Gareth & Jeryl
Rock 'n' Roll is:
- easy to learn. Most people can do it -
- extremely versatile. It suits a large range of modern and older popular music -
- a great social activity for meeting new friends and partners -
- inexpensive. Anywhere there is suitable music you can dance -
- suitable for young and old -
- well established. Its practised around the world -
- very suitable for amateurs as well as pro dancers. You don't need to be perfect for fear of being laughed at -
- a great fitness activity -
- a socially acceptable way for ladies to show their knickers in public (but gentlemen don't notice!) -
Sandra trusts Trevor
to have a firm grip on things
James and Ann
dance with color and style
Sandy and Annette
strut their stuff!
No butterfingers here!
Hands up those who
love to dance!
George & Sue can step
with the best of them
Sandy & Annette have a
laid back approach
Gareth & Jeryl
What time is it? Time to dance!
Dancing Doubles
Heather, Rod & Leslie
reported by Gareth
In the land down under we have a saying "chuck another prawn on the barbie" meaning "add another diminutive crustacean to the alfresco cooking apparatus". Its synonymous with our relaxed Australian lifestyle just as music is synonymous with dancing.
As the creator and manager of one of the largest face-to-face singles networks in the world I hold a lot of parties. Its quite usual for us to have 130 people in a member's backyard. The barbecue is fired up, the wine is poured, the beer is swigged and the faces are all happy and smiling. These are fun times for single-again baby-boomers, at least in Adelaide. The Great Gatsby would be envious!
The most common call I seem to hear at parties today, though, is "Chuck some Rock n Roll on the stereo!", meaning "we want to dance." In fact, if the music isn't great danceable Rock n Roll, partygoers soon "come the raw prawn" (Australian slang for whinge or complain) until I change it for them.
Rock n Roll is an ideal structured dance for backyard social gatherings. It doesn't need a lot of room or a championship dance-floor. For music, a wide range of popular songs are suitable. As a "getting to know you" activity it has ideal benefits for single people. One of the best chat-up lines ever invented and the one most women don't seem to mind in the slightest is "would you like to dance?" but its the one so many men just don't use, often because they don't feel confident about dancing.
Social dancing is a very convenient way for two people to have a good, close look at each other without getting too personal. It promises no commitment, but if each likes what they find they may take things further. If not, the dance experience might have been worth the time spent anyway.
If a lady doesn't know how to dance a willing gentleman or two will soon lead her through some moves. If a gentleman can't dance, a lesson from a 'leading lady' has led to many a permanent partnership.
Basic Rock n Roll dance is a skill that socially adept people ought not to be without. Lessons are generally inexpensive and it usually doesn't take long to learn enough to get by. You don't have to aim for competition somersaults, jumps and throws.
After learning just some basic steps you'll no longer feel like a prawn at a barbecue when the dance music starts. If you're single and looking for a partner, what it leads you on to might be as delicious as a prawn cocktail!