Behind the Story: Belwood Dancers

Remember the American sitcom - Seinfeld? It aired in 1989, and over 9 seasons, it made so many of us howl with laughter. It was set in Manhattan’s Upper West Side and is simply a story about, well, nothing other than Jerry Seinfeld’s life with his 3 pals - George, Elaine and Kramer. 

The show has always been one of my favourites (and is truly my daughter Jaime’s absolute favourite). I remember many of the sketches, and some of the lines just make me laugh out loud (“The dingo ate your baby”). But one of the things I remember most is how Kramer (first name Cosmo, which you don’t learn until one of the later seasons) would enter Jerry’s apartment. He’d bang open the door and literally throw himself into the room. I swear I would start laughing every time he did that.

So how does this relate to this story?

When Marlene entered my house at the start of this story, announcing that I was going to be joining her on her step dancing odyssey, she threw her shoulder into my door and slid into the house with a Kramer-like entrance! It was then I knew I was in serious trouble.

You see, I had virtually no interest in learning how to step dance. I played the fiddle so step dancers could dance. I wasn’t the one dancing! But Marlene was very persuasive. And it meant that we’d get to spend some quality time laughing at each other trying to learn the steps. So it was definately worth it. 

And of course, no one told me I’d actually have to compete! Chanda (our remarkable and patient instructor) made it sound like it was easy and stress free. But seriously, when we arrived at the hall where we were going to dance,  my mind went back to when I was 8 years old, playing in piano competitions. I was scared to death then. And I was only slightly less scared now.

What I didn’t include in the story was what happened just before we started. Marlene and I were out on the floor, ready to dance, when all of a sudden, she turned and asked me a question. I can’t recall what it was, but I do know that we were supposed to be quiet - none of the other competitors spoke. But there we were, carrying on a conversation in front of the audience and the judges! Then Marlene yelled over to Xavier, our fiddler, asking him not to play too fast. 

He just nodded.

And ignored her!

I also forgot to mention that we got a medal! Of course, every competitor got a medal, but when you’re in your 60s and you get handed a medal, it’s pretty special!