My First Swing Ball

I haven't posted much about my personal experiences on this photography blog yet. However, I feel inclined to share this particular exciting and new experience I had this past weekend. 

I've always identified myself as a dancer. My passion for pursuing professional photography has just begun but, dancing has always been my constant; the place I turn to when I need to express how I feel. Dancing has always been a passion that excites my soul and this weekend my eyes were opened to a new genre of dance I've never tried before. Swing dancing. Sure... I've spun my little sister around in the living room countless times and have tried to teach her the art of swinging in and out to one another. (Keyword in that sentence is: tried. Sorry J! ) But, my silly infatuations with thinking I knew  enough were completely wrong.

I was asked to go to this Spring Swing Ball held at the Santa Monica Woman's Club this past Saturday. I was quite nervous thinking that I would be going to a social dance where I only knew my date and barely knew where to place my feet. Dancing has always come easy to me, but I've always preferred the free-form types of dance. Lindy Hop is much more structured and as a lady, I have to follow where my lead (dance partner) , leads me. Walking into the entrance of the Woman's Club, there were two doors leading to the ballroom. One of the doors was propped open to the dance floor already filled with couples swiftly moving along in circles around themselves. At first, I could only lock my eyes on the skirts spinning and brightly colored flowers in almost every woman's hair. My eyes then moved to the ceiling of the room. I thought I was dreaming. The dance floor was laced with lanterns streaming high above all of the beautiful bodies dancing to the beat. I have a soft spot for lanterns after watching the latest Disney film, Tangled. There is just something so enchanting and romantic about them. Bodies flowing in opposite synchrony flowed around the room in intricate movements, it was hard to keep track. The room was lit with this flushed dimmed pink light making everyone's face glow, including mine. That was probably just because I felt like a little kid in a candy store. The Johnathan Stout Orchestra had not yet started playing. My date had been anticipating them since he told me about the event. We got there just in time though.

Shortly after, I was whisked off my feet and began dancing. I was trying so hard not to stumble over my feet. I danced with a few partners that night, each one was very different with a different style. Some I preferred over others but, as the night went on I found myself more and more comfortable. I felt at ease with following the lead and tried my best to keep a strong posture at all times. I feel so lucky that I've been introduced to Lindy Hop, swing dancing. I had an incredible amount of fun and I feel like it's an under -rated form of dancing that doesn't get mainstream recognition like some others do. Maybe it does and I am completely wrong. But, as a dancer... I would have thought that I'd come across an experience like this at some point before now. The culture of swing dancing is so intriguing and the more I learn, the more I love. This ball, the experience I had just makes me want to become a better dancer. I don't know when the opportunity will present itself again, maybe I should just go searching for it but, I'd would love to learn more. 

I wanted to be cool and get new shoes for the occasion so I got brand new white flat shoes to match my white floral patterned dress. By the end of the night, my shoes (on the left) weren't so white anymore!

Stay Blessed,

Meg