Two Left Feet Newsletter - October Issue

History Of Dance

The history of dance may be as long as the history of mankind. We can only guess what dances looked like in earlier epochs. The Natya Shastra is an early manuscript on which the modern interpretation of classical Indian dance is based. In European culture, one of the earliest records of dancing is of a dance known as the Chorea first described in Homer's Iliad. The early Greeks made the art of dancing into a system, expressive of all the different passions. The Greek dance of the Furies, for example, was supposedly so intense as to create a complete sense of terror among those who witnessed it. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, ranked dancing with poetry, and said that great dancers, could apply rhythm and gesture to perfectly express manners, passions, and actions. The most eminent Greek sculptors studied the attitude of the dancers hoping to capture their art of expressing the deepest passions.
                                                ...to be continued

Get A Life: How Can We Be Bored?

I have never been able to understand how people live their lives repeating each day as if it were stamped in permanence. They eat the same thing for breakfast, go over the same dialogue with family and friends, moan and groan about their job, the traffic and the awful things that are happening in the world, eat dinner without much fanfare, then go to bed, ready to continue the next day where they left off. I realize that they might very well be happy. Who knows, they even might be in a state of bliss. Perhaps seeking, exploring and being filled with curiosity about what is possible in this limited time we have on Earth is a curse. But frankly, I'll take being cursed.
Ever since I was a kid I was completely blown away by what we humans have been given as gifts on this planet. My biggest problem has always been what I perceive to be not enough time to do all the things I want to do. Whenever I hear someone say, ''I didn't know what to do so I went shopping,'' I think, ''What are you, nuts?'' When's the last time you took a walk around a gorgeous pond or a hike through the woods? Have you been to a museum lately, or a concert? Have you cranked music that you like and wildly danced around the house? Imagine how many wonderful dishes there are to cook? How about joining a book club, learning an instrument or taking dancing lessons? You may have passions you stored away when you were a child in order to become a serious, responsible adult. So many people have been drilled with messages that take away those things that fill you with joy and fun. I honestly think some people get stressed out because they are incredibly bored with themselves. We're constantly given messages that when we find the right partner, we will be fulfilled. This is a disastrous way to live life. No one can give us what we need to give ourselves an interesting, juicy life. In fact the more exciting we are, the more the chances are of meeting exciting individuals.
Getting divorced was difficult but it has also provided me with the ability to go back in time and revisit interests that I had thought I would never have time for again. Two weeks ago, I started taking ballroom dancing lessons at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Hanover. When the music came on and we began to do the steps, I thought, ''I'm in heaven.'' I hope to keep going and, who knows, maybe even get into a competition. I might take piano lessons, study yoga or learn to speak Chinese. So many exciting possibilities. Auntie Mame said it the best: ''Life's a buffet and some poor suckers are starving to death.'' So get going, before your time is up!

Dance Spot – The Foxtrot

Harry Fox, a vaudeville star who trotted around the stage with various partners, chosen alternately from a dancing group, is generally accepted as the initiator of the Foxtrot. Mr. Fox was believed to be the first to use the “Slow Step”, hence, the birth of the Foxtrot.
This first free style use of the “slow step” came into vogue around 1912. During this period of ragtime music, beginning in 1910, a completely new phase of ballroom dancing was born. Partners danced much closer together, ad-libbed to the music, and found this new ragtime music exciting and exhilarating. Prior to this time, the Polka, Waltz and the One-Step were popular. In these dances partners were held at arms length and a set pattern was observed.
By 1915, another change took place, a new and melodious type of music was being written, tunes like “Oh, You Beautiful Doll” and “Ida” were the smash hits of the day. The public was quick to appreciate the change to a smoother, more rhythmic style of music, and their dancing began to absorb the better attributes of the older dances. From 1917 up to the present time, the accent has been placed on smoother dancing and individualized expression.
By 1960, the International style of dancing was making its way into the United States ballrooms and many of the techniques were implemented into the American Style Foxtrot. As of this writing, the main difference between the two styles is that the International Style Foxtrot is danced entirely in contact maintaining the normal dance hold, while the American Style will allow for complete freedom of expression utilizing various dance holds and positions. The Foxtrot is a progressive and turning dance, moving along the line of dance. The figures are taken with body flight and are designed for the larger ballroom floor. However, these same figures are also suited to the average nightclub floor when danced more compactly. Sway and slight rise and fall highlight the smooth style of the American Foxtrot. The Foxtrot is a must in every social dancer's repertoire.

Events This Month

Dance Of The Month is still here and it is Quickstep again. Classes will meet on Fridays at 7:30 pm for four weeks starting October 7^th. Cost is $50 per person or four of your existing Group Classes. Please note: no refunds after starting date, no carry over to another month. Pre-register to reserve your spot!

Attention all ghosts, goblins, vampires, witches and evil creatures of the night! You are invited to our Spook-tacular Haunted Dance Party on Fright-day October 28^th at the bewitching hour of 8:15 pm. We are going to have a costume contest and lots of games. Enter The Haunted Fred Astaire Dance Studio and be prepared to be scared! Costumes are optional and highly appreciated. We're dying to see you there!!! Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaa!!!

Who Is Mary Calderara?

Born and raised on the South Shore Mary began teaching in 1992 in answer to an advertisement from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Hanover headlining "Do you like to dance and sleep late?" She received numerous awards in 1995 and 1996 from the New England Fred Astaire Dance Studios Association for her outstanding achievement and was elected to the New England Dance Board in 1997. Mary resides in Pembroke, MA and works full time as a realtor on the South Shore. She has an Associate degree from Fisher College in Boston and is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Biology at the Bridgewater State College on a part time basis. Mary is thrilled to be back teaching again at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. "Teaching at FADS - Hanover is so much fun it can't be considered work. I look forward to seeing my old friends and meet new ones. It's a privilege to be working among such a talented group of instructors and students."

A Halloween Story: The Legend Of Jack-O-Lantern

A stingy drunkard of an Irish blacksmith named Jack had the misfortune to run into the Devil in a pub, some say on Halloween night. Jack had too much to drink and was about to fall into the Devil's hands, but managed to trick the Devil by offering his soul in exchange for one last drink. The Devil turned himself into a sixpence to pay the bartender, but Jack quickly pocketed him in his purse. Because Jack had a silver cross in his purse, the Devil could not change himself back. Jack would not let the Devil go until he promised not to claim his soul for ten years.
The Devil agreed and ten years later Jack came across the Devil while walking on a country road. The Devil wanted to collect, but Jack, thinking quickly, said "I'll go, but before I go, will you get me an apple from that tree?" The Devil, thinking he had nothing to lose, jumped on Jack's shoulders to obtain the apple. Jack pulled out his knife and carved a cross in the trunk of the tree. This left the Devil in the air, unable to obtain Jack or his soul. Jack made him promise to never again ask for his soul. Seeing no way out, the Devil agreed. When Jack finally died years later, he was not admitted to Heaven, because of his life of drinking and being tightfisted and deceitful. When he went to apply for entrance to Hell, the Devil had to turn him away because he agreed never to take Jack's soul. "But where can I go?", asked Jack. "Back where you came from!", replied the Devil. The way back was windy and dark. Jack pleaded with the Devil to at least provide him a light to find his way. The Devil, as a final gesture, threw a live coal at Jack straight from the fire of Hell. To light his way and to keep it from blowing out in the wind, Jack put it in a turnip he was eating.
Ever since, Jack has been doomed to wander in darkness with his lantern until "Judgment Day." Jack of the lantern became known as the symbol of a damned soul.

Dance Horoscope



Libra, the weighing scales, are real aficionados of dancing with a preference for showy dances, such as the Minuette and the Can Can. Musically they prefer the French chansons and light classical music.