Pirate Swing: The Rundown

I didn’t want this blog to be a diary, but I do want to mention my weekend and how it fit in with some thoughts of mine.

As I mentioned in my last post (http://rethinkmundane.blogspot.com/2012/03/meaningful-calendar-years-dancing.html) dancers often travel to other cities for workshops, social exchanges, etc, to meet new people and improve their dancing (or just party, because, well, do that, too). I had the opportunity to do all three this past weekend by going to Pirate Swing in Ann Arbor, MI. It was a five-hour drive from where I live to the event. I was fortunate to have a great traveling companion who put up with my pseudo-lectures about music, dancing, relationships, and secular life (she was of my basic metaphysical persuasion, so it was a comfortable topic).

Upon arrival, Friday, we jumped right into a class on socially acceptable ways to lift a partner in a dance. Immediately following we jumped into three hours of life music, then one hour of late night blues. Tired, we went back to our host’s house to sleep and clean up for the rest of the weekend: the workshop portion.

In the morning I tried out for the advanced track classes. I was excited to make it in, on the last dance no less. The advanced classes were, well, advanced! Even if I remembered only one thing from each class, I feel I became a much better dancer than before the class. For that day, Saturday, I took over 6 hours of classes, followed by 6 hours of dancing in the evening.

For Saturday evening we were graced by the music of Christabel and the Jons (http://christabelmusic.com/). I highly recommend this band, especially for their blues songs. Also, because it was Pirate Swing, there were people dancing in pirate costumes, some more functional for dancing than others. One of my favorite dances of the evening came at about 3am, to “O Mary Don’t You Weep”, the cover by Bruce Springsteen. But I can honestly say I didn’t have a bad dance the entire weekend. Everyone was wonderful. The people were fantastic.

Sunday was our last class, followed by dancing at Guy Hollerin’, food, drink, and dancing. I can’t think of a better combination. Unless it is food, drink, dancing, and good company to do it with. There was a Sunday late night party with blues and booze. It was a great way to unwind after a tiring but amazing weekend. I was reminded of why I love dancing in the first place and why I need to travel more than I do.

Another lesson we seculars can learn from religious calendars: the weekly stuff can get boring, but every now and then there is a festival occasion that reminds us why we stick around. Pirate Swing felt like one long party, even when it was work, because we love what we do. Dancing isn’t why I breathe, but it sure helps.