Photo Credit |
Dances are fun.
Even for the unenlightened (ie. non-dancer).
In my Dad’s younger days, dancing was one of few forms of
entertainment.
Alongside books (Google it) and games.
Let’s face it. It was the 1930s. Electricity was just out of
the gate. Radio was the sought-after-but-not-yet-universally-available ‘new’ home
amusement and only Jules Verne or H.G. Wells had any conception of electronic
devices.
Soooo . . . dances.
Dad went to a lot of them. Some at his school, but most in
the basement of the local church.
Taught basic steps by his Sunday School teacher, he tried to
wow the ladies in his adolescent circle. In those days, it wasn’t really a
necessity. Everyone danced with everyone, regardless of dance ability or social
prowess.
One evening, his future brother-in-law, Ken, was one of the dancers.
A Virginia Reel was introduced.
I should probably mention, if you are not already aware,
that the Virginia Reel is a fun, old-time dance that involves a lot of
swinging. And/or whooping.
Usually at the same time.
But occasionally for different reasons . . .
Ken’s partner was a woman of . . . well, let’s just say she
was large and leave it at that.
Ken was a stick of a man. Tall and slender.
The two had been doing well to this point in the dance. Then
came the swing.
Hooking elbows in the tried and true technique, they started
in.
Now, normally, there is no cause for alarm during this
manoeuvre.
The partners simply swing around and return to their usual
positions.
Easy.
Except when there is . . . enthusiasm.
And a difference in weights.
As they swung, Ken felt himself being lifted right off his
feet.
In a blind panic, he let go.
The woman went down on her . . . erm . . . posterior, and
slid ten feet across the dusty, waxed floor; sweeping a nice, clean path two
feet wide.
The dancers froze.
Then the whole room erupted into laughter.
The whole room.
Dancers and
sliders.
Say what you will about dancing.
Even for the non-participant, it has entertainment potential.
How embarrassing. And hysterical. Maybe dancing should have weight classes like boxing does?
ReplyDeleteThat poor woman. I hope she could join in the laugher.
ReplyDeleteOMG. !!! I can just picture it. Poor woman! And your Dad! He must've been so distressed!
ReplyDeleteGood thing the lady was a good sport! And glad there were no injuries.
ReplyDeleteAnd here we all thought break dancing was dangerous :)
Who knew dancing was so dangerous? Wish we all did more of it, though!
ReplyDeleteI can see that in my head - including the swathe across the floor!
ReplyDelete