I really appreciate your feelings about the swing dance and what it bings to some of us that really like to dance. You are so right when you said it is all about THE DANCE, and that's all. Maybe you could start a KEEP IT REAL column or something once a month to vent some othe GOOD AND BAD feelings about how the swing dance brings out in some of the REAL people in the swing world. It could be some type of therapy or just a venting session. That's just my thoughts. But, anyway Keep Up The Good Work. See ya on tha dance floor!!! James
l do know what you mean..l to have slow my role due to the different personallity....Thanks for keeping real..Be Bless. Kristi
You are so right I saw the dance for the first time a little over 3 yrs ago and loved it and wanted to learn when I started to learn i notice that people would sit around the dance floor and pick apart a person's style it was like everyone would try to out dance the other. Tonia
Denise in my opinion You have acknowledge what I am sure others are thinking, I agree with you. HATS OFF TO YOU KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Frankie
Hi Denise!
You're so right. At times I really miss dancing, but it has become such a "clique" thing. If you're not in the "in crowd" you don't get asked to dance. And because some of the guys have gotten so good, they know they don't have to ask anybody because they know the women are going to flock to them. And then with the merge of the Swingout/WCS dancers, a lot of "our" men act like it's a badge of honor to have all the white women falling all over them so our Black women sit on the sidelines. I guess I'll try Salsa. lol Karen
Great commentary Denise! I believe that you hit it on the nail and also there should not be all of this competitiveness amongst each other when we are all doing the same thing but everyone may be doing a little something creative to be a little different but we all have the same goal in mind....spreading the LOVE of dance! Denise keep it up and return to the dance floor and let's show them that there can be positive people who really want to spread the love of this dance. TrinaT. L.
That is definitely why I quit dancing!!!! The good dancers look down their noses at us!!!!!!!!!! Johnson W.
You are so right, if you are not a perfect dancer they will not dance with you. But we still have to try with someone else. Thank you so much for what you have said. That means a lot to the ones is not as good as some. Patricia
Thank you, Denise you made my day! you are so right in the statement that you made and Thanks again for making. Gwen
Denise, You are so right about what you said. I can remember that we use to dance ALL NIGHT. We use to dance and help and look out for each other. Even though there we clicks then, it wasn't as bad as now. Thanks for sharing and keeping us in the loop for what is going on in the US. lol.. Hope to see you around soon. Take care and God Bless Lafayette
Denise, I agree with you totally. I stopped dancing 4 years ago. Never went back. I noticed that if you aren't a excellent dancer, guys won't give you the time of day. I really miss it. When I took classes, I went alone and didn't know a lot of people. I knew the steps, but didn't get a lot of exposure. I was just thinking the other day about starting over. What do you suggest is a good place to start, where guys don't mind helping you out. Thanks Karen
Hello Denise, my name is Tony and my wife is Bridget. Your comments are very refreshing as well as the comments from last month. I agree with you and in our opinion this is the main reason young dancers quit and that is they get hurt. And if a woman or man is respectful of himself or herself, then they won't allow being disrespected so they depart never to come back in some cases. My wife and I have been dancing for a year and we love the dance,and we got our bumps and bruises and all of it was unnecessary. We think that in a class room, instructor's should monitor their advanced dancers as well as instructor's under them to ensure proper etiquette is being taught along with those basic steps we all desperately long to learn. You have a great Philosophy for the dance that should be shared with every dance teacher. Thanks for being you. Tony
Denise, this is James a person new to swingout. I wanted to learn because I saw what you saw, great people having fun and acting right because it was all about the dance. And unfortunately you are right there are people who have been blessed to have more talent than the next person but who use the talent to say "you don't deserve to be on the same floor at the same time that I am here" which is the ugly attitude you are referring to. But I would never quit the dance but I would seek to avoid those people who are trying to be-little me because I am not at there level. That is why I love what you do and your messages are inspiring to me. Please don't you give up and please don't you stop speaking up for people who just want to learn the dance and have a great time swing dancing. Love James.
This is so true! It is the attitudes of others and they do believe that they are better than the other person. I started out learning in Arlington and because of the attitudes of the people there I stop going. I also tried other classes in the Dallas area and they are even worst. You can't enjoy learning when the person that teaching you is ego tripping and the others that have been dancing for a while act like you are beneath them. I want even go to Black Clubs anymore. I'm treated better elsewhere! Daphne
Hi Denise.
I am glad that you shared your thoughts on why dancers stop dancing. I really do appreciate all you do to keep us informed and to just promote the dance. Don't lose heart! I also took a break from dancing because of many reasons, one of which was feeling inadequate and a bit ignored if I did not know the latest move. I also began dancing because I LOVE to dance! I also love to watch others dance and enjoy themselves. My prayer is that we will keep the fun and the spirit of unity in dance and that we will show younger generations that we can dance together respectfully and beautifully. All this to say...Thank you my sister for your work and your patience with all of us and please keep reminding us to do the right thing! Gail
I think you are correct. people are quick to judge others based on what "they" believe a person should be, act, and say. Gail A.
Hi Denise!You're so right. At times I really miss dancing, but it has become such a "clique"thing. If you're not in the "in crowd" you don't get asked to dance. And becausesome of the guys have gotten so good, they know they don't have to ask anybodybecause they know the women are going to flock to them. And then with the merge ofthe Swingout/WCS dancers, a lot of "our" men act like it's a badge of honor to haveall the white women falling all over them so our Black women sit on the sidelines. I guess I'll try Salsa. lol