18+ Dance Adventures!
 (My resolution for 2018)
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Time to get dancing! My plan for 2018 is to have at least 18 new kinds of dance adventures. As this photo reveals, I am no serious dancer. My son's wedding in November was a reminder of how much I love to dance, even though I have few opportunities and little talent. I did take some ballet, jazz & tap classes as a teenager, but rarely could I be persuaded to get on the dance floor at a party. Now is the time to get out there, lose those inhibitions and have some fun with all kinds of dance!
  
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​                           LET THE NEW LIST BEGIN!

​Number 1 - Spontaneous Dancing in Thailand
(Inspiration for my Resolution)
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​I was in Thailand over the holidays and for some crazy reason, I ended up dancing at the Bangkok Flower market.

It was New Year's Eve day and I was strolling with family, through the bustling, 24-hour market. I heard some music, possibly coming from an boombox, so I followed the sound. I spotted the woman in red, having a good time dancing, while her daughter, (I'm guessing) egged her on. A couple of family members laughed along and encouraged me to join in. I did, and we had a silly time of it for less than 5 minutes, until we both pooped out. The son offered my hubby a beer and we were able to visit a bit, thanks to my son's father-in-law, who speaks Thai. Fred laughed later that I experienced what the Thai call, "sanuk". The Thai culture believes sanuk, or fun (particularly with others) is important. I agree!

Back in the States I had time to think about the importance of sanuk and how much fun I had dancing and carrying on with strangers. A lightbulb went off in my head, 2 weeks into January.  "I will dance more in 2018!"  So that's how I will achieve a little more SANUK in my life!

                                             Number 2                                                            
​Folk Dancing & Houston International Folk Dance Club
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After deciding to push myself with a goal of 18 new dancing adventures, I researched the possibilities. Actually, the HIFD Club has been on my radar for a couple of years. When I first learned about the club, I knew it must be pretty successful since it's been around since 1947! ​

I was eager to give the Monday night group a try, since it was geared towards learning dances. I have fond memories of folk dancing in high school in the mid-seventies, but I've done nothing since. So I put a holler out to friends, but found no one able or interested in joining me, so I showed up alone.

This photo shows just part of the welcoming gang that made me feel totally at home!

Oddfellows

The old Oddfellows building in The Heights was quite dark and unwelcoming, when I arrived 30 minutes early. But before long I was upstairs in the lit up meeting room (dance hall) being greeted by smiling "regulars", ready to begin 2.5 hours of dancing.

I was the only new one, but luckily a few "teachers" took turns guiding us through new dances. Most dances had us in a circle or line, holding hands. (I was corrected right away to have my left palm down, right palm up.) After a bit of stepping, gliding, tapping and clapping, we put the steps to music and the room came to life. It was impossible not to smile as I moved (and often fumbled) with this group. Irish music, Serbian, Israeli and Greek!  So many kind of sounds and steps. Everyone graciously put up with my mistakes. At times my ab muscles got the best workout, from laughing at myself.

Couples Dance

 
At one point, we took a break from group dancing and couples began hitting the floor for a little German polka. There was no instruction, each couple was on their own. Thank goodness a sweet man, (a bit older and much more confident) got me out on the floor. "Lean back!" He insisted. "Hold your arm out more firmly."

I always thought I knew how to polka, but this guy had it down. When I finally stopped trying to lead and trusted his palm on my back, I leaned back and we were suddenly spinning. Woohoo! That was a hoot! 

What a great and welcoming bunch.  Some brought snacks to share, one man even brought his sweet dog. Then when everyone put their $4.00 into the jar to pay for the building rental, I was told no. "It's your first time." I slipped mine in anyway. 2.5 hours of fun for 4 dollars! A bargain!

​What a time! I hope to try this again!

Number 3 - Bollywood Fitness

I've been intrigued with Bollywood, the Indian Hindi-language film industry for a while. The colorful, happy-energy dance scene (Bollywood style) in the ending of the movie, "Slumdog Millionaire" totally delighted me.

Since I live in the Houston area there is no excuse for not giving this kind of dance a try. There are Bollywood Dance classes available all over the place. I decided to play it safe and start with a fitness class, using Bollywood style music and dance movements. I found "infused Performing Arts Studio" on the internet and called up. That evening I arrived to try out a complimentary class. 

I wore comfortable clothing, but didn't know what to do about shoes. My flip flops came off and I did the hour class, which involved lots of jumping, in bare feet. Ouch. 

​I also did something that I learned from being the "new kid in school" many times. I made a buddy quick, by introducing myself to the first person I saw. She gave me a few pointers. The most important one, was to drink lots of water.  

Our teacher was wonderful!  She dimmed the lights and lit the room with blue and green lights. Then the music started and all I could do was smile... and occasionally laugh at my mistakes. Some of the moves were already stored in my muscle memory from past dance classes.  I felt pretty proud when I could follow along without instruction. Other moves, which might be common in traditional Indian dance, were foreign to my body. I fumbled and stumbled along and grinned. The music and atmosphere me made forget I was 60. Luckily I was only sore and not injured the next day.

​Best of all, I had fun and I worked up a good sweat. My hair was extra curly when I left. Now I have more confidence and I'm ready to try a real Bollywood Dance class!

​Number4 
​Thai Dance in Bangkok & Hand Dance in Texas
My little bit of dancing in Thailand inspired my fourth dance adventure of the year.

Back in Thailand, I had some fun witnessing traditional Thai dance while dining on a river cruise. I got teased into getting up and giving it a try. I learned quickly that my hands are not a bit flexible. My daughter-in-law and her cousin showed me the skills I lacked.

Hand Dancing with the Seniors

So this week, I shared a little Thailand with some of the senior groups I volunteer with. We studied a video first, then let the exotic music inspire our hands. A few thought this might be great exercise for their arthritis. I thought it might be better exercise for our abdominals, since we were doing a lot of laughing. None of us could curl our hands backwards the way the video showed. 

We had fun dancing, without really using our feet. I think it qualifies for a mini-dance adventure... at the very least!
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Number 5 
​Holiday Inspired Dancing at Home
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Mardi Gras First

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and Valentine's Day were back to back this year. My hubby and I stayed home both nights and celebrated without crowds.

On Tuesday, we blasted a little New Orleans style music and Don made Hurricanes. The music made me glad I was home and not out with parade crowds in the French Quarter. I'm the kind who gets quiet when crowds get wild. At home I let the music inspire some whacky dancing... and marching. It's hard not to do a little crazy marching and singing when you hear,  "Oh when the Saints, come marching in..."

By the way, this photo was taken before I took a sip of my hurricane.

Dancing with My Valentine

I usually steer away from Hallmark cards on Valentine's Day, but I found some that included records!  Yay! I bought  a card with a "45" that played Bruno Mars', "Just the Way You Are" on one side and "Marry You" on the other! How could Don say no, to heading upstairs to the game room and spinning that cute little thing on the retro record player? 

Don and I were ready to give it a whirl, but that blasted record warbled like Bruno was singing underwater. We messed with the speeds and checked the needle. It was flawed! (Really mad at Hallmark now!) So I grabbed a very fine dance album, bought for less than a dollar at Half Price Books a couple years ago. That heavy RED disc just hollered out, "Happy Valentine's Day!" We polka danced, we waltzed, we stepped on each others toes! We finally collapsed and I had tears streaming from laughter. We are such a bad dancing team! But it was so fun. And we'll probably both be sore from our Valentine Dancing!

Number 6 
First Ballet Class in 40 Years
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I never took dance as a child, but I twirled and leapt throughout the house, like the ballerinas I saw on TV. The photo I dug up appears to show that I had an interest in... modern dance? If I'd had a clue that there were ballet studios with classes for children, maybe I would have begged. But our house was my studio/stage.

At the age of 15 my friend and I found a ballet studio in the Yellow Pages and we called up about classes. Jenny and I used babysitting money to buy leotards and ballet slippers and to pay for classes. We loved it.

At 16, my family left Tallahassee and I found another studio in my new town. The Ann Arbor studio was rigid and thrilling. There were strict color rules for leotards and tights. Hair had to be in a bun. I loved the tiny, ancient woman who played the piano for the class. When our instructor halted her playing to give instruction, I sometimes feared the sweet piano player would nod off and fall from her bench. 

I was delighted to be in higher level class. I was in awe of the more experienced dancers, who kept their chins lifted and walked in "turn out" even when they left the studio. But, it was hard to keep up and I didn't last long. I didn't attempt ballet again until I took a class my freshman year of college. 

My ballet class at Webster College did not prove rewarding. I remember returning from Christmas break, eager to get back to the music and movement that brought me such satisfaction. My instructor greeted me with a sigh. "Oh, Beth," The words were spoken with drama and disappointment. "I had so hoped you might reduce over the holiday."  I wanted to smack that teacher, who suddenly seemed concerned about my Freshman 15 weight issues. I lost a little of my enthusiasm for ballet that day.

Ballet Once Again

So this morning, I took my first ballet class since college. I had no leotard, so I just wore a shirt and Nike tights. I did have a nifty pair of the ballet shoes... the cheapest I could find on eBay. I walked into the purple studio at Creative Crossings, where Jennifer was ready to teach a small Open Class to all levels. 

Two of the 4 students had a ballerina air about them, but I wasn't intimidated. I'm 60!  I haven't taken a ballet class in 40 years, I thought. It's so fun to have excuses, but I didn't need any. Jennifer was as relaxed as a ballet teacher could be. She was encouraging, when I fumbled a bit. But mostly my body seemed to remember as I followed along. 

I loved holding the barre and hearing the music and the familiar terms... "plie, grand plie, releve, tendu and arabesque..." ​ 
For just one hour, I felt a little bit graceful. It felt good to realize my muscles could remember. I think my muscles (and joints) will be reminded tomorrow, as well! But that's fine. I left smiling!

​Number 7
Dancing at My Daughter's Wedding
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Warm-Up in November, at Scott and Chali's Wedding

Dancing at weddings is the best! I'm just saying that. I've actually danced at very few weddings to be honest. But now, I'm getting the hang of it!

Before I even started my Year of Dance Challenge, I got a little practice at my son's wedding. Scott picked the best music,  "Si Tu Vois Ma Mere". Our Groom & Mom dance, will be top on my most memorable dance list. I'm glad I got to follow it up with some crazy, polka dancing with Scott's buddy, Braxton... and some also, very serious dancing with friends!

Heidi and Jamie's Wedding

On March 25, I added Number 7 to my list! Dancing at my daughter's wedding allowed me the best kind of dancing ever. There was no spotlight to worry about, just the fun of watching Heidi dance with her husband and her father. After both,  I could breath a big sigh of happy, that all had fallen into place on a beautiful spring evening! I was ready to get up and swirl my skirt!
I will add... my great-nephew Colden totally wore me out!

​Number 8
Bharatanatyan Dance
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I recently learned there was a classical Indian dance class, available in my neighborhood. I communicated with the teacher by email, about trying the class. Shashi suggested I wear some kind of tunic and loose pants. I also needed a dupata to tie around the waist.

Luckily I had an Indian outfit, purchased from Goodwill a year ago. I wore a long cotton shirt instead of the stiff tunic, but the pants and dupata worked fine.

I headed 1 mile to the neighborhood clubhouse on a Saturday afternoon, ready to learn. I had no idea what was involved. 

Oops!

I arrived to the classroom early. Imagine my surprise when the room began to fill with about 14 little girls. Their mothers gathered around, sitting on the floor in their own colorful attire. They pulled out notebooks to assist their daughters with instruction later.  The instructor, Sashi, arrived in flowing fabrics and graciously welcomed me, as if I wasn't twice the size of my classmates... none of which were there for the first time.

Shashi invited to me to observe and/or join in. I watched for a while, in awe. Shashi's voice guided the children through a sort of spiritual opening routine. She invited me to join and I stood in the back, feeling like an oversized, Will Ferrel in "Elf", towering above the other students. Then for nearly an hour, I moved to the beat of Shashi's rhythm on a wooden block, following her instructions and the other children. I learned to stomp and how to keep my torso fixed, shoulders back and knees flexed outward. There were numerous hand signs that symbolized different thoughts.  We jumped, we chanted, we did a special thank you prayer at the end. 

Yes, I felt a little silly for a while. I'm sure the kids were perplexed as to why I was there. I was old. I had no mom there taking notes for me.  I looked different. I'm sure the moms also wondered. But I was happy I'd gone. I felt more pleased than embarrassed when I finished class. I was so grateful that Shashi let me be a part of her class, even if it was for children. I raced home like a little kid and begged Don to watch what I'd learned. I tried to tell him some of the history Shashi had shared, but I was already forgetting.
I won't return to join the kids' class.  But now I'm inspired and a little more brave to take on a Bolllywood class! 

​Number 9
Dancing at an Indian Hindu Wedding
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In April, we were invited to a very special wedding. Our son was best man for his childhood friend, Suraj. I was eager to know there would be lots of colorful dancing!

What to Wear?

I was pretty darn excited when we were encouraged to come dressed in festive Indian clothing. I shopped in Houston's "Mahatma Gandhi District", where you can park once and find about 20 sari shops within walking distance. I found a purple "saleaar kameeze" for the "Sangeet" on Thursday night. I bought a pink and gold "lehenga" for the "Baraat Arrival" and "Sumuhurtham" Friday morning. On Friday evening, I ended up wearing formal "western" clothes for the  reception. I lost count of all the stunning outfit changes made by the bride and groom!

Dancing

​There were festive dances woven into every event! I loved observing the movements and gestures, the smiles and energy! A drummer accompanied much of the rhythmic dancing. Bollywood style music filled both venues, as well!

 On both Thursday and Friday nights, Don and I along with our daughter-in-law, were welcomed to the dance floor. Our son Scott was already warmed up, with all the dancing responsibilities of the bridal party. I tried to follow along with some of the movements, which I sort of recognized from my recent class. But mostly we just smiled and clapped and jumped a little bit.

​What an incredibly happy and colorful celebration! 

Number 10 
Mexican Hat Dance
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Cinco de Mayo 2018!

I know that Cinco de Mayo is not such a big deal holiday in Mexico. It's sort of an excuse for Americans to drink margaritas and act a little crazy. But I still thought there might be a celebration in the Houston area where I could enjoy a little festive food, music and dance. I gave up my search.

Instead, Don and I had our own celebration in the backyard with margaritas and mariachi music. I dusted off the old sombrero that Don's family got in Mexico when he was a kid. Then I proceeded to dance the Mexican Hat Dance by myself... and for any curious neighbors who might be watching. The recorded version I have, is very long and by the time I finished many minutes of "A-jump, a-jump, a-jump, clap-clap, a jumpity-jumpy-jump, clap-clap" I was thoroughly exhausted! 

​And yes, I did dance around the hat as well. 

Number 11
Polish Festival Dancing
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Food & Dance at the Polish Festival

​Last weekend Don and I attended the annual Polish Festival at Our Lady of Czestochowa Polish Church. I was a little jealous of Don's heritage, since his grandfather came from Poland to Ellis Island, as a young boy. I yearn for roots in a fun culture!

We enjoyed some traditional Polish dance performances while we dined on perogis and cabbage rolls. I was hoping Don's Polish beer would make him more game to hit the dance floor with me, when they opened it up for my favorite... polka dancing!

Joining In

​But Don said it was too hot. It was warm, but mostly Don is just not as big a fan of the polka as I am. But, before I had a chance to pout about that, the dancers asked for some volunteers on the dance floor. Don seemed mighty excited all of a sudden. "Here's you chance!" He knew he was off the hook. 

I was surprised that very few were jumping at the invitation to join the dancers, dressed in flowered skirts, and dancing knickers. But by the time I got up there, others began to fill out the circle. Let me just say, I did a darn good job, circling with the group, clapping and wiggling my hips. Can I please NOT SAY, that it was the annoying "Chicken Dance" that I had volunteered for. 

I would have much preferred to pour my energy into a brisk Polish polka! But at least I can say, I danced at the festival!