Lost in the Whirlwind

Vortex XI

by Joyce Thompson

Where am I? I see trees, lights, sky above my head and everywhere I turn. I hear music, laughter, the ripple of happy voices. I smell the faint smoke of fall fire, the warmth of home cooking. I feel the embrace of people who love what I love and who, for the moment, are my closest friends. I taste the sweat on my lips and the metallic bite of thirst. Time stands still. Hunger, thirst, sleep, aches, chilly nights, sunny days -- all blend and swirl in my dreams.

You should have been there - Dance Vortex - for the yearly magic; different each time, yet familiar elements that create an unforgettable experience. Here’s what you missed. Thomas Fields and family shaking the walls and the floor with a zydeco beat. How did they keep up the energy from Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday night through Sunday morning for the Double Whammy Jammy Jam?  Speaking of energy, here’s to the Lost Bayou Ramblers, five (or were there six? – they moved so fast!!) young men who put on a SHOW while playing fantastic music. Explain? OK, the fiddle player stood on the upright bass. Another time three musicians stood on the bass laying on the stage, while the bass player laid down next to it, still playing hot, hot Cajun gumbo. And there was more, swing dancing to a cowboy beat at midnight with Beau Butler and the Nice Boys while munching on baked potatoes with all the trimmings, waltzing to angelic strains of violin and keyboard on Sunday afternoon, and, did I forget? no, the Atlanta Swamp Opera weaving their melodic voices and “old-timey” instrumentals through the trees and the breeze.

Some of Atlanta Swamp Opera playing next to the outdoor patio area where the Friday afternoon, and Sunday morning dances are held.

Did I mention the dancing? Plenty of partners, lots of playfulness, inventive steps, unbelievably creative Cajun turns (think arm-pretzels!!), lessons that I can barely remember, dance partners I’ll never forget – even though I don’t know their names. We learned the Mamou two-step, Cajun jitterbug (one-step), Gulf Coast swing, Zydeco with a 5-step pause, and more. Gentlemen, if you love the swing dance turns, you should have been there to see how they fit with the waltz and Cajun dancing. To see the wonderful covered dance area, check out this video of Erin.

Last, but not least, you have to hear about the drive there and back. Five Gainesville friends packed ALL their gear in a Ford Explorer. We ate, we drank (water, of course), we slept, we talked, and we laughed, one of us even worked. We covered the three forbidden subjects (religion, sex and politics) and are still on speaking terms!!! We spotted several Saguaro cacti in north Georgia – some people with no imagination thought they were trees covered with Kudzu. We explored the mysteries of the Enneagram – google it! We dreamed of owning a home in the mountains with the best dance floor around. We told tales of alien abduction and out-of-body experiences. We listened to Cajun/Zydeco on the CD player and danced in the car. We left Gainesville full of excitement and expectation and returned, exhausted and exhilarated.

Don’t be left behind on the next adventure. Check www.hogtownzydeco.com and these group messages for more opportunities to laugh, dance and renew friendships.