Home At Last

I just flew in from San Diego and boy, are my arms tired. I've been gone about 3 weeks on a business trip. While in San Diego I went to a studio in Encinitas called Dance North County. It's a friendly little place and I had a great time going there.

Doris and I have got a lot of work to do to catch up to where we were. Even though we've been dancing as much as possible, we couldn't practice all the steps we've been learning. We've got a lot planned for this weekend to help us get back up to par. We are practicing today and will go to Studio One Friday night for the weekly practice session. Saturday, we will go to our Argentine Tango lesson at Lioudmila's and have a dance with the Regal Dinner and Dance Club in the evening. Sunday, we will go to the Candy Factory in Manassas for the 1st Sunday dance. Monday, we have our Ballroom lesson with Richard.

Business Trip

I am spending some time in San Diego on business. Since I have to keep in practice I've been going to a local studio, Dance North County. I've been here a week and had classes in Salsa, Argentine Tango, American Tango, Rhumba, and Hustle. I've also gone to 3 dance parties.

Looking at that list, you may find it hard to believe that I came out here to work. However, I am under instructions to keep in practice while I am out here.

New Year's Eve Celebration 2008

There is no better way to bring in the New Year than going dancing. Before we started dancing we would get woken up by the sound of other people celebrating on New Year's Eve. Now we take the opportunity to kick up our heels. You only live once. We figure we should get some good, clean, wholesome fun before we get too old. This way we will have something to reminisce about when we're sitting in our rocking chairs at the old folk's home.

We celebrated at the Officer's Club at Ft. Belvior. This is becoming a regular haunt for us. The band was Impact. We hadn't heard them play before. They were a 5 piece ensemble and played really well. It got kind of crowded on the floor, but it looked like everyone was having a good time. I know that we did. We were with a group of friends that we see different places when we go dancing. Pictured are Janet & Jeff, Cookie & Raymond, Joy & Tony, Nancy & John, and us.

Holiday Party at Studio One

Friday was the annual Holiday Party at Studio One in Alexandria. It was held in the same location as the regular Friday night party, but there was a lot more food and a lot of people showed up to help celebrate the season. Bill and Agnes hosted the festivities as Ben was unavailable.

Agnes brought in a new CD with ballroom dance music with a Christmas theme. We got to dance our favorite steps to new music.

New York, New York

As an early Xmas present to each other, we had a 2 day holiday in NYC. We took the train from Union Station in DC at 7:30 am to Penn Station in Manhattan. They've put up a parking garage at Union Station since our last trip. The lot where we parked last time has a building on it now. We got up to New York about 11:00 am, hiked from Penn Station to Times Square and got into our hotel. Then we went looking for lunch in a real NYC delicatessen. On the way to lunch we saw the Naked Cowboy. I'm not sure what he was advertising, but he looks kind of cold. You never know what you will see around Times Square. It's fun to wander around and take a look. We saw some other entertainers in front of the Ripley's Odditorium. They were dancing to a Reggae rhythm up on stilts. The first night we went to see the Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall. It was their 75th Anniversary Extravaganza and they put on quite a show. I never expected to see 3D effects in a live theater show. The next day we had breakfast in the hotel and then headed down to Macy's. We walked along 5th Avenue to see how the shops were decorated and passed by the NYC Public Library with its lions in the front.
Macy's was packed. Black Friday here is a regular Thursday for them. This was a regular workday and it was tough to move around, and you could forget about getting an elevator. I'm always intrigued by their wooden escalators anyway. These things are ancient and look like they could eat small children. Macy's goes all out during the holiday season. We liked the Poinsettias singing carols. Macy's also has on display the crystal ball that will be seen in Times Square to usher in the New Year. This was very impressive. A huge ball that changed color over and over. Like watching a kaleidoscope from the outside.We originally planned to see the matinee for Wicked on Wednesday. However, the stagehand strike prevented that. We did get tickets for Mary Poppins instead. This was in the New Amsterdam theater, which was famous for the Ziegfeld Follies. It was a great performance. I never have seen someone tap dance upside down before.After the play we headed back down to Penn Station to catch our train. We stopped off at another delicatessen for dinner. If you ever eat at one of these places bring a big appetite or plan on sharing. They had some really great coleslaw, too. We got a last view of the Empire State Building and went into the train station.
They have an interesting way of doing business there. There is a display board in the center of a huge room that shows what trains are coming in and what track they are boarding from. The thing is you won't know what track to go to until about 10 minutes before they start boarding. The board would change showing the track number and a herd would stampede for the door. We had a great time in NYC as we normally do when we visit. It would be a fun place to live; for about a year. I don't know if I could keep up the pace longer than that.

Milonga ‘Pasional’ at the Athenaeum

Anya and Anthony of TangoDuos are participating in the Milonga 'Pasional' held at the Athenaeum in Old Town Alexandria every 2nd and 4th Friday. We are really enjoying our Argentine Tango lessons and are always looking for new places to dance. So, we decided to check it out.

The Athenaeum is an interesting venue. It used to be a bank among other things and is now a center for the arts. They have just installed a new floor which was a pleasure to dance on. It wasn't crowded as we went on the Friday after Thanksgiving. They usually have a pretty good crowd so next time we'll get there good and early. It was a great place to use our Argentine Tango and we need the practice.

Play Review - South Pacific

We have a tradition for Thanksgiving. We normally get season tickets to the Lazy Susan Dinner Theater every year and spend Thanksgiving there. This year they put on a production of South Pacific. As the year heads into winter, it was kind of nice to be reminded of romantic nights on warm, tropical islands. The production of this classic play was great and the food is always good and plentiful. It's a lot easier on the cleanup, also.

Traffic Trouble

We went to the O Club on Wednesday night, which is our usual thing. We have a standing date and have become regulars there. They have a great buffet meal and a good sized dance floor. The band last Wednesday was "Airplay", a four piece ensemble who did a pretty good job.

We always try to arrive before the door opens at 6:00 PM. There is normally a line of the other regulars and we get a chance to visit for a couple minutes. We wait for our meal until the band's first break. Most everyone else is hitting the buffet line while we hit the floor, so there is more room to dance. After the break we get to sit down to enjoy our meals; unless a really good song comes up. Eating comes second to dancing.

On the way off Ft Belvior, about 9:00 PM (2100 Hours for us military types), we encountered a traffic signal that was malfunctioning. We sat at the red light for several minutes before I decided it would never change. I checked both ways and proceeded through the intersection. The MP in the car behind me thought that I hadn't waited long enough. I got off with a warning and I will pass it on to you; "Never run a red light on a military installation." I wanted to ask him how long I should have waited. However, I make it my policy never to be argumentative with anyone more heavily armed than I.

Second Sunday Dance at DCRC

Jody and Charlie have started having a dance at the Dale City Recreation Center every 2nd Sunday of the month from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. They normally have a practice session on Sunday from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. This is in a larger room and they bring finger foods and water.

We went Sunday to this dance and had a lot of fun. There were dancers with a variety of experience; some new students and others that have danced for years. It is a nice venue and a bunch of great people. The word must be getting out as there were enough people that Charlie opened the removable wall to expand the room. It would be nice if there were more opportunities for dancing on this end of the county.

I think that ballroom dance is the perfect entertainment. When you are dancing with a partner, you necessarily have to pay attention to that partner. If you go to a move with your significant other, you are both paying attention to the screen (or to the kid that just dumped his soda in your lap).

Friday Night Dance

We were invited by friends to attend a dance at the Heritage Hunt clubhouse last Friday. There was a nice dinner and a DJ. We got a chance to visit and dance some Swing and Hustle.

Here are Kathy and Randy doing some Jive.

Strictly Ballroom

We went out last night to the Strictly Ballroom studio. Strictly Ballroom is operated by Melissa and Mike Scott. They have a new venue and we wanted to check it out. They set it up really nice. There is a large dance floor where they had a group lesson in Swing. Mike is an excellent instructor and always does a good job with his classes.

Melissa was showing us around after the class. When you first walk in there is a large dance floor. That's only the half of it. Behind a wall they are putting in a competition sized floor. There aren't many studios around with this kind of space for dancing.

They are planning to have their Grand Opening the evening of October 6th. The new floor should be finished by then. We are really looking forward to trying it out.

Tango DC Freedom Plaza

This is a great way to experience Argentine Tango. Almost every Sunday evening from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM there is dancing at Freedom Plaza located at 14th and Pennsylvania in downtown DC.

Weekend of Dancing

We did get some dancing in over the weekend. I got home from San Diego late on Friday so we didn't make it to Studio One for our regular dance night. Our Argentine Tango lesson on Saturday was mostly a review since we didn't get to practice together during the week. It was very crowded with a lot of different lessons going on at the same time. We usually arrive early so we can warm up a little before our lession. There was not enough room on Saturday. It was interesting to watch the belly dance lesson. There was a wedding couple taking lessons at the same time we were and near our space. They played the same music over and over and over again. It would have been a good song if played once. After an hour, it was starting to drive me crazy.

Saturday night we went back to Lioudmila's for their dance party. While we were there a woman stopped by and asked if I worked for DCS Corporation. This was totally out of the blue and really made me do a double-take. I told her that I did work for DCS. She said that her husband worked for DCS and that she had seen us dancing during the XMas party last year. Hey, it was a DJ and an empty dance floor; we weren't going to waste it.

On Sunday, we went to the Candy Factory for the first Sunday dance. Another rather odd thing happened during this dance also. There was a photographer from the Washington Post there taking pictures. We were getting set to dance a waltz and he came over snapping pictures. We took off and here he came right behind us snapping away with his camera. He followed us around the floor at least twice. I think he got a little winded. I felt pretty good that I was able to maintain the lead even with that kind of distraction.

Business Trip

This week I am traveling on business to San Diego. The weather this week makes me understand why Californians are so mellow. It's been in the mid-70's all week and not humid by DC standards.

I wanted to get in some dancing while I am here. You can't develop or keep any proficiency if you don't practice. So, I went the Dance North County studio Tuesday night to see what they had to offer. At 6:00 PM I joined their Beginning Argentine Tango class, given by David Tomko. It was a a good sized class with me making the 6th person and 3rd gentleman. I was glad to even things up. The instructor was very good and I'm glad he could accomodate me dropping in on his class. I got some good practice and finally picked up on something that Anthony has been trying to drill into me about displacement. We have been trying a step that uses displacement and I was trying to displace my partner's foot. I finally caught on that it wasn't just the foot I want to displace. I am moving myself into her space and of course the foot comes along for the ride.

At 7:00, I attended a Latin class given by Daniel Vasco. I know that I need help with my latin motion so this was a good class for me. We went over latin motion in a cha-cha step that combined a basic, a cross-body lead into a progressive forward, another cross-body lead into a basic. So, I not only got some pointers on latin motion but picked up a new combination also.

After the latin class I went to their Social Dance party that went from 8:00 to 10:00. I got to do some dancing and met some very nice people. I danced a couple of Rhumbas and a swing and even got to practice continuity style foxtrot. My partner for that one was very polite and said I did a good job. We have only just started on Silver level Foxtrot and I know exactly 2 steps. I only stayed for an hour because my body is still on East Coast time and I was quickly turning into a pumpkin. I tend to step on my partner's feet when I get tired.

Argentine Tango Practica

On the first Friday of every month Anthony, our Argentine Tango instructor, holds a pratica at Lioudmila's from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM. We decided to go since we really needed the practice. It wasn't crowded and we knew the other couples that came from other dance venues.

Argentine Tango is very different from the other ballroom dance we know. Here is a quote from Wikipedia that sums it up: "Argentine Tango relies heavily on improvisation; although certain patterns of movement have been codified by instructors over the years as a device to instruct dancers, there is no "basic step." One of the only constants across all Argentine Tango styles, is that the follower will usually be led to alternate feet. Another is that the follower rarely has her weight on both feet at the same time. Argentine tango is a new orientation of couple dancing. As most dances have a rational-pattern which can be predicted by the follower, the ballast of previous perceptions about strict rules has to be thrown overboard and replaced by a real communication contact, creating a direct non-verbal dialogue. A tango is a living act in the moment as it happens."

All dancing is a special way of communicating with your partner. You are together there in the moment talking back and forth without speaking. Argentine Tango is so much improvisation that it brings that communion between partners to another level.

For example, in American Tango I lead my partner to do a fan. In Argentine Tango I lead my partner through the fan. As I interpret the music I can change the tempo of my lead in the middle of a step.

The Fabulous Bel Airs at Harris Pavilion

We met our friends Janet and Jeff, and Kathy and Randy, at the Harris Pavilion for dancing to the Fabulous Bel Airs. The Harris Pavilion in historic Manassas has a series of dances through the summer with a variety of bands. Manassas offers a lot for visitors with a variety of restuarants and cafes along with distinctive specialty shops and galleries. It's perfect for a day of strolling and shopping. When you get tired of that you can sit down to eat at a sidewalk cafe. The Harris Pavilion is situated in the middle of the Historic Distict of Manassas. It has a full calendar with events all year long. When it gets too cold for anything else they have ice skating.

We heard the Fabulous Bel Airs last year and really enjoyed them. We got to dance some rhumba, cha-cha, and lots of swing.

Tango at Freedom Plaza

Our dance instuctor in Argentine Tango recommended that we try the free Sunday evening Argentine Tango Milonga at Freedom Plaza put on by the Capitol Tangueros. The event is held every Sunday evening from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM during the summer. There were dancers at all levels of expertise. The outdoor dance surface was a little rough for the traditional ballroom dance shoe so it's better to wear either leather sole shoes or dance sneakers.

We are glad we went. The best way to get better at dancing is by dancing.

Freedom Plaza is located at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Ave NW, near Federal Plaza Metro Station. Admission is free.

Busy Day Dancing

We had a busy day yesterday. It was mostly dancing, so it was all good. We had our Argentine Tango lesson from Anthony from Tango Duos at 4:00 PM at Lioudmila's. We then had dinner at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants, House of Dynasty. For the main event we danced to the Key West Band at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas.

Anthony moved our Argentine Tango lessons to start at 4:00. The Tango Duos will be teaching us from 4:00 until 5:00. After that they teach a beginner class at 5:00 and then an intermediate class at 6:00. After the summer they will go back to teaching beginner, intermediate, and advanced one right after another. Anthony is a great instructor. He and his partner break down the steps well and he is very patient. With us patience in an instructor is a key ingredient to a good class. Our instructors need all they can get with us as students.

You can find a Chinese restaurant or two in any shopping center in the area. Once in a while you come across a decent one. Very occasionally, you find a really good one. One of the best in the area just happens to be on the way home from Lioudmila's. This House of Dynasty in the Hayfield Shopping Center on Telegraph Road. The service and food are always excellent. They do little things to make the dining experience unique. Things like the little dish of lemon sherbet to cleanse the pallet before the main course and the hot towel when you're finished.

We like to play a game with the fortune cookies. When reading the fortune put the words "in bed" at the end of the fortune. It always puts a twist to the meaning. For instance, mine said yesterday, "Enthusiasm is contagious. Not having enthusiasm is also contagious.". Good advice in any context.

We met our friends Janet and Jeff, and Kathy and Randy, at the Harris Pavilion for dancing to the Key West Band. The Harris Pavilion in Manasssas has a series of dances through the summer with a variety of bands. We heard the Key West Band last year and were glad to see that they were on the calendar again this year. We got to dance some rhumba, cha-cha, and lots of swing.

So we had a busy day. What could be better than getting together with friends and dancing the night away?

Dirty Dancing at Mountain Lake

We traveled to Mountain Lake Hotel on Friday to participate in their Dirty Dancing weekend. Mountain Lake Hotel is one of the locations where the hit movie Dirty Dancing was filmed 20 years ago. The hotel is located in southwestern Virginia just outside of Blacksburg. It's kind of rustic; my cellphone didn't even work and there was no TV in the room. I did find the alarm clock, though. It took about 6 hours of driving to get there. Late in the afternoon there was a terrific thunderstorm. Lots of lightning and loads of rain. We were glad we were staying in the hotel proper and not one of the cabins. We would have gotten soaked going to dinner. We had one of those package deals where the price included the activities and meals for the weekend.

By 8:00 PM the weather had cleared and we were able to go to the dancing in the Activities Barn. They had a DJ who started out playing the songs from the movie. Lots of swings and a couple of Rhumbas, Mambos, and Hustles. We danced from 8:00 to 10:30, which was good because dinner was great and we needed to burn off a couple of hundred calories.

We took a Dirty Dancing tour on Saturday morning. The guide had been working there when they filmed the movie and had a lot of insights and information about the filming of the movie. You might recognize the bungalow where Baby's family stayed and the "No Guests" sign from the movie. The bungalow has changed somewhat over the years. They added the stone wall and moved the staircase.




After the tour we went back to the Activities Barn to play Dirty Dancing Trivia Bingo. Our table won free Dirty Dancing T-shirts. During the trivia game, hotel staff passed out copies of the hotel register page where Patrick Swayze and several other cast members signed in. We noticed that Cynthia Rhodes, who played Penny, stayed in the same room that we did. I can honestly say that Penny and I slept in the same bed. OK, it was twenty years apart, but I can still say it. Quickstepper got her picture taken with a special someone, also.


A local dance studio, Sapphire Ballroom & Dance Center, came up and gave dance lessons during the afternoon. They had beginners classes on Mambo, Meringue, and Foxtrot. It was a good review for us and we got a couple of hours of practice. The instructors from the class had a showcase after dinner. This showcase was based on music and scenes from the movie. The showcase was followed by a couple of hours of general dancing. All-in-all, we got almost 5 hours of dancing in on Saturday.

On Sunday, we ate breakfast and hit the road for home. We took the southern route home; I-81 to I-64, then up Route 29 at Charlottesville to Route 17 toward Fredericksburg. We saw plenty of rain, but the only significant traffic was on I-95.

Hollywood Ballroom

Last night we decided to go somewhere different to dance. We had heard good things about the Hollywood Ballroom, so we went there. It's up near Silver Spring, Maryland which is farther that we usually go. The traffic on Sunday evening wasn't too bad and we made it in just over an hour. Even that far afield we met a few people that we know from other dance venues. Anthony, our Argentine Dance instructor was there. He didn't get much of chance to rest. He seemed to dance every dance, each with a different partner. We also saw a couple that are also members of the Regal Dance Club.

The Hollywood Ballroom has a large dance floor (7200 sq ft) so even with the crowd they had last night, there was room to dance. There were dancers of all levels from beginners to couples that could really move across the floor. They had one "John Paul Jones" mixer where the ladies form a circle in the middle of the floor and the gentlemen along the outside of the floor. The DJ would blow a whistle and the dancers would pair off to dance some Swing. There was a good mix of music. We got to dance everything that we have in our repertoire. The standard ballroom dances and we also got a chance to practice our Argentine Tango. We have a few of the basic steps down, but I'm still struggling to string them together.