Dancing is the poetry of the foot. ~John Dryden
Hello, friends. This isn’t about dance. It’s about poetry, but I do believe the two are related. What is poetry, if not a dance with words? I composed this yesterday to honor today: the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001.
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The story starts last Wednesday. I worked up the courage to tell Tommy about my opportunity, and he graciously let me use a portion of my private lesson to teach me about, well, teaching. For example, I only had thirty minutes to teach salsa. So, he taught me the concept of “stretching” my teaching. All you do is hone in on one or two aspects of your material and expand it the duration of your time limit. The general plan was to teach the basic to the whole group, partner them up, teach a two-hand hold and frame (optional), teach the basic in halves (front then back), put the whole basic together, and teach the girls & guys’ turns (no hands). Hmmm, now what was that quote about plans? Ah, yes: “The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.”
On February 18th, 2015, I’ll be a dance instructor for a night. I’ve written about my desire to teach at an Arthur Murray before. Simply put, I can see myself getting equal enjoyment from training someone else. I can’t say for certain whether I’ll stick with it. What I am certain about is that I want to try.
photo by COD Newsroom (flickr)
Author’s Note: This is going to be yet another bachata post. D-Wall, author of Facing Diagonal Wall was curious to know about my experiences with bachata for additional perspective. Seeing as I had no ideas for the next post, I’d be happy to share them. It’s also an opportunity for me to experiment with a differently styled post, four vignettes with an epilogue.
photo by COD Newsroom (flickr)
Disclaimer: Don’t own. There’s a fragment for ya!
My initial exposure to bachata was through a local competition. It seemed unremarkable, just three steps and a tap. So, I brushed it off. That is until a very handsome student held out his hand at homecoming. Who was I to say no? It’s all in the context, isn’t it?
This is my reaction whenever this most unfortunate incident occurs.
In this particular situation, it’s painfully funny how the inspiration for this one arose. Tell me something, dear readers. When you listen to a new song for the first time, do you hear the music or lyrics first? I tend to hear lyrics. What does this have to do with anything? I was looking for more bachata music for the playlist post that I intended to put up before this one. I’ve only had one semester of Spanish, so there’s little I can understand amidst the music and slang. I can only recognize songs musically. It saddens me to say that bachata gives me the most problems lyrically. *sigh* I know I don’t have to look up the translation, but I would like to what my readers to know what they’re hearing if they click on the song links. Then, I find a song with a rockin’ beat and obscene lyrics. Ugh… Thus, the question is “How much is too much?” Just a heads up, this is going to be long post that addresses a controversial subject.
Disclaimer: Do you really think I own this music?
photo by zabaraorg (flickr)
This dance suits me. It’s passionate and dramatic. In its embrace, I can afford to the barriers down and lose myself in the music. There’s nothing like Tango Argentino. Unfortunately, I’m not that experienced. Tommy and I don’t practice it often because he wants to focus on my competitive dances. Yeah, I haven’t danced it socially either, maybe someday… Anyway, this has been my dance of choice musically for a while. It ignites my energy and reveals a wholly different side of my personality. I’ve written about Tango Argentino before, but my knowledge has increased. Thus, I would love to share this dance with you again.
She’s alive! Actually, she’s back in college now, so it’s time to buckle down and focus. I can’t believe I’ve never written this down, but here it is: it’s my dance bucket list.
One simply cannot go to Sicily without getting a cannoli. If you’d like to see more (or less) of these pictures, do let me know. I don’t plan to put anymore into posts after this one.
Here’s a question: Do y’all listen to music in another language besides your first? If so, why?
Disclaimer: I do not own the music. I am simply trying to pass it onward. Oh and since I knew absolutely nothing about Bolero, I had to do some reading on Wikipedia plus some song-searching on Dance Forums.
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photo from Wikimedia Commons
I’m happy to report that the studio made some schedule changes, a Bronze III group class on Mondays. Rejoice! Previously, there were only Bronze I and II. And honestly, I was getting a little bored. Endless repetitions are good for my dancing, but variety is also desirable. That’s why I squealed inwardly when I saw the change. I think Bronze III classes didn’t arrive sooner because the studio was—and still is—young and finding consistent students is difficult. There are only four of us Bronze III students currently, myself included. Anyway, Tommy taught bolero on Monday.
dancing through life while holding a book in one hand, my daughter holding the other
Notes about all the things I do in the world of Ballroom Dancing
Where we talk of many things but still find time to dance.
proverbs 31:25 she is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.
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