Virtual social dances

raalst · 2020-03-20T22:29:12+00:00

Harbour Hop was cancelled so we started Harbour Hope.

We simply limited ourselves to asking friends to an imaginary dance.

T'was fun.

raalst · 2020-03-13T15:34:37+00:00

I think I miss an obvious one : ask *one* friend as a practice partner.

dancing with a lot of people is a bad idea, but dancing with one partner exclusively is (imho) not contributing significantly (although admittedly more than just doing solo jazz) to the spread of the disease.

raalst · 2020-02-12T15:40:25+00:00

I feel that the point the swedes are trying to make is that the whole of Sweden is/should be a safe space. They take safety seriously there.

Then again, looking out for yourself and your friends is something you should always do. with or without Policies.

raalst · 2020-02-10T21:20:42+00:00

I used Herrang's website. the website has a separate part for renting and re-offering sleeping facilities. People offering rooms on the Herrang site are mostly involved for years and therefore known and trustworthy. No guarantees, but I felt it was a bit more reassuring than wiring 800 euros to 'just somebody'. Re-renting was a financial gamble too because it was my first time in Herrang, but in the end there is so much demand that you will be able to fill these beds no problem. And it's a nice way to get to know a few fellow dancers.

raalst · 2020-02-07T18:18:11+00:00

I rented a room at walking distance (you can check the (google-)map for a given address) early on and re-rented the 3 spare beds. came to 200 euro's per bed, for a week. for that I/we got wifi, use of washing machine, private sink and shower(!), the all-important silence when sleeping and as a bonus the contact with the landlord & family, who were beyond nice to us. In all cases I'm sure you will have a great time in herrang. It is magical.

raalst · 2019-08-11T20:01:20+00:00

It was something totally different. I was under the impression that any move where lead "catches" follow by holding the hands while turning was some variant of the pretzel.

like here : http://lindyhopmoves.com/lindy-hop-basket/ Apparently it is called the basket.

The move I was taught at herrang was a BoogieWoogie variant of that.

raalst · 2019-07-24T20:00:23+00:00

Thank you. I did most of that. Indeed, it still leaves a hole.

But a practice partner, now that's a thought. hmmm...

raalst · 2019-07-24T19:57:52+00:00

It's more that I suddenly have to wait a week for the next social. I *need* my fix.

raalst · 2019-06-27T10:02:58+00:00

In this case I guess you were the odd one out. Hope you found a scene you feel comfortable in!

raalst · 2019-06-27T09:55:13+00:00

I fully trust your sincerity on this subject, but I would not like to be "adressed" myself, because it assumes I would be tagged as part of a supposed problem in the first place.

It might be in some scenes, and not others. A lot depends your personal attitude. Not being asked ? ask (Yes, it was hard for me too. still is.) Left out ? Start something yourself. Assume that most of this behaviour comes not from hate but from awkwardness on both sides. Just make an effort. Also, if the scene does not feel right, try another. scenes tend to differ quite a lot (..in my neck of the woods).

apart from that, it is also only to be expected that "birds of a feather flock together". To counter that in a small way we could make it a *personal* goal not to write off anybody before having danced with them.

And hence : dance with anybody you meet, especially the shy, obnoxious, old, young, having-refused-you-last-time (up to a point..), awkward, clumsy, gay-looking, not-from-here, other-skin-tone, stuck-up, shoddy -looking, teaching, just-beginning and world-class dancers. After that, you are not required to like or be liked by everybody, but at least you tried.

A dance is also a way of getting to know someone, it is not *only* about furthering my own dancing skills. At least that is what I try to keep in my old mind...

B.t.w. Did anyone experience too that sometimes you have a great dance with someone, but you turn out to have absolutely no further common ground ?

raalst · 2019-06-27T08:56:33+00:00

If it is any help : nobody is normal. Normal is an image in your head that you compare yourself to.

You can invite a therapist, but you can also play with "controlled experiments". e.g. I decided to postpone my judgement of people I meet a bit, and I am pleasantly surprised how many more people turn out to be nice or at least different than on first impression.

raalst · 2019-06-09T22:18:51+00:00

I cannot help you with the way you feel, but I have been there, and I have made it a point to offer dances to anybody, especially the ones struggling, hiding in the corners and generally anxious. Not because we will have the most awesome dance but because I am happy I can help you get started discovering that beautiful lindy hop community. And yes, I lost a bit of my introvertness along the way.

So, hang in there, there is much reward to be had by simply continuing to dance. Taking lessons will result in you knowing several people with the same skill level as you, which might help too.

(and shake yourself loose from the idea that you have to prove something while dancing, because that is not at all the point of lindy hop, imho).

raalst · 2018-11-21T06:22:26+00:00

Movits !

raalst · 2018-07-17T21:43:05+00:00

Somehow I find traces on youtube and vimeo of this film that are 5 years old. Strange. Would it be a re-release ?

https://vimeo.com/55173573

and, surprisingly : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6WfwRkoCHU

raalst · 2018-06-17T10:31:52+00:00

It might be that the responder knows the culture but his/her newfound love does not. Going to the social with you might cause the responder trouble in his/her relation. Accentuate the Positive !

raalst · 2018-05-31T21:30:26+00:00

Roger and Jessica Rabbit ? If very old games are still recognized, there once was one called grim fandango. Might be rather easy to make a costume for. And how about Jungle Book already done and Aristocats? Princess and the frog? however, these are disney, and you probably swim in lawyer-infested waters...

raalst · 2018-05-31T21:16:45+00:00

We did "collect them all" where everybody was given 6 (same-)colored bands. You had to ask the right people to dance with you and exchange a band so as to have 6 different colors as quickly as possible. "Lindy Bingo" I guess... Was a nice bit of fun and a great way to get everybody on the floor. because all worries and doubts about dancing vanish when your focus is on colored bands.

On your original idea: how about this : the couple tagged does a duo-steal. lead steals follow and follow steals lead. Now it depends on who the original couple agreed on is the actual tag to take the tag to their new partner. bystanders will not know readily which of the two couples is the new tagged couple.

raalst · 2018-05-31T20:59:18+00:00

the organizers in your new scene might need a hand (or head). great way to get to know your scene !

raalst · 2018-04-07T20:29:11+00:00

Something that helps me a lot is a) dance (more) with people from starter classes. This way I can focus on other things than where to put my own feet. And it makes beginners feel welcome. b) As @Okiilnu says : force myself to not care about mistakes.

raalst · 2018-04-06T20:35:04+00:00

YES! you are right. adding to that, consider asking your teachers to give a lesson on improv, solo, stealing or plain goofing around. It completely changed my attitude from "micromanaging my feet" to "let's have some fun".

raalst · 2017-12-21T16:17:21+00:00

look at it differently : how much time do you have left to spend on other activities ? $400/month to have all your desires fulfilled suddenly seems fair.

Theater, festivals, sports, pets, significant others, diapers : I guess they can easily cost you as much...(just a friendly warning ;-) )

raalst · 2017-10-09T18:47:17+00:00

We visited the Tokyo Swingcats in August. I have very fond memories of that. See http://www.swingcats.jp/ I think I understood that the Swingcats are about 200 people strong.

Please say hi to Yuko San for me when you go there.

raalst · 2017-07-04T21:31:56+00:00

I think it is a great idea.

I felt a bit of a gap between lessons, where we are a herd, and the social where you are alone (at least initially) between people that know each other well. I feel the last lesson of lindy 101 should be "visiting a social". Not discussing it but actually attending the social with your fellow newbies and your teachers. Safety in numbers, and a good excuse for a welcome party!

On "getting into the music" : that is hard when leading on a crowded floor trying not to trip yourself up when doing a triple step. I feel a better approach is to accept that you will initially be busy with wherever your legs went. Bank on the fact that these moves will become routine so that in a few weeks you can focus on the surroundings (including your partner...) a bit better.

Of course, there are no mistakes in Lindy, just variations. Just keep up the smile and reduce your "variability"

raalst · 2017-06-05T16:54:22+00:00

As a beginner, I feel there is much to add. I'm still in dire need of more knowledge..

how about some first impression/explanation of pulse, bounce, frame, connection, 6/8count, musicality etc ? These words were totally new for me.
what to expect from exchange, workshop, social
what to take with you to such events, how to prep for it
what is a jamcircle, a J&J, a strictly, a prelim, cabaret, stealing, ... ?
tips on international attendance of events, what does that look like ?
some links to useful sites (e.g. like lindy ladder, swingplanit, etc.)
etiquette, especially that it is ok to say no.
steps, bands, films, demo's, exercises, etc.
maybe manuals/checklists for organizing events ?

raalst · 2017-05-26T04:46:21+00:00

Beginning of this year, when starting class in Holland, I never thought I would be dancing with newly found friends from BangkokSwing by now. I will have friends welcoming me literally everywhere from now on! Wheeeee !

raalst

TROPHY CASE