It used to be the case (18th-19th centuries, after the invention of partner dancing as we know it) that “older” and/or married people didn’t dance at parties or balls. Dancing was for the young people and those who were courting. I’m glad that’s not true anymore or Daniel and I would not have had as much fun last night as we did! Macon State College hosted its first Spring Formal and we attended as “chaperones.” Actual chaperoning was unnecessary but we got some good dancing in and some excellent publicity for the dance club. The club members tried out their new tango steps to the Glee version of “Bust Your Windows,” experimented with the rumba (which Daniel taught them at last week’s meeting after I left: very sneaky!), and we saw some swing, merengue, and hustle happening as well. Not to mention the panoply of non-ballroom dances that we all participated in. Club president Minwoo Kim helped me remember how to do the Wobble; Daniel and I did the Cha-Cha Slide right on the edge of the floor because it was so crowded, and we saw a slightly funkier version of the Electric Slide called the “G Slide.” As for the “Stanky Legg”. . . I’m going to have to practice that one at home. In dark of night. And maybe leave it at that.
A total of about 160 students and guests attended, all dressed in their best and ready to have a good time. Everyone was shy about getting on the floor at first but once the ice was broken, the floor was never empty. By the end of the night we were all wishing the floor were bigger! After the tango, I grabbed a microphone from the DJ and gave a little plug for the dance club. Nothing like trying to speak to a crowd when you’re out of breath from dancing. Whew. The whole event was an unqualified success and we’re glad we could be there. I took a few videos and still photos with my phone, we had a professional photo taken, MSC-TV had cameras there, and someone was taking candids, so I should be able to post some media soon. So great to see our students looking elegant and having fun DANCING!