#70: Rearview Mirror (France)

The "Happening" in France

I suppose I should apologize for "announcing it to the whole world," as one reader put it, when it comes to the France issue I mentioned last week, especially when I'm not able to say exactly what happened. Last week, under the Community News section, I simply said that yes, the France thing did happen and no, don't let them tell you it didn't. But I didn't say exactly what happened over there.

Maybe it's because I said it in the first line of my article (the version on this blog has the Community News section after The Lobby article) and therefore it was the only line that was read, or maybe because you're starved for juicy bites of WCS gossip because the same drama keeps happening every weekend and it gets boring...?

..But I have to say, I've felt like Kris Kringle these last two weeks. With stacks and stacks of emails, texts and FB messages (well, a very modern Kriss Kringle anyway!)... the letters are pouring in from all over the world. But this time they aren't asking for all kinds of treats. This time they all have the same wish list.
 

#69: The Lobby

Lobbying in "The Church"

Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. -Sun Tzu "The Art of War"
___

A couple of years ago, I was asked to grab Annie Hirsch for an important meeting. Jack Carey was sitting on a couch in a corridor looking utterly flustered and frustrated. He saw me, threw his hand out down the hall and said, "would you go get her for me? I've tried two times already..." I looked down and there Annie was, down the hall in the lobby of the hotel, talking to some people.

That wasn't an unusual occurrence by any means. Both of them would always get in trouble with each other for doing more than they were supposed to do. But this time Jack looked a bit more strung out. I got the feeling that, this time, I was supposed to pick her up and carry her out if I had to. And in the end, I nearly did.

#69: The Art of War

The Rules The Four Used
to Conquer WCS Politics

Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. -Sun Tzu "The Art of War"

___

In the pre-Ten years, the late 1990's, a group was formed that we called The Four. Most of the competitive community didn't know about The Four (Cordoba-Szekely, Vann Drake-Redd), and none of the social community did by any means. But every single event director did, as did most of what I now call the Deep Water people. Those who are not on the surface of the sport, but deep, deep below.

They even had their own hand signal (not them, but the event directors, etc. who had to work with them). If they looked stressed out, tired or sad, we would ask why and they would simple hold up four fingers - and that was our answer. We all knew exactly who they were. Because they were ushering in a whole new kind of atmosphere to WCS - a dark and negative one, fueled by fear and deception.

#54: Rearview Mirror (Church of Jordan and Tatiana)

The People Who
Created and Protect
the Church

You and I are told increasingly that we have to choose between a left or right, but I would like to suggest that there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or a down... -Ronald Reagan

___

First, before anything else, I'd like to clarify that, though it put a million puzzle pieces into place when I first heard it... it was not me, alas, that came up with the term or the idea of "the church of Jordan and Tatiana." 

I was on my way to the Open in 2011 when they used it, and it hasn't left my head since, and I've mentioned it to maybe three people since then, but again... never claimed the credit for it. I wish I could say I was that brilliant, and sometimes, perhaps I might get close, but no- this was not my own brilliant insight.

But once I wrote about it for you last week boy, did the wheels start churning in my head.

#68: History of Points and Champions

How the Phoenix Swing Dance Club
Killed the Course of West Coast Swing

It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit. -Noel Coward
___

I received a number of texts over the last few weekends. Readers were at events and dealing with all sorts of issues and they wanted my feedback.

One of their questions suddenly snapped my brain into a realization:

WE have never had to earn points to move upwards.

None of us.

None of us has a single Novice point.

That's because we came before Points.

#68: (Illegal) Facebook Wars

The Culture of the World Swing
Dance Council (Points) Events

Ah, readers, how much there is to say... so much that I hardly feel like saying it. I'll do my best. I hope this fills in some blanks and provides some answers and tools for you while you are still a part of this so called "community" of ours.

What a war. What ugliness. When the almighty Facebook declares that the WSDC and NASDE members, teachers, judges and event directors' comments are unfit and abusive... by not only removing comments, but to the point of suspending their accounts, removing their pages and/or deleting their accounts altogether...

But the WSDC heads haven't even so much as said "boo," never mind removing them from their site... well. That might just say everything right there.

___

Thank the Lord. Facebook finally set some ground rules. Abuse, harassment and cyber-bullying is no longer tolerated. The law has finally caught up with Facebook and they have responded accordingly. It's about time. So listen up.

Celebrating Space Week

Celebrating the Teachers Who
Take Us to Space

Most of you don't know this, but while I was competing and traveling as a Champion dancer, I was also teaching kids. I taught Kindergarten, Junior High and even taught in the inner-city high schools. I loved my job. I loved the kids. And though I took great joy in teaching so many people the wonderful and intimate art of dance... I believe my greatest achievement yet still lies in those classrooms, in the hearts of those students.

But I never would have taught them, I never would have reached them, if I hadn't first been inspired by those teachers who taught me. I was so lucky to have so many that not only encouraged curiosity, but let it thrive. I believe Space is one create curiosity - and our love of it is a sign of our humanity - our love of expansion, searching, questions and joy. 

This short and perfect clip brought to mind every person and place that sparked- and gave oxygen to- my own little flame of curiosity... and helped me look up. From the night-time program park rangers of our
 

#67: Rearview Mirror for 'The Ten'

It's Time to Celebrate
Our Freedom to
LOVE WCS!

It's from the people to the leaders, not the leaders to the people. -Red Skelton's 'And to the Republic'

___

(NOTE: Harassment and bullying is illegal. They are no longer just problems in school systems - it is now a world-wide problem that is affecting workplaces, hospitals and communities of every size, shape and color. It is never okay. If you or someone you love is experiences stress or disturbance from any source, please contact a local authority and report it. It is unlawful and nearly every state in the USA has declared war on such behavior, since its affecting every level and part of society. Bullying and harassment is a serious issue. Please report it when you see it and keep our communities and your well being safe.

Prior to the following Note, Weekly Note #66: The Ten, was illegally posted on a Facebook chat room. Though the original Note was released without my own answers, its posting caused a enormous amount of cyberbullying and harassment. Hundreds participated

#66: The Ten

Do Not Pass Go:
The Game of the Ten

Be kind and considerate to others, depending somewhat upon who they are. -Don Harold

___

Dear Readers, You've been wanting me to write about this topic for some time, and for some reason, I feel ready and willing to do so this week. Are you ready? It's time to connect some dots.

Let's do it. -Katherine

I inadvertently hopped on to the website for a big event that was taking place this last weekend called Liberty Swing.

"Huh," I thought. "Something's different this time..."

Because the faces aren't different.

They never are. Check.

#88: Where Things Stand Now

Preparing Your Gift:
The WCS Timeline

A Weekly Note Addendum released April 14th 2014.

___

I hope that you have received Weekly Note #85: The Cult, the Council and The End by now and have read all of it. It was the last of the Weekly Notes, and a very fitting end to them it was, I believe.

I have also written and released a few addendum's here on my blog. They are The WCS Mafia and, my favorite, My Problem with Points (the article in which I name The Ten).

I love them and wish I'd said a lot of it much, much earlier in this three year race. But much of it I had not formed into words yet, and some of it I clearly wasn't aware of until just now, including the illegality of the harassment and violence against not only myself, but anyone who merely clicked "like" on anything remotely in favor of swing, good music, better instruction and fair judging over the last few years.

So I sit here today, as I have done so very often over the last year, wondering how I could have lost so much of my life to this, well... death parade. I don't know what else to call it. Of course, I've probably seen the worst of it. Many people chose to leave our corner of swing after...

#87: My Problem with Points (and The Ten)

The Deep Flaws in the
WSDC's Points System

I've already outlined a lot of problems I've had with the Points System in the past for you. Those all still apply. They haven't changed.

Today I want to talk to you about how Jack Carey designed them to serve his favorite dancers, and no one else. Let me tell you how. I'm going to break it down.

First, the Points System, as I understand it, was an idea first formed by Jack Carey during his time spent in Las Vegas. The World Swing Dance Council (WSDC), which has always been an extremely small handful of dancers, six at most, I believe, decided to develop the idea and grow the competitive side of swing with it.

In this case it was West Coast Swing (WCS) that bore the brunt, and as Annie Hirsch, with help from Skippy Blair and the rest of the Council, developed the Points system, they listened and leaned on the counsel and concerns of only a handful of professional dancers. Many of these went on to form the head of the notorious "Ten."

#66: Why Event Directors Won't Help You... and Who Can

Explicit Music at WCS Events -
What You Can Do

This will probably be the shortest Rearview Mirror I've ever written, but it's one of the most important.

Last week, in #65: The Revolution is at Hand, one of the dancer's posts talked about the explicit lyrics in the songs played during late night dancing at conventions.

In the end, he recommended we start filing our concerns with the Head DJ and/or event directors as a possible solution.

Funny. That's what I recommended more than a year ago. And you know what? Nothing changed.

I'll be straight with you. People have been complaining to the DJ's, event directors, promoters, etc for more than fourteen years now, but still the music has grown worse and worse and... now we find ourselves at "Pull Your Hair." (see picture)

In the last few years, I know a ton of people have tried the solution mentioned - and they get a "promise" and an "absolutely!" and another "I'll do my best," and then... popper-sticks. Nothin'. Nada. No.

Here is my own suggestion. Let the hotel know. The hotel. They care. They want to protect the families and professionals that stay there. They want to protect their upscale and promising environment. They want to know.

#65: The Revolution is at Hand

Those Who Have Written in Freedom
Weekly WCS #65

The right of revolution (or right of rebellion) is the right or duty... of the people of a nation to overthrow a government that acts against their common interests." -Wikipedia on The Right of Revolution

___

I'm quite excited about this week's Note. Today I'm going to share with you three people who have, in my opinion, been brave and enough and willing enough to speak their minds... albeit online.

You see, speaking your mind about any topic I've touched on, even if I'm never mentioned (like Michael Kiehm's post I sent you a few weeks back), on the social networks is considered treason.

That sounds dramatic, I know, but if you read Setting Dancers Free: The Weekly Notes That Rocked West Coast Swing, you'll remember that I talk in length about what's been happening "behind the scenes" to people that question the judging, the points, the music, the drugs... just about anything I've ever talked about... online - especially on Facebook.

When one does so, it gets scary. And I mean really scary. I mean illegal-harassment-scary. Facebook kicks them off, others threaten to call the police, but their hate is like a virus. The harassment their drug. It's dangerous, lethal and constant. It's a given. So certain is it, one famous WCS personality online, who happens to agree with me on a lot of things, but not with everything, has taken to giving these freedom writers a heads up as soon as they post.

#64: The Amazing Charlie and Jackie

Finding Swing in New Places
Weekly Note #64

"Luanne, that was our turnoff!"

"Oh dam.. Guess we just have to go to Myrtle Beach!" -Shag, The Movie
___

I don't have a super huge, devastatingly-big reveal this week. Nope. I just feel like sharing with you two of the dances and one of the songs that has kept me smiling for at least a third of my year so far.

There was a time when Shag and WCS shared the same values and had some of the same goals, and though that period didn't last very long, I'm glad we did have it. 

I still remember my very first Charlie and Jackie event (Charlie Womble and Jackie McGee). I caught myself, after having traveled all the way across the nation, dancing with the people in my section - the table I was at, and the tables around me.

But guess what? All those tables were from areas in my own state! "What the heck?" I thought. "If I'm in the Shag-lands, then I'd better at least DANCE with the Shaggers, right? I mean, why else am I here???" 

And so I set off. Alone. I wandered from section to section, scanning the dance floor for guys that 1) I didn't know, 2) were dancing Shag (as best I could guess with the little I knew) and 3) were on time (hey, on time is on time, peeps... it translates into any language!).

#59: The War on West Coast Swing

The Hate Group That Is
Demolishing WCS

People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election. -Otto Van Bismark

___

I don't have a problem with Abstract Improvisation as a dance form. I think it's a new type of Modern dance with it's own rules, music and demographic. I don't think it should be called WCS... But I think anyone that loves Abstract Improvisation, should feel free to dance it. 

But Abstract Improvisation dancers don't feel that way about us. They don't think we should have our own places to dance. They don't think we should have our own conventions, our own music and our own heroes.

They want Pure West Coast Swing to die. 

Period.

Shortly after The Nissy and The Time Has Come were released, many Pure WCS dancers started separating out. They started sticking with their own locations, their own dance nights with their own DJ's and their own music.

I couldn't have been happier. They were doing what they loved. It should have ended there.

But it didn't.

#58: Changing the Essentials

Adding and Expanding the Essentials
of West Coast Swing
Weekly Note #58

It's not wise to violate rules, unless you know how to observe them. -TS Eliot
___

I'm grateful that my editors allowed me to rework and expand my original articles before releasing them in Telling the Truth. It's a much, much richer read as a result. Today I want to talk about the updates and expansions you will find in Chapter Four: The West Coast Swing Essentials. There are about five in all, but I've addressed some recent trends in competitions, auditions and workshops too. Here we go!

Change #1: 

Swing Essentials vs. WCS Essentials

I wrote Swing Essentials before I'd researched or developed Tenets of Swing. Once both were out, people were confusing them. So this is just a very simple change. The WCS Essentials serve to help you identify West Coast Swing when you are watching it danced on the floor, especially during non-routine dancing. It certainly helps more with both than before they were developed. We went almost 60 years before any essentials were developed, but they have been praised by both the creators of the dance (yes! many are still with us thankfully!) and the true champions and legends of WCS today.

The Tenets of Swing, of course, are the things that bind all swing dancing together: Balboa, Shag, Jitterbug, etc. That article is also expanded in Telling the Truth, especially the section on Rock Steps. A single teacher outlawed them about ten years ago, and it's thrilling to see that they are making a comeback finally - as they should. They are an essential part - we lost 70% of all WCS patterns because of it.