I have recently been charged with organizing dance hosts for the USA Dance Los Angeles Chapter dances. Here is what I wrote in a recent newsletter to potential dance hosts:

Someone on YouTube asked if I had a degree in dance. I wrote this as a response, but YouTube only allows 500 characters in comments, so I decided to paste my response here.

Question: You broke it down nicely! What's your background? Do you have a degree in dance? Again, very well done!

Originally posted in rec.arts.dance:

After having read some of the latest new topics, I sort of didn't want to post this because it just seems like piling on. Running something as big and diverse as the US Swing Open has to be a difficult job spread across a lot of talented and dedicated folks. You're going to forget some things, overlook others, and probably irritate a large number of people. So, I'm writing this as something to put on the list to think about for next year's Open.

I'll admit that I am not as big a fan of this show as I was a couple years ago. I basically Tivo the program and fast forward to the good dances. I could care less about the back stories.

Chester, Fumi, Roz, Nora and myself are performing tonigh at the AfricaDance Opening Ceremonies . Roz, Nora and I are dancing a routine to Fumi's "Aids Song" (http://www.myspace.com/fumistrums2 )

Every Sunday they have Salsa on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica: http://www.centralavedance.com/node/3285

Occassionally on Sundays, they also have Argentine Tango there: http://www.centralavedance.com/node/2990

Darnell, of all people, sent this to me. Very interesting article from the Latin American Folk Institute about the history of Tango and Milonga -- and the influence of African slaves on both.

http://www.lafi.org/magazine/articles/tango.html

This is in response to Darnell's blog: "Paradise Found".

Below is the e-mail I just received from Tony El Pana about his Friday nights @ Ariake. The reason I'm blogging this is because cliquishness is, I think, an important issue. The fact is that no matter how good a Salsa dancer you are, there are Salsa clubs you can go to where people will shun you simply because they've never seen you or you don't *look* like a good dancer.

Using Salsa to feel good about yourself. That's a novel concept. Good thing this guy isn't in L.A. Actually, I've found dance to be very good for a lot of psychological inhibitions, shyness being the biggest (for me). I wouldn't say that Salsa is an activity that makes me feel good about myself. In my case, dancing in general makes me feel good period. The key is not to get caught up in the rudeness, egos and general lack of etiquette we have discussed here... Always remember that dancing, any dancing, is supposed to be fun.

Ballroom dancing offers fitness gains - This is London - [Salsa News Feed (Google)]

In Darnell's recent Blog, there was worry about the "de-Africanization" of dance. But, below we see a clear "de-Europeanization" of dance. You think Stravinsy and Nijinsky are rolling over in their graves about now? Is this a good or bad thing? Is this progress or the further rape of culture? You decide. Salsa spices up Stravinsky ballet score - Boston Herald - [Salsa News Feed (Google)]

This is really more about dance etiquette for men than is is about attracting women. However, I have found that if you follow these simple rules, women might not find you more attractive, but they will respect you and generally will want to dance with you. 10 tips for men to attract more women - The Swazi Observer - [Salsa News Feed (Google)]

I actually posted this in the discussion forum before I realized it more appropriately should be here. I

remember taking Salsa with Tony Pana back at the old Cafe Future in Inglewood. He would always start his beginning class with about 30 minutes of African Dance. I remember how stiff and uncomfortable I was with the whole affair, and I how happy I was when it was over.

Meet The Twenty So You Think You Can Dance Finalists - Reality TV Magazine - [Salsa News Feed (Google)]