Dancing Through Life

Dance sideblog of @raine-over-all I do ballroom and love it dearly

[loftwingsuarus]

I think the metaphor of dance being like a conversation is so apt because the “language barrier” between me and someone who dances ballroom is bigger than the barrier between me and someone who speaks spanish

[spin-the-starlight]

Final competition for the season is done, and I feel somewhat complicated about it. We did well, and I had a pretty good time, but I know I could've done better if I hadn't been barely over being sick. Feel vaguely like I let my partner down (messed up things I normally wouldn't, didn't catch cues very well), which isn't a great feeling.

However: We still did decently, and I got to watch one of my other teammates absolutely crush it in their level, which was very good. Now into my non-competition season while we get ready for moving up a level (half a year early for me, since I'm technically a bit behind my partner and am jumping levels to stick with him). Looking forward to learning new higher level stuff, cause some of it looks so fun

[spin-the-starlight]

I forgot how fun competing is. I'm exhausted and drained but it was such an amazing time and I'm really happy I did it today.

[diteach]

Guys I just received my first dress 🥺

It's one of my teacher's dresses!! If I recall correctly, it should be her second dress and it brought her so much luck!!! The season she wore it, she and her partner won every single competition they took part in.

My mom said she was so proud of my progress that she decided to buy it from my teacher as a gift 🥺🥺🥺

I'm beyond honored to have the opportunity to let that dress shine on the dance floor and beyond grateful for my mother's support in everything I do

[diteach]

Shit

THIS BIG OLE FAT DRESS SIMPLY WONT FIT IN MY WARDROBE

WHAT DO

[diteach]

I sort of managed to contain the beast but uhm

I have a serious problem here

[diteach]

ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE (once I figure out how to photograph a monster. I actually did not consider how difficult it would be lmao)

[diteach]

Once I have the house for myself again, I'll post some closeups 👀 here it was missing the sleeves and the collar!

Awkward pose, but what else can you do when you have those things on. A girl just gotta

[diteach]

THE DETAILS HAVE COME

The skirt is THREE layers of that translucent shiny fabric that I have no idea what it is

These dresses are usually made in small ateliers, so it's not unlikely that someone PAINSTAKINGLY hand glued all of those rhinestones to the bodice. Which mind you are of at least three different colors and placed also INSIDE the appliques. Both on the front AND the back. And on the accessories like hello??

Also are we going to talk about the mesh sleeves...........

[diteach]

THE GRAND GALA IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a few more hours and I'll be dancing in this dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marzipanandminutiae]

does anyone else who dances ever find that like. you just can't get certain steps when they're broken down slowly, but at speed it makes more sense?

I just recall when I was first learning polka, I'd stumble and make mistakes when the company director showed me very slowly. but once I was actually thrown into doing it with normal-tempo music, it got into my body much faster

(also, god I miss regular rehearsals. my dance company is just starting to emerge from COVID hiatus- long break; long story -and I'm so out of practice that it's frustrating me to no end at events. the general feeling of I Used To Be Better At This, and knowing enough to be able to tell where I'm falling short, is driving me crazy)

[coriumcutie]

I LOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEEE dancing tango for two reasons.

1. It’s fast and spinny and fun and awesome

2. It’s agressive and combattive and has crazy songs like the masochism tango, stalkers tango, horny angry tango, el tango de Roxanne, etc.

[lineofdance]

Comp season is upon us 🤩

So fucking hyped to start settling back into the feeling of getting to do my favorite thing in the world all the time again :)))

[rainia]

guys the rumba will ACTUALLY be the death of meeeeee

[spin-the-starlight]

Does anyone have any weird/non-standard songs they like for ballroom dances? I'm trying to put together a playlist of songs in weird/varied genres that still work for dancing to as preparation for a social dance.

[rainia]

ballroom baddies do yall have any good yt channels to help with latin technique bc I reallyyyy wanna get better at cha cha and rumba but it’s a struggle out here (those hips do be lying 😔👍)

[escapethevault]

Oh my god goth dance is just a moody Paso Doble

[manasseh]

dance sports are so silly bc youve got the most beautiful people all dressed up shiny clothes greasy hair doing a passionate rumba and they're just kind of. on a handball court

[rubyredbonnetblue]

the way i wanna learn how to dance soooo badly but i would feel SO awkward going to classes without a partner as a built-in friend/moral support

[lineofdance]

Just do it! Social dancing in general is very friendly and welcoming, and lots of people there go with the goal of meeting people and making new friends, alongside dancing. I help run a weekly wcs social and the ppl who I see come in alone typically have no problems meeting ppl and spending the night dancing. Nobody is gonna be weirded out if you talk to them or ask them to dance, and even if you just do a lesson and no social, you can still meet people and become familiar with them until you’re comfortable enough to go social after! ALSO if you are near a college, see if they are hosting any social dancing events or lessons! A lot of collegiate ballroom teams (at least where I’m from) tend to host beginner lessons or socials that are open to the public :)

[spin-the-starlight]

Seconding the recommendation of just doing it! I totally get the anxiety, I was nervous as hell when I started because I didn't know anyone, but most social lessons will have rotating partner systems anyways so even if you didn't bring a partner you will be able to dance and learn. Also seconding the collegiate rec, since that's also the circuit I'm in and it's very welcoming from what I've experienced. Giving you distanced moral support as someone who understands the yearning and the worry about ending up in a group that's overwhelmingly straight and gender role filled.

[theanythingmachine]

I think the people who say “how you you dance a duet with someone without falling in love with them” are very valid and it means the dancers are doing a good job at communicating emotional connection. But as someone who danced for awhile, I think they underestimate how much you have to think about things like making sure your arms are positioned correctly and your core is engaged all while wearing the right facial expression.