I always know when the wife is really, truly ill. She passes up a chance to go dancing. We normally go to the O Club on Ft Belvoir Wednesday nights. She's coming down with a head cold and didn't want to pass it around. She'll probably be better for next Wednesday.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Pan American Symphony Orchestra
Last night we went down to the Lisner Auditorium at GW to see the Pasion por Tango show. We couldn't find a video of the performance last night. The video above is from an earlier performance.
The show last night was part of the Washington DC Tango Festival. It featured the Pan American Symphony Orchestra, The Bruno Cavallaro Quartet, the singer Claudia Gargiulo, along with dancers Carina Losano and Angel Coria.
We really like Argentine Tango music. It is so different from the music we hear when we are ballroom dancing. With ballroom you listen for the beat to figure out what to dance. Four counts for Foxtrot, three counts for a waltz. The Latin rhythms are different for Cha-Cha and Rhumba. American Tango is also distinguished by the beat; slow-slow-quick-quick-slow.
Argentine Tango is danced to the melody. The music is full of passion. Sometimes it is light and lilting, others it is dark and heavy. With ballroom the gentleman leads the lady to a step; in Argentine Tango, the lady is lead through the step. Tango is very much improvised and to do it well the dancers have to feel the passion of the artist that composed the music.
The Pan American Symphony Orchestra was founded with the purpose of highlighting Latin American music that is rarely performed and unfamiliar to the concert public.
Bruno Cavallaro started studying music formally when he was 15 years old and two years later after an intensive audition, he was chosen by Maestro Lysy to study violin at the Music Center Lysy in Carilo, Buenos Aires. A few years later Cavallaro decided to immerse himself in popular music, including tango.
Mezzo-soprano Claudia Gargiulo was born in Argentina and now dedicates her career to promoting in the United States Argentine tango and contemporary Latin American music.
Angel Coria is internationally recognized for his main role as a dancer in the film "Tango" by Carlos Saura. Hi was also one of the stars of the show "Copes Tango Copes", performing nationally in Argentia and around the world.
Carina Losano is a native of Buenos Aires and has studied many forms of dance, included ballet, contemporary, modern-jazz, flamenco, and salsa, but she is internationally recognized for her mastery of tango.
Pasion por Tango
Last night we went down to the Lisner Auditorium at GW to see the Pasion por Tango show. This show was part of the Washington DC Tango Festival. It featured the Pan American Symphony Orchestra, The Bruno Cavallaro Quartet, the singer Claudia Gargiulo, along with dancers Carina Losano and Angel Coria.
We really like Argentine Tango music. It is so different from the music we hear when we are ballroom dancing. With ballroom you listen for the beat to figure out what to dance. Four counts for Foxtrot, three counts for a waltz. The Latin rhythms are different for Cha-Cha and Rhumba. American Tango is also distinguished by the beat; slow-slow-quick-quick-slow.
Argentine Tango is danced to the melody. The music is full of passion. Sometimes it is light and lilting, others it is dark and heavy. With ballroom the gentleman leads the lady to a step; in Argentine Tango, the lady is lead through the step. Tango is very much improvised and to do it well the dancers have to feel the passion of the artist that composed the music.
The Pan American Symphony Orchestra was founded with the purpose of highlighting Latin American music that is rarely performed and unfamiliar to the concert public.
Bruno Cavallaro started studying music formally when he was 15 years old and two years later after an intensive audition, he was chosen by Maestro Lysy to study violin at the Music Center Lysy in Carilo, Buenos Aires. A few years later Cavallaro decided to immerse himself in popular music, including tango.
Mezzo-soprano Claudia Gargiulo was born in Argentina and now dedicates her career to promoting in the United States Argentine tango and contemporary Latin American music.
Angel Coria is internationally recognized for his main role as a dancer in the film "Tango" by Carlos Saura. Hi was also one of the stars of the show "Copes Tango Copes", performing nationally in Argentia and around the world.
Carina Losano is a native of Buenos Aires and has studied many forms of dance, included ballet, contemporary, modern-jazz, flamenco, and salsa, but she is internationally recognized for her mastery of tango.
We really like Argentine Tango music. It is so different from the music we hear when we are ballroom dancing. With ballroom you listen for the beat to figure out what to dance. Four counts for Foxtrot, three counts for a waltz. The Latin rhythms are different for Cha-Cha and Rhumba. American Tango is also distinguished by the beat; slow-slow-quick-quick-slow.
Argentine Tango is danced to the melody. The music is full of passion. Sometimes it is light and lilting, others it is dark and heavy. With ballroom the gentleman leads the lady to a step; in Argentine Tango, the lady is lead through the step. Tango is very much improvised and to do it well the dancers have to feel the passion of the artist that composed the music.
The Pan American Symphony Orchestra was founded with the purpose of highlighting Latin American music that is rarely performed and unfamiliar to the concert public.
Bruno Cavallaro started studying music formally when he was 15 years old and two years later after an intensive audition, he was chosen by Maestro Lysy to study violin at the Music Center Lysy in Carilo, Buenos Aires. A few years later Cavallaro decided to immerse himself in popular music, including tango.
Mezzo-soprano Claudia Gargiulo was born in Argentina and now dedicates her career to promoting in the United States Argentine tango and contemporary Latin American music.
Angel Coria is internationally recognized for his main role as a dancer in the film "Tango" by Carlos Saura. Hi was also one of the stars of the show "Copes Tango Copes", performing nationally in Argentia and around the world.
Carina Losano is a native of Buenos Aires and has studied many forms of dance, included ballet, contemporary, modern-jazz, flamenco, and salsa, but she is internationally recognized for her mastery of tango.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Argentine Tango Dance Social
Last night we went to the Milonga Pasional at Dance Studio Lioudmila. We're trying to incorporate both Ballroom and Argentine Tango events into our schedule. Anya and Anthony have the Milonga on the 2nd and 4th Friday every month. We are alternating between this and the Friday social dance at Studio One. We do get to practice ballroom quite a bit. We have our lesson with Richard on Monday. We regularly go to the O Club on Wednesday night. On Sundays we usually go to the practice at the Dale City Rec Center. Saturday nights there is usually a selection of places to dance at. Tuesdays and Thursdays we stay home and practice. Yes, we are nuts about dancing.
A milonga describes both a dance event and a dance where two people move together to music. The dance event normally includes tango, milongas, and vals. The songs are played in groups of three. There will be three tango, three milongas, then three vals. There is a short break between each set where some other dance style is played. We've been taking lessons from the Tango Duos for about a year. We are planning to take our vacation this year in Buenos Aires where we will see what kind of differences there are between tango taught in America and in Argentina.
A milonga describes both a dance event and a dance where two people move together to music. The dance event normally includes tango, milongas, and vals. The songs are played in groups of three. There will be three tango, three milongas, then three vals. There is a short break between each set where some other dance style is played. We've been taking lessons from the Tango Duos for about a year. We are planning to take our vacation this year in Buenos Aires where we will see what kind of differences there are between tango taught in America and in Argentina.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Ax the Tax Party
It has been a pretty good weekend for dancing. On Friday we went to the weekly party at Studio One. It's always a friendly crowd there. The philosophy there seems to be to see how many different partners you can dance with during the evening. I used to be more hesitant to dance with other ladies. However, I have found that dancing with other partners really helps me develop my lead. Doris and I have been dancing together for 4 years and know each other so well that leading her is completely different than anyone else. It also helps that she can read my mind. That comes from being soul mates and over 30 years of marriage.
On Saturday night we went to the "Ax the Tax" party at Lioudmila's. They gave a special rate for the party and were having a sale on group lessons. There was quite a crowd. Fortunately, the floor is large enough to accommodate a crowd. We saw several people that we have met at different dance venues. You meet the nicest people dancing.
Part way through the evening they had several showcases danced by instructors and students. They really have some world class dancers who instruct there. There were:
We won't ever get to the level of these dancers, but they sure are fun to watch.
On Saturday night we went to the "Ax the Tax" party at Lioudmila's. They gave a special rate for the party and were having a sale on group lessons. There was quite a crowd. Fortunately, the floor is large enough to accommodate a crowd. We saw several people that we have met at different dance venues. You meet the nicest people dancing.
Part way through the evening they had several showcases danced by instructors and students. They really have some world class dancers who instruct there. There were:
- Bryan Duffy and Pauline Wang dancing the Argentine Tango
- Dimitar Petrov and Migle Mareele dancing the Waltz and Rhumba/Cha-Cha
- Krasi Petkov and Yana Blinova dancing the Viennese Waltz, Rhumba, and Jive
We won't ever get to the level of these dancers, but they sure are fun to watch.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Milonga Brava!
As part of the DC Tango Festival we went to the Argentine Embassy for a Milonga last night. The dancing began at 9:00 pm and there was a short introductory class and a demonstration mid-way through the evening. The couple who gave the class and the demonstration are performing tonight at Lisner Auditorium in the Tango y la Milonga at 8:00 pm.
This was our first time at the Embassy. We had a little trouble getting around the Lincoln Memorial circle; we ended up going over the Memorial Bridge only three times. The Embassy is on Q Street near DuPont Circle. We even found a parking garage nearby.
The Milonga was held in an upstairs ballroom. It was oval with very high ceilings, a marble fireplace, and works of art displayed on the walls. There were tangueros of all levels of skill as the floor filled. We saw Anthony of Tango Duos with Tatiana, his partner for the evening.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Milonga Pasional
Last night we had one of those difficult choices to make. We had too many dances and not enough time. We opted to attend the Milonga Pasional held by the Anya and Anthony at Dance Studio Lioudmila. There was a group lesson at 9:00 pm and the Milonga started at 10:00. Our friends, Char and Rick, gave the assembled crowd a demonstration of the routine that they put together for a showcase they performed a couple of months ago. Featured was the St. Charles String Quartet. It always enhances the dance experience to have live music.
We've been taking Argentine Tango lessons from the Tango Duo, Anya and Anthony, for about a year now. We really like the Argentine Tango. It is hard to explain but the feel of the dance is different from Ballroom dances. You really get into the tempo of the music and it's much more personal between the two dancers. The audience is irrelevant. We're even planning a vacation to Buenos Aires this summer so we can do the Argentine Tango in Argentina.
We've been taking Argentine Tango lessons from the Tango Duo, Anya and Anthony, for about a year now. We really like the Argentine Tango. It is hard to explain but the feel of the dance is different from Ballroom dances. You really get into the tempo of the music and it's much more personal between the two dancers. The audience is irrelevant. We're even planning a vacation to Buenos Aires this summer so we can do the Argentine Tango in Argentina.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Robert Bruce Mantell
A friend of ours from Studio One has a family project that she is working on. Here is the story in her words.
"My great grandfather, Robert Bruce Mantell, was a Shakespearean actor. He was sort of a Richard Burton of his time. Charlotte Behrens was my great grandmother. I have located the descendents of my great grandfather's family and we are planning a family reunion in Scotland in May. I took over the genealogy search work for my mother after she died and I have located family in Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland.
I wanted to bring something special to the get together. I asked myself what Oprah's people would do in this situation. A film from that time when my great grandfather would travel home to Scotland to visit his familly. I contacted the Debbie Reynolds Film Museum. There isn't enough time to do it this year, but I want to keep trying. I need internet votes!
I have found that some of the films he acted in are still in existance. I would dearly love to see even one of them so have been asking everyone I know or even people I don't know, to help me with online votes. This was the best idea I had from the Debbie Reynolds film museum people whom I contacted.
At first, the only film I knew about was Under the Red Robe - where Robert Bruce Mantell plays the Cardinal. Since then, My nephew, Mark has found several others!
There can be only one vote per e-mail address." This is the link to cast your vote, http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=504017.
Robert Bruce Mantell
Scots stage actor who late in life appeared in a number of silent films. Educated in Belfast, Ireland, Mantell traveled to America at 24 and played in "Romeo and Juliet" and "East Lynne" with Helena Modjeska. He worked constantly in America and Great Britain and established himself as a great success in Shakespearean works. Mantell married five times and was widowed twice. His third wife, Charlotte Behrens, had been his leading lady. Married, she fell in love with Mantell and lived openly with him. Her husband threatened to kill Mantell, who was also married. Following a divorce for each of them, they married, but Charlotte died less than two years later under cloudy circumstances. His fourth wife, Marie Booth Russell, was also his leading lady, and she too died at an early age, of Bright's Disease, in 1911. Mantell's fifth wife, Genevieve Hamper, was another of his leading ladies. She survived him when he died at 74, in 1928, following a nervous collapse. Mantell's son, Robert B. Mantell Jr. appeared in a few films before his suicide.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Jim Beaver
Spouse
Marie Booth Russell (1899 - 31 October 1911) (her death) 1 child
Charlotte Behrens (1896 - 1898) (her death) 1 child
Genevieve Hamper (? - 27 June 1928) (his death)
Margaret Shand (? - ?) (divorced)
Marie Sheldon (? - 1893) (divorced)
"My great grandfather, Robert Bruce Mantell, was a Shakespearean actor. He was sort of a Richard Burton of his time. Charlotte Behrens was my great grandmother. I have located the descendents of my great grandfather's family and we are planning a family reunion in Scotland in May. I took over the genealogy search work for my mother after she died and I have located family in Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland.
I wanted to bring something special to the get together. I asked myself what Oprah's people would do in this situation. A film from that time when my great grandfather would travel home to Scotland to visit his familly. I contacted the Debbie Reynolds Film Museum. There isn't enough time to do it this year, but I want to keep trying. I need internet votes!
I have found that some of the films he acted in are still in existance. I would dearly love to see even one of them so have been asking everyone I know or even people I don't know, to help me with online votes. This was the best idea I had from the Debbie Reynolds film museum people whom I contacted.
At first, the only film I knew about was Under the Red Robe - where Robert Bruce Mantell plays the Cardinal. Since then, My nephew, Mark has found several others!
There can be only one vote per e-mail address." This is the link to cast your vote, http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=504017.
Robert Bruce Mantell
Scots stage actor who late in life appeared in a number of silent films. Educated in Belfast, Ireland, Mantell traveled to America at 24 and played in "Romeo and Juliet" and "East Lynne" with Helena Modjeska. He worked constantly in America and Great Britain and established himself as a great success in Shakespearean works. Mantell married five times and was widowed twice. His third wife, Charlotte Behrens, had been his leading lady. Married, she fell in love with Mantell and lived openly with him. Her husband threatened to kill Mantell, who was also married. Following a divorce for each of them, they married, but Charlotte died less than two years later under cloudy circumstances. His fourth wife, Marie Booth Russell, was also his leading lady, and she too died at an early age, of Bright's Disease, in 1911. Mantell's fifth wife, Genevieve Hamper, was another of his leading ladies. She survived him when he died at 74, in 1928, following a nervous collapse. Mantell's son, Robert B. Mantell Jr. appeared in a few films before his suicide.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Jim Beaver
Spouse
Marie Booth Russell (1899 - 31 October 1911) (her death) 1 child
Charlotte Behrens (1896 - 1898) (her death) 1 child
Genevieve Hamper (? - 27 June 1928) (his death)
Margaret Shand (? - ?) (divorced)
Marie Sheldon (? - 1893) (divorced)
Still Dancing
I haven't written in this blog for a couple of weeks. We've been busy dancing. This last weekend for instance we went to Studio One for a social dance. We always have a good time there and it's a great opportunity to practice dancing with other people.
Saturday we had our Argentine Tango lesson with the Tango Duos at Lioudmila's. On Saturday evening we took a friend from Studio One with us to Strictly Ballroom in Fredericksburg. She had never been there and, like us, she is always looking for new places to dance. Melissa and Mike have a real nice setup with two large dance floors. We can stretch out on the moving dances and do some moves without having to turn corners all the time.
Sunday, we went to the 2nd Sunday Dance at the Dale City Recreation Center. Jody and Charlie teach group lessons there and put on the dance for people to practice. We started our dancing by taking lessons at the Rec Center and it's a convenient place to go dancing on a Sunday afternoon.
Saturday we had our Argentine Tango lesson with the Tango Duos at Lioudmila's. On Saturday evening we took a friend from Studio One with us to Strictly Ballroom in Fredericksburg. She had never been there and, like us, she is always looking for new places to dance. Melissa and Mike have a real nice setup with two large dance floors. We can stretch out on the moving dances and do some moves without having to turn corners all the time.
Sunday, we went to the 2nd Sunday Dance at the Dale City Recreation Center. Jody and Charlie teach group lessons there and put on the dance for people to practice. We started our dancing by taking lessons at the Rec Center and it's a convenient place to go dancing on a Sunday afternoon.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
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.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
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.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
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.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
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).
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.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)