Tag Archives: Tap dancing

Shim Sham Shimmy

Cynthia Kraack Posted on by

Adriana introduced the Shim Sham Shimmy to our class at Dancin’ on the Door studio while I was away. A fellow dancer found floor space to bust a move from the recent lesson as she waited tables at IMG_3575the restaurant where we had dinner. I was nervous about matching the speed of her steps.

On the fourth day of air so heavy even the dog didn’t want to be outside, ninety minutes of highly physical activity in a lightly air-conditioned building held minimal attraction. The alternative was continuing to reconstruct a really good short story that fell apart during revision.

I knew I shouldn’t leave my computer or walk away from the three “finished” versions of the story. Guilt nicked the happiness of seeing my dancer friends. Lack of focus knocked me off rhythm during our first warm-up. Yet all the stretches, the delightful readjustment of a tense neck, easing of raised shoulders, the disappearance of leg cramps and curled toes shut the door on my rabbit hole of writing doubts. Here was music, movement, and the camaraderie of seven women working our bodies and minds.

The classic Shim Sham Shimmy, a 32 bar sequence of choreography, began roughly ninety years ago in Harlem music clubs. We built on stamps, steps, shaking shoulders, Tack Annie’s, freezes and breaks. After walking through steps to moving with a gentle tempo, we laughed together during a glorious attempt at dancing the shimmy to Beyoncé. Most of us are far beyond twenty, but that made no difference. Not one of us looked in the mirrors as our feet made music. If anything ached in the morning, I wouldn’t care.

IMG_2537On the way home from class I knew I had to shake the wounded story back to its original structure and concentrate on language. It is a story built for readers’ pleasure—a classical structure with good vibrations and defined direction. Worked carefully, the story will move slowly until it needs to move fast.

That’s the second reward for staying with the awkwardness of learning something new and creative instead of pushing paragraphs around and around another full day. Step it out of the comfort zone, sister.

Paddle Turn

Cynthia Kraack Posted on by

For many years our family had just about enough time to notice that flowers were in bloom, but never enough time to enjoy the show. Two kids in school, two kids in activities, two big time careers, three grandparents needing various amounts of attention, Mother’s Day, spring planting jettisoned us toward Memorial Day.

Dance recital grabbed an early May week. From the innocent beauty of a simple white leotard with pink tights to the teen years of glitter, heeled tap shoes and too much homework, my daughter and I shared the nerves and triumphs of her days dancing on stage.

For a few years, her brother attended rehearsals and the recital, first in an infant carrier before graduating to sitting in the auditorium with bribes of snacks and new toys. But the experience was truly about being a part of her world. I assembled costume accessories, curled and pinned hair, stroked on make-up, tied shoes and provided whatever level of encouragement was required. A dance mom. Her mom. It was an awesome whirl, but when the curtain fell on the final performance each year we were ready to move forward.

Paddle turn, paddle turn, ball, change.

Our daughter has a daughter maybe six months from early dance classes if that appeals to them. Our granddaughter is a bolt of sunshine bringing energy and enthusiasm to every moment. She loves her friends, almost any outdoor activity, her bike, music, art projects, books, beads and pigtails. In a video she stretched out her toddler arms, stamped a foot on the floor, twirled and danced with Disney’s Elsa. I could almost hear the rhythm of tap shoes under a recital version of “Let It Go”.

She has the rhythm, the love of movement, and there will be many ways she might enjoy those in her future. And opportunities to bond with her mom. That’s the circle of life. Paddle turn.