Groovy Indeed

As a kid growing up in Lahore, I was oblivious to names like Frankie Manning and Jean Veloz. (David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson . . . a different story altogether)! In fact, unless you’re a swing dancer, most people are oblivious to these names weather you live in Langley, New York, or Los Angeles. Who are they? Grandparents of Lindy Hop. What’s Lindy Hop? Check Wikipedia.

I had never pictured myself as a beer drinkin’, wine swirlin’, Bruleé bakin’, Lindy Hoppin’ immigrant. But here I am, twelve years off the boat doing exactly that! Rock Steppin’ to Benny Goodman is one thing, coming face to face with history makers is another. Within my brief dancing career, I’ve had the honour and privilege of meeting both Frankie Manning and Jean Veloz not once, but twice! And, as if that wasn’t enough, just a couple of weeks ago, thanks to the efforts of a local organizer, I had the honour of hosting Jean Veloz at Fat City, right here in Langley, BC.

Though I couldn’t dance with Frankie, being a lead and all, I did manage to lead the queen of Lindy Hop into a few Swing Outs! I bet you I’m the only Pakistani that can lay claim to that. And if you consider the 172, 800,000 people that live in that country, that’s quite the achievement. Let me put it to you this way, the chances of winning Loto 6/49 jackpot is 1:13,983,816. So dancing with Jean was like winning the jackpot eleven times and then once more! Very groovy indeed!

The Mayor

P.S. Follow the link below to see an article about Jean at Fat City in one of our local papers and while you’re at it, go to YouTube, type Jean Veloz and see the magnificent clips and stories of this 84 year young Swing legend.

http://www.canada.com/langleyadvance/news/living/story.html?id=196ee05d-3e2b-459b-b695-46fe916375ab

What are you doing here?

“What are you doing here?” “Are you lost?” “Didn’t know you came here.” “Returning the favour so soon.” “Long time no see.” “So good to see you.”

Just a few greetings I received while visiting my favourite Swing venues over the weekend. There was a moment when I almost told a nervous teen, “When I frequented this place, you were nine years old!”

It’s funny, after being in the scene for almost a decade, I felt young and anonymous again! It was fantastic!! No set up of tables and chairs, no frantic Costco runs, no counting cars in the parking lot, or hauling speakers to the fourth floor of my apartment building after eating copious amounts of chicken wings from Boston Pizza! I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I had an amazing time dancing all this weekend. The Other Big Band and DJ Jose on Friday, DJ Larry and Alen on Saturday, and Jose and Alen again on Sunday. My attendance has been limited to Fat City simply because I was, (emphasis on the past tense) married to my work on Saturdays and Sundays for the last eight years. Last Sunday though, I left the industry! And while I decide what I do with my life, instead of sitting idle and falling prey to CSI re-runs, I will rekindle my love of Swing, and dance my heart out every opportunity I get. Thank you for the warm welcomes and the welcome backs. Let’s keep the scene alive.

The Mayor

Vancouver Leads

This is an open letter to all the Vancouver leads: you're wonderful.

I've had an opportunity to go dancing only a few times in jolly old, but the times that I've gone, I have come away so appreciative of 'the boys' back home. This isn't to say they aren't good here. They're just different. And sometimes wandering away from home makes you realize how amazing home is. There's an unspeakable quality to the BC leads...a lovely combination of ability, leadership, familiarity, fun, creativity, and, of course, charm.

So keep on dancing. And know that there is one follow here that can't wait to get home and dance with all of you once again!