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Tuesday, June 20, 2000
One year ago: Relaxing
Two years ago: Solstice Parade
On my drive from Bellingham Monday morning, I stopped at Larry's for some early morning shopping. I really went over the top, I think -- a jar of pistachios, preshelled so I don't have to fuss with them, and a box of pizza-flavored cheese crackers, among other things.
I posted the details about the Savoy Swing Club intersession dance to the NWR (non-web-related) webgrrls list. I got two responses. One said, "I can't go this time, but keep me informed." That peeved me slightly, but I should go ahead and point her to an already existing news and announcment list. The other respondent pointed out, correctly, that I hadn't specified which city the event was taking place in. I let her know that the Russian Center is on Capitol Hill, in Seattle.
I also encouraged someone to take dance lessons on her own. She said she'd been wanting to learn for two years! but didn't have a partner. I was shocked!
C-----, unless you are learning aerials, no partner is needed. (And you won't be learning aerials as a beginner -- those are the acrobatic air steps you see in performance or in the old movies.)
Classes rotate, so you'll be dancing with lots of different folks. That's a much better way to learn -- if you dance consistently with one person, you learn that person's habits, instead of how to lead or follow.
So don't let not having a partner stop you. Do go ahead and sign up with Savoy swing club, or Swing girls at the century ballroom, or hep cat productions, or where ever you have in mind.
Liralen is having a baby! It always pleases me to hear other journallers' good news. She's one that I wish would do audio entries sometimes. I like her voice -- surprisingly high and young-sounding.
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The reason they had sent out a call for follows (folks who dance what is usually the female part) to come to the dance tonight: the intern program at Microsoft had contributed funds to the dance (making a live band possible). So we had a bunch of Microsoft college interns at the dance, and a good majority of them were male. To balance the class, and give the beginners a chance of getting it, any follow who did the lesson was admitted free.
I worked my way through the rotation, trying to focus on key points that the instructors (Guy and Nancy) can't cover in such a huge class. I think trying for frame is key (no noodle arms). Also, "no thumbs". I told many partners about the time I went home with a big bruise on the back of my hand from someone squeezing. It's a dicey area, though -- I'm not teaching the class, just trying to make it possible for them to actually dance.
When the lesson was over and the band started playing, the room was fairly packed and very hot and steamy (and not in a good way). A lot of the interns plunged into dancing, which was a good thing. I danced about every other dance for the next hour or so. I was pleased that one girl specifically asked me to show her some steps, though what she wanted to learn was the eight-count lindy hop basic -- too tough to pick up in just a few minutes. I tried to show her the bare bones of it, anyway.
I walked home. The bus came barreling down the street just after I walked past the stop, of course. It's fate! But it wasn't a problem with the soft air and mild breezes of summer.
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