Swing Dance America

A West Coast Swing & Hustle Convention

Great fun , Great dancing , Great location

many hustle pros are invited

April 22 to 25 2010

go to:  www.swingdanceamerica.com     

_______________________________________

For line dancing
in the Oak Lawn / Chicago Ridge area

Cathy Vary

at the G
lendora House

teaches every Tues. & Thurs.
at 7:30 pm.  -  $ 8:oo

708-425-3686




WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE                  
BY JON SERLETIC   


Ever since my first dance convention when I stood near the                      
edge of the dance floor , watching the couples going around ,                      
admiring what I saw, wondering if I could ever do that , I knew
that I was in a place where peoples dreams were coming true .

I had never heard of the UCWDC (United Country Dance Council),
but I knew someone had created an environment where the
average person of average income could participate in something               
that most only dream about . I had always thought that this was                 
only for the gifted , lucky , or affluent . Yet here were  average social         
dancers taking lessons , learning routines , and  giving it a try ;                     
receiving  applause from folks they didn't even know.

Perhaps the best way to express what I'm thinking and feeling is to      
give you a few accounts of what I actually saw take place .

A couple years ago while watching Newcomer Pro Am , there                   
were two older ladies with their pro from Indiana .  It was obvious            
that they had just started dancing , and perhaps were not quite ready       
for competition , but they were there giving it a try . First one dancing        
with their instructor , then the other in the next  heat . Both struggled        
to stay on time , counting to themselves . The instructor I could see            
was concentrating to keeping them on track.

I couldn't help but admire him for his patience and understanding ,
and them for their courage and determination .
Then I realized
what I was really seeing : He was helping them build faith in                         
themselves .  
They are still competing with him . They have costumes         
now , and they are loving it . I wonder if they realize what an excellent      
example they are to other men and women like themselves ,  who are
still dreaming .

This next example actually made me , and perhaps other watching , a
little anxious , wondering how things were going to work out  .

A very classy looking lady , well up in years , very slowly walked out        
onto the dance floor . She was arm and arm with a tall extremely        
handsome young man , perhaps young enough to be her grandson .
I thought , if this were so what a nice memory this would be . He had         
this great posture and poise about him as he slowly walked with her           
like he could have been escorting the First Lady . Then I got a little              
nervous for them as I realized that this was a two step at a pace of at       
least 180 BPM.  Oh , my !
She was the only one in the gold category so they were on the floor by      
themselves . The music started and they two stepped rather nicely             
 kept their timing . Near the end there were signs of her tiring and              
 loosing step, but B. J. Brown the DJ was on the ball,
He slowed the            
 music down , an helped fulfill another dream ,
and us to relax as well .  

It's alway encouraging to see kids on the dance floor . I've seen               
some as young as three . I saw a group of kids five and up , thrill the          
crowd with their line dancing at Worlds . I'm especially encouraged             
when I see teens study dance ....fathers with daughters , mothers             
with sons .  
This last example is probably the best . I believe it was at Beth                 
Emersons' Gateway Festival 2002 .  I was sitting next to Kathy                    
Mcbreen , when along with other contestants , came a boy with                  
Downs Syndrome , and proved he could dance . He was with his                  
mother who was an accomplished dance instructor. She would                    
 patiently wait for him to lead , he especially liked giving her free spins .
I nudged Kathy and asked if she was feeling the same thing I was.         
She looked over with tears in her eyes and said " yes , I'm sure a good      
        number of people are " .
Throughout the weekend I noticed this boy sitting in the front row,             
and  every time a name was announced he would stand up and                   
vigorously applaud . He was absolutely tireless about this .  Everyone         
who competed that day got a standing ovation from Marshall .
(He must have felt that everyone who entered it , deserved it .)
The UCWDC has established something very special , very unique ,          
and very necessary .
With it's many faults , (that they admit to) it's
still the only thing of it's kind , and provides such vast opportunities
for anyone willing to try , and willing to accept it , with the friendliest
and most approachable dance instructors in the world .

As we know " the music dictates the dance ". Likewise , Country Music
embodies the country spirit that I see and have been able to                        
experience myself .

This must continue , and we can ensure that it will , with a little                 
encouragement , a little support , and perhaps participation .

Do you have a dream ?
                                     
 

There is so much to talk about when it comes to dance .
All articles on this site from my collection.
If you find then helpful let me know.

cjonsqqss@yahoo.com
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