Check in on my dancing progress
Written 2/22/2024.
Yesterday at West Coast Wednesdays was quite interesting. In a good way.
I was cold the whole day. Not because it was cold outside, just because it seems to be how I’m wired. The good news is that the dancehall is always warm. Wearing my shirt, fleece, and jacket, I looked forward to shedding two out of those three once it filled up.
It did, and I was sweating at the end.
I’ve been dancing consistently for 4 months. That’s probably about 14 Wednesdays I had made (barring travel, holidays, etc).
Last night’s intermediate class was fun. I actually understood the terminology the instructors were using. The “slot” stay on the “rails” using a “hammer grip.” The lesson was useful and I “got it” during the lesson. That was a lot of fun and I used what we learned the rest of the night.
What was great/strange was that whereas I usually dance with a different partner every dance, tonight was an exception to that rule. A big exception.
I ended up dancing with Tracy who was new to West Coast Swing. We started talking and practicing the basic moves and even the more intermediate ones. When the song ended, she asked whether we wanted to keep dancing and I said absolutely! I learned about her and we had fun trying all the different moves. She wanted me to teach her so I taught her the new move, the whip, and also how to figure out which way to spin depending upon how the leader is facing his hand (to the left means counterclockwise, to the right means clockwise).
Next, I ended up dancing with a person who it turns out lives just about 1 ½ miles away from me and within walking distance of my church. Her son graduated in 2019, just a year after my son and they were both in the band. I texted my son asked whether he knew him, and he said yes.
There was Heather whom I always like dancing with. We started at WcW at the same time and again, we hadn’t finished our conversation, so we continued to dance (she was going to Alaska in 1 ½ weeks to see the northern lights).
Finally, there was Calli. First timer at WcW. I was putting my shoes away readying to go home when she sat next to me. When I found out it was her first time. I shoved my shoes aside and took her out for a dance. She was good for a beginner (she had taken several lessons already). I mentioned this and she said it was because I was a good leader.
That made my night.
The better I dance; the more smiles are evoked from my partners and tonight there were a lot of smiles.
I’m glad.
If you’re reading this and want to come dancing with me. You are welcome. I’m usually there every Wednesday.