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Home , Argentine tango, Blues dance, East Coast Swing, Square dancing (China)

Mary Hoedeman Caniaris and Tom Slater 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 . “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 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 , swing dance has branched into East Coast and West Coast styles. immediately.” mainstays are , , 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 , 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 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 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, 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 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 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 . 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. “Latin music is very fun and on the ground or if it’s New Year’s Eve. If it’s around for the past 45 years. Every Wednes- dancing in some ways, including having a Harmony, is involved with contra on many action and playful movements, making the energetic. Music is driving the dance styles.” a Wednesday night, contra devotees gather day, 30 to 60 people come out to Harmony caller guide the sequences. But Hammond levels. He also calls dances, writes some of various dances entertaining to do and Dance instructors cite two other places to swing their partners to live old-time School (Boys and Girls Clubs of Blooming- says contra is more active and has less them, and plays tenor banjo for others. And watch. Learning Latin dances is fairly easy, that hold events where people can do Latin string music, sometimes with a little Celtic ton in July and August), many of whom are sitting out time. he met his wife, Priscilla Borges, there. many say, as most of the dances are made up dances — Serendipity Martini Bar and The fiddle added for good measure. longtime dancers. Hammond is trying to get Hammond, who also partakes in “It’s really nice to get together with the of the same basic footsteps. Lodge. Ritmos Latinos Indiana, an Indiana “We’ve been meeting every Wednesday more new people and college students to ballroom, Latin, swing, and Argentine tango, same group of people each week,” he says. “While it’s more popular among people University–affiliated group, teaches and for more than 2,000 weeks,” says Randy join them, stressing that beginner lessons contends contra is the easiest. But even 40 and younger, you can see people into performs rueda de casino, a social form of Hammond, board coordinator for the are taught before the two hours of dancing experienced dancers make mistakes now their 80s doing salsa,” says Barbara Cuban salsa. Bloomington Old-Time Music & Dance begins. The group also sponsors occasional and then. Group. “It’s a good chance for people to talk

104 Bloom | April/May 2015 | magbloom.com magbloom.com | April/May 2015 | Bloom 105 folk dancing Folk dances range from simple to com- “It’s a wonderful social and cultural plex. Many dances depict traditions thing,” says Pierson, who also taught — such as singing lullabies to babies ballroom and other dances for 65 years. — from the countries where they Another outlet for folk dancing is originate. through Indiana University International Locally, anyone can experience a Folkdancers, a recreational group that variety of folk dances for free at meets Friday nights at different campus several sites. locations. Free instruction is offered to all Longtime instructor Bob Pierson comers for the first hour, followed by dance says all are welcome to come to weekly requests for one to two hours. classes he runs at the Twin Lakes “If dancing threatens you, this is the place Recreation Center and Bell Trace for you,” says Leah Savion, a group organizer Health and Living Community. and IU professor of philosophy and cognitive “Many of the dances are in lines or science. “It’s such a low-key, welcoming circles without partners,” says the group. We start from very basic instruction 81-year-old volunteer teacher. “We do and go to highly complicated dances.” everything from slow to rather fast Savion, who has participated with the dances. I break it down step by step group for 26 years, says many different and walk dancers through the dance styles of exist. before putting on the music.” “They’re all distinct,” she says. “You can Pierson leans heavily toward dance for years and still keep learning.” Eastern European, Polish, and at local events, which attract around 20 people of all ages. “Many of the dances are in lines or circles without partners,” says instructor Bob Pierson. Photo by Darryl Smith

Belly dancers (l-r) Donna Carlton, Thalia, and Amber Grover.

Belly dancing is the main source of pret music with flowing patterns of While she has had a few men in her exercise for Emilie Johnson, one of Belly dancing movement. classes, most participants are women in Carlton’s students. A belly dancer for 11 “It’s like a practice similar to yoga for their 30s and older. Many are drawn to belly years, she says it improves her core No, you don’t have to be supple and shapely me,” says Carlton, who has taught since dancing because it doesn’t require a partner. strength, and the back pain from which she to be a belly dancer. 1989. “When I’m dancing, I’m very in the Some, like Carlton, are attracted by the used to suffer has gone away. Johnson “It’s very accepting of different body types,” moment, so it helps me feel centered and camaraderie with other women. Still, others performs publicly in Carlton’s . says instructor Donna Carlton, grounded. I don’t think about my problems.” say they just want to try something different She bristles at the suggestion that belly who teaches at Harmony School on Thursday Novices shouldn’t be intimidated. Her or see it as a fun way to exercise. dancing can be degrading to women or that evenings and a course at Indiana University classes start with basic movements, then “You can break a sweat,” says Carlton. “It some are too old or overweight to do it. for credit. “You don’t have to be a great athlete combine them and progress to building can help to relieve tension in the back. You’ll “It’s more about body empowering,” says or in super fantastic shape to start.” longer sequences. Some dances are learn about different muscles you didn’t Johnson. “It doesn’t matter how you look. To Carlton, belly dancing is a form of choreographed, others improvised, and isolate or control before.” It’s how you dance.” self-expression — a creative way to inter- some are both.

106 Bloom | April/May 2015 | magbloom.com magbloom.com | April/May 2015 | Bloom 107 Blues dancing Do It! It’s clear Josh Davis, 31, is a blues dance disciple. “It’s a ton of fun,” he says, of dances named funky butt, squat, and fishtail, which all fall under the umbrella So you want to dance? term “blues dance.” Here’s where to take lessons and Dating back more than 100 years, the dances grew up alongside blues music with influences from West go dancing in Bloomington. Africa blending with the new blues styles in New Orleans. Davis, who works as a technical support rep for a Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Bloomington Old-Time Music web-hosting firm, has been spreading the good word bloomingtonarthurmurray.com, & Dance Group, bloomingtoncontra. about blues dancing ever since it grew out of the local ballroom, social, and Latin dancing; org, contra and square dancing lessons swing dance movement some five years ago. Barbara Leininger, owner, 812-334- and social dances at Harmony School He describes blues dancing as less systematic than 0553. (Boys & Girls Clubs in July–August); ballroom dancing and says it compares most closely Randy Hammond, board coordinator, with informal jazz dance. “You can make it as difficult Panache Dance, panachedance.com, 812-272-8081. as you want, but not all the dances are terribly ballroom, nightclub, and Latin dancing demanding,” Davis says. at Windfall Dancers and The Lodge; International folk dancing, Bob Davis discovered blues dancing at the Indiana Sandy Messner, owner, 812-219-5869. Pierson, instructor, classes at Twin University Swing Dance Club. He started taking it Lakes Recreation Center, 812-349- seriously and traveled to blues dance workshops Bloomington Argentine Tango 3720, and Bell Trace Health and Living around the Midwest. Organization (BATO), bloomington- Community, 812-323-2858; Pierson, For three semesters starting in 2013, he taught at tango.net, tango classes and milongas 812-333-3482. the IU Swing Club, and, since June 2014, he has been (social dances) at The Lodge; Amaury teaching weekly drop-in classes at The Players Pub on de Siqueira, advisor, 805-895-1644. IU International Folkdancers, Tuesday nights. Hip-hop dancers (l-r) Catherine Barker, Erin Meacham, and Jamie Tartell. indiana.edu/~folkdanc, free instruction “Everybody is welcome, and I would love to see Argentine tango, Thuy Bogart, and folk dances, Indiana Memorial some new people check it out,” he says. teacher, classes at Windfall Dancers, Union and other campus sites, Andrea He also belongs to the Indiana Blues Cooperative, a [email protected], 812-340- Morrison, group contact, 812-333-1550. small group of enthusiasts interested in spreading 6726. blues dancing through workshops, a Facebook page, Belly dancing, Donna Carlton, and informal classes. Hip-hop dancing Windfall Dancers, windfalldancers. instructor, classes at Harmony School, “The blues dance community I am part of,” he says, wordpress.com, , tap, hip-hop, allaboutbellydance.com, 812-330-1831. “isn’t about reconstructing the past so much as having To Erin Meacham, hip-hop is unlike any other dance. creative movement lessons; Kay Olges, a good time while honoring the artistry of those who “You can make it your own and add your own style. That’s why I like it so board president, 812-334-0506. Blues dancing, Josh Davis, instructor, have come before.” much,” says Erin, 14, a freshman at Bloomington High School North. classes at The Players Pub, theplayer- She has already taken three years of hip-hop lessons at Windfall Dancers, , Mary Hoedeman spub.com, 812-334-2080; Davis, after previously studying ballet and tap. She also is now taking Coniaris, instructor, swing and salsa at 417-812-5837, joshdavisblues@gmail. Josh Davis and Stepanka Korytova dance to the blues at The Players Pub. and musical theater at Windfall and performing in Syncopation, a local, The Lodge, [email protected], com or visit facebook.com/JoshDavis- award-winning show choir. 812-322-1603. Blues. She’s so enamored with the art form that she already has her eye on a career in hip-hop or modern dance. Indiana University Swing Dance Hip-hop, Brennan Wilder, instructor, “Honestly,” she says, “hip-hop just makes me happy.” Club, indiana.edu/~iuswing, East and lessons at Windfall Dancers, blooming- Erin’s teacher, Brennan Wilder, recognizes that hip-hop is not for every- West Coast swing and Lindy Hop classes [email protected], 812-334-0506. one. For instance, if someone doesn’t like strength training, she says, this may at Indiana Memorial Union and the IU Erin (left), who hopes to have a career as a hip-hop or not be the class to take. She’s not trying to scare anyone, she says, just better modern dancer, practices a move with instructor Wildermuth Intramural Center and prepare them. Brennan Wilder. social dances at several venues; Chris “But people would be surprised how much they could do,” says Wilder, a Miller, president, [email protected]. professional hip-hop dancer and show choir choreographer. “You don’t have While it’s a very energetic form of to have years of ballet or anything else. You can come in cold turkey and try it.” dance set to fast-paced music, Wilder urges Ritmos Latinos Indiana, ritmosindy. Once Wilder discovered hip-hop in , she became a huge fan clients to feel okay about whatever skill com, teaches and performs rueda de and has been teaching it for 14 years, including four years at Windfall. level they attain. casino (social form of Cuban salsa) and While the roots of hip-hop music come from reggae and rap, hip-hop dance “I tell them, ‘If you can’t do a move, open Latin dancing at Indiana Memo- moves are influenced by and gymnastics more than anything modify it,’” she says. “It’s more about rial Union and The Lodge; ritmosindy@ else, Wilder notes. moving together.” gmail.com.

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