tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post8078313534030628543..comments2024-03-22T05:18:29.555-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: Boys 'n BalletLoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-69221102728332306202007-11-12T10:39:00.000-05:002007-11-12T10:39:00.000-05:00(But I'm not sure about the pink bunny ears. Snort...<I>(But I'm not sure about the pink bunny ears. Snort!) </I><BR/><BR/>Mine are soft and fuzzy. My wife thinks I look ridiculous in them.<BR/><BR/><I>A really powerful story CAN change culture. </I><BR/><BR/>One of my first responses in your lair was to an entry one of you did asking if a novel can change a life. I'd say novels can change a life and a great deal more. Yes ladies, you wield enormous power.p226https://www.blogger.com/profile/05502193525250005347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-12237410060255280502007-11-12T00:57:00.001-05:002007-11-12T00:57:00.001-05:00Joan, I've never watched Dancing with the Stars, b...Joan, I've never watched Dancing with the Stars, but it sounds like I should! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-35509478945523108232007-11-12T00:57:00.000-05:002007-11-12T00:57:00.000-05:00Jeanne, I haven't seen HSM2, but loved HSM. Anythi...Jeanne, I haven't seen HSM2, but loved HSM. Anything that gets kids thinking, dancing, and singing, and doesn't involve violence or nudity is AWESOME in my book. And glad Lance and I are taking over your mind with the Free to Be You and Me songs. <BR/><BR/>Keziah, one of the YouTube clips I found was of Baryshnikov in Giselle--you should look for it. Maybe it was your show! He's young and gorgeous and leaps fifteen feet in the air, I swear. <BR/><BR/>Trish, thanks for stopping by in the midst of your deadline hell. Not having either TIVO or cable TV, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch Center Stage. I was a HUGE fan of So You Think You Can Dance. Danny made me seriously HUNGRY. And I think he's like, seventeen, so that's embarrassing! <BR/><BR/>Caren, WELCOME BACK!! We missed you! And such an insightful comment, taking us back to risks. This really made me think. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-84549931254414107262007-11-11T23:43:00.000-05:002007-11-11T23:43:00.000-05:00Oh, Keira, how right you are! Boo hooo!!!Oh, Keira, how right you are! Boo hooo!!!Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-63930005824921229342007-11-11T22:54:00.000-05:002007-11-11T22:54:00.000-05:00Foanna, unless you time travel, no Regency man wil...Foanna, unless you time travel, no Regency man will dance the ballet for you even if you asked nicely. So... you have your work cutout for you to write a dancer hero in your setting. :)Keira Soleorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440213826734580889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-60463619626735074602007-11-11T22:19:00.000-05:002007-11-11T22:19:00.000-05:00Keziah, you saw Baryshnikov LIVE in his prime??!!!...Keziah, you saw Baryshnikov LIVE in his prime??!!! I'm so going to quiz you about this when I see you. He really wasn't at his best when I saw him, but as I say, still such amazing presence. Nureyev was doing Giselle too when I saw him in the late '70s. Still a precious memory. I saw him when he was sick in the mid-'80s (although nobody knew at that stage) in Swan Lake and it was so sad. <BR/><BR/>I love Dance Movies, Trish. Any dance movies. I thought Centre Stage was really good - and I suspect true to life. I think some of those guys are pretty predatory with all the gorgeous young women around them.Anna Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695579361323275316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-63819587121967297792007-11-11T21:50:00.000-05:002007-11-11T21:50:00.000-05:00Oh, Lance and Kirsten, I lovedFree To Be...You and...Oh, Lance and Kirsten, I <I>loved</I>Free To Be...You and Me! We had the albums and the book and my brother (born in 1970) was allowed to have all the dolls he wanted. He, by the way, grew up as macho as boys in TN are supposed to. *g*<BR/><BR/>I was so impressed, even as a kid, by the whole FTBYAM message. "Hey, be whatever you want to be in life and it's okay!" I think it was probably this message, more than anything else, that made me think it was okay to aspire to be a writer. <BR/><BR/>Being a guy in ballet is risky business. Deb Marlowe didn't say, but she has some budding gymnast boys at home who are serious athletes. Risky! (Esp. in middle school--yikes!) Being a woman engineer or lawyer or recovery specialist is risky. So is being a romance writer. <BR/><BR/>I love this post, because it reminds us all what risks we take. Would our mothers have aspired to do what we have done? Would our fathers? Would they admit they like to visit a romance writers' blog? Um, probably no to all of the above. *g* Snaps to us for being brave enough to go for it and do our thing! <BR/><BR/>And yes, I would love a book about a male dancer. Especially if we got to see him flex all those muscles. Wah!Caren Cranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12352366686017375279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-79322807977059133512007-11-11T21:09:00.000-05:002007-11-11T21:09:00.000-05:00I think there's a difference in the perception of ...I think there's a difference in the perception of male ballet dancers versus male dancers in other fields. It's a common-held but likely erroneous belief that most male ballet dancers are gay. But I don't think that's the first thing people think of when they think of ballroom or other types of dancing or when they think of guys like Fred Astaire or Patrick Swayze. Ballet is seen as so girly that people can't understand why a straight guy would ever do it.<BR/><BR/>Has anyone seen Center Stage? My TiVo recorded it the other day, so at the end of one day of writing when my brain was mush I watched it. It's about these teenage ballet dancers, and they portrayed many of the male dancers as very hetero.Trish Milburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08812010789617982102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-48798075600940800302007-11-11T20:46:00.001-05:002007-11-11T20:46:00.001-05:00One word, KirstenMaximDancing with the Stars! Woo,...One word, Kirsten<BR/><BR/>Maxim<BR/><BR/>Dancing with the Stars! Woo, boy...got fan myselfJoanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12566704374877697300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-74261213610552872782007-11-11T20:46:00.000-05:002007-11-11T20:46:00.000-05:00I remember seeing Barishnikov dance in Giselle whe...I remember seeing Barishnikov dance in Giselle when I was in high school. He was HOT! Set the stage on fire!Keziah Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10594349337977659150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-19643379757045508262007-11-11T19:48:00.000-05:002007-11-11T19:48:00.000-05:00I'd read a book about men in tights if they're het...I'd read a book about men in tights if they're hetero, for SURE. Ha! And P226 is right, if we write it (and can get it SOLD) then we can begin to change the world. :> Oh, yes, it's that Banditas for World Domination thing again. I agree as well that if we make it work in fiction in a way that's as hot and sexy as some of those male dancers? Ooooooh, yeah. Ha! And if more of those horndog guys in high school realized the ratios of guys to gals? There'd be a LOT more taking ballet. My son took tap lessons and did a bit of ballet at five. He'd seen Singing in the Rain on TV and wanted to make the foot noises. :> He's also done gymnastics, but likes baseball better, so the dancing and gymnastics are falling away. However, with High School Musical 2 combining dancing and baseball? I may be buying tap shoes again. :><BR/><BR/>I love Barishnikov's "look" although I've read that his personality is a bit...hmmm...how to say it nicely...abrupt? Grins. Anna, I was LOL about the ballet guy whipping everyone's butts in a competition. The stuff you have to go through to dance, its way worse than any triathelete or marathoner does. Yikes.<BR/><BR/>Love White Knights and LOVE the Cold Hearted Snake video. talk about dancing! Wow. Gregory Hines was SUCH an incredible talent.<BR/><BR/>Lance and Kirsten, I'm going to smack you both for putting that song in my head. Now I'm going to have to go put in SOMETHING I can sing to or it'll be in my head all night. Grrr. <BR/>I also had to laugh about the sterotypes we grew up with and how, as most of us were coming along, there was such a push to change them. I used to have show dogs, and like ballet, the "sport" of dog showing tends to attract a considerable number of gay and lesbian participants. I'm not sure why, but it does. Therefore, the men who are hetero are in the minority. And boy do they get a LOT of attention. :> From both sexes. Grins. It's a "target rich environment" so to speak for guys who are straight, if they like dogs. If you're a staright woman? Not such good luck finding someone to date! Ha! As Kirsten says, that's a story for another blog!<BR/>Great post Kirsten!Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03492480881584553111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-49322397995400148932007-11-11T19:08:00.000-05:002007-11-11T19:08:00.000-05:00Buffie, that's so funny you mention White Nights. ...Buffie, that's so funny you mention White Nights. I did see it years ago, and when we were searching for clips of Baryshnikov this morning, we came across a few from White Nights. Now I'm dying to see it again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-66548483931774298102007-11-11T19:06:00.000-05:002007-11-11T19:06:00.000-05:00Lance, I think unfortunately, you're absolutely ri...Lance, I think unfortunately, you're absolutely right. Lots of stereotypes abound when it comes to male dancers. I was raised on Free to Be...You and Me, too, and I loved that song "Billy Wants a Doll." Remember that one? <BR/><BR/>Now I'm going to want to sing for the rest of this blog--what a perfect inspiration for overcoming stereotypes and doing what's right for you! Everyone, go out right now and find Free to Be...You and Me. Especially if you have little ones. Play it for them over and over! <BR/><BR/>In this land, every boy grows to be his own man,<BR/>In this land, every girl grows to be her own woman, <BR/>Take my hand, run with me, <BR/>Where the children are free, <BR/>Come with me, take my hand<BR/>And we'll ruuuunn!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-67827068480946037812007-11-11T19:03:00.000-05:002007-11-11T19:03:00.000-05:00Cassondra, I probably worry more about my poor dau...Cassondra, I probably worry more about my poor daughter dancing than I do my son. He's going to be 6'4'' and 250 on a skinny day, and he'll love it. She's going to be 5'10 and 160...if the genetic rules apply (not a skinny bone in her body, thanks to her dad and I). Not exactly prima ballerina material. I wish I could start her now on a career in volleyball or something, so she won't spend her life wondering why her body doesn't fit the image of her chosen art. But that's a different blog, right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-68095924252389045072007-11-11T18:59:00.000-05:002007-11-11T18:59:00.000-05:00Keira, can we be honest here? I can't look at a ma...Keira, can we be honest here? I can't look at a male dancer without staring at his...um...thighs? Okay, it's obscene, but I really do stare. Hard not to. They look so...large. <BR/><BR/>You know what I mean. <BR/><BR/>Ahem. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-30107424608519878042007-11-11T18:57:00.000-05:002007-11-11T18:57:00.000-05:00p226--I wondered what you'd think about this littl...p226--I wondered what you'd think about this little conversation! Do you really think we writers have that much power? That's so interesting...we like to throw our hands up and wail and moan about how we are at the mercy of our editors, but I think you're right. A really powerful story CAN change culture. What a great reminder! (But I'm not sure about the pink bunny ears. Snort!) <BR/><BR/>Christine, I think you're right--their nature is what it is. It's really sort of crazy to think you're going to change it. And I'm so with you on the Chicago Stars. I couldn't give a lick about football until I read SEP. Then, suddenly, I started looking at those quarterbacks a little differently...<BR/><BR/>Susan, it is good to step squarely into a dilemna that would be purely academic if you didn't have kids, but is actually a real issue when you do. And I can just imagine Bryan romancing your little heart out...aw...I wish MY husband would take me dancing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-62998526148895528202007-11-11T18:53:00.000-05:002007-11-11T18:53:00.000-05:00Annie, thanks for the support--and it's good to kn...Annie, thanks for the support--and it's good to know I'm not alone! You want to not be prey to the stereotypes yourself, but somehow it leaches its way into your bones. Sigh. <BR/><BR/>Helen, I agree--there's nothing more sensual than a beautiful male dancer! And what a great story about the ballet dancer turned PT. There's no doubt that it's a powerful and difficult practice and no room for whimps! Thanks for commenting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-30760320043971851992007-11-11T18:50:00.001-05:002007-11-11T18:50:00.001-05:00Anna, I meant to mention that the first picture is...Anna, I meant to mention that the first picture is of an Australian ballet company. Can't remember the name precisely, but I'll see if i can figure it out again. ;-) I do so wish I had a chance to see Baryshnikov live--what a man. And Nureyev, SWOON! I wish I could have seen that "whimpy" ballet dancer whup those muscle bound sports heros. HA! Good on HIM! :-) <BR/><BR/>Dianna, I think they just pick up that stereotypical thing from the air--osmosis, or something like that. Hard to say. But I think it's good to challenge our own stereotypes. My son's ballet is putting me a little out of my comfort zone, and I think that's really good. I'm so glad, BTW, that you got to see the Nutcracker. What a great Christmas tradition!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-3092066278649472942007-11-11T18:50:00.000-05:002007-11-11T18:50:00.000-05:00Kristen, have you seen the 80s movie White Nights ...Kristen, have you seen the 80s movie White Nights with Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines? It was a fabulous movie!!! I was truly moved by the story and the dancing.Buffiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320253744501589352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-49795632581718717192007-11-11T18:46:00.000-05:002007-11-11T18:46:00.000-05:00Cassondra, I figured you'd be a supporter of pushi...Cassondra, I figured you'd be a supporter of pushing gender boundaries--you push them yourself and I can't imagine you wouldn't be supportive of pushing the other way! I hope you do get to see the Nutcracker--my son's a cavalier in his ballet school's production of the Nutcracker and actually gets to dance with a girl! At age 7 none the less! It's terribly fun, I must admit. He wears a little red velvet vest with a white shirt and white tights. Ooo, I get giddy just thinking about it. Too cute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-71072003806155367072007-11-11T18:43:00.000-05:002007-11-11T18:43:00.000-05:00Deb and Buffie, I spent some time this morning wat...Deb and Buffie, I spent some time this morning watching clips of Barishnikov with my son and it was so amazing. The man truly has a gift from God (and I think he knows it, too!). We also watched so clips from White NIghts, when he danced with Gregory Hines. So amazing to see such different but gifted dancers side by side. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the support--maybe someday I'll write a dancer book, and dedicate it to all the Banditas out there who wanted to see it happen!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-40649297766734957162007-11-11T18:40:00.000-05:002007-11-11T18:40:00.000-05:00Jo, Max sounds like such a cutie! I've got a pictu...Jo, Max sounds like such a cutie! I've got a picture of my son from a few Christmas's ago wearing a gorgeous purple tutu. Ah, he'll hate me later, I'm sure! In his class, the boys wear black leggings or tights and white t-shirts. No tutus allowed! ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-8837133579618874912007-11-11T16:43:00.000-05:002007-11-11T16:43:00.000-05:00In theory male ballet dancers should be masculine,...In theory male ballet dancers should be masculine, and why not? Strong, athletic, typically handsome, and of course, great dancers. And when it comes to traits that attract the opposite sex, being a great dancer is a big plus in both the old-fashioned Casanova romantic, or nightclub, big-balling player realms.<BR/><BR/>But in reality? Not so sure. When I was a youngster back in the 70s, during the birth of political correctness (which was at that time allowed to grow unfettered and unquestioned) I asked my dad how you could tell if a man was gay. He said that they typically did things that girls did and often liked to take their shirts off. He’d probably seen a recent clip of a Gay Freedom Day parade in San Francisco and was trying to convey an honest answer about a subject with which he was unfamiliar and probably uncomfortable. Later, I saw a male ballet dancer on TV public access (where else?) who fluttered about in a solo routine on a small stage wearing the normal ballet costume: slippers, tights, dance belt complete with synthetic bulge (what is up with that anyway?), and in this case, no shirt. So I asked my dad, in a serious tone, if this was an example of a gay man. I had asked the question in cynicism and expected some sort of negative reply, thinking he’d come back at me with a strong “NO, ballet is not a girl thing and just because a man chooses ballet doesn’t mean he’s gay!” This was, after all, during a decade when Free to Be…You and Me was being shown to elementary school kids across the nation, it was alright to cry, for the first time a girl could realistically aspire to be President, and tolerance of homosexuality was increasing. Being gay was even considered by some to be chic. Parents were expected to supplement the new principles the schools were teaching of acceptance and equality. But my dad did not chastise or correct me. Instead, he squinted at the TV for a few seconds, turned to look at me, and in a straightforward voice said “Yeah. That’s a pretty good example of a gay man.”Lancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07820834098953774841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-61839529670268362542007-11-11T16:40:00.000-05:002007-11-11T16:40:00.000-05:00I was a dance minor for a while in undergrad schoo...I was a dance minor for a while in undergrad school. There were like four guys in the whole school trying out for the Company, and a gazillion girls. How many guys do you suppose got to dance with the Company? Yup.<BR/><BR/>All of them.<BR/><BR/>A tiny percentage of the girls went on to get really good and become pros at dance. All but one of the guys went on to dance in a professional troupe. And that was because the other guy decided he didn't like the pressure of the constant muscle soreness--the never-ending injuries, and the knowledge that, ONE misstep takes your career our for good. Just like football or soccer. One major injury--a knee for instance--and your career is done. It's off to teach toddlers, and he had no interest in that. <BR/><BR/>Any guy who is good has a guaranteed career I think, because there are so few as compared to the ridiculous competition for women. Now I'm not saying you can be Barishnikov if you don't have his talent (and sheesh, did he ever have talent) but still--talk about your wide-open career fields.<BR/><BR/>Okay this is not nearly as civilized as ballet, but has anybody ever seen Paula Abdul's video for <I>Cold Hearted Snake</I>?<BR/><BR/>It's a hot video anyhow, but wow those guys are HOT with a capital HOT.<BR/><BR/>P226 said:<BR/><BR/><I>If anyone's going to challenge the stereotypes it'll be you guys.</I><BR/><BR/>Hey, I think that's a compliment. ;0)Cassondrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07420982030156788059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-22055380565437022142007-11-11T16:36:00.000-05:002007-11-11T16:36:00.000-05:00I can't type Barashnikov and Nureyev fast enough (...I can't type Barashnikov and Nureyev fast enough (probably why I'm mispelling their names). <BR/><BR/>I loved the story of <I>Billy Elliot</I> a boy who comes from a poor mining town and has the courage of his convictions to stick to his desire to learn ballet and how his family overcomes their innate objections to a boy ballet dancer and helps young Billy to become one.<BR/><BR/>I want to read your story, Kirsten, and yours, too, Gillian. <BR/><BR/>Pam, I have never forgotten your story of those split tights. How did that guy, um, stand for it?<BR/><BR/><I>Foanna wrote, "Guess who won? By a grand jete!"</I> --Very cute!<BR/><BR/>My only objection to the male ballet dancer is his outfit. I mean, can't his top be a little longer???Keira Soleorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14440213826734580889noreply@blogger.com