Sons of Italy

Beach Party at Sons of Italy

Kudos to Cape Cod Ballroom Dancers: Fran, Vince and Julie, for making up a summer event in the middle of what is traditionally a time to shut down volunteer activity. Our dancing friends include some summer people. The Mel-Tones were in good form.
I took film in the low light and hope it is good enough for the TV show. We need show the Sons of Italy.

Blues Music Concerts

A hall set up for a dance will probably have enough room, but a concert setting is just an exercise in frustration. Moved, but unable to express myself, I often leave my seat for the back of the hall.
Dancers more often complain about another problem with live music, that musicians are not be familiar with their favorite rhythms.
Collaboration is another art.

Dancing Under the Stars

July 20, 2007, last night, turned out to be a really terrific dance night in Marion.  The tent had stars painted on it. The floor was bare plywood, so it wasn't slippery when wet. The evening was free, by invitation, so the slope was just the price of dancing outdoors.
Diane O'Day of Paris Academy in Raynham mixed music like the pro she is. Barry Lawton, also of Paris Academy, was a consummate dance host. The amateur dance hosts of the evening, Joe Brodsky, Chuck Duncan, and Rob Wheeler, also enjoyed keeping the floor moving.

Fitness

I think about fitness all the time, for myself and loved ones who include my students, but body awareness is a personal thing, so even getting people to stand up straight can be too much for some. Like teenagers. My sons are beyond slouching, thank goodness.
Even ballroom dance publications include articles about staying in shape that I read for my next goal, to help people with exercise and stretches.

Dance, the Brain and Society

Neuroscience articles suggest dance is the physical activity that most benefits the brain. I obsessed about that for a while after my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Although both my parents were self-conscious, he seems to have forgotten that part of his personality, but only in the family group. My mother will still barely let her picture be taken, so social dance is out of the question.
My ambition is to add dance to our society at large so we can use throughout our lives.
I work on the grass roots level mostly, but also am on the nominating committee for Cape Cod Ballroom Dancers for the upcoming elections. Members will hear from us soon.

One-step

Just to plug the dance people forget. If a quickstep comes on, walking around to the fast music can be great fun, and can happen with very little formal instruction.

social dancing

Thought after running a social party: If dancers, especially beginners, let the music rule the moment, they can relax into an easy time. You don't need a lot of steps to become a part of the musical evening. Dancers playing with rhythms are expressing an art.

Seacrest 2007

I hesitate to tell everyone because the floor is so small, but the Seacrest on the ocean in North Falmouth has a dance floor and music almost all the time in their lounge. Last night the singer went off key often, but the rhythm was steady, so our group was satisfied. There was even another group of ballroom dancers who must have been staying there. Usually, it's a DJ and the floor is empty, or watch out for the twenty-somethings and their drinks.

newsletter etc.

Nice newsletter at capecodballroomdancers.org. My article is longer than I feared. I'm on the search committee for more board members, out of whom president et al will be chosen.
Coming up tomorrow - Dance with Ellen!
I will teach a stretch class at 10 AM.
From 7 to 10, I'll host the monthly social dance with basic lessons.
Time to make some cookies!

hits

I wonder about readers. Isn't that the way with authors? Who are you? What do you think? Why am I bothering you, isn't it enough that you're reading at all? "Do I have to provide feedback? Are you an English teacher or something?"
Yes! I am certified to teach English at the high school level, besides teaching ballroom dance. The college study at age 40 helped, especially in making me able to stand up in front of people.
My Ballroom Dance training continues with Mary French and Ron Gursky, as well as workshops and seminars. I also studied Modern with Klara Koenig, and try the different dance forms as they come up. Flamenco is a favorite, especially the partnered Sevillanas. I am becoming certified in Pilates because I love a good stretch class.