Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Dancing On Air Ezine - October 2007 Issue
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Dancing On Air - October 2007
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This Ezine has been e-mailed to you because you signed up for it
on one of our websites: http://www.whimsies-online.com or
http://www.ballroom-dance-resource.com. If you feel you've
received this Ezine in er~ror or wish to leave us, please find
out how to leave this list at the end of this ezine.
Please note that I respect your privacy. Your e-mail address
will never be distributed. I guarantee your confidentiality -
promise - they can string me up by my toes and feed me liver!
Important Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this
ezine...however, a large number of electrons were terribly
inconvenienced...
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Welcome from Heather!
2. Article: "Ultimate Partnering"
3 Riddle of the Month
4. Article: "Ballroom Dancing for Dogs!"
5. Cool Sites and Interesting Tidbits
6. Subscription Info & the usual end-of-ezine stuff!
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
1. WELCOME FROM HEATHER!
Welcome all and happy October - hope you're getting ready for
those chilly nights! I'm just about to put those flannelette
sheets on the bed soon
NEW ON OUR SITE: We've put together a new page with links to show
many of the Custom Cartoons we've created over the last few
years. You can check it out here:
http://www.whimsies-online.com/customcartoonsamples.htm
Well, another season of Dancing with the Stars has started -
WOOOOHOOOOO!!! Any favorites yet? (we're crazy about Sabrina,
Helio and Melanie!) By-the-way, you can order the Dancing With
the Stars 2008 calendar from the good people at calendars.com - I
just ordered mine and am anxiously awaiting my shipment! The link
is:http://tinyurl.com/yvrguo. They're pretty impressive and very
fast with their deliveries!
Let me know what you think about Dancing On Air and if you have
any suggestions for ballroom dance topics you'd like to see
addressed; or you'd like to submit clean jokes, comical
anecdotes, stress reliever ideas for dance competitions and/or
shows, your most embarrassing and comical experiences (we'll
laugh with you!), fun ideas, dance hints, how you started
dancing, your news (any dance news, competitions, announcements),
etc., Comments? Questions? Just need to vent about the coffee you
spilled all over yourself this morning? I'd love to hear from
you. Give me a shout at info@whimsies-online.com.
Have a great month and don't forget, keep in touch...May you
always have Love to Share, Health to Spare and Friends that care.
Dancing On Air is for you - we want to bring a little sunshine
and laughter into your life! Keep dancin'! or as a fellow dancer
once told me:
Carpe Dancem (seize the dance)
Whimsically yours,
~ Heather ~
(meet the artist: http://www.whimsies-online.com/theartist.htm)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NEW SUBSCRIBERS:Here's your Fr~ee Gift, The Dancer's Notebook!
Here's the link to access the download page for the fr~ee gifts I
promised you when you signed up for Dancing On Air Ezine. They
are all Word files - hope you find them as useful as I do!
http://www.whimsies-online.com/dancingonairgifts.htm
or you can download the files here:
http://tinyurl.com/6zbcs
Scroll down to where it says "Sign up and receive a Fr~ee Gift,
The Dancer's Notebook"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
2. Article: Ultimate Partnering (thanks to Musings by Richard
Powers from http://socialdance.stanford.edu/
Knowing many dance steps and figures is fun, but the true art of
social dancing, and its greatest pleasures, lie in great
partnering. As the swing tune goes, "It ain't what you do, but
the way that you do it." The nonverbal lead-follow connection
between partners is the essence of social dancing.
This page briefly discusses the fact that ultimate leading and
following are not only a matter of skill, but also of attitude.
But first I'd like to clarify that...
I'm not fond of the term "following."
I don't like that term for two reasons. The less important reason
is that this term still carries some negative baggage left over
from the early 20th century:
After centuries of ballroom emphasis on dancing for the pleasure
of one's partner the 1930s saw the emergence of a particularly
disagreeable phase of social dance, when the term lead came to
mean "command" and follow meant "obey".
L. Ray of Chicago wrote in 1930, "Never should the so-called
gentler sex be quite so gentle and acquiescent as when dancing.
No matter what her views on suffrage and feminism may be, it is a
woman's duty to let the man lead on the ballroom floor. His is
the guiding spirit; hers, the following. He is the pace-maker;
she is his shadow."
Suffrage and feminism?! Yes, this new ballroom dance attitude
developed soon after American women won the right to vote.
This attitude quickly spread to England. Courtenay Castle of
London wrote, "Now, men, in these days of sex equality you can
take heart from the fact that, on the dance floor at any rate,
the man is still the boss. It is he that decides when and where
any particular step is danced. He designs the pattern of the
dance. The man will do most of the work while his partner just
makes a pretty picture." And he continued with, "Now for the
ladies. You don't have much to say in the matter at all, although
I imagine you will make some pointed comment should your partner
seize you in a vice-like grip with the seeming intention of
breaking your back." (Yes, those were his actual words.)
The British ballroom champion Alex Moore wrote, "The lady's part
is to follow, whether the man is dancing a figure correctly or
not. She must not have a mind of her own. She must just follow
whatever the man does and not attempt to correct him."
Victor Sylvester, another British ballroom champion, gave simpler
advice to women in 1927: "Submit yourself entirely to your
partner."
Arthur Murray continued this attitude into the 1940s and 50s,
writing, "The dance floor is the one place where the weaker sex
prefers to remain submissive."
If you'd like to see further quotations on this, they are here.
Warning: some are brutal, because the original wording has not
been changed.
That was back then. Fortunately we've become more enlightened
and understanding since then.
It's not accurate.
The main reason I don't like the term following is that it
doesn't accurately describe the role. Women do not "follow,"
they interpret signals they're given, with a keen responsiveness
that is not passive.
As with a language interpreter at the United Nations, a dancer's
ability to interpret signals requires intelligence and
experience. Guys, if you want to make a good impression on your
partner, show her that you respect this intelligence and
experience. How? If she does something that you didn't intend,
recognize that she still made a valid alternate interpretation of
the signals you gave her. She didn't make a "mistake".
No, don't just recognize it. Show her that you know she didn't
make a mistake, by flowing along with her during her valid
alternate interpretation. She's dancing - keep up with her.
But unlike language translating, interpreting a dance lead can
also include the woman leaving her own stamp of individuality,
adding flourishes and flair which her partner admires. In swing,
salsa and tango Argentino she may also invent her own footwork
variations which fit within her partner's footwork.
Men, I probably don't have to state the obvious, but you must
give her a clear lead to interpret. Just as a language
interpreter can't translate mumbling, she can't interpret a
mumbled lead. And forceful leading is no more helpful than is
the shouting of unintelligible mumbling. Israel Heaton of
Brigham Young University wrote, "When a girl does not react
readily to her partner's lead, he should hold her firmer and give
a stronger lead." But I disagree. Clear leading is the physical
equivalent of perfect diction, not shouting.
And better yet, great male partners have learned to "speak" in a
friendly warm tone with their partnering. Guys, be clear and
precise, but also warm and friendly with your leads. And
instantly flexible when she comes up with an alternate
interpretation of your signals.
The follow role is mentally and physically active, like the flow
state in sports.
We admire the football player who zigzags brilliantly through the
field, completely aware of his surroundings and responding
instantly to each moment, rather than the one who uses brute
force to steamroller straight into the opponents, or the one who
slavishly follows a game plan which is no longer working. The
nimble, intelligent player is in the flow state of relaxed
responsiveness, paying highly active attention to possibilities.
Ideally, both the lead and follow roles in couple dancing do the
same.
But don't you still use the term follow?
Yes, I'm not going to change the dance world's use of the terms
lead and follow. I just want to clarify what I mean by
following.
And leading?
That has also changed since the dark ages of ballroom dance. The
best dancers now know that a part of great leading is following.
(I prefer the term tracking.) He is perceptive and responsive to
her situation. "Tracking" her means that he watches where his
partner is going, where her feet are, where her momentum is
heading, which steps flow smoothly from her current step. He
knows and he cares what is comfortable for her, what is
pleasurable or fun. He dances for his partner's ability and
comfort.
A good lead clearly suggests an option, which is different from
controlling her. He proposes, not prescribes, a certain way of
moving. If his partner does not go with his proposal (does not
'follow'), he refrains from exerting more power to press her to
accept the proposal.
As with the follow's role and sports, the aware lead dancer also
enjoys the flow state of relaxed responsiveness. Both follow and
lead roles benefit by paying highly active attention to
possibilities. Both remain flexible.
As we dance, we constantly discover new opportunities , which
open doors to possibilities, as opposed to rules and restrictions
which close doors. We generously adjust our own dancing to be
compatible with our various dance partners, rather than insisting
that they conform to us. We enjoy the individuality of our dance
partners, and we continually modify our dancing to maximize their
comfort and pleasure.
Then once we discover the benefits of this awareness on the dance
floor, we find that it applies to our other activities and
relationships as well.
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3. RIDDLE OF THE MONTH
No riddle this month...instead we have a link to some pretty
silly dance cartoons!
http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/D/Dance.asp
and...
http://offthemarkcartoons.com/search-results/key/dance/
as well as...
http://pioneer.net/~mchumor/music_dance_cartoons.html
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4. Article: Ballroom Dancing for Dogs!
"Dancing the day away with your dog" by Kate Murphy
Thanks to the New Mexico Daily Lobo of October 1, 2007
(http://www.dailylobo.com)
Rosalie James makes no bones about the fact that her class is a
bit unusual.
"We're going to be asking our dogs to do some strange things that
they don't normally do," said James, the instructor of Ballroom
Dancing for Dogs.
The class, offered through UNM's Continuing Education, is
described in the catalog as "the doggie version of 'Dancing with
the Stars.'"
Ballroom Dancing for Dogs, known as canine freestyle, consists of
obedience, tricks and dance.
The owner dances around the dog while it spins and jumps on
command.
It is an interaction between the dog and its owner, she said.
"Dogs are here to have fun with mama, not with the other dogs,"
she said.
The six-week course costs $175.
Eight women and their pets are signed up for the class.
They meet Friday at the West Mesa School for Dogs at 4487 Irving
Blvd.
Ramsey Lofton, a student in the class, said it combines the two
things she loves most - ballroom dancing and dogs.
"I'm totally into 'Dancing with the Stars,'" she said.
James, who runs the canine freestyle club Dancing Paws in Rio
Rancho, has been dancing with her dog, Rocky, for about 3 years.
"The goal of this class is to have fun," she said.
James begins and ends each session in the same way - the dogs and
their owners circle the room to a song called "Positive Doggone
Attitude."
In order to show students how complex and fun canine freestyle
can be, she played a few short videos for the class.
In one video, a tall blonde dances to "You're the One that I
Want" from the musical "Grease," while her dog spins and leaps.
There are videos of canine freestyle on YouTube.com.
Dancing is not attempted during the first or second class, James
said.
Certain tricks have to be learned before the dogs and their
owners can try dancing, she said.
One of the most important tricks a dog has to learn is to wait,
James said.
That way, a dog's owner can dance alone without being followed by
the dog.
Waiting was taught on the first day, along with simple twists and
circles.
James said rewarding a dog is the easiest and best way to train
it, so she encourages her students to help their dogs along with
treats.
"It's not possible to train a dog to look like it's having fun if
it's not," she said.
The last Ballroom Dancing for Dogs class will be a recital.
It will be at the West Mesa School for Dogs on Oct. 12.
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5. COOL SITES AND NEWS TIDBITS
Do you want a smart, affordable way to learn more Hustle, Mambo,
West Coast Swing & Cha Cha Steps? Visit Dancestudent.com & start
dancing by your own design. http://www.dancestudent.com
*****************************************************************
Dancing With the Stars Calendar 2008 is here and it's available
at Calendars.com!
http://tinyurl.com/yvrguo
*****************************************************************
The Dulaine Dancenter is now operated as the American Ballroom
Dance Studio.
Come TAKE THE LEAD at the dance studio that inspires HOLLYWOOD!
http://www.pierredulaine.com/
*****************************************************************
Ballroom-Dance-Resource is your one-stop ballroom dance online
info resource. Sign up for Dancing On Air, our fr~ee
ballroom/Latin dance ezine...Welcome and Happy Dancing!
http://www.ballroom-dance-resource.com
*****************************************************************
Want something different? How about a ballroom dance weekend?
"Spend a fantastic weekend of ballroom dancing at Purity Spring
Resort. With the largest dance floor in the Mount Washington
Valley, Purity Spring offers you the perfect setting to polish
your technique or learn a few new tricks."
http://www.purityspring.com/theme-ballroom.htm
*****************************************************************
http://www.anrdoezrs.net/q0115wktqks7ADAFGBG798CEBFCD - Need a
different kind of gift idea for your favorite dancer? CafePress
has so many fun gift items to choose from, you're sure to find
something special... all kinds of fun ballroom items such as T-
shirts, Bags, Hats, Mugs, Notebooks, Clothing, Clocks and much
more, and all for dancing enthusiasts!
CafePress offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on everything they
sell, I've bought from them and I've always been pleased with the
products they offer and their service.
*****************************************************************
Index of Dance Camps, Cruises and Vacations:
http://dcdancenet.com/dancecamps/cruises/vacations/
*****************************************************************
Exciting gifts for ballroom and Latin dancers!
Mugs, T-shirts, wall clocks, tote bags and more!
http://www.whimsies-online.com/whimsieswear.htm
Save on selected items!
*****************************************************************
Fred Astaire National Blog:
Click here to visit the blog for our national website. You'll
find information on our other dance studios, upcoming
competitions, and other dance related news.
http://fred-astaire.blogspot.com/
*****************************************************************
Dance fre~ebies:
http://www.ballroom-dance-resource.com/freebies.htm
*****************************************************************
Here's a dance blog with some pretty interesting posts - I found
this one in my internet searches:
http://whydance.godance.biz/
*****************************************************************
The folding ballroom shoe brush...the shoe brush with style!
Makes a change from the old-style dance shoe brush - it folds and
will protect hands and things from scrapes and scratches! Great
idea and a must for your dance bag!! Check them out here:
http://tinyurl.com/6zbcs
*****************************************************************
http://journals.rpungin.fotki.com/dwts/
"This link will take you to a site that has all of the dances
from all the celebrities of season 1, 2 and 3 of Dancing With
The Stars. For those of you who missed the show or just want to
see the dances again."
*****************************************************************
STUMPED AGAIN?
Looking for a fun gift for that hard-to-buy-for dancer or dance
teacher?
Never fear...Whimsies Personalized Cartoons are Here!
Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations; any reason!
Personalized with any name or message. Cartoons for any hobby,
occupation, sport, or occasion. including TONS of personalized
cartoons for dancers, dance teachers, dance partners, and more!
(Now over 1200 to choose from!)
We can change any Whimsies Personalized Cartoon character's hair
color, skin tone, add glasses or a moustache and more...
Always at ~ no extra charge ~
http://www.whimsies-online.com
Can't find what you want? Check out our Custom Cartoons.
We can create any cartoon you'd like!
http://www.whimsies-online.com/designyourown.htm
*****************************************************************
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ SPECIAL MENTIONS _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
Have fun creating your own customized clothing with Customized
Girl! http://www.jdoqocy.com/jt82hz74z6MPSPUVQVMONRSWPWO
*****************************************************************
Choose from over 250+ Styles and Colors in our Custom T-Shirts &
Save 5% off orders 2 or more! Add any dance-related text for a
really personalized dancer's shirt.
http://www.dpbolvw.net/ln79gv30v2ILOLQRMRIKJNKNOKL
*****************************************************************
Create Custom T-Shirts Online at DesignAShirt.com - unique as
gifts or even for yourself. Get as creative as you want with any
kind of dance message you like!
http://www.jdoqocy.com/1p115lnwtnvADGDIJEJACBFGEIJD
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6. SUBSCRIPTION INFO AND THE USUAL END-OF-EZINE STUFF!
Dancing On Air is published monthly by Heather Diodati
(c) Copyright 2007 All rights reserved worldwide.
Any articles are the property of the original author and can be
used only with the author's permission.
Disclaimer: The ads for products other than Whimsies Wear,
Whimsies Personalized Cartoons, and The Pet Computer Virus in the
Sponsor Ad Section are a service to subscribers and we do not
specifically endorse these products or services.
Visit our site: Whimsies! Personalized Cartoons and the adorable
Pet Computer Virus at http://www.whimsies-online.com
Shop on-line with us anytime! (clothes optional)
Check out our newest site chock-full of useful info for ballroom
dancers: http://www.ballroom-dance-resource.com
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
To recommend this Ezine, or subscribe: How's about spreading this
issue around. Encourage your friends to subscribe! If you're
reading someone else's copy, why don't you subscribe right now
for fr~ee and we'll e-mail you the link to your gift of The
Ballroom Dancer's Notebook, a great new system with printable
forms created to facilitate recording your dance steps and
routines; and you can keep track of those all-important dance
notes, phone numbers and dates. Please subscribe to Dancing On
Air on our site: http://www.whimsies-online.com/danceezine.htm
Don't forget to send in your suggestions so we can include you in
Dancing On Air! (see "Welcome from Heather" )
So...you publish an Ezine too? Would you like to swap ads? Just
give me a shout at info@whimsies-online.com and tell me the name
of your Ezine; whether it's weekly, biweekly or monthly, or ???;
how many subscribers you have and the ad you'd like to have
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To leave this list, please e-mail us at info@whimsies-online.com
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To subscribe to On A Whim... ezine also, please read all about it
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email: info@whimsies-online.com
mailing address: 3516-126th rue, St. Anicet, Quebec, J0S 1M0
Canada
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
This ezine is carefully created in compliance with the Can-Spam
Act of the FCC.
This ezine contains commercial messages as an advertisement or
solicitation. The subscriber agrees, by accepting this email
newsletter subscription, to indemnify the publisher against false
accusations of spam to include, but not limited to, payment of
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false spam accusation.
Social bookmark this blogDancing On Air - October 2007
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
This Ezine has been e-mailed to you because you signed up for it
on one of our websites: http://www.whimsies-online.com or
http://www.ballroom-dance-resource.com. If you feel you've
received this Ezine in er~ror or wish to leave us, please find
out how to leave this list at the end of this ezine.
Please note that I respect your privacy. Your e-mail address
will never be distributed. I guarantee your confidentiality -
promise - they can string me up by my toes and feed me liver!
Important Note: No trees were killed in the sending of this
ezine...however, a large number of electrons were terribly
inconvenienced...
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Welcome from Heather!
2. Article: "Ultimate Partnering"
3 Riddle of the Month
4. Article: "Ballroom Dancing for Dogs!"
5. Cool Sites and Interesting Tidbits
6. Subscription Info & the usual end-of-ezine stuff!
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
1. WELCOME FROM HEATHER!
Welcome all and happy October - hope you're getting ready for
those chilly nights! I'm just about to put those flannelette
sheets on the bed soon
NEW ON OUR SITE: We've put together a new page with links to show
many of the Custom Cartoons we've created over the last few
years. You can check it out here:
http://www.whimsies-online.com/customcartoonsamples.htm
Well, another season of Dancing with the Stars has started -
WOOOOHOOOOO!!! Any favorites yet? (we're crazy about Sabrina,
Helio and Melanie!) By-the-way, you can order the Dancing With
the Stars 2008 calendar from the good people at calendars.com - I
just ordered mine and am anxiously awaiting my shipment! The link
is:http://tinyurl.com/yvrguo. They're pretty impressive and very
fast with their deliveries!
Let me know what you think about Dancing On Air and if you have
any suggestions for ballroom dance topics you'd like to see
addressed; or you'd like to submit clean jokes, comical
anecdotes, stress reliever ideas for dance competitions and/or
shows, your most embarrassing and comical experiences (we'll
laugh with you!), fun ideas, dance hints, how you started
dancing, your news (any dance news, competitions, announcements),
etc., Comments? Questions? Just need to vent about the coffee you
spilled all over yourself this morning? I'd love to hear from
you. Give me a shout at info@whimsies-online.com.
Have a great month and don't forget, keep in touch...May you
always have Love to Share, Health to Spare and Friends that care.
Dancing On Air is for you - we want to bring a little sunshine
and laughter into your life! Keep dancin'! or as a fellow dancer
once told me:
Carpe Dancem (seize the dance)
Whimsically yours,
~ Heather ~
(meet the artist: http://www.whimsies-online.com/theartist.htm)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NEW SUBSCRIBERS:Here's your Fr~ee Gift, The Dancer's Notebook!
Here's the link to access the download page for the fr~ee gifts I
promised you when you signed up for Dancing On Air Ezine. They
are all Word files - hope you find them as useful as I do!
http://www.whimsies-online.com/dancingonairgifts.htm
or you can download the files here:
http://tinyurl.com/6zbcs
Scroll down to where it says "Sign up and receive a Fr~ee Gift,
The Dancer's Notebook"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
2. Article: Ultimate Partnering (thanks to Musings by Richard
Powers from http://socialdance.stanford.edu/
Knowing many dance steps and figures is fun, but the true art of
social dancing, and its greatest pleasures, lie in great
partnering. As the swing tune goes, "It ain't what you do, but
the way that you do it." The nonverbal lead-follow connection
between partners is the essence of social dancing.
This page briefly discusses the fact that ultimate leading and
following are not only a matter of skill, but also of attitude.
But first I'd like to clarify that...
I'm not fond of the term "following."
I don't like that term for two reasons. The less important reason
is that this term still carries some negative baggage left over
from the early 20th century:
After centuries of ballroom emphasis on dancing for the pleasure
of one's partner the 1930s saw the emergence of a particularly
disagreeable phase of social dance, when the term lead came to
mean "command" and follow meant "obey".
L. Ray of Chicago wrote in 1930, "Never should the so-called
gentler sex be quite so gentle and acquiescent as when dancing.
No matter what her views on suffrage and feminism may be, it is a
woman's duty to let the man lead on the ballroom floor. His is
the guiding spirit; hers, the following. He is the pace-maker;
she is his shadow."
Suffrage and feminism?! Yes, this new ballroom dance attitude
developed soon after American women won the right to vote.
This attitude quickly spread to England. Courtenay Castle of
London wrote, "Now, men, in these days of sex equality you can
take heart from the fact that, on the dance floor at any rate,
the man is still the boss. It is he that decides when and where
any particular step is danced. He designs the pattern of the
dance. The man will do most of the work while his partner just
makes a pretty picture." And he continued with, "Now for the
ladies. You don't have much to say in the matter at all, although
I imagine you will make some pointed comment should your partner
seize you in a vice-like grip with the seeming intention of
breaking your back." (Yes, those were his actual words.)
The British ballroom champion Alex Moore wrote, "The lady's part
is to follow, whether the man is dancing a figure correctly or
not. She must not have a mind of her own. She must just follow
whatever the man does and not attempt to correct him."
Victor Sylvester, another British ballroom champion, gave simpler
advice to women in 1927: "Submit yourself entirely to your
partner."
Arthur Murray continued this attitude into the 1940s and 50s,
writing, "The dance floor is the one place where the weaker sex
prefers to remain submissive."
If you'd like to see further quotations on this, they are here.
Warning: some are brutal, because the original wording has not
been changed.
That was back then. Fortunately we've become more enlightened
and understanding since then.
It's not accurate.
The main reason I don't like the term following is that it
doesn't accurately describe the role. Women do not "follow,"
they interpret signals they're given, with a keen responsiveness
that is not passive.
As with a language interpreter at the United Nations, a dancer's
ability to interpret signals requires intelligence and
experience. Guys, if you want to make a good impression on your
partner, show her that you respect this intelligence and
experience. How? If she does something that you didn't intend,
recognize that she still made a valid alternate interpretation of
the signals you gave her. She didn't make a "mistake".
No, don't just recognize it. Show her that you know she didn't
make a mistake, by flowing along with her during her valid
alternate interpretation. She's dancing - keep up with her.
But unlike language translating, interpreting a dance lead can
also include the woman leaving her own stamp of individuality,
adding flourishes and flair which her partner admires. In swing,
salsa and tango Argentino she may also invent her own footwork
variations which fit within her partner's footwork.
Men, I probably don't have to state the obvious, but you must
give her a clear lead to interpret. Just as a language
interpreter can't translate mumbling, she can't interpret a
mumbled lead. And forceful leading is no more helpful than is
the shouting of unintelligible mumbling. Israel Heaton of
Brigham Young University wrote, "When a girl does not react
readily to her partner's lead, he should hold her firmer and give
a stronger lead." But I disagree. Clear leading is the physical
equivalent of perfect diction, not shouting.
And better yet, great male partners have learned to "speak" in a
friendly warm tone with their partnering. Guys, be clear and
precise, but also warm and friendly with your leads. And
instantly flexible when she comes up with an alternate
interpretation of your signals.
The follow role is mentally and physically active, like the flow
state in sports.
We admire the football player who zigzags brilliantly through the
field, completely aware of his surroundings and responding
instantly to each moment, rather than the one who uses brute
force to steamroller straight into the opponents, or the one who
slavishly follows a game plan which is no longer working. The
nimble, intelligent player is in the flow state of relaxed
responsiveness, paying highly active attention to possibilities.
Ideally, both the lead and follow roles in couple dancing do the
same.
But don't you still use the term follow?
Yes, I'm not going to change the dance world's use of the terms
lead and follow. I just want to clarify what I mean by
following.
And leading?
That has also changed since the dark ages of ballroom dance. The
best dancers now know that a part of great leading is following.
(I prefer the term tracking.) He is perceptive and responsive to
her situation. "Tracking" her means that he watches where his
partner is going, where her feet are, where her momentum is
heading, which steps flow smoothly from her current step. He
knows and he cares what is comfortable for her, what is
pleasurable or fun. He dances for his partner's ability and
comfort.
A good lead clearly suggests an option, which is different from
controlling her. He proposes, not prescribes, a certain way of
moving. If his partner does not go with his proposal (does not
'follow'), he refrains from exerting more power to press her to
accept the proposal.
As with the follow's role and sports, the aware lead dancer also
enjoys the flow state of relaxed responsiveness. Both follow and
lead roles benefit by paying highly active attention to
possibilities. Both remain flexible.
As we dance, we constantly discover new opportunities , which
open doors to possibilities, as opposed to rules and restrictions
which close doors. We generously adjust our own dancing to be
compatible with our various dance partners, rather than insisting
that they conform to us. We enjoy the individuality of our dance
partners, and we continually modify our dancing to maximize their
comfort and pleasure.
Then once we discover the benefits of this awareness on the dance
floor, we find that it applies to our other activities and
relationships as well.
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
3. RIDDLE OF THE MONTH
No riddle this month...instead we have a link to some pretty
silly dance cartoons!
http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/D/Dance.asp
and...
http://offthemarkcartoons.com/search-results/key/dance/
as well as...
http://pioneer.net/~mchumor/music_dance_cartoons.html
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
4. Article: Ballroom Dancing for Dogs!
"Dancing the day away with your dog" by Kate Murphy
Thanks to the New Mexico Daily Lobo of October 1, 2007
(http://www.dailylobo.com)
Rosalie James makes no bones about the fact that her class is a
bit unusual.
"We're going to be asking our dogs to do some strange things that
they don't normally do," said James, the instructor of Ballroom
Dancing for Dogs.
The class, offered through UNM's Continuing Education, is
described in the catalog as "the doggie version of 'Dancing with
the Stars.'"
Ballroom Dancing for Dogs, known as canine freestyle, consists of
obedience, tricks and dance.
The owner dances around the dog while it spins and jumps on
command.
It is an interaction between the dog and its owner, she said.
"Dogs are here to have fun with mama, not with the other dogs,"
she said.
The six-week course costs $175.
Eight women and their pets are signed up for the class.
They meet Friday at the West Mesa School for Dogs at 4487 Irving
Blvd.
Ramsey Lofton, a student in the class, said it combines the two
things she loves most - ballroom dancing and dogs.
"I'm totally into 'Dancing with the Stars,'" she said.
James, who runs the canine freestyle club Dancing Paws in Rio
Rancho, has been dancing with her dog, Rocky, for about 3 years.
"The goal of this class is to have fun," she said.
James begins and ends each session in the same way - the dogs and
their owners circle the room to a song called "Positive Doggone
Attitude."
In order to show students how complex and fun canine freestyle
can be, she played a few short videos for the class.
In one video, a tall blonde dances to "You're the One that I
Want" from the musical "Grease," while her dog spins and leaps.
There are videos of canine freestyle on YouTube.com.
Dancing is not attempted during the first or second class, James
said.
Certain tricks have to be learned before the dogs and their
owners can try dancing, she said.
One of the most important tricks a dog has to learn is to wait,
James said.
That way, a dog's owner can dance alone without being followed by
the dog.
Waiting was taught on the first day, along with simple twists and
circles.
James said rewarding a dog is the easiest and best way to train
it, so she encourages her students to help their dogs along with
treats.
"It's not possible to train a dog to look like it's having fun if
it's not," she said.
The last Ballroom Dancing for Dogs class will be a recital.
It will be at the West Mesa School for Dogs on Oct. 12.
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
5. COOL SITES AND NEWS TIDBITS
Do you want a smart, affordable way to learn more Hustle, Mambo,
West Coast Swing & Cha Cha Steps? Visit Dancestudent.com & start
dancing by your own design. http://www.dancestudent.com
*****************************************************************
Dancing With the Stars Calendar 2008 is here and it's available
at Calendars.com!
http://tinyurl.com/yvrguo
*****************************************************************
The Dulaine Dancenter is now operated as the American Ballroom
Dance Studio.
Come TAKE THE LEAD at the dance studio that inspires HOLLYWOOD!
http://www.pierredulaine.com/
*****************************************************************
Ballroom-Dance-Resource is your one-stop ballroom dance online
info resource. Sign up for Dancing On Air, our fr~ee
ballroom/Latin dance ezine...Welcome and Happy Dancing!
http://www.ballroom-dance-resource.com
*****************************************************************
Want something different? How about a ballroom dance weekend?
"Spend a fantastic weekend of ballroom dancing at Purity Spring
Resort. With the largest dance floor in the Mount Washington
Valley, Purity Spring offers you the perfect setting to polish
your technique or learn a few new tricks."
http://www.purityspring.com/theme-ballroom.htm
*****************************************************************
http://www.anrdoezrs.net/q0115wktqks7ADAFGBG798CEBFCD - Need a
different kind of gift idea for your favorite dancer? CafePress
has so many fun gift items to choose from, you're sure to find
something special... all kinds of fun ballroom items such as T-
shirts, Bags, Hats, Mugs, Notebooks, Clothing, Clocks and much
more, and all for dancing enthusiasts!
CafePress offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on everything they
sell, I've bought from them and I've always been pleased with the
products they offer and their service.
*****************************************************************
Index of Dance Camps, Cruises and Vacations:
http://dcdancenet.com/dancecamps/cruises/vacations/
*****************************************************************
Exciting gifts for ballroom and Latin dancers!
Mugs, T-shirts, wall clocks, tote bags and more!
http://www.whimsies-online.com/whimsieswear.htm
Save on selected items!
*****************************************************************
Fred Astaire National Blog:
Click here to visit the blog for our national website. You'll
find information on our other dance studios, upcoming
competitions, and other dance related news.
http://fred-astaire.blogspot.com/
*****************************************************************
Dance fre~ebies:
http://www.ballroom-dance-resource.com/freebies.htm
*****************************************************************
Here's a dance blog with some pretty interesting posts - I found
this one in my internet searches:
http://whydance.godance.biz/
*****************************************************************
The folding ballroom shoe brush...the shoe brush with style!
Makes a change from the old-style dance shoe brush - it folds and
will protect hands and things from scrapes and scratches! Great
idea and a must for your dance bag!! Check them out here:
http://tinyurl.com/6zbcs
*****************************************************************
http://journals.rpungin.fotki.com/dwts/
"This link will take you to a site that has all of the dances
from all the celebrities of season 1, 2 and 3 of Dancing With
The Stars. For those of you who missed the show or just want to
see the dances again."
*****************************************************************
STUMPED AGAIN?
Looking for a fun gift for that hard-to-buy-for dancer or dance
teacher?
Never fear...Whimsies Personalized Cartoons are Here!
Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations; any reason!
Personalized with any name or message. Cartoons for any hobby,
occupation, sport, or occasion. including TONS of personalized
cartoons for dancers, dance teachers, dance partners, and more!
(Now over 1200 to choose from!)
We can change any Whimsies Personalized Cartoon character's hair
color, skin tone, add glasses or a moustache and more...
Always at ~ no extra charge ~
http://www.whimsies-online.com
Can't find what you want? Check out our Custom Cartoons.
We can create any cartoon you'd like!
http://www.whimsies-online.com/designyourown.htm
*****************************************************************
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ SPECIAL MENTIONS _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
Have fun creating your own customized clothing with Customized
Girl! http://www.jdoqocy.com/jt82hz74z6MPSPUVQVMONRSWPWO
*****************************************************************
Choose from over 250+ Styles and Colors in our Custom T-Shirts &
Save 5% off orders 2 or more! Add any dance-related text for a
really personalized dancer's shirt.
http://www.dpbolvw.net/ln79gv30v2ILOLQRMRIKJNKNOKL
*****************************************************************
Create Custom T-Shirts Online at DesignAShirt.com - unique as
gifts or even for yourself. Get as creative as you want with any
kind of dance message you like!
http://www.jdoqocy.com/1p115lnwtnvADGDIJEJACBFGEIJD
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
6. SUBSCRIPTION INFO AND THE USUAL END-OF-EZINE STUFF!
Dancing On Air is published monthly by Heather Diodati
(c) Copyright 2007 All rights reserved worldwide.
Any articles are the property of the original author and can be
used only with the author's permission.
Disclaimer: The ads for products other than Whimsies Wear,
Whimsies Personalized Cartoons, and The Pet Computer Virus in the
Sponsor Ad Section are a service to subscribers and we do not
specifically endorse these products or services.
Visit our site: Whimsies! Personalized Cartoons and the adorable
Pet Computer Virus at http://www.whimsies-online.com
Shop on-line with us anytime! (clothes optional)
Check out our newest site chock-full of useful info for ballroom
dancers: http://www.ballroom-dance-resource.com
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
To recommend this Ezine, or subscribe: How's about spreading this
issue around. Encourage your friends to subscribe! If you're
reading someone else's copy, why don't you subscribe right now
for fr~ee and we'll e-mail you the link to your gift of The
Ballroom Dancer's Notebook, a great new system with printable
forms created to facilitate recording your dance steps and
routines; and you can keep track of those all-important dance
notes, phone numbers and dates. Please subscribe to Dancing On
Air on our site: http://www.whimsies-online.com/danceezine.htm
Don't forget to send in your suggestions so we can include you in
Dancing On Air! (see "Welcome from Heather" )
So...you publish an Ezine too? Would you like to swap ads? Just
give me a shout at info@whimsies-online.com and tell me the name
of your Ezine; whether it's weekly, biweekly or monthly, or ???;
how many subscribers you have and the ad you'd like to have
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To leave this list, please e-mail us at info@whimsies-online.com
or use the link at the end of this ezine. If you're e-mailing us
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We'll be sorry to see you go!
To subscribe to On A Whim... ezine also, please read all about it
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mailing address: 3516-126th rue, St. Anicet, Quebec, J0S 1M0
Canada
----------<<>>---------<<>>----------<<>>----------<<>>----------
This ezine is carefully created in compliance with the Can-Spam
Act of the FCC.
This ezine contains commercial messages as an advertisement or
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