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53 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, November 29, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 12, 2003 Instructor Jerry Pariseau goes from couple to couple, giving instruction in the fox trot at the Medford Elks Club on Saturday. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Fancy footwork By BILL VARBLE Mail Tribune It’s 10 Saturday morning, but the music is Frank Sinatra’s "Just the Way You Look Tonight." The dancers are from Gold Beach and British Columbia and New Zealand and elsewhere. They are in their 30s, 70s and everywhere in between. Welcome to Darcy Dodge and Jerry Pariseau’s Jazz Jubilee beginning fox trot and swing dance class at the Elks Lodge in downtown Medford. The all-day series of free workshops is the fourth annual edition of a day aimed at turning wallflowers and toe-tappers into dancers just in time to enjoy the big annual weekend of traditional jazz here. Advertisement The one-hour beginners’ class is to be followed by others in East Coast swing and advanced swing. There are even shorty Charleston sessions. "If people know a few simple steps, they can go out and dance to the music and have fun," Dodge says. "If they’ve never danced, 80 or 90 percent of them can’t make their feet work. "When you start using that part of your brain, it gets easier." As she speaks, a half-dozen mounted elk heads seem to gaze down impassively at seven or eight men pushing women around the room to the Nelson Riddle Orchestra’s beat. "Make sure your feet are together," Pariseau says. "Your right arm goes around her back, and it’s flat, elbows bent 45 degrees. "Your left hand has a nice, firm hold on her right hand. There should be some resistance. When you’re ready, just lean like you’re going to start walking." Next Pariseau works on turning, which is to be done with the guys going forward. As Mary Carlon points out, that means the women are going backward. "It’s like the thing about Ginger Rogers doing everything Fred Astair did backwards and in high heels," the Horton Plaza resident says. Carlon says she’s been dancing for years but considers herself a beginner. "Every man dances different," she says. "If they all took a class like this it would be good." The morning moves quickly to swing, with Pariseau showing men to step to the left side, then to the right, then put one foot behind the other. It’s a six-count step, side right, side left, change weight. This time the music is Melvin Endsley’s gently rocking "Singin’ the Blues." "I must’ve made it too easy," Pariseau says with a chuckle. Next comes the twirl. Side, side, push-pull, side, side, push-pull. That’s enough to drive Bob Prest off the floor shaking his head. "I’ve decided I’ve got two left feet and that’s the way it’s going to stay," he says. Dodge grabs his partner, a friend named Mavis, and takes the man’s part. Prest, a widower, drove 565 miles from British Columbia for the jubilee. After a quick review, it’s Charleston time, then more people arrive and another lesson begins. Dancers today will have another day of big band, swing and traditional jazz to put their new moves to use. The festival wraps up with afternoon finales at the Reston and the Red Lion Ballroom. Reach reporter Bill Varbleat 776-4478 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times