NNF 2017

Ragroof Tea Dance - South American Way

The Adnams Spiegeltent

22/05/17

Dancing, eh. A modern gal like myself has, sadly, no real talent in this field. A lot of enthusiasm, yes, but no actual talent. Yes, I can move in time, yes I can not fall over and yes I can do a few moves. But mainly I like to dance on my own, eyes closed, bugging out to tunes I know and love. And at my grand old age, there's rare opportunity to do so. I thought it was about bloody well time I learnt how dancing should be done, so I sashayed my way down to the Adnams Spiegeltant to learn from some experts.

The room is full of mostly older-than-me couples, some obviously well versed in dance, gliding around like it ain't no thing and wearing The Proper Shoes, some a little more higgledy-piggledy in their style but no less delightful. There are tangos, all heat and longing and foxtrots, all jaunty and upbeat. Half the joy in attending something like this is watching everyone else. Yes I like to watch. There's something incredibly sweet about these lovely humans, trying so incredibly hard to get their feet right whilst also trying so hard to keep their faces neutral at the same time, and there are moments when I see couples nestling so close to each other, clearly in love, that I almost want to cry. We British are not great at PDAs, especially the older generation, so it was a proper beautiful thing to see.

With DJ Aila, MC Miss Dorothy Shoes and dancers Sasha and Anna at the Ragroof helm we weren't going to get away with just standing and watching though. Led through steps like the cha-cha-cha and the mamba amongst others, we got the opportunity to try these oh-sure-so-simple-I've-got-it-oh-shit-no-I-haven't moves along to some classic South American tunes. We were also treated to several performances by the Players which really showcased their abilities, confidence and joy in dance. At midtime we were all served tea and muffins - an unexpected and heartbreakingly gentle and kind British thing that everything stopped for. After a bum-wiggling conga and when we were all pretty sweaty and knackered, the fun drew to a close and we exited into the bright sunshine and noise of 2017. A lovely way to spend an afternoon indeed.