17
Sep, 2017

Taking chances and finding joy

What a great opening night for our Queer Country Social dance. We had roughly 20 people show up for the beginner lesson. Most were a meetup group event and a few from a south shore group.
It was amazing to see these people come out and do something they never done before. Most had not danced anything like social dancing since they were in grade school.
I was the basic two step teacher and I’m amazed they all picked up the basic two step pattern and go through a line dance lesson that was not easy. They rocked.
I’m sure they didn’t feel that way, I know I didn’t when I first came to a dance back in 2003. It took me many months to work up the nerve to step through that door. The only dance experience I had was on the club scene. I was looking for something a bit better than a bar to find someone. I didn’t expect to find a community. That first dance, Bucky came up to say hello and asked me to dance. How daunting! I sucked — toes were stepped on, I think I hit Ruth with my elbow, and my turns were all over the place (sorry Jim). There were so many people infinitely better than I was — I felt so clumsy and awkward. But Bucky reminded me that I never did this before and encouraged me to keep at it. I did. So much so that I’m president of the club and help DJ, teach, organize, and am part of the performance group. While I didn’t find a partner, I found a bunch of friends and my life is richer for it.
Social dancing is challenging but fun. A 2003 New England Medical Journal article “Leisure Activities and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly“, showed that out of 18 activities, social dancing was significantly more effective at keeping your faculties as you grow older. I believe it’s the combination of being hyper aware of your surroundings while socializing and moving to the rythm of music.
You just don’t get that in a gym.
I love this group for their mix of ages, genders, and ability levels — the most refreshing is that we mix it up. We don’t care what role you dance, who you love, what color your skin. We just like to dance and hope you do too.
Gays for Patsy hosts three events:
I also love going to Americana Sundays in Somerville on Sundays from 8-10 at Thunder Road on Somerville Ave. that features a live band lead by Greg Klyma – a queer friendly guy who took his date to one of our dances and loved it. Though not a queer venue, we end up taking over the dance floor more than not. It is a small venue and quite not intimidating at all.
I hope to find you on the dance floor. Ask me to dance.
Bob “da prez” Sweeney
Gays for Patsy
10
Apr, 2017
Photo from Stomp 2015 Saturday Benefit Dance

Country Dancing is Good for Your Brain!

In a recent New York Time’s article, “Walk, Stretch or Dance? Dancing May Be Best for the Brain”, a study found that out of a number of activities given to an aging group of test subjects, country western dancing significantly made a difference in keeping brain function. Granted this is a small study over a short period of time, but anyone who dances knows navigating the dance floor and learning line dances does keep us on our toes (literally and figuratively).

So get dancing

At Gays for Patsy we have offer the following opportunities (akas: dances) to fortify your brain (more info below or click on the links to go to our website):

Weekly: Dirty Water Saloon (on Tuesdays)
Monthly: Queer Country Socials (3rd Saturday and some Sundays)
Yearly: Spring Stomp: A Hoedown in P-town April 28-30, 2017 (coming up!)

All are great ways to get out, learn new things and exercise your brain.

Our dances are for everyone though we are mainly a queer organizaiton (LGBTQA+S = Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Asexual, and Straight).  All we ask is that you don’t care about gender norms and want to have fun.

No experience? We’ll learn ya
No partner? We’ll find ya some.

So get out and dance already!

Bob “da prez” Sweeney,
Gays for Patsy

Dirty Water Saloon graphicDirty Water Saloon

Tuesdays • 7-10 pm
Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge • Jamaica Plain

This is a small venue that we have fun with experimenting with music, line dances, and more. It’s a fun dance that has a bar/restaurant so you can come order a drink or a pizza and enjoy the dance as you go along.

April’s Dirty Water Saloon Dances:

Date 7:00 pm
Partner Dance Lesson		 7:45 pm
Line DanceLesson		 8:15-10 pm
Social Dancing DJ		 Demo videos
April 11 West Coast Swing
peer taught		 Sick of Me
with Kendra
(Stepsheet)		 DJ: Sam
April 18 West Coast Swing
with Alan Gaskell		 Power Surge
with Jim
(Stepsheet)		 DJ: Bucky
April 25 DJ: Bob

queer country social logoQueer Country Social

April 15 • 6:30-11 pm
1st UU Church of Jamaica Plain

The space is much bigger than Dirty Water Saloon and has a wonderful dance floor. This month we’re venturing into tango! Patrick and Beth will be teaching a basic tango lesson and Beth will teach a tango based line dance Burlesque, and our DJ Bob will play a mix of two step, west coast, east coast, line dances galore, tango, and a waltz or two.

April 15’s Dance at a Glance

6:30 pm
Beginner Two Step
Lesson		 7 pm
Beyond the Basics
Lesson		 7:30 pm
Line Dance
Lesson		 8-11 pm
Social Dancing		 Demo Video
Beginner Two-Step
with Beth		 Beginning Tango
with Patrick & Beth		 Burlesque
with Beth
(Stepsheet)		 DJ: Bob

Spring Stomp graphicSpring Stomp: A Hoedown in P-town

April 28–30, 2017 — Our 25th year!
Sage Inn and Lounge and Provincetown Town Hall

Here's the latest schedule as of March 8, 2017 There’s so much going on this weekend that a quick blurb can’t suffice. With 3½ dances, workshops, and lessons you’ll have a great time. We have Alan Gaskell and Simone teaching the partner dance workshops and offering private lessons! We’ll be teaching 6 line dances this weekend and adding a Sunday t-dance so you can get some dancing in before heading home. But don’t wait to buy your tickets, the “early bird” price will be going away soon and you’ll have to pay full price! There’s a list of discounted guest houses on the site (just mention Stomp).

NOTE: If you want to partake of the Sunday Brunch from 8-10 am at Sage Inn and Lounge, you must buy your brunch ticket by Friday, April 14! (we need to let Sage know).

Gays for Patsy’s Renegaydes

The Renegaydes are our own performance dance group. You’ll see them at our Spring Stomp, our Pride dance, and the IAGLCWDC (International Association of Gay and Lesbian Country Dance Clubs) convention in Miami. Come check them out. They’re working on a fun routine choreographed by Bucky Chappell. It should be fun. The Renegaydes also has a facebook page at GFPRenegaydes.

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