Rocking Personal Style – Adventures in Porto

You ready? This is Guedes. Sometimes, like tonight, he goes by his pseudonym DJ Joe. He’s rocking the plaid, a bow tie, and fierce facial hair. The music was in good hands after he took over from Abeth and the Mean Swing Machine, carrying the party until 4am.

I was in Porto, Portugal teaching an aerials workshop with Helena Cardia and coordinating with Lindy Hop Portugal for promotions. The aerials workshop was a great success, bringing 40 dancers from Porto and Lisbon. We taught 7 different aerials in 4.5 hours at an amazing acro gymnastic facility.

During my short stay, I was reminded that I miss Porto’s crazy winding streets, riverfront, towering bridges (abandoned and otherwise), and the dancers.

Two things stood out for me at the Saturday night party. I wrote the following in my Notepad: “have good fashion style, solid dancers”. It’s not that they are wearing fashion labels, fancy footwear, or dressing vintage/retro/classic. It’s that the clothes fit their personal style so well, embodying their characteristics as a person and a dancer. They are put together.

They are also put together dancers. Abeth has done a great job developing Portugal’s scene. And a good portion of Portugal’s dancers have really invested themselves into swing dancing. It shows, especially on the dance floor. Just as you have many fashion flavors, you also have many dance flavors and styles reigning on the dance floor. They have a big small scene.

I had a great time dancing with everyone that night. Eventually, my back started stiffening (4.5 hours teaching plus 3.5 hours training) and I had to rest. Fortunately, Daniel was making a recovery brunch the next afternoon. Always say yes to a Daniel meal. Trust me.

That wraps up Portugal. Hopefully, I’ll return soon for more adventures.