Dancing up a storm
I went to the gay/lesbian contra dance on Saturday night. It was their second anniversary, and they had some nice extra touches: decorations in the hall, a food table full of goodies (including their punch which, in accordance with tradition, had five ingredients), and wonderful calling by Erik Hoffman.
It was a blast. I was a bit tired when I got there--I hadn't done any contra dancing since Thanksgiving--but the beautiful thing about contra dance is that once you get started, it really sweeps you away. I danced in every set, and while I didn't always dance well, I always enjoyed myself.
It is fun to dance with people who "give weight." Some of the people there really know how to spin and twirl. I danced with a red-hanky bear who spun me around like a top, and with a lesbian who kept giving me an "I dare you" look and accelerating our swings every time we met in the line.
Several square dance folks were there, including caller Ron Masker, and as always, it was a nice group of people. The contra dancers certainly have good attendance by women--there were at least 20 women there--but I danced mainly with male partners, who were in abundance.
I know there was a dance at the El Camino Reelers the same night, and I want to get to one of their dances soon, but I'm glad I got to do the Contra Dance. It's a different feel than square dancing--more spontaneous, and a bit wild--and I love dancing to live music. There were four musicians on the stage--which was lovely.
I wish my body was up to more dancing. I am not very aerobically fit, but I think I will try to work on that. I really enjoy the social and musical opportunities the dances offer.
Meanwhile, it's back to Foggy City on Tuesday for class. If my poor body ever gets enough rest, I want to go back to Western Star, too, one of these Monday nights.
Who would have thought the boy from the Bronx would turn out to be a dancing fool? There must be some John Travolta in me somewhere . . . .
It was a blast. I was a bit tired when I got there--I hadn't done any contra dancing since Thanksgiving--but the beautiful thing about contra dance is that once you get started, it really sweeps you away. I danced in every set, and while I didn't always dance well, I always enjoyed myself.
It is fun to dance with people who "give weight." Some of the people there really know how to spin and twirl. I danced with a red-hanky bear who spun me around like a top, and with a lesbian who kept giving me an "I dare you" look and accelerating our swings every time we met in the line.
Several square dance folks were there, including caller Ron Masker, and as always, it was a nice group of people. The contra dancers certainly have good attendance by women--there were at least 20 women there--but I danced mainly with male partners, who were in abundance.
I know there was a dance at the El Camino Reelers the same night, and I want to get to one of their dances soon, but I'm glad I got to do the Contra Dance. It's a different feel than square dancing--more spontaneous, and a bit wild--and I love dancing to live music. There were four musicians on the stage--which was lovely.
I wish my body was up to more dancing. I am not very aerobically fit, but I think I will try to work on that. I really enjoy the social and musical opportunities the dances offer.
Meanwhile, it's back to Foggy City on Tuesday for class. If my poor body ever gets enough rest, I want to go back to Western Star, too, one of these Monday nights.
Who would have thought the boy from the Bronx would turn out to be a dancing fool? There must be some John Travolta in me somewhere . . . .