Best/Worst of 2008

The time for lists is upon us! Yes, that time of year when every television station has some kind of 'best of/worst of' program scheduled for the week leading up to New Year's Day. I never had the chance to actually do one, I mean - when in your day-to-day life do you get a chance to rate anything you didn't just buy on eBay? So, yes, I do realize it's totally artificial and generally meaningless because we've all got our own opinions - but then I'm into meaningless so here goes!

Top Ten Dance-Related Things of 2008

10. The Paramount Theatre, Anderson, IN

Way back in March we made the hour trip up to Anderson, Indiana…potentially the ugliest downtown in all of central Indiana. The ugliness hid a small gem, though - the restored and preserved Paramount Theatre with its tiny upstairs ballroom. The band was, well…one guy and a synthesizer…but to put my feet on those historic planks was truly thrilling. Worth the drip for a Sunday afternoon and maybe next year we'll be able to make their annual Christmas Dance among the trees.

9. Indy Dancers/Brickyard Boogie Dancers

I'm not a joiner. I don't go in for clubs because at heart I'm a shy and reserved person (I'm also handsome, talented, and witty - this is my story) and I usually don't go in for socializing for its own sake. We joined both the Indy Dancers and Brickyard Boogies to take advantage of at least one dance a week at the Starlight Ballroom but soon we also were attending every-other-week dances at 8 Seconds Saloon too. The Dancers and Boogies have made dance a part of almost every weekend and sharpened our skills immeasurably in the process.

8. Rockabilly

So, swing can be a little like a costume party…especially when you're into some of the historic styles like Lindy Hop. Well, Rockabilly is the costume party you wish you got invited to. The music's fast, the dancing is loose, and the women dress like Bettie Page - the down side would be? Okay, so the Rockabilly crowd can be a bit of a monoculture and eventually you get a bit burned out on long sideburns, slicked back hair, and lounge shirts…but it's a hell of a lot of fun getting there, baby!

7. West-Coast Swing

I went into Left Coast Swing (my term) with some trepidation. I love East Coast Swing because it goes with the music I love, Big Band. West Coast rolls in jive and Latin influences to create a funkier, smoother dance that makes up for the loss of bounce with soul. We started West Coast some in the last quarter of '08 and it's quickly moved up the list of our favorite dances. I'm looking forward to getting better at it as the months go by.

6. Lindy Hop

The mother of swing, the Lindy is my very favorite dance to watch when it's done right. We throw Lindy into our EC Swing and knowing the basic Lindy Hop has made West Coast a snap. It's definitely the most aerobic dance we do and well worth the time we've spent learning it.

5. Casa Loma Ballroom, St. Louis, MO

What can I say about a place where you can do the Conga with transvestites? We went to the Casa Loma Masquerade Ball this year and it very well may be an annual pilgrimage. The neighborhood is awful - I mean post-holocaust awful - but if you can get past that fact you'll have a great time.

4. The Indiana Roof Ballroom, Indianapolis, IN

The Roof holds a special place in my heart. It's a historic ballroom that hasn't matured into an island amid economic and social despair. The ballroom is pretty much the way it was back in the 40's when Glen Miller and Benny Goodman made stops to play the room. Usually the floor is in great condition, the sound is wonderful, and there's a thunderstorm during the set break (insiders will know what that means). It's one of my favorite places to dance.

3. Starlight Ballroom

The Starlight is nothing special in terms of appearance. Look at our Flickr feed if you need to see what I mean - you could mistake the place for a small warehouse with ease. Inside, though, is a wonderful floor - spacious and maintained by people who know dancing - and (for us) it is amazingly close to where we live. This means every Friday night we can hop over for the Friday practice session, we can catch both Indy Dancers and Brickyard Boogie Dancers events, and we don't spend a fortune in gas money to get there!

2. Classes at Dance Master's

Without Melissa and Mark at Dance Masters we wouldn't be as good as we are - take that as a compliment or an insult. Melissa has been our long-suffering instructor for over a year now and during that time she's put up with our decision not to waltz, she's learned Lindy Hop, and she's fixed all the bad habits we picked up at swing festivals across the Midwest. I'm sure she's a saint of some sort.

1. Terry Lee and his Rockaboogie Band

Doubtless the most fun you'll have sober…and being sober is optional. Terry Lee and his Rockaboogie Band tear up some classic Rockabilly pieces, do Jerry Lee Lewis as only the Killer himself could, and generally put on a show worth seeing for a song. Add to that the fact that the leader of the band is personable and actually circulates among the fans, thanking you for attending and what can you say? He's the best thing that happened to us in dancing in 2008 - he inspired us to learn Rockabilly swing dancing, and he'll actually be playing a couple dates at Fountain Square in '09 - grab your dancing shoes and hit the doors folks!


What list show would be complete without a worst of? Heck, the worst is usually more fun to watch than the best because after it's over you feel a little less like a clod, right? I'm only going four deep though and I'll try to be merciful…see my halo shine?

The Worst of 2008

4. Drama Class Baby

So, I know that dance is the least natural thing on the planet aside from maybe Twinkies and spray cheese. People don't move in unison to a tempo set by instrumentation in an environment that isn't contrived. Still, number four goes to those people who seem to think the dance floor is their private stage and everyone else upon it mere shadows that they can dance through. Hey, if you're a contestant in the national whatever contest, do me a favor and dance there - I don't need you clogging up a public dance floor with your choreography.

3. Its Called Sheet Music

I've danced to great bands (see my best of list) - they make the evening, set the tempo, and keep the energy high. I've also danced to good DJ's - maybe the energy isn't quite the same but they still keep the hall bouncing. The problem is when you get a band composed of members who ought to be DJs. I've heard some bad renditions of In the Mood since I started dancing…I can only hope the people who rendered them will seek professional help in '09.

2. And Who's the Host?

So, you throw a party and as it gets going you realize you have half the amount of booze you need - what do you do? If you're a keen host you arrange to either have a friend play mercy grocer or you pawn the hosting duty off to your spouse while you make an emergency run. It's called hosting and it involves taking responsibility for the comfort and enjoyment of your guests - and frankly it applies to parties you pay to enter too. It's great when lots of people are attracted to a dance venue but with lots of guests the host's responsibilities grow geometrically…in the case of a dance party it means maybe passing out 'even/odd' numbers to limit the number of people trying to dance at once. Otherwise you might as well stand in an alley with a shot-filled sock 'cause you're stealing money from your guests.

1. Ms. Manners Says…

Oh, and though number two was about the responsibility of the host don't believe that as a guest you're free to do whatever the hell you like! Hey Mr. Crazy Knees, how about becoming aware that there actually are other dancers on the floor with you? How about getting your elbow out of my date's ear? How about learning to dance small because being in control is being good. The Worst of '08 goes to every clod who thinks it's okay to do a flying back flip on a crowded dance floor…just because they can.

So, that wraps up my entries for 2008. The first year of authoring Blue Suede Souls has been a lot of fun and I'm sure the second year will be twice as much! I hope you have a wonderful New Year. Drink a few strong ones, eat some good food, sing Ald Lang Syne, and kiss someone you love at Midnight - I hope your 2009 will be wonderful, rhythmic, and generally speaking a real blast.