Was the golden calf worship just dancing?
No. The golden calf worship was not merely casual dancing. According to the context, it included nakedness and immorality, descending into the same level as all other idolatry. Scripture records that the people were naked, and 23,000 were put to death by plague because of this event.
Les explains that the golden calf incident was not a casual worship with native folk dancing. The people were naked and immoral, having taken the golden calf worship down to the level of all other idolatry. He notes that abject pagan idolatry and mythologies like the Greek gods always involve rank immorality because they are satanically controlled. Moses saw that the people were naked, for Aaron had made them naked to their shame among their enemies. Consequently, 23,000 were put to death through the plague because of this event. Paul uses this event to warn the Corinthians and us, showing we are no different.