I dance because I “Have” to!

My interest in dance began by watching the old-time musicals with my mom when I was a young boy. Before long, I was hooked on music and movement. I was a dancer in the making.

Both of my parents were big band lovers who danced together in our living room. In fact, it was then when they seemed the happiest.

I would watch the greats, like Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Cid Charisse, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen, and many more.

During my high school years, I began to notice that I had a freestyle dance flair developing. I was popular at the school dances in the early ’70s. When I heard music, my body responded to it in the most delightful way.

The music begins, and immediately I feel a need to express the pulsating sounds and funky beats. Once the rhythm makes its way through my body and to the surface, instant satisfaction awaits.

Almost 70 years old, I still listen to music and choreograph productions in my mind. There are times; while listening to a song, I may even tear up a bit. I hear a beautiful piece of music and miss being that young, vibrant, beautiful dancer I once was, with no aches and pains.

The famous forerunner in Modern Dance, Martha Graham, said,

“…a dancer dies twice — once when they stop dancing, and this first death is the more painful.”

Martha is right! For years, I couldn’t imagine being anything but a dancer. My body was athletically strong, and I awoke every morning ready to go.

Then one morning, when I got out of bed, I noticed my feet were swollen, my back was sore, and both knees needed replacing. I knew my days as a competitive dancer were at an end.

At that moment, I realized this was my cue to redo the way I approached being a dancer or stop dancing entirely. I knew I would never stop being a dancer, that is who I am, music and dance fuel my existence.

No dance! – No option! Not as long as I have a breath left in me. I could be in a wheelchair, and still I will find a way to be involved in the Give Dance a Chance program.

I love what dance does for me and what it does for other people. It is hard to stay depressed when you’re dancing to a hot Cha Cha or a beautiful Waltz.

However, once you’ve stopped dancing, you may find yourself sinking back into a feeling of sad and blue. Preferably, I would rather Tango.

Dance and Music are an orgasmic manmade phenomenon. For me – having the ability to almost instinctively appreciate both is a blessing. This is why wanting to dance had nothing to do with me becoming a dancer.

I became a dancer because that is the person inside me. I needed and still need to express and satisfy my soul with music and movement.

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Peace, Love, and Unconditional Happiness!

Quick note: Notice that the character above has two left feet.

Hard when buying shoes but not a true deterrent from being able to dance.

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