BS: Are You Scared To Dance?

Subject: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 08:21 AM

Just wondering how other Mudcatters feel about getting up onto the dance floor. Personally, l feel very comfortable dancing but I know many people who don't.
I would like to understand better what is going through the mind of someone who is really scared to groove to the music.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: TerriM
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 08:25 AM

isn't it the perennial problem of worrying what others think of us? Personally I love to dance and don't really care much what people think, which may be a definition of a folkie :)!

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 08:33 AM

Actually, I would like to open this question up a bit. Not just people who are scared, but in general, how do people feel about getting up on the dance floor?

LN

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 08:59 AM

LOVE IT!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Mbo
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 10:41 AM

Scared to dance? That's me alright. I don't know how do dance AT ALL! And I think I might look pretty goofy doing so if I did. I don't know. It's not like I've ever been to a place where you dance. But if anyone wants to show me....

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Amos
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 10:53 AM

I love to dance: Charleston, foxtrot, chacha, boogaloo, jitterbug, "reallll--slow" and even waltzes when my cooridnation is in tiptop form, which happens less often than once.

I also love to sit up and holler, gallop on horseback, run wing-and-wing before a strong breeze, hit Oreos, and play Mule Skinner Blues and sing the falsetto parts as loud as I can, and do Greek handkercheif dances on the salt beaches as the sun goes down on the shores of Lemnos...but I also dance.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Willie-O
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 10:56 AM

Weyellll...I've tended to be a pretty reluctant dancer. I think there's two approaches to it. At least. But there's people who want to go dancing, try to find music they can dance to, and if its not very danceable they dance anyway because they're going dancing.

Then there's those of us who are mostly wallflowers, but will dance if the music moves in that kind of groove. Especially with some help from alcohol. If I don't get an actual get-up-and-dance feeling from the music, I won't do it, because _that's_ when I feel self-conscious about flopping around (and of course I don't drink anymore).

I've been actively avoiding dance parties, in fact.

Willie-O
Poopy Old Fart

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 10:59 AM

I am scared and can't dance to save my life but put a few pints of Guinnes inside me at a barn dance or ceilidh and sometimes there is no stopping me even though I make a mess of things. Unfortunately there don't seem to have been any round here for a few years.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 11:29 AM

allow me to tango in on the subject...

-alice

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: MK
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 12:12 PM

I've always felt I look ridiculous on the dance floor (for up tempo dancing). It feels awkward and does not come naturally...so I avoid it like the plague.

On the other hand, slow dancing is no problemo...but afterall I'm built for comfort not for speed.     8-)

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: MK
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 12:14 PM

Neo, now you have just made me think of the Seinfeld episode with Elaine dancing at the party, and the ensuing fallout. That's me. A male ''Elaine'' on the dance floor. (LOL)

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 12:21 PM

I love to dance with a lady, but I am scared shitless that, I dont know how to: 1. I am as gracefull as a Kodiak bear in spring 2. I am just big enough that I might tread on her feet and hurt her 3. I never learned to dance (my ships were not love boats) 4. My wife does'nt dance either so my wedding was the last time I did dance. 5. Have never had a decent offer to dance with anyone else.

Yours,Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 12:26 PM

Dave, join a ballroom dance class with your wife. You would both love it. Being with other beginners makes it easier to get started, and learning the steps makes it fun to practice at home, too. You would be surprised at how many baby-boomers are starting to take ballroom dance classes. -alice

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:04 PM

Nope! Never! Not on your life! Hasta La Vista Baby!

I can think of several things I'd rather do than face the sheer terror of being on a dance floor. Some of them:

1. Bunjee Jump!

2. Watch movies with Barbra Streisand, Joan Crawford, Bruce Willis, or EVEN Demi Moore.

3. Listen to Celine Dion.

4. Multiple root canals.

5. Discuss Irish politics on Mudcat.

6. Vote for George Bush jr. (well, if I gave a Canadian equivalent, you wouldn't know who I was talking about)

When Duckboots and I got married (in Rutherglen, Scotland) I was enjoying myself immensely until her sister (McKnees) whispered in my ear "Isn't it time for the "first waltz"? I practically fainted! Thank God, I'd forgotten about that archaic custom or I might not have said "I do", an hour earlier (or at least hired a "designated waltzer". I smiled bravely, took the bride's hand and remembered the scene of the dancing Hippopotimuses in "Fantasia". When my ordeal was over, I raced for my guitar, and joined in with the wedding reception band....I took my first breath in 3 minutes....

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:26 PM

I love to dance! I can get myself into a zen state with music and completely zone out. Depending on the type of music, I can have as much fun dancing with a woman as a I can with a man. Give me a little "lubrication", pull out the fiddle and I'm on my feet or put on a record that I can Jive to and I'm gone.

Slow dances....well give me a man! They can lead me anywhere.

I have found very few men to be what I consider good dancers, but it's never too late to learn, if they can relax, it doesn't matter if they don't have all the steps, they can take me to heaven.

My husband on the other hand becomes almost apoplectic when called upon to dance and I find a lot of musicians are the same. All that mispent youth, when I was out whooping it up, he spent in a basement with his friends honing his skills or playing for fools like me and he never learned.

It's not that he can't get into music, as witnessed by the drool stains on his shirt, its just that he has no body rememberance that kicks in when he doesn't have a guitar in his hand. He feels self concious and awkward and try as I might I can't get him to lessons. Any suggestions from someone who has been there and succeeded? I've been trying for over twenty-five years.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:30 PM

gee Rick I never saw your post before I sent mine. Are you sure your not my husband posting under an assumed name and identity?

Subject: Lyr Add: GO DOWN DANCING (Norm Hacking)
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:35 PM

Norm Hacking had it right with this wonderful song of his Go Down Dancing
Chorus
Go down, go down, go down dancing
There's nothing in the world that aint worth chancing
And there's nothing that you love, that aint worth romancing
Even if you end up the fool

The way you move, you turn me into a mad man
I can hear the music, but still once again
I'll turn into a one man dance band
Help me break all the rules
Chorus
I think I'll keep dancing until I catch fire
Blow away in smoke and fly a little higher
Make way for the original Japanese flyer
Sky riding my way back to you
My toes are tapping, the hounds are baying
I don't want to leave while the bands still playing
But if I got to go, I hope they'll be a saying
That man was a dancing fool
Chorus

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:35 PM

I have even suggested that he consider me his guitar and I or another person will teach him the chords if he will just play me, and any simple tune will do.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:47 PM

My husbands explanation Little Neo is that my asking him to dance is like him asking me to do a strip tease before a Shriner's Convention.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:50 PM

Gee Amos, how can I meet you? You're even better than my beloved dictionary.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:52 PM

and I have two horses.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Duckboots
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 01:58 PM

Met, despite Rick's attempt to get a joke into every line of every one of his posts - except the ones dealing with instrument technical mumbo-jumbo, everything he says is true! He would JOIN THE SHRINERS rather than take a turn around the floor. He claims that the only time he willingly "stepped out", was when he and a former girlfriend - both inebriated apparently, stumbled into a Lesbian Bar in Cape Cod, many years ago. He danced without incident...so it would appear that it's OTHER MEN that make him uncomfortable! Oddly enough, his fellow music professionals credit him with having superb rhythm and timing. I guess they haven't told his feet.

Duckboots

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:03 PM

I think that's the secret Duckboots, a man's greatest fear is being laughed at by other men, whereas I think we women are either used to it or don't care.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:08 PM

I can't force myself onto a dance floor until I've drunk enough to lower my inhibitions, and I haven't drunk that much in YEARS, nor do I intend to again. I like to watch dance happen though....

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:10 PM

In my experience it seems that a great many musicians- with superb rhythm and an all-consuming musicality- don't want to dance and given a choice, REFUSE to dance. It's as if to them, rhythm is an upper-body phenomenon not involving the legs. Is it because they spent their formative years bent over an instrument - or is it that they gravitated to the instrument because they didn't want to dance? :~)

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: sophocleese
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:14 PM

Well I like dancing but can get hung up about being laughed at. Get a beer or two into me and I don't care anymore. Once at University the singer in a band asked me at break to start dancing because nobody was and the band was feeling dull without it. It worked, being flattered I was the first one on the floor and one song later it was crowded. I'm not a great dancer but I do sem to have more rhythm dancing than when I'm playing any kind of instrument. Whenever I'm having real problems with the timing I try and relax and think of dancing then I hit the groove and can play it with more life.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:19 PM

Actualy, with me, rhythm is an "out of body" experience. It only occurs outside of my body. Which is why I sing primarily acappella, and usually solo.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:22 PM

Good point Metchosin, painful but true. It must be frightening for a man to think he might be laughed at by other men.
Met, is it my imagination or are you really into this thread topic?
You brought up another interesting point Metchosin that I find puzzling. Why is it, that some musician can keep excellent rhythm and yet find it so difficult to physically move to the music?
When I let go and really get into playing my banjo, I feel like I am dancing along the fret board to the song.
I guess it all funnels down to fear.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:25 PM

The best male dancers I have met seem to have started off at a young age with square dancing or folk dancing of some sort. It wasn't a terribly cool thing to do when I was young, but the ones who stuck it out or had very forceful mothers sure thanked them for it when they grew up.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:42 PM

Little Neo, I think Ebbie had a point, these were the wonderfully shy boys who gravitated to an instrument to avoid dancing even at an early age, and that is why folk dancing is great. You don't have to have to develop any social skills on your own, they are taught by rote, and then when you need them in later years they seem to kick in.

And yes I am into this thread topic. I should be resigned to my fate, I knew when I married him, but hope springs eternal.(no fear men I do not nag) I think he is missing something incredible within himself and within me and like sex it is way better with two. God my my breath gets short and knees grow weak at the thought! I must be getting old.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Magpie
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:43 PM

I love it! Actually, one of my eraliest memories is from my best friend's three-year-birthday party. All the kids were sitting on the floor singing a nursery rhyme, and I was dancing ballet.

I have also met musicians who refuse to dance. Like my boyfriend. He says he's got no rythm. He's the drummer in our band! I've seem him move to music when he didn't know I was watching, and I know for a fact that he CAN move, and that he HAS got rythm, but he just won't listen. I try to tell him that the point isn't to show off, but to have fun! I don't care if he doesn't know the steps, I just like to hug him on the dance floor once in a while.

Magpie

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: TerriM
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:46 PM

"It's so hard to know if you're bound for a fall

But better to have tripped than never danced at all.."

Amos, darlin', you sound like my kind of man!

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Amos
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 02:49 PM

MMario, I crack up in your general direction! LOL!

Metcho, you may meet me after midnight in the dark spaces beyond space time, but I won't look the same. In this continuum, you have to come to San Diego!

Love,

A

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 03:08 PM

Ah Amos...."together at last in twilight zones".......

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 05:59 PM

Loved to dance years ago, but moved into London and developed asthma. Now a quick strip the willow has me gasping for breath and a whole Gay Gordon would probably kill me.....

I love to watch others dance though, particularly little hairy morris dancers with lovely bums......

LTS whoisgoingforaliedowninadarkenedroom......

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 06:00 PM

Besides, not everything stops when the music does now......

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Osmium
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 06:20 PM

Although the foregoing comments on male fear are probably true for some (being laughed at!) my own experience is taht primarily you dance with someone because its an enjoyable experience for both - if you can keep time. When concentration or nerves get in the way it ain't pleasant for either partner and for the man who's trying to impress the odd's are he probably thinks its better not to begin than to loose it one more time. Just like performing it takes practice to give confidence - but how do you practice?

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 06:23 PM

I was terminally terrified until the music I longed to hear drew me to go "see" a barn dance, and a REALLY unattractive man asked me so sweetly to dance as the first dance began. How could I refuse such heart? He was a wonderful dancer and danced once with each woman who would accept his invitation. Next thing, after mine was over, I noticed how many really unlovely people were out there dancing. They danced poorly or they danced well, but they all looked so charming! And then I realized that many of the good dancers would make a point of seeking out wallflowers to welcome them to the joy of dancing. They would carefully shepherd us around and make us look good. (An experience not unlike joining a certain musically oriented online community I met recently.)

It was all quite humbling, and my fears seemed so ridiculous and petty; and I had arrived as terrified as you can imagine-- years of school teasing, etc., and trying to be completely invisible... I never got "comortable" dancing, but I danced and enjoyed it.

Then later I learned that "ballroom" dancing is not necessary even when everyone else around you is doing it. My then-fiancee (now husband) held out his hand to me, to dance at the reception for a wedding he'd just done, and all fear vanished, it was just good old us, moving around however whichway.

Changed my life... Changed my life.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 07:07 PM

Like Michael K. mentioned, it maybe best to seperate slow dancing from gooving to the fast dance music.
I would suspect there are those people who may be terrified at the thought of dancing fast, but look forward to when the music slows down for romancing.
My fondest memories of my dad were the times we slow danced together. I would stand on his feet and let him carry me around the dance floor. I was in heaven when I danced with my dad.
Like Amos, my dad would dance to anything from the chacha, foxtrot, jitterbug, googaloo to waltzes.
At weddings, he would take a flower from the table center piece, put it in his mouth and grab me for the tango.
My dad was a hoot. I do miss him an awful lot.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 07:28 PM

Also there's a lot of difference (for me anyway) between dancing when you know (roughly!) what you're supposed to do, like barn dance / ceilidhs, cajun or morris, even easy to improvise in those situations - quite happy to make an idiot of myself, love it, but I can't for the life of me get up to dance to disco / rock. Bum frozen to seat, face red, make up excuses about bad ankles... actually the last time I danced Cajun I did break one!
Jo

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 07:30 PM

So I'm at the prom and it is suggested that my partner and I tone it down a bit; too physical and somewhat "overly suggestive." These were the words used by one of the school administrators in attendance. The junior-senior class members thought we were cool. I should mention that I was 40 years old and a teacher...and my date was my wife. BTW, the asst supt. was a complete prude.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: GUEST,Chocolate Pi
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 08:40 PM

I love to dance _if and only if_ I have some idea of what I'm doing; barn dance/square dance/contra dance/circle dance makes me feel like flying (possibly because I'm small and therefore gain lots of momentum when someone swings me). Looking back at lots of miserable school and summer camp dances, I realize that the more 'ritual' dances were the ones I most enjoyed; quite possibly a major factor in the success of the Macarena (eek, was that only four summers ago?) was the set moves that were impossible to make a complete fool of oneself doing. Dancing has played a major role in my life in the past month or so; I dragged my boyfriend-to-be out on the dance floor for a waltz, and found that it's possible for a dance to be magical even while stepping on each other's feet.

Chocolate Pi

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Spider Tom
Date: 21 Feb 00 - 04:29 AM

I started out as totally indifferent to the dance. But as I reached my teens,I plucked up the nerve to try If only to get closer to the sweet young ladys, thrusting and shaking their curvy bits in time to the music.
It has been said (and rightfully so)that dancing is a vertical impression, of a horizontal desire.
If I hold this thought in mind, dancing makes so much more sence.
I find, I have far more chance of getting a lady to dance than take a chance on the other.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 21 Feb 00 - 07:51 AM

I really love dancing, but only if I'm in the mood. I really hate dancing when I'm not in the right mood - that is really lame & depressing. I'm not that worried what other people think of me (or I'd never dance at all). Actually, I tell a lie. I did dance out of mischief recently - and entirely for the 'audience'. My husband & I were at a birthday party in a pub & the landlady put on some Country & Western music after the pub shut. The crowd we were with would not be seen dead liking that sort of music, so Mark & I caught an evil glint in eachother's eye & really went for it, dancing & singing along. We are not C&W fiends by any means (though we don't dislike it) - we just got a huge amount of amusement in knowing that these old friends would be convinced that we were closet C&W fans (& would be silently appalled). I know its not very nice of us - but that's just the twisted sense of humour we have. But it was a great evening & probably the first time in about 10 years that we had really danced together.

Kris

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 12:06 AM

Was never afraid to dance until last month when I slightly dislocated my kneecap at the monthly folkdance. (Took my chiropractor to get me walking normally again.)

If you frequent the saloon you know I'll forgive a lot in a man who can waltz, and good concert dance sends shivers down my spine, even Pilobolus.

And being on the other side of the mike, lately, has given me a whole new dimension, seeing how a good bandleader can have the band "play" with folkdancers -- a little zip here, a little tweaking the tempo --

MA

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 05:23 PM

well, there's **DANCING**...like 2 people and official steps---which I have NEVER been good at...then there is reasonably coordinated flopping about in time to spirited tunes, which I will do anytime! There is this weird, but wonderful old band called the "Roan Mountain Hilltoppers"...(old man played WONDERFUL fiddle, though he looked like he was at deaths door..and another who played guitar left=handed and upside down...and a little plump woman who did all the talking..)..anyway, they were at a festival, and I asked her if they'd do "Ragtime Annie"...(best version I ever heard)..she said.."We will iff'n ya'll will git out there and flat-foot it!"....so I did...they played & I danced...got it on video tape, too!) I was lousy...but had fun!

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: GUEST,Petr
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 08:02 PM

Work like you dont need the money love like youve never been hurt and dance like nobodys watching.

or is it Work like nobodys watching. Dance like youve never been hurt and love like you dont need the money. Cheers Petr

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 08:55 PM

Petr, LOL, ROTF, my A fell O, is there a lawyer in the house?

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Mbo
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 09:10 PM

That's: You've got to sing
Like you don't need the money
Love, like you'll never get hurt
You gotta dance
Like nobody's watching
It's gotta come from the heart
If you want it to work


Thanks for reminding me of this old Kathy Mattea number. --Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 09:12 PM

Little Neo (what happened to Bonnie?) your father sounds like quite a guy. You were (and are) fortunate. I used to date somebody who was a physical therapist & she, after giving up on teaching me to waltz, said "you have excellent fine muscle coordination, you just have poor large muscle coordination. Usually stroke victims have the opposite." And to this day I don't know if I had just gotten a subtle put down. I can contra dance and square dance (usually) well enough to avoid wrecking the rest of the set by the simple expedient of remembering that each command usually takes eight beats and if I get completely lost waiting for the next prompt and doing THAT. But I have to admit that I would rather be on the other side of the microphone playing for the dance. PETE

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Hagbardr
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 09:27 PM

Dance: A vertical expression of a horizontal desire.

It's not so much that I'm afraid to dance, it's that I scare other people. "Are you having a seizure? Should I call 911?"

Don't know much about dancin' That's why I got this song One of my legs is shorter than the other and both of my feet's too long

Hagbard

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 10:32 PM

Hi Pete Peterson
You know how sometime you have a couple of instruments. You put one down for awhile and start playing the other one. I've tucked Banjo Bonnie away in her case for now and am playing with Little Neo. Besides, Little Neophyte seems to be a more appropriate moniker to express my nature.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: leprechaun
Date: 23 Feb 00 - 02:25 AM

I was too macho (scared) to dance until I was about 26 years old. Then I got divorced and started honky-tonkin', eventually becoming a groupie (and hand-jive instructor) for the Ron Lloyd Band. I enrolled in two swing dance classes at a Recreation Center with two different friends, and learned the basics. But it didn't really take until I asked a girl to dance and she said I didn't dance fast enough. The gauntlet was thrown. I stepped up the pace, strengthened my lead, and became her favorite dance partner, but that wasn't enough to keep her from running away to Alaska, where she married a guy who didn't dance.

These days I dance with my gorgeous wife every chance we get, sometimes two, three, four times a year! We're still pretty damn good. Even impressed our kids at the last wedding reception.

Without the dancing, I don't know if this REALLY unatractive man could have impressed said gorgeous wife. Today is our fifteenth wedding anniversary.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Feb 00 - 02:31 AM

Aaawww!!!

She's lucky to have you!!!

Did you read my post up above??? I think there are many leprechauns.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Terry K
Date: 23 Feb 00 - 02:58 AM

What's all this stuff about dancing being an art form in itself and expression through music etc?

Where I came from $?~# years ago, the local dance constituted 100% of the local social life for us teens and twenties.

It was fairly clear to me that the purpose of dancing was very simply to enable we guys to "pull" a suitable girl in order to try to get her to do rude things in the back seat of your Morris Minor.

Likewise, the girls purpose in going to the dance was to prevent that happening. They found that the most effective way to do this was by refusing to dance.

Naturally, all of us guys had to make sure we were suitably pissed (that's the drunk kind of pissed) before getting to the dance - but as we well knew, this made us even more attractive - so how could the girls resist?

The whole thing degenerated into farce because we ended up playing "KBs". The winner of any evening was he who got Knocked Back more than anybody else.

This was naturally celebrated with more drink and much boasting of the "what I could have done with her" type before we all went home dejected and threw up over the doorstep.

Now in later years - I'm with you Jon Freeman - several pints of Guinness at the barn dance and I'm anybody's.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Mbo
Date: 23 Feb 00 - 10:35 AM

Congratulations on your anniversary, leprechaun! Give your gorgeous wife a big ol' hug from the Mudcat gang!

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: GUEST,Praise
Date: 23 Feb 00 - 10:39 AM

Is THAT what Morris dancing is?

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Amos
Date: 23 Feb 00 - 10:45 AM

Morris Minor dancing -- different scale, if you take my meaning. More modal, like. And talk about scale ---it's positively cosmic, while in it, altho' it shrinks in the morning, I have heard (mine never does).

Right...

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Ely
Date: 23 Feb 00 - 05:10 PM

All I can do is square dance and contra dance, where there isn't much free will. I guess I'm one of those upper-body-rhythm-only people--I'm the worst person I've ever seen for stepping on feet during a waltz and anything faster is out of the question. I'm taking a VERY beginner Irish step dance class but I think it's only a matter of time before I hurt someone or break a mirror. Oh, well. I like it anyway. When my band plays for small dances, if we have enough band members, we usually switch around so people can both play and dance.

Subject: RE: BS: Are You Scared To Dance?
From: Molly Malone
Date: 23 Feb 00 - 05:20 PM

Irish step: I know on whole reel and one whole jig....and I sorta make up the rest.

Everything else: I like to dance, but I'd love to take a few more (years of) classes.

There's a phenominal fiddler here that can't watch dancers and play at the same time. Everytime someone gets up to dance he has to watch the TV or the crowd...anything to get his eyes off the dancers, or he completely blows it! I happened to catch him off guard one day, and found out that reels are harder to do REALLY slow.

The one thing I noticed though, is that before I started playing folk, I didn't know my slip jig from my hornpipe. Now that I play the music, the dancing comes so much easier.