Saturday, December 20, 2014

Last Dance

The last dance of 2014. Men with Grinch ties, women in flashy red or flowing white, ready to waltz, tango, cha-cha, swing, and night club. A buzz of excitement grew as the room filled.

My East Coast Swing class and two others would perform. We chatted nervously about the routine we had learned. Some practiced on the main floor, though the music often stopped short of the final flourish.

We met in the small room to assign partners and rehearse one last time. Enough of us showed up that some got to dance twice so all could participate. I would be in the second group.

I watched the first group, tracking the sequence of steps, spins and twirls.

Then my mind went blank as the music began for my group. The lead assigned to me, a delightful young dancer, doesn’t let me get far off the routine. I try to mirror her smile, but find myself biting my lip in concentration. We finish with me teetering to the final bow.

Not perfect. I still haven’t mastered the cross-step-hitch-and-go. I’m not even sure that’s what it’s called. Still, I’m good at stumbling through. If anyone noticed, I didn’t care; it was great fun.

With the break until January, I haven’t decided what to try next. But I’m going to keep dancing – right on up to my own Last Dance.