GW: Is it true that you are unreal?
ET: This is a loaded question. Some would say I'm a follower's worst nightmare - the leader from hell! By the way, my counterpart was written up in West Coast SwingAmerica. Get this: "If the woman wears glass glued to her gown, the man bleeds carefully and avoids getting any on her dress." The lady has a sense of what West Coast Swing is all about.
GW: And what's that?
ET: Plagerizing several Bay Area dance teachers all at once, I'd say the key words for West Coast Swing are: "Flash and Trash". A good thought to hold while dancing is: "I'm from California, and you're not.". West Coast Swing is after all: "the f__k you dance". If you're a leader, don't look at your partner, don't take into account her wishes, and if she falls, find another partner. She should have known better than to dance with someone as cool as you.
GW: I have another question.
ET: Too bad. I've got better things to do than be interviewed by a figment of my imagination.
GW: What music do you like to dance to?
ET: Very loud music with a really strong accent on 2 and 4, and no discernable vocal. Rhythm and Blues sometimes works. Hey, a drum machine is fine, if it's got the right rhythm.
Avoid melody! Avoid soul music!! Avoid Al Green!!!
GW: Any last thoughts?
ET: Remember be cool, and above all else - LOOK GOOD! If you can do that while making your partner look inadequate - all the better. Dance is, like all connections with the opposite sex, a form of warfare.
© Copyright 1998 George Woolley
Eugene el Terrible is an imaginary West Coast Swing dancer who advocates the shadow side of West Coast Swing. For more about Eugene, see his web site.
George Woolley is a dance lover who advocates connection with your partner and the music.
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