“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
Five weeks of lessons in the art of Lindy Hop dancing and it is fair to say that I will not be getting a call from the BBC and lathering myself in sequins and fake tan this winter.
Described as a fast, energetic dance popular during the late 1930s and 1940s, that includes some steps with a partner and some improvised steps (invented at the time). Lindy Hop started in Harlem, New York, when local dancers added to the popular Charleston with fast spins, cartwheels and jumps. (Cambridge University Press)
Had I read the above before volunteering for public sympathy on a weekly basis it may have caused a rethink. That said, there are three more weeks to go and I am determined to at least master what we were taught in week one.
This week a “pro” turned up dressed like Al Capone Jnr, a pocket dynamo of rhythm and poise – I hated the bastard instantly.
He grabbed Sal and whisked her around the floor like a hi-tech fairground ride which was some consolation for her after enduring my donkey feet for five weeks.
Earlier we were shown yet more new moves as I screamed silently inside that I was still trying to work out week one. To add to the pain, it was keys in the ring – metaphorically speaking – as we swapped partners presumably so I could demonstrate to everybody in the room how crap I am.
As “lead” a procession of women arrived to endure a minute of me lumbering around as they kept feet and toes largely out of the way.
During this week’s break, a bit over the top as I had hardly broken sweat, another bloke confessed to me. “I hate it when the music starts and we have to move!”
Of course, comparisons with Strictly are unfair as they train all week. Despite our weekly resolve to practice before the next session, so far preparation has been a couple of drinks in The Scruffy as the rest of the pub regulars take the piss.
In true Brit fashion we will continue one and, who knows, “rock-step:step-step-step:step-step” might actually make some sense in another three weeks?
Glory Days
News that The Black Swan aka The Mucky Duck is to shut “for good” will be viewed as somewhat inevitable by many of us who loved this pub a few decades ago. It has closed before and reopened but past challenges seem modest in today’s tough economic conditions.
Not only is it left marooned in the wrong place, but its customers have also largely left the wider area for good. If you could take a straw poll of the postcodes of those who frequented this great place back in the day my guess is you won’t find many BDs.
Of course, you will rightfully accuse me of rose-tinted glasses for it will be the 1990s since I could last call myself a “regular”, even that being Friday nights en route to The Park (Turf) and, ultimately, Billy and Pat Blackburn’s unofficial nightclub, The Scruffy.
Times were a changing rapidly back then; that it has held on so long speaks for the affection many held the pub in. Simply put, the quality of people you met there every Friday was brilliant and lifelong friendships were formed.
Thank you for some great memories and friends too.
The Snowflake Debating Chamber
A councillor has called for a re-think of an anti-litter campaign urging people not to be “a tosser” – describing it as demeaning. This despite the campaign the stellar councillor refers to as having been running since 2019 – on the ball son!
The story goes on…Councillor Noor Elahi (Independent, Little Horton) told the meeting he was not a fan of the confrontational nature of the signs. “There are ones that say ‘Don’t be a Tosser.’ I find that a bit demeaning.”
Asking us to appeal to the sensitivities of people who blatantly drop litter has me tearing my hair out. I doubt whether the “tosser” signs will have much impact either but let’s face it, most of these cretins are beyond reasonable persuasion.
And for once a bit of sense from the council. Stuart Russo, Senior Technical Officer, defended the signs, pointing out they were developed in partnership with the organisation Keep Britain Tidy. “A nice poster saying ‘please don’t drop litter’ is only going to appeal to people who are not the problem – it is not catching the attention of the people who are the problem.
Watch your back Mr Russo.
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