By Barb Berggoetz Photography by Shannon Zahnle
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Mary Hoedeman Caniaris and Tom Slater swing dance at a Panache Dance showcase. Photo by Annalese Poorman dAN e ero aNCE BY Barb Berggoetz PHOTOGRAPHY BY Shannon Zahnle The verve and exhilaration of dance attracts the fear of putting yourself out there, says people of all ages, as does the sense of Barbara Leininger, owner of Bloomington’s community, the sheer pleasure of moving to Arthur Murray Dance Studio. “That very first music, and the physical closeness. In the step of coming into the studio is sometimes a process, people learn more about themselves, frightening thing.” break down inhibitions, stimulate their Leininger has witnessed what learning to minds, and find new friends. dance can do for a bashful teenager; for a man This is what dance in Bloomington is who thinks he has two left feet; for empty all about. nesters searching for a new adventure. It is not about becoming Ginger Rogers or “It can change relationships,” she says. “It Fred Astaire. can help people overcome shyness and give “It’s getting out and enjoying dancing and people a new lease on life. People get healthier having a good time,” says Thuy Bogart, who physically, mentally, and emotionally. And teaches Argentine tango. “That’s so much they have a skill they can go out and have fun more important for us.” with and use for the rest of their lives.” The benefits of dancing on an individual level can be life altering — if you can get past 100 Bloom | April/May 2015 | magbloom.com magbloom.com | April/May 2015 | Bloom 101 Ballroom dancing “It’s really important to keep busy and keep the gears going,” says Meredith. “You When Benjamin and Meredith Wendell saw can do this forever.” the empty nest looming in 2000, they Barbara Leininger, owner of Blooming- wanted to find something new to do ton’s Arthur Murray Dance Studio, says there together. The couple liked cruises and saw are many people like the Wendells with little people dancing poolside. They tried joining previous experience who develop a love of in, but Benjamin wanted to do it right. So, dance that becomes a big part of their lives. they went to Bloomington’s Arthur Murray Others just want lessons so they can dance at Dance Studio, which teaches ballroom and weddings or other social events. social dances to teenagers, 90-year-olds, The popularity of dances, she says, ebbs and everyone in between. and flows with influences including movies, “I will never forget our first lesson,” TV shows such as Dancing with the Stars, recalls Meredith. “We were addicted almost and music. Among ballroom dances, Originally called the Lindy Hop, swing dance has branched into East Coast and West Coast styles. immediately.” mainstays are foxtrot, waltz, and swing Fifteen years later, the couple’s schedule is — particularly East Coast swing (see next packed five nights a week with lessons, group page), she says. Latin-style dances, such as classes, and dance parties. Both, now 61, say salsa, are also considered ballroom dances. SWING Dancing they enjoy lots of ballroom dances, including Leininger explains to newcomers that it’s foxtrot, waltz, cha-cha, swing, bolero, tango, not difficult to master the basic five foot If you go to weddings or frequent local and particularly rumba and hustle. movements — forward, backward, side-to- dance clubs, swing dance is one of the For Meredith, dancing is her main side, march, and rock. It’s a matter of putting best dances to know. source of exercise. She says it has improved the movements into basic patterns. “Swing music is the most common her posture, coordination, grace, and “It should be fun,” Leininger stresses, “and type of music in the U.S.,” says Sandy balance. Benjamin gets his exercise through an opportunity to celebrate music, hold Messner of Panache Dance, who teaches dancing and workouts at the Monroe someone in your arms, and have that experi- Latin and ballroom dance classes — in- County YMCA. They both love socializing ence of moving on the dance floor as one.” cluding swing — at Windfall Dancers and with their “dance friends” and even have The Lodge. “It’s so useful to know when parties at home in their “dance room.” Benjamin and Meredith Wendell, passionate ballroom going out.” dancers, are out five nights a week at lessons, group Originally called the Lindy Hop, the classes, and parties. dance emerged in the 1920s and later branched into East Coast and West Amaury de Siqueira, Argentine tango instructor, dances with Elise Boruvka. Note the men to the left duplicating his Coast swings, each with different steps. characters and music. East Coast swing is mainly a circular dance typically done to big band and jazz music. West Coast “It can be vigorous, physically demand- “You have to work closely with your swing is more upright, usually somewhat TANGO ing,” Bogart cautions, “but it’s more like partner and learn his moves,” says slower, and done to rhythm and blues or taking a Pilates class, not running a Boruvka. “It’s all about how you early slow rock. Dancing the tango creates “happy hor- marathon.” interpret the music, but it doesn’t mean Swing, and dance in general, Messner mones,” jokes Thuy Bogart, who teaches In 2006, Amaury de Siqueira founded the it has to be complex.” says, is an excellent activity for people tango at Windfall Dancers. Bloomington Argentine Tango Organization, Mia Dalglish says tango has made who want to develop a social network “There is a lot of handholding and a nonprofit cultural group with about 50 her a better person. and find other active adults. closeness, hugging,” she says. “That’s one of members. It spreads Argentine tango’s “It asks for honesty, tenderness, And she says anyone can learn to dance. the reasons people stay with tango.” musical and dance traditions through assertiveness, and to truly be present in “I’ve never met a person I couldn’t While tango isn’t as mainstream in twice-a-week classes and monthly milongas the moment with the person you are teach to dance. A lot of dancing is Bloomington as swing or salsa, she says it’s (social dances) at The Lodge. with,” says Dalglish, an art curator and practicing, over and over. You develop still popular. Bogart, whose husband, Ben, “In eight years, we’ve taught tango to a lot former tango teacher in Bloomington. muscle memory.” performs professionally with a traveling of different folks,” says de Siqueira, a Those traits are applicable to the larger Learning dance steps challenges your tango orchestra, welcomes beginners and volunteer whose day job is assistant director world, says Dalglish, who now teaches in brain and body, says Mary Hoedeman stresses they don’t need to come with of online education for the Indiana Univer- Boston, Massachusetts. Coniaris, a 34-year instructor who partners, nor do they need experience. sity School of Public Health. “I want the “You learn so much about yourself teaches ballroom and social dance at She likens Argentine tango to a free-flow- community to grow together.” and about other people,” she says, “if you Indiana University and West Coast ing conversation that changes with each Elise Boruvka, 26, who fell in love with are open to it.” swing and salsa at The Lodge. Many dance partner and includes improvised the tango community, likes that the dance is studies show the combination of moves in response to one’s partner’s moves. broken down into fundamentals but doesn’t follow specific patterns. 102 Bloom | April/May 2015 | magbloom.com magbloom.com | April/May 2015 | Bloom 103 SWING, CONTINUED. music, moving, and holding someone all “I had no dance experience and two left create benefits, she says. feet,” recalls Chris Miller, club president. “It Another avenue to learn swing is with has done wonderful things for me person- the Indiana University Swing Dance Club. ally and for my confidence level. It’s not Students and community residents are something I can imagine giving up now.” welcome to take lessons on campus, attend social dances, and become members. (left) Danny Weddle swings his dance partner, Megan Smith. People have been contra dancing Wednesday evenings at Harmony School for the past 45 years. (below) Live music and caller Tamara Loewenthal lead the dancers. Sandy Messner of Panache Dance (left, foreground) teaches salsa to a student. Salsa and Latin dancing Salsa is sultry, physical, and all the rage. Leininger, owner of the local Arthur “It’s extremely popular right now, Murray Dance Studio. especially among young people,” says Sandy The fundamental Latin dances seen at Messner of Panache Dance. dance clubs are salsa, merengue, and Compared to other ballroom dances, bachata, she says. Others are mambo, Latin dances are generally faster paced, more rumba, cha-cha, and samba. to others and for socializing with the Saturday dances and dance weekends twice “Everybody messes up,” he says. “Some sensual, and have more rhythmic expression. “The influx of more and more Latin Contra dancing opposite sex.” annually. of the most fun I’ve had at contra dancing is Partners often dance in a closed, tight people in the United States brings their For 30 years, Hammond has been contra Contra dancing, which stemmed from when everybody is messing up.” position, sometimes holding just one hand. music and dancing into the culture,” says It doesn’t matter if there’s three feet of snow dancing with the group, which has been English country dance, is similar to square David Ernst, a 20-year regular at Latin dance is known for its rolling hip Leininger.