Dancing – A lot of people are intimidated by it and think they need to drink copious amounts of alcohol before stepping out onto the dance floor. And that, my friends, is a dang shame!
I love how other cultures consider dancing something you learn as a matter-of-fact part of growing up just as one learns to walk and talk.
They seem to ‘feel’ the music and watching them so free and graceful in movement is a beautiful thing.
Music and dancing are so ingrained in their culture and daily lives.
The way I see it, it’s a great way to have fun and exercise all at once.
It’s not unusual for me to walk into a dancing establishment and head straight for the dance floor.
Truth be told – I’m not a technical dancer (more the free-style hot-dogging variety)
and I’m still desperately trying to learn how to ‘follow.’
It’s not a Feminist I-am-woman-hear-me-roar because ‘I want to be in charge’ thing.
I just struggle with following.
I went to Mikey’s Juke and Eatery on Saturday night to help a friend celebrate her birthday. Mikey’s is a great place to chill out with down-to-earth people – a neighbourhood bar with many regular customers.
They have a tasty menu selection and believe me; they’re not in business for the money – I do advocate tipping well though – the staff are super friendly and work hard.
Mikey’s does it for the love of music and the joyful expression of dancing.
Mikey’s usually books Blues bands, but in honour of the Calgary Stampede they booked a Country band. Now I’m not a huge fan of Country, but I gotta say, it’s growing on me!
It had been a long time since I went out dancing – too long in fact! Luckily three delightful and patient gents took turns dancing with me throughout the night.
Although they knew how to Two Step well, they didn’t judge me
[A-HEM]
for not being as well-versed as they were
– they took the time to show me how it’s done.
I asked one of them if he thought I was finally getting it.
He just laughed and asked me if I was having fun.
“Yes, I’m having a great time!!”
“Me too,” he said, still laughing.
Aside from the rubbery legs I had the next day, the thing that seemed to hurt the most was my cheeks.
Must have been the big smile that was pasted on my face the whole night and all the laughing I did!
I’m not sure why I love dancing so much. Maybe it’s the one child-like expression of joy left to me as a grown up.
Maybe it’s the way that music and dancing connects people, even if you’ve never met before. Sure, I wish I was better at following, but when I’m concentrating on that it becomes more like work and less like fun.
So I’m thinking…maybe technique isn’t as important as feeling the music…
…letting it awaken your spirit and seep into your body inspiring you to move
in an instinctual response to the beat.
Hell ya – Country is growing on me!
In the mood for Two Steppin’? Watch the video below
Does music make you silently pray that no one will ask you to dance?
or does it make you jump out of your seat and dance?
erin said:
Hi where did you find the picture of the cowboy shoes (guy & girl)? 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I really don’t remember… 😦
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hilal achmar said:
You are right.Agree. I like entertainment and indulge myself. I am sure you too. What a beautiful life we have… Ahaha…. 🙂
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hilal achmar said:
I like dancing and this post. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you very much Hilal! I love that saying, “dance like no one is watching.” Life is too short to not find some enjoyment in living.
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Gina's Professions for PEACE said:
Terrific post! I too adore dancing and did a post about it recently. Thanks for sharing the link for the video of that fantastic song. Cheers, Gina
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dianasschwenk said:
Again, thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello! Dancing is awesome, isn’t it?
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Margarita said:
I love to dance! Started in childhood (a long, long, long time ago) and continue into the present. I was a Dancing Queen in the days of disco, and I still shake my bootie whenever the music has “a good beat and is easy to dance to!” 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Margarita, you are my soul sister! I am lucky to have 2-3 good female friends who love to dance. I hope the same is true for you! Dance on Sista!
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Margarita said:
Actually, I have a whole slew of them: my hula sisters! I’ve been studying hula for the past decade or so, and we get together at least once a month to practice that beautiful dance form! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Wow that’s awesome! Good for you ladies. 🙂
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russtowne said:
Thank you for the fun post, Diana! As a lyricist of country and rock music (leaning more country than rock–there is still a market for lyricists who don’t perform their own music on stage in the country genre but almost no market at all left in rock if one isn’t a performer), I’m happy to hear that you may be coming over to the the Dark Side! ;-D!
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m always drawn to the dark side! but I can like both right? I don’t have to choose….right?
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newsofthetimes said:
Agreed. I am no good, but love to shake a tail feather! Have you seen this?????? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwe-pA6TaZk It made ma laugh and cry in the space of 5 minutes!!! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh My Gosh! That’s awesome – I love it!
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newsofthetimes said:
me too! And I think there are a few years that he did this. This one is 2012, but I think there is another one from 2008. It was on waiting for the karma truck’s blog and I told her that if I was not married, I woulod marry that man. So cute!!!!
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dianasschwenk said:
Well I’m single…but I’m thinking that last scene was with his wife and child…alas…I continue to be single with no one to take out the trash…
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newsofthetimes said:
I know, my hopes were so high until I saw the baby…;-) He is adorable. I think the first video didn’t include that downer. 😉
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Louise G. said:
In my book — technique is never as important as feeling the music!!!!
What fun. I’ll go dancing with you anytime. I love to dance!
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dianasschwenk said:
You got it – I will let you know the next time I go! Heading to the Salsa Fest on Sunday in Kensington for some potential dancing in the streets. If you’re free, join me!
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Jo-Anne Meadows said:
I love dancing if only I knew how to dance but at least I am not as bad as hmmmmmmm damn I can’t think of a bad dance how sucky is that………..lol
http://jo-annemotherandnanna.blogspot.com.au/
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dianasschwenk said:
Dancing is supposed to be fun, so just enjoy it! Do I hear a Hell ya?
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Jennifer Worrell said:
OH, GIRL! I love me some two-steppin’! There’s nothing like a night of “daincin'” to cure what ails ya!
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dianasschwenk said:
I know! It just is so stress relieving – I love it. Not sure I waited so long… 🙂
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Jennifer Worrell said:
Every night we turn the kitchen into a toddler/mama dance/jiggle-fest. It’s a blast!
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dianasschwenk said:
I used to do that with my daughter!
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Jennifer Worrell said:
It’s so much fun. Gretchen rocks, too, by the way.
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changeforbetterme said:
When I first moved to Texas…(eons ago) me and friend would go out dancing on our days off work….I had never two stepped in my life! But I love dancing so when some kind gentleman asked me to dance I explained to him I had never two stepped before….he told me….just go with the music…smile and have fun and you’ll do it right every time….he was a true cowboy….and he was right! So just smile and have fun and the dancing will come……
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dianasschwenk said:
true cowboy and true gentleman!
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mylifeisthebestlife said:
I never used to like country music either, and then I worked at Cowboys for a while (so so so so so many years ago) and it kind of grew on me. And there’s something about country that makes everyone want to be super friendly and teach you how to two-step. YEEEHAW!!!!!
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dianasschwenk said:
Yeah there is this ‘friendliness’ that is part of the package, isn’t there?
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jensine said:
lets dance the week away
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m in!
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jensine said:
on three … one two … okay I already started at one
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Magnolia Beginnings said:
Oh please don’t learn to follow. My partner once asked me to take dancing lessons together and I fought it. If I learned how to dance I’m afraid it wouldn’t be fun anymore. I’d be wondering if I were doing it right rather than just enjoying myself. Just go with it, have fun and as long as your partner is smiling you’re probably perfect. Ignorance is bliss in this case. Glad you had fun. : )
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dianasschwenk said:
I understand at first it may be somewhat mechanical but it becomes natural…I just would love to know how..but of course I still want to have fun!
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Margot Schwenk said:
When I think back of the days with Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton and all the other country singers I knew and enjoyed their shows very much I can say only one thing that country music has changed a lot. But I enjoyed the video clip very much.
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dianasschwenk said:
Hi Mom! Long time no see in the comment section! Haha yes country music has changed but I’m glad you enjoyed Gretchen!
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mindfuldiary said:
haha. When I see a dancefloor I panic and I hide. 😀 I love dancing, but after 2 kids and too many spaghetti/bolognese evenings/teletubbies, I must admit that Ihave forgotten how to drink my frozen margharita slowly, connect with my dance partner and let go on the dancefloor….damn, used to be an expert in that in my late teens. Thanx Diana for reminding me. Gals night coming up soon, so I can get back on track. Country music rocks (no i did not just say it out loud on www). Great you had a good night out!
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re young and beautiful – enjoy the dancing – it’s good to play and have fun! It was fun to finally get out again – yes!
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jmgoyder said:
You do realize that you are now expected to post a youtube of your dancing antics so that people like me who can’t dance can be inspired.
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dianasschwenk said:
Haha….who knows maybe one day…. 🙂
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jmgoyder said:
Tomorrow please!
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dianasschwenk said:
I don’t have one…so sorry…I’ll see what I can do the next time I go out. And if I get one I’ll title my post: This one’s for you Julie. xo
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jmgoyder said:
Yay!
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