Editor's Note: Joe Wieder has been a part of
the NY dance scene for as long as I can remember. I use to see him at the Copa when
I first started dancing myself. A true gentleman dancer, I can think of few other
people qualified to tackle some of the topics he decides to write about. -
Manny Siverio
Dancing More, Enjoying
It Less?
by
Joe Wieder
Sundays at Jimmy's,
Mondays at S.O.B.'s, Tuesdays at
There are at least 1-3 events
for every weekday night, more on weekends, not to mention
"Special Events," Congressos, dance
classes, rehearsals, the list goes on. It's amazing that you can
actually hold down a job if you're really into the salsa dance scene.
(Although that may the theme for another article.)
I noticed that after awhile, though, dancing stopped being fun and started
to look like work - having to show up at places and dances simply because
they were there. There are now so many dance events, so many
promoters, so many teachers, so many
demands on your time, that dancing has begun to take on the look and feel
of a job.
Moreover, looking around, I see more and more good dancers - both men and
women - which is great to see, but many of them are beginning to
look alike. They're all doing the same steps and executing the same
sequence combinations. Of course, you kind of expect a lot of
similarity because a lot of the dancers are going to class and learning
similar patterns. Then they go to the same clubs and socials and
copy each other. Nothing wrong with that.
But, dancing, especially social dancing, is about having fun, feeling the
music, expressing yourself, and communicating with your partner.
Think of it as a stimulating conversation. Why would you want to
repeat yourself over and over and over again or have the exact same
conversation as everyone else in the room is having?
I just had this conversation with a wonderful dancer. She's danced
for Eddie Torres, Santo
Rico, and several other dance companies. But, now she's burned
out and taking a break from performing. She's dancing less often
now, but, in her words, "
looking to feel the music."
It's amazing how you can spend years dancing, be a terrific dancer, and
still feel like you're not feeling the music!
I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't be learning from other people or
imitating some of the really impressive moves of other dancers. But,
you should try to incorporate them into your own style - make those moves
your own as you interpret the music and bring your own creativity into it.
Don't be afraid to experiment and do your own thing. In salsa that means
using your imagination and being able to count to eight. Try not to repeat
every pattern in every dance. Change your patterns just as the music
changes. You'll enjoy the dance much more and so will your partner.
So pick your favorite dance places with some discrimination, and show up
with your head and your heart, not just your body!
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