Everything is bad....

[sweavo]

I'm aging....I saw big resemblance with my 4 years older sister at last rehearsal with mirror. She has physics as a 15 year old girl but the looks of a 60 years old one. I wouldn’t go on stage the day I look like she do.

I hope if you get there you change your mind. I often think of the day when I was 14 and I decided I was going to live life to the fullest until I was 32 then drive off a cliff because as far as I could see there was no point in bothering after that. Needless to say, I changed my mind by the time I got to 32.

I've arranged two extra rehearsals this weekend with the team. My daughter is impressed only by the fact of my willingness to train. But I also want her to be proud.

Cross your fingers!

Well, I'm crossing them but I don't think you need the extra luck! Your attitude is great and we are already proud of you!

 

[UnlikelySalsero]

UnlikelySalsero, THANKS!
Your post made me breathless. You are so kind and I do really listen to what you have written. Your text is very close to what the feelings I have myself about the performance. And I guess this is my last chance to do this.

I'm aging....I saw big resemblance with my 4 years older sister at last rehearsal with mirror. She has physics as a 15 year old girl but the looks of a 60 years old one. I wouldn’t go on stage the day I look like she do. Time is running out…

Ah... I agree you should perform and grow as much as possible, but stopping because you reach a specific age probably isn't my favorite idea. I'm always inspired by a guy named "Bob" here in LA who is dancing well into his 70's. He dances better than I do, and travels to congresses all over the world. The time to consider stopping is when you can't physically do it anymore.

Little keeps you younger than stretching to do new things and growing in new areas over time. Only you can decide, but I never thought it would make sense to take jazz classes since 98% of the time I'm the oldest in the class. Hanging around younger, high intensity dancers is getting me into the best shape since my late twenties. At first I think they find it strange, but they see I'm doing my best, and over time I earn respect just for staying in the game and improving.

You can do anything you decide to do, so don't decide when you are going to quit before you get started.

<snip>
I've arranged two extra rehearsals this weekend with the team. My daughter is impressed only by the fact of my willingness to train. But I also want her to be proud.

Cross your fingers!

/luc

Based on what you are saying, I suspect you'll have a wonderful experience, no matter how the performance goes. (I expect that will go better than you expect as well.)

As a performer, one thing that has always helped me is "closing the door behind me." I'll write an article on it, but basically once you know there is no backing out, and you are committed to doing it, it becomes easier than when you are trying to decide if you should quit. Take that option off the table!

Stay focused on what you can do, rather than what you can't, and realize all performances have errors, and the pros learn how to recover (by making lots of mistakes and dealing with them after they happen).

You'll also bond with your daughter and the others on the team who will be inspired by you continuing, even when you stuggle with someone.

Best to you, please tell us how it goes!

 

[lucretia]

Ah... I agree you should perform and grow as much as possible, but stopping because you reach a specific age probably isn't my favorite idea. I'm always inspired by a guy named "Bob" here in LA who is dancing well into his 70's. He dances better than I do, and travels to congresses all over the world. The time to consider stopping is when you can't physically do it anymore.

I guess you are right...but I will not wear a spaghetti strapped top when I'm 60 (giggling). I have to dress up more properly then :lol: (but never the less sexy)

But in some ways I guess it is worse being a old lady dancing salsa than an old man. Many old men at the salsascene are considered as “safe” grandfathers. They take care of young ladies who do not really know how to dance and how much sex appeal they could throw into the dance. These girls feel safe when dancing with these old men ….the can develop their skill and flava without any (sexual) mistakes.

How many young men entering the salsascene would need a lady of 67 to make them feel good and feel safe?

Any how –I plan to go on dancing as long as I can. The fact that I overcame the disc bulge made me stronger. And more committed. I do not take dance for granted any more. That’s why I will try to push me above my current limit.

I now have to declare to all at SF, I am committed. I will do everything I can to enter the scene!

We all girls had a discussion this evening after last rehearsal. We all will all go for it. We have even planned the clothing and "jewellery". We started to train "flirting with the audience" and "decreasing distance between us" (we have to manage a much smaller scene) I think these are good signs.

(I hope the teacher will get a surprise this Tuesday when we enter the studiofloor like new salseras)

You'll also bond with your daughter and the others on the team who will be inspired by you continuing, even when you stuggle with someone.

One of the surprises to me was how fun we have. At the studio, before & after, when we go dancing. We're like sisters. Then bond is there and I guess it will always be there. I guess I also want to go on performing because of that feeling. The feeling of sisterhood and the love to salsa.

/luc

 

[UnlikelySalsero]

I guess you are right...but I will not wear a spaghetti strapped top when I'm 60 (giggling). I have to dress up more properly then :lol: (but never the less sexy)

But in some ways I guess it is worse being a old lady dancing salsa than an old man. Many old men at the salsascene are considered as “safe” grandfathers. They take care of young ladies who do not really know how to dance and how much sex appeal they could throw into the dance. These girls feel safe when dancing with these old men ….the can develop their skill and flava without any (sexual) mistakes.

How many young men entering the salsascene would need a lady of 67 to make them feel good and feel safe?

Being a guy, it's hard for me to say, but I immediately think of this 68 year old lady in our scene who I thought was mid 50's tops, and she is in excellent shape. I dance with her regularly and we always have fun. You can tell she was smoking sexy when she was younger and she still has the attitude. Because she keeps in shape, nobody knows her real age and I see lots of younger guys dancer with her. So it depends on how you dance and your overall attitude. Dance well enough and young guys will still want to dance with you.

I now have to declare to all at SF, I am committed. I will do everything I can to enter the scene!

We all girls had a discussion this evening after last rehearsal. We all will all go for it. <snip>

/luc

Excellent... once that decision is made, it gets easier. The bonding and respect for yourself will improve and you've already won, independent of the direct success of the performance.

I've personally had some really, really great music performances and some I'd love to forget. But I needed them all to grow. The ones that were less than perfect drove me to learn more, practice more and become a better performer. The great ones are just fun, but that is icing and reward for years of hard work.

Remember when you perform: You are out there doing it and everybody else is watching. If they want to be critics, have at it. They are still sitting on their butts watching and you are growing and putting yourself out there.

Hats off to you for doing it. I have extreme respect for anybody who performs, large or small show, just because it's an excellent vehicle for growth. The critics be darned... they are everwhere, but that's the easy job.

Please keep us in the loop as it happens.