Music as Touch

Radiolab communicated this thought. (I listen to a lot of NPR.)
Starting with babies, whose mothers talk in a special universal cadence, sound goes into our bodies with the vibration against the eardrum and affects parts of our brains as intimately as any touch.
Music is our lifelong partner, having begun to affect us long before we could even dance alone, much less with a partner.

creativity

Listening to a radio show while driving to my mother's house before Christmas, an occupational therapist talked about creativity, deeply satisfying, because we do not know what is going to happen. In much of our lives we know or need to know, but when engaged in creative acts, it is better if we don't know.
Following in ballroom dance can be like that quickly. Leading that way takes longer.

Hoy&Bluefish

The man has a repertory that's amazing. I had never heard him do any of the songs he sang and performed last night at Grumpy's. A good crowd, some dancers, many dancing fans - at one point there were 20 women and 7 men in the dance area. Couples with any moves had to take the fringes.
Tonight - BLIZZARD - stay home!

Winter Break

Like many a course of study, the dance world takes a winter break. The truly addicted have to work on their own. Those who just play with the activity get opportunities at holiday parties. Sometimes the two intersect, if the workers provide holiday parties. Not me this year, anyway.

Season's over

The talented, charismatic Russell Ferguson will bring $250,000 back to Boston. I read he will buy a car. Then try to start a company. Here and I was wondering what kind of house he could afford with that money.
Interesting to feel, like the sports people do, that there's an end to the contest.
Most of my interests are ongoing. One book can replace the last. Another dance style to study.
The winter break is on. No DWTS. No SYTYCD. No classes.
I'll keep my Ballroom Dancing by Alex Moore close by.

History

50 years of history in 3 minutes

http://yeli.us/Flash/Fire.html

(Author said we could dance to it.)

Fela

The Nigerian musician who combined Afro-pop, American Funk and protest songs is the subject of a new musical on Broadway (big bucks). When I first heard his music, I thought we could dance Samba to it, except it's called ITT, protesting the international company.

eclectic dance

For my birthday, my son bought a book called Eclectic Dance which speaks to the trend of blending dance styles. I personally love the effect, but body training and muscle memory can interfere with learning a new style.
Watching the young people on SYTYCD, I marvel at their talent and hard work. I'm happy they have taken their ballet training and applied it to the dances I want to watch. Often it enriches their ballroom performances - though not always.
i see it in my own students such as ex-ballerinas needing to relax their arms.
As the judges say, we can see what they are used to doing can keep them from the full expression of a dance that has evolved differently.