tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741783965611371696.post7410097410136569948..comments2022-04-01T08:13:14.611+10:00Comments on Basie and Newton: Stating the problem: What the heck is 'swing dancing' anyway?Andrew K. Ringsmuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18067622656302490760noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741783965611371696.post-73164013018771710762022-04-01T08:13:14.594+10:002022-04-01T08:13:14.594+10:00The Perfect Casino: Top Offers & Bonuses at
Th...The Perfect Casino: Top Offers & Bonuses at<br />The <a href="https://septcasino.com/" rel="nofollow">septcasino</a> Best <a href="https://jancasino.com/review/merit-casino/" rel="nofollow">https://jancasino.com/review/merit-casino/</a> Casino Offers. Casino Bonuses & Promotions. With an <a href="https://baccaratsites777.com/" rel="nofollow">바카라 사이트</a> emphasis on casino <a href="https://filmfileeurope.com/" rel="nofollow">filmfileeurope.com</a> games, the gambling industry is <a href="https://ridercasino.com/1xbet/1xbet" rel="nofollow">1xbet 먹튀</a> expected to explodewhitneeuhleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15793375053867985941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741783965611371696.post-5323111801570327872009-02-23T09:10:00.000+10:002009-02-23T09:10:00.000+10:00"...they emphasise the importance of doing what so..."...they emphasise the importance of doing what someone else has already done; they forget the innovation."<BR/><BR/>Yes! Yes! Yes!<BR/><BR/>Drew you echo my sentiments exactly. I have observed (and found incredibly paradoxical) the tendency for many people in the scene to teach and/or perform swing dancing as a strictly defined form, where there is one correct way to execute a defined 'move', and where emulation of vintage clips (Hellzapoppin, anyone?)is held as the highest form of the medium.<BR/><BR/>There is a time and place for preservation, recreation and celebration of the historical form - it's great to keep the source alive - but the danger lies in assuming that is all there is. It would be insane to suggest that that best thing for the art world is for every new artist to only ever recreate the styles of Picasso and Monet, ad infinitum. <BR/><BR/>It's my understanding (and correct me if I'm wrong) that lindy hop was not codified until after the swing era. In other words, during the actual bona fide swing era (the one that purists are trying to accurately emulate) - the dance itself existed as improvisation around a basic understanding of lead/follow, and grew by innovation and individual example on the social dance floor. There were no group classes with a teacher saying "okay, today we'll learn the correct way to do a Texas Tommy - everbody step step triple step..."<BR/><BR/>My dance partner has noticed two broad kinds of follows (pun intended) in the social scene today. Some follows get excited when he 'mucks around' and tries random 'non-defined' moves to express musicality and a sense of improv and fun - these follows not only do their best at following his unexpected lead but also give something back of their own - they take the new direction and make it their own somehow, in turn giving him something new to jam from. It's a true non-physical conversation. Other follows seem a bit 'put out' if he leads something freeform, and will follow it to the best of their ability but the conversation ends there - they do not receive it, play with it, and give back. In fact, he's noted that some of them seem a bit pissed off about it all. He vastly prefers dancing with the former type of follow, and gets a great sense of satisfaction from the two-way flow of the dance.<BR/><BR/>Are the 'how dare you lead something non-defined' dancers really embracing the spirit of lindy hop? Is 'lindy hop' a defined set of movements or a sense of improvisation and invention within some loose base shapes, rhythms and lead/follow parameters? I suppose we can argue that one until the cows come home.<BR/><BR/>I also cringe when I hear of events where the music played is strictly limited to 'authentic' swing music only - i.e. original recordings from the 1930s and 40s only. While I love the original swing music I also think there is a place for lindy hopping to any post-1940s music that you feel like busting out to. The hepcats back in the day were dancing to the popular 'youth' music of their time - if we want to embody the real spirit of lindy hop I think we should be doing the same (as well as enjoying the old tracks).<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed your post immensely, and look forward to reading more.<BR/><BR/>Sharon<BR/>www.diamonddame.comSharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14568676662601144007noreply@blogger.com