I think the sharks must have nice full bellies because there really wasn’t a lot of dancing going on (for me)…. at least not very willingly – not often.

I just got back from my weekend at ATLX, Atlanta’s lindy exchange. I don’t really know how to begin, but I’d like to preface this post by saying that I did have a wonderful time overall. I got to spend time with good friends and make some new ones and I enjoyed the lovely southern weather – blue skies and bright sunny days. And when I did dance, I had fun.

But sadly, I was rather disappointed with the music at the exchange. I’ve been craving a high energy event with sweet music and lots and lots of dancing. I got part of my dance craving satisfied at Boston Tea Party a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted more. I suppose my expectations were a bit high for the weekend, but I don’t think they were at an unreasonable level. Was it unreasonable not to expect reggae or phish covers at a dance for lindy hoppers?

Friday Night
The band was big and had no soul. And I don’t mean a Swing & Soul kind of soul, but an energy. Granted, I was only there for about four or five songs (arrived late) but those few songs felt like they went on all night. They were boring, long, and … well, they were boring and long. They didn’t make me want to dance. But I danced. I had hope it would get better.

Friday Late Night
The band played reggae. They played Phish covers. They played who knows what else but I don’t think it belonged at a swing dance.  I sat there hoping that the dj set would be soon… very soon.

Saturday Afternoon
The dance was outdoors.  It was bright and sunny and beautiful. The dance was dj’d (various dj’s trading sets). However, because it was an outdoor dance, the dance floor was concrete. Ouch. It’s not fun to swivel on concrete. I find myself spending more time thinking about how to get through a dance without causing injury to myself than actually enjoying the music and movement.  Spent most of that afternoon hanging out on the lawn with friends. It was much pleasanter.

Saturday Night
This was the main dance of the weekend.  The pirate theme was made super clear – so many dancers dressed the part – that was awesome. The Tiny Bunch performance kicked ass. I *heart* those guys. They’re so much fun to watch and you can tell they’re having fun out there too. So.. this should make for a fun main dance, yes?  Well, maybe, if I had gotten more than a very few dances in the whole however many hours I was there. I went into the first jam with Bobby (super fun), did some solo with Ellie (also fun). Those were about the only instances the band really made me want to dance. Again, their songs were long, and I quickly found myself thinking “ok, this song needs to end.”  Like last time, I just kept hoping for the dj’d band breaks.

Saturday Late Night
As far as the band was concerned, I may as well have been at Dinosaur BBQ. I would have gotten better music there actually. It was the typical bluesy stuff I’m so tired of hearing. Thank god for Michael Gamble and his amazing dj-ing super powers. He saved that night for me and many others.

Sunday Afternoon
Another outdoor dance. DJ’s traded off hour-long sets. I danced more at this outdoor dance than the day before… most of the music was fun and it was the best way to keep warm on such a windy day.

Sunday Night
Another disappointing band. Songs were either crazy fast or crazy slow, and neither ever made me want to dance. I danced during the band breaks mostly, and had some pretty sweet jams. Have I mentioned how awesome a good dj can be? Yeah.

Sunday Late Night
Just the usual late night in a dark room with blues sounds coming out the speakers… some good, some bad… a lot of not jazz. Should i have still been surprised?

So basically, the bands were all lame. They didn’t make me want to dance one bit. I’d say about half the dj’s could get me out onto the floor excited about the dance I was about to have, or out onto the floor at all (for some solo). The other half fell short for what is labeled a lindy exchange. Brooks kept joking over the weekend that it should be renamed ATNLX… the Atlanta Not Lindy Exchange.

I did want to write more about what makes me want to dance in a song and what doesn’t, but I feel I lack the energy to rant more now, and I need to get out of here to buy groceries for dinner anyway. So I’m done with my complaining. I can’t wait for girl jam… I need it now more than before. Oh yeah, and someone should remind me to write about what I think of non-spontaneous jams…. can you guess what my thoughts are on this? That’s right, you get a treat. They don’t make me happy.