What do linear algebra and folk dance have to do with each other? Usually nothing whatsoever, but tonight the answer is, "A LOT!" Today's adventure begins in math class, but ends on the dance floor.
I prefer to sit in the second row in my classes. This gives me just the right elevation and vantage point in the classroom, yet affords a protective wall between me and the professor. The boons of second-row seating extended even further today when I noticed the boy sitting in front of me. He was dripping with sweat, panting, and vigorously fanning himself with his homework. Curiosity got the better of me and I asked, "What happened?"
After gulping and catching his breath he answered, "Clogging."
Hmmm, clogging. Didn't know that was a thing with math lovers. My puzzled look must have prompted him to expound on his one-word answer.
"Usually, I schedule my folk dance class with at least an hour or two before my next class so I can shower and get cleaned up, but that doesn't work this semester. So, I have to run straight from folk dance to math class."
Right now I'm taking two dance classes. Both of them are beginner 100-level courses for people like me who have never danced in their entire lives, but secretly harbor a terpsichorean beast in their souls that begs for release. To feed my beast, I signed up for social and international ballroom. We practice footwork for about an hour, set it to music, then call it quits for the day. As a beginner, it's hard work for me to tell my feet what to do without looking at them, but never have I broken a sweat after a practice. Which is why I was surprised by this boy in front of me, drenched in sweat, and all from an hour of clogging.
I revealed to him my secret desire to improve myself on the dance floor, and he quickly invited me to a folk dance REC night at 7pm later that evening. Not sure what a REC night was, I lamely said, "Um, yeah, sure . . . maybe I can come." Class ended, and I had no intention of attending, but that terpsichorean beast was still hungry. So a few minutes before 7pm I marched out the door on a quest to do something way outside my comfort zone--I was going to folk dance.
The music was already playing when I got to the dance hall and a huge group was dancing an intricate circle dance. I was immediately intimidated by how everyone there seemed to know what they were doing. The only folk dance I knew was the Macarena (is that even a folk dance?), so I was getting ready to leave when a friend from my mission pulled me into one of the circles. It was like being pulled into a top-loading washing machine, and there was no escape. At first, I felt like I was getting churned and twisted, but after a few minutes I picked up the steps and started to enjoy myself.
That's basically how the rest of the evening went. A new song would start, and a new dance would begin. These songs and dances were clearly from all around the world. There was an Israeli dance, a Scottish mixer (my personal favorite), and a slew of Romanian and Russian dances that were all incredibly fun. We ended with a spiral dance that wound us all up tight and close. By the end of the evening, it was clear that the object of folk dance was to have fun, and the purpose was to grow closer as a community. And yes, after an hour I was glistening with sweat!
I think I have an idea which dance class I'll take next semester . . . folk dance!
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