Dance as a Duet . . .

or the Art of Mapping. I first heard Robert Royston proffer this idea of hearing and using what he called the map of a song at a workshop in Albuquerque and have since seen a video that helps explain the idea, West Coast Advanced, Volume One, Mapping the music.  That was in 2003.   Since then, I've kind of dropped out of the competitive dance culture.  This last weekend was SwingDiego, however, and as a part of our new re-committment to physical well being, T and I put on our dancing shoes and headed out.  No that's not us by the way, since I was taking the shot and T was saying hello to some fellow San Diegans.

But that was the scene at the beginning with warm colors at the fore and swing sounds beckoning towards the floor.

So, there we were ready and willing, toned and tuned as they say and yet within a few songs or so we are lost.  You know the kind of loss Mike and Patti called, The "She can't follow and he can't lead" step.  The kind you can't not ignore and yet you can't not let it get you down.  I know, too many Knots, eh?  That was Day One.  Day Two was better but it was probably because we distracted ourselves with workshops.  By night fall, dancing with others was definitely in.  Then came Day Three, we drive down separately.  I stay home so I can teach a two hour private and she goes so she can enter a Jack'n'Jill.  We meet at eight and by then we both admit to a tendency to be hummimg songs that our imaginations are dancing even as we stand in line to get back in.  As far as the actual dancing, it feels like our bodies have found their own GPS's as we link and  hit and connect to the song and each other like it is supposed to be.  Immersion has given us the mapping tool and for awhile we wear ourselves out trying it out.

Still, things were felt, and things even said that keep what happened from us until we, we always seem to do, talk it out.  Our first attempts spark with tempered energy.  The next morning we try again with different examples and for a while there's still some sense that we are getting nowhere.  Then Monday and guess what, we are intently listening to the car radio while discussing the map we hear in the song.

So, Robert, thanks for the idea.  I'll let you know how it works out.

SwingDiego

This time of the year swing dancers could that their season is in.  As in San Diego and this week.  Things already started with the Tuesday night get ready to swing party at Tango Del Mundo in PB.  And tonight, Patti Well's Dance Center hosts its own pre-party with a BBQ dinner and dance.  But I just know that there are many people who still don't get the fun of this dance.  So take a look at this and tell me you don't know what I mean.  Meanwhile, I am heading out and about to get my dancing on.

Hibernation, anyone?

Yeah, I know, long time no see, eh?  Well, duh.  What with the state of the nation, do you really think we should be out there dancing?  Well, double duh.  Hell, yes we should be dancing but first we need to resusictate those Marathon dances of "They Shoot Horse's" fame, don't we?   Put some life back in the old show.

The Point at which

we begin to recognize where we are in the music's time,

when we touch each other in rhythm and not only just by chance,

and our partner becomes our partner in rhyme

we dance.

Dance in Encinitas

So it's Saturday night and SwingDiego is done done. Missed that. Missed out on the posing the rapturizing, the ohmygod did you see thats. Ah well. Meanwhile, it was still Saturday night and so I decided to give the social dance party at our studio, Dance North County, a whirl. And whirl I did. About 60 dancers, all ages, sizes and experience levels gave the room just enough fullness to make it fun and yet have plenty of room to dance. DJed tunes provided a range of dance choices from west coast to salsa to samba and back, with a few country two-steps and waltzes thrown in. $10 at the door, iced water and party platter treats to eat, and dancing 'til you dropped. And the dancers, were friendly, open about their level of competence and willing to try. I thorougly enjoyed myself and plan to head down again this coming Saturday, for the 4th Saturday of the month dance, too.

San Diego Dance class

Yes, San Diego, we're back. Starting Sunday, January 10th, Just Dancing will be teaching a new social dance class at our Encinitas location in the Dance North County studios. The class will meet at 2 PM in the small studio and will offer a lot of Salsa, a bit of Swing, and a modicum of Foxtrot to round out your month. This is a beginning class but it will welcome those with experience who want to brush up on their basics and meet new dancers, too. As a big bonus, mention this blog post and you'll get to take us up on our half price offer. Since the class costs $32 per person or $60 per couple for the four week offering, that is quite a savings. But what the heck, start off the New Year by giving and you're bound to receive. Don't forget, Sunday the 10th, 2 PM, Encinitas. Call (760) 942-2374 for more info.

The Dancer is dead

Moonwalking to whatever everland, tune smithing to the last, finally like Marilyn and not Elvis, gone from the dance floor. While, we gather, cry, despair at the waste, decry the quick buck media grab at our attention, and just like with any other death try to make some sense of it.