I wonder if dancing has a season. It seems to me that summer is the off season for dancing because there are so few signature events. No costume balls, no holiday flings, just day after hot day slowly ticking by. From personal experience I know that, in the days before there were vast air conditioned dance spaces all summer events (dance and otherwise) were held outdoors. Last summer we went to High Bridge, KY for an event at the High Bridge Pavilion. The venue was beautiful and it brought to mind visions of men in panama hats stepping off the train and making their way to the venue under the stars, arm and arm with their best girls. It’s a romantic vision and though some elements might be pretty right on, that rosy picture ignores some truths. For one, an August dance would be sweaty mess – one up-tempo swing, one hot Louis Armstrong or Benny Goodman number, and I’d be soaked. Sweat would be dripping from the tip of my nose and pooling in my shoes. Sure, you get used to the climate you live in but I’m pretty sure I’d never acclimate to that!
This realization came to mind last Saturday. We attended my niece Ruthie’s 18th birthday party in the clubhouse of the condo community where my in-laws live. The event was great – friends, relatives, music, and about a metric ton of sugar combined to while away a summer afternoon and send a lovely young girl on her way to womanhood and a life filled with grand adventures. There was a little dancing, maybe three or four turns on the dance floor, and still the sweat was rolling down my back and soaking through my shirt. The clubhouse was air conditioned but the heat index outside was 106 and Mother Nature always wins that battle.
Still, there are the weekly club dances – small events in small venues until fall arrives. This weekend we’re dancing the traditional haunts: Starlight Ballroom and Indiana Roof Ballroom. Every morning I get up and the sky’s a little darker and I’m reminded that fall is on its way and soon the dance season will reopen.
Showing posts with label Highbridge Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Highbridge Park. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, May 4, 2009
Kentucky Fried Swing
Generally I don't think of Kentucky when I think of swing. The two don't seem to go together in spite of the fact Kelly and I are spending a great deal of time trying to learn Rockabilly swing. I guess it's just a personal bias or something. Maybe I need to get over myself or something. However, one day while browsing for historic dance venues in the Midwest, I stumbled across the Lexington Hep Cats Swing Club based out of the University of Kentucky. I browsed their events and found mention of an outdoor dance at High Bridge Park and I got intrigued.
High Bridge Park is located in Jessamine County, southwest of Lexington, Kentucky. It's tiny. I mean really tiny. Like less than a city block. However it centers around some really great scenery. One amazingly beautiful aspect of the park is the way the Kentucky River winds through the property. The park is located high on a bluff over the river and from an observation platform cantilevered over the hollow you get a dramatic view of the river winding southward through the green, hilly countryside. The most amazing view, however, is the spur of the Norfolk-Southern railroad that spans the hollow to give the park its name.
What does this have to do with dancing? Well, another feature of the park is an outdoor dance pavilion built in the 1920's. In its long history, the dance pavilion has played host to famous personalities such as Williams Jennings Bryant however by 2000 it had fallen into decay. With luck some dedicated people stepped in and rescued the structure. Today it's been restored to a condition similar to what it would have been back when Bryant spoke at the site.
Saturday, May second we made a trip south to Lexington. The weekend turned out wet, breezy, and cold but, since the pavilion is covered, it didn't interfere with our plans. We spent the night in a run-of-the-mill hotel outside of Lexington and then made our way to the park Sunday afternoon. The view was everything that the park website advertized; an amazing panorama of the Kentucky countryside and the river. The pavilion is an amazing sight too. Imagine that on the sight of this structure so many amazing things have happened.
Whenever we go to a historic venue I like to think about all that's happened in that spot before I ever became aware it existed. In High Bridge I think about all the joyous moments that have filtered through the old dance floor and soaked into the ground. A dance floor is all about fantasy: envisioning the music, feeling the beat, and sensing your partner all boils down to constructing a reality out of the air. Dance venues are places of bliss and heartbreak – just think about how many couples first saw each other across a dance floor and how many budding love affairs withered and died to the strains of Satin Doll or Some Enchanted Evening and its hard not to believe every dancehall is haunted in one way or another.
High Bridge Park is located in Jessamine County, southwest of Lexington, Kentucky. It's tiny. I mean really tiny. Like less than a city block. However it centers around some really great scenery. One amazingly beautiful aspect of the park is the way the Kentucky River winds through the property. The park is located high on a bluff over the river and from an observation platform cantilevered over the hollow you get a dramatic view of the river winding southward through the green, hilly countryside. The most amazing view, however, is the spur of the Norfolk-Southern railroad that spans the hollow to give the park its name.
What does this have to do with dancing? Well, another feature of the park is an outdoor dance pavilion built in the 1920's. In its long history, the dance pavilion has played host to famous personalities such as Williams Jennings Bryant however by 2000 it had fallen into decay. With luck some dedicated people stepped in and rescued the structure. Today it's been restored to a condition similar to what it would have been back when Bryant spoke at the site.
Saturday, May second we made a trip south to Lexington. The weekend turned out wet, breezy, and cold but, since the pavilion is covered, it didn't interfere with our plans. We spent the night in a run-of-the-mill hotel outside of Lexington and then made our way to the park Sunday afternoon. The view was everything that the park website advertized; an amazing panorama of the Kentucky countryside and the river. The pavilion is an amazing sight too. Imagine that on the sight of this structure so many amazing things have happened.Whenever we go to a historic venue I like to think about all that's happened in that spot before I ever became aware it existed. In High Bridge I think about all the joyous moments that have filtered through the old dance floor and soaked into the ground. A dance floor is all about fantasy: envisioning the music, feeling the beat, and sensing your partner all boils down to constructing a reality out of the air. Dance venues are places of bliss and heartbreak – just think about how many couples first saw each other across a dance floor and how many budding love affairs withered and died to the strains of Satin Doll or Some Enchanted Evening and its hard not to believe every dancehall is haunted in one way or another.
The band for the day was the MetroGnomes out of Jessamine County, Kentucky. Let me tell you, if you get a chance to see the MetroGnomes, don't hesitate just grab your dance shoes and go. They're a big band in all senses of that term. They really rocked the old pavilion in the way it deserved. Their tempo is hot, in the one set we stayed for they played one slow dance. I can only hope they follow Terry Lee's example and migrate northward into Indiana so that we can catch them again. I think they'd do the Indiana Roof proud.
As I mentioned, we only could stay for one set. The problem with traveling (even to Lexington) for a Sunday afternoon dance is that you've got to allow for the trip home and enough time to get to bed, get up, and get to work on Monday morning. I bemoan the decline of social dancing if only for the fact it relegated many dance events to Sundays when venues aren't being rented out by bigger, money-making ventures. Maybe there'll be resurgence, though I would argue the down economic environment argues against that since dance isn't a cheap hobby. Anyway, we finally rolled in to our driveway around 10 o'clock on Sunday night with tired eyes and a swing tune in our hearts. Being tired on Monday morning seldom feels this good.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Every time I visit Kentucky I’m surprised at how lovely it is. I have a rather stereotypic view of the place: backwoods and unsophisticated. Funny, because that is the same image some people have of Indiana. Anyway. Every time I go I’m reminded of how wrong preconceptions can be. Kentucky is a drop dead beautiful state; rolling hills, meandering streams, and even though I wouldn’t classify myself as a horse person, they do add to the bucolic aspect.
Lexington, Kentucky is smack dab in the middle of horse country; the long legged beauties that live here reside in stables that are grander than my home. There's definitely money in them thar rollin hills; check out this hotel that looks like a castle.
These horses wear blankets when it’s cold, and as my dad said, probably have servants who bring their oats on silver platters. I guess when you are capable of bringing home a million bucks you deserve your fancy breakfast.
On to why I’m talking so much about KY; Gary and I and my parents attended a very special swing dance very close to Lexington, Kentucky in High Bridge. It’s an historic spot; a railroad trestle spans a deep gorge with a sparkling river running underneath. At the top of a nearby hill is a park named High Bridge. In that park is an old dance pavilion with a wood floor. I won’t spend a lot of time describing because I know Gary will. J We had a blast. The MetroGnomes played (cute name), and they were great. Fab singer too. We danced a few hours. The Ky Hepcats Swing Club put on the event.
There were a few excellent dancers there. Mostly the good ones were older. Of the young people, only one man was, in my opinion, good. He definitely had it going on; he knew all the moves and was very slinky and smooth. He adjusted his obvious talent to whoever he was dancing with. The other twenties somethings were good in that they knew many moves, but oftentimes were jerky. I think of this, because if my arm were yanked out of my socket the way some of the young men were doing to their partners I would feel pain for a week. (NOTE: I don’t just think younger dancers are all moves…sometimesprofessionals look (to me) to be to be all technique and no soul.)
So I was ruminating about that on the way home; we passed lots of fancy horse stables, and I saw babies cavorting next to their mothers. The moms moved with grace; rippling muscles and a smooth gate. The colts and fillies hopped and skipped, sometimes their legs going every which way. Lots of energy, but no grace.
Gary asked me later on that night if I wished we’d started dancing earlier. Sometimes I do. It would be nice to be able to dance and not think about injuries the way I have to now. But as an optimist, here is how I mostly see it. First, I believe you come to things when the time is right. I don’t know if I would have had the discipline when I was younger to learn, nor the time. The work position I had ten years ago was stressful, and we had a huge yard and house to maintain.
Additionally, as I have grown older I’ve acquired more patience. Some. Bottom line, at this point in my life I’m willing to spend time on technique to get it right. And, although my body is creakier than it used to be, I know how to use it in a way I didn’t when I was younger. Also, I like myself now. And I don’t care as much what people think. That makes a difference when you are doing something in a public venue; at least it does for me.
Finally, I like having a steady dance partner. I understand some people think dancing with many people improves skills. Perhaps. I get that it would improve your skill in adapting to others, but if you only plan on dancing with one person, why would that matter? Gary and I want to get good…with each other. And what we have together dancing is very special, and of course, unique.
Which brings me to something else I noticed watching the horses in the fields, and also during the Kentucky derby. Racehorses have a special pal; a buddy they practice with and accompany them to races. Interesting.
In conclusion, although I wish my knees wouldn’t hurt, I’m glad to be where I am in my dancing. I’m happy I have finally acquired the patience I need to spend time getting it right. I’m comfortable with my body. I don’t worry too much about the critiques of others. And most of all, I’m happy I have a steady guy to dance with.
The band starts up. They move to the floor. They catch the beat…and….they’re off!!!!!
Lexington, Kentucky is smack dab in the middle of horse country; the long legged beauties that live here reside in stables that are grander than my home. There's definitely money in them thar rollin hills; check out this hotel that looks like a castle.These horses wear blankets when it’s cold, and as my dad said, probably have servants who bring their oats on silver platters. I guess when you are capable of bringing home a million bucks you deserve your fancy breakfast.
On to why I’m talking so much about KY; Gary and I and my parents attended a very special swing dance very close to Lexington, Kentucky in High Bridge. It’s an historic spot; a railroad trestle spans a deep gorge with a sparkling river running underneath. At the top of a nearby hill is a park named High Bridge. In that park is an old dance pavilion with a wood floor. I won’t spend a lot of time describing because I know Gary will. J We had a blast. The MetroGnomes played (cute name), and they were great. Fab singer too. We danced a few hours. The Ky Hepcats Swing Club put on the event.
There were a few excellent dancers there. Mostly the good ones were older. Of the young people, only one man was, in my opinion, good. He definitely had it going on; he knew all the moves and was very slinky and smooth. He adjusted his obvious talent to whoever he was dancing with. The other twenties somethings were good in that they knew many moves, but oftentimes were jerky. I think of this, because if my arm were yanked out of my socket the way some of the young men were doing to their partners I would feel pain for a week. (NOTE: I don’t just think younger dancers are all moves…sometimesprofessionals look (to me) to be to be all technique and no soul.)
So I was ruminating about that on the way home; we passed lots of fancy horse stables, and I saw babies cavorting next to their mothers. The moms moved with grace; rippling muscles and a smooth gate. The colts and fillies hopped and skipped, sometimes their legs going every which way. Lots of energy, but no grace.
Gary asked me later on that night if I wished we’d started dancing earlier. Sometimes I do. It would be nice to be able to dance and not think about injuries the way I have to now. But as an optimist, here is how I mostly see it. First, I believe you come to things when the time is right. I don’t know if I would have had the discipline when I was younger to learn, nor the time. The work position I had ten years ago was stressful, and we had a huge yard and house to maintain.
Additionally, as I have grown older I’ve acquired more patience. Some. Bottom line, at this point in my life I’m willing to spend time on technique to get it right. And, although my body is creakier than it used to be, I know how to use it in a way I didn’t when I was younger. Also, I like myself now. And I don’t care as much what people think. That makes a difference when you are doing something in a public venue; at least it does for me.
Finally, I like having a steady dance partner. I understand some people think dancing with many people improves skills. Perhaps. I get that it would improve your skill in adapting to others, but if you only plan on dancing with one person, why would that matter? Gary and I want to get good…with each other. And what we have together dancing is very special, and of course, unique.
Which brings me to something else I noticed watching the horses in the fields, and also during the Kentucky derby. Racehorses have a special pal; a buddy they practice with and accompany them to races. Interesting.
In conclusion, although I wish my knees wouldn’t hurt, I’m glad to be where I am in my dancing. I’m happy I have finally acquired the patience I need to spend time getting it right. I’m comfortable with my body. I don’t worry too much about the critiques of others. And most of all, I’m happy I have a steady guy to dance with.
The band starts up. They move to the floor. They catch the beat…and….they’re off!!!!!
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