Mr. Jonathan’s World

Recently I had a break through as a dancer and as a teacher…We as dancers forget that we are dancing sometimes. We get all caught up in the technical side of things…Where do I step? Where is the lead? What is the right way? I realized that NONE of it matters in the end. In the end we are learning to DANCE to the MUSIC. This is what matters!

There was a time when I would go out to dance clubs with my wife and be so intimidated by how well she moved. Unless I could get her to hold my hand and swing for a song or two I wasn’t interested in getting on that dance floor. Sure she could make me get out there and bust out my best white guy over bite and side-step-tap side-step-tap but there was just no way I was busting loose while she was on that dance floor for fear that I wouldn’t be as good as she is. 

My wife has dance titles,  competed in 13+ dance styles at a national level, and has given lessons to world champions that needed her expert eye to critique their waltz before a big competition. I, on the other hand, am a 3 dance pony with a hand full of first place finishes. Since there is no way that I could ever actually be as good as her, what was holding me back?

Recently I was invited to DJ at a little hole in the wall night club with a good friend. He needed someone to fill in during his bathroom breaks and to make recommendations early in the evening to keep the older crowd happy (they like old school country music). I hung out for a bit, played some music, and when the night got going my friend started playing some great 90’s music so I hit the dance floor. Within 3 songs the dance floor was filled and we had our selves a party! I was moving, grooving, and shaken’ my money maker! Then it hit me…I realized why I could never dance like this in front of my wife…I was watching her dance and not dancing my self!!!

Thats right folks…You can’t do both. You are either a dancer or a watcher. Your brain can not handle doing both. This week’s homework is to start in your living room, put on some music that makes you want to move, and then move. Dance without thinking, without worrying, and without fear. Next week maybe we can take it to the dance floor and try it without worrying that we are not good enough because we are good enough as long as we are moving!

Sunday Night 

$10

6-6:45 2-Step lesson w/Mr. J

6:45-7:30pm WCS w/Mr. J

7:30-? California Mixer w/Freddy 

Longfellow’s Club JoEllen

524 Minuteman Dr off of Boston Post RD

(Rt 20) Wayland, MA

I am sure that I am not the only one who had to blow 3+ feet of snow over the last 10 days! With more on the way I am sure that dances and practices will be canceled due to the weather, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in one hell of a dance workout while you take care of business.

Snow blowers make great dance partners. Hear me out before you have me committed for typing crazy. All snow blowers are powered and move at different speeds that you, the operator can set. If you are working on your leading your goal is to get the snow blower to its final destination without stopping. I like to use my hips to steer as we (the blower and myself) move up and down the driveway. I keep my hands on the controls and I lean left or right with my hip pushing the handle bars left or right. Hip leading is the end result in all dances and I like to practice on my snow blower…Incidentally I have found that I can go for way longer using my hips to make things happen than if I use my arms. If you don’t own a snow blower the same techniques can be applied to your roof rake…its ALL in the hips!

If you are working on your following you will operate the blower like normal. When it moves forward you let it move you too. If you are too “Heavy” the blade will lift off the ground…If you are too light it may slip right out of your hands. There is so much about snow blowing that resembles following that there is little risk of picking up any bad habits.

My dad used to tell me that I would never be able to make a living by playing. Not that my life is over but so far I have been a gymnastics coach, a DJ, a dancer, a radio host, a comedy writer, and I get paid to smoke cigars…not one part of my life to date has been free from “playing”. This is not me bragging this is me pointing out that my dad and many others live their life looking at things as they are…snow blowing sucks and its just moving snow from where you don’t want it to where you do…I look at it as a game and use it to improve my dancing. I like to shovel to the beat and practice my foot work when I am sweeping the floor…in my world almost nothing is what it is…its a tool to make me a better dancer!

Sunday Night
$10
6-6:45 Night Club 2-Step lesson w/Mr. J
6:45-7:30pm WCS w/Mr. J
7:30-? California Mixer w/Steel
Longfellow’s Club JoEllen
524 Minuteman Dr off of Boston Post RD
(Rt 20) Wayland, MA

WCS World Champions, Hazel and Tybalt Ulrich are coming up to teach and DJ WCS Saturday, February 14th and to just teach on Sunday, February 15th (Hustle and WCS). The WCS classes are billed as “Advanced Beginner” for the first class then “Intermediate” for the second. There will be a “Beginner Beginner” lesson as well on Saturday night taught by yours truly. On Sunday they are teaching a “Beginner Friendly” Hustle class followed by “Intermediate WCS” (then I am DJing).

If you have the means to take a private lesson with these two you really should do it. Protege of John Festa, Hazel and Tybaldt Ulrich began dancing together professionally in 2000, and have been inseparable since, performing and teaching a wide range of partner dance. In competition, they have won Hustle Classic, Theater arts, Just Dance, and Jack and Jill, in West Coast Swing Classic, Showcase, and Jack and Jill, as well as Cabaret, Triple Threat (WCS, Hustle, Salsa), and some decent placements in Carolina Shag, Balboa, Houston Slow Whip, and Lindy Hop. They’ve directed numerous teams in these dances as well as Country Two Step and Argentine Tango. Hazel has been inducted into the Living Legends of Swing…They are nothing Short of amazing! The cost is $80 for the 45minute private lesson and they will sell out quickly so please don’t wait on this…let me know ASAP! Lessons are available on Sunday afternoon and are booking in order of first come first serve.

The dance will be a Valentines day dance event so bust out the heart vest, the red lipstick, and the puffy shirts…The girls should also dress up! lol

January is Night Club Two-Step Month!

  

Sunday Night 

$10

6-6:45 Night Club 2-Step lesson w/Mr. J

6:45-7:30pm WCS w/Mr. J

7:30-? California Mixer w/Donna

Longfellow’s Club JoEllen

524 Minuteman Dr off of Boston Post RD

(Rt 20) Wayland, MA

WCS World Champions, Hazel and Tybalt Ulrich are coming up to teach and DJ WCS Saturday, February 14th and to just teach on Sunday, February 15th (Hustle and WCS).  The WCS classes are billed as “Advanced Beginner” for the first class then “Intermediate” for the second. There will be a “Beginner Beginner” lesson as well on Saturday night taught by yours truly. On Sunday they are teaching a “Beginner Friendly” Hustle class followed by “Intermediate WCS” (then I am DJing).

If you have the means to take a private lesson with these two you really should do it. Protege of John Festa, Hazel and Tybaldt Ulrich began dancing together professionally in 2000, and have been inseparable since, performing and teaching a wide range of partner dance. In competition, they have won Hustle Classic, Theater arts, Just Dance, and Jack and Jill, in West Coast Swing Classic, Showcase, and Jack and Jill, as well as Cabaret, Triple Threat (WCS, Hustle, Salsa), and some decent placements in Carolina Shag, Balboa, Houston Slow Whip, and Lindy Hop. They’ve directed numerous teams in these dances as well as Country Two Step and Argentine Tango.  Hazel has been inducted into the Living Legends of Swing…They are nothing Short of amazing! The cost is $80 for the 45minute private lesson and they will sell out quickly so please don’t wait on this…let me know ASAP! Lessons are available on Sunday afternoon and are booking in order of first come first serve.

The dance will be a Valentines day dance event so bust out the heart vest, the red lipstick, and the puffy shirts…The girls should also dress up! lol

John Festa Him self is coming up for the weekend of March 14th and 15th. His Private Lessons are sold out!

Hey guys,

Thank for all of the support these past 7 years of WCS at DNE. Unfortunately these lessons and dances have to be put on hold for a while because I had 3 DJs move too far away to work on Friday nights any more. This means that I am back to DJing on Fridays instead of teaching and swinging with all of you. 

Classes and lessons will continue at Longfellow’s on Sundays and I am taking a more active roll in the swing program they have on the Second Saturday of every month. So look for Hazel and Tybalt Ulrich in February (valentines weekend) and John Festa in March. 

Dance on,

Mr. Jonathan

There is no class or dance this Friday because I am DJing the Longfellow Staff party. I am running class and DJing on Sunday night at Longfellows so swing on by for even MORE new music. 

Also John Festa is coming up for the weekend of March 14th and 15th. After some considerable begging and pleading on my part he is booking a few – 45 minute private lessons on the 15th at Longfellows for couples only. One of the spots is taken already and my students are getting first shot at the rest because I am announcing his arrival earlier than any one. If you and your partner want a once in a lifetime lesson with one of our living legends please let me know yesterday so I can get your name in to hold the spot! The cost is $80 for the lesson and they will sell out quickly so please don’t wait on this…let me know ASAP!

Sunday Night 

$10

6-6:45 2-Step lesson w/Mr. J

6:45-7:30pm WCS w/Mr. J

7:30-? California Mixer w/Mr. J

Longfellow’s Club JoEllen

524 Minuteman Dr off of Boston Post RD

(Rt 20) Wayland, MA

Leadership is the manipulation of energy. 

Following is the embodiment of energy.

Connection is the tie that binds the two together.

Mr. Jonathan

www.MrJonathanIsMyDJ.com

603 475 1391  

Dance on!