Aiming High...Creating Dance Goals

It's that time of year when many us are thinking about making New Year's Resolutions. High on the list are usually things like lose weight and work out more, get a new job, finally clean out the junk closet, etc. but for the dancers in the group I suggest making some dance goals too. Making dance goals will help you to focus on the things you want to improve and kick start the things you promise yourself you will try. Here are some ideas for how to create and achieve your goals.

Randomly list things you want to improve on in your dancing like "work on swivels" or "work on not pulling with my arms in the swing out" Don't make such a big list that you are overwhelmed. Dance goals can change and be added to as your dance year progresses.

Next, think of ways to achieve those goals and write this down where you can come back to it.

Work on swivels.....take a private focused on swivel technique, ask followers I admire about their swivel technique, practice different swivel styles on my own and with a dance friend or two, get feedback from teachers, partners

Work on not pulling....work with a dance friend or two who can point out when the pulling happens, try to be more aware of my own body and why I feel I have to pull, work on changes and ask feedback from dancer friends, private lesson?

Besides technique, have some fun dance challenges for yourself too.

Learn the Shim Sham....take a lesson if one is offered, jump in the back during the Shim Sham and do what I can pick up or remember, ask a dance friend to show me some of the steps, check it out on Youtube

Enter a Jack and Jill....do it with a friend for support, remember to have fun

Think about practice goals too.

Try to increase stamina....run or do fast walking several times a week, solo dance to fast music on my own, find a workout buddy

Go social dancing at least twice a week....investigate local venues, create a carpool to have people to go with.

Some of your goals may be ongoing or constantly evolving around a particular subject-Swingout technique for example-and some of them can be achieved and crossed off the list-learned Fall-Off-the-Log! Do check your list and revise it from time to time. Having something to reference your progress can be really helpful during those frustrating times of hitting that dance plateau we all can experience.

Happy New Year and Happy Dancing!

Dry Bones...The evolution of a dance

I'm always fascinated by the creative process. What is it that compels an artist to paint, write, sing, dance, make music? What are the triggers and how does that person go about congering up the finished piece? I had the inspiration to put together a little choreography for Halloween recently and thought I would take you on my journey. Perhaps it will spark something in you and send you on your own creative quest.

Sometime during the summer Autumn LaVarta was djing at the 9:20 Special here in San Francisco and towards the end of the evening he played Fats Waller's version of Dem Bones. Fats calls it Dry Bones. I connected to it immediately. I went home that night and downloaded it and listened to it over and over again. I realized something in that song was reaching to me from my childhood. Luckily for me, Alabama in the 1960's wasn't up on current children's programming and what I got to see on TV were all of the terrific old cartoons from the 30's and 40's with their hand drawn images and great musical scores. There were The Little Rascals and Our Gang and Frances the Talking Mule and a healthy dose of Gene Autry too.

I realized that Dry Bones made me think of this performance in The Little Rascals.



That performance actually scared me so that's why I probably remembered it. It also made me think of this cartoon.



It's pretty scary too.

I always say, if it's scary then do it! Why not take my skeletons out of the closet and make them dance! I contacted some dance friends and told them my idea and asked them if they wanted to join me. I have to say I have some wonderful indulgent friends and 10 brave souls signed on to learn my danse macabre.

When I listen to certain music-and I never know when this is going to happen-I see vague dancing images in my head. Particular places in the music will jump up in my minds eye and dance. I can usually turn this off when I'm dancing with a partner but when it happens and I'm not occupied it can be rather fun. Dry Bones was one of those pieces of music and a good deal of the choreography jumped up for me that way. The opening moves, the joining of the arms and weaving side to side, the grapevines and the ring-around-the rosy for example. I also knew I wanted to put in a few "dance jokes". I think the "Thriller" dance is probably the most performed Halloween dance these days and I wanted to add a little nod to that. The Hand Jive just fit perfectly in that little section and the Macarena was a happy accident that came from desperation. That section of music would only "appear" dark to me. It turned out the Macarena fit the music perfectly and was one of the funnier bits in the choreography.

Practice space is hard to come by in San Francisco and expensive so my band of merry skeletons practiced in Golden Gate Park and on an empty playground near my apartment. Not having mirrors to work with had one big advantage-we all learned the movement through our bodies and less through our eyes. With only four meetings to learn the choreography it was crucial that we get it all down before or first performance at the 9:20 and not leaning on the mirrors as a way to check our movement turned out to be a good thing. Our masks also obscured our peripheral vision so watching our neighbor for dance cues wasn't possible.

Costumes had to be inexpensive. I wanted us to wear masks to make us unrecognizable and add some mystery, gloves to emphasize the hands and bones on our clothes. The masks and gloves were a quick click on the internet but the rest of the costume had to be just as quick and cheap. Painting bones on would take too long and would be permanent so I came up with the idea of using masking tape on the black clothes. We had a costume making day at my place and the costumes came out even better than I thought they would. Did I mention that my indulgent dance friends are also very creative?

Here's the finished product. I had a great time creating it but it would have never come to life without the help of Alan and Linda Lau, Eva Louie, Eva Chau, Louisa Song, Jennifer Tinonga, Letha Cox-Dolowitz, David Elhami, Gordon Dang, and "Ocean" Matt. I love you guys!

This performance was at San Francisco City College



This performance was at a fundraiser for the 24 hour Danceathon for Cancer Research in OC that some of the performers were raising money for.



Special thanks to the 9:20 Special, Cat's Corner, City College of SF, Lindy in the Park and the Mystery Dance for letting us perform!

Going Solo

"I'm skipping the solo Charleston/jazz/blues/movement class because...I'm not good at that...I don't see the point...I just want to learn moves I can use with a partner...I hate line dances...I never see anyone doing that...it's boring."

Sound familiar?

I'm pretty sure I've given at least one of those excuses in the past. To be truthful, I think I was just insecure about dancing by myself. When you dance with a partner there is some comfort in the feeling that you are in it together. If you think you are going to look foolish at least there is someone else to look foolish with you. When you do solo movement you are all alone up there and it can seem like all of the eyes in the room are focused right on you. The reality is so different but first let me address those excuses.

"I'm not good at that." I don't know about you but I can truthfully say that I am very seldom good at something the first time. If I am, it's bound to be a fluke. I usually have to work at something new over and over again to get to a point where I feel fairly comfortable with it. There are lots of "fails" and plenty of "almost have its" in the process. If I know why I'm making the effort, why what I'm doing makes sense on my quest towards a goal, I'm more likely to put in the extra time and sweat equity it takes to practice something that is initially uncomfortable. Which leads me to...

"I don't see the point" Dancing solo is part of our nature as humans. We all do it whether we want to admit to that secret booty shake when we hear a danceable beat or not. Learning solo jazz, Charleston or blues moves helps us to clarify our movement and learn better overall dancing skills. Doing solo moves helps us to identify the areas where we shine and the places that need more work in a very direct way. Because all solo movement is directed and generated by your self you will quickly find out how well you balance, turn, create pleasing lines, handle fast or slow footwork, articulate or isolate different parts of your body and incorporate your arms. All of that is valuable information for a dancer. If we become adept at dancing well solo, our partner dancing will be elevated, enhanced and more precise which leads me to...

"I just want to learn moves I can use with a partner" Ever do a kick-ball-change in your swing out? How about low-downs or breeze-the-knees? Well then, you are already adding solo movements into your dancing but now you've invited your partner to explore them too. I think of those little extras in the dance the same way I think of adding sprinkles to ice cream. The ice cream is going to taste just as good without them but definitely won't be as festive. Why limit yourself?! There's a big wide world of solo moves that you can incorporate into your dancing and-Surprise!-they are only solo if you do them by yourself. Now you have to figure out a way to learn more which leads me to...

"I hate line dances" One of the quickest ways to get some solo movement under your belt is to learn some of the classic Swing "line dances". The Shim Sham in it's many variations, the Tranky-doo and the Jitterbug Stroll are the most frequently done. You don't have to know the whole routine to be able to have fun with it. If you make a point of jumping in the back whenever the crowd gathers you will eventually pick up enough of the routine to feel comfortable. When you do a routine in a whole room full of people it's hard to feel self conscious. To help refine your skills, take a Shim Sham or Tranky-doo class when they are offered. And about that feeling that all eyes are on your very own stumbling feet in one of those classes-believe me, the other people in the class are so focused on improving their own movement they aren't going to track your every mistake. If you've got a competent and enthusiastic teacher you are going to walk out of that class more informed and with sharper skills.

I'm going to use some visuals to address the last two excuses but before I do, I want to suggest some ways to work on solo movement on your own.

Play some music you are familiar with and like to partner dance to and dance to it on your own. Let your body move in any way the music suggests to you. Now play it again and try to add some of the solo movement steps you know into the mix. Play a different familiar song with a different tempo and do the same.

Choose one or two solo steps you would like to incorporate into your social dancing and practice adding them without a partner at home. Grab a friendly partner your next night of dancing and give them a go. The more you practice on your own and with a dance friend the more successful you'll be.

Don't have a partner and a terrific tune starts playing? Start practicing your solo movement off to the side of the dance floor. Why let a good tune go to waste and others might be inspired to join in your fun!

Check out youtube for solo Charleston, jazz and blues moves. "Pay per move" sites like iDance.net or Rhythmjuice.com can also be helpful.

Here are some videos that illustrate just how awesome and non-boring solo dancing can be. There are plenty more out there to be inspired by.

Here is Sister Kate doing a great routine with Tranky-doo and Shim Sham moves sprinkled in.



These guys make me squeal every time I watch this. Dax and Max showing us how it's done.



Here is some hot solo blues.



Look for the smart use of solo movement in this terrific routine by Skye and Frida.



Your turn!

Lena Vitalie-Dancing Queen

I first saw Lena Vitalie five years ago at one of my first visits to Tuesday Night Jump. I couldn't take my eyes off of this adorable lady who was just a fireball of fun and energy. Even though she was obviously older than most of the other followers at the club she was leaving most of them in the dust. I just had to meet her and that introduction has lead to a friendship I cherish. I will tell her outright that she is one of my dance idols-and for so many reasons! Her charm, her style, her strength and her dedication to Lindy Hop are a continuing source of inspiration to me. When I asked her if she would be my first interview for this blog she not only obliged me but wrote this wonderful personal dance history for me. I'm posting it just as she wrote it. Her personal history parallels the resurgence of Lindy Hop in the Bay Area and she's full of great stories about those times. Next time you spot her on the dance floor be sure to introduce yourself-you'll be glad you did. And Gentlemen, ask her to dance. You'll be in for a treat.

Lena in her own words:

Here is my personal experience of how I became involved in the Swing Dance World at an age when most dancers are slowing down.

I began dancing later than most, due to a medical condition called Hyperhydrosis which is a condition having to do with over active sweat glands, which in my case manifested in my hands. My hands were always dripping wet making for a very uncomfortable and embarrassing situation when having to hold someone's hand for the duration of a dance. This only happened when I felt nervous. The only dances I attended were my Junior and Senior Proms because the dress of the period included gloves.

One day my daughter came across an article that mentioned this condition and that there was a corrective surgery procedure. I couldn't wait to get to Stanford to have this surgery. It's called Simpathecomy. Two incisions were made, one on each side of my throat, and the nerves were cut that controlled the sweat glands to stop the sweat from both hands. Prior to the procedure I was warned about possible side effects, but I didn't care. I was in my 50's and wanted to dance and was willing to chance the surgery and the possible side effects.

My very first dance class was at The Avenue Ballroom on Taravel Street in S.F. My very first dance lesson was a Jitter Bug class taught by Kelly Buckwalder. She also taught WCS there. It was also at the Avenue Ballroom where I met someone who has become my longtime friend and dance partner. The Avenue, as we called it, was the rebirth of the ballrooms of S.F. that had faded away due to the times. Dancers came from all over the Bay Area to dance at the Avenue. The Avenue caught on and soon other ballrooms opened their doors and the selection of places to dance grew.

West Coast Swing was the dominate swing dance at the time and it was all I knew and did for about 8 years until 1993 when I discovered Lindy Hop, Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Betty Wood, Fayard Nicholas, and so many other survivors of the Swing Dance world of the 30's and 40's. Due to the Frankie Manning Workshop assignments, my dance partner and I developed a very close relationship with Frankie and it is a friendship, the memory of I will cherish forever.

At this point I joined other Lindy Enthusiasts and in 1994 we founded the Northern California Lindy Society. We had our first Bay Area Lindy Workshop in February of 1995 which was an experience that changed my life. My experience with the beginning of the Lindy community is another relationship I will cherish forever. All of us involved feel the same way. It was a threshold to a once in a lifetime experience. I danced at every opportunity and venue that I could get to.

In 1999, to my surprise, I won the Intergenerational Competition (at Satin Ballroom) in Los Angeles with Johnny Lee, beating out dancers who I considered to be far better than myself and a lot more experienced. Before that contest I had won a small contest with my friend Bernie doing Balboa at the Claremont Hotel and in Mendocino during one of Frankie's Birthday celebrations with the NCLS (Northern California Lindy Society) my partner and I won a dance contest. The biggest surprise was when I won not once but two years in a row at Stanford College in a Swing contest with someone I had just met and had never danced with before that night. I had no intentions of entering a dance contest. I was there to take some pictures of Rob VanHarron and Diane who were teaching a lesson that night. These memories I will treasure for as long as I live. I went from a gal who couldn't dance due to a medical disorder to someone who actually won some dance contests! I truly feel I have made up for all those years I couldn't dance.

I was once told by a champion swing dancer who watched me doing the Lindy in Berkeley, and I quote, "Lena, this is your dance!" and it sure is. When I am dancing on the floor I light up like a Xmas tree and I grin from ear to ear. The aches and pains related to aging go away, along with any stress I may feel.

Don't get me wrong, I loved being a housewife and a mother to three beautiful children, but my world became smaller when they didn't need me any longer. I needed something for me. Dancing, especially Lindy, opened my world to a point I could never imagine.

In my generation, women did not ask guys to dance. That just was not done, it was not proper. That is something that is hard for me to do. I am not comfortable asking a guy to dance. Today when I am at a dance without my dance partner, I don't get to dance as much as I would like because of my age. Let's face it, guys want to dance with younger sexier gals, and I don't blame them. I just wish there were more older people doing Swing Dancing. I have had a few experiences where a guy just said "no" when I asked them to dance, or they would make some excuse why they couldn't dance with me at the moment. That makes me feel awful. I wished I had never asked. Of course, that has not stopped me from going out where the young kids go and dance because I do get a little dancing in now and then. You can't do anything about the numbers, it is what it is. There are a lot more women than guys and when you are an older lady it makes it that much harder to get on the dance floor.

I'm just thankful that I can still do some swing dancing. As long as I can boogie I'm happy. I have certainly made up for all of those years I didn't dance. I have gone beyond my expectations and have become a dancer. I feel I will live longer because of dancing.

Lena Vitalie

Lena cutting a rug with her dance partner.

Musings on Music

Music and dance are eternally intertwined. Certain rhythms connect with us in deeply personal ways and our dancing is an expression of that emotion. When we choose a dance style to learn we are often learning the music at the same time. Swinging jazz is the music of Lindy Hop and it's exciting rhythms and syncopation define, suggest and dictate the movement. One of the things I love about dancing to swing music is how rich it is with movement possibility. It invites you to move your body in joyous, controlled chaos with your partner or just by yourself.

I feel to really be able to enjoy the dance to the fullest you should educate yourself about the music. Learning about the roots and evolution of swing music is a fascinating journey in American history but even just becoming familiar with the music you hear in a class, venue or workshop will enrich your experience and better inform your dancing. Take a class in musicality when they are offered. Ask your teachers or dj's the name of that tune that made you want to dance all night. Buy some swing cd's or download the music and listen to it when you aren't dancing and dance to it by yourself when you are at home. By understanding the little nuances in the music you will find new ways to add personality to your dancing.

Here is a small sample of some of my favorite tunes to dance to(they change all the time!) Check them out and then go explore other music by these artists and others. Pretty soon you'll be finding gems on your own and on your own path to discovering what moves you.

Avalon..... Jimmy Lunceford
Back Bay Shuffle.... Artie Shaw
Big John's Special.... Fletcher Henderson
Blackstick.... Noble Sissle Swingsters
Blue Drag.... Earl Hines
Coal Black Shine.... Sidney Bechet
Darktown Strutter's Ball.... Alberta Hunter
Doin the New Lowdown.... Don Redman
Duke's Place.... Ella Fitzgerald
Flying Home.... Lionel Hampton
Gang Busters.... Cats and the Fiddle
Hit that Jive Jack.... King Cole Trio
I Like Pie, I like Cake.... The Four Clefs
Jack, You Dead.... Louis Jordan
Jump Through the Window.... Roy Eldridge
Jumping at the Woodside.... Count Basie
Jump Session.... Slim and Slam
Jungle Nights in Harlem....Duke Ellington
King Porter Stomp.... Benny Goodman
Lulu's Back in Town.... Fat's Waller
Ochi Chornya..... Wingy Manone
Oh, I'm Evil.... Una Mae Carlisle
OK for Baby.... Benny Carter
Murder in the Moonlight....Red McKenzie
S.O.L. Blues....Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven
Truckin'.... Mills Blue Rhythm Band
Undecided.... John Kirby and his Onyx Club Boys

This is just a little taster. There is a wide world out there of marvelous music and so many more delightful artists that I didn't mention here. Do you have a favorite not on the list?

The Well Mannered Dancer

"Mind your p's and q's!" I wasn't ever sure what the alphabet had to do with it but I did know that someone was reminding me to mind my manners! We use them dancing too. Here are some tips (in no particular order) on dancing with anyone regardless of age.

Be respectful. Politely ask someone to dance. Don't just stick your hand out at them or wave them onto the dance floor. If you don't want to dance at the moment, politely decline (I'm talking with my friends right now. I'll dance with you later or Sorry, I'm not dancing at the moment or Sorry, I promised this dance to someone else. I'll find you for the next one.) If you told someone you would dance with them later do make an effort to find them at some point in the evening for that dance. If you have told someone you are not dancing that song, it's polite to sit that one out.

Accidents happen! If you accidentally place your hand on a "forbidden zone" apologize immediately and make a real effort not to let it happen again. Partner dancing means touching but there are prescribed areas that are acceptable. Followers are especially sensitive to this.

Be aware of your partner's comfort zone. This is especially important to slower music when partners often dance quite a bit in closed position. Just because the couple next to you looks like they are trying to merge as one doesn't mean the person you are dancing with feels the same about doing that with you. If you feel any resistance from your partner during a dance you shouldn't try to bend them to your will.

Watch out for your partner on the floor-Followers you can do this too! Leaders should take care to protect their partners from being bumped, run into and stepped on but accidents can happen. Always apologize to your partner and the other dancers involved whether you feel it's your fault or not. A Follower can also pay attention to the dancers around her. Lindy Hop, especially, can move in many directions on the dance floor. A Follower can give her partner a verbal warning (especially if she see's someone behind the Leader who is about to move into the same space) or gently press his shoulder in a "hold back" signal or move her own body (when in open position) to avoid a collision. If you aren't sure what to do to avoid accidents ask your dance instructor about floor craft.

Don't wear out your welcome! If you discover that Sam or Susie Collegefreshman is a friendly dancer don't try to dominate their time all evening. One or two dances a night is enough.

Know your limitations!It's OK not to dance to the blazing tempos if you know it's going to make you uncomfortable. If you've asked someone to dance (or have already accepted a dance) before the music starts and you realize it's too fast for you, you can always apologize and ask for a rain-check in the future for a dance to a slower tempo. Do have dance buddies you can practice to faster tempos with. The same goes for slower tempos. If all you know how to do to slower music is the High School Two Step, take some classes that focus on slower dancing skills.

Avoid the Bear Hug dip. Some Leaders, thinking they are keeping their Followers safe during a dip, turn their Followers into their chest and hold on tight. Guys, it feels more like a big bear hug instead of a dip and sometimes it's very uncomfortable (on lots of levels). If you feel you need to hold on tight to every Follower you dip then check in with your technique.

Don't do the Dive Dip! Ladies, control yourself! Unless a Leader gives you the lead to fling yourself towards the floor, please be responsible for your own weight in a dip especially with someone you haven't danced with before. You can injure yourself and your Leader.

Air steps and aerials are for performances and jam circles. I know you just spent the weekend workshop learning those awesome tricks but please don't do them in the middle of a crowded dance floor and please don't do them with/to unsuspecting partners! Tricks like that take technique on the part of both partners and you could seriously hurt someone and yourself or an innocent bystander!

Practice good hygiene. Take a shower,wear clean clothes and deodorant. Brush your teeth. Don't eat spicy, garlicky, or strong smelling food before you go out to dance. You will be breathing it on your partners all night no matter how well you brush your teeth. Bring breath mints and if someone offers you one-take it! Don't wear heavy aftershave, cologne or perfume. Bring a change of shirts if you perspire a lot.

Compliment your partner if they do a fun move or if you enjoyed the dance.

Look at your partner. No, not stare at them, but look them in the eye from time to time while you are dancing. Smile at them, especially if they do something fun. Try to keep the negative thoughts you might be having about your own dancing at bay. We might be frowning at ourselves but our partner doesn't know that!

Continue to work on your dance skills. Old dogs CAN learn new tricks and besides, it's good for your brain and body.

Make friends of the dancers in your scene. People are more inclined to dance with people they know.

Accept rejection. Let's face it, there are going to be people out there who won't dance with you. Try not to take it too personally. If you've been appropriate in the way you handle yourself then it's going to be more about them than you. If you are being rejected often by different people then it's time to sit down with yourself or a good dance friend and have an honest conversation about the possible reasons why.

Know Your Limitations

Oh! my aching (insert body part here)! You don't have to be of a certain age to feel the affects of a spirited night of dancing. There are plenty of youngsters who complain just as loudly-it just goes with the territory. We can do some things to help minimize the discomfort though.

Stretch! Do some gentle stretching before and after you cut that rug. Yoga classes will give you more flexibility and help your body alignment.

Take ibuprofen, aspirin or the OTC painkiller of your choice before you go to that class or dance event.

When you get home, ice what ails you or apply heat. A hot shower or bath will relax you and help you sleep. My heating pad is my best friend.

Don't start busting out your biggest moves the moment you hit the dance floor. Have an easy going warm-up dance or two first.

If you have an injury or condition that limits your movement tell your partner-especially if you are a Follower. I have a shoulder that complains from time to time and I always let my partners know when that happens. I've never danced with a Leader who wasn't gracious enough to dance around my injury. Leaders, if back pain is a problem you might want to avoid that dip at the end.

If dancing Lindy Hop to fast music batters your body then work up to faster tempos slowly. You can also do some conditioning outside of the dance environment. Fast walking on a regular basis will increase your stamina; so will turning on faster music and doing simple footwork for the entire song. Do that to a few tunes everyday and I guarantee you will get faster. Learn Balboa!

You don't have to dance to every song. Sit one out and watch the other dancers or talk to your friends or meet new ones.

Keep working on your dance technique. Good technique will help you avoid injuries.

Do you have a "keep dancing" routine to share?

Ask and You Shall Receive

It's always hard to be the the new kid on the block-even at a friendly dance venue. It can be especially difficult for older dancers because of what we perceive as natural barriers; our age relative to the majority of dancers on the floor, our limited dance ability or knowledge if we are a beginning dancer, and the dreaded dirty old man/woman we fear we might be perceived as by dancing with people much younger than ourselves. I would venture to say that just about every new dancer has had one of those fears regardless of age. Older women sometimes have one more-the idea that the lady should always be asked, never the asker. These tips are for getting to know people at dance venues and are mainly for the beginning dancer-but not exclusively. I'll address some of the other issues in another post.

Most dance venues provide lessons or at least a drop-in lesson before the dance. Take the lesson, be sure to introduce yourself as you rotate partners and take note of the partners who give you a positive response. When the dancing starts ask some of those people to dance. You can also mention that you are new to the venue. Sometimes your partner will introduce you to others who will be fun to dance with.

When you are not dancing watch the dancers on the floor and look for someone you might want to ask to dance at some point in the evening. Check out the better dancers too. They are always inspiration and someday you'll be dancing with them!

If you are taking classes where there is no social dance afterward, find some dance buddies from your class and make plans to visit a dance venue together. There is comfort in numbers but be sure to ask new people at the venue to dance as well.

Be patient! Lindy Hop in particular is a very friendly dance scene and many of the people who come to dance also come to hang out with their friends. If you feel like you are being ignored it may just be that people don't know you yet. If you aren't dancing, find a friendly looking person, introduce yourself and ask them questions about the venue, how long they have been dancing, etc. It may take a little while before people get to know you but persistence will pay off. It's not about you personally, it's just a human thing.

Volunteer! Many dance venues rely on volunteers to do various jobs (work the door, set up, clean up, etc.) and often give the volunteers free admittance to the dance or free/reduced rate classes. You'll be helping the dance community and becoming a valuable part of it at the same time.

In Lindy Hop,the old rules about men only doing the asking went out the window a long time ago! If you are a woman, ASK! Yes, it's true we want to feel "chosen" some of the time but the quickest way to find friends to dance with is to do the asking in the beginning. I guarantee that in a little while, after some of those leaders see your charming smile and your enthusiasm, you will be asked to dance.

Continue to build on your dance skills. The better you become the more fun it will be for you to dance and be danced with!

Frankie Manning-Dancing Inspiration

This video is a tribute to Frankie Manning, The Ambassador of Lindy Hop. Frankie was one of the original Lindy Hoppers at the Savoy Ballroom who went on to a second career of reintroducing the dance to the world later in his life. He was teaching, dancing and traveling the globe spreading his own kind of joy and inspiration up until his death at the age of 94.

Too Old for Dance-in-the-Pants?

The short answer is no! If the music moves you then you can find a way to move. I've seen some amazing chair dancing done by 90 year olds. I don't think of age as chronological as much as where you are physically. I've seen some fit 60 somethings put couch potato 20 somethings to shame. If you have kept yourself somewhat physically active and don't have any major medical problems I say go for it! If you are not sure, then of course, see your doctor.There have been many studies that have proven the benefits of dancing for older people-not just for the body but for the mind and spirit as well. Dancing keeps you young!

The next step would be deciding which dance form to learn. My advice would be to go with the music that makes you want to pick up your feet and glide, bop, twist or wiggle around the floor. If you are dancing to music you love you will most likely stick with the dance. Go online and find a local dance venue, club or community college and sign up.

What are you waiting for?

Lindy Hop and Living Forward

"Can an old dog really learn new tricks?" That's what I asked myself 6 years ago as I bravely stepped into my first dance lesson at Lindy in the Park in San Francisco. My last experience partner dancing had been square dancing in gym class in high school over 30 years ago. But the happy music and happy dancers and swirling movement were irresistible. I jumped in and never looked back. It's been an amazing journey. I've been exposed to a dance form rich in American history, learned important life lessons and have become part of a community of people who have enriched my life in so many ways.

Along the way I have met other-ahemmm-older-dancers and have come to realize that sometimes we face issues that are somewhat different from those of dancers who come to Lindy Hop a little sooner on their life path. My aim is to support, entertain and introduce some of the terrific young-at-heart people I've come across in the Lindy community. While some of what will be posted here might seem age specific, I think much of what I hope to address will resonate with Lindy Hoppers and dancers of all ages. Free free to chime in with your thoughts and concerns.