|
About Dance Thing!
Where We Dance |
Dance Thing History |
Dance Etiquette |
Dance Shoes
Where We Dance (consistently most of the time):
Just
Dancing
236
Old Meramec Station Rd
Ballwin, MO 63021-5311
Phone: (636)227-7202
www.just-dancing.com
Map It!
Directions:
From 40/64:
Take Highway 40/64 to Route 141
(Woods Mill). Head SOUTH on 141 until Manchester Road. Head WEST on
Manchester Road to Old Meramec Station Road (one block), turn LEFT. Turn
LEFT on 1st Street and the studio will be on your right hand side.
From 44:
Take Highway 44 to Route 141
(Woods Mill). Head NORTH on 141 until Manchester Road. Head WEST on
Manchester Road to Old Meramec Station Road (one block), turn LEFT. Turn
LEFT on 1st Street and the studio will be on your right hand side.
The Sports Cafe'
12323 Natural Bridge Rd
Bridgeton, MO 63044
Phone:
(314) 298-1630
Map It!
Directions:
(Located in North St. Louis County, so it is NORTH
of the I-270 and I-70 interchange)
Take I-270 NORTH to St. Charles Rock Road, and head
EAST. After one block (first stop light), turn left onto Natural Bridge. Sport's
Cafe will be on the left hand side after about a half mile (the building has
clear light bulbs around the roof line).
History (written by Maria Blackwell):
Dance Thing was formerly known as "The
InCahooters." Back in the days of "Juke Box" and "Incahoots" there
was a bunch of us dancers that each time we were together at one of
these places, we would discuss where and when we would all meet again to
dance and socialize.
Back then, most of us were getting our home
computers so Dave D. created a web site for information purposes and so
was created www.dancething.com Dave is the sole creator and recently has
received some help with the upkeep of the calender portion of this GREAT
St. Louis dancer's web site. Loaded with information and pictures from
various events.
It consisted of everyone now, less Maria.
Dave started Swing & Country Night several years ago -- he does all the
music, bought the stereo equipment, located a studio that would let them
in for little to no money, created a website (a place for people to find
out when / where all the "similarly-minded" two-steppers/wc swing
dancers were going to meet up next, birthday celebrations -- they
brought lots of goodies to InCahoots to celebrate folks birthdays), etc.
I was still in the linedance world...had
never even heard of West Coast Swing. When I first started swing dancing
(Imperial), I met these people at the then InCahoots and they were super
friendly and welcoming. (Yes, this is very much a long story short)
InCahoots went bankrupt. In comes
"Cody's"...which never really took off. The group felt they really
couldn't call their "group" that anymore...and settled on Dance Thing.
The dances held at our beloved Just Dancing
Studio in Manchester, Mo are a great plus for all. They offer the
perfect floor and the perfect environment with a variety of music. ALL
of your admittance fees to these dances goes 100% to the studio. Dave,
Debbie, Brenda, Gary, Bob and Maria all volunteer their time to make
this happen for all two times a month.
A year later, I had become better at wcs
and started teaching it. Got rid of a few monkeys off my back and was
suddenly and very happily adopted by DT. A little while after that (Feb
2005), I approached them about starting a WC Night -- something like we
could get out of state and they basically said: go for it...it's yours.
You thought it, you run it. My name/web pages got added to the
"infamous" list. <grin> Dave still runs Swing & Country. Brenda does
announcements, maintains list of birthdays and that sort of thing.
Debbie does decorating when we do something that "requires" it and mans
the cash table. Bob/Gary basically fill in physically for the most part
but also help at the door. I create the calendars and Dave posts them.
We all pitch in to make the two Saturdays a month as fun as we can. We
all do the clean up before and after. We pay for all the
inconsequentials (flyer printing and such) and the music. We make
nothing from the door fees -- it all goes to the studio. However, all of
this is because we just wanted to dance with each other and with others
who enjoyed the same things/thoughts about dancing and music.
It was not until a little over a year ago
(Feb 2005) that West Coast Night got started. I designed the flyer and
begged/bought music and got going. At the end of May 2005 I started the
Juniors.
Dave handles the music and how Swing &
Country Night is run. I get carte blanche on WC Night.
We, (all of you dancers) are not a "GROUP
or CLUB" There are NO dues, fees, committee or treasurer.
We try very hard to give you a variety of
music and dance styles for your enjoyment. As always, the age old saying
will always be true: "You can't please 100% of the people 100% of the
time" but we do our best. Please visit your website often, tell your
dancing friends, (beginner to veterans) and come out and dance with us 2
times a month now.
Dance Floor Etiquette:
Dance floor etiquette should be viewed not
as a bunch of rules somebody is trying to force on the dancers, but
rather as a way to fully utilize the dance floor so that EVERYBODY has
fun. I hate it when the "line dancers -vs- couples dancers" arguments
start flying. If each dance is done in it's proper area, and if the band
or DJ can mix the music and provide a little guidance, there should be
room for everyone. In effect Dance Floor Etiquette serves to increase
the available space of the dance floor.
DANCE THROUGH THE STEENKING CORNERS! We've
all been there. You're doin' a popular line dance and your on the corner
of the center area (the swing dancers don't like this song). And you see
it coming. Mr 2-step approaches the corner and across, cutting off some
partner dancers. They have to retreat or retaliate. So you are now in
their way. They glare at you, you glare back ('cause you'd NEVER do
anything else (hee hee hee)) and hold your ground, so they try to
reclaim their ground and the clown who started the whole mess now glares
at the folks in the slow lane. OK, so you're mad, the partner dancers
are pissed at you AND Mr 2-step, and the 2-steppers move off cussing
about the clown who was in HIS way. Now NOBODY's havin' fun. BUT, if you
use the corners, once again we virtually increase the size of the dance
floor by reclaiming the part we've never used before. Every once in
awhile, when I'm doing a lesson and the circle starts compressing, I
place chairs at the corners and playfully admonish anyone who cut inside
the chairs.
LINE DANCERS, USE SELECTIVE FLOOR
PLACEMENT: The first person on the floor usually has the right to set
the dance they want to do. However as a courtesy so everyone has the
opportunity to do what they want, I suggest that if you think lots of
folks know the dance you place yourself in the center of the floor. If
however, you feel very few know the dance you want to do, line up on the
edge of the line dance area. This gives us better use of the floor by
not having people all around you trying to do a different dance than the
one you're doing.
FACE THE LONG EDGE OF THE FLOOR: This
really only helps on 2 wall line dances, but if you make it a practice,
then it becomes second nature and one less thing to think about. Many
dance floors have a short edge facing the bandstand or DJ. The initial
logical feeling is to face the music. Dancers joining lines have a
tendency to join an already existing line rather than form a new one.
Lines facing the longer edge can stretch out farther.
DANCERS BUMP INTO THE NICEST PEOPLE: It's a
fairly accepted practice that when a collision occurs, apologize, EVEN
if it wasn't your fault.
-taken from
The Information Super Dance Floor
Maria’s Notes
On The Joys of Teaching
Clichés and quotes to live by
You have to learn how
to walk before you can run. And most of them come to you still
crawling. You will never get them to learn higher technique until you
can get them moving … they have zero muscle memory so how can you FIX
what they have no memory of EVER doing.
Your WORST student
will be YOUR best teaching tool. You, as the teacher, will have to
learn what knowledge you have to have in order to teach THEM. So treat
that person with respect because he or she is an ASSET … because of that
person, you will invest in yourself so that you can reach that person.
Teaching beginners at
a local venue is not the same as teaching seasoned students at a
National event.
Never forget you
started at the same place as your greenest student. Take joy in their
accomplishments. Be proud when they surpass their teacher … you had a
hand in their making. Now help them to go on to those YOU go to for
coaching.
Never regret your
past. Life is in you today and you make your own tomorrows.
Shut up and dance.
And from a much loved
friend:
"No one can "outdance"
a bad personality. Successful dancers within the dance community have
people skills as well as dance skills and people skills are worth
developing. They go together. If you are pleasant and not so ego-driven,
more folks want to dance with you, even the better dancers. Hence, this
translates into enhanced dance skills."
n
Judith R. Meredith, LPC, Therapist and Dance Enthusiast
Small
things to teach them at the start
Teach by
example
Be aware of personal
hygiene. It is perfectly alright to mention it … no one wants to learn
with or from or touch someone who is smelly or improperly groomed. It
is perfectly alright to teach etiquette … both dancefloor and social.
Mention and Practice
the Golden Rule.
Forbid the use of the
word “Can’t” … encourage them in saying instead: Could you show me that
again?
Do not use someone
else’s shortcomings to prove a point. This introduces negativity for
one and also violates the Golden Rule. If you can’t say something nice,
say nothing at all. Tell them that if they are having trouble with
doing something, do not assume that the cause is in your partner.
Assume you have to learn something else in order to HELP your partner.
Do not allow your
students to correct each other. If they knew what was wrong they
wouldn’t have come to your class to learn. Do not allow your students
to correct or teach anyone on the SOCIAL dancefloor. Advise them that
if they MUST do this, to take it off the dancefloor and not to spend all
evening doing it either.
As a social dancer or
as a teacher, NEVER give unsolicited advice. If that person wanted a
lesson, they should hire you. Otherwise, they just want to dance.
Sometimes, a person is very intimidated to ask an upper level dancer /
instructor to dance with them … this is one of the “social save face”
things when they say to you: Would you please dance with me and please
tell me what I’m doing wrong – they don’t REALLY mean this. They are
just apologizing for feeling like they are not good enough to dance with
you. It took GUTS to ask you to dance. Make them feel good about
themselves … invite them to have a good time and don’t sweat the small
stuff, we will have a magical dance – now give it to them. Don’t
outdance their abilities but DO push the envelope a little. Make them
walk away feeling like “Whew, I actually didn’t do too bad.”
AN EXPERIMENT
This is not a “mind”
exercise. I want you to actually go DO this … it’s not enough to only
imagine it. Must must must experience it.
Drive to a store or a
restaurant or whatever. Park the car. Turn on your radio to a station
that you can barely stand. Now adjust the tuning just a degree or so,
so that the signal fades in and out. Now turn the volume down just to
the point where you really have to pay attention in order to hear it.
Look at your watch … mark the time and then sit there for THREE minutes
trying to hear the radio. Don’t get to do anything else NO CHEATING …
no talking, eating, drinking, smoking, reading, NOTHING. Just be still
and try to hear the radio and make out words / tunes, whatever.
THIS IS WHAT YOUR
STUDENT(s) GET. Sometimes, they can make out a few words … so they
MIGHT get a little understanding. But primarily it’s over their heads
… and they came here to DANCE, not get your life story. It’s not about
YOU, the teacher. It’s about LEARNING TO DANCE. Show them, get them
moving. Mention a thing or two but don’t talk them into the floor. As
they progress more, you can tell them more, but it’s still about DOING.
They don’t create muscle memory by hearing about it. It’s created by
TRYING TO DO IT and adjusting minutely each movement until they hit the
sweet spot. <grin> Knowing about YOUR climb up the dance levels
doesn’t give them the ability to dance … save that for the conversation
during a song you can’t stand. <grin>
“Shut up and dance”
really says it all.
Dance Shoe Tips
Tip For GUYS:
Guys sometimes just get Bowling shoes for
dancing or even a pair of comfy sneakers & glue a leather sole on the
bottom but the Bleyers (below) are truly sharp looking! (but more
expensive) Web discount stores:
Desirable Dance Shoe Characteristics:
- Look for Flexibility just behind the
ball of the foot but NOT in the arch.
- Leather or hard plastic soles for "Bars"
and sticky dance floors. Choose suede soles for smooth (slick) dance
floors like the Casa Loma & Farmer's club. Shoe repair shops can cover
soles for you if necessary.
- Be sure shoes are not too tight at the
toe - shoes do NOT stretch lengthwise. It will injure your metatarsals
sooner or later if your shoes are too short.
- Leather, but not plastic, will stretch
in width and Leather will allow more evaporation than plastic if you
choose a closed shoe.
- Look for a Cushioned insole and add arch
& metatarsal supports as needed- I like "Spenco" products or gel
inserts if added support is desirable.
- Ladies Hi-heels ideally are steel
reinforced at the arch/heel area & NOT TOO HIGH!!! I favor 1.25" or at
least less than 2”.
- An Ankle or instep strap or a lace-up is
the best design.
SHOE FIT TIPS:
- Leather will stretch width-wise but not
length-wise. Plastic & Satin may not stretch at all. I personally
advise you to avoid net insets unless they are a PERFECT fit.
- If one foot is a little bit smaller -
you can often buy an appropriate glue-in pad to help that shoe fit
better. Shoes should be form fitting but not tight. If they are too
large - you will get blisters. If too tight - you will be in pain and
could cause long lasting damage to your feet.
- You can also get Character & Jazz heels
or flats a little large, add athletic insoles, and have a leather
bottomed, cushioned, durable, versatile shoe.
- I favor the beige shoes for ladies as
the most flattering and versatile color.
More Casual dance shoes:
1.) Brava Bodywear- South Brentwood Blvd.
Between Manchester & Hwy 40 - St. Louis, MO, 63144. Phone Number: (314)
962-1000-Phone: (877) 962-1002 (toll-free)-Fax: (314) 961-4578 -E-mail:
bravawear@aol.com . -Website: www.bravabodywear.com. She has good dance
sneakers there also.
2.) Weissman's Designs for Dance - 1319
Macklind - St. Louis, MO, 63110, near Forest Park area. Phone (314)
781-3956-Fax (800) 777-8270 - Can get Character & Jazz heels or flats
here - as mentioned above, you can get them a little large, add athletic
insoles, and have a leather bottomed, cushioned, durable, versatile
shoe. This is Weissman’s local outlet shop. Call about hours and days
they are open. They don't stay open many nights.
Very Nice Dance Shoes:
Toe2Toe:
On the Web at
http://www.toe2toe.com/
She has lots of styles. Call toll free if
this is your first order & can’t decide. The owner is very helpful. You
can special order heel heights, sizes & COLORS! Her products are high
quality & she stands behind them. I have often found "Toe to Toe shoes"
to be superior because she orders snaps and extra padding added to many
of her shoes. She has some tango shoes & is very trustworthy re: returns
if they don't feel right. .- PS: Tell her Hi from me.
LOCAL SUPPLIER:
Gateway Ballroom Shoes - (636) 343-0036 ;
662 Greensleeves Dr, Fenton, MO 63026 . You will need to call to set up
an appointment to try on shoes. They carry essentially the same brands
as "Toe2Toe" carries but May not have the easy snaps Toe 2 Toe has. Tell
them Hi for me too.
Bleyers: - very good looking, lightweight,
& durable - mostly flat shoes to order on the WEB.
http://www.bleyer.com/frameset.html
You can order special color combinations.
For Bleyer’s you will need to also order your preferred athletic insole.
I personally like the full length Spenco which has extra arch support.
You can also get insoles from Athletic supply shops but I usually just
order on the web.
Below are a few Web sites that are like
outlets - limited selections & good prices; however, you really need to
know what you are buying.
|
