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Folk Dance Federation of California, South, Inc.
DANCING WITH TWO LEFT FEET |
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The other night I watched the rerun of the movie "Rose" with Bette Midler in the role of the 1970s singer Janise Joplin. Listening to the raspy voice of Janice bearing her soul to the audience, I could not resist thinking how much I love that lady's singing. It was the raw unrestricted feeling that touched my soul.
The songs brought me back to the 1970s, when men let their hair grow long while I had a crew cut, wore white shirts with narrow black ties, and had to work and support a young family.
Oh, how much I yearned for that freedom!
You might wonder what all of this has to do with folk dancing. Quite a lot, if you ask me. Have you listened to the open throat Bulgarian women singing; or the Greek Rembetico songs; or the Israeli dances celebrating the newly achieved freedom? They are all about bearing the soul, whether joy, sadness, or sorrow. It is all about feelings.
In the 1970s instead of joining the free hippie souls, I joined the folk dance group in Laguna Beach. For me the group provided an outlet for the freedom I was yearning. Joining the group allowed me to balance my life of work with the freedom to dance. The fast Râčenica, Syrtos, Kolo, and other dances acted like a safety valve for me.
Many of us struggle with the steps and worry if we or others are doing the dance correctly. We tend to stiffen, choking off any feelings for the dance, and dancing becomes very mechanical. Yes, steps are important, but let's not forget that dancing is all encompassing. Once we become familiar with the steps, listen to the music, listen to the beat, listen to the singing, and let your body move. Dancing was part of the people's celebrations, so let's put celebration back into the dance.
As they say, dancing without the passion is like dancing without music.
Printed in Folk Dance Scene, "DANCING WITH TWO LEFT FEET (17), September 2006.