On the verge of a dream

You know how sometimes it can take a while for a dream that you have to come true and sometimes it happens right away?

On December 9, 2008 at 11:25pm, I decided to stop thinking about teaching dance classes for bigger bodies, and having a performance team (which I had been doing for a couple of years) and make a few posts around Live Journal to see if anyone might actually want to take them.

Three months and 4 days later, not only are the classes going strong but it is the night before the performance team’s debut.  And let me be the first to tell you, they are incredible. 

We originally planned to debut on June 7th so we are pushing hard to get the choreography.  I gave them difficult choreography – it’s fast and intricate, I gave them really tough partner stunts, and they just learned it.  I created a precise walk on, bow and walk off sequence, and they just learned it.  I got really specific about foot position and hand position, and they just learned it.

After the performance I’ll post the video, but for now let me say that when we finished the trick and all six people slammed the floor at the same time during our VERY FIRST full music run through, it was like my whole dream came together right there.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude to the members of the class who come and, through sheer force of will, create a space for us all to love and respect our bodies in a culture where that seems like an impossible feat.

And I know I will never be able to express what it means to be part of a group who are willing to put themselves out there to prove that dancers come in every shape and size.

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

Join us tomorrow from 8-10pm at the Dancing for Dachshunds fundraiser  Watch some dancing (maybe dance a little yourself) and support the Central Texas Dachshund Rescue as they try to find homes for wayward little dogs!