Friday night, after my private dance lesson with Mario Robau, Ras #2 and I headed down to “Shorty’s”, another Boise Honky Tonk. Not long after we got there, practically all of the other dancers’ dispersed. As usual, Ras #2 and I were left standing there, looking at each other. Just as we were deciding what to do a gentleman walked up and asked if he could West Coast Swing dance with me. Now, having had this happen before, I did not know what to expect, so I headed to the dance floor a bit apprehensive.

Much to my delight, not only was the gentleman, aka Robert, a wonderful dancer, it turns out that he is also a great guy! Ras #2 and I spent the entire evening (and weekend) dancing with him. We took turns, so we got a break. He, on the other hand, or should I say foot, must have been exhausted! He never complained and just kept dancing. The band was good, the DJ was better, and we had the whole dance floor to ourselves. What more can a dancing girl ask for! Seems that he was in town for the Mario Robau workshop, and heard that Shorty’s was where the dancers’ would be hanging out. Once again, dancers’ all speak the same language.

Thank you, Robert for the best Friday dance night I have had in a really long time!

Mario Robau

Several times throughout the year, the High Desert Swing Dance Club brings professional dancers to Boise to hold weekend workshops. This past weekend (November 15-16, 2008) we had the great opportunity to learn from the best! Mario “Swing Daddy” Robau spent the weekend here, dancing with us. It was by far, the best workshop that I have ever attended. Mario is not only an extremely talented dancer and coach, he is also the “teacher’s teacher”.

I don’t know how many of you have taken private dance lessons, but I am here to tell you, that when an opportunity like Mario arises, you do NOT want to miss it. It is an opportunity to have the “best”, critique your dancing, and correct your bad habits and to encourage and enlighten your dancing ability.

It is often the small things (ones that you do not even realize you are doing), that keep a good dancer from becoming a great one! When he dances with you, he sees and feels things that you are completely unaware of. It may be a small adjustment that you need to make, or a large one, but whatever the case may be, it is time and money well spent! I encourage all of you to take a private lesson from a well trained dancer and instructor at least once a month.

Yes, I am walking, or should I say dancing around my house completely different than I was two days ago! My hips are a bit sore, as are my little baby toes, my brain is a bit overloaded, but I know, that eventually with practice all of the great tips that Mario gave me will eventually become second nature, and my dancing will move up a notch, with any luck, maybe even two!

Thanks, Mario , for your time and willingness to share your amazing talent and experience with us! And thanks for the best, most fun Country Two Step Dance that I have ever danced!

Mario has online dance instruction and DVD’s @ www.MarioSwingDaddy.com