The Late Lounge

There are some things which cannot be learned quickly, and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring.
-- Ernest Hemingway

Tuesday, March 7, 2000
One year ago: Marionberry Pie
Two years ago: Breakup

I got myself down to the Century Ballroom last night in time for the drop-in class, but unfortunately they've decided not to continue the intermediate/advanced drop-in class right now. When I got there, they were obviously in process of getting a regular dance class started. When I talked to Hallie and Loviça later, they said that the level of students showing up had shifted more and more to the beginner end of the spectrum, and the number of students hadn't been what they hoped for. I felt disappointed, and slightly guilty, although I know that just me showing up wouldn't have made the difference. The dance itself was fine.

Potlatch Fallout: Avram Grumer has a weblog and journal. He's a New York fan that I met at potlatch. After I figured out who he was, I got caught up on his journal, reading the whole thing. (The entries are mostly short, so it didn't take that long.) I also got nice email from Stu Shiffman, a Seattle/NYC fan that I don't see often enough. He's been writing for the Collecting Channel. I found out at Corflu that he, and several other friends, had been laid off from there! (These internet startups are risky, I guess.) Only Victor and Andy are still working there. I hope Stu, A.P., et al will be working somewhere soon. At least they have clips, to show that they can produce lively, fun writing about almost anything!

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Tonight I got myself to the dance classes that I missed last week. I drove around to the back of the community center, and counted myself lucky to find a parking place! There were spaces that were reserverd for daycare center pick-up, until six fifteen, which was the exact time I drove up! Theo, one of the teachers, was parking, too. He pointed me to the classroom, then took off for a bite to eat. I put on my dancing shoes, then did some stretching.

The students drifted in one by one; some folks are new to me, and some are good dance buddies that I haven't seen lately, so that will be fun. Theo offered to prorate the class fee, which I thought was very nice of him.

The first class was billed as the "ultimate Improvisation class." Viola Spencer was teaching with Theo, and this class is really her specialty. We didn't do much dancing that was specifically lindy hop; instead we worked in detail on mirroring exercises, then on ways to work improv into lindy without messing up! We finished up with a "soul train" dance (or is it just called "strolling"?) -- lined up in two lines, and take turns going down the line, moving and grooving to the music. This was a bit stressful, but I was towards the end of the line. I watched, and noticed that many folks kept their eyes down, not looking at the crowd. I resolved to look at them as I was dancing -- they are just my friends, after all. It's a case of acting brave even if you don't feel it. It wasn't that bad, when I was actually doing it.

The second class was Hollywood styling for savoy dancers. I've had a few Hollywood workshops, but I hoped that this combo of Viola and Theo (he's the Hollywood of the pair) would help me get this, and fit it into my dancing. It went fairly well, though Theo was insisting that swiveling was required, and he didn't think I was starting my swivels early enough (i.e. on the 6.5 of the previous 8-count). I did like the footwork variations on the six-count basic, though, and practiced them enough that I could actually put them to work in my dancing.

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My friend Hep Jen has a new gig, DJing at a First Hill bar/restaurant called Vito's. I hadn't been there, and I wanted to support her, so I drove there after class was over.

The place was funky-looking, with mirrors and red-flocked wallpaper, and none of this was meant ironically. I walked across the smallish dance floor to the bar, and found my friend Earl there. He was talking on the phone, the phone cord stretched across from the back of the bar. Turned out that David F--- had been supposed to meet him at the bar, but had wimped out, or gone to sleep, or something. Vito's is really more David's hangout. Earl and I chatted (I drank a non-alcoholic beer) until Jen showed up, distributing beads to everyone for Mardi Gras.

Earl and I danced a few times, and I danced with a few other familiar faces as well. Cat Daddy Chris Chapman and Maren showed up as well. But things were definitely quiet! We ended up leaving around eleven o'clock.