The Jive is Back

15 June 2011Min K

So you think you can dance? No, no, I don’t mean that hormonal-driven ‘grinding’ or the weird gangster hand-gestures or that thing that kids call hip-hop. I mean the awe-inducing, inspiring, and intangible force found in the movements of ballerinas, break dancers, tappers, and ball room dancers. Yah, I didn’t think so. It is hard to come by such great talent outside of the dance studio and even harder to come by it in the weight rooms, but somehow, the rare creature that is Mr. Tony Medina has accomplished such a feat. Usually, Mr. Medina is seen wearing a Brentwood track suit and rugby gear to the point where students and faculty alike start to question whether those are the only clothes he owns. He roams Gillespie Field grooming next year’s wingers and forwards, but, rarely is he seen dancing……or, gasp, jiving! I have seen him play squash, tennis, rugby, badminton, soccer and basketball. His athletic abilities are considerable and he has a wealth of experience under his coaching belt. But, I was indeed shockingly, pleasantly surprised to discover his hidden gem of expertise as he was teaching Sara M and Riaan O how to jive. The Brentwood Vocal Jazz Ensemble was in need of dancers for the swing-inspired song, “Jump, Jive, and Wail” that they performed at the Concert for a Summer’s Eve and Mrs. Lorraine Blake, Brentwood’s dance choreographer and teacher, was happy to recommend Mr. Medina instruction. She even commented that Mr. Medina was better at ballroom dancing than she was! Watching Mr. Medina teaching the jive to these two dancers was hilarity in the unexpected, as he tore up the dance studio like he was on the rugby field with his lightning footwork. He even said that dance was not only good for wooing the ladies, but for playing any type of sport. It gives players quick feet and develops hand-eye coordination and it makes you use your brain — something which a lot of athletes tend to forget to engage when they are caught up in the heat of things. So, start working on that quick step! Who knows, we might be seeing you on TV soon…

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