Monday evening, I left the California Room on the San Diego's Library's Ninth floor to learn how to do the Jitterbug. Since the Balboa Club teaches only Ballroom Dancing, I yearned to learn the dances during the Jazz Era.
I have been working the microfilms of Old San Diego to get a feel of how the folks next to T.J. lived in the first part of the century. At one time, dances were held in every hamlet or city. Thomas Edison's Electric radio was born in 1929, also the beginning of the Depression - and thank God. Folks could listen to their RCA's or Zenith radios to the sound of Big Bands. Harry James, Benny Goodman and a crooner named 'Bing' could make troubles become trifles when listening to the various crooners or orchestras on the radio.
Old Times can be revisited on the Libraries ninth floor where each Friday at six'thirty, a dance lesson is provided and then free-for-all dancing takes over. No longer can you see if the stars are out tonight, but the city had plenty of Christmas lights to make up for it. Come Day-Light-Savings time, the ninth floor will be busy as a bee.
Just for this afternoon, I will be going to my one-o'clock dance on Encintas Blvd. The dances are held in back of the Midas Auto Parts shop. So fix your car and while you are at it, take a peak. It is only three dollars every week and includes fruit and food bites. Marty and Sharon will be only too happy to great you at the door.
On Thursday, again at one, The Balboa Bay Club is having their Valentine Dance. Three dollars are well worth it and on the way, say "Hello" to the gifted piano player-me. I can even shower you with a rumba or two or three.
The Moonlight Serenade come out once a month and plays in Carlsbad on Friday. They have a fourteen piece band and are plenty good for the ten dollar cover. Dance Essence is the name of the club. I just might be going to the party at Balboa Park again on Friday. This month the Tango is being taught along with the cha-cha-cha.
So keep on dancing and the whole world will be dancing with you.
