Anne here, pondering (musing? rambling on?) about the art of dancing. Is it a dying art? 
In the olden days, pretty much everyone, peasant or noble, danced. They were often different dances, but it was regarded as an essential part of life. The nobles' dances were more stately, the peasants more of a romp, but still, whenever the opportunity arose, everyone danced.
Those Regency dances we catch glimpses of in TV shows and movies seem pretty slow and tame, but they're deceptive. My friend Keri, who is very fit — she walks 15 kms (nearly 10 miles) most days, and also attends a gym regularly, recently attended a conference where they did some Regency dancing. She loved it — and said she was exhausted at the end. "Those dances go on forever," she said. "Those Regency girls must have been pretty fit."
Of course young ladies were taught to dance —and practiced at home so when they performed in public, they would shine. Practice is the key. I loved this picture showing a lesson in the art of using a fan.
But back to dance. My parents grew up going to dances weekly or more often. They loved to dance, and all it took was a catchy tune and they'd be up and dancing, whether at a party or a club, or in the kitchen dancing to music on the radio. So often, Mum would be at the sink, and Dad would just whirl her into a dance. By the time I knew them, they were so attuned to each others movement that it was like one person moving.
Most of their contemporaries were the same. When they were young they went to dances every week—even out in the rural sticks—and at weddings and 21st birthdays there was always dancing. And if friends and relatives were gathered for any reason, of an evening someone would produce a fiddle or sit down at the piano and they'd roll back the rug and dance. And they danced right on into old age. (This pic isn't of my parents — it's from Pinterest, but conveys the joy.)
My grandmother was a fine pianist, and during much of her long widowhood, after her kids were married, she'd be invited out to large rural properties as a guest for weeks at a time. Nothing was said, of course — nothing so vulgar — but her popularity was largely due to her skills on the piano, and most evenings they'd gather around the piano for a singalong or roll back the rug for an impromptu dance. A kind of singing for her supper. 
Some people learned dancing formally, at a dance class, or at school, but most often, they taught each other. I suppose they simply absorbed it, and practice made perfect. It was an important part of their social life.
And a boy who could dance — well, that was an asset. I remember as an awkward eleven year old, dancing the barn dance at some country cousin's 21st. For those who don't know, a barn dance is a progressive dance — everyone is in a big circle, men on the inside and women on the outside (or maybe the other way around—I forget) and you dance a certain no of steps with one partner, and then, twirling, you move on the next. Must have been a great way to meet people in the old days.
I remember as an awkward pre-teen, not ever having been taught to dance, and having little opportunity to practice, stumbling along, feeling like a clumsy clot, until I was partnered by a man who Knew His Stuff — suddenly I was twirling, light as a fairy, dancing with the best of them. Yay!! — I could dance!! And then he'd pass me on to the next partner and I'd be back to clod-hopping along.
My friends and I never learned to dance properly. By the time we went out dancing as teens, it was all free-form individual dancing — not "proper" dancing with partners, requiring coordination and an actual sequence of steps. It's ironic that I'm much better at Greek dancing than I am at any other kind. When I was in Greece as a young thing, the ladies in the village we were living in thought I must be a bit mentally deficient, because I couldn't dance. Even little Greek toddlers could dance, but here was this grown woman who hadn't a clue. They took me out the back of the church and taught me there in privacy, so I wouldn't shame myself any longer. 
I'm also pretty good at "bush dancing" — a mix of country dances, mostly Scottish and Irish in origin — "Strip the Willow" the "Virginia Reel", and dances like that — all due to the folk craze of my youth, and a later incarnation where I taught bush dancing for a colonial era performance, and ended up teaching half the school — several hundred kids— at lunch time on the oval, using a cassette recorder and a megaphone. Yes, it was mad. But those dances are very similar to some of the Regency-era dances. (These aren't my school-kids – mine were older.)
But ask me to foxtrot, or two-step or even waltz or any other partner dance with steps, and I revert to clod-hopperdom. The same goes for most of my generation. The Movie "Strictly Ballroom" which helped foster shows like "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Dancing with the Stars" caused a brief resurgence of dance popularity, but I think mostly it was dance classes who benefitted there. Most people of my generation, and younger, don't know how to dance as a couple. And a lot of the younger generation's dancing is really more a tribal group beat than anything else. Or individual showcase dancing, like breakdancing.
Is it a pity? I don't know. I do think something has been lost.
What about you — can you dance or not really? Do you go out dancing? What dances do you know? Have you ever danced Regency-style?
Hi Anne! This brings back memories for me. I remember learning all sorts of reels and progressive dances in primary school, all of which would be put into practice at the annual school dance. As a teenager in Auckland I and all my friends went to dancing classes each week, learning how to cha-cha-cha, tango, foxtrot and waltz. This was where we met boys for the first time. I remember when the boys were asked to take their partners (the girls were never asked to do this) that if we saw a boy we didn’t like heading our way we’d make a dash for the powder room. Oh and last year I learned regency dancing at the same conference Keri attended. My husband and I still do the Comical Fellow from time to time, to the endless amusement of our dogs.
Hi Anne! This brings back memories for me. I remember learning all sorts of reels and progressive dances in primary school, all of which would be put into practice at the annual school dance. As a teenager in Auckland I and all my friends went to dancing classes each week, learning how to cha-cha-cha, tango, foxtrot and waltz. This was where we met boys for the first time. I remember when the boys were asked to take their partners (the girls were never asked to do this) that if we saw a boy we didn’t like heading our way we’d make a dash for the powder room. Oh and last year I learned regency dancing at the same conference Keri attended. My husband and I still do the Comical Fellow from time to time, to the endless amusement of our dogs.
Hi Anne! This brings back memories for me. I remember learning all sorts of reels and progressive dances in primary school, all of which would be put into practice at the annual school dance. As a teenager in Auckland I and all my friends went to dancing classes each week, learning how to cha-cha-cha, tango, foxtrot and waltz. This was where we met boys for the first time. I remember when the boys were asked to take their partners (the girls were never asked to do this) that if we saw a boy we didn’t like heading our way we’d make a dash for the powder room. Oh and last year I learned regency dancing at the same conference Keri attended. My husband and I still do the Comical Fellow from time to time, to the endless amusement of our dogs.
Hi Anne! This brings back memories for me. I remember learning all sorts of reels and progressive dances in primary school, all of which would be put into practice at the annual school dance. As a teenager in Auckland I and all my friends went to dancing classes each week, learning how to cha-cha-cha, tango, foxtrot and waltz. This was where we met boys for the first time. I remember when the boys were asked to take their partners (the girls were never asked to do this) that if we saw a boy we didn’t like heading our way we’d make a dash for the powder room. Oh and last year I learned regency dancing at the same conference Keri attended. My husband and I still do the Comical Fellow from time to time, to the endless amusement of our dogs.
Hi Anne! This brings back memories for me. I remember learning all sorts of reels and progressive dances in primary school, all of which would be put into practice at the annual school dance. As a teenager in Auckland I and all my friends went to dancing classes each week, learning how to cha-cha-cha, tango, foxtrot and waltz. This was where we met boys for the first time. I remember when the boys were asked to take their partners (the girls were never asked to do this) that if we saw a boy we didn’t like heading our way we’d make a dash for the powder room. Oh and last year I learned regency dancing at the same conference Keri attended. My husband and I still do the Comical Fellow from time to time, to the endless amusement of our dogs.
I love to watch dance – from ballet to ballroom. DWTS and SYTYCD are favorites TV shows of mine. BUT I never learned how to dance myself! However, my youngest nephew took up “social dancing” when he was in college – loved the classes – and really impresses people when he is on the dance floor. He is willing to dance with any age partner…I’ve seen him partner some very happy “people of mature years”.
I love to watch dance – from ballet to ballroom. DWTS and SYTYCD are favorites TV shows of mine. BUT I never learned how to dance myself! However, my youngest nephew took up “social dancing” when he was in college – loved the classes – and really impresses people when he is on the dance floor. He is willing to dance with any age partner…I’ve seen him partner some very happy “people of mature years”.
I love to watch dance – from ballet to ballroom. DWTS and SYTYCD are favorites TV shows of mine. BUT I never learned how to dance myself! However, my youngest nephew took up “social dancing” when he was in college – loved the classes – and really impresses people when he is on the dance floor. He is willing to dance with any age partner…I’ve seen him partner some very happy “people of mature years”.
I love to watch dance – from ballet to ballroom. DWTS and SYTYCD are favorites TV shows of mine. BUT I never learned how to dance myself! However, my youngest nephew took up “social dancing” when he was in college – loved the classes – and really impresses people when he is on the dance floor. He is willing to dance with any age partner…I’ve seen him partner some very happy “people of mature years”.
I love to watch dance – from ballet to ballroom. DWTS and SYTYCD are favorites TV shows of mine. BUT I never learned how to dance myself! However, my youngest nephew took up “social dancing” when he was in college – loved the classes – and really impresses people when he is on the dance floor. He is willing to dance with any age partner…I’ve seen him partner some very happy “people of mature years”.
What a wonderful post, Anne! I didn’t grow up in a dance culture, but reading about your parents (and Greece!) makes me want to start tapping my feet. There were a few square dancing classes in the gym at school, and once a brave teacher erected a Maypole and walked a bunch of us through a May dance with paper streamers that ended up making a colorful pattern down the pole. On occasion, the Mayhem Consultant and I have been known to shuffle around a bit. But of real partner dancing, I am clueless.
What a wonderful post, Anne! I didn’t grow up in a dance culture, but reading about your parents (and Greece!) makes me want to start tapping my feet. There were a few square dancing classes in the gym at school, and once a brave teacher erected a Maypole and walked a bunch of us through a May dance with paper streamers that ended up making a colorful pattern down the pole. On occasion, the Mayhem Consultant and I have been known to shuffle around a bit. But of real partner dancing, I am clueless.
What a wonderful post, Anne! I didn’t grow up in a dance culture, but reading about your parents (and Greece!) makes me want to start tapping my feet. There were a few square dancing classes in the gym at school, and once a brave teacher erected a Maypole and walked a bunch of us through a May dance with paper streamers that ended up making a colorful pattern down the pole. On occasion, the Mayhem Consultant and I have been known to shuffle around a bit. But of real partner dancing, I am clueless.
What a wonderful post, Anne! I didn’t grow up in a dance culture, but reading about your parents (and Greece!) makes me want to start tapping my feet. There were a few square dancing classes in the gym at school, and once a brave teacher erected a Maypole and walked a bunch of us through a May dance with paper streamers that ended up making a colorful pattern down the pole. On occasion, the Mayhem Consultant and I have been known to shuffle around a bit. But of real partner dancing, I am clueless.
What a wonderful post, Anne! I didn’t grow up in a dance culture, but reading about your parents (and Greece!) makes me want to start tapping my feet. There were a few square dancing classes in the gym at school, and once a brave teacher erected a Maypole and walked a bunch of us through a May dance with paper streamers that ended up making a colorful pattern down the pole. On occasion, the Mayhem Consultant and I have been known to shuffle around a bit. But of real partner dancing, I am clueless.
I remember as a young teen watching American Bandstand and loving it. By the time I was out dancing myself, it was really free-form moving to the music. When I look back now I realize I didn’t really enjoy my self that much. Just went because I wanted to be with my friends. The music was way too loud, which discouraged talking, and did much to ruin my hearing. The dance floor was much too crowded. All you could do was move to the music. Even if you wanted to move your feet there wasn’t much room to do it.
But I do love moving to the music. Until my knees and hips became so arthritic, I would still jump up and start dancing around the house while doing housework. And I loved doing dance aerobics back in the 80s.
I love watching others to ballroom dancing. I have mixed feelings about DWTS. I love the dancing but hate the popularity contest that goes with it.
Great post Anne.
I remember as a young teen watching American Bandstand and loving it. By the time I was out dancing myself, it was really free-form moving to the music. When I look back now I realize I didn’t really enjoy my self that much. Just went because I wanted to be with my friends. The music was way too loud, which discouraged talking, and did much to ruin my hearing. The dance floor was much too crowded. All you could do was move to the music. Even if you wanted to move your feet there wasn’t much room to do it.
But I do love moving to the music. Until my knees and hips became so arthritic, I would still jump up and start dancing around the house while doing housework. And I loved doing dance aerobics back in the 80s.
I love watching others to ballroom dancing. I have mixed feelings about DWTS. I love the dancing but hate the popularity contest that goes with it.
Great post Anne.
I remember as a young teen watching American Bandstand and loving it. By the time I was out dancing myself, it was really free-form moving to the music. When I look back now I realize I didn’t really enjoy my self that much. Just went because I wanted to be with my friends. The music was way too loud, which discouraged talking, and did much to ruin my hearing. The dance floor was much too crowded. All you could do was move to the music. Even if you wanted to move your feet there wasn’t much room to do it.
But I do love moving to the music. Until my knees and hips became so arthritic, I would still jump up and start dancing around the house while doing housework. And I loved doing dance aerobics back in the 80s.
I love watching others to ballroom dancing. I have mixed feelings about DWTS. I love the dancing but hate the popularity contest that goes with it.
Great post Anne.
I remember as a young teen watching American Bandstand and loving it. By the time I was out dancing myself, it was really free-form moving to the music. When I look back now I realize I didn’t really enjoy my self that much. Just went because I wanted to be with my friends. The music was way too loud, which discouraged talking, and did much to ruin my hearing. The dance floor was much too crowded. All you could do was move to the music. Even if you wanted to move your feet there wasn’t much room to do it.
But I do love moving to the music. Until my knees and hips became so arthritic, I would still jump up and start dancing around the house while doing housework. And I loved doing dance aerobics back in the 80s.
I love watching others to ballroom dancing. I have mixed feelings about DWTS. I love the dancing but hate the popularity contest that goes with it.
Great post Anne.
I remember as a young teen watching American Bandstand and loving it. By the time I was out dancing myself, it was really free-form moving to the music. When I look back now I realize I didn’t really enjoy my self that much. Just went because I wanted to be with my friends. The music was way too loud, which discouraged talking, and did much to ruin my hearing. The dance floor was much too crowded. All you could do was move to the music. Even if you wanted to move your feet there wasn’t much room to do it.
But I do love moving to the music. Until my knees and hips became so arthritic, I would still jump up and start dancing around the house while doing housework. And I loved doing dance aerobics back in the 80s.
I love watching others to ballroom dancing. I have mixed feelings about DWTS. I love the dancing but hate the popularity contest that goes with it.
Great post Anne.
I don’t dance well. But I WAS taught. I had some beginning ballet at age 5 and at school we were taught square dancing, reels, fox trot, and waltz (I think also the tango) and even the minuet! In high school the rhumba and the conga were the rage. We pretty much taught those to ourselves! (I’m not sure how much learning was involved in the conga.)
I believe my personal problems stem from the poor coordination I was plagued with when I was young. Since no one understood hard allergies, let alone the sensitivity form that has plagued me, no one knew what was wrong and what to do about it!
My husband, being 17 years younger, was not even taught to dance.
I wasn’t good at it, but I loved those classes.
I don’t dance well. But I WAS taught. I had some beginning ballet at age 5 and at school we were taught square dancing, reels, fox trot, and waltz (I think also the tango) and even the minuet! In high school the rhumba and the conga were the rage. We pretty much taught those to ourselves! (I’m not sure how much learning was involved in the conga.)
I believe my personal problems stem from the poor coordination I was plagued with when I was young. Since no one understood hard allergies, let alone the sensitivity form that has plagued me, no one knew what was wrong and what to do about it!
My husband, being 17 years younger, was not even taught to dance.
I wasn’t good at it, but I loved those classes.
I don’t dance well. But I WAS taught. I had some beginning ballet at age 5 and at school we were taught square dancing, reels, fox trot, and waltz (I think also the tango) and even the minuet! In high school the rhumba and the conga were the rage. We pretty much taught those to ourselves! (I’m not sure how much learning was involved in the conga.)
I believe my personal problems stem from the poor coordination I was plagued with when I was young. Since no one understood hard allergies, let alone the sensitivity form that has plagued me, no one knew what was wrong and what to do about it!
My husband, being 17 years younger, was not even taught to dance.
I wasn’t good at it, but I loved those classes.
I don’t dance well. But I WAS taught. I had some beginning ballet at age 5 and at school we were taught square dancing, reels, fox trot, and waltz (I think also the tango) and even the minuet! In high school the rhumba and the conga were the rage. We pretty much taught those to ourselves! (I’m not sure how much learning was involved in the conga.)
I believe my personal problems stem from the poor coordination I was plagued with when I was young. Since no one understood hard allergies, let alone the sensitivity form that has plagued me, no one knew what was wrong and what to do about it!
My husband, being 17 years younger, was not even taught to dance.
I wasn’t good at it, but I loved those classes.
I don’t dance well. But I WAS taught. I had some beginning ballet at age 5 and at school we were taught square dancing, reels, fox trot, and waltz (I think also the tango) and even the minuet! In high school the rhumba and the conga were the rage. We pretty much taught those to ourselves! (I’m not sure how much learning was involved in the conga.)
I believe my personal problems stem from the poor coordination I was plagued with when I was young. Since no one understood hard allergies, let alone the sensitivity form that has plagued me, no one knew what was wrong and what to do about it!
My husband, being 17 years younger, was not even taught to dance.
I wasn’t good at it, but I loved those classes.
Hi Anne, I am a dancer and have been one since I started at the age of six. I was doing theater dancing (ballet, jazz, tap) while growing up and was a pro as a teenager.
For many years I have been studying competitive ballroom dancing. I do International Standard and have studied with top coaches. I hope to turn pro with the right pro partner in this dance form.
The ballroom movies and TV shows are only a quick-fix representation and not the real work of many years necessary to improve in competitive dancing. They also don’t make it clear that it’s very expensive to take one-one-one private lessons with a teacher. Group classes are, of course, less expensive.
For a couple of months I went to a Scottish Country Dance meetup in NYC. It was fun, but the dances were so similar to each other it was difficult to remember the sequence. They overlapped too much. I asked and was sent the sequence of each dance by email a few days before each weekly class, but it was too similar to be memorized.
One teacher mentioned she learned 200 dances by being in a kind of dance camp in which she practiced with a group almost each day for a couple of months. I don’t think it can be taught without this kind of immersion in order to distinguish each dance. I didn’t find much technique to learn. It was more of a memory game.
I enjoyed taking a few classes with the Baroque Dance Company who dance and teach 17th- and 18th-century ballet taking the steps directly from the dance notation of the time.
I was a spectator and participant at a Regency dance performance at the Morgan Library. They did one of the dances I remember seeing in the Colin Firth version of “Pride and Prejudice.” It was so elegant and lovely.
If I can find a legitimate Regency dance group who teach it well, I’d like instruction in it. I can’t remember the name of the group I saw. I called the Morgan and hope they have the name for me when they call me back.
Hi Anne, I am a dancer and have been one since I started at the age of six. I was doing theater dancing (ballet, jazz, tap) while growing up and was a pro as a teenager.
For many years I have been studying competitive ballroom dancing. I do International Standard and have studied with top coaches. I hope to turn pro with the right pro partner in this dance form.
The ballroom movies and TV shows are only a quick-fix representation and not the real work of many years necessary to improve in competitive dancing. They also don’t make it clear that it’s very expensive to take one-one-one private lessons with a teacher. Group classes are, of course, less expensive.
For a couple of months I went to a Scottish Country Dance meetup in NYC. It was fun, but the dances were so similar to each other it was difficult to remember the sequence. They overlapped too much. I asked and was sent the sequence of each dance by email a few days before each weekly class, but it was too similar to be memorized.
One teacher mentioned she learned 200 dances by being in a kind of dance camp in which she practiced with a group almost each day for a couple of months. I don’t think it can be taught without this kind of immersion in order to distinguish each dance. I didn’t find much technique to learn. It was more of a memory game.
I enjoyed taking a few classes with the Baroque Dance Company who dance and teach 17th- and 18th-century ballet taking the steps directly from the dance notation of the time.
I was a spectator and participant at a Regency dance performance at the Morgan Library. They did one of the dances I remember seeing in the Colin Firth version of “Pride and Prejudice.” It was so elegant and lovely.
If I can find a legitimate Regency dance group who teach it well, I’d like instruction in it. I can’t remember the name of the group I saw. I called the Morgan and hope they have the name for me when they call me back.
Hi Anne, I am a dancer and have been one since I started at the age of six. I was doing theater dancing (ballet, jazz, tap) while growing up and was a pro as a teenager.
For many years I have been studying competitive ballroom dancing. I do International Standard and have studied with top coaches. I hope to turn pro with the right pro partner in this dance form.
The ballroom movies and TV shows are only a quick-fix representation and not the real work of many years necessary to improve in competitive dancing. They also don’t make it clear that it’s very expensive to take one-one-one private lessons with a teacher. Group classes are, of course, less expensive.
For a couple of months I went to a Scottish Country Dance meetup in NYC. It was fun, but the dances were so similar to each other it was difficult to remember the sequence. They overlapped too much. I asked and was sent the sequence of each dance by email a few days before each weekly class, but it was too similar to be memorized.
One teacher mentioned she learned 200 dances by being in a kind of dance camp in which she practiced with a group almost each day for a couple of months. I don’t think it can be taught without this kind of immersion in order to distinguish each dance. I didn’t find much technique to learn. It was more of a memory game.
I enjoyed taking a few classes with the Baroque Dance Company who dance and teach 17th- and 18th-century ballet taking the steps directly from the dance notation of the time.
I was a spectator and participant at a Regency dance performance at the Morgan Library. They did one of the dances I remember seeing in the Colin Firth version of “Pride and Prejudice.” It was so elegant and lovely.
If I can find a legitimate Regency dance group who teach it well, I’d like instruction in it. I can’t remember the name of the group I saw. I called the Morgan and hope they have the name for me when they call me back.
Hi Anne, I am a dancer and have been one since I started at the age of six. I was doing theater dancing (ballet, jazz, tap) while growing up and was a pro as a teenager.
For many years I have been studying competitive ballroom dancing. I do International Standard and have studied with top coaches. I hope to turn pro with the right pro partner in this dance form.
The ballroom movies and TV shows are only a quick-fix representation and not the real work of many years necessary to improve in competitive dancing. They also don’t make it clear that it’s very expensive to take one-one-one private lessons with a teacher. Group classes are, of course, less expensive.
For a couple of months I went to a Scottish Country Dance meetup in NYC. It was fun, but the dances were so similar to each other it was difficult to remember the sequence. They overlapped too much. I asked and was sent the sequence of each dance by email a few days before each weekly class, but it was too similar to be memorized.
One teacher mentioned she learned 200 dances by being in a kind of dance camp in which she practiced with a group almost each day for a couple of months. I don’t think it can be taught without this kind of immersion in order to distinguish each dance. I didn’t find much technique to learn. It was more of a memory game.
I enjoyed taking a few classes with the Baroque Dance Company who dance and teach 17th- and 18th-century ballet taking the steps directly from the dance notation of the time.
I was a spectator and participant at a Regency dance performance at the Morgan Library. They did one of the dances I remember seeing in the Colin Firth version of “Pride and Prejudice.” It was so elegant and lovely.
If I can find a legitimate Regency dance group who teach it well, I’d like instruction in it. I can’t remember the name of the group I saw. I called the Morgan and hope they have the name for me when they call me back.
Hi Anne, I am a dancer and have been one since I started at the age of six. I was doing theater dancing (ballet, jazz, tap) while growing up and was a pro as a teenager.
For many years I have been studying competitive ballroom dancing. I do International Standard and have studied with top coaches. I hope to turn pro with the right pro partner in this dance form.
The ballroom movies and TV shows are only a quick-fix representation and not the real work of many years necessary to improve in competitive dancing. They also don’t make it clear that it’s very expensive to take one-one-one private lessons with a teacher. Group classes are, of course, less expensive.
For a couple of months I went to a Scottish Country Dance meetup in NYC. It was fun, but the dances were so similar to each other it was difficult to remember the sequence. They overlapped too much. I asked and was sent the sequence of each dance by email a few days before each weekly class, but it was too similar to be memorized.
One teacher mentioned she learned 200 dances by being in a kind of dance camp in which she practiced with a group almost each day for a couple of months. I don’t think it can be taught without this kind of immersion in order to distinguish each dance. I didn’t find much technique to learn. It was more of a memory game.
I enjoyed taking a few classes with the Baroque Dance Company who dance and teach 17th- and 18th-century ballet taking the steps directly from the dance notation of the time.
I was a spectator and participant at a Regency dance performance at the Morgan Library. They did one of the dances I remember seeing in the Colin Firth version of “Pride and Prejudice.” It was so elegant and lovely.
If I can find a legitimate Regency dance group who teach it well, I’d like instruction in it. I can’t remember the name of the group I saw. I called the Morgan and hope they have the name for me when they call me back.
Shelagh, I’m envious of your childhood dance lessons. I think we might have learned the polka in PE — but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it danced anywhere. *g*
Shelagh, I’m envious of your childhood dance lessons. I think we might have learned the polka in PE — but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it danced anywhere. *g*
Shelagh, I’m envious of your childhood dance lessons. I think we might have learned the polka in PE — but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it danced anywhere. *g*
Shelagh, I’m envious of your childhood dance lessons. I think we might have learned the polka in PE — but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it danced anywhere. *g*
Shelagh, I’m envious of your childhood dance lessons. I think we might have learned the polka in PE — but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it danced anywhere. *g*
Linda, what a nice story about your nephew. I’m sure a guy who can dance is pretty popular everywhere. Sadly, so many men these days seem to think it’s a bit embarrassing — maybe because they never learned and are worried of making fools of themselves.
Linda, what a nice story about your nephew. I’m sure a guy who can dance is pretty popular everywhere. Sadly, so many men these days seem to think it’s a bit embarrassing — maybe because they never learned and are worried of making fools of themselves.
Linda, what a nice story about your nephew. I’m sure a guy who can dance is pretty popular everywhere. Sadly, so many men these days seem to think it’s a bit embarrassing — maybe because they never learned and are worried of making fools of themselves.
Linda, what a nice story about your nephew. I’m sure a guy who can dance is pretty popular everywhere. Sadly, so many men these days seem to think it’s a bit embarrassing — maybe because they never learned and are worried of making fools of themselves.
Linda, what a nice story about your nephew. I’m sure a guy who can dance is pretty popular everywhere. Sadly, so many men these days seem to think it’s a bit embarrassing — maybe because they never learned and are worried of making fools of themselves.
Mary Jo, I have much the same experience. Looking back, I wish now I’d got my Dad or my brother or brother-in-law (who was a champion dancer) to teach me, but none of my friends did that kind of dancing, and nobody thought to teach me anyway.
Mary Jo, I have much the same experience. Looking back, I wish now I’d got my Dad or my brother or brother-in-law (who was a champion dancer) to teach me, but none of my friends did that kind of dancing, and nobody thought to teach me anyway.
Mary Jo, I have much the same experience. Looking back, I wish now I’d got my Dad or my brother or brother-in-law (who was a champion dancer) to teach me, but none of my friends did that kind of dancing, and nobody thought to teach me anyway.
Mary Jo, I have much the same experience. Looking back, I wish now I’d got my Dad or my brother or brother-in-law (who was a champion dancer) to teach me, but none of my friends did that kind of dancing, and nobody thought to teach me anyway.
Mary Jo, I have much the same experience. Looking back, I wish now I’d got my Dad or my brother or brother-in-law (who was a champion dancer) to teach me, but none of my friends did that kind of dancing, and nobody thought to teach me anyway.
I’m a bit the same as you, Mary — the dances of my day were not places for conversation and afterwards my ears would often ring for hours. These days I’ll happily dance around the lounge-room, and even do a vague kind of aerobics. But real aerobics classes are often a bit serious for me.
I pretty much dislike all those competitive shows — dancing, singing, etc. I don’t like the false drama of them. And everyone’s a judge, whether or not they can sing or dance themselves.
I’m a bit the same as you, Mary — the dances of my day were not places for conversation and afterwards my ears would often ring for hours. These days I’ll happily dance around the lounge-room, and even do a vague kind of aerobics. But real aerobics classes are often a bit serious for me.
I pretty much dislike all those competitive shows — dancing, singing, etc. I don’t like the false drama of them. And everyone’s a judge, whether or not they can sing or dance themselves.
I’m a bit the same as you, Mary — the dances of my day were not places for conversation and afterwards my ears would often ring for hours. These days I’ll happily dance around the lounge-room, and even do a vague kind of aerobics. But real aerobics classes are often a bit serious for me.
I pretty much dislike all those competitive shows — dancing, singing, etc. I don’t like the false drama of them. And everyone’s a judge, whether or not they can sing or dance themselves.
I’m a bit the same as you, Mary — the dances of my day were not places for conversation and afterwards my ears would often ring for hours. These days I’ll happily dance around the lounge-room, and even do a vague kind of aerobics. But real aerobics classes are often a bit serious for me.
I pretty much dislike all those competitive shows — dancing, singing, etc. I don’t like the false drama of them. And everyone’s a judge, whether or not they can sing or dance themselves.
I’m a bit the same as you, Mary — the dances of my day were not places for conversation and afterwards my ears would often ring for hours. These days I’ll happily dance around the lounge-room, and even do a vague kind of aerobics. But real aerobics classes are often a bit serious for me.
I pretty much dislike all those competitive shows — dancing, singing, etc. I don’t like the false drama of them. And everyone’s a judge, whether or not they can sing or dance themselves.
LOL Sue — you’ve reminded me that I CAN do the conga! I’m envious of your youthful dance classes, and sorry that you were made to feel clumsy and uncoordinated. I think dancing should be about having fun, not getting it right.
I think that’s why my impromptu “bush dancing” classes on the school oval were so popular with the kids at the girls high school I taught at. Nobody was making them do it, there was no pressure to get it right — in fact messing up caused a lot of laughter in the nicest way. And the PE teachers used to grumble that a lot of the girls who were dancing through their lunchtimes but always tried to avoid PE
LOL Sue — you’ve reminded me that I CAN do the conga! I’m envious of your youthful dance classes, and sorry that you were made to feel clumsy and uncoordinated. I think dancing should be about having fun, not getting it right.
I think that’s why my impromptu “bush dancing” classes on the school oval were so popular with the kids at the girls high school I taught at. Nobody was making them do it, there was no pressure to get it right — in fact messing up caused a lot of laughter in the nicest way. And the PE teachers used to grumble that a lot of the girls who were dancing through their lunchtimes but always tried to avoid PE
LOL Sue — you’ve reminded me that I CAN do the conga! I’m envious of your youthful dance classes, and sorry that you were made to feel clumsy and uncoordinated. I think dancing should be about having fun, not getting it right.
I think that’s why my impromptu “bush dancing” classes on the school oval were so popular with the kids at the girls high school I taught at. Nobody was making them do it, there was no pressure to get it right — in fact messing up caused a lot of laughter in the nicest way. And the PE teachers used to grumble that a lot of the girls who were dancing through their lunchtimes but always tried to avoid PE
LOL Sue — you’ve reminded me that I CAN do the conga! I’m envious of your youthful dance classes, and sorry that you were made to feel clumsy and uncoordinated. I think dancing should be about having fun, not getting it right.
I think that’s why my impromptu “bush dancing” classes on the school oval were so popular with the kids at the girls high school I taught at. Nobody was making them do it, there was no pressure to get it right — in fact messing up caused a lot of laughter in the nicest way. And the PE teachers used to grumble that a lot of the girls who were dancing through their lunchtimes but always tried to avoid PE
LOL Sue — you’ve reminded me that I CAN do the conga! I’m envious of your youthful dance classes, and sorry that you were made to feel clumsy and uncoordinated. I think dancing should be about having fun, not getting it right.
I think that’s why my impromptu “bush dancing” classes on the school oval were so popular with the kids at the girls high school I taught at. Nobody was making them do it, there was no pressure to get it right — in fact messing up caused a lot of laughter in the nicest way. And the PE teachers used to grumble that a lot of the girls who were dancing through their lunchtimes but always tried to avoid PE
How lovely, Patricia. When I was little, I had a friend like you — she and her sisters went to dance school from an early age. I was enthralled by the idea, and she used to show me the stuff they did. I begged my parents to let me go, and they were willing, except that then we moved to Scotland.
Someone involved in the Beau Monde writing chapter of RWAmerica might know of a Regency dance group. The one time I attended the Beau Monde event at a US conference, they did a dance thing. Or maybe someone in one of the Jane Austen groups. Good luck with it.
How lovely, Patricia. When I was little, I had a friend like you — she and her sisters went to dance school from an early age. I was enthralled by the idea, and she used to show me the stuff they did. I begged my parents to let me go, and they were willing, except that then we moved to Scotland.
Someone involved in the Beau Monde writing chapter of RWAmerica might know of a Regency dance group. The one time I attended the Beau Monde event at a US conference, they did a dance thing. Or maybe someone in one of the Jane Austen groups. Good luck with it.
How lovely, Patricia. When I was little, I had a friend like you — she and her sisters went to dance school from an early age. I was enthralled by the idea, and she used to show me the stuff they did. I begged my parents to let me go, and they were willing, except that then we moved to Scotland.
Someone involved in the Beau Monde writing chapter of RWAmerica might know of a Regency dance group. The one time I attended the Beau Monde event at a US conference, they did a dance thing. Or maybe someone in one of the Jane Austen groups. Good luck with it.
How lovely, Patricia. When I was little, I had a friend like you — she and her sisters went to dance school from an early age. I was enthralled by the idea, and she used to show me the stuff they did. I begged my parents to let me go, and they were willing, except that then we moved to Scotland.
Someone involved in the Beau Monde writing chapter of RWAmerica might know of a Regency dance group. The one time I attended the Beau Monde event at a US conference, they did a dance thing. Or maybe someone in one of the Jane Austen groups. Good luck with it.
How lovely, Patricia. When I was little, I had a friend like you — she and her sisters went to dance school from an early age. I was enthralled by the idea, and she used to show me the stuff they did. I begged my parents to let me go, and they were willing, except that then we moved to Scotland.
Someone involved in the Beau Monde writing chapter of RWAmerica might know of a Regency dance group. The one time I attended the Beau Monde event at a US conference, they did a dance thing. Or maybe someone in one of the Jane Austen groups. Good luck with it.
My mother loved to dance and said that when she was young she worried that she would agree to marry some guy just because he was a good dancer. She need not have worried because she married my father, whose idea of dancing was to lean first on one foot and then on the other, rocking occasionally in time to the music.
I’m afraid I inherited his dancing skills.
My mother loved to dance and said that when she was young she worried that she would agree to marry some guy just because he was a good dancer. She need not have worried because she married my father, whose idea of dancing was to lean first on one foot and then on the other, rocking occasionally in time to the music.
I’m afraid I inherited his dancing skills.
My mother loved to dance and said that when she was young she worried that she would agree to marry some guy just because he was a good dancer. She need not have worried because she married my father, whose idea of dancing was to lean first on one foot and then on the other, rocking occasionally in time to the music.
I’m afraid I inherited his dancing skills.
My mother loved to dance and said that when she was young she worried that she would agree to marry some guy just because he was a good dancer. She need not have worried because she married my father, whose idea of dancing was to lean first on one foot and then on the other, rocking occasionally in time to the music.
I’m afraid I inherited his dancing skills.
My mother loved to dance and said that when she was young she worried that she would agree to marry some guy just because he was a good dancer. She need not have worried because she married my father, whose idea of dancing was to lean first on one foot and then on the other, rocking occasionally in time to the music.
I’m afraid I inherited his dancing skills.
Love that story, Lillian, and the fact that your mother worried about the attraction power of a good dancer. Its so true, I think that if a guy can dance well it really does add to his attractiveness. But your Father sounds lovely.
Love that story, Lillian, and the fact that your mother worried about the attraction power of a good dancer. Its so true, I think that if a guy can dance well it really does add to his attractiveness. But your Father sounds lovely.
Love that story, Lillian, and the fact that your mother worried about the attraction power of a good dancer. Its so true, I think that if a guy can dance well it really does add to his attractiveness. But your Father sounds lovely.
Love that story, Lillian, and the fact that your mother worried about the attraction power of a good dancer. Its so true, I think that if a guy can dance well it really does add to his attractiveness. But your Father sounds lovely.
Love that story, Lillian, and the fact that your mother worried about the attraction power of a good dancer. Its so true, I think that if a guy can dance well it really does add to his attractiveness. But your Father sounds lovely.
I can dance – it was what I trained for professionally (ballet, contemporary, character etc.).
However, when I attended bush dances growing up I was more interested in visiting the horses! I remember getting in trouble for spending an entire bush dance at the stables (apparently I wasn’t getting into the spirit of the occasion…).
When I was in Greece a few years ago they actually had “dance-along” Greek dance lessons on the television.
In high school in the 1990s we were forced into dance classes in PE. I don’t know if they do that anymore.
I can dance – it was what I trained for professionally (ballet, contemporary, character etc.).
However, when I attended bush dances growing up I was more interested in visiting the horses! I remember getting in trouble for spending an entire bush dance at the stables (apparently I wasn’t getting into the spirit of the occasion…).
When I was in Greece a few years ago they actually had “dance-along” Greek dance lessons on the television.
In high school in the 1990s we were forced into dance classes in PE. I don’t know if they do that anymore.
I can dance – it was what I trained for professionally (ballet, contemporary, character etc.).
However, when I attended bush dances growing up I was more interested in visiting the horses! I remember getting in trouble for spending an entire bush dance at the stables (apparently I wasn’t getting into the spirit of the occasion…).
When I was in Greece a few years ago they actually had “dance-along” Greek dance lessons on the television.
In high school in the 1990s we were forced into dance classes in PE. I don’t know if they do that anymore.
I can dance – it was what I trained for professionally (ballet, contemporary, character etc.).
However, when I attended bush dances growing up I was more interested in visiting the horses! I remember getting in trouble for spending an entire bush dance at the stables (apparently I wasn’t getting into the spirit of the occasion…).
When I was in Greece a few years ago they actually had “dance-along” Greek dance lessons on the television.
In high school in the 1990s we were forced into dance classes in PE. I don’t know if they do that anymore.
I can dance – it was what I trained for professionally (ballet, contemporary, character etc.).
However, when I attended bush dances growing up I was more interested in visiting the horses! I remember getting in trouble for spending an entire bush dance at the stables (apparently I wasn’t getting into the spirit of the occasion…).
When I was in Greece a few years ago they actually had “dance-along” Greek dance lessons on the television.
In high school in the 1990s we were forced into dance classes in PE. I don’t know if they do that anymore.
When I was a child, dancing to Lawrence Welk on TV, my parents embarrassed me. They were dancing in front of our picture window.
When I was a young single woman….I am surprised they even had musical instruments back then…there was one guy I dated on a regular basis. He loved to dance and he was good at it. I loved to dance and he made me good at it. Nearly every weekend for several months, we went to one particular place where there was a live band. We danced until we were exhausted. It was a time when I had a great deal of fun feeling like we were Fred and Ginger.
That was a great deal of fun, and it is too bad that there are young women who do not have that kind of fun. Dancing with a partner who is really talented, made me feel as though I were soaring.
When I was a child, dancing to Lawrence Welk on TV, my parents embarrassed me. They were dancing in front of our picture window.
When I was a young single woman….I am surprised they even had musical instruments back then…there was one guy I dated on a regular basis. He loved to dance and he was good at it. I loved to dance and he made me good at it. Nearly every weekend for several months, we went to one particular place where there was a live band. We danced until we were exhausted. It was a time when I had a great deal of fun feeling like we were Fred and Ginger.
That was a great deal of fun, and it is too bad that there are young women who do not have that kind of fun. Dancing with a partner who is really talented, made me feel as though I were soaring.
When I was a child, dancing to Lawrence Welk on TV, my parents embarrassed me. They were dancing in front of our picture window.
When I was a young single woman….I am surprised they even had musical instruments back then…there was one guy I dated on a regular basis. He loved to dance and he was good at it. I loved to dance and he made me good at it. Nearly every weekend for several months, we went to one particular place where there was a live band. We danced until we were exhausted. It was a time when I had a great deal of fun feeling like we were Fred and Ginger.
That was a great deal of fun, and it is too bad that there are young women who do not have that kind of fun. Dancing with a partner who is really talented, made me feel as though I were soaring.
When I was a child, dancing to Lawrence Welk on TV, my parents embarrassed me. They were dancing in front of our picture window.
When I was a young single woman….I am surprised they even had musical instruments back then…there was one guy I dated on a regular basis. He loved to dance and he was good at it. I loved to dance and he made me good at it. Nearly every weekend for several months, we went to one particular place where there was a live band. We danced until we were exhausted. It was a time when I had a great deal of fun feeling like we were Fred and Ginger.
That was a great deal of fun, and it is too bad that there are young women who do not have that kind of fun. Dancing with a partner who is really talented, made me feel as though I were soaring.
When I was a child, dancing to Lawrence Welk on TV, my parents embarrassed me. They were dancing in front of our picture window.
When I was a young single woman….I am surprised they even had musical instruments back then…there was one guy I dated on a regular basis. He loved to dance and he was good at it. I loved to dance and he made me good at it. Nearly every weekend for several months, we went to one particular place where there was a live band. We danced until we were exhausted. It was a time when I had a great deal of fun feeling like we were Fred and Ginger.
That was a great deal of fun, and it is too bad that there are young women who do not have that kind of fun. Dancing with a partner who is really talented, made me feel as though I were soaring.
I grew up in the late 60s and was never taught any formal or partner dances. (Plus the church in which I was raised frowned upon dancing.) It was more “writhe in time with the music 2 feet away from your date.” When I went to college we could take various kinds of dance as one of required PE courses. So I took ballet, modern dance,and folk dance (twice!). Of course, it was a woman’s college, so there were no guys in the class. I wasn’t afraid to lead and I learned to do it very well. My DH is dreadfully self-conscious and doesn’t dance unless he has had 2 drinks. It makes me sad because I love to dance and it’s something I’d rather do with my beloved than someone else. Something like a line dance to “boot scooting boogy” is about as close as we can get.
I grew up in the late 60s and was never taught any formal or partner dances. (Plus the church in which I was raised frowned upon dancing.) It was more “writhe in time with the music 2 feet away from your date.” When I went to college we could take various kinds of dance as one of required PE courses. So I took ballet, modern dance,and folk dance (twice!). Of course, it was a woman’s college, so there were no guys in the class. I wasn’t afraid to lead and I learned to do it very well. My DH is dreadfully self-conscious and doesn’t dance unless he has had 2 drinks. It makes me sad because I love to dance and it’s something I’d rather do with my beloved than someone else. Something like a line dance to “boot scooting boogy” is about as close as we can get.
I grew up in the late 60s and was never taught any formal or partner dances. (Plus the church in which I was raised frowned upon dancing.) It was more “writhe in time with the music 2 feet away from your date.” When I went to college we could take various kinds of dance as one of required PE courses. So I took ballet, modern dance,and folk dance (twice!). Of course, it was a woman’s college, so there were no guys in the class. I wasn’t afraid to lead and I learned to do it very well. My DH is dreadfully self-conscious and doesn’t dance unless he has had 2 drinks. It makes me sad because I love to dance and it’s something I’d rather do with my beloved than someone else. Something like a line dance to “boot scooting boogy” is about as close as we can get.
I grew up in the late 60s and was never taught any formal or partner dances. (Plus the church in which I was raised frowned upon dancing.) It was more “writhe in time with the music 2 feet away from your date.” When I went to college we could take various kinds of dance as one of required PE courses. So I took ballet, modern dance,and folk dance (twice!). Of course, it was a woman’s college, so there were no guys in the class. I wasn’t afraid to lead and I learned to do it very well. My DH is dreadfully self-conscious and doesn’t dance unless he has had 2 drinks. It makes me sad because I love to dance and it’s something I’d rather do with my beloved than someone else. Something like a line dance to “boot scooting boogy” is about as close as we can get.
I grew up in the late 60s and was never taught any formal or partner dances. (Plus the church in which I was raised frowned upon dancing.) It was more “writhe in time with the music 2 feet away from your date.” When I went to college we could take various kinds of dance as one of required PE courses. So I took ballet, modern dance,and folk dance (twice!). Of course, it was a woman’s college, so there were no guys in the class. I wasn’t afraid to lead and I learned to do it very well. My DH is dreadfully self-conscious and doesn’t dance unless he has had 2 drinks. It makes me sad because I love to dance and it’s something I’d rather do with my beloved than someone else. Something like a line dance to “boot scooting boogy” is about as close as we can get.
I love dancing but I’m not very good at it. When I was growing up I did Irish dancing, jigs, reels, hornpipe and double jig and so on. I was quite good then and have a few medals. But the one thing I remember about it was how fit I was. Irish dancing takes a lot of energy and I loved it and was always practicing. I was as slim as a reed. Oh for those days, I’m more like a couple of sheaves of wheat now:):)
I love dancing but I’m not very good at it. When I was growing up I did Irish dancing, jigs, reels, hornpipe and double jig and so on. I was quite good then and have a few medals. But the one thing I remember about it was how fit I was. Irish dancing takes a lot of energy and I loved it and was always practicing. I was as slim as a reed. Oh for those days, I’m more like a couple of sheaves of wheat now:):)
I love dancing but I’m not very good at it. When I was growing up I did Irish dancing, jigs, reels, hornpipe and double jig and so on. I was quite good then and have a few medals. But the one thing I remember about it was how fit I was. Irish dancing takes a lot of energy and I loved it and was always practicing. I was as slim as a reed. Oh for those days, I’m more like a couple of sheaves of wheat now:):)
I love dancing but I’m not very good at it. When I was growing up I did Irish dancing, jigs, reels, hornpipe and double jig and so on. I was quite good then and have a few medals. But the one thing I remember about it was how fit I was. Irish dancing takes a lot of energy and I loved it and was always practicing. I was as slim as a reed. Oh for those days, I’m more like a couple of sheaves of wheat now:):)
I love dancing but I’m not very good at it. When I was growing up I did Irish dancing, jigs, reels, hornpipe and double jig and so on. I was quite good then and have a few medals. But the one thing I remember about it was how fit I was. Irish dancing takes a lot of energy and I loved it and was always practicing. I was as slim as a reed. Oh for those days, I’m more like a couple of sheaves of wheat now:):)
Sonya, I’m envious of your training. My older sisters both had ballet lessons, but by the time I was old enough (4) we’d started moving, because of Dad’s job, and were bouncing all over the globe, a new home/school/town almost every year.
And horses are a very good excuse for wagging a dance. *g*
Sonya, I’m envious of your training. My older sisters both had ballet lessons, but by the time I was old enough (4) we’d started moving, because of Dad’s job, and were bouncing all over the globe, a new home/school/town almost every year.
And horses are a very good excuse for wagging a dance. *g*
Sonya, I’m envious of your training. My older sisters both had ballet lessons, but by the time I was old enough (4) we’d started moving, because of Dad’s job, and were bouncing all over the globe, a new home/school/town almost every year.
And horses are a very good excuse for wagging a dance. *g*
Sonya, I’m envious of your training. My older sisters both had ballet lessons, but by the time I was old enough (4) we’d started moving, because of Dad’s job, and were bouncing all over the globe, a new home/school/town almost every year.
And horses are a very good excuse for wagging a dance. *g*
Sonya, I’m envious of your training. My older sisters both had ballet lessons, but by the time I was old enough (4) we’d started moving, because of Dad’s job, and were bouncing all over the globe, a new home/school/town almost every year.
And horses are a very good excuse for wagging a dance. *g*
I’m chuckling, Annette — my parents danced everywhere and anywhere and I know quite a few of my friends were a bit stunned.
And what you said about dancing with a man who’s good at it, and how it makes you feel — that’s exactly it, I think. If more men knew that, it would be a good thing. Unfortunately most men I know are reluctant dancers at best.
I’m chuckling, Annette — my parents danced everywhere and anywhere and I know quite a few of my friends were a bit stunned.
And what you said about dancing with a man who’s good at it, and how it makes you feel — that’s exactly it, I think. If more men knew that, it would be a good thing. Unfortunately most men I know are reluctant dancers at best.
I’m chuckling, Annette — my parents danced everywhere and anywhere and I know quite a few of my friends were a bit stunned.
And what you said about dancing with a man who’s good at it, and how it makes you feel — that’s exactly it, I think. If more men knew that, it would be a good thing. Unfortunately most men I know are reluctant dancers at best.
I’m chuckling, Annette — my parents danced everywhere and anywhere and I know quite a few of my friends were a bit stunned.
And what you said about dancing with a man who’s good at it, and how it makes you feel — that’s exactly it, I think. If more men knew that, it would be a good thing. Unfortunately most men I know are reluctant dancers at best.
I’m chuckling, Annette — my parents danced everywhere and anywhere and I know quite a few of my friends were a bit stunned.
And what you said about dancing with a man who’s good at it, and how it makes you feel — that’s exactly it, I think. If more men knew that, it would be a good thing. Unfortunately most men I know are reluctant dancers at best.
Kathy, how lucky to have those classes available when you went to college. And what a shame your DH wasn’t similarly taught. But boot scooting kind of dances can be fun, too. And in the meantime, get those couple of drinks into him. *g*
Kathy, how lucky to have those classes available when you went to college. And what a shame your DH wasn’t similarly taught. But boot scooting kind of dances can be fun, too. And in the meantime, get those couple of drinks into him. *g*
Kathy, how lucky to have those classes available when you went to college. And what a shame your DH wasn’t similarly taught. But boot scooting kind of dances can be fun, too. And in the meantime, get those couple of drinks into him. *g*
Kathy, how lucky to have those classes available when you went to college. And what a shame your DH wasn’t similarly taught. But boot scooting kind of dances can be fun, too. And in the meantime, get those couple of drinks into him. *g*
Kathy, how lucky to have those classes available when you went to college. And what a shame your DH wasn’t similarly taught. But boot scooting kind of dances can be fun, too. And in the meantime, get those couple of drinks into him. *g*
Irish dancing is wonderful — my grandmother, who I remember as a hefty woman, was amazingly light on her feet and could—and often did— a pretty snazzy jig. I suppose she was a skinny young thing when she first met Pop.
I had a friend who did Scottish dancing competitively, and it looked like fun, but alas, we went away almost every second weekend, so I couldn’t join in. She did teach me some steps, though.
Irish dancing is wonderful — my grandmother, who I remember as a hefty woman, was amazingly light on her feet and could—and often did— a pretty snazzy jig. I suppose she was a skinny young thing when she first met Pop.
I had a friend who did Scottish dancing competitively, and it looked like fun, but alas, we went away almost every second weekend, so I couldn’t join in. She did teach me some steps, though.
Irish dancing is wonderful — my grandmother, who I remember as a hefty woman, was amazingly light on her feet and could—and often did— a pretty snazzy jig. I suppose she was a skinny young thing when she first met Pop.
I had a friend who did Scottish dancing competitively, and it looked like fun, but alas, we went away almost every second weekend, so I couldn’t join in. She did teach me some steps, though.
Irish dancing is wonderful — my grandmother, who I remember as a hefty woman, was amazingly light on her feet and could—and often did— a pretty snazzy jig. I suppose she was a skinny young thing when she first met Pop.
I had a friend who did Scottish dancing competitively, and it looked like fun, but alas, we went away almost every second weekend, so I couldn’t join in. She did teach me some steps, though.
Irish dancing is wonderful — my grandmother, who I remember as a hefty woman, was amazingly light on her feet and could—and often did— a pretty snazzy jig. I suppose she was a skinny young thing when she first met Pop.
I had a friend who did Scottish dancing competitively, and it looked like fun, but alas, we went away almost every second weekend, so I couldn’t join in. She did teach me some steps, though.
A party of people dancing the waltz or other partner dances where the women are dressed in long gowns and the men are in good suits or Tuxs– an elegant sight I was never very good at it.
We had square dancing lessons in high school and I took regular dance lessons as well as music lessons but never did well at either. When I was a senior in high school I was one of a group of girls invited to a dance given for West point Plebes who had been at the army base for training. They all were in uniform and we both wore white cotton gloves. The cadets were all well trained in manners as well as dancing. My husband could dance and we would dance at officers’ Clubs when we had a chance but we rarely did after the first year of marriage.
“Every savage can dance” as Mr. Darcy remarked. But elegant partner dancing is something else.
A party of people dancing the waltz or other partner dances where the women are dressed in long gowns and the men are in good suits or Tuxs– an elegant sight I was never very good at it.
We had square dancing lessons in high school and I took regular dance lessons as well as music lessons but never did well at either. When I was a senior in high school I was one of a group of girls invited to a dance given for West point Plebes who had been at the army base for training. They all were in uniform and we both wore white cotton gloves. The cadets were all well trained in manners as well as dancing. My husband could dance and we would dance at officers’ Clubs when we had a chance but we rarely did after the first year of marriage.
“Every savage can dance” as Mr. Darcy remarked. But elegant partner dancing is something else.
A party of people dancing the waltz or other partner dances where the women are dressed in long gowns and the men are in good suits or Tuxs– an elegant sight I was never very good at it.
We had square dancing lessons in high school and I took regular dance lessons as well as music lessons but never did well at either. When I was a senior in high school I was one of a group of girls invited to a dance given for West point Plebes who had been at the army base for training. They all were in uniform and we both wore white cotton gloves. The cadets were all well trained in manners as well as dancing. My husband could dance and we would dance at officers’ Clubs when we had a chance but we rarely did after the first year of marriage.
“Every savage can dance” as Mr. Darcy remarked. But elegant partner dancing is something else.
A party of people dancing the waltz or other partner dances where the women are dressed in long gowns and the men are in good suits or Tuxs– an elegant sight I was never very good at it.
We had square dancing lessons in high school and I took regular dance lessons as well as music lessons but never did well at either. When I was a senior in high school I was one of a group of girls invited to a dance given for West point Plebes who had been at the army base for training. They all were in uniform and we both wore white cotton gloves. The cadets were all well trained in manners as well as dancing. My husband could dance and we would dance at officers’ Clubs when we had a chance but we rarely did after the first year of marriage.
“Every savage can dance” as Mr. Darcy remarked. But elegant partner dancing is something else.
A party of people dancing the waltz or other partner dances where the women are dressed in long gowns and the men are in good suits or Tuxs– an elegant sight I was never very good at it.
We had square dancing lessons in high school and I took regular dance lessons as well as music lessons but never did well at either. When I was a senior in high school I was one of a group of girls invited to a dance given for West point Plebes who had been at the army base for training. They all were in uniform and we both wore white cotton gloves. The cadets were all well trained in manners as well as dancing. My husband could dance and we would dance at officers’ Clubs when we had a chance but we rarely did after the first year of marriage.
“Every savage can dance” as Mr. Darcy remarked. But elegant partner dancing is something else.
When my grandparents came to the U.S. from Scotland, my grandfather brought his kilt and his dancing pumps. My mother could remember that the Scots got together regularly to dance, and my grandpa was apparently a favorite partner. My grandmother was crippled by arthritis in her thirties and didn’t dance, so he was free to give all the ladies a whirl on the floor. My own parents danced all through WW2, taking the bus to the famous Oh Henry ballroom in suburban Chicago (gas rationing meant no driving cars). Their generation really knew how to dance. Mine, not so much, although I remember doing the twist and the stroll. Oh, more thing: I was privileged to watch a dance demonstration at the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, and I found the minuet to be the most romantic dance I’ve ever seen!
When my grandparents came to the U.S. from Scotland, my grandfather brought his kilt and his dancing pumps. My mother could remember that the Scots got together regularly to dance, and my grandpa was apparently a favorite partner. My grandmother was crippled by arthritis in her thirties and didn’t dance, so he was free to give all the ladies a whirl on the floor. My own parents danced all through WW2, taking the bus to the famous Oh Henry ballroom in suburban Chicago (gas rationing meant no driving cars). Their generation really knew how to dance. Mine, not so much, although I remember doing the twist and the stroll. Oh, more thing: I was privileged to watch a dance demonstration at the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, and I found the minuet to be the most romantic dance I’ve ever seen!
When my grandparents came to the U.S. from Scotland, my grandfather brought his kilt and his dancing pumps. My mother could remember that the Scots got together regularly to dance, and my grandpa was apparently a favorite partner. My grandmother was crippled by arthritis in her thirties and didn’t dance, so he was free to give all the ladies a whirl on the floor. My own parents danced all through WW2, taking the bus to the famous Oh Henry ballroom in suburban Chicago (gas rationing meant no driving cars). Their generation really knew how to dance. Mine, not so much, although I remember doing the twist and the stroll. Oh, more thing: I was privileged to watch a dance demonstration at the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, and I found the minuet to be the most romantic dance I’ve ever seen!
When my grandparents came to the U.S. from Scotland, my grandfather brought his kilt and his dancing pumps. My mother could remember that the Scots got together regularly to dance, and my grandpa was apparently a favorite partner. My grandmother was crippled by arthritis in her thirties and didn’t dance, so he was free to give all the ladies a whirl on the floor. My own parents danced all through WW2, taking the bus to the famous Oh Henry ballroom in suburban Chicago (gas rationing meant no driving cars). Their generation really knew how to dance. Mine, not so much, although I remember doing the twist and the stroll. Oh, more thing: I was privileged to watch a dance demonstration at the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, and I found the minuet to be the most romantic dance I’ve ever seen!
When my grandparents came to the U.S. from Scotland, my grandfather brought his kilt and his dancing pumps. My mother could remember that the Scots got together regularly to dance, and my grandpa was apparently a favorite partner. My grandmother was crippled by arthritis in her thirties and didn’t dance, so he was free to give all the ladies a whirl on the floor. My own parents danced all through WW2, taking the bus to the famous Oh Henry ballroom in suburban Chicago (gas rationing meant no driving cars). Their generation really knew how to dance. Mine, not so much, although I remember doing the twist and the stroll. Oh, more thing: I was privileged to watch a dance demonstration at the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, and I found the minuet to be the most romantic dance I’ve ever seen!
I never learned how to do ballroom dancing, although I can fake my way through a waltz, a polka, or even a little bit of salsa.
We did do a lot of folk dancing(which are mostly circle dances) when I was young, which was great fun. It was a bit of a fad in the 60’s, and there was a place in New York City called Folk Dance House that was popular with teens, although it was run by an elderly couple, if I recall correctly!
I never learned how to do ballroom dancing, although I can fake my way through a waltz, a polka, or even a little bit of salsa.
We did do a lot of folk dancing(which are mostly circle dances) when I was young, which was great fun. It was a bit of a fad in the 60’s, and there was a place in New York City called Folk Dance House that was popular with teens, although it was run by an elderly couple, if I recall correctly!
I never learned how to do ballroom dancing, although I can fake my way through a waltz, a polka, or even a little bit of salsa.
We did do a lot of folk dancing(which are mostly circle dances) when I was young, which was great fun. It was a bit of a fad in the 60’s, and there was a place in New York City called Folk Dance House that was popular with teens, although it was run by an elderly couple, if I recall correctly!
I never learned how to do ballroom dancing, although I can fake my way through a waltz, a polka, or even a little bit of salsa.
We did do a lot of folk dancing(which are mostly circle dances) when I was young, which was great fun. It was a bit of a fad in the 60’s, and there was a place in New York City called Folk Dance House that was popular with teens, although it was run by an elderly couple, if I recall correctly!
I never learned how to do ballroom dancing, although I can fake my way through a waltz, a polka, or even a little bit of salsa.
We did do a lot of folk dancing(which are mostly circle dances) when I was young, which was great fun. It was a bit of a fad in the 60’s, and there was a place in New York City called Folk Dance House that was popular with teens, although it was run by an elderly couple, if I recall correctly!