Scots Taffer on 3/12/2008 at 23:33
Quote Posted by Kolya
Why did you stop Salsa if you enjoyed it that much?
A combination of being a full time parent and there being a lack of good cuban salsa teachers basically.
demagogue on 3/12/2008 at 23:58
I did a lot of swing dancing in college, during that revival it had in the 90s (not gay; just liked the quote). I tried other ballroom stuff (I took a ballroom dance class covering a lot of dances), but the music for them didn't really mean anything to me at the time, and I think a key to dancing is being really connected to the music. It's something you should be listening to and have it speaking to you independently of the dancing. And just then I was already getting into swing and jazz, took a jazz appreciation class, started shifting my piano playing that way, etc. (The other key is being able to read your partner seamlessly, being connected to how they move).
About swing and lindy-hop ... I liked that it's with a partner, so I got to meet lots of girls, that it's somewhat adventurous so it brings energy out of people, like jazz it encourages improvisation, being creative, and some showmanship. And it has a kind of quirky loyalty to it. Especially when I got the NYC, there's a whole scene for it.
One exception to what Scots said, lindy-hop (West Coast, swing out) actually works pretty well for long-limbed, lanky guys ... if you can get your knees bent really low, and bouncy like rubber bands, and are smooth with the basic step it looks really good. And it isn't nearly as frantic as something like East Coast swing, or it doesn't have to be to look good. You just have to imagine yourself with a little zoot suit 40s smooth black guy in you that's not going to hop around like an acne-faced skinny white kid with ADD.
charlestheoaf on 4/12/2008 at 06:48
I really like to dance, but usually that just amounts to getting drunk and wiggling around looking stupid. I have no idea what to do with my arms. Still trying to figure it out.
but kudos!
Kolya on 4/12/2008 at 07:18
Quote Posted by AR Master
i am shocked
I call it fan service.
ercles on 4/12/2008 at 07:35
I'd be interested to hear from those who can actually dance about those that can't. I am a terrible dancer, and it is infuriating to always hear from guys who rock out on the dance floor that dancing is easy and that anyone can do it. Is there actually any hope for those who truly suck?
AR Master on 4/12/2008 at 12:00
Quote Posted by Kolya
I call it fan service.
<3
.......
Kolya on 10/12/2008 at 08:37
Inline Image:
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/7260/lindyhopstepsds0.pngThe weekend course passed, two times 4 hours, and I learned the basic swingout step (that I drew up above) and several figures. The basic step is actually the hardest to learn and all figures build up on this one. Leading the woman seemed a lot easier for me. Well except with my friend to whom I referred as "Daphne" from then on.
The people were all really nice and I can confirm that there seems to be a special kind of friendliness and loyalty in the Lindy Hop scene.
We danced with constantly changing partners which was kind of weird for me because I was only used to dance with people I know intimately (or want to get to know). And here I suddenly danced with all kinds of females, from 45 year olds to young girls. Weird but fun.
I really enjoyed this and got complimented for my style from teachers as well as dance partners, to the point where people asked my friend if I was some famous actor. lol/win/etc
I also visited the refresher course on Monday and will most likely continue in a weekly course.
Vivian on 10/12/2008 at 08:46
Koyla, you can't just swing into the internet and claim 'I'm an awesome dancer' without some kind of video evidence
Kolya on 10/12/2008 at 08:51
I have to for the moment, because my camera was stolen in Barcelona.
(Good luck with the worthless broken china crap, taffer!)
