We can dance, But?

Careful, careful, the cases are going up again in Hawaii. QAnon has got into the controllers. Big Crowds in Waianae and Kapolei. No masks, no respect for social distance, the whole smash. Cases are going to go up. In spite of vaccines and precautions. New strains are coming with the tourists. Yogi Berra said it, "It ain't over 'til it's over." Vaccines are only 90% good. So you can figure that out of every hundred vaccinated, there are ten that ? heh heh. smartie.

"Social dancers are not the same as groups that specialize in one dance.

For social dancers, when the music changes, so must the dance

and the enjoyment that goes with it.."

 

Social dancers know they can dance now, but we must follow the recommendations to stay safe. First keep away from Trumpanzees. They are more likely to be contaminated and we all understand why. The groups will invite the right people. Next, testing, wear masks, respect social distance and wash your hands, (sanitizers) when you think you should. And if you dance outdoors, it is much safer than indoors. And changing partners is not recommended. Sitting couples should be at least seven feet apart. If we know it wont rain, we can plan an Easter Dance, outside, for just a few carefully picked couples.

"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective,

and may not be the truth."

 

Latest

 'It ain't over 'til it's over" Yogi Berra. Same thing holds true for the Trump Pandemic. In Waianae they were already having crowds. And where did the new cases come from? Ha Ha, No one knows. Dumb Dodos. We still must be careful even if you are already vaccinated. If you must gather with other people, meet outdoors or open windows to increase air flow, still wear your. mask or face shield. Keep a safe distance from others. Wash your hands when you think you should. Listen to the careful ones around you.

 "Most social dancers have been somewhat prepared for the worst, but we never lose hope for the best."

Ballroom dancing began as partner dancing when the man led and  the woman followed. It was simple and the woman almost always knew what he would lead ahead of his signal and both made basically the same moves. However it has progressed and today the social dance has much more complicated moves. The Lead does less than the "star" of the show which is the Follow. It has been accepted that it is no longer "equal." And it works beautifully when they each know how to do their part.

"Social dancers can dance for hours for excercize. Run for 10 minutes?  - Well, - I, - um, - later."

Not Yet

Pandemic lock downs might be pervasive throughout the world, but not all our movements have been restricted. This has not led to a slowdown in interest in dance, as people seek fitness, stress relief, healing and connection. Live classes on Instagram and YouTube have proliferated. Living rooms are becoming rave scenes thanks to live-streaming dance parties by celebrity spinners And mindfulness is taking center stage at sessions on Zoom. Some Line Dancing is beginning to form on Oahu, since they can dance with masks and a respectful distance. China seems to be leading the way World Wide for a safe way to partner dancing, mainly outdoors.

"Social dancers know that everything in this world has been done with hope.

So we must not lose our hope."

For us on Oahu, we can remember why we dance. Basic is that, we like to move to music. We have all seen young people with ear plugs and listening to some nice music and they start moving. They may realize that they look silly and stop, look around and smile sheepishly. But we all understand that it is perfectly natural. It is part of the enjoyment of life. Very easy to graduate to deliberate movements to music in the home. The even step is easiest and was the original ten thousand years ago. Just step - left, right, left, right to the beat and keep going. Move the legs, hips, upper body, head, anyway you damn well please. 

"Social dancers know that any kind of dancing is better than no dancing at all."

It's Not Over, Folks.

It hasn't happen on Oahu, we have been pretty careful. However people want to dance and they want to party. Police across the country have been shutting down parties that defied COVID-19 safety guidelines. They have shut down illegal warehouse parties where people were drinking and dancing without masks. And many large house parties acting as make shift clubs have also been shut down. Many cities have issued a special cease and desist order. In all incidents party goers weren't social distancing or wearing masks.

"Social dancers know that life is under no obligation to give us

what we expect, but we can always hope.”

State police shut down a house party near the University of Connecticut where 150 to 200 students were gathered also without masks, The three renters of the home that hosted the party were ticketed for violating the state's social distancing guidelines. These incidents come as public health experts warn that the US should not let its guard down even as cases decline. They warn that more transmissible variants of the coronavirus may likely spread and cause a resurgence in cases. Experts have warned that a strain discovered in the United Kingdom, known as B.1.17, is expected to become the most dominant variant in many states this month.

"I Will Dance For You" by Willie K

Makaha to Honolulu

 

Now that they are bringing up the Rail Disaster for the masses, we can get in it again and I just read something on it. Some plans include Taxi Drivers that live in Makaha than can buy a 12 passenger van. and don't worry about the round trip to Downtown Honolulu. With a full load, you can cover the income and expense very nicely and they have the rest of the day to pick up on the real cash. With the new electrics coming out this year you wont have to worry about gas. And you have a five day week built in.

"Social dancers may feel that the essence of dance is the expression of people.

The landscape of their souls. We can hope that every dance we do

reveals something of ourselves as a human being.”

The Bus/Rail charge of five dollars will go up to at least six dollars, the proposed $400 monthly parking permit in the rail stations will go up to $500. The users will be more than willing to pay (maybe $25 round trip) to ride in comfort to their places in Downtown Honolulu without the Bus and Rail Rigamarole Catastrophe. And everyone of these vans will have many cars missing right in front of them. The drivers are sitting in the vans very comfortably. Da way ta go, Moe!

 

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Bruddah Iz 

 

We don't lose hope

So, on Oahu, this has been dragging on for several months and we don't like it. We want to dance without endangering ourselves or our fellow dancers. Many of us are still wondering when will dance socially again. The answer is still "it depends!" But, a very few that know each very well are find ways to stay relatively safe and still dance in some place. And in the dancing community there are lots of resolves to keep dancing. Fortunately in many cases a good effort to do so, but in a fairly safe way given the situation. Most of the dancing on Oahu is still on hold.

Everything that is done in this world is done by hope. - Martin Luther

But we all long for those great nights at the district parks and community centers and yes, we are all saying “when, oh when?!” The answer is that we don’t really know when we can resume dancing, hopefully by the 4th of July. If we can keep the Trumpanzees from goofing it up. They don't believe in Masks. But until then we can try several other methods to enjoy moving to music. Online anyone? Ask around, and find out what some are doing and get some suggestions. For now, take your vaccine as soon as you can, wear you masks, respect social distance and wash you hands, Stay safe, we shall dance again.

“In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have

1,440 daily opportunities to do something.”

 

Dance Jargon

So we do have some time to clarify our conversations.

From The Bonehead's Guide to Ballroom Dancing Jargon.
Fads: Careful here, many people will be interested in new steps, patterns and even entire dances for a short period of time. They last longer now because of the amount of money spent on hype. But eventually they peter out, If you like it, enjoy it for as long as it lasts but do not forget your tried and true ones. 

Fallaway: A movement where a couple moves backward in a Promenade Position.
Fellow: The highest level attained in International Style of dance and awarded either in Ballroom or Latin Divisions. 

Figure: an activity in which a set sequence of dance steps is completed. Same as Pattern.
Flamenco: Andulusian folk dance known for heel drumming and castanets. The name dates from the Spanish occupation of Flanders and is recognized as the original Paso Doble.

"Social dancers believe that it may be because of hope that we suffer,

but it is through hope that we will change things."

Floorcraft: The art of dancing without running into somebody. It requires knowledge, not only of where you and your partner will be but also where the other dancers will be in the next pattern.
Follow: The lady partner interprets correctly the particular step or figure that the leader wishes to execute. And most ladies are marvels at it.
Foxtrot: An American Original in 4/4 time, and usually danced smooth and slow. Has three natural step rhythms.

"Social dancers know enough, that they must never attribute to malice

that which can be attributed to stupidity."