Coolest/Most Memorable Dance Floor Experiences/Stories

[Phil Owl]

Every so often, I believe each one of us has a particularly wonderful night on a dance floor punctuated by something very encouraging and memorable. This past Sat (4/5) was one such time for me, and with this thread, I encourage y'all to share yours. :wink:

The best part was getting to dance with this one woman about half the night. She had a very unique style and approach. Keep in mind, this is in the framework of an EC Swing event, complete with smoking live big band. Essentially, this wonderful woman combined EC Swing, Jazz dance and Improvisational dance in a manner truly her own, and she was such a JOY to lead and really put her personality into her dancing full-tilt :D . At times, she reminded me of a cat. She was amazing in that she got me to pull things out of the hat I didn't even know I could do. :o 8) Not only that, she was just such great fun to hangout and talk with. I watched her dance with others in the room too, and she really bought out some wonderful things in each dancer, really encouraging them to "get out of the box-step" and let go! I'm sure we raised a couple eyebrows among the more conservative dancers there (all 4 of them :lol: ), not that we cared. We got lots of compliments from other people there.

I also got to dance with the woman who taught the beginner's swing lesson at the beginning of the night (she had a very unique approach too, using some basic principles of drumming as part of the lesson), one Christine Nunziato (who I think also competes), and despiute her knowing far more than I, she really made it a joy to lead and be creative with her too. She had lots of compliments for me too, and asked me if I did other types of ballroom too. That's really special to me, when someone WAAAAYYYYYY above your level compliments you and points out what you do right. :D

Needless to say, this Owl went home flying!

Anyone care to share their stories?

[DanceMentor]

Back during the height of the Swing comeback about 5 years ago hear in Atlanta, I taught a class of over 1000 people. That was the largest class I ever taught. I had the ladies on one side and the men on the other side. I could barely fit in the middle of the floor and I doubt very many people could see me. My strongest weapon was the microphone. To teach the underarm turn to the guys, I would tell them to raise their arm by saying "John Travolta!" and they would all raise their hands as the ladies would start giggling; and you should have seen the spectacle of 500 beginner ladies trying to turn at the same time. When it came time to put the men and women together, I had to literally run for cover. And once they started dancing, it was something of a mosh pit. Others moves were "eel the tire" and "wipe your brow". There were many other large classes at clubs, but never as large as the one that night. That year I taught an estimated 35,000 unique individuals how to dance. That is the biggest story of my dance career. As swing slowed down, so did my dance career, but it sure was fun while it lasted. I still run into people today who were in my classes.

[SDsalsaguy]

Hmm, I'd have to say that my responses fall into two categories—reactions and feelings.

Reactions:
Saturday night I danced with someone new (as is someone I hadn’t met &/or danced with before) and reaction at the end of the song was “like butter.” Given that I have prioritized being smooth and leading smoothly, this was music to my ears. In the same vein, I appreciate all of the comments about how smooth I look dancing with “X”, and all the inquiries of if I’m an instructor. The comments that I look like I’m really having fun and enjoying myself are always nice too. Maybe the best compliment I have ever received, however, (in any context) came about a month ago, when someone showed up to one of the clubs early. Knowing that I love the ½ hour of music before a lesson—when I don’t have to worry about others on the floor—she came to get 3 dances before driving up to LA for the weekend. Rather then just get on the road sooner (to go spend the weekend with her fiancé at that!), she postponed driving up for three dances with me…that has got to be about as flattering as it gets!

Feelings:
This one is hard to put into words…by definition.

The disappointment of my first comp when my results with “A” fell far, far short of what I had anticipated.

The elation, also at my first comp, of winning a dance with “E” when we didn’t even think we’d advance one round!

Competing with “J”, one year to the day from our first comp together, in front of our home crowd, and absolutely dominating the day.

The feeling of attacking our cha the last time “J” and I competed…we knew it was the comp we were going out with, and we knew that the other couple on the floor were not competition for us…so we weren’t dancing to win, we were just dancing to dance, together, for the last time (albeit I don’t actually know if these were/are exactly her feelings, but that’s what it felt/feels like to me). That was in very bittersweet to me…but defiantly one of the most memorable.

Coming to “J” in rotation, learning a group routine, and have just an instant of “perfect” connection…its only happened to me twice, both times with “J” and after we had stopped competing…but those two instants linger in my mind and my soul as among the most sublime and transcendent of my life…just those brief instants but total awareness, sensitivity, and reactivity between us…my G-d…

[youngsta]

I've had two really memorable experiences so far:

About 2 1/2 months ago I went out to my regular Monday spot Mattie's and was approched and asked to dance by a new woman I hadn't seen in there before that night. She was very sensual. As soon as we started dancing I knew it was going to be fun. The chemistry was there instantly. It was like she knew exactly what I was going to lead .5 seconds before I'd execute it. What was even more amazing is that everything seemed to be in slow motion. Like I had minutes instead of seconds to decide what to do next! I will never forget that...have never seen her since.

Last Friday we had our montly salsa night at the Pinnacle Club. It's a private restaurant/club on the 38th floor of the Qwest building in Denver. It has the most beautiful view of the mountains and the night skyline! They let us dance there once a month even though we're not members. Anyway, it's dress to impress. I was wearing a nice pinstripe suit with silver tie. As soon as I walked in everyone was giving me compliments so the night started out great :lol: Then I started dancing and I swear I have NEVER been that good on the dancefloor. I could do no wrong. Every single lady I danced with was magnificent! That was the first time since I started dancing salsa that I felt I was actually becoming very goood.

[Spitfire]

While I'm not into competitive dancing I was in a couple when I first started out over 20 years ago. There was a competition in Phoenix and I danced in five free style entries. Well, it came time for the Merenque and when I went out on the floor with my instructor I realized we were the only couple out there! :shock: But then I thought and think I mentioned to her we had this whole floor to ourselves and I would just let loose without worrying about running into anyone. When it was finished all those in our studio's section were cheering, applauding and hugging me. :o I made it look that good I guess and realized that a little case of the jitters can work to one's advantage. 8)

[dancergal]

My coolest and most memorable experience changes so the coolest I can think of right now happened a few months ago at a dance studio's monthly dance. One of the WCS pros showed up for the dance and was dancing with everyone. He later asked me to dance and we had a really fun dance. I was really nervous dancing with him at first, but he was so sweet and nice. He lead me into some great moves, but if I missed anything, he would apologize and say he lead that wrong. He then said he enjoyed our dance and that I danced very well. I'm sure he was just being really nice, but I don't care. I was floating away with a big smile on my face. There is just something about dancing with a Pro that is so cool. Especially when you only see him from a distance. That night he was just another dancer having a good time. I really liked that.

[pygmalion]

I had a similar experience, dancergal, although the only pros I've ever danced with have been my coaches.

My experience was at my second studio party, when I'd been dancing about three weeks total. Needless to say, I was terrible, but R., a guy who was dancing at gold II at the time, asked me to dance, limited his leads to the two or three patterns I knew, and kept his steps small so he wouldn't step on me. (It was a waltz).

That made my night, and, maybe, my dance "career". He really boosted my confidence and was SO nice. He's why I went back the next week, and the next.

[MissAlyssa]

Oh my gosh. I love to get random compliments. It really does make or break your whole week!

[pygmalion]

While I'm not into competitive dancing I was in a couple when I first started out over 20 years ago. There was a competition in Phoenix and I danced in five free style entries. Well, it came time for the Merenque and when I went out on the floor with my instructor I realized we were the only couple out there! :shock: But then I thought and think I mentioned to her we had this whole floor to ourselves and I would just let loose without worrying about running into anyone. When it was finished all those in our studio's section were cheering, applauding and hugging me. :o I made it look that good I guess and realized that a little case of the jitters can work to one's advantage. 8)

This is a cool story, spitfire. I'm not sure how I missed it before. Alone on the floor at a competition? Yikes! :shock: I'm glad it turned out well. :D

[michelledoreen]

I went dancing at Mama Juana's in L.A. two weeks ago, and had an amazing time. A guy who I had not seen before asked me to dance. He then proceeded to lead me with lots of cool styling moves and smiled the entire time. We smiled for about 6 songs, and I learned that he's an instructor who teaches in Japan and Europe. He had a magnificent lead and I had my best dances ever with him. An inspiring time.

[pygmalion]

Wow! :D

[Sagitta]

I know. What luck being a follower. :(

[michelledoreen]

I think followers are lucky b/c we can dance with more advanced leaders who can help us quite a bit. I don't think followers can help leaders as much as they can potentially help us.

[motardmom]

One of my most memorable happened just last Saturday night. I just had so much fun! It was my first experience dancing to a live band and I'm STILL high from it. See here: http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=3647&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=390
(I hope that works...)

I was just thinking about another experience I had a bunch of years ago when I was dancing C&W. I was at a big social dance at a university, just a regular gym kind of dance, nothing special, but it was packed that night. I was there with a few friends and a swing came on. One of my favorite swing partners happened to be there and we started to swing. Before long I looked up and noticed we had a large circle of people standing around us, watching us dance. :shock: At first it freaked me out, but I was enjoying the swing too much to get overly wrapped up in my nervousness. It was pretty cool. 8) I had that type of experience a couple different times at a couple different venues over my C&W lifetime. It was always really fun when it happened.

[dancin_feet]

There have been so many!

One that remains with me though is my first studio party and my instructor got me up for a waltz. I had not as yet taken a waltz lesson and had done a little waltz when I was a kid, but nothing that I really remembered. He started very gently, but when he realised that I was following him OK, he started to get more adventurous. I didn't miss a beat!! The look on his face was priceless (I was rather shocked myself). I think it was from that experience that I got the reputation of being able to follow anything. :D

Just last night was another one. (Waltz again - arrgghhh!!). We started my private lesson and the instructor taking the beginners group lesson at the same time was busy with her previous lesson at the front desk. We did a waltz warm up as I've been having trouble with some new figures, and I made him promise me we would go through them every week until I got them working OK. Everyone from the group was just sitting there watching us. Complete silence other than a few aaaahhhhh's and applause a couple of times. Felt like I was doing an impromptu performance. My instructor realised what was going on so he danced me over to the crowd of people towards the end and spun me out for a bow.

When the instructor came out to take the group, she apologised for being late, and asked what they were applauding. Someone from the group just simply said "magic". Wow, what a rush!!! :D 8)

[ShyDancer]

Someone from the group just simply said "magic". Wow, what a rush!!! :D 8)

Aww I got goosebumps reading that!



For me..... it would have to be a Jive. I just have to mention that Jive is the dance I know the least amount of figures in...by far.
There was a guy at the studio I was dancing at, I recognised him from another studio however because his brother owns it.
I noticed him watching me a few times and I thought he must have recognised me too.
He came and asked me for a jive and as I accepted I told him that I only knew a small amount, no problem he says, just follow.
And follow I did!
I dont remember a single thing I did, but somehow managed to do exactly what he wanted me to. I was spun and turned so much I couldnt even see straight :lol:
After the danced I said to him" I didnt know I could do that!" and he replied, "I did". Ive never danced with him him again, but I dont think its a bda thing..I wouldnt want anything to spoil the magic of that dance!

[Flat Shoes]

Looking apart from the regular :D evening where everything feels great when dancing, I've had a couple of cool experiences.

Two happened at the 2003 London Balboa Festival. On the saturday night party I had a dance (Lindy Hop) with a girl I'd never seen before. And faith willed this to be a really fast-paced high tempo dance. But we had this perfect and great connection all the time. And everything we did went just perfect. It was so cool how she followed it all. I have never since been able to dance that fast with someone for a whole dance, and everything went perfect. It was such a rush! 8)

The day after, we went dining with some of the instructors and some other people. And there was this elderly lady there. I'm not sure who she was, but I think maybe she was one of the old school dancers. And she came over to me and commented me on my dancing. She apparently had noticed me on the floor, the night before, and remembered. (Maybe it was that one really fast dance) Wow! 8)

Something simillar happened in Herräng too. I had had a class with Steven Mitchell earlier that day, and was in the dinner tent. I saw Steven Mitchell there too, and when I saw me he came over and commented on my dancing. 8)

[youngsta]

About 2 1/2 months ago I went out to my regular Monday spot Mattie's and was approched and asked to dance by a new woman I hadn't seen in there before that night. She was very sensual. As soon as we started dancing I knew it was going to be fun. The chemistry was there instantly. It was like she knew exactly what I was going to lead .5 seconds before I'd execute it. What was even more amazing is that everything seemed to be in slow motion. Like I had minutes instead of seconds to decide what to do next! I will never forget that...have never seen her since.
Update: I ran into this woman at my regular Sunday spot after not seeing her over a year. We both remembered each other's face. She had a soft cast on her wrist and asked me to dance saying, "I know I don't have to worry about this with you." ::pointing to the cast:: We dance 3 times that night and all three were progressively wonderful! I guess there are some people you just have serious chemistry with!

Hey tj you probably know her, I just found out who she is. You know Hillary?

[motardmom]

About 2 1/2 months ago I went out to my regular Monday spot Mattie's and was approched and asked to dance by a new woman I hadn't seen in there before that night. She was very sensual. As soon as we started dancing I knew it was going to be fun. The chemistry was there instantly. It was like she knew exactly what I was going to lead .5 seconds before I'd execute it. What was even more amazing is that everything seemed to be in slow motion. Like I had minutes instead of seconds to decide what to do next! I will never forget that...have never seen her since.
Update: I ran into this woman at my regular Sunday spot after not seeing her over a year. We both remembered each other's face. She had a soft cast on her wrist and asked me to dance saying, "I know I don't have to worry about this with you." ::pointing to the cast:: We dance 3 times that night and all three were progressively wonderful! I guess there are some people you just have serious chemistry with!

Hey tj you probably know her, I just found out who she is. You know Hillary?

Youngsta, that is so cool!!! I'm so glad you found her again... :D

[pygmalion]

Yeah. That is cool. :D

[youngsta]

Thanks ladies, I thought so too! :D Odd thing is I found out she's one of the big salsa promoters in our area.

[MacMoto]

I guess there are some people you just have serious chemistry with!
Too true!

[tj]

About 2 1/2 months ago I went out to my regular Monday spot Mattie's and was approched and asked to dance by a new woman I hadn't seen in there before that night. She was very sensual. As soon as we started dancing I knew it was going to be fun. The chemistry was there instantly. It was like she knew exactly what I was going to lead .5 seconds before I'd execute it. What was even more amazing is that everything seemed to be in slow motion. Like I had minutes instead of seconds to decide what to do next! I will never forget that...have never seen her since.
Update: I ran into this woman at my regular Sunday spot after not seeing her over a year. We both remembered each other's face. She had a soft cast on her wrist and asked me to dance saying, "I know I don't have to worry about this with you." ::pointing to the cast:: We dance 3 times that night and all three were progressively wonderful! I guess there are some people you just have serious chemistry with!

Hey tj you probably know her, I just found out who she is. You know Hillary?

Yup, sure do! What a nice compliment!

Did she mention why she's been missing for so long?

[Phil Owl]

About 2 1/2 months ago I went out to my regular Monday spot Mattie's and was approched and asked to dance by a new woman I hadn't seen in there before that night. She was very sensual. As soon as we started dancing I knew it was going to be fun. The chemistry was there instantly. It was like she knew exactly what I was going to lead .5 seconds before I'd execute it. What was even more amazing is that everything seemed to be in slow motion. Like I had minutes instead of seconds to decide what to do next! I will never forget that...have never seen her since.
Update: I ran into this woman at my regular Sunday spot after not seeing her over a year. We both remembered each other's face. She had a soft cast on her wrist and asked me to dance saying, "I know I don't have to worry about this with you." ::pointing to the cast:: We dance 3 times that night and all three were progressively wonderful! I guess there are some people you just have serious chemistry with!

I LOVE when things like that happen! I've been fortunate enough to have that happen a fair amount when I lived in Boston, and as I'm getting rooted here in Hot 'Lanta, I'm sure I'll find tons of that too.

One of my deepest hopes is that one day I'll meet my Mrs. Owl on a dance floor.

[Lucretia]

I don't have any excellent dancing experience yet. I guess I'm not good enough. I have had a few minutes where I don't now where I am who I am or with whom. The leader has taken me for a trip to planets I never have visited before. But after a minute I crasch on planet earth again. :lol:

The chemistry was there instantly. It was like she knew exactly what I was going to lead .5 seconds before I'd execute it. What was even more amazing is that everything seemed to be in slow motion. Like I had minutes instead of seconds to decide what to do next!

This is now as a state of mind where left and right hemispehere is cooperating in a perfect way. The brain usually switch off and on input in a suitable rate - suitable for normal life where the brain protect itself from to much input.

But when you get into a "flow" like this your sences stay on line all the time. Since you interpret so much more information per second it feels like slowmotion. This happens athletes/sportmen quite often. It also happens when you have an accident or anything real shocking happens to you. You record every single microsecond deep in your brain or in your hearth like this time. Glad to hear you had such a good moment Youngsta!

/Luc

[squirrel]

I have some... but I'll mention the most recent:

Last Saturday I was with my partner and some students in the Salsa club... we usually avoid it on Saturdays (music really sucks, as in they play house and hip hop and if we're lucky one or two cumbias)... but a party had been advertised that night (following a workshop during the day where I was not allowed to go - those interested should see http://dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=6551&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0).

So there I am, the music sucks as it was not a Salsa party, as we mistakenly believed... I was all tired and wanted to go home...

And at one point there came some cumbia (which I don't like too much) and my partner invited me... and instantly my frame of mind changed... and all those things that didn't come out so well didn't matter! I was flying on the dance floor! And all the styling and shines were looking so good! All those things I still got to practice just fell in place... It was a wonderful set of dances... :)

[tj]

I have some... but I'll mention the most recent:

Last Saturday I was with my partner and some students in the Salsa club... we usually avoid it on Saturdays (music really sucks, as in they play house and hip hop and if we're lucky one or two cumbias)... but a party had been advertised that night (following a workshop during the day where I was not allowed to go - those interested should see http://dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=6551&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0).

So there I am, the music sucks as it was not a Salsa party, as we mistakenly believed... I was all tired and wanted to go home...

And at one point there came some cumbia (which I don't like too much) and my partner invited me... and instantly my frame of mind changed... and all those things that didn't come out so well didn't matter! I was flying on the dance floor! And all the styling and shines were looking so good! All those things I still got to practice just fell in place... It was a wonderful set of dances... :)

:cheers: :applause:

[youngsta]

Yup, sure do! What a nice compliment!

Did she mention why she's been missing for so long?
:lol: :lol: No I didn't ask, we were to busy dancing. She's one of the few women in the Denver scene that almost...ALMOST makes me speechless :D What's kind of odd is she talks to me like she's known me a long time, but we've only met those two nights. If I had to pick the one follow whos style compliments mine the best it would definitely be her.

[eviane]

@squirrel:

i looove cumbia, but i just dance to it as i would to hip hop... or is there a specific step to it??

[eviane]

oh, wait a moment, i forgot to write about my last cool experience : )

so, i was at this venezuelan girl's party a couple of weeks ago, so there were practically only south-american people there, and of course, only south-american music.
so at once i got all excited to try out the moves that i had learned to merengue, salsa, bachata and all that. it was real fun, cus i love dancing to that kind of music anyway.
then, i was just about to go, when this guy came up to me and wanted to dance merengue with me. well, as i'm not that experienced in merengue-dancing, it was a bit wobbly in the beginning, but then we got real close and we danced to this real fast merengue.. it was great!! we just kept on dancing, he kept on leading me, turning round and swinging me around and all that : ) well it was getting pretty hot in that place, and i felt that i was sweating a bit-- but jeesus, have you ever danced so much that you felt sweat trickling down your forehead?! it was definetely my first time!
when the 2nd or 3rd song finished, i had to go, and when he let me go (he was sweating just as much as i was), he smiled and said ''wow''
boy, all the way home i had this gigantic grin on my face...

[Sagitta]

Coolmajigs!! Now I want to merengue with you. :D

[angelbaby]

As others - quite a few - but a couple....

First time brave enough to dance tango with other than my partner. Danced with my teacher at a Milonga. Felt myself actually relaxing, actually allowing myself to just follow. From "OMG" to "I don't want this to end". I remember him chuckling softly every now and again in a really sweet caring way, dont know what he was chuckling about but it sounded really sweet and like he liked what I did. And at the end as he returned me to my partner saying how "beautiful" it was to dance with me :D :oops: :D

Also, dancing with my partner (dh) when we just let go of everything and everyone else and just dance together. Bliss.....each time it happens...bliss....at Salsa, at Milonga, at class, at practica or just at home together....bliss....this is why we dance :together:

But tonight not going out dancing at our "regular" salsa night as baby grandson sleeping over so will just be the 2 of us trying to get some of those tricky tango moves worked out :roll: Maybe it will turn out to be another memorable dance night :)

[chachachacat]

My highest high in dancing was performing at Knott's Cloud Nine Ballroom. There were hundreds of people watching with concentrated attention - that's a lot of good energy! They had a "real backstage", which adds to the experience. Fun, wonderful, exciting - the high lasted for hours!
The most memorable dance for others was also at Knott's. My husband and I were playing around with a tango. I had a flat black gaucho hat, and rose from somewhere. I put the hat on his head, took the rose in my teeth, of course, and we just played, switching our props back and forth, spontaneously, being silly and dramatic and just having lots of fun. I've heard compliments about that dance for years! Fun is the goal![/img]