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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.