[nabs-l] CanI dance if I want to?

[Kirt Manwaring]

Hey folks,
  I think gender only should matter if you want it to; otherwise it
shouldn't.  That was the most terribly worded thing I've written since
my last paper, but you get my point, yeah?
  And I think that Darian's question about what to do if you choose
not to drink is complicated, because all of us have different ways of
getting relaxed and loosened up.  I say find whatever works for you,
whether it be meditation or exercise or alcohol or extreme amounts of
cafeen or some bizarre combination of some or all of the above and
just go with it.  I think not taking yourself too seriously is
probably the key, especially if you aren't all that great at dancing
but want to have a fun time with it anyhow, and that probably means
finding your "happy place", or centering yourself, or however you want
to put it.
  Of course blind people can be fantastic dancers; if you want to
learn how to really be good at it, more power to you.  I'd say being
comfortable with whoever ends up teaching you is key, so finding a
friend is probably a good place to start.
  Now, on a somewhat related note, I actually am curious about what
those of you who prefer navigating with your canes do with them while
you dance?  I used to rely mostly on sighted guide and put my folding
cane in a corner somewhere but, now that I use a straight cane, and
don't use sighted guide nearly as much as I have in the past, I'm
wondering if anybody has any good strategies for navigating with
astraight cane when I want to but quickly finding a place for it when
I want to dance with somebody?  I'm thinking this isn't very
practical, so I'll probably get a telescopic cane for situations like
this so I can keep my cane with me and keep both of my hands free for
dancing.  How do you guys handle this one?
  Best,
Kirt

On 5/13/13, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi listers:  should gender matter  in who teaches you?
>  and  what would you suggest if you cannot or  choose not to  partake   in
> alcoholic  beverages?
>  I think these are very interesting points indeed,  Just curious as to other
> ways you might go about it?
>  Thanks Justin!
>
>   Darian
>
> On May 12, 2013, at 3:59 PM, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Get a friend, preferably a girl to teach you how to dance.  Sometimes
>> keeping a drink in your hand will give you an excuse not to dance.
>> Personally, I avoid dance clubs like the plague if at all possible;
>> however,
>> there are just times in social situations where you just have to shake a
>> leg.  Do the best you can.  Just move your hips and try to keep up with
>> the
>> beat.  There are a lot of other people out there with you who can't dance
>> either.  They also look terrible.  If you drink, it loosen's you up just
>> a
>> little.  It doen't make you better, you jus think you are.  Smile just a
>> little even if you don't like dancing, or aren't very good at it.  The
>> appearance of enjoyment, or hopefully you are actually enjoying your
>> self,
>> lets everyone see that you are confident; you can't dance and you know
>> it,
>> but you don't care.  It helps.  I feel you man; I'm in the same boat as
>> you
>> accept I have learned a few tricks to fake it until I can get off of the
>> dance floor.  I get fairly drunk on nights like that if I go out with a
>> group of people because I am using trips to the bar as an excuse not to
>> dance.  Remember, if possible, get a friend, especially a girl to teach
>> you.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darian Smith
>> Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 6:36 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: [nabs-l] CanI dance if I want to?
>>
>> Hi all,
>> Please  excuse  the slight 80's song reference,  but I am curious about
>> how
>> you all go about attending social functions where dancing is a part of
>> the
>> atmosphere?
>> Do you decide to not  take part in it because you don't know how to
>> dance?
>> are you too shy?   Do you just get out there regardless?
>> On Dancing, how do you learn how to dance  if you can't do what a lot of
>> folks do and watch it  on television  or the internet?
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Darian
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