Waltz Across Texas... dancing in someone's arms

[mrdreamjeans]

Reading Excessor and Dr Scott's posts about the Square Dancing Convention brought back a lot of wonderful memories. I'm delighted they had such a good time in Phoenix.

I love to country-western dance and have been ballroom dancing since I was three years old. (Thanks Mom:) I even competed in CW dance competitions in the 80s with my dance partner Karina. One year we won second place in the Texas Two-Step Championship.

However, the best part of partner dancing for me has always been that it is a wonderful way to meet nice people. For three or four minutes you share an extended hug, lose yourselves in the music and the creative, romantic steps of the waltz or slow dance or the speed, frenzy and excitement of a barn-burner. You can just feel the thread of energy between you and your partner. I am seldom happier than when I am dancing with a responsive partner and the common thread is a love for the music.

I am a strong lead and live for the perceptive follower who, with a gentle touch of my hand, puts magic in motion. I like making the decisions, but I admire even more the follower who can turn my decisions into fluid, dancing gold:) There is nothing more beautiful than watching a couple spinning and moving gracefully around the floor... in sync with the music and with each other.

The power of music + a handsome partner in your arms = a natural high:) Exhilarating!

(singing) "I'll waltz across Texas with you in my arms." I used to dance 30-40 dances in a row and go home feeling well and truly hugged. Hmmm... I think I shall have to get out and go dancing. Inspiration has struck!

Comments

Scrap the movies...

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

I think we should go 2-stepping instead. Of all the years I've been going down to Houston, only once have I attempted to make it to a CW bar. It wasn't the most welcoming crowd, tho. But I'm willing to give it a second chance, so, wanna be my partner for a few spins around the dance floor? I only follow, so you can be in control as much as you want, I'm good at looking pretty on the dance floor, even while being stepped on.

I'm sure there are more than one dance bar in Houston, the one I went to was the "Brazos River Bottom" (hey! maybe that's why there was no response!), if you know of others, we could try them...

whaddaya say?!

Re: Scrap the movies...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Dancing sounds like great fun! You won't be stepped on; if you are, I'm doing my job as a lead:) The BRB is the place I know to go in Houston and it is only lively on Friday and Saturday nights. I could swing through Katy and pick you up.

The crowd varies... I always laugh if someone is a snob; I usually say, "Hey - Want to share a dance?" Or depending on the attitude I'll say to the person, "I asked you to dance not f**k. I'm only interested in the quality of your dancing? So how about it. I can help you spot who's cruising you while I make you look fetching"! LOL!

Let me know if you have an open evening from anniversary proceedings:)

Deal!!!

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

I pledge at least one of each of the following: a slow 2-step, a medium beat 2-step, and one or two fast ones (I really like them barn-burners), a waltz, and a shadow dance. Line dances are not my forte, tho. That's when I get to check out the other dancers!

So far, Friday night may be the best bet (July 30). Heck, I'll make it a point to keep Friday night open just to go dancing with you.

Here's my email addy.: fzuniga (at) planZarchitects (dot) com. Let me know how to get in touch with you once in Houston and we've got a dance date!

Yeeha!

Re: Deal!!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I don't like the line dances, cept for one of them. In my opinion, it's just choreography to memorize (and feels like work:) and it's an excuse to avoid asking someone to dance.

I look forward to it! I'll email you my cell number and we can go with the flow!

Re: Deal!!!

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

making mental note to pack boots for trip!

Re: Deal!!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I emailed my cell number to you. Let me know that I got it to you correctly:)

Timberline

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Anytime I could get to Seattle, I was at the Timberline from 1989 on. It was the best, most romantic place to dance I've ever been and is part of my love for Seattle.

It saddened me greatly that the old Sons of Norway Hall was sold to Cornish School of the Arts last year. However, it had been moving away from being a country dance hall for several years. That was a big mistake by the current owners of the name, as they lost their loyal crowd by jacking around with the format.

The ancient Asian woman Ruby, who was always there dancing in her short skirts with several layers of petticoats, still shows up on Friday nights at the Timberline's new location, but they are only country for 3 hours on that one night of the week.

Some of my best times were at the Timberline because it was the only Gay bar where I felt truly at home. Nice folks - great dancing!

Can't dance a lick

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Honestly....I can't even polka.

"What??" you say, "How is this possible? You've been in a ballet! How can a Bear get cast in a classical ballet like 'Nutcracker' and NOT be able to dance?"

Easy. It's cause I Act up a storm and play to the balcony...it's a character part, not dependant on looking 'pretty'. Besides, after 6-8 weeks in rehearsal and enough repitition, a circus bear could do the role.

On the dancefloor, and especially in anything approximating ballroom, I'm utterly hopeless. I can't lead, and I'm too insecure and unpracticed to follow. The best I've ever done is in a low-impact aerobics class, where at one point in the routine, I would link elbows with a person and we'd both spin; I was the only one who could do it well.

This "two step" that y'all mention, tho, sounds...intriguing, if not incredibly intimate. Are you SURE you can do that in public?

Re: Can't dance a lick

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The "two-step" and "foxtrot" are fairly synonymous terms. The difference is really in the style of music each is danced to, with a few variations of the arms.

It's a nice dance to try with a partner new to dancing (or new to you:), as there is a set pattern and rhythm to the dance. With a patient partner even the most rhythm-challenged dancer can usually find some success. As you suggested with your character part in the ballet, repetition is the key.

I was waxing romantic about CW dancing, but the real nice part is the holding someone in your arms, even if the feet aren't successful. I can usually talk someone through a slow two-step, but I also don't care if we mess up. I like the opportunity to meet someone, get to know them and to enjoy the music.

When I've come across a reluctant partner, one who wants to try a dance but is shy about it, I try humor. I say, "Do you want to share a dance?" If the answer is yes, I say in my best Texas redneck voice, "Bubba, here's how you do it. Put your left hand on my shoulder like this, your right hand in my left hand like this, now put your dick up against my right leg and shut up....hehehe.. It is the correct position:)

Even if the dance doesn't work, some times other things do:) Woohoo!

Re: Can't dance a lick

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Knowing me, my response might be, "Bubba, it might be the correct position, but you've got the wrong guy in the wrong venue. Ask me NICELY and I MIGHT consider that same position in a more private setting." At best, I'd then assume the Sr.Caligula-approved 1-foot-apart rule, which kinda defeats the purpose of a two-step, doesn't it? At worst, you'd find yourself alone on the floor (Question: Has "Put your dick up against my right leg and shut up" actually WORKED since 1982? I'd be appalled at the afrontery....and yes, I know you're kidding. You ARE kidding, right?). Then again, the odds of me even being in a place that features CW dancing are vanishingly slim. (Yeah...I'm a snob. I guess I'm more of a waltz guy)

Still what you say is true: There's nothing like watching two bodies, linked together, gliding accross the floor, sharing a near telepathic melding of mind and motion. The effect is enhanced when the entire room is moving in unison. I have visions of period-piece movies where nearly 100 people are gliding around a ballroom; all feeling the music and NONE bumping into each other! Throw in a touch of gymnastics and you can appreciate why I enjoy watching pairs figure skating.

Re: Can't dance a lick

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I enjoy watching skating too. I was kidding about the instructions, though humor always works as a way of getting my prospective partner to relax. The idea is to have fun:)

The two-step is only one of the dances you might find in a Country-Western setting. My favorite is the Waltz. It is deceptively complicated to do well and I like the challenge.

Since I travel a lot, I've been to most of the Gay & Lesbian CW clubs around the country and it's the nicest group of folks I know. Besides, there's nothing wrong with a bit of flirtatious banter:)... in 1982 or 2004. Some of us are single. LOL!

Re: Can't dance a lick

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Even we married guys like to flirt.

[excessor.livejournal.com]

You're right, there's something romantic about two-stepping. I think it's the fact that two people are trying together to dance, and in trying, can forget they're closer than most social situations would allow them to be.

Last year I found out that I'm a special case: I simply do not understand the beat. If the lead actually says “slow slow quick quick” then I can do it. If either one of us talks, I lose the beat. And don't get me started on the need for shin guards and extra O+ blood when I get going fast.

Waltzing is even more romantic. Oh, be still my heart! The only thing more exciting is shadow dancing. I'd kill to be able to do that. Of course, I'd kill for a piece of chocolate cake. Hell, I'd kill for the frosting. I'm just pretty much on edge.

I'll shut up now.

Shadow Dancing/Cake/Frosting

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I can teach you to shadow dance. It's nice for someone learning to follow; for as you know, you're both heading in the same direction and are on the same foot. The intimacy is very appealing too.

Chocolate cake and chocolate-chip cookies are reasons to commit homo-cide if denyed either for too long:)

It is a well-known fact that frosting is a separate food group (at least in my family); and as with all other food groups, you should have a certain amount in a healthy diet. Hehehe!

(Dangling a cookie covered in frosting in front of you...say after me...One-two-three, One-two-three, One-two-three....) Now that's the way too waltz, Paul!