And keep it simple! Don't be disappointed if you can't manage anything more complicated that a two-step or a foxtrot. The most fun is often to be had on crowded floors, and this requires taking up as little space as possible, being aware of the dancers around you, moving around the floor in the right direction, and leaving the acrobatics to the competitve dancers. Regardless of what they might teach you, it's a social activity, and you should never hotdog around if you're getting in the way or taking up more than your share of floor space. Above all, though, enjoy it and don't obsess about trying to master things that make it more work than fun.

Rose,Sep 6 2005, 08:22 PM wrote:

Besides who has a pole in their house to practice/perform? :blush:

[snapback]71905[/snapback]

Lech Walesa?

Just a quick update to say that my first ever swing dance class was a success!  Once the million degree temperature studio cooled off a bit, I relaxed and remembered to have fun. It was cool to be in New York City doing something creative and productive with my life, something I've always wanted to do...but I digress.

Um, let's see...the 2 instructors broke the class of about 18 people into 2 groups: followers and leaders. First we learned our respective dance parts individually (the girls picked the moves up faster than the guys, but I just listened to the music and stopped counting once I felt the rhythm in my body) and then they had us all pair off in a big circle and every few mins or so we'd rotate partners and build on top of what we previously learned. Not only then did I realize that the magic of swing lies in the fact that it is a partnered/social dance, but it was interesting to see how differently I paired with other people's body types! I went from dancing with a person who was at least a head taller than me to dancing with someone who was definitely a head smaller than me! 

Yuval (one of the instructors) didn't use a lot of terminology yet, which was good, but I'm the type of person who likes to know what he's doing, while he's doing it...not just move blindly. But I must say that, while some people warned me that my dance background would hinder my learning these new steps, I found that it actually helped me in the sense that I have an awareness of my body through space that the other guys (at least from what I could see) didn't. I also understand how to move efficiently, shift my weight completely from foot to foot, etc. etc. My little extra dance knowledge gave me a boost of confidence to attack the steps and just go with it all!

I had so much fun at class and I'm just glad I get to go back for the next 5 weeks and do it all over again! Swing is definitely something I will hang on to and stick with for a long time!  I can't wait till I get REALLY good at it and have a command of the style! 
Peace,
Pete

Good job, Pete!

Isn't it the best?

Deja Voodoo,Sep 19 2005, 06:40 PM wrote:

Just a quick update to say that my first ever swing dance class was a success!
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Yuval (one of the instructors)
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I know where you&#39;re taking class --- HSJ.  I take the bal class there from 70 - 8:00pm on Tuesday nights.  You should get out and dance.  North NJ has a pretty good swing scene.  Check out http://www.swingingwithsimone.com for a venue in Upper Montclair.  There&#39;s also something that happens in Whippany.