Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury
Arthur Murray Dance Studio Santa Monica
A Few Thoughts and Quotes on Art:
“The idea that great art is never comforting is a common one, often expressed in various quotes and artistic philosophies. It suggests that true art should challenge, provoke, and expand our understanding, rather than simply offering reassurance.”
“Art can evoke a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, fear, and even joy, but often in a way that challenges our typical responses.”
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable” offers a contrasting perspective, suggesting that art can be both a source of comfort and a catalyst for change.”
“Art can be unsettling, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths, societal issues, and our own internal struggles.”
“The idea that great art is never comforting is a common one, often expressed in various quotes and artistic philosophies. It suggests that true art should challenge, provoke, and expand our understanding, rather than simply offering reassurance.”
“Great art can broaden our horizons, introducing us to new ideas, emotions, and ways of seeing the world.”
“By pushing boundaries and questioning established norms, art can help us grow and evolve.”
“Some argue that art, at its best, reflects the harsh realities of life, and that comfort in art might be a form of escapism.”
“Nietzsche argued that Apollonian art provides an illusion of comfort, distracting us from the harsh realities of existence.”
True Story:
Many years ago, I took lessons from a famous ballroom coach, Henia Lynn, who was a star in ballet and a legend in the ballroom world.
When I became her professional student, she was only teaching professional dance couples. When we took lessons with her, she had a baton in her hands (this was in the 70’s). When we did not obey her and we made mistakes, she would rap us on the legs, arms, hands with the baton. When she was put out with me, she would make me dance while holding two full cups of water with a towel in my belt. Every time I would spill the water, she would make me wipe it up and then refill the water.
When I was really a bad student, she made us dance our routines with our hands behind our back. (Even today, this is an amazing dancing exercise for all levels!)
I must say, we all loved her and worshiped her, and we were all good professional couples from here teaching. She was a goddess.
True Story:
Many years ago, I was stepping into the Scottsdale Arthur Murray Dance Studio and guess who was just finishing up a dance lesson? Arthur and Kathryn Murray. They had just taken a lesson with the famous Lee Lawless who was an Arthur Murray legend in her own right.
Even through the Murrays were retired, they continued taking lessons as students to keep their skills high. I will never forget that moment.
True Story:
Decades ago, I was competing in an Arthur Murray Dance Showcase. The judges were the famous Nina Samaniego and Carlos Rosario. They were legends and had been Latin Champions and were wonderful Dance Judges and Coaches.
At the end of the show, as we thanked them for judging, the audience began to beg them to dance for us. They said no, no, no. After we would not stop cheering for the, suddenly the song “Sabor A Mi” with Eydie Gormé began to play. Nina was standing on the floor alone and suddenly 50 years disappeared from her and she began to move her arms. We were silent and we began to weep. She was magic. She was a miracle. She were breathtaking.
Then Carlos rushed across the floor and slid towards here and the magic continued. He was once again a young man dancing with Nina.
As they began to dance, we all wept at the beauty and elegance of their movements in the Bolero dance. Nina’s hand styling was legend. Her hands told the story of the dance. I can see her arm and hand styling as I type this.
As they finished and bowed, we all stood up and cheered and wept. They Nina and Carlos also began to cry.
We all saw magic that day as they years fell from their bodies, and they became two dancers in love and as the Bolero them. I will never forget that moment.
True Story:
Decades ago, I flew to Los Angeles for the California Star Ball with my best friend, Kimmie. She was a ballerina and a ballroom champion.
At the Saturday Night Professional Show, the undefeated World Latin Champions from Norway, Espen & Kirsten Salberg, took the floor.
They were retired from the competition floor and they were Undefeated World Latin Legends.
As they began their Rumba Dance, they danced basics. She rolled out of her waist scarf and he lowered her to the floor, as she rolled out of the scarf.
Their dance was magical. Unlike the current competitors who had the most modern movements, they simply danced as a couple possessed by the International Rumba. They told a story. They touched the hearts of everyone in the audience. Every step was a heart stopper and every arm styling told of their love for each other, the dance, and their love for the audience.
Kimmie and I, along with hundreds in the audience, and with all of the World Class Pro couples, wept as we watched them. No one moved. No one made a sound. It was magical. It was golden dance. It was an unforgettable moment in time. I will never forget that routine where each step pulled at your heart. The standing ovation was deafening!
My Blog:
I’ve added these stories because all of these great memories are unforgettable to me. As a ballroom dancer, I know that these magic stories were based on lifetimes of hard work, years of practice, and many, many sacrifices made in all their lives.
This week I finished the book, “Seabiscuit” by Laura Hillenbrand, author of “Unbroken”. At one point, I became so involved in the book that I slammed it shut and got up and spoke out loud “I cannot read any more” I was so upset. I paced about. I was upset. I was angry. I was moved. I finished the book!
How could another book have done that to me, yet again! It was great art. It was not comforting. I finally set down and devoured the rest of the book. I was torn apart at the end, but was very happy I had read the book.
Great art can move us. Great art can wreck us. Art can take us to places of extreme uncomfort and to places of overwhelming joy and happiness. Art can make us cry.
Art can heal us, inspire us, teach us, move us. If we let the art take over, it can change our lives.
Thank you to the special person who gave me this quote and has inspired me to continue reading.
Thank you for reading and Keep on Dancing!
“Dance & Thrive in ‘25”
David Woodbury
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