Reply #13: Ooooh Deeeeaaar... [View All]

[Karenina]

OK FORGET the Electric Slide. I have NO reference to the earworm that pushes your buttons. Lucky me, I'd prolly agree with you.

Let's talk, rather, about the COMMUNITY aspect of line dancing. It REALLY is SUCH FUN!!! Two recent cases in point (both weddings):

The 2 older sisters of the groom, in their late 60's are emboldened by me doing a line dance alone on the floor. They picked up the steps, much to my amazement, immediately Turns out these two shake a tailfeather WEEKLY in their little British village. Taught me 3 MORE. Some of that shit THEY had down took me awhile!!! Danced all damn night!

Turkish folk songs, Aslans voice giving me gooseflesh and EVERYBODY has the next person's pinkie and the whole room is in motion. The women's line was a basic step, the arm and hand changes were the challenge. The men did this one dance that I ALMOST got before the next tune... I saw the old women pointing, smiling and laughing at me and felt TOTALLY supported in my efforts! VERY. HIP. FOOTWORK. Danced all damn night.

Which brings us to the link MrS posted and the challenge of Dance Notation. It is only useful as an adjunct. First and foremost, one has to be TAUGHT to dance by a LIVE HUMAN BEING. The notation cannot describe center of gravity/weight shift stuff which is crucial in getting from here to there.

How many times did my coach tell me "Get down into the ice?" I had no idea as I struggled and strained UNTIL I danced with this 14 year old who grabbed my hand and took me on this fast-paced adventure... "Don't worry Karenina, I won't let you fall. Just get down into the ice..." I grokked in 5 seconds what I had not in the previous 5 MONTHS! I was SUDDENLY on a serious edge, moving swiftly, noiselessly and COMPLETELY UNAFRAID.

Tanzen ist Leben und Leben ist tanzen.