Dance history

I tried swing dancing tonight, for the first time. I enjoyed every minute of it, once I finally got to the dance floor. A question arose about my dance history, for better or worse, and I felt compelled to enshrine it on my blog.

• Elementary school, sixth grade, end of the year: the principal (male) and several male teachers thought they should encourage the male students to dance before they transitioned to junior high school. We formed a circle, learned to two-step, and learned something they called the "flying Dutchman." I can't properly recall what that move was, but it was silly. I think the male teachers were more uncomfortable than the students, but I appreciated their effort. I also remember my Uncle Marve performing a jig at a family reunion, and I was captivated. I never learned how, though.

• Junior High: my father had cable television, and hence had MTV back when they played music videos all day long. I thought Axel Rose had a cool move in the Sweet Child O' Mine video, and mirrored him in socks on carpet. At school dances, there weren't many guys, so I'd hang out in a circle of girls if they'd let me. Again, I'd dance similar to the girl across from me, as if we were dancing together -- one girl eventually noticed, named Casey Meyer (on whom I had a crush from 4th grade into high school).

  At one memorable dance, we had a DJ and a dance contest. I was surprised when I was among the last 4 people dancing, and very nervous. Finally, it came down to me versus Sean Isaacson (a really nice guy that everyone liked). Sean had the Milli Vanilli moves going, and I was freestylin' with the occasional Axel Rose slide thrown in. I won, and took home Bon Jovi's &dquot;New Jersey&dquot; album (on an LP record -- this was long before CDs).

• High school: not much to note here. I remember being short on cash when it came time for photos at my first real high school dance -- that was scary, and I managed to work things out with Tammy noticing (and I still have the photos). My mother loved dancing at Oktoberfest, and I went along a few times over the years. At one of these events, I learned the Chicken Dance and how to waltz, sort of. None of the adults could really answer a technical question I had about the waltz, and I gave up. I'm solid on the Chicken gestures, though.

• College: went to one Sadie Hawkins dance, and I think the woman that invited me was named Laura. Started dating someone that didn't care so much for dancing, and that kept me off most dance floors for more than a decade. There were two notable exceptions. At Erik Anderson's wedding, the bride's mother taught me to waltz and polka during the reception. This was a Country-Western dance, and the polka moved very, very fast around the room (I loved it).

  The second, enormous exception is that Dr. Read, my undergraduate math adviser, encouraged all the math students to try his wife's Scottish Country Dancing course. I attended the course, and joined the club on campus. I was practicing Scottish Country Dance once a week (or more) for at least two years. Since few people have seen this style of dance, I'll include links to videos (which will eventually break, at which point you should just search for [scottish country dancing] at Google video or YouTube).

  • A collection of reels (fast dances), 5.5 minutes: includes Marie's Wedding, and maybe Reel of the Royal Scotts (I've forgotten a lot since college): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCptMS8IZvA
  • A strathspey (slower dance), 1.5 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLnx5PZpcOI
  • Good example of a formal ball, 4 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osuow59BHdU
  For what it is worth, yes, I wore a kilt for the bigger dance events. No, I won't tell you what I wore underneath.

• The Google Years: The only really notable event, before now, was my friend Jill dragging me to a Tainted Love concert and dance. Jill danced with wild abandon, and I felt like I was in high school again (when I danced with wild abandon and often embarrassed myself -- Spin Me Round, anyone?)

Tonight I can add Swing Dancing to this list. I had a great time. My partners were patient and helpful. In fact, I danced with every women but one (I'll remedy that next time). I suspect I'll be back for more.