The Official Folk Dance of Tennessee

I was doing research on origins of different dance style and came across and interesting fact.  In 1980 Tennessee designated the Square Dance as the official state folk dance. Legislation stated: "Among the traditions of our ancestors that have survived intact is the Square Dance, a uniquely attractive art form that remains a vibrant and entertaining part of Tennessee folklore."

Further research uncovered that 22 states have passed legislation to declare the square dance as a state symbol and more than 30 bills have been introduced at the federal level proposing the square dance as the national (folk) dance of the United States dating back to 1965.

Every region has folk customs - they give people a special sense of identity and belonging to a group. The square dance is uniquely American because it is a true blend of folk dance movements and terminology brought by early emigrants from other countries to the United States.  Square Dance has bits of French Quadrilles, Irish Jigs, English Reels and Spanish Fandangos blended together. The square dance provided pioneers with recreation and social contact with neighbors - and is still doing that today.

The sad thing about the Square Dance is that a lot of the knowledge regarding the origins, variances of the dances was never properly recorded. It is speculated that these were the dances of country folk, who kept all their essential knowledge written only on the uncertain pages of memory. They were the dances of folk who didn't tell all they knew even under questioning. They were often the dances of secretive folk who were somewhat jealous of their special talent and special knowledge. ... So all we have to go by in our speculations is the internal evidence presented by the dances themselves.

This dance for four couples, or groups of four couples, is performed in a compact framework of a square, each couple forming a side. Traditionally accompanied by a fiddle, accordian, banjo and guitar, the couples perform a variety of movements prompted by the patter or singing calls (instruction) of a "caller". Cooperative movement is the hallmark of well executed square dancing.

Square dancing is to be distinguished from related dances called contra or longways dance where couples stand double file in a line and from round dances where couples stand in a circle.

So now we know…

Keep dancin’ Larry B

 

 

 

Line Dance Today

A friend and neighbor got me interested in Line Dancing about 15 years ago and it has become my favorite past time and exercise routine.  So much so that I took over being the volunteer dance instructor at our community Club House in our old neighborhood in Florida.  I thought moving to Middle Tennessee and being so close to Nashville, that it would be an easy process of getting a line dance class established.  That has proven to be more difficult than I anticipated.

I am currently the resident Instructor at a great family place, Murph’s Country Music Barn in Cedar Hill, TN. This is a great location and right about midway between Nashville and Clarksville.  The Barn has a Saturday Night Dance with live band and Dance class from 6:30 to 7:30 pm then review of the class during the first band break.

I am happy to announce that starting in September; Austin Peay University will include a beginner class in their Adult Education program open to the community and students. I am fortunate to be a part of this start up program as the Instructor and the plan is to move it through the initial six week program so we can expand to having a beginner and Intermediate program.

You mention Line Dancing and the first thing people say is they don't like Country Western Music or they just don't get into line dancing.  Well, once they see that we dance to everything from Country to Gospel, they tend to think a little differently.

A Line Dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact with each other.  The earliest folk dances in many cultures were line dances, originating before social proprieties allowed men and women to dance together in couple dances. In early forms men and women often danced in separate lines, but the same dances are often done today in mixed lines.

The Balkan countries, among others, have a rich tradition of line dance surviving to the present. These folk line dances are also performed in the International Folk Dance movement. Folk line dances have many forms: pairs of lines in which the dancers face each other, or a line formed into a circle, or the line follows a leader around the dance floor. The dancers may hold hands with their neighbors, or use an arm-on-shoulder hold, or hold their neighbor's belts.

Although line dancing is associated with country-western music and dance, it has similarities to folk dancing. Many folk dances are danced in unison in a single, nonlinear "line", and often with a connection between dancers. The absence of a physical connection between dancers is, however, a distinguishing feature of country western line dance.

Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, swing, rock and roll, disco, Latin, gospel, waltz, polka and Jazz just to name a few styles.

Thanks to choreographers, like Bill Bader, Max Perry, Jo Thompson, Scott Blevins and others, that began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level. Today, you can find line dancing groups all over the world and line dance competition and workshops as well.  This is partly due the great Choreographers/Instructors such as Jamie Marshall, John Robinson, Guyton Mundy, Rachael McEnaney, Rob Fowler, Rona Kaye, Stella Cabeca, Jo Kisner and Ira Weisburd just to name a few of the great people that promote and spread the joy of dancing to the local and world-wide masses.

There are now groups forming that promote line dancing as a way to help decrease cholesterol, high blood pressure as well as weight control.  So you see Line Dancing is not the good ole country steppin you thought it was, there are moves to keep your heart rate up and it’s a great way to meet new friends. Get out there and get those feet and hips moving to the groove.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

 

Keep It Cool

The period known as the "Dog Days" of summer occurs from early July into mid-August. The Romans called this period "dies canincula" or dog days because the Dog Star Sirius rises and sets with the sun during this time. It was their belief the combined effect of the star and the sun was what made it so oppressively warm and humid.

 I got to thinking how did our grandparents deal with the summer heat prior to central air-conditioning.  I remember growing up with large yards and large trees, there was always shade.  The largest Oak tree in the yard always had lawn chairs under it and this was where you would find the family most afternoons and early evenings. Chatting and cleaning the latest garden produce, while the kids would be chasing lightening bugs.

 Houses were built for cross ventilation with windows directly across from each other and the doors. Their homes were always cool with a nice breeze. One trick my grandmother did every summer on her back porch was hang old sheets on the end of the porch eaves and sprayed them with water.  The porch area of her house was always cool in the afternoon with the breeze blowing through the wet sheets. They would do the same with pillow cases over the windows at night.  With the old oscillating fans, I don't recall every being hot while sleeping. 

I typically sleep with 2 fans directed on me and I some nights I still find it difficult to get comfortable and I keep the house at a pleasant 72 degrees.  Maybe its age but I think it is just the fact that we have become so accustomed to the comforts of air-conditioning.  It seems that people adapted to the changing seasons more easily in the past.

It can be argued that air-conditioning has become a center piece of American culture. We seem to have a romance with air-conditioning. For years, Europeans and even some Americans believed that air-conditioning represents all that is wasteful and self-indulgent about Americans. Air-conditioning is and was seen as a luxury without which Americans cannot function. Many Europeans shunned air-conditioning because their summers were mild that is until recently. They did not believe that hot weather was worse than the dry, cold air provided by air-conditioners, and, most importantly, they saw it as a decadent thing that "ugly Americans" demanded.

Air-conditioning has changed our leisure patterns in this country. It makes us less likely to get out and enjoy the weather and one factor in contributing to our stereotypical obesity. I will be the first to admit that some of our technology and comforts have spoiled us as a race capable of adapting to ever changing environment.  I will always try to function as green as I can and to look for the simple ways to maintain my home and environment. I will also draw the line when it comes to my AC. I promise to get out more but must sleep in AC...

So stay cool during these "Dog Days of Summer" in whatever manner suits you and yours.  I would love to be having big trees surrounding me but alas all I have is my AC.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B.

 

July Time to Renew Summer Romance

Now that Graduations and June Weddings have taken place. It’s time for fun and sun at your favorite Beach, Lake or Park. If Boating is your thing, it’s time to shine it up and clean those sails and Motor. Get ready for a great fun summer.

Maybe your favorite place is right in your own back yard. Cleaning the BBQ grill is a must. Now you’re ready for those great family, friends, or neighborhood gatherings. Even a romantic dinner for two can be special at home in your yard or patio this July. Send the children to Grandma and Grandpa’s for a night. It will do wonders for a summer balmy evening together.

Start your evening with a great summer cocktail or chilled white wine. Don’t forget a candle or candle arrangement for that table center piece and to set the right atmosphere. Next a salad served in halved pineapple, in each half; arrange six chilled shrimp, 3 sliced strawberries, and a small scoop of crab meat drizzled with a sweet bottled salad dressing of your choice.  Enjoy the peace and quiet of the evening together.

While the grill is getting hot, dry rub two N.Y. Strip Steaks with Montreal Steak Seasoning. Place the meat aside till grill is ready. In a bowl or plastic bag put in one red, yellow & orange peppers cut in fourths. Also one large sweet onion, one medium Zucchini and one small eggplant all cut into serving size pieces. Pour ½ bottle of balsamic vinaigrette dressing over all and marinate for 20 min.

One or two large potatoes that have been partially boiled cut into fours. Rubbed with garlic and olive oil. Place the veggies on med hot grill together using foil. Cover; check for doneness every 15 min.  Remove when done to a warm plate and set aside.

Now for those wonderful  N.Y. Strips, place them on the grill and cook to your desired temperature.

This is an easy meal with little preparing time which leaves more time for romance.  Add a great after dinner wine and sit back together to watch the fireflies.

Save a little energy for a great little desert later of cut up cold fruit with a splash of a favorite dessert wine.

Enjoy your summer and a romantic evening for two.   

Keep Dancin’ Larry B