March 26, 2007
With the popularity of Dancing with the Stars (Heather Mills McCartney notwithstanding), and the recent ballroom-dance-related films Take the Lead and Shall We Dance, I'm hoping that there will be a resurgence in the lost art of ballroom dancing.
I guess I shouldn't say "lost art" because it isn't lost; lots of people still do it–at weddings (when they aren't playing Old Time Rock-n-Roll, Love Shack, and Shout!), during classes, and sometimes at jazz clubs….but it's not as popular as it could be.
Am I the only one of a certain generation who thinks it would be a complete blast to have a club that specializes in music for ballroom dancing–the waltzes, the foxtrots, the tangoes, the Hustle, whatever!–instead of a smoky, electric-guitar, synthesizer-blasting one?
Maybe it's because I write historically-set novels, where it was a Big Deal to dance a waltz with a man, and you were actually in his arms, and he actually led you around the floor. And when I have the chance to foxtrot with my husband (who, for being a Music Man, is a terrible leader….but perhaps that's just because of who he married…), it's wonderful. I really enjoy it.
A few weeks ago, we happened to meet another couple a decade or so older than Music Man and I. We got to talking about this very thing, and the gentleman of the couple was describing how much he loved to dance, and how, if he walked into a jazz club, he could easily clear the floor if he asked a woman to dance.
To my delight, he proceeded to demonstrate just that–with me.
If you've never danced with a man who knows the moves, knows how to lead, knows the steps…you've really missed out.
It's divine.
The nice thing for a woman is that we don't have to really do anything–a good dancer will lead you through the steps and make you look like Ginger Rogers!
I would love to see a resurgence of this. What a way for us Generation Xers (and Boomers) to exercise! Ballroom dancing. Someone start a club, would you? In Ann Arbor?
Any takers? Anyone out there dance like this? Let's start a petition!
The second installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles takes Victoria to Venice and Rome.
My novel, 
March 26th, 2007 at 7:53 am
I’ve never done any ballroom dancing, but a club that specializes in it sounds like a great idea to me! I’d love to learn.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Hi Colleen I had to comment on this one. I used to dance ballroom and latin for years. I loved it!I’m going to start a dance school in Ann Arbor
LOL
You and your whole family may join
March 26th, 2007 at 8:49 am
My dad was much older when I was born so I grew up listening to big band and jazz and doing a lot of ballroom dancing. And when I lived in Sweden and went to any school dance or gala, that’s how everyone danced.
You’re right though… it’s a shame it’s not popular and I would love a club like that to open around here!
March 26th, 2007 at 9:30 am
I just would my husband would dance. Even, sway would be good at this point. We have danced once in our married life and that was at our wedding 15 years ago. This is just sad.
March 26th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Sign me up. And find me a partner. And you might want to tell him to invest in steel-toed dance shoes. As my best friend says, I have the coordination of a rock.
March 26th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I never had danced like that but I would love to try! The few times I’ve danced it has been at weddings (I didn’t even have dancing at my wedding!) and it was nothing like that!
Sounds wonderful to me!
March 27th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I am so into this idea! Ballroom is something I could probably do with my bad leg — the Tour Manager is skeptical, though, because of our height difference (over a foot and a half). I think it’d be a benefit.
April 1st, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Anyone interested in Ballroom should go to usabda.org. This is the site for USA Dance, the US organizationf for amateur ballroom dancing, both social and competitive. They have links to ballroom resources all across the US. Ballroom is alive and well. Jump in and get on the floor!