This may sound crazy but I think Howling at the Moon has made me a better dancer.
This pic is a throwback to when I used to be a swing dance teacher (and get dressed up a lot!) I’ve taught at events, danced for a music video, and on stage at the East Coast Music Awards. I was the lead instructor at Dal Swing for a while, coordinating the curriculum and volunteers. I’ve been in a couple of performance teams, and choreographed routines.
At some point it became more responsibilities than fun and I took a loooong break, but I’m just starting to get back into it.
If you’re not familiar with lindy hop (the most popular style of swing) there is a lot of room for improvisation and musicality (inventing moves based on the music, rather than memorized sequences) but improv was never my strong suit.
I prefer to learn and practice and feel like I “know what I’m doing.”
When I had space to improvise, I always felt like I didn’t know what I was “supposed” to be doing.
Then I started literally going into the woods and howling at the moon. (along with using my voice for sounding, toning, noisemaking) I went dancing last night and felt more free. More like it’s ok to try new things because there is no ‘wrong’ move.
What is the relationship between these two things ?!?
Dancing and vocalizing are both expression of emotion. Intentionally Howling (which is what I’m now calling all kinds of expressive vocalizations) is meant to break up that feeling of ‘choking on your words.’ It’s meant to pull the cork out of the bottle and let the champagne out.
And the feeling of not knowing what moves to make when your body hears music, is the same as choking on your words: “Ack! I don’t know what to do!”
And it’s awkward at first. You have to get over that feeling of not knowing what you’re ‘supposed’ to be doing.
So Howling helps you
• practice expressing yourself in a safe space
• tap into your intuition
• unblock your natural, instinctual, in-the-moment reaction to what’s happening
The next Howling is August 31st, 9:30 pm Kidston Lake