So....can actually fat people swing?

[asgartha]

Well I am saving all the embellishments, and i am refusing to use any of the "alternative" words for fat (you know, overweight, chubby, plumb, curved, well-rounded and all) as some folks in universe start to think lately that this behaviour might be encouraging the ever-growning fat-phobia of the western civilisation.

Anyways, I guess I am asking something that might have crossed a lot of minds in here and out there as well.....


Swing is cool, first of all because Jazz music is suuuuper cool....

And as they said many years ago "it dont mean a thing, if it aint got that swing, doo-ah doo-ah doo-ah......"

Then because the clothes  of that era were magnificent.

And last but not the least, because the very dance was maybe one of the most impressive dances to ever appear on the face of earth.

But it just so happens, that at times, all the admiration and the will in the world, just isnt enought.

And i am wondering if that is the case of a fat person willing to swing, not on a piano, not on a double bass but on a dancefloor.

I mean it is obvious that all those lifts, flips and well.... "aerials" are an out-of-reach area....

But is there actually swing without all that stuff? And after all...even if you take all that out...still swing seems so waaaaaaaay fast moving and challenging even for quite fit people.

Then again, all we get to actually see are great performances from pro dancers on youtube. I am really curious about what it was like back then.... I mean...how were the "normal" people actually dancing ? Not the actors, not the dancers, but just plain people who were out to have some fun.

Ahm...i am somewhat confused

I would appreciate a thought or two

Thank you.

 

[Ben]

Hi,

Anyone can Swing dance. You do NOT have to be athletic, strong, big, small, young, old, talented, or whatever, it doesnt matter, who or what you are. As long as you enjoy the music and the style, and it sounds like you do, that is enough.

Remember, a lot of the stuff you see in videos and movies, are meant to be flashy (competition and performances) and they don't actually reflect what a typical social dance night is normally like. In fact in most places around the world, "aerials" and "flips" etc.. are not allowed on the dancefloor, because of the high risk of injury. So DO NOT think this is what Swing dancing is all about, as it is not.

I think that determination and will, are far more important than anything else (including fitness, athletic ability, and talent). If you love something enough, and you are willing to practice it enough, you will be able to do it. Don't every under estimate yourself because of society's stereotypes, or from what you see in movies etc...

And about speed, I think Swing dancing only becomes a bit more challenging if you choose to dance to fast songs. If you choose to dance to slower and mid-tempo songs, then the pace is obviously more relaxed, and in many peoples' opinions, this is more enjoyable. At our parties, I tend to play a mixture of lower and mid tempo songs mostly, so that everyone can dance comfortably for most of the evening, and will occasionally play something fast for those that prefer a bit more speed.

In my mind, I imagine that back then, regular people went out dancing just to have fun. I don't think it was about showing off or competing with each other. I can remember my Grandmother speaking about such events a long time ago, and this is the impression she left me with. What we see in movies, has been glamourised quite a bit, I think. And as you say, with professional dances and actors, and detailed choreographies, we are not really seeing how it probably was in real life.

Just my humble opinion.

Ben.

[maro]

Hi asgartha.
I am not an expert on the matter of Lindy Hop Swing - far from it actually! I am a beginner but I really like it.

I just wanted to say -even though Ben's answer just about covers it - that the thing I enjoy most in dancing is the freedom of just being myself. While I am dancing (any kind of dance I can manage) I actually don't care at all about how I look or what people think of me dancing. It's quite liberating I'll tell you that. I really think that you should try it for yourself before you give up the idea. The cool thing about dancing is that you don't have to be or look good to enjoy yourself!

Furthermore, Ben, Jos and Christine are three of the most polite and patient dance teachers I' ve met, and I've met plenty! Maybe you should consider giving them and us -your classmates- a chance to prove that weight, height and eye colour doesn't really matter when you dance.

I leave you with the words of Mark Twain: "Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth", and hope to meet you in the dance floor.

Maro

[Bettie Page]

here's a third thought:

I have had traditional greek dance lessons for about 12 years.My teacher was one of the biggest people I've ever met. Her agility and vibe and ability to move her feet really fast was just amazing (and we do have quite a few difficult traditional dances). I believe dancing has to do with your soul and not your body. I mean...silly example: in a cheerleader team, only one or two are scheduled to actually do flips in the air. But they are all considered cheerleaders. So what if you don't do aaaall the moves?The rest is also Lindy hop 
Totally agree with you on the the clothes issue...  cu on the dance floor i hope! Cheers*

Ann-Venette*

[jimbo]

Whoever says you need to be somehow to dance (or anything else as a matter of fact) is simply someone who sits in a chair or couch and judges people just by looking at them...Dance-music and practically everything else is for everyone...If it was meant for some then some would do it...Quit asking yourself "silly" questions and get your feet on the dancefloor...RIGHT NOW!!!

[kelli!]

Everyone can dance, no matter his weight!
As fas as swing dance is concerned, i think there is NO problem if someone is thin, fat or whatever!swing is not ballet!there are no body propotionals required for this dance!that is why is such a good choice, because EVERYONE can be good at this dance. And there are no moves that fat people cannot do, thin people cannot do moves either that require flexibility for example.So, yes, fat people can swing, can put fantasy clothes, they can do everything and of course have fun while dancing.SO...Let' s swing and have the time of our life!
 

[asgartha]

A great many thanks to all the people who took the time to read and reply to my question.

Your anwears really clarified my thought, and indeed you look like a very encouraging, gentle and polite group of people, so yes, i think i will be joining you sooner or later.

Thank you once more

[doox]

Hi.

I may be late in this, but I feel the urge to talk to the woman who thinks is fat.
It was 1997. New York. The Supper club. Swing Revival at its height.
Everybody rushing to the dance floor -just like in the movie "Swing Kids".
At that point this FAT woman enters the dance floor. She's wearing an A style skirt, with short socks and 50s chuckies snickers.I laugh. But then... I see all the dancers gathering around her! They all want o dance with her! She picks up a guy.
And then we become witnesses to something that the few dance connoiseuers knew. She fucking amazing! The most energetic, better yet... explosive female swing dancer I've ever seen.
We just stand there staring at her move. And boy can she move! She's fucking amazing. She's got rhythm, she's got style and most poignantly, she's got humour! She picks up one of the guys and performs an aerial on him. She lifts him up, throws him over her shoulder, and right through her legs! The whole floor is clapping in awe. She picks up the guy again and rolls  over his back... No one can even imagine that "my God, she's too fat to do that!". O contraire, it comes natural!
The rest of the dancers join her. Everybody dance to the eearie sound of the lead singer of the Flying Neutrinos!
The fat woman comes out of the dance floor. Everybody wants to touch her.
Everybody wants to dance with her.
Not  because she's fat. But because she's a great fucking dancer and the most lively woman we've ever seen on a dance floor.

I hope I have the privilege of dancing with you Asgartha.
 

[Sinner Man]

HEY  asgartha

ALL PEOPLE CAN DANCE NOT ONLY SWING BUT PLENTY KIND OF DANCE
ALL THE PEOPLE SWEAT ON THE DANCE FLOOR AND HAVE FUN
DON'T FORGET THAT WE ARE NOT DANCING  TO BE PRO BUT  FOR FUN,WE LIKE THE MUSIC WE LIKE THE OUTFIT SO LET'S DANCE!!!!

BUT LET'S BE REALISTIC
THE LIFTS AND AERIALS IS A CATEGORY THAT DIRECT  TO PEOPLE WHERE HAVE A COMFORT OF MOVEMENT.  DON'T FORGET THAT AERIALS IS NOT INDICANT FOR DANCE-FLOOR BUT ONLY FOR DEMOSTRATION.



"it dont mean a thing, if it aint got that swing"