Wednesday, September 24, 2008

dancing shoes

Am just back from dancing. From an evening of swing dancing with the ever lovely Emily at Forrester's Hall in Redwood City.

I've never done swing dancing before. I've never really done any proper social dancing at all, except for a very little bit of salsa, and then the usual bopping around to loud music in clubs or at parties, which I'm not sure counts as "social dancing". I spent most of the evening staring down at my partners' feet, trying to figure out what was going on. Even so, the dancing was marvelous, exhilarating, and an utter delight. It felt wonderful and strange to be surrounded by so many people who were dancing because there was nothing else they would rather be doing. Sheer fun and delight. Everyone was so friendly. A very kind man named Adam, who is one of those dancers who move so smoothly and casually that you can't help but imagine that he moves under a perpetual summer breeze, taught me one of the basic steps. Someone else taught me part of the Charleston, and someone else showed me how to do triple steps. Most of the time, I just whirled and slid around, and laughed my head off because I was having such a good time.

Am also now inspired to write something about those twelve dancing princesses and their worn out dancing slippers, and about how it feels to dance the night away. Lauren suggested it, and the more I think about, the more I wonder...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just finished a story that had a reference to Twelve Dancing Princesses! One of my favorite childhood books ;) Do you have it? The illustrations are sublime.

Kat Howard said...

That was also one of my favorites growing up, but now that I think of it, I don't think I ever remember reading a version that focused on the dancing. I can't think of anyone better to write one that does.

Megan Kurashige said...

Monica- Yes! I think I may even have two different editions of the story. I also, for some odd reason, always mixed it up in my head with the illustrations from the Butterfly Ball book.

Kat- Thanks! If (and when :) you come out here, we should definitely go dancing together.