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"Collegiate Shag" (teaching/demo) Arthur Murray |
The Spin I'm In (Previously seen |
Staring at the Arthur Murray Integrated Dance System pyramid on the wall of Bronze, Sliver and Gold levels that they want you to achieve, all I saw were huge dollar signs in my eyeballs. The staff greet us with enough pep and smiles to make me definitely uncomfortable and sometimes irritated. I live in LA, my radar is pretty keen on cults and this place is making some serious glips on the screen. My friend even made a joke about the punch bowl full of Kool-Aid which didn't even register with our young, attractive, impeccably dressed instructor for about 5 seconds, but then he laughed, thank gods.
There are some fabulous dancers that attend the school at the metallic levels but the "Foundation Level" is a strange mix of lonely hearts clubbers, two left footers, couples about to get married, and single women. Note to dudes: Ladies want to dance with you! and they want you to know what you're doing!
Other than me still having to break my habit of "leading" and my friend "leading" us into more experienced couples, we've been clomping our way across the dance floor! We've learned the basic steps of the Two Step, Country Waltz, Foxtrot and Swing. I was gung ho for the Rumba but my friend refuses to learn any more of the "Integrated" dances. He fears his brain will explode… "slow, slow, quick quick, slow, slow, quick quick".
Just when I thought that the studio couldn't get any more surreal, after our private lesson last Friday night the place was a buzz with party preparations. There were balloons and streamers everywhere, and strangely, the instructors and the faithful were in Pee Wee Herman themed costumes (which explained why our instructor had green glitter all over his face and bright red lips whilst he critiqued our dips earlier.) They dimmed the lights, turned on the mirror ball, brought out some Kool-Aid and booze and students and teachers starting dancing, some clomping like us, and some dancing really well.
You have to pay extra for the parties, but we now find ourselves getting sucked in to this strange scene. Where else can you see Jambi the Genie dancing the Foxtrot with Large Marge or four Pee Wees waltzing with four Miss Yvonnes these days anyway? Tonight we're drinking the Kool-Aid, with just a wee nip in it.
The Spin I'm In: Drinking the Kool-Aid |
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Song |
Artist |
iTunes |
Napster |
AMG |
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Tennesee Waltz |
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Honky Tonk Man |
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Fly Me to the Moon |
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I Won't Dance |
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Rockin' In Rhythm |
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Me Huele a Rumba (Rumba Na Ma) |
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Abusadora |
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Shall We Dance? |
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…you may well wish to look up vintage dance societies in your area.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, for instance, one can learn and dance at these non profit events without having to attend the cheesy dance franchises.
http://www.fridaynightwaltz.com
http://www.peers.org
http://www.gaskellball.com
There are similar organizations around the country, even in Kentucky and Georgia.
Arthur Murray broke the Lake? OK, Lake fixed now.
Donita!
Arthur Murray didnt break the Lake I think I might have inadvertently done so. I tried to add that editor’s note and everything went kablooie. My bad, sorry folks!
Yeah we’re back up. C&L broke the toobz.
Jane Hamsher @ 5
AMATO!!!! [shakes his fist]
Did they post a video of Deadeye that garnered NSA attention or something?
Scote @ 1
Thanks for the tip. We’ve been told about a Swing shindig and a Country Western bar out of town. Finding Country Western dancing in LA is not easy.
Jane Hamsher @ 5
Did they have Ted Stevens as their guest commenter?
Bakersfield has bars that play both kinds of music. Country AND Western.
New Order broke up :(
As the great Betty Hutton sang (in the immortal words of the great Johnny Mercer –
“Life was so peaceful at the laundry,
Life was so calm and serene.
Life was trs gay til that unlucky day
I happened to read that mag – a – zine.
Why did I read that advertisement
Where it said,
“When I rumba, Jim thinks I’m sublime”?
Why, oh why, did I ever try?
I didn’t have the talent,
I didn’t have the money,
And teacher did not have the time.
Boy!
Arthur Murray taught me dancing in a hurry.
I had a week to spare;
He showed me the ground work,
the walk – a – round work,
And told me to take it from there.
Arthur Murray then advised me not to worry,
It would come out all right.
To my way of thinkin’,
it came out stinkin’ –
I don’t know my left from my right.
The people around me can all sing,
“A-one and a-two and a-three.”
Any resemblance to waltzin’
is just coincidental with me.
Arthur Murray taught me dancing in a hurry,
And so I take a chance.
To me it resembles
the nine – day trembles,
But he guarantees it’s a dance!
Turkey trot, or gavotte,
don’t know which,
don’t know what,
Jitterbug, bunny hug,
long as you cut a rug,
Walk the dog, do the clog,
Lindy Hop til you drop
Ball the jack, back to back,
cheek to cheek til you’re weak,
You’ve heard of Pavlova,
well, Jack, move over,
Make way for the queen of the dance!”
FiniFiniTOOBZ! @ 9
“Blues Brothers”, 1978, Ackroyd, Belushi and the waitress at Bob’s Country Bunker.
Have ya’ll heard rodrigo y gabriela? Ex metal heads from Mexico who live in Dublin playing wonderful acoustic guitar
Stairway to Heaven
Patti Page is an Oklahoman. It just plain doesn’t get any better. And as for Peggy Lee? This multi-talented woman exudes brains and sensuality. I am in love.
bdu @ 10
Dammit man! Not entirely unexpected though, there has been strained relations between the members for years. That hiatus they took I thought was the end of the band then they released those two most recent albums. They had a hell of a good long run though.
retirin’ in five @ 12
DING! We have a winner. Have a cookie!
Donita, Where is the Swing dancing in LA. Would love to go. My Hubby and I took classes at Santa Monica City College years ago but the only place to dance is now a “Gentleman’s Club.”
But what I really miss is real sqauare dancing like I use to do in DC. There was a place in the bowels of a Church on 20th and E streets NW where if you brought an instrument and played a set or two you got in free. We had live callers and the Blue Grass band played as long as we wanted to dance. I learned to clog too.
For Patti Page:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR57I6qUnWg
David Ehrenstein @ 11
Oh my gods that is hilarious.
retirin’ in five @ 12
“You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here”!
Donita,
This made me laugh. In the 1970’s I lived in Phoenix and met this dashing gay man who worked as a “premier” dance instructor at Arthur Murrays. I asked him what a “premier instructor” was, and he explained that was a term used for an instructor who was an especially useful tool at “renewal time.” I didn’t get his drift, and so he explicitly explained how he would be assigned to dance with one of the women up for renewal and that the studio would pay his dry cleaning bills when he would get his finest suit pants knees wet gyrating the “renewal lady” around the dance floor to a full finish, full-clothed ballroom dance renewal. My jaw dropped, but I still asked what the other gender “premier instructors” did at renewal time. You don’t want to go there, he said, winking… With that, we jumped naked into the swimming pool. (It was awfully hot.) And I had a sudden memory of this conversation with your posting today… You didn’t renew did you?
–Just Asking
With all “The Spin I’m In” posts I have read and loved and sent links of to my friends, I never put 2 and 2 together. I had an oppresive crush on you back in the sub pop days. One of the only pieces of vinyl I still own is the 7″ Shove. Realizing that 2 and 2 does equal 4 just made my day. Thanks Donnita.
raven @ 13
Their great! I had them in my playlist some weeks back. Can’t remeber which post.
raven @ 13
That’s a cool version of that song. Donita has had them in a playlist before I think. If not I’ve come across them before with a different song that I liked.
Donita! That’s a Sizzling song with a Great groove!
Dare Dare
http://myspace.com/donitasparks
You Rock!
That’s it, Fini?
On topic — Mrs. Retirin’ and I met in dance classes in ‘86. Dances then were local and historical component to names, by the way) The Social, The Madison, Swing, and what they called Cha-Cha but remember from high school as The Calypso.
retirin’ in five @ 12
Yeah, road trip! Gotta go to Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace.
FiniFiniTOOBZ! @ 24
I’m sad I missed it but glad I’m there now. I bought their album on iTunes this morning, sweet.
PS, I love the Lake but “The Spin I’m In” is da bomb! I hardly ever get in trouble here except I’m stuck in the 60’s!
Topanga-lib @ 17
There’s a big swing shindig in Pasadena every week. The Lindy Hop or something. They have lessons then a dance with usually a live band I’m told. Haven’t been yet.
Square Dancing is a blast tool
.
Donita Sparks @ 19
It’s a damn fine day when we have Donita and David E. singing and dancing together on a thread. FDL rocks!
Patti Page!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR57I6qUnWg
Cool!
Donita, do you know where in Pasadena? And When?
Donita Sparks @ 29
All She Wants To Do Is Dance.
If you are in the area next month come on to Athens for
Athfest
Tons of free music outdoors and in the clubs (it’s a wristband setup for the clubs, pay one price).. The outdoor stage is right in front of the 40 Watt so you can get a tat if you want as well!
OCD @ 22
Oppresive Crush, that’s a good band name or song title.
Thanks sweetie pie!
And to all you young male firepups: assuming you are reasonably good-looking, reasonably intelligent, reasonably personable, and have gainful employment of some kind, there is no greater babe magnet than the ability to dance well.
radiofreewill @ 25
Thanks, glad that you like it
retirin’ in five @ 36
You said it.
retirin’ in five @ 36
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing
Topanga-lib @ 32
I think on thursday nights. I think I Googled it.
Good afternoon, lady! (Here in Brazil are 4:45 PM)
It’s interesting to know other dance types, that is good for the musicians…
The Swing is very popular in Brazil… In many bars and clubs the brazilians dance swing. It’s entertaining, but I don’t dance samba and I don’t dance swing, I don’t really know as doing that! Hahaha!!!
I think as you should be dancing at the parties! It should be something very funny, I think! :-D
I’ve to say, more and more you surprise me! Your new songs are so cool, I’m waiting for your new album solo!
On behalf of all the Brazilians, I say: we love you! Be strong in the music!
You still will rock us more and more time! o/
Donita Sparks @ 40
Thanks, I’ll look into it.
Sparks……keep’en in old school. Funny, I thought you were more of a “Bus Stop” kinda girl.
Sid
For Texas Betsy and all our friends in the Lone Star State:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHgyc7VrYTA
retirin’ in five @ 36
amen brother!
HotFlash @ 2
Sigh – but not fixed in time for my burning question downstairs that took so long to load. I so appreciate Howie getting these guests!
retirin’ in five @ 12
Yah, well, the thing that made the Blues Brothers tolerable was they had the original rhythm section and song authors playing with them. Aka Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn, guitar and bass for Booker T. and the MGs.
FiniFiniTOOBZ! @ 15
Yeah, not at all a surprise, and Gillian’s been missing for awhile already. The last couple albums were certainly not up to spec with the earlier material, but it’s still sad to see ‘em go. I’ve had “Regret” stuck in my head since I read the story this morning…
Sid @ 43
Oh, I’ll sand the floors with my Bus Stoppin’
dakine01 @ 47
and Jimmy Keltner and Matt “Guitar” Murphy
Jandira Ferreira @ 41
Thank you thank you from Donita the Sambista
retirin’ in five @ 36
That means all I have to do is learn to dance – when interpreting the words “reasonably” and “gainful” in a careful way.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 44
As one of those sittin’ down in San Antone, I thank you. Gotta admit, not near as discordant as seeing Doug Sahm sitting and pounded on the B3 the other night. :})
I interviewed Matt Guitar Murphy years and years ago in one of the first celebrity interviews I ever had. He was the kindest and warmest interview subject I’ve ever dealt with. Whenever he plays Indianapolis I go to his show and he still to this day remembers that interview from long ago and comes and has a drink with me after the show. He’s a real class act from the Old Skool.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 44
Oooweee, that’s some fast Two Step! Nice clip.
FiniFiniTOOBZ! @ 54
Cool! Did you ever see Houndog Taylor and the House Rockers? They used to play the Ruby Gulch in Champaign and, well, rock the house!
Well folks, I must bow out of here for today, I have a prior engagement I must get ready for. Enjoy the playlist and I’ll see you all around the Lake this weekend!
Upon further review it appears that Jim Keltner did not appear in the Blues Brothers. I was thinking of that tour that the MG’s did as Neil Young’s band in th 90’s. Man, Neil and Cropper wailed!
raven @ 56
I’ve been the Ruby Gulch numerous times but I never caught that band there. Name does ringa bell though so maybe I saw them somewhere else. The 90s were a blur.
Howdy all,
Am in a bluesy mood this PM, got “Me and Mr. Johnson” on now. Loves me my Slowhand.
FiniFiniTOOBZ! @ 59
I left there in 84 and I’m not sure how long Hound Dog made it. I built the Gulch with some buddies! Buffett used to play ther solo, Alseep at the Wheel and all kinds of noteables!
Hound Dog
You are very funny, Donita! :-D
When I travel to USA in the vacations, you’ll teach me to dance samba, OK!
Come for Brazil in February, next year. It’s the month of the Carnival and to main dance it’s the samba!!
DONITA –
I’m loving “Curtains for Cathy”. Oooh now I am hearing “Dare Dare”. Me likey!
What is the new album going to be called? when can we find it at our local disc store?
Check out Donita’s MySpace Page!
I think if we started a new dance craze of dances where the woman leads, it could really take off. All the women I know who like to dance have to constantly remind themselves not to lead, and most of the men who are willing are varying degrees of hopeless, and would be just as happy to have the woman lead.
My mom tells me I used to dance all the time as a child, until one day I looked around me and saw I had attracted a small crowd of pleased adults. Then I never danced after that–I hid my “gift.” (Except for a few drunken, scattered visits to places with names like the Hung Jury, Liquid Ladies/Chaos, etc.)
At one point I wanted to learn to dance. I almost signed up for Arthur Murray’s classes just because the brand is so retro to me… (but then I found out there wasn’t going to be dancing at this wedding and I canceled….)
Anyway, thanks for showing us into the mad, mad world of Arthur Murray! Sounds like a lot of fun.
Also, if anyone on here is new to D.C., Glen Echo Park has a gorgeous ballroom. My friend Ali and I went there once just to watch. She was fighting off the mens who wanted her to square dance!
Jane Hamsher @ 5
Sure it wasn’t a Ned Lamont techie?
How about a little girl power from the Donnas:
Take It Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiXhSWig_x0
Damn, iTune has Houndog Taylor. . .Spin I’m In sends me more good karma. . .
OT – Cheney impeachment bill gets another co-sponsor
From: The Last Waltz – Rick Danko RIP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
Donita…I saw L-7 in a teeny little house party in Davis California back in 1986-87….maybe a place called the Aggie Hotel? I guess you guys don’t do steamy little “frottage” shows anymore where the temperatures get up to 110 degrees anymore?
raven @ 58
I had to spend most of the late 60s defending Cropper’s prowess as a guitar god against Clapton fans. This was at a military HS in KY where half the kay-dets were from Ohio so anything from the south was bad.
I remember Rolling Stone did a review of the first Blues Bothers album and it was “OK, The Blues Brothers. Fine. Put ‘em on at the party and get everyone’s attention. Then put on Otis Live In Europe and let folks hear the real thang.”
LS @ 70
Richard Manuel as well.
dakine01 @ 73
Yeah, your right. Sigh. I had such a crush on Danko.
OT…Maybe…but the issue was raised in the last POST with Congressman Van Hollen.
Does anyone know what they vote differences were between the two month supplemental that passed yesterday and the McGovern Amendment that gave a firm deadline for withdrawal in 2008?
Perhaps some folks like MacErney thought that the two month supplemental was, in fact, the FASTER and more effective way to get us out of Iraq. The McGovern Bill would likely keep us there for at least six months more. But if things continue to go the way they are in Iraq, it’s quite likely that the Republicans will (as they already have told Bush) be abandoning the war in droves by Fall. So why give Bush funding through 2007?
If the funding stalls in two months then withdrawal has to begin nearly immediately unless Bush undertakes an(other) blatantly UnConstitutional Act. Thus we would likely be out by November-December, with a second supplemental calling for funding only to withdraw…or Bush would be facing impeachment charges.
So perhaps that is MacErney’s idea? Did he vote for the 2 month limited supplemental?
It’s more than dancing!
The Last Scene from Dirty Dancing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f90VOmMhEA
another delightful selection of tunes from Donita! thank you.
Donita – if you are still around .. thank you for the rockin’ good tunes.
This is for YOU!
Donita rocks so hard… it’s SCARY!!!!!!
LS @ 74
dakine01 @ 73
LS @ 70
From: The Last Waltz – Rick Danko RIP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
Richard Manuel as well.
Yeah, your right. Sigh. I had such a crush on Danko.
ooo I L.O.V.E. the band
Donita Sparks @ 51
here’s donita trying samba:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIJaCMzJiwE
rock on!
B
Bruno @ 80
Wow!!! Donita knows how to dance the samba better than I! :-D
I didn’t see that show… I’m only 16 years old… In 93, I was 2 years old! Hahaa!!!
Donita rocks!!! o/
Thursday Night Fever circa 1978. Unfortunately, no dancing on this video, but you may find yourself forced to supply some. (Those Arthur Murray people would have a ball!)
retirin’ in five @ 26
I can’t speak as to the Calypso, but on American Bandstand in the 50’s there was a swing kids style of Cha-Cha called the Chalypso.
Stanford University Dance instructor Richard Powers is working on revving that dance.
…i really like that shimmy move you did during “used to luv him” in this vid;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..mp;search=
swellish… fresh sound on yer nu songs donita:) cool yer getting into sequencing and the verb is lush… yummy