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Folk Dance Federation of California, South, Inc.


DANCING WITH TWO LEFT FEET
I Felt Welcome
By Lou Pechi, 2006


Lou Pechi

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Lou Pechi logo Did you notice that every so often we get newcomers to our dance group and there is always a kind soul that takes them under their dancing wings and shows them the dance steps? In many instances, the kind soul is not necessarily the best dancer or the best teacher and what they show the newcomers are not necessarily the correct steps.

To some of our "Cohanim," or keepers of the Folk Dance Faith that is more terrible than scratching of fingers on a blackboard. They feel, rightly so, that one should be taught to dance the correct way. While I fully agree with them, this situation presents a big dilemma.

So what is one to do? (And this is a multiple-choice question. Remember those?)

  1. Ignore the poor newcomer and let him struggle on his own. Eventually he will get it. And anyhow, why doesn't he take a beginner's dance class?

  2. Correct the kind soul who offered his assistance and thus discourage him or her from ever again taking the newcomers under their dance wings. If we do discourage them all, who will be left to take care of the newcomers?

  3. Have one of the "Cohanim" take him aside and show him the right way?

  4. Leave the kind soul alone. After all he is paying attention to the newcomers and showing them we care. The newcomers will feel welcome and return to the group. I am sure that after several times dancing the dance, they will get it. In the meantime they will enjoy dancing. Maybe not exactly the way it was taught, but dancing anyway.

Let me know how you feel. What do you remember from your first folk dance experience?

Has someone just dropped your hand and left you dancing by yourself when you didn't do the dance exactly the way the group was taught? It happened to me many years ago when I first started dancing. I refused to dance for several years.

Finally, at my wife's urging, I went dancing again. I don't remember if the person who showed me the dance steps was one of the "Cohanim" or just a kind soul who took pity at my two left feet. It was not important. I felt welcome.

Well, I have been dancing since and thoroughly enjoying it. My belated thanks go to the person who showed me the way. Whoever it was, you have enormously enriched my life. Thanks a bunch.

Printed in Folk Dance Scene, "DANCING WITH TWO LEFT FEET (11), February 2006.