Arts Alive Falmouth 2008

Gotta talk about the terrific event this year, better than last year (no rain). Judy and Roger Day organized it and he pushed for Town Dance again. Stage Door Canteen really put on a show. Joe and I were late (windsurfing), and the dance floor was empty, upsetting Judy & Roger, but I told them it is nice for the band to have the audience before they get obscured by dancers. Even Joe was put off by the emptiness, saying it would be like a performance. Luckily Dan Palanza was there, and he doesn't care about an audience. Then many swing dancers stood up, including my students. Joe's point is also that we might intimidate town dancers. The floor got very full by the end.
Floor was "fast", AKA a bit slippery, though there were metal connectors. Very expensive. I told the Days I would try to get them a better floor cheaper (Dawn & Linda!)
Also excellent crafts and happy crafts people as they did not have to pay $200 like the Main Street Fair.

George Gritzbach

He's opening for BB King! July 31 and August 1, and we'll see him August 2 at Grumpy's!

Changeover

I figured out how to print up my blog, so I can keep last year's entries as a journal. One year as of yesterday: time to re-evaluate, erase the old entries, and write less frequently. I seem to have only two faithful readers - Hi, Mike and Dawn! Anybody else out there?

Dress Rehearsal

Friday is a crazier day at the middle schools, so the Morse Pond Follies dress rehearsal was maybe chaotic, but the organizer was okay with that, and the kids calmed down when they needed to.
The first time on stage is a major learning time for the teacher, when you get to see what you taught them!
I got short rehearsal in just before lunch to tell my fifth graders a few things.
8:45 Monday morning is the first performance. I'll be there.

Granddaughter

Brain Space

When I start to think about spaces for dance, like the upcoming tented wedding at my parents' house, I can just feel the right side of my brain trying to engage. But it has to wait for the left side to get the work done. How big will the dance floor be? Are you going to be able to move enough stuff out of your mother's junk rooms to make people comfortable?
Now I wonder about the right and left sides of my body, controlled by those opposite hemispheres of the brain. The left side of my back is weak, according to two chiropractors. Debra Babcock got my left shoulder nice, but it took six months, so I went to Lisa Esperson yesterday for my left knee. The good news is it isn't the meniscus.
I am to go for long walks with comfortable strides. It's raining, so I'll try some back exercises from my Pilates book.

Dress codes

USA Dance tells us judges will monitor pre-teen skirt layers, circles, and slits in Standard dancing, which seems good. Dancing with the Stars has done too much of those slits for the gowns in my opinion, making them sexier, though I understand it for prime time TV.
How about addressing the Latin outfits for teens? Our Massachusetts (Newton) couple, Allen Rudman and Michelle Tuzman, were over the top according to Ashly DelGrosso-Costa, and she was part of Dancing with the Stars. She liked their dancing, but she was dressed like a Las Vegas showgirl (minus the feathered hat), and he had a wild pattern on his pants.

Wianno Club

A lovely space, filled with dancers.
Mary French, back from Florida, said, "It's so good to see people just dancing to a good band." Florida studios stay in business because of the single ladies, with male teachers who dance them around the floor for parties. It's a nice ride, so the service is admirable, providing exercise and sociability along with recorded music. They pay for private lessons as well.
I got another call like that from a lady who found a nice studio in Florida, and she's back here with her couch potato husband, languishing. I suggested Zumba. You have to provide your own power.
Maybe marriage counseling, if the husband would even do that.

DanceSport on Comcast

Not "On Demand" I hoped the cable feature would work for me, but no.
Your chance to see the piece with Ashley DelGrosso's commentary will replay on channel 188 June 7 at 8 PM. It was very nicely done. They followed one couple through each dance and Ashley had intelligent comments that did not interfere with my enjoyment, unlike Ron Montez's on PBS.