Coming home from Poland on Saturday was like flying from winter into spring. It is as yet very early spring in Scotland, mind you. Only two snowdrops in our garden have made their first appearance. Elsewhere I know there are floods of them. Snowdrops are the joy of a Scottish February.
Carnival, which is in full-swing on the Continent, is never much in evidence in Scotland. This Thursday, of course, the Polish shops will heave with filled doughnuts, the Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday) staple known as pączki . And this Sunday, as last Sunday, there will be a Mrs McLean’s Waltzing Party at the usual place. Quinquagesima will mark our last meeting before Lent calls a halt to our terpsichorean activities.
Last year two ardent souls asked if we could have a Masquerade Ball. Such dances have long been popular among the rich and famous–in Venice since the 14th century–although they never caught on in Scotland. It is interesting that although Edinburgh’s bourgeoisie warmed up, at last, to ballroom dancing, they flat-out refused to go to masquerades. And this does not surprise me, for the whole point to wearing masks and dominos (i.e. silk cloaks) was to bend (or break) social rules under a disguise, and thus get away with it. Georgian Edinburghers were shocked by the idea of such carryings on in their city, and thought them best left to the corrupt Venetians, Londoners, et alia.
Practically, I don’t think our community wants to go to the trouble and expense of fancy dress. Morally, they are striving to be salt and light in a world that looks like the aftermath of a 108 year masquerade. They are dedicated to straightening out the old social rules and are not interested in bending (let alone breaking) them. Therefore, our carnival parties are rather more practical—devoted to dance instruction—than indulgent. That said, next week I will provide something more glam than lemon squash and chocolate chip cookies as refreshments.
This Sunday (Sexagesima) we had a late start, as we began with rather fewer women than I was expecting. Fortunately, by 3:00 PM there were four ladies to dance with the eight gentlemen present, and by 3:30 PM, the ladies numbered five. Most of the company was led by Luis in a 70-minute waltzing workshop; for the first quarter-hour I coached a complete beginner in the box step.
From about 4:05, Krzysztof taught the first two steps in the 6-count Lindy Hop: the Jockey and the Underarm Turn. At 4:30, however, the Free Dance (practice session) began, as always, and Luis was sought out for his waltzing expertise. However, some (including two women) left early, so instead of ending with our traditional Strip the Willow, we just sang the Marian Anthem of the season (currently Ave Regina Caelorum) and tidied up.
I should confess to fellow organisers that I was rather anguished that only two ladies were in the hall at 2:30 PM, especially as one of the eight men was completely new and had traveled from the West Coast. However, Luis took these circumstances in his stride and simply concentrated on teaching the leads the pattern he wished them to dance. And this is, of course, what can always been done if you find yourself with a huge gender disparity: create a leads’ workshop or a followers’ workshop.
If (as happens to almost all organisers except me) you have more ladies than gentlemen, you could instead use this as an opportunity to teach them both roles. Although not ideal, this is very traditional in all-female circles. It also has the advantage of awakening compassion for gentleman dancers in the hearts of the ladies as they realise how difficult leading can be.
Another stressor was the appearance of blue masking tape as a teaching aid, for I learned some time ago that the floor varnish loves nothing more than to effect an escape by adhering to sticky paper. However, Luis didn’t stick it down very much, and volunteers pulled it back up very carefully.
Today is February 10, and the Eastertide (i.e. Easter Friday) Dance is in exactly two months: April 10. It is now time to begin to plan the details, and I am delighted to announce that my brother is coming once again to play the waltzes. Anyone interested in buying a ticket–and attending our preparatory workshops–is welcome to contact me at info@tradcathsocialdancing.co.uk .
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