Since I have moved numerous times in my life, I have no idea what it would be like to persevere in one place, in one town or even one state. I enjoy listening to stories my friends tell here in this part of the country of growing up in this area. Dancing was a large part of their lives as teenagers. There are still some lovely dance halls all around this part of Nebraska. I have been to two of them, not to dance, but to observe.
One such time I watched men and women my age and much older dancing to a well known polka band and the place was packed. These people brought small ice chests with them and miniature fans to help cool down between dances. The thing that was imprinted on my memory of that day was seeing their faces light up when the music began and they walked out to the dance floor. They obviously love to dance! The energy level was awesome.
The other place I have watched dancing is at a well maintained ballroom in a town not far from here that is used for huge craft shows, sometimes garage sales, lots of weddings, and of course, dances. The two times I have been to dances, the band played oldies as well as some country western tunes. The dance floor is immense and the band only took one small break, because those people were there to dance, dance, dance. I was singing to the old songs and enjoying watching the dancers. The music was too loud to visit with my friends, but we didn't care, the band was really good, which was why we were all there.
To add to the enjoyment, some of my friends tell how they met their spouses right there in the ballroom, where they were standing, who they were with at the dance, how they were asked to dance by someone they did not know, the beginning of a life journey of marriage and children and more dances. Pretty nostalgic, isn't it? I really like that ballroom, and the memories of people living it up there.
11 comments:
When I left home, I moved around a lot in a very short span of time, but all in the same general location. We've been in this house since '77 and it's paid for, so I don't see any moves in the future, but I did meet my hubby at Gilley's and we've been together ever since!
There used to be an old dance hall near where I live - sprung floor, the works. Sadly it was not kept up and has now been demolished to make way for an art gallery and related stuff.
Good to see that things like that are well used where you are!
I love the history the dances have for so many people there. That's awfully neat!
Glad you had fun checking it out!
I have really enjoyed living in places for awhile, after having moved around all my early life. I remember going to square dancing in Colorado and how much fun everybody was having. I've now lived in the Pacific Northwest for five years. How did that happen? :-)
nice...dance def has the power to bring people together...hey i met my wife, who was a dancer, and got me dancing....its cool to live there long enough to learn these things...
I've lived in Colorado longer than anyplace I ever lived before and think I am here to stay.
The dances sound like so much fun and so good for both mind and body. Maybe you will take a whirl around the floor at the next one.
Sounds like great fun, CiCi. Your post brings strong feelings of nostalgia despite never having been to a dance hall like this.
If only that ballroom could talk. Imagine the stories it might tell.
I love to dance too, but sadly I don't have a dance partner these days. I do some Scottish Country Dancing too.... and this morning I'm off to a line dance class. Gotta keep the old bones moving!
What a lovely post, CiCi!
Thank you for sharing.
My cousin has a band that plays some newer country music and the oldies too. They also play a lot of dance music. My sister and I went to see them play a few weeks ago and were jealous of all the people who knew how to do all of those special dances. When we were growing up, we didn't learn to dance much, other than the polkas and waltzes our relatives taught us at wedding receptions. It seems like dancing is becoming a lost art.
Post a Comment