I let the blog just sit for so very long, I thought it would have disappeared, but a radio interviewer from WCAI called me looking for Glamorous Grammas, and that's me. (Maybe my interview will air soon.) She found my blog and liked it. The issues are not out of date, it seems.
As well, the time came for my website construction, and a blog link was de rigueur. I haven't face booked or twittered yet, but I am a gramma, after all. Our lovely baby girl is walking very early. A very busy little person, cheerful, smiley and bright. Her parents find the sleepless nights difficult, and now, a lead paint test has them scurrying around Brooklyn for a new place to live!
Huge transitions for me as well with the death of Mary French and the sale of the studio. My grief and depression are lifting with spring and the beginning of a resolution of my place within the new order.
I enjoy writing, so you'll hear from me again as I try to have a presence on the web.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Friday, August 15, 2008
Glamour Addiction
I just read straight through The Glamour Addiction,a PhD thesis in book form, by Juliet McMains, Harvard grad who did a stint at a Fred Astaire studio, competed as a pro, and analyzes her obsession.
She contends that the dynamic with class, racial, and sexual differences forms the core of the appeal of the Exotic Other.
Making money at ballroom dance works with competitions, but the rules stifle creativity.
Mostly discouraged, she has a few positive comments. "I believe that the exhilaration of movement and the experiences of freedom, release, presence, connection, and euphoria that dance generates are its most sincere gifts." (p.9)
After working with high school students, she says, "I believe that students should learn both how to fulfill their expected gender roles and how to counter them." (p.195)
She contends that the dynamic with class, racial, and sexual differences forms the core of the appeal of the Exotic Other.
Making money at ballroom dance works with competitions, but the rules stifle creativity.
Mostly discouraged, she has a few positive comments. "I believe that the exhilaration of movement and the experiences of freedom, release, presence, connection, and euphoria that dance generates are its most sincere gifts." (p.9)
After working with high school students, she says, "I believe that students should learn both how to fulfill their expected gender roles and how to counter them." (p.195)
Monday, August 4, 2008
My night out
I do love the conservatory nights, especially followed by George Gritzbach at Grumpy's, and this time I had all day to prepare. I've been home a lot this summer, taking my mother-in-law on outings.
Joe was a tuna fisherman all day, so he didn't bring the energy.
By the way, it's now 8:30 AM. All those entries marked at 5 AM are just weirdness. Is because it's 5:30 in CA when it's 8:30 here? My sister looked at my blog and that's all she noticed, so I'll time it at the top from now on. Not that I'm here all the time any more.
Joe was a tuna fisherman all day, so he didn't bring the energy.
By the way, it's now 8:30 AM. All those entries marked at 5 AM are just weirdness. Is because it's 5:30 in CA when it's 8:30 here? My sister looked at my blog and that's all she noticed, so I'll time it at the top from now on. Not that I'm here all the time any more.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Summer Laziness? or Stretched 6 Ways to Sunday?
My regular stretch class is usually so full, but I'm the only regular these last few weeks. It gives me hope that I could get one going myself one day, as long as I don't try to start in the summer. Mary French told me so, but tried it anyway because I wanted the summer activity last year. This fall I can try again with better timing.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Beach Dance Party
2nd annual Beach Party at the Sons of Italy was very well attended. Madame Prez, Dawn, is taking her classes with Toastmasters seriously and gave a nice speech.
The Dave Burbank Orchestra performed a gorgeous Rumba of "Siboney". I have to say their West Coast Swing was sort of shaky. That style remains on the border with ballroom dancers, though West Coast Swing dancers would put us beyond the fringe. They do no other dance, even if the music shouts Cha cha or Foxtrot, and the strict arrangement of the dance floor precludes a line of dance or circular steps.
The Dave Burbank Orchestra performed a gorgeous Rumba of "Siboney". I have to say their West Coast Swing was sort of shaky. That style remains on the border with ballroom dancers, though West Coast Swing dancers would put us beyond the fringe. They do no other dance, even if the music shouts Cha cha or Foxtrot, and the strict arrangement of the dance floor precludes a line of dance or circular steps.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Kids at Conservatory
Only 3 kids signed up. It was expensive, I thought, but those parents didn't seem to mind, and thanked me for holding the class anyway. We had a great time for 4 days, 4 and 1/2 hours.
12-year-old Will Wright was my biggest fan from the Waldorf class in April. Annie is extremely serious about dance at 9 years old. They were joined by 12-year-old Olivia from Framingham, visiting her grandmother. Salsa, Swing, and a touch of the other dances. How many ways can you use the box step!
The Conservatory wants me to offer a fall kids class. Hey, why not? They'll advertise it. At worst, nobody will sign up.
And in the mornings, how about a Seniors' Assisted Living Outing? Line dances, partner dances, a bit of video, and snacks.
They are to set up a roll-up rubberized job for the ballet students on pointe and refinish the wood floor YAY! No more rosin! If I do all my stuff on Tuesdays, the rubber can be rolled up.
12-year-old Will Wright was my biggest fan from the Waldorf class in April. Annie is extremely serious about dance at 9 years old. They were joined by 12-year-old Olivia from Framingham, visiting her grandmother. Salsa, Swing, and a touch of the other dances. How many ways can you use the box step!
The Conservatory wants me to offer a fall kids class. Hey, why not? They'll advertise it. At worst, nobody will sign up.
And in the mornings, how about a Seniors' Assisted Living Outing? Line dances, partner dances, a bit of video, and snacks.
They are to set up a roll-up rubberized job for the ballet students on pointe and refinish the wood floor YAY! No more rosin! If I do all my stuff on Tuesdays, the rubber can be rolled up.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Transformation
The cicadas are a Chinese symbol of transformation, and we had quite the dose of cicadas. At Arts Alive, I bought a jade cicada, remembering that I began teaching in night school that year, 1991. Will this year's transformation be as easy as my new status as grandmother?
With a lighter schedule for me at the Mary French Studio, I can see what the summer brings.
We had 10 days of too much company. Joe's brother, wife, and their unfriendly boys stay next door, but the house does not have cable TV or internet connection. I took days to recover. Now, in the peaceful quiet, Joe thinks of how nice it is to share our beautiful spot.
With a lighter schedule for me at the Mary French Studio, I can see what the summer brings.
We had 10 days of too much company. Joe's brother, wife, and their unfriendly boys stay next door, but the house does not have cable TV or internet connection. I took days to recover. Now, in the peaceful quiet, Joe thinks of how nice it is to share our beautiful spot.
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