Care To Dance??

[Nashoba]

I used to all the time! Now once a year at the MC Ball. And it used to be with everyone but my husband because they'd feel sorry for me that my husband can't / won't dance. He's gotten better though not much. We took a class together once in college but he's forgotten most of it. He remembers basic swing but I get impatient try to lead and he gets mad. Actually most of the time he tries to dance, I get impatient and try to lead and he gets mad...Probably because he doesn't lead very firmly and I read him wrong half the time on what he's trying to do...

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

I'm asking if you dance in general, really. Or want to learn. It doesn't have to mean swing dancing. Slow dancing, tango, etc is fine

 

[shindeco]

It's my job. I teach ballroom dance for a living -- beats flipping hamburgers, let me tell you!

 

[carebear]

Yep, I don't practice enough though. Without practice, you have to think about what you're doing, which means you aren't thinking about what to do next, which means your lead is weak. Like mine.

I don't dance enough to have a smooth flow from move to move (unless it's passes) so its basic, stutter into a move, basic, stutter into the next move.

Laziness burns me again...

 

[Honey Doll]

Not too much these days

I met my husband swing dancing and we used to hit just about everything....then life got busy, and then babies. We're just at a point now where we might be able to do a bit more, but are terribly rusty. We actually got a couple private lessons to refresh over the summer (someone had a gift certificate that would have expired). It was so much fun to dance again. I'm hoping we can sign up for a weekly class-- looking to try some Balboa. Maybe if we do that we could get to more things.

Honey Doll

 

[fortworthgal]

I used to swing dance every week, now it is maybe 1-2 times a month. I'm trying to get back into going, but it seems like I never have the time!

I studied Irish dance for years and used to teach that, so I was doing that 2-3 times per week. Now, I do that maybe twice a year.

 

[resortes805]

Dancing is fun and good for your health.

 

[jamespowers]

Quit dancing when I was 40.

Huh. I quit dancing when I was 4.

Regards,

J

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

Oh wow, "Every so often" and "if I could, I would" are tying. I'm eager to know which one comes in first. The other two, they still have a few miles to tread.

 

[SinatraStyle]

I think that the large gap is due to the lack of venues in most areas. I know many people that would love to dance more, but unfortunately there aren't as many pulbic venues for this as there were in the past.

 

[olive bleu]

ok... i guess i should have read on before i voted! Can i swing dance? no. Do idance otherwise? yes, yes, yes.Really nothing that you can put a name to,except maybe'"who does that chick thing she is?" Truth is, I LOOVE to dance, but My husband hates/will not dance, at ALL.I have wonderful neighbours/ friends who Lindyhop in their back yard in the summer, and I am so envious.Even though i feel i have great rythmn, i have never done well in dance classes. I actually signed up for a lindyhop class with my neighbour and i was so discouraged that i quit after 3 classes. I was so far behind everyone else that i just went home in shame. I later learned that it was an advanced class! Practically all the other students were either professional dancers, or at least have had formal dance training their whole lives! I also tried belly dance classes & was told by the instructor that i have weak ankles!
I am just now thinking that the memories have faded enough that i might put myself out there again. maybe private lessons would be a good idea!

 

[carebear]

ok... i guess i should have read on before i voted! Can i swing dance? no. Do idance otherwise? yes, yes, yes.Really nothing that you can put a name to,except maybe'"who does that chick thing she is?" Truth is, I LOOVE to dance, but My husband hates/will not dance, at ALL.I have wonderful neighbours/ friends who Lindyhop in their back yard in the summer, and I am so envious.Even though i feel i have great rythmn, i have never done well in dance classes. I actually signed up for a lindyhop class with my neighbour and i was so discouraged that i quit after 3 classes. I was so far behind everyone else that i just went home in shame. I later learned that it was an advanced class! Practically all the other students were either professional dancers, or at least have had formal dance training their whole lives! I also tried belly dance classes & was told by the instructor that i have weak ankles!
I am just now thinking that the memories have faded enough that i might put myself out there again. maybe private lessons would be a good idea!

Or beginner's lessons (with friends) put on by a local bar. They almost always start slow and let you get a feel for it. I might also see if the neighbors go to any "dance group" dances and if you can tag along.

You can get the basic 8-count down while just diddy bopping around the house (triple step right foot, triple step left foot, rock step right foot). You can do it walking forward, walking backward or turning. If you can get the 8-count down you can worry about going to a full Lindy later on.

By knowing the basic, as a girl, all you need is a good lead to have a good time. The guys have the hard job...

(covers head, waits for jeers and digital fruit impacts lol )

 

[imoldfashioned]

I always wanted to learn to swing dance but as of yet I have not. I think I'd be a good follower!

 

[Paisley]

Try, try again!

ok... i guess i should have read on before i voted! Can i swing dance? no. Do idance otherwise? yes, yes, yes.Really nothing that you can put a name to,except maybe'"who does that chick thing she is?" Truth is, I LOOVE to dance, but My husband hates/will not dance, at ALL.I have wonderful neighbours/ friends who Lindyhop in their back yard in the summer, and I am so envious.Even though i feel i have great rythmn, i have never done well in dance classes. I actually signed up for a lindyhop class with my neighbour and i was so discouraged that i quit after 3 classes. I was so far behind everyone else that i just went home in shame. I later learned that it was an advanced class! Practically all the other students were either professional dancers, or at least have had formal dance training their whole lives! I also tried belly dance classes & was told by the instructor that i have weak ankles!
I am just now thinking that the memories have faded enough that i might put myself out there again. maybe private lessons would be a good idea!

Olive Bleu, it took me months to get the hang of lindy. This is true of others, too, whom I've asked about it. Between working your quad muscles hard, the changing frame, the delicate balance, the weight shifts, styling, etc., I think it's a hard dance, but a rewarding one.

You might want to take jitterbug or east coast lessons to get started learning how to move and how to follow. A bar or club will often give these for free or a nominal charge. Be sure to practice and have fun!

 

[olive bleu]

Thanks for the encouragement!! I really am starting to see that this is something i need to confront. I am amazed though that there are really bars that offer free/low cost dance instruction! I tell you, there is certainly no such thing here. As far as i know there are only 2 dance schools in this one horse town and they only periodically offer swing/Lindy/jive. I checked online today and neither of them are offering anything this winter.How is DVD instruction, generally?

 

[carebear]

Thanks for the encouragement!! I really am starting to see that this is something i need to confront. I am amazed though that there are really bars that offer free/low cost dance instruction! I tell you, there is certainly no such thing here. As far as i know there are only 2 dance schools in this one horse town and they only periodically offer swing/Lindy/jive. I checked online today and neither of them are offering anything this winter.How is DVD instruction, generally?

The basic is nothing to learn. Moves, though, kinda need a partner to practice but if you can basic (which you can get from a tape) you are most of the way there. Again, a strong lead can turn a solid basic into a dance machine.

 

[olive bleu]

I think I will through the winter(with a DVD or somehing) try to at least get down the basics.From time to time i do see ads for balls that are going on around town.So there is someone here dancing.( or maybe they just go to drink)I have been trying to talk my 11 yearold into dancing with me., but of course, he thinks its tacky...but everyone has their price. .. I feel that if i can get down the basics & then find someone to practice with, i might make some progress..We have a jazz festival here every summer & i have seen people dancing there from time to time. I think the swing scene here is very limited.A few years ago when it was trendy, it was more common to see, but now all the die-hard fans seem to have receded into the wood work.I am really quite envious of you that seem to have a lot more going on in your own town.

 

[carebear]

A few years ago when it was trendy, it was more common to see, but now all the die-hard fans seem to have receded into the wood work.I am really quite envious of you that seem to have a lot more going on in your own town.

They may still be there but they may have pulled into themselves, holding their own dances in school gyms and the like. Keep your eyes peeled for notices on coffee shop and church bulletin boards and the like.

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

Horse Announcer: "and in first, the front runner is "If I could, I would!" Boy whatta race! Honey, I hang my feet in the closet, they're so tired in third, and A Couple days a week in last place, but Every once in a while is coming up close! Let's see who wins next weekend! See ya then folks!"

 

[Spitfire]

Ever since I got excluded from dancelessons in my early teens, dancing has not been my maininterest. And besides - dancing around ruins the pleasure of smoking a Cohiba.