At the Halifax Jazz Festival, while I was observing, I was also being observed...
by this very sweet little girl in front of me,
who clearly felt safe and snug in the arms of her father.
Another interesting pair, secure in each other's arms, was this couple who just couldn't resist the groove being laid down by the band.
What they lacked in skill they more than made up for in enthusiasm; whereas the young "coolios" who were also up dancing had all the moves but a certain degree of self-consciousness of their own youthful beauty.
So I didn't bother to photograph them.
My ballet teacher used to say at the start of every little "adage" (series of steps)
that she put together for us in class,
"Make a dance of it!"
Good advice for Life, I would say.
Dance to your own music, even if it is to the tune of a different drummer!
Or, to quote Jackson Brown from his song, For A Dancer
Just do the steps that you've been shown
By everyone you've ever known
Until the dance becomes your very own
No matter how close to yours
Another's steps have grown
In the end there is one dance you'll do alone
Or, to quote Jackson Brown from his song, For A Dancer
Just do the steps that you've been shown
By everyone you've ever known
Until the dance becomes your very own
No matter how close to yours
Another's steps have grown
In the end there is one dance you'll do alone
Boogey on, my friends!
*
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I love this! You capture life so well. And yes - make a dance of it... I have to remember that - and listen to my own tune :)- not following the steps of others... The baby is precious! I could get lost in those eyes... Get down ~ ~ ~
ReplyDeleteMystic,
DeleteI so rarely take pictures of people, being too shy to ask, and not having much of a telephoto lens, but I do love to capture unguarded moments of naturalness.
Sometimes it's reassuring to be part of the corps de ballet or chorus line, but other times we just need to get out there and strut our stuff in a big solo number...even if no one is watching! (reminds of a fridge magnet slogan: "Dance like no one is watching because in all likelihood no one is!")
What a delightful capture of the love of life, Lynne! A wonderful reminder of one huge advantage of age - the death of inhibitions, or as you say the preoccupation with self and how we present that self to the world.
ReplyDeleteI'll take your words with me as the motto for my day and 'boogey on' ...
Thanks for the inspiration ... on so many levels.
Bonnie,
DeleteThis couple, especially the woman, were so clearly having a wonderful time dancing. The man seemed a little out of it, probably suffering from Alzheimer's, but was so willing and malleable under his wife's (?) enthusiastic guidance. Perhaps he was actually lost in another time, far back in the recesses of his body's memory, where he was a young man out on the dance floor with his new bride. Hats off to them for getting up and expressing their joy at being alive. And what hats they wore!
I still have a lot to learn from observing this pair. Glad it was inspirational for you, too.
I love these shots that 'elevate' our every day moments. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDanielle,
DeleteYou put it so perfectly, "elevate our every day moments." That is the magic and mystery in living life to the fullest, I think.
What PRECIOUS shots, Lynne. I just want to hug those old-timers. Sure hope when I'm their age I"ll have their joie de vivre. Boogey on, indeed! And thanks for these touching moments.
ReplyDeletejann,
DeleteWouldn't it be wonderful to find oneself at an advanced age putting on our happy hat and heading off with a partner to go and boogey to jazz on a hot summer's day?! Or how about a dance in the village square to the music of an old-fashioned Sicilian band? As we head inexorably into the future and old age, let's not forget our dancing shoes (or hats)!
This post is a 10 out of 10.
ReplyDeleteDCW,
Delete10/10?! Really? I feel as though I should be clambering onto a podium, my hand on my heart and tears in my eyes as the Canadian flag drops down from the rafters and our national anthem rings out. I am a winnah!!
But I suppose a humble "thanks" will suffice.
They are dancing,,,
ReplyDeleteWoke up this morning
Smiled at the rising sun
Three little birds
Sat on my doorstep
Singing sweet songs,,,
Michael,
DeleteNow those words sounded mighty familiar to me but I couldn't quite catch them in my memory net so I cheated and Googled them. Well, I should have recognized them because I've coincidentally been playing my old Bob Marley CD in the car whenever I go into town lately. Reggae, yah mon, now there's a good dance groove.
These are great glimpses of the festival.
ReplyDeleteGillian,
DeleteGlad you're enjoying the sights. There was plenty to see...and hear. People watching was such fun.
How wonderful to measure past and future in present.
ReplyDeletePlease have a good Thursday.
Robert,
DeleteAll we have is this moment...and our photographs of some of the others that preceded it.
Many interesting images have materialized from this visit........how did you find time for listening.........and dancing?? Dance is so important,it's one thing which surely takes us into the moment.
ReplyDeleteRuby
Ruby,
DeleteI danced in my seat! For me, dance brings me physically into the moment, and into the immediacy of the music playing, but the mind still dances with its own past and imaginary connections, I find. What the body remembers...
Yes they are certainly making a dance of it - how great to be able to get to the jazz festival - I missed the one in Nice this summer but will get there next year...greetings from Olympic London
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
DeleteI do believe this is my first real experience of a jazz festival, anywhere! I touched on Montreal's one time, but the crowds were just too much for me. How great to be able to get to the Olympic Games!
Cool shots!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi,
DeleteCool shots with a lick of hot jazz. Glad you like.
Sweet and touching. Such sweet faces on the dancing couple.. and of course your wee observer.
ReplyDeleteHilary,
DeleteThere was definitely sweetness in the air in the air that day, overlaying the salty breeze from the Halifax harbour. Thank goodness the harbour's been cleaned up in recent years, or the breeze might have been otherwise odiferous!
AW sweet post there, Big Sis! Reminds me that I need to get to my own blog...just gotta get my head outta of this jug!!
ReplyDeleteSaj,
DeleteSorry, couldn't quite make out what you were saying with your head stuck inside that jug! Something about having to visit the bog?
These are a totally charming pair of pictures and I love the way you have processed them. You should submit them for a competition!
ReplyDeleteJenny,
DeleteA competition!? I wouldn't know where to begin. Just "winning" your vote of approval, along with several others from dear visitors here, is reward enough for me.
What great photos and beautiful vintage processing! Thank you for sharing and for linking up with Tones on Tuesday, I hope you will link up again this week!
ReplyDeleteEmily,
DeleteIt was a pleasure to discover your Tuesday Tones link up. I will doubtlessly play again in the future some time.
Your two photos and story made my day. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOoops, the two photos I was referring to were the two bottom ones.
ReplyDeleteWhat I wanted to say about the 2 top ones, which I love also, is that they demonstrate the crucial value of cropping and post-processing. THe top one is just spectacular whereas the bottom one is quite ordinary. You gave us a wonderful lesson here!
Nathalie,
DeleteI am humbled by your praise, also surprised and delighted. Thank you.