Halloween is pretty much a busman's holiday for me, since I dress up funny all the time. But I hopped up to Boston this past weekend for a bit of costumed dancing Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at, respectively, the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers' Black Cat Speakeasy and Mostly Waltz Boston's Halloween afternoon dance.
Saturday night at the Speakeasy I decided to get into the spirit of historical fancy dress and thus wore the green tango dress and gloves that I made/dyed to surprise S.J. Tucker with a tango at her performance of "Alligator in the House" at Lunacon a few years ago. It was comfortable and easy to dance in and very much in the fancy dress mode: a dress and gloves of the appropriate color and a stuffed animal accessory. That's me at left, with my alligator.
A few Speakeasy memories:
Dancing every single dance with my alligator hat/puppet/accessory draped over my left arm. Alligator liked to follow rather than lead.
The joy of being competent at Charleston and the fun of sharing some wild dancing with Idy, Joan, and other attendees.
Eric as Dr. Horrible madly pedalling away at the player piano.
Inadvertently having a half and half with Idy turn into a performance when no one else got up to dance. Why does no one else in the Boston area know the half and half? All my dancers know the half and half.
I'm not an enthusiastic photographer of social events -- I'd rather have fun than worry about recording it -- but a few more pictures of the event (with a bit of commentary) are in my Black Cat Speakeasy photo album.
Sunday didn't have any really notable moments, but it was a lovely afternoon. I did a little teaching (rotary waltz at the start and cross-step waltz at the break) and led Richard Powers' cross-step waltz mixer. Otherwise, there was a little dancing and some time spent chatting with friends. My friend Christine has got to be the most delightful follower I've ever danced with: feather-light and perfectly responsive.
I wore the same outfit again, though I left the alligator on the stage with the band this time. A few other people came in costume, notably waltz organizers Diane (Boston) and Don (Rhode Island), dancing together at left. Diane had the same dress as I did (Folkwear #237) with different styling at the collar, meaning she actually had one (a collar). Since I made my dress in a rush as a joke, I had never gotten around to dong this and was wearing a glittery silver scarf rather than a matching one. Don was, of course, Zorro.
"...I dress up funny all the time..."
You just reminded me that I should post photos of your "Interplanet Janet" presentation at 2008's worldcon.
("Don't even think about it.")
Heheheh...
The above is a very nice photo of you, by the way.
Posted by: Serge | November 17, 2010 at 04:25 PM