Author: Dorothy McLean
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La Maison de la Valse
This morning I am torn between admiration and despair, for I have seen some videos about the waltzing scene in Paris. A married couple called Charles and Hélène de Lauzun have a classical dancing school called La Maison de la Valse, and they organise spectacular balls. Even if you can’t speak (or read; there are…
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Ancient Arts
In 63 BC, Cicero defended the Roman consul Lucius Licinius Murena against charges of electoral bribery. Cato was among the prosecutors, and inter alia he accused Murena of having a poor character, including being a pantomime dancer (saltator). Cicero addresses this supposed calumny in a speech that has come down to us as Pro Murena.…
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A Learned Skill
When someone tells me that they have two left feet, I tell them that I do, too. I am not a quick study, and it takes my brain a long time to turn teachers’ examples into instructions for my legs. However, when someone tells me that they can’t dance, I ask if they have ever…
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A Short(ish) Digression about Love
I love the traditional Catholic movement: the dedication to the beautiful Mass of Ages, the claiming of our glorious musical patrimony, the study of the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, the parental responsibility of educating children, the pursuit of virtue and the rejection of vice, the dusting off of old treasures and the fashioning of…
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Girl Shortage
When I was in high school I wrote short stories called “Man Shortage,” “Man Shortage II” and “Man Shortage III.” One of my characters anticipates Catholic Match and its competitors by calling out for a catalogue from which one could pick boys for dates. Now that I think about it, it was also groundbreaking in…
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Sunday workshops begin today
Our first Road to Michaelmas dance workshop is this afternoon (September 7). For exact time and address, please send an email to dmclean@yahoo.ca. That is the only address I will be checking today. Today’s event will feature the basic steps of the waltz, two or three of the easiest ceilidh dances, and half an hour…
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Surviving the Scene
The other night I downed tools and went to a new block of swing-dance classes. Several years have travelled under the South Bridge since I took my first Lindy Hop lessons in Fair Edina. Back then I felt awkward and also lonely when the unmarried female friend I was accompanying wasn’t with me. Eventually I…
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Dancing for Joy
The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen (Isaiah 9:2). Some Catholics first saw the “Great Light” of Christ on their journey to conversion; others saw His light flash brightly when we heard Him calling us to…
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May I introduce … ?
Many people are frightened of entering a crowded room of strangers. It is not my favourite activity, either. In general, I do not go alone to social events. Either I go where I am known, or I cajole friends or husband to come with me. Travelling alone to unknown cities, I discovered long ago, is…
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What should I wear to the Michaelmas Dance?
If you have a Substack or blog devoted to Christian themes, I highly recommend writing something about Women’s Clothing from time to time. It will get viewers and viewer response like nothing else. Why is this? I think it is because Women’s Clothing is a major battlefield in the war between How Things Are and…