An instant stream of memories rushed back to me when I got the phone call in August. Plant City’s Noon Rotary Club wanted to know if I would compete in Dancing with the Locals this year. I was ecstatic.
But also horrified.
All I could think about was one of my only previous dance experiences. I was 4 and took ballet every week.
But the repetitive motion of plies might as well have been a torture tactic. The splits? Forget it. I was no more flexible than an iron rod.
In fact, I was more focused on getting my “nutty buddy” ice cream treat at the end of class. It was a ritual that my grandparents spoiled me with on the way home, every time.
Now, I was faced with the dizzying prospect of pirouettes and shimmies once again. It made me want to eat my feelings. Maybe in the form of a nutty buddy.
But, all in the name of community support, I said, “Yes.”
Despite my past reservations, I thought learning the dance would be easy. It’s all just memorization right?
Wrong.
For some reason, the connection from my brain to my body just didn’t seem to work when it came to fan kicks and spirit fingers. I’m a writer. I sit at a desk all day and nerd out over the bestsellers list, technology and news. So, I guess it’s no surprise that I was a little out of shape when my dance teacher, Susan Staton, asked me to do tricks.
Luckily, my 6-foot-3 partner could carry me. Literally.
Ladies and gents, the tricks you are about to see are all to Beau Walden’s credit. The vice president of Plant City’s Traditions Bank actually has some groove going on.
For 10 weeks, we’ve been practicing sassy Charleston moves to bring you a theatrical performance worthy of a speakeasy stage. And that’s all I will say. Because I don’t want to ruin the show for you.
As we learned more steps, the practices turned into a full-on workout. We were sweating. We were working hard. I ripped my shirt, and two shoes were sacrificed to the dance gods.
With a lot of help from our teacher and encouragement from the Zumba class that uses the Stardust dance floor after us, we finally were able to master the art of dance and find our right feet.
Tomorrow, we face the crowd and try not to fall on our faces. But in the midst of this naturally nervous anticipation, it makes me ponder. The competition is part of a larger purpose.
In addition to dancing, we’ve also been raising money so the Rotary Club can buy automated defibrillators for the Plant City Police Department.
It’s a good deed. But it takes so much work. So many club members have been involved. First finding the dance couples. Then, arranging for food and drinks and setting up the stage and chairs. Of course, the event would not be a success without all those who have purchased tickets and businesses who have graciously sponsored couples and donated silent auction items.
There is so much support in Plant City, and there are so many that band together to help. But, like learning a dance, changing lives and brightening the community takes time. It’s not always easy. Of course, in the end, it’s worth it.
And although each couple deserves their round of applause at the end of their dance tomorrow, the movers and shakers deserve one too — for making this community a better place.
One step at a time.