CBC Radio - North by Northwest

Dance Victoria: Stars on Stage essay contest

My wife discouraged my early dancing efforts when she turned her back and marched off the floor. The message was, “As a dancer you’re hopeless.” For the next thirty three years I didn’t have the nerve to risk such humiliation again. She died and left me with a second chance to dance.
With trepidation I thumbed the Yellow Pages and found Dance Discovery, the only social dance school listed in the city. I stalked the studio to assess the venue and build courage. Twice I stopped by and twice I lost nerve. Finally I phoned to inquire about openings for new students. A man’s voice told me to stop by for a complementary lesson. I inquired concerning the number of instructors available and he informed me that he did all of the teaching. Dancing with a “guy” was not my idea of euphoria.
I drove to my lesson harbouring an anxiety not unlike that of my dog’s when I take her to the vet. Ahead of me lay an emotional abyss. I glanced around to make sure that no one would recognize me slipping through the doors of a dance studio. My feet felt like lead as I pulled myself up the stairs.
The programme and policies were explained and I completed a questionnaire of my experiences. When the instructor assumed the position of a dance partner my stomach dropped but my arms went up and I thought, “Here it goes!”
It wasn’t that bad after all. I was so intent upon the “slow, slow, quick, quick” pattern of the foxtrot that all of my homophobic preconceptions vanished.
The following Friday night was a group lesson for enrolled students and I danced with a woman who would soon become my new wife. We continue to take weekly lessons, dance on weekends wherever we can, and she has never walked off of the dance floor and left me standing alone.

Fred Meyer
Eagle Bay, B.C.
 

Fred, Congratulations!! You are the winner of the Stars on Stage contest on North by Northwest which means you get that lovely evening in Victoria. I will send your name and contact information to Stephen White at Dance Victoria and he will be in touch with you to see about setting up the trip and the hotel and the tickets for the event.
Thanks for your entry and I hope you have a great time in Victoria.
Sheryl