This is not me.
So, once upon a time, I knew how to dance.
Well, sort of. I was on the ballroom dancing team at the University of Michigan. What that equated to was being lumped in with a bunch of goods with significantly more skill than I, and trying desperately to keep count with strange music. Good music, but it's not what you hear on Top-40 radio.
Which is sort of a good thing. I'm not much a fan of annoyingly loud techno anyways. This music at least has a point.
Anyways, a couple of my friends from the grad program persuaded me to join them for an introductory lesson for Swing dance. I was reluctant at first, as it's been a long time. I wasn't that good to begin with, and you know what they say about dancing: if you're no good, better not to get on the dance floor at all. Who says that exactly? I don't know, but it seems like sound advice.
After mulling it over in my head for a while, I decided why the hell not. This form of swing, called "Lindy Hop" if my memory serves me correctly (as it so rarely does these days) is a bit looser than the other forms of dance I've picked up a background in, especially compared to Waltz.
This kind, on the other hand, is much more about having fun and feeling the beat as opposed to trying to look good for a judge. Much more my speed to be honest.
I had a blast. Kids, if you ever get persuaded to give some kind of dance that's not club dancing a shot, take it. You'll be surprised how incredible an experience it is. Not only are the people fun, interesting, and very understanding, they aren't inebriated and grinding on you like they want to mother your babies right on the dance floor.
This is about rhythm, this is about feel and understanding your partner. It's trying to form a connection through steps, the common ground you find in the beat. There is a much deeper form of movement going on than a lot of other experiences.
Plus, it's a great test of self-confidence.
There was a girl standing by the side, clearly skilled as a dancer, but painfully shy. I remarked to my friend "Someone needs to dance with that girl...the look on her face is making me a little bit sad."
He responded: "You do it."
It took a while, but I finally went over there and spoke with a cocky grin on my face: "Do you need a partner? So long as you can put up with my incompetence, we can dance." :-D
Yes, the last sentence was in stark opposition to my facial expression. But by this time, I was just having a blast, so I couldn't care less what my words or face said.
I then proceeded to fulfill my own opinion on my dancing ability, and look like a complete jackass. Was still fun though, and I got to pull off the famous movie scene where the guy leaves the girl on the dance floor with a mysterious dash and persona.
It's all very cloak and dagger in my mind. In everyone else's mind however, it probably just looked awkward.
Whatever.
Point is, swing dance, ballroom dance, all of these kinds of dances that so many people think are "lame" and not modern enough really should give it a chance. Trust me, the experience of club dancing is nothing compared to a lasting impression one leaves when one can dance, you know, actually well.
And the best part: there's no annoyingly loud techno.
Well, sort of. I was on the ballroom dancing team at the University of Michigan. What that equated to was being lumped in with a bunch of goods with significantly more skill than I, and trying desperately to keep count with strange music. Good music, but it's not what you hear on Top-40 radio.
Which is sort of a good thing. I'm not much a fan of annoyingly loud techno anyways. This music at least has a point.
Anyways, a couple of my friends from the grad program persuaded me to join them for an introductory lesson for Swing dance. I was reluctant at first, as it's been a long time. I wasn't that good to begin with, and you know what they say about dancing: if you're no good, better not to get on the dance floor at all. Who says that exactly? I don't know, but it seems like sound advice.
After mulling it over in my head for a while, I decided why the hell not. This form of swing, called "Lindy Hop" if my memory serves me correctly (as it so rarely does these days) is a bit looser than the other forms of dance I've picked up a background in, especially compared to Waltz.
This kind, on the other hand, is much more about having fun and feeling the beat as opposed to trying to look good for a judge. Much more my speed to be honest.
I had a blast. Kids, if you ever get persuaded to give some kind of dance that's not club dancing a shot, take it. You'll be surprised how incredible an experience it is. Not only are the people fun, interesting, and very understanding, they aren't inebriated and grinding on you like they want to mother your babies right on the dance floor.
This is about rhythm, this is about feel and understanding your partner. It's trying to form a connection through steps, the common ground you find in the beat. There is a much deeper form of movement going on than a lot of other experiences.
Plus, it's a great test of self-confidence.
There was a girl standing by the side, clearly skilled as a dancer, but painfully shy. I remarked to my friend "Someone needs to dance with that girl...the look on her face is making me a little bit sad."
He responded: "You do it."
It took a while, but I finally went over there and spoke with a cocky grin on my face: "Do you need a partner? So long as you can put up with my incompetence, we can dance." :-D
Yes, the last sentence was in stark opposition to my facial expression. But by this time, I was just having a blast, so I couldn't care less what my words or face said.
I then proceeded to fulfill my own opinion on my dancing ability, and look like a complete jackass. Was still fun though, and I got to pull off the famous movie scene where the guy leaves the girl on the dance floor with a mysterious dash and persona.
It's all very cloak and dagger in my mind. In everyone else's mind however, it probably just looked awkward.
Whatever.
Point is, swing dance, ballroom dance, all of these kinds of dances that so many people think are "lame" and not modern enough really should give it a chance. Trust me, the experience of club dancing is nothing compared to a lasting impression one leaves when one can dance, you know, actually well.
And the best part: there's no annoyingly loud techno.
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