Seriously, how many times have you said, “I’ve always wanted to try that!”
Yeah, me, too. Like, all the time!
There’s actually something called neophobia — the fear of trying new things, even just breaking from routine — though I think my case stems more from inertia than anything psychological.
But I’m finally getting off my butt and diving in, and this weekly blog spot is where I’ll let you know how it goes. I’m open for suggestions for future outings — nothing that would make my mother say “Oy vey, you did what?!” — but I’ll certainly entertain recommendations.
OK, here goes. Are you with me?
It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing
I love dancing. Whether packed in and sweltering at the 8×10 in Fed Hill, circling up for the hora at a bar mitzvah, or in my own living room (where there’s always my favorite mix tape playing) I’m happy when I’m moving. But as much as I love it, I just don’t get out often, especially to learn new steps.
I’ve heard about the Mobtown Ballroom for years, a converted church on Washington Blvd. in Pigtown — you know, that community seeing resurgence in the purple shadow of the M&T Bank stadium. For months, I’ve taken note of the ads for swing dance classes and thought, ‘Hmmmm, sometime that would be fun.”
Well, “sometime” happened recently.
Five dollars gets you a beginner swing dance lesson every Monday, and for five bucks more you can stay for the open dance, which was totally worth it.
All levels of dancers filled the dance floor and even with the AC on icy setting, everyone breaks a sweat and you will too if you’re having a good time, so consider yourself forewarned.
Partners aren’t required for the lesson or the dance (though will be supplied), and dress ranges from extreme casual — jeans and t-shirts — to as snappy as you wanna be — swingy dresses, hipster hats. Footwear runs the gamut too, from tennis shoes to wingtips to little strappy kitten heels and everything in between.
The best part was the vibe. Everyone, including the instructors, was open and friendly — people are just there to dance, they love it, and it shows. There were the counting-off-steps beginners and the jaw-dropping movers, but everyone constantly swaps partners and is very forgiving — encouraging, in fact!
The ballroom (or sanctuary, at one time) has a hardwood dance floor, vaulted archways everywhere you look, twinkly lights and a great sound system for blasting out the swing tunes. There’s a cozy bar and Alan, the bartender, knew his way around the whiskeys in addition to engaging in friendly chit-chat.
My highlight was Paul, my last swing fling of the evening. He’s been dancing a long time and as a great lead, he had me performing new steps and spins in no time (one move employed some serious centrifugal force) and it was a blast.
The Verdict:
Yaassss! I signed up for Lindy Hop beginners, and away I go! I’ll keep you posted.
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