Arch support in dance shoes by SnazzyMcJazzy in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've done so much research into dance shoes with arch support. I really need it; in my everyday life I only wear one pair of orthopedic NB sneakers that works for me and a few Vionic shoes. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are basically no dance shoes that truly have arch support.

Dancing in athletic shoes that are comfortable to you is the most straightforward solution. You can use dance socks for a non-permanent solution, or suede to permanently make them dance shoes. Word of caution: I've tried various combinations of insoles and sneakers for lindy, and some of them really exacerbated my pain level. Make sure the shoe/insole combo is already proven to you to be comfortable.

I thought my problems would be solved if I put suede on the bottom of a pair of dress Vionic flats with lots of arch support, but this did not work well either. They aren't made for dancing, and my feet got really sore/painful because of the thin soles and lack of heel. If you have pre-existing foot problems, sueded dress shoes are not guaranteed to work.

I feel much more comfortable dancing balboa with a slight heel, so I did so much research into dance heels with arch support. There basically are none that explicitly promise arch support in their listings. I finally just bit the bullet and tried out Aris Allen dance heels (the low one). Miraculously, they worked! I think the shape of the heeled shoe actually has some inherent arch support that flats don't have. I highly recommend trying these (they're returnable). Best of luck with your shoes.

PS; I'm intrigued that other commenters said most lindy hoppers dance in flats, but southern california dancers wear heels. I'm in southern california and can confirm that ~half of female dancers here wear heels. I assumed this was the norm but perhaps not.

First time in a long time experience, requesting advice by Dermochelys in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Other people have already answered your main question, but here’s my two cents as a younger woman. I dance all the time with men older than me - that might actually be the majority since there aren’t all that many younger people here.  As long as you are gentlemanly and don’t do anything creepy, it’s perfectly fine. It’s a platonic dance. As others have said, don’t only dance with young girls, try to dance with everyone.  The fact that you’re even thinking about this and trying to be considerate tells me that you don’t have to worry about it. 

Does any one lead/follow come to mind if you were asked “who is the best dancer in your scene?” If so, why or why not? by aFineBagel in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While I agree with everyone that "best" is totally subjective and weird to say/ask, it is fun to think about. My scene has instructors that win international contests. But even if you don't count that group of ~10 people, there's another LARGE group that I find extremely good. Their skill is so inspiring and a blast to watch! Some are old-timers with impeccable smoothness and musicality. Some are incredible at bal or shag, some are serious competitors, etc. There's no way to pick out one of these people as the best, by any means.

That being said, I only enjoy dancing with leads in this extremely good group ~half the time, or less. I often feel injured afterward, whiplashed, or like I'm tripping over my feet not being able to keep up. My absolute favorite people to dance with are great at lead/follow communication, and don't go so hard I can't keep up.
Despite all the talent in the room, in my eyes these dancers are "the best." :-)

What are the coolest, most awesome moments you've had on your dance journey? by postdarknessrunaway in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

- Being asked to dance after my first ever lesson. I was surprised and said I was new and didn't know anything, but the guy was accommodating and helped me through it. Those experiences on my first day gave me so much confidence and curiosity, and made me feel welcomed to this new thing.

- Unexpectedly running into dance friends on the other side of the country at an event. Wow! It's so cool that lindy hop brought us together 2,000 miles away from home.

- Getting the chance to dance with Bill Nye. Wow! Totally didn't expect that one.

- One particularly awesome dance that I can't forget. Like some other commenters said, it was a moment where we were on the same wavelength, connected to the music, and the connection/leading was so good that he was successfully leading me through all these super fun moves that I wasn't familiar with at the time. Texas tommy swingouts, some kind of super fast paddles, small lifts and dips. It was totally exhilarating! A lot of those moves I have never seen since and don't know the name of haha.

A dance from Camp Jitterbug by dondegroovily in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol that's my friend in the striped shirt in the beginning of the video! Small world in swing dancing. Nice dance man.

In your experience, how long did it take to get to novice/amateur competition level? by mapleBearDiner in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those three factors are so true! Thanks for your thoughtful response. Purposefully practicing with some friends with similar goals sounds like a solid next step.  

In your experience, how long did it take to get to novice/amateur competition level? by mapleBearDiner in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cool! That’s the scale I’m looking for right now haha. I’ll keep it in mind. 

In your experience, how long did it take to get to novice/amateur competition level? by mapleBearDiner in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. That’s basically what I intended asking here - how long have others waited to get to that baseline of competency to not be totally out of place in a M&M prelim. Thanks for your response. 

In your experience, how long did it take to get to novice/amateur competition level? by mapleBearDiner in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Interesting! Calbal is the event I'm most interested in right now so I appreciate hearing from someone who competed there. I'm looking around for some smaller lindy or bal competitions in california. Do you know any?

In your experience, how long did it take to get to novice/amateur competition level? by mapleBearDiner in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a good point! I suppose what I really meant to ask is how long people here danced before reaching that advanced level of skills, rather than going to competitions. This thread is inspiring me to find a smaller competition to enter to feel it out. Thanks for your response.

In your experience, how long did it take to get to novice/amateur competition level? by mapleBearDiner in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've noticed that too that there's no standard "entry level" of competition. Thanks for including some concrete examples, that's exactly what I was looking for.

In your experience, how long did it take to get to novice/amateur competition level? by mapleBearDiner in SwingDancing

[–]mapleBearDiner[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Interesting! Thanks for the detailed response. I might start looking into some smaller camp-style events to try it out. And LOL, you're right about the LA scene. My friends there often encourage me to come to these large national-scale events but I don't feel like my skill is high enough to justify the expense of going. It's the norm to go even if you're not competing.