I’ve tried dancing classes at the gym or as part of a work out session and I’ve realised it was not for me. I remember feeling ‘why am I here!?’ For me, it lacked something …soul perhaps. A few years back, I used to dance at Clapham Common; it was fun. We used to go into the restaurant, my husband and I, we would order food and something to drink (the food was always great) and then around 11pm the tables would be pushed back against the wall to create space for a dance floor. There was always a live Latin band too. It was a wonderful time. We would dance through the night and it felt so good. It wasn’t rehearsed and we were not trying to keep fit. In fact, people of all shapes and sizes were there and I remember once this very oversized Spanish man came to the dance floor and wowed everyone with his dance moves – him and the lady he was dancing with. I couldn’t help but think …’yes, this is how we do it!’
When we gradually came out of Lockdown during covid 2021, I thought ‘we need to dance again!’ and I wasn’t thinking let’s go to a studio kind of dancing. I wanted to see people wined and dined, entertained and also having a good time dancing; learning new dance styles but having fun with it at the same time. I think we achieved that at the Let’s Dance Summer 2021 event organised by myself and sponsored by Elmbridge Borough Arts Council and RC Sherriff Trust. Everyone that came said they had a wonderful experience.
I still think we need to keeping dancing, to keep fit but most importantly it should be enjoyed. I was invited to a Youth club recently to encourage the Youth back into being active again. Many were into sports and were happy to play football, basketball, snooker, boxing, ping pong etc. I asked if anyone was up some dancing and was pleased we had some takers. It’s nice to know people still love doing. There’s something about dance that is special. King David in the bible was known to have danced before his God unashamedly (if fact people around him felt quite embarrassed but that didn’t stop him.) I belong to a community choir and anytime we add a little bit of dancing to our singing routine the mood of everyone changes and there’s a real buzz in the air. Before covid, I travelled on a cruise ship and spent time learning all the ballroom dances and that in itself was the most incredible experience for me. Tell me your most interesting dance story; I’d to hear them.