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timetoeatfood
Forum Ninja
Joined: 24 Nov 2004
Posts: 1583
Location: A special place in your heart. By way of Shoreline.
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 Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Casey,
I haven't posted in six months, and I'm still #3 on the leader board. What gives? Is the world really that boring without me around?
XOXO
Max
_________________
Me: My first thought was, "Sweet! I get to be an asshole again."
Theresa: Trust me... the new forum hasn't stopped you.
Watching me paint is like watching grass grow, only with more swearing and furniture throwing. |
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Casey323
Hep to the Jive
Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 1888
Location: 1st and 1st
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| Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 10:14 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Dear Casey,
What do you do when you're in a slump?
Any special things you try or techniques you employ to boost up that energy to make the dancing more enjoyable? Do you seek inspiration in these cases?
Thanks,
Snake Plisskin |
Dear Pliss,
I'm guessing by 'slump' you perhaps more accurately mean 'plateau'. I find it a rare circumstance that dancers actually get worse for pockets of town, although there are some stand outs that seem to make that happen. Poor bastards.
Those that have done this dance longer than I might have an alternative perspective, but I have found that the longer I have danced and more skill I gain, the more frequent and longer the plateaus. When people just begin this dance, they start at knowing nothing, so anything they learn is something and it represents nearly a 100% increase in knowledge/skill/ability. The more you learn - in terms of the relatively easy aspects, such as repetoire and technique - the more that begins to settle and the gains to be made only come with fairly intensive focus on one aspect or concerted effort to learn new material. (This feeds into my pet theory as to why follows often hit a long plateau sooner, because we're generally much less focused on repetoire/moves than are leads.)
As your attention turns toward the more difficult aspects of dance - style, creativity, improvisation, musicality - there is less of a road map as to what to do to feel improvement in these areas. Good instructors give you tips and tricks, but it's not without a lot of attempts, failures, second attempts, further failures and tweaking, before you noticeably succeed. (Same could be said for working on moves and technique, it's just that the roadmap to success is usually clearer.)
It's this cycle - seeing something you don't like about your dancing, trying a bunch of things to improve on it, failing at 99% of them, and finding 1% that can help you move in the direction you want to go - that I've found to be the hallmark of perpetual-plateau-er and gradual-improver. Without a doubt, there's always some place to go with this dance and one must decide if it's worth the ego bruising and hard work to go there.
But you didn't ask about my personal philosophy, did you? You want some practical information. Too bad I don't have any. (Just kidding, possibly. But some things I do: truly watch/observe/study other dancers that inspire you; watch old clips; find one thing to concentrate on, and work on just that, to stay focused; work with a regular partner; take private lessons and/or find someone to give you direct feedback; take risks. Nothing was ever truly gained without putting a little something on the line - in this case, usually one's ego.)
Enjoy hating the plateau - it means you care enough to get better and you have an infinite number of directions to go.
Casey
P.S. I'll let you know when I'm off my plateau. I think I've been hear since 2007. 
_________________
Savoy Swing Jam ~ March 2011
The Lindy Hop Competition For One and All!
www.savoyswingjam.com
Stay tuned for details |
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Casey323
Hep to the Jive
Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 1888
Location: 1st and 1st
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| Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 10:19 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Dear Casey,
I haven't posted in six months, and I'm still #3 on the leader board. What gives? Is the world really that boring without me around?
XOXO
Max
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Max,
I you've landed on something that I've been lamenting for the last year. This board now kind of blows. Remember the glory days when I would get pissed about people talking about the most inane subtleties of hand grips? Or flipping each other s**t in the Sinners Lounge? I miss those days...back when lindy hop was fun.
(Actually, I blame Facebook. As great of a tool is that is, it has yet to replicate the discussion board in a useful way. People that were on WhiteHeat just for news update and information get that all from the ol' FB now, so if you're not interested in chatting people up online, then there's really no reason to come here. Except, of course, to read Dear Casey.)
Any ideas how we can reliven this a bit? Many out-of-towners seek out the Seattle scene on this board when looking to visit us, and I hate this to reflect a lack of passion and energy that our scene actually has. I mean, at least it's reflecting my sage advice, witty writing, and shining personality, but even that is not always enough.
~Casey
_________________
Savoy Swing Jam ~ March 2011
The Lindy Hop Competition For One and All!
www.savoyswingjam.com
Stay tuned for details |
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happyfunba11
Swing Kid
Joined: 25 Aug 2005
Posts: 15
Location: kenmore, WA
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| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Casey323 wrote: | Any ideas how we can reliven this a bit?
~Casey |
you need a controversy. |
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timetoeatfood
Forum Ninja
Joined: 24 Nov 2004
Posts: 1583
Location: A special place in your heart. By way of Shoreline.
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| Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 9:11 am Post subject: |
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Bal sucks.
_________________
Me: My first thought was, "Sweet! I get to be an asshole again."
Theresa: Trust me... the new forum hasn't stopped you.
Watching me paint is like watching grass grow, only with more swearing and furniture throwing. |
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timetoeatfood
Forum Ninja
Joined: 24 Nov 2004
Posts: 1583
Location: A special place in your heart. By way of Shoreline.
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| Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 9:23 am Post subject: |
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Dear Casey,
I think you're right about Facebook. I hadn't even thought of that. On to a real question, though:
Why did all of the troupes in Seattle die? ZZZ, JSLH, ECS, maybe even a few others that I can't recall - all have gone by the wayside (or at least hibernation). I know they each have their own specific reasons, but I'm looking at it as a whole. When I was over at WSU, being on a troupe was the be-all, end-all. When I finally graduated and made my triumphant return (and by that, I mean danced even less than when I lived 300 miles away) we were down to one and a half (as ECS was starting to focus more on showy stuff than Lindy), then shortly thereafter it dropped the half, then even the half folded.
I know there are a few groups of dancers that get together and practice, but it's not quite the same. Your thoughts?
_________________
Me: My first thought was, "Sweet! I get to be an asshole again."
Theresa: Trust me... the new forum hasn't stopped you.
Watching me paint is like watching grass grow, only with more swearing and furniture throwing. |
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RealCherylCrow
Savoy Swinger
Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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Regarding Casey's question (unfortunately Casey, by asking a question you opened the thread to people for their own opinions, haha) about why the board isn't much in use anymore:
Last night I asked one of my favorite newer dancers whether she had heard of White Heat, a forum where people talk about dance stuff in Seattle - she goes, "Oh, is that on facebook?" Further support for your idea that it is partially facebook to blame...
But also, they simply just don't know about the forum, I think. I can't remember who told me about it but it's just not something that's mentioned in classes and such, so people have to hear about it through word of mouth...if we want to revive it, we should just let some of the newer dancers know
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What if the hokey pokey IS what it's all about? |
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MaryX
Hot Stuff
Joined: 13 Nov 2007
Posts: 121
Location: Ladies' Room
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| Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 9:09 am Post subject: |
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Dear Casey,
I think Top Hat and Junk Shot would be awesome names for dance moves. What other disaster related names are applicable to dance?
Love,
Mary |
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Casey323
Hep to the Jive
Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 1888
Location: 1st and 1st
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| Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Dear Casey,
I think you're right about Facebook. I hadn't even thought of that. On to a real question, though:
Why did all of the troupes in Seattle die? ZZZ, JSLH, ECS, maybe even a few others that I can't recall - all have gone by the wayside (or at least hibernation). I know they each have their own specific reasons, but I'm looking at it as a whole. When I was over at WSU, being on a troupe was the be-all, end-all. When I finally graduated and made my triumphant return (and by that, I mean danced even less than when I lived 300 miles away) we were down to one and a half (as ECS was starting to focus more on showy stuff than Lindy), then shortly thereafter it dropped the half, then even the half folded.
I know there are a few groups of dancers that get together and practice, but it's not quite the same. Your thoughts? |
Heya Max,
The popularity of teams has definitely ebbed and flowed over the years, although I think there is a definite resurgence upon us. Swing-amajig is in its second (?) year now, and Uptown Throwdown has produced a couple of routines. Sister Kate, although not a lindy hop team, is entering its fifth year.
I believe the interest in being on a team has less to do with the 'be all and end all' nature (which can originate from wanting to a part of a tight-knit group within a larger scene and feeling like that group has some standing within the community) and more to do with a desire to practice and perform. One of the greatest benefits of being on a team is to provide a structure around one's practice, regular and repetitive training, and often a specific goal. Secondly, as our scene develops a stronger performance ethic and more experienced performers, teams again provide a structure and supportive environment in which to develop acts and practice those skills.
In short, lindy hop performance is as strong as ever, if not generally better than it's been since its heydey. But if you want to see some craptacular lindy hop, just search YouTube for "lindy hop" and clips posted within the last week. Yama-hama, it's fright night.
~Casey~
_________________
Savoy Swing Jam ~ March 2011
The Lindy Hop Competition For One and All!
www.savoyswingjam.com
Stay tuned for details |
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Casey323
Hep to the Jive
Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 1888
Location: 1st and 1st
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| Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Dear Casey,
I think Top Hat and Junk Shot would be awesome names for dance moves. What other disaster related names are applicable to dance?
Love,
Mary |
Dear OOMBFIS,
Whenever I think of disasters, I think of the first Naked Gun movie. I'll explain it some day in person.
Love,
Casey[/quote]
_________________
Savoy Swing Jam ~ March 2011
The Lindy Hop Competition For One and All!
www.savoyswingjam.com
Stay tuned for details |
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GavinMacD
Puttin' on the Ritz
Joined: 17 Dec 2004
Posts: 259
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| Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject: Phoney Lead? |
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Dear Casey-
My source at the Century Ballroom tells me a story about a lead taking a phone call MID DANCE. Thankfully he only spoke long enough to ask the caller to call back.
Should she have been glad her lead had the presence of mind to tell his caller he was indisposed?
What would you do if you were in that hapless follow's position? And would you recommend anyone else respond the same way?
-G
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Joe
Least Favorite Person of the Week
Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 149
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| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:31 am Post subject: |
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| My source at the Century tells me it was dargoff. |
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Casey323
Hep to the Jive
Joined: 22 Nov 2004
Posts: 1888
Location: 1st and 1st
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| Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 11:56 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Dear Casey-
My source at the Century Ballroom tells me a story about a lead taking a phone call MID DANCE. Thankfully he only spoke long enough to ask the caller to call back.
Should she have been glad her lead had the presence of mind to tell his caller he was indisposed?
What would you do if you were in that hapless follow's position? And would you recommend anyone else respond the same way?
-G |
Dear Gavin,
If they are close friends and it was played up as part of a joke, then who am I to judge. If said lead was wearing the phone in one of those phone belt holsters, that alone is unforgiveable IMO, and regardless of taking the call, the only thing she should be glad for is that the song ended.
First off, leave the phone in your bag - don't ever wear it on the dance floor. Unless you are a doctor on call, there are very few acceptable reasons to have the need to take a call in the middle of a dance (and I mean the whole evening) wherein you'd need your phone actually on you at all times. If you're that needed, then you shouldn't be at a dance. If you are that interested in something else that it would stop you from being social with your fellow dancers, then you shouldn't be at a dance.
(I have a lot of opinions about phone etiquette, but I have to run to Home Depot, so they'll have to be saved for another day.)
~Casey
_________________
Savoy Swing Jam ~ March 2011
The Lindy Hop Competition For One and All!
www.savoyswingjam.com
Stay tuned for details |
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MaryX
Hot Stuff
Joined: 13 Nov 2007
Posts: 121
Location: Ladies' Room
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| Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Casey323 wrote: | | I have a lot of opinions about phone etiquette |
Dear Casey,
What are your top five opinions on phone etiquette? Do they have anything to do with Oprah?
http://i.imgur.com/3jSN9.jpg,
Mary |
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