News

  • Nation
  • World Updates
  • Courts
  • Parliament
  • Columnists
  • Opinion
  • Honours List

Wednesday May 23, 2007

First public demo a real humbling but happy experience

THE BEGINNER WITH K.W. MAK

THERE I was on the dance floor with Bavani at the Red Bar in Dataran Sunway, having practised for four weeks till the steps were ingrained in my head ... and my mind went blank.

I was moving back and forth doing the basic steps and I just could not remember how to do any of the basic moves that were taught me.

Bavani just laughed with me as I tried remembering the moves by counting out loud.

Our salsa teacher Swami Gee Othman had arranged this public dance session for Bavani and me, as an initiation rite if you will, for our final day performance.

I silently muttered a word of thanks to God when the music ended. It was over. I returned to the lounge (which was quite nice, in my opinion) ... where my confidence took a nose-dive.

One for the album: The students and their guru Swami Gee Othman (centre) posing for a picture at the Red Bar.
Before I knew it, a guy called Timothy had asked Bavani out on the dance floor and there they were, dancing and twirling and what not.

No sooner had the music stopped than someone else asked for her hand to the dance floor called Justin and then another named James.

Watching Bavani dancing and twirling away at that point in time just ate away what little confidence I had.

“I was just following instructions – they were doing another dance and they would say when they would be spinning or twirling me,” Bavani told me later.

As I timidly retreated into a corner, a friend (who declined to be named) came to my rescue, offering her hand and telling me, “Let’s dance!”

We were on the dance floor and she was leading me while I tried to keep up to the beat even as I was getting my own steps right.

It was a humbling experience, but one for which I am also very grateful to my friend, because she was willing to dance with me despite my lack of experience.

After that harrowing experience on the dance floor, I struck up a conversation with Timothy, who introduced himself as a blogger of the local salsa scene (salsajay. blogspot.com).

Of all the other men who danced with Bavani, Timothy gets mentioned because he lifted my spirits a little that night.

“You were out there after four weeks? I only dared go up after six months and I forgot all my moves,” said Timothy.

That social dancing night ended at 11pm for Bavani and me, but the night was still young for the other dancers and they were still dancing away as we took our leave.

We would have loved to stay longer, but there was still the matter of waking up for work the next morning.

Apart from learning to dance in just six weeks and doing our regular work, we have to organise a charity dinner that will help raise money for the University Malaya Medical Centre paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s neo natal intensive care unit.

The Salsa Charity Night will be on June 13 at Nikko Hotel’s Pool Side at 7pm. Nikko Hotel has been kind enough to sponsor the venue and a sumptuous dinner menu so all donations will go fully to either ward of the donor’s choice. To contribute, please call Michelle Gregory at 03-2782 6188, between 10.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

For those who want to enjoy a nice salsa evening at Red Bar, its Cuban Nights are on Thursdays. Cover charge is RM18 for one margarita or one fruit juice and a bottle of mineral water. It is located at 32-2, Jalan PJU 5/16, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya (Tel: 03-6140 4921).

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

News Poll