading arm positions to spell out the letters of the song, engaging audience participation in a playful and memorable way. This type of engagement is reflective of how dance forms like gumboot dancing and Steppin' historically involved audience interaction, as performers would often be surrounded by a circle of spectators. These social dances foster community and celebration through shared rhythmic and bodily expression.