kate’s adventure

i’ve been getting in a lot of dancing, but only in my dreams. mostly partner dancing, round and round. feet moving by themselves, smooth, confident. leading and following, with various people known and unknown. very intimate or purely social, just us or in a crowded room, in the light or the dark. rumba, waltz and others my feet know but i can’t identify, in various locations and situations. once my partner was dragged away down my parents’ stairs, shouting behind her that i’ll never know what she’s given up, while i was left to amuse the little kids, back and forth bent over with them standing on my feet. but usually i wake up with an old song in my head, a rhythm or a posture. these dreams often leave behind strong emotions.

all i know from this is that i need to dance again. i need to get that good, and i need to make enough time to keep a regular commitment. this afternoon i again missed a class i could’ve gone to. maybe i need to keep my shoes in the car, but it’s still not much use if i can’t find the time or energy the next week. what i really need is a regular dance partner, someone i can be comfortable with and learn to understand, who will keep me to my regular commitment and maybe even get to practice in between. i’m up for rumba, ballroom and latin, tango or swing and could also be persuaded to many other things. i want to learn to lead but i’m also willing to follow. i want to dance with women but boys are good too. is there anyone out there?

unbelievable! i’m learning to dance without getting out of bed. i’ve found videos of rumba steps on the internet, which load promptly even on my sleepy little computer. i can repeat exactly what i want to see again, as often as i like. i’ve also found descriptions of moves, laid out – literally – step by step, and also solved a little mystery.

i took a latin dance class when i was studying in istanbul. we did rumba, salsa, cha cha and merengue, and my favourite by far was the rumba. i didn’t retain much, since it was taught in turkish and i had to watch other people’s feet most of the semester, but i was still suprised how unfamiliar it felt when i joined a class here in sydney.

tonight i read all about international style and american style ballroom. in rumba they are two completely different dances. posture is different, the way you move and step are different, even the rhythm is different! the dance i learnt and loved in turkey was – why am i not suprised – american style; 1 – 3 4, 5 – 7 8, or slow quick quick slow quick quick. at my completely endearing gay and lesbian ballroom and latin class which i must find time to attend again, we dance a less dignified, more salsa-ish 2 3 4 – 6 7 8, or wait step step step wait step step step of the international style.

i’ve been practicing diligently, mostly in my head but also shuffling around the loungeroom in a spare moment. my housemates laugh at it, but hopefully i’ll be able to lead a real person soon, with more than a few box steps and a badly paced turn. it’s fairly likely, considering my ginger rogers is absolutely wonderful to lead – amongst other things. i’ll be seeing her tomorrow night at hellfire; i wonder if we can make any room within the loud fast music and swarming people for the dance of love?