I recently found out about a new event in the Chicago Latin Dance scene. It is the only event I know of that has a specific portion delegated to be a fundraiser for charity. Battleground Dance Show is an event created to re-energize the community about the importance of giving back. In high school we always had service learning projects. In high school we always had service learning projects. Whether we were tutors at an […]
A Full Life
I have been fortunate to be able to participate in Cubby Bear Chicago’s $5,000 salsa open every year but this year it had been my intention to let it pass. I didn’t have a partner, didn’t have time, didn’t want to put myself out there again. Two weeks before the contest I found out one of the dancers I had grown up with had passed away. We had gone to high school together. We lived […]
Changing My Playlist
I changed my playlist for my Move This* program. On the first song Anna, one of my regulars, exclaimed “Hey that’s Doris Day”! I had included Que Sera, Sera by Doris Day. As we danced, Anna’s eyes misty, she smiled and talked about how the song had come out when she was a teenager. Her visceral reaction was so strong, it moved me. At the end of class she asked if I would play the […]
Top 5 Reasons to say “No” to a Dance
We have all been there at one time or another. Wondering if it’s alright to say no, wondering if it’s the polite response. Here are 5 reasons where it is ok to say “no”. Social Dancing should be fun. Don’t let other people make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 1. Safety If you are dancing with a person whose elbow gets to close to your face. You can say no! It’s no fun to say […]
Curtain Rises
I am a dancer, choreographer and performance artist.