Disco Inferno

Why do people who can’t dance always think they can? Do they think other people don’t notice the lack of coordination, rhythm and style while they’re out there flailing around the dance floor?

I’ve got no problem with dancing and even tried to learn how once. I could have gone the video lesson route but couldn’t find a copy of D-Qwon's Dance Grooves so why bother? Plus, I wasn’t convinced a video was going to be able to teach me all the coolest moves (or maybe I was just afraid of looking like the white guy dancing in “Dolemite”) so I set out to find a teacher who could school me in the fine art of dancing. My search could have taken me around the world but I never had to leave Charlotte.

You see, I already knew the best dance instructor in town! I met Rodrigo several years ago when we worked together at another company so decided to take him up on the offer to join his tango class for beginners. The class was truly for beginners as most people were still learning basic steps but I don’t think anyone was ready for the rhythmic gyrations of Esc. For the few not doubled over in laughter, there was genuine concern I was having a seizure or some other neurological malfunction causing my body to move in such an unnatural manner. It was time for an intervention.

Rodrigo pulled me aside and paired me up with a very nice girl for personal instruction (probably to spare the rest of the class but I was happy to be working at the slowest pace that could still be called dancing). We started out with a couple basic steps and all went well until I tried to connect it all together. The utter look of hopelessness on her face will forever be frozen in my mind…it was once again time for an intervention.

During the next break, Rodrigo came over and said, “Tango is……….not for you. Maybe we should try a private lesson?” Somehow my quest to up my game with some serious dance moves had proven to be much more difficult than expected. It had all looked so easy on Dance Fever but I had to face reality…I’d never be as good as Deney Terrio no matter how diligently I practiced or how much I wanted it. No amount of gold chains or skin tight, white polyester pants could hide my utter lack of dancing skill. In the grips of my new found depression, I suddenly realized if I left Ri-Rah’s right then I could make it home in time for CSI. It was time for an exit.

I’ve danced once since then but that’s a story for another day…

Note: Although I was a terrible student, Rodrigo is a phenomenal, patient teacher and has my highest recommendation. If you’re local to Charlotte and want to learn from the best, click here to learn more. Tell him you heard about the website from his old manager at the SEDC and watch him smile.