Horrible night at the studio (Rant)

[billman]

Last Friday night the studio taught a lesson on East Coast Swing. A small group of the local Lindy Hoppers attended. After the lesson they attempted to take over the dance floor doing Lindy to pretty much every song played during the dance party. Lindy is fun to watch, but having to dodge these people when waltzing was not fun. The owner of the studio did make an announcement regarding line of dance and proper manners. (The Lindy folks were in the outside track.) This helped for about 15 minutes and soon they were back in the line of dance. My partner and I had to stop several times to avoid running into them. I had enough and told the owner about it. (by now serveral of the advanced dancers were changing their shoes and headed for the door) He started a waltz and let it play about 30 seconds, then stopped it and again announced about line of dance and where to be on the floor if you were not traveling. He restarted the song and everyone was good... for a couple of songs. I finally had enough and the next Cha-cha lead my partner to the center of the floor. I knew that the biggest offender of LOD would be there doing Lindy. We proceded to do Cha-cha and when I saw the chance...I lead a crossover and armstyled really hard. I just missed this guy by inches. He backed off and let us have some space. Later, after the dance the Lindy people were overheard saying that they felt some hostility in the room!! LOL They really did not represent their style of dance very well. Several of the regulars mentioned to the owner that we hoped that they would not return. Ok, rant over! lol

 

[Gorme]

I think in this situation, the owner could have approached the newcomers privately and informed them that they're obstructing others during the ballroom dances and to please dance in the center of the room. I do not think that they understood what LOD means and that the announcement would be addressed to them.

 

[billman]

These folks dance a lot, just not nothing that travels LOD. The owner in his first announcement actually demonstrated LOD. The biggest offender has attended a few classes in the past. I am certain he brought his little group so he would have someone to dance with. (The ladies at the studio labeled him a "Creeper" about 6 months ago!)

 

[Terpsichorean Clod]

I finally had enough and the next Cha-cha lead my partner to the center of the floor. I knew that the biggest offender of LOD would be there doing Lindy. We proceded to do Cha-cha and when I saw the chance...I lead a crossover and armstyled really hard. I just missed this guy by inches.

I don't think it was very kind of you to go next to that couple in the center of the floor. It was a cha cha - a stationary dance - everyone finds their own spot on the floor and no one gets in anyone's way. Also, the idea is to encourage them to stay in the center, right?

Anyway, sorry you had a bad night. I can empathize having had lindy and swing dancers overrun the floor during quicksteps. I hope your studio finds a way to educate them.

 

[billman]

We were the first couple to the center of the floor and yes Cha-cha is a stationary dance. This guy and his partner basically wanted to push us off of our spot by doing Lindy right next to us. I also have had swing dancers clog the floor during QS. I usually just give up and do swing. lol

 

[Terpsichorean Clod]

We were the first couple to the center of the floor and yes Cha-cha is a stationary dance. This guy and his partner basically wanted to push us off of our spot by doing Lindy right next to us.

So you were there first. I take back what I said (though I don't think I would have done the same, perhaps partly because my aim in cha cha is not accurate enough ).

announced about line of dance and where to be on the floor if you were not traveling

Given that smooth/standard dances often travel along the diagonals, it may be better to keep stationary couples off the floor entirely.

 

[cornutt]

These folks dance a lot, just not nothing that travels LOD. The owner in his first announcement actually demonstrated LOD. The biggest offender has attended a few classes in the past. I am certain he brought his little group so he would have someone to dance with. (The ladies at the studio labeled him a "Creeper" about 6 months ago!)

Wow. Our studio recently banned a repeat floorcraft offender. And as in your case, he was also intensely disliked by many of the women (I can't go into details here). It's pretty clear, both from what I observed myself and from what I've been told, that his floorcraft "problems" were not accidental; they were things he did deliberately to try to intimidate other male dancers whom he regarded as competition.

Sociopaths -- you can't live with 'em, you can't shoot 'em. Unfortunately.

 

[latingal]

LOL....Your cha-cha story reminded me of an incident at a social dance I went to. I was actually hit fairly hard by somebody intentionally whilst doing the cha-cha-cha on an uncrowded floor at a social dance. Was rather a shock, I guess she thought I was showing off (ummm....no that's just my regular foot and hip action). Her partner, later at the punch table, apologized profusely for the incident, which was quite sweet. LOL - my own little rant....

Sorry back to the subject....

 

[ajiboyet]

I lead a crossover and armstyled really hard. I just missed this guy by inches. He backed off and let us have some space.

LOL!!!

 

[twnkltoz]

Yes, I think the studio owner needed to take a more direct approach. Tap them on the shoulder and tell them what they are and are not allowed to do, and if they don't comply, they'll have to lead. Sorry you had this frustration.

 

[fascination]

if I was the studio owner, I think I would play a "waltz for waltzers only" and then, during that number take the principle offender aside and be very...ahem...unambiguous

 

[twnkltoz]

Yes, I think the studio owner needed to take a more direct approach. Tap them on the shoulder and tell them what they are and are not allowed to do, and if they don't comply, they'll have to lead. Sorry you had this frustration.

Oops...lead=leave

 

[Mr 4 styles]

our studios dont allow Lindy at ballroom parties

they have swing only parties occasionally for them ( ECS WCS lindy jive)