With Patrick, dancing a tribute to Whitney Houston at the World Music Awards. Dance is such a perfect tribute to life.
What is it with me, and dancing? I love it. And it doesn’t matter what kind – Hip Hop, Greek dancing, Country, ballet… I love it all.
It’s like the feeling, the music, gets into me, and makes it impossible for me not to move (Yes, I’m one of those people that, if you are embarrassed by spontaneous, public displays of movement, you’d better pick a spot to stand far away from me).
Dance is expressive, like a voice, my 2nd language. And I just can’t help myself. The sad thing is, that I don’t dance enough! The dance classes I like are too far away, and going out to clubs was always a challenge (“Look, Martha, they’re going to dance!”), and sadly, it’s even harder now that I’m on my own. But sometimes, I have been known to just put on music, and cut a rug at home. Once when Patrick was ill, I even donned a pair of high heels, streamed a Saturday night Hip Hop station, and went to it. At one point, I turned, and saw Patrick standing in the doorway, smiling affectionately at me. I shrugged a little sheepishly, “I couldn’t help it. I had to.”
Got my ticket, and I'm ready to go.
This past Saturday night, I made the fortuitous decision to delay an errand trip to Santa Fe in order to go to a concert at my local Auditorium. Ozomalti, was playing. Ozomalti!! I just happened to be in town the previous day, and just happened to see a sign advertising the concert. Ozomalti!! They are well-known LA band, that they were playing in this small town was…amazing. And this would prove to be a wonderful night for me. Because…
1) I love Latin music (Ozomatli is described as urban-Latino-and-beyond). Hell, I love all kinds of music. The only thing that is crossed off the list is musak. You know, the elevator music they use to play? Luckily, that music hard to run into it these days.
Ozomatli, from the study balcony. But I think I scared the macho guy next to me by jumping up & down when the lyrics said, "Jump, jump, jump!"
2) I love (you got it!) DANCING.
Wil-dog & Uli moved into the audience near the end of their concert. Up close & personal.
With my cohorts aka "The Supremes," Anna Marie & Eliza, with…I don't know this band member's name, but we liked his hair.
I was up on my feet the entire concert, boogying with the tunes. And it felt – great. One thing I knew for sure – I need more dancing in my life.
Just recently, a friend asked if I wanted to go out with a group to Salsa dance. Salsa dance??? Would I?? I nodded in a calm, controlled fashion, “That sounds like it’d be fun.” I couldn’t let myself get too excited. If I let myself get excited about the thought of going dancing, let alone Salsa dancing, my DNA would start to tumble and rearrange itself. I’d be straightening myself up, I’d start thinking of what shoes I’m going to wear. What dress. And yes, of course I’d like to go, but it isn’t that easy – I’m solo, and I feel awkward… What if they don’t accept me? What if no one asks me to dance, and I’m forced to embarrass my friends by dancing in the aisles of the dining tables by myself, which would be totally inappropriate in this venue? Worst, what if I have too much fun? “Fun,” that much fun, can still hurt for me.
Going the distance. The concert ended in the lobby! That's Wil-dog above the crowd. Wil, like, yeah, "Will dance for food!" Dancing next to me – a 14 year old kid with a big skateboard
But Saturday night as I’m boogying and ‘sharin’ the love’ with Ozomatli on stage in New Mexico, a confident, happy thought comes to my mind, “Salsa. I’m going to go Salsa dancing!” Do it, girl. Make it happen.
As crazy as I am about dancing, I’ll probably end up like an much older woman I know who is teased mercilessly about her love for dance. So much so that her family and friends joked that they were going out dancing one evening, so she dressed up, and fell asleep sitting in a chair, waiting for them.
Or, better yet…I’ll be like my mother-in-law, Patsy. Patsy taught dance for over 60 years, and is retired now. But when she moves, she is vital and vibrant. And she rivals any twenty-year old.
Rock on!
You just made me smile, Lisa! Keep on dancing!
It is necessary in life to have a passion…how great that you have dancing! You are fabulous at it!!!
You are one “Brave Woman”. I admire you for going ahead and doing what makes you feel good. I use to love to dance, but the man I married has 2 left feet, so I have not danced in a long time. Did dance around the house when cleaning and with my kids, when they were still here. I still kind of dance when cleaning house, (old habits die hard) I put the sound track of ‘Dirty Dancing’ on and that is how I clean house. When the music starts, my hubby turns to the dog and says, “must be house cleaning day, get ready”. Makes things that you don’t like to do, go faster. Anyway, I say, “you go girl”, enjoy yourself and never let the misic or dance die. I’m sure Patrick enjoyed watching you dance. Your movie “One Last Dance” is one of my favorites. Keep dancing. Blessings to you. XPat
Why not pick up where your mother in law left off and start teaching that would be COOL !!
You would be great at it im sure !!
Love,Light and Lots of respect
Diane
It is wonderful your love of dance. I soooooooo agree It is such a beautiful art!! So self expressive, twhere as you can do whatever you wish in your own special way,… like you said the movement it engulfs you & fills you to want it more. It releases and takes in such feelings. You can do ballet, tap, jazz, salsa, even the jig. No matter what style of dance it is a means that embraces you with such emotion and energy as well as being so inspirational and poetic. It is a good means as well of maintaining good health and keeping in shape.
All I can say after reading this is…pull out those Flamin’ Mamas and DANCE, DANCE, DANCE! You should NEVER hold back because you are such a wonderful dancer! “Once Last Dance” was such a perfect display of yours and Patrick’s passion for dancing. SO beautiful!
PS. I’m also one of those people who burst out into spontaneous movement in public places whenever I hear music, tending to embarrass whoever I’m with. Together, we could really put on a show! 😉 As a matter of fact, after you posted on twitter about Ozomalti, I looked ’em up on youtube…and began chair dancing!
As always, much love to you! XX
Just saw a typo after I posted…”One” Last Dance. 🙂
I love this post. Go for the salsa let yourself go. Patrick will smiling from ear to ear. You are an amazing dancer and its your passion. Though you are alone and it feels wrong, you must know in your heart that he wants you too.
I myself do a tap and ballet class on a monday evening, i started it as a way to get fit. I did tap when i was very small. I love doing it now you can let yourself go. Im not great by any stretch especially with ballet but giving it my all. We will be doing a routine in the ballet schools show at our local town hall in june. Im little bit scared, i did tap one a couple of years ago but we are doing a ballet one this year.
I admire you so much and i loved watching you and patrick dance at the worldmusic awards.
STAY STRONG and DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY. x
I love it! I discovered dance late in life (42!) and joined a ladies tap and jazz class that even performed…. what a fabulous way to be fit and make great friends. 🙂
I moved away from there and haven’t been able to find any adult classes to join until lately… .and the only thing I could find was Irish dancing! Never done it before, I’m the oldest one in the class and OH WELL! I’m just getting started!
Dancing is great! Don´t stop and be happy! Hugs from Spain, Silvia
Hi Lis,
It’s nice to hear that you had fun on the Ozmalti concert! And this post is so full of energy, it makes me wanna dance! Unfortunately I haven’t learned it (wanted to learn ballet since the age of six, but wasn’t allowed to…) And later I thought that I might be to old for it…. Don’t the believe the stupid stuff that others tell you.. 🙂
But the good thing is, that you can dance without knowing the exact steps, it’s in our DNA. Ah, btw a funny story happened this time at work (Ya know, the children..) It’s been late morning and I told them to tidy up because we want to go outside. They did and my workmate (a HUGE Elvis fan) wanted to show me her new Elvis CD. So the music started, a very “moving” song and we made it a bit louder (a little fun can’t be wrong…). The children looked up and and you could see a kind of question mark in their faces, they might have thought we were kind of crazy… Funny! But then one boy (5 years old) started to shake his hips just like Elvis – I couldn’t believe my eyes. And then ALl the other kids stopped to tidy up and did the same thing! We have never showed them that and it was really interesting. 26 children dancing through the whole room and dancing like Elvis. I had to promise them that we’ll do this again. Ok having fun and getting paid for it, why not?
And I will learn to dance, but I don’t know by now what kind of dance would fit. And because it’s been a childhood dream to be a white swan from swan lake, I’m kind of afraid to find out that I could be not talented… We’ll see. What I can do is turning MTV on REALLY loud (no neighbors 🙂 and dance for myself. This is funny, exhilarating and burns a lot of calories – haha, that’s the way I like it!
You’re right by saying that dance is a second language, that’s true. It’s good when you’re able to speak it but for me it’s like the foreign language English: I can move (not exactly in the right steps) a little bit but I understand way more. And it makes happy anyway, the moving and the watching so you can’t really do something wrong!
I hope you’ll find the perfect salsa dress with the matching shoes (take the red ones!) and you won’t have to dance alone, no no, the man will line up to get the chance to dance with you! Tell us all in your forthcoming blog: WORN OUT SHOES 😉
Tani
Lisa, your neverending passion and talent for dancing is amazing!! Don’t ever lose it. How you feel about dancing is how I feel about writing. It’s in my DNA, it’s a part of who I am. I live for it and wouldn’t feel the same if I wasn’t doing it! The best moments are when thoughts and feelings start pouring out of me that I did not even realize were there. As for those moments when you feel awkward about dancing solo in public don’t be. Patrick will always be there dancing by your side with his arms around you. If you love someone that deeply they’re never gone. Keep dancing beautiful lady and stay strong. Nikki
Here I am again! I always have to reply to your blogs because they are so great!!And I always want to thank you for them.. Sounds like you had a great Saturday night!! Salsa dancing? Awesome!!! I like Latin music too….it makes me feel happy.! I had never heard of Ozomatli but I looked them up on YouTube and I love them!! So thanks for the tip!!
I’ve always loved to see you and Patrick dancing! It looks so natural! I love it! I’ve watched One Last Dance many many times….can’t get enough of it!! When I was about 7 or 8 years old l I saw Patrick dancing in Dirty Dancing and I loved it…and when I found out that you, his wife, was a dancer too all I could think was: I wish they were my parents cause I’d sure have dancing skills then!! I mean…I love my parents but they aren’t dancers :P….they took dancing lessons so they could dance at their wedding but my dad kept stepping on my moms toes so they quit…..haha
Just like you I like all kinds of dancing!! I wish I could learn it all…but I don’t think that’s possible. Dancing is a great way to express your feelings but also to forget everything around me! I always feel so relaxed after dancing. When I was 15 I really discovered dancing and before that I did gymnastics . I loved to see people dancing but never did it myself until I saw Lord of the Dance. I wanted to learn that but where? I live in the Netherlands…Fortunately there was a school not that far away from my home..and after my first time I was addicted to it! And I also had this regret: why didn’t I start dancing when I was younger!?!!! My dance teacher moved to Scotland so I am now dancing in The Hague which is almost 2 hours travelling but when you love something that doesn’t matter, right? I am now doing solo dancing, team (Ceili) dancing and show dancing!….At this moment I am dancing at Open level and I am going to the European Championships in November where I am going to try to qualify for the World Championships of 2013 in Boston! I’ll never be a world champion but my dream is to get qualified..What you do think about Irish dancing?
I also want to learn ballet…but I think I’m too old..! I am 23 years old and I know they say you’re never too old to learn but does that count for ballet also..What do you think? And I am also a little scared that I will embarrass myself and that I’ll be a non-talented wannabe….
Good luck with your Salsa dancing…and don’t you worry about it! I’m sure you’re going to be good at it..! Dancing is Lisa Niemi Swayze and Lisa Niemi Swayze is dancing! I think you’ll be like Patsy…Vital and vibrant!! Enjoy it !!
Love,
Ineke
Xx
I love dance, Lisa. Too bad I have two left feet! I can appreciate dance from a distance, I guess. I love watching anything with you and Patrick dancing. Its breathtaking! 🙂
BTW – I’m about done reading Worth Fighting For. I’m enjoying the book so much. As if I could have anymore respect for you….but yes, while reading this, I do. You very well could have gotten lost in the inevitable that was happening but you didn’t. You were with your Buddy through it all. You’re an inspiration…
Hey Lisa , looks like you had a fun night on sat. I love nights like that when the music and atmosphere takes over and you let your hair down and it doesn’t matter what you look like cos everyone is the same.
I have just started salsa lessons and it is the best thing I have ever done. For weeks I had been hearing about these lessons taking place close to my house and never had the courage to go but one night after a couple of beers I phoned the guy who does the classes and I haven’t looked back. I went on my own and everyone was so welcoming and friendly, I had a blast and I look forward to going. I think I have two left feet but hey they don’t care they just want you to have fun and a laugh, which I do. So you go girl! Get stuck in and have a hell of a time. What have you to lose? And so much to gain!
Great blog. Love Lorna xxxxx
Just watched Ozomatli on youtube, they are fantastic. Will keep an eye out for them in the future.
This brings back memories ! I use to dance my heart out to my favorite music in my livingroom. Loved to dance, even though I never had any formal training. It was just in my blood same as my Arabian horses and sculpture.
Lisa, all I can say is “Awesome!!!! You keep dancing girl! Get out there and have a good time!”
Hi Lisa
I agree with the others just get you going girl let it go dance, its part of you and it brings out your passion so you do it girl!
You are a fantastic dancer I have watched one last dance loads of times and you just dance which such beauty and grace so dont ever give up you are a born dancer in every way go enjoy it and dont feel guilty for having a great time its what you need, and dance is a great pick me up so Lisa have a good time.
Be kind to yourself remember you are taking baby steps, and dancing is one of them.
God bless you show them! dance your heart out love Julie XXOX
Lisa,
I wish I had learnt to dance, I love the movement and the emotion that a good dancer can make you feel as a spectator. But never seem to have had the chance to learn, there are not too many around and there so far away from where I live But it never stops me from having fun dancing (that’s if you can it that lol).
My dear Lisa, you can do everything you will, you have the heaven won, you’re for me an inspiration of life.
Patrick was for me my favourite actor and then i could discovered the person’s kind which he was.
You must think that he will wished to watch dancing always, like he did with you , now you must do it, with Patsy or alone or with friends, but you never must leave dancing.
All my best wishes for that night, i hope that you enjoyed it so so much!!!!!
A big kiss from Madrid(Spain) and a enormous hug, for you and the energy that stay with you always, Patrick.
Signed: Maite Sánchez Grano de Oro
Whoa! The energy of this entry and your St. Patrick’s Day are really cool; like Spirit coming out to play! And you so deserve some good play, Lisa! Letting go and allowing myself to travel through ALL the experiences and emotions of Life so fully is something still new to me. I could so easily do it in acting or some other kind of art expression, though just doing it as me in my life is still new…lot of unraveling had to be done first. So inspiring to witness your expression of getting through this crazy, cool life, too. Thank you, Lisa! Keep on movin’ to the beat that moves you!! Love, Kathy
What a joy to read your posts!! that is my One last dance that moved the first time I’ve seen!! then the second day I’ve cried so ressentai the love you had the one to the other through dance gestures looks!! it is rare to find it …… everything is not all beautiful pink is the importance of finding balance!! and love his half .. c is a wonderful gift to love and be aimer.Ne feel guilty and continue to have fun dancing to dear Lisa ♥Sorry for the errors of translation.
Dear Lisa,
No doubt that dancing is one of the most important things in your life,your love, your passion.I can see it each time you dance.
I remember i was 14 years old when i saw you dancing with Patrick at the World Music Award. I was deeply moved with your movements and beautiful choreography.You and Patrick were amazing dancing.It was perfect.
I saw an instructional video cassette Swayze dancing and I love it so much.It´s so beautiful to see you dancing with Patrick because he had the same passion for dance as you had. And Patrick´s mom is a fantastic teacher , i think.She certainly have great memories vhen she taught dance her students.
I love all Patrick´s movies but One last dance is the best to me because i can see there he adored his career of dancer with a lot of passion.
Thank you for your great blog Lisa.
God bless you and all The Swayze family
Livemusic is soulfood!
I try to enjoy concerts much often, to listen … to feel the energy recharge my batteries a lot.
I like this state of euphoria, it’s so invigorating. You can fall into the music, you can dance, you can laugh and express yourself.
I’m happy to read your blogs Lisa. At days like this it seems that your life is overflow of living. That’s great!!!!
Wish you many many days like this.
Blessings, Sabs 🙂
I watched the clip of you and patrick dancing at the whitney houston tribute on you tube, and I have to say it took my breath away. You could see the love between you both… Absoluteley beautiful x
Oh yes!
I was so happy to find out this video. You can see the love, you can feel the spirit and hear a wonderful voice.
I wished there would be more of such videos. Luv to see Lisa and Patrick dance … breathtaking!
They are telling so much in their dancing. I love this kinda storytelling <3
(((echoing))) YES!!! Teach a class!! OMG, Can you imagine how great it would be to have Lisa as a teacher? Any kind of dance… ALL kinds of dance! Create a space, Play your favorite music, inspire and have a BALL! Think about it… 🙂
Hello Lisa,
I love to hear that you dance again. I can imagine that it must be hard for you. Ilove to see you and Patrick dance, f. e. in One Last Dance. I can see your passion for dancing, it’s simply magic. I love to dance since I have been six years old. I would have loved to take ballet lessons, but it was not sure that my bones would allow me. When I was 14 years old, I saw you and Patrick dance, I wanted to dance, no matter what. So I choose ballroom dancing. I went to all lessons and trained for competitions. I met my husband at the dance school, and we got married after 17 years. At the moment we don;t dance because of my husbands health problems, and I miss it. In the meanwhile I danced line dance, which I loved. I consider to try Zumba. Do you dance Zumba? I dance every once in a while in our living room. When you dance, Patrick will smile down on you and be proud. Love and Light Simone
..
Hi Lisa,
I also love to dance. I cannot tell you how many times I have listened to the Dirty Dancing CD, watched DD on DVD, and danced to both. I am not a good line dancer but do more of a free form. I love the line in DD when Patrick says, “Feeeelllll the music!!!” That is exactly what I try to do. I like to make up new combinations of steps and movements. I like to dance to the beats of the different instruments. You, Patrick, George de La Pena and all of the dancers in One Last Dance are just stunning. The ballet that you and Patrick did at the 1994 World Music Awards (WMA) was so beautiful and such a great tribute to Whitney Houston. Whitney and Patrick both left us far too soon, but I am sure Patrick is watching you with great delight and is with you whenever you dance. The dress that you wore in the WMA ballet is so perfect and seemed to flow so easily. Was it made especially for you for that event? If not, do you remember where you got it? Or where I might find one the same or very similar to it? Thank you in advance for any info are willing to share.
I don’t think you have to have training to DANCE! You just have to immerse yourself in the “feeling.”
The WMA dress was made for the event. A smaller version was already available, but I would have had an accident (up top), if you know what I mean. When I first tried it, and I almost popped out. The choreographer chirped, “They’d love you in Paris!”
I agree with you! Dance is feeling…
Couldn’t have said it any better myself. One of these days you should come to UC San Diego and see some of our dance shows, for they are amazing! Possibly even guest choreograph for one of the shows. That would be such an honor and so wonderful to see. U are beautiful Lisa because you perform from within your soul. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Singing and my version of dance bring utter hysteria to my audience…but my borrowed motto is- dance like no one is watching…or at least I hope not!!! Keep on keepin on Lisa…..you are DELIGHT!!!!
Dance and have fun, I was raised in ne New Mexiico and live in rural wOklahoma. Trust me take of advantage any time you can. I’m single, mid-forties and dont have your dance moves, and always get to dance when we to go out. Of course, your dance partners are probably not going to be as talentted as whom you are used to dancing with. I believe you need to dance so you dont loose your touch and it will help you smile;afterall, there is someone waiting on the otherside who will want the first dance. So take that deep breath, take a step, go out and dance, most of all have some fun.It is allowe and okay.
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