N.F.D.L.
This ain't your ordinary league.

Friend C's going away party on Friday was an action-packed evening. Fun times, good friends, yet a sad occasion for a party.

But, in the midst of the sadness of saying farewell to our dear Friend C, an important event was born. Not just dancing. Not just fanning. No, it's the . . .

National Fan Dancing League

In an event that could not have been more perfect had the stars been perfectly aligned, the creation of the league occured simultaneously with the auditions for the very first season of the NFDL. Co-Captained by C.T. herself, with Friend JW, and under the watchful eye of Dance and Hotness choreographer MAA, scrupulous attention to many details took place in the forming of both the Varisty and Junior Varsity sqauds. MAA plays a vital role in maintaining the highest standars of hotness and choreography, for it is mandatory in this league to be hot, and choreographed.

The evening of dance provided a variety of styles, and included a variety of music. Notably, hip-hop is the dominant musical accompaniment to the leading fan dancing routines. But other genres of musicality are also widely accepted.

The ancient art of fan-dancing combines the use of a typical asian fan . . .



. . . with the modern art of random dance. There is deep meaning behind every move, and many years of dedication to practice and understanding the ancient art are required to achieve the highest levels of Fan Dance.

Here, Co-Captain Friend JW demonstrates the rap / hip-hop style of Fan Dance in a move we like to call . . . The Diddy.



Note the fan usage in a back and forth motion, but pointed downward as if to say "Sho' nuff!". Also note the mouth open facial stance - very important to the success of the Diddy.

Next we have a more interpretive style of Fan Dance, demonstrated by Friend Chuy.



Note the joyous abandon in which she uses a fully flared fan, front and center. This move is known as the Dancing Queen, and it is widely seen in interpretive fan-dancing circles worldwide.

Friend AnolongerinP shows us a variation of the interpretive Fan Dance style, known as Celebration, in which she lifts her eyes upwards in celebration of the art of Fan Dancing, and nature.



Here, I, myself go through the grueling audition process, using everything I have to score a spot as Co-Captain of the Varsity Squad. I begin with my patented Peacock move, using both hands as fans, even though I have only one actual fan.



Note my use of the audience reaction to further fuel my next move . . . The Bow. And note the approval of Dance and Hotness Choreographer MAA in the back left.



Here, I take the Peacock to the next level by bowing forward to an audience member, engaging them further into my Fan Dance. Note Co-Captain Friend JW in the background, shocked and awed at this bold move.

From the Bow, I then move to The Model, where I involve the very important use of good hair.



Since Fan Dance is a thing of extreme beauty, it is vital to all good Fan Dances to involve gratuitous use of flowing hair. Note the strong wrist action as I use the fan to propel my hair outward and upward, arching back to get the full good hair of a model-at-a-photo-shoot effect.

I ended my audition with a final outrageous move, The Stare.



To attempt The Stare in a Fan Dance performance, you must fully commit to the move, without hesitation, without reservation. The key is to lock eyes with a target in the audience, and fan like you've never fanned before. Points are given for fanning speed, and duration of stare-lock. Note also in the photo my intense red-eye. The extra effort to concentrate my eyes into a frightening shade of red is what secured my spot as Co-Captain of the Varsity squad, much to the delight of Co-Captain Friend JW, again in the background.

Now, if you are concerned that you may not have what it takes to become a professional Fan Dancer and participate in the NFDL, I encourage you to give it a try. Sometimes, you may be a Fan Dancer and not even know it . . .



. . . nor remember it afterwards.

So, you think you can Fan Dance? Rest assured, ANYONE can be a Fan Dancer, if it's truly in your heart and soul.

Even dudes.



Here's to a great start to a fantastic season of the NFDL!

C.T.

ADDENDUM: Due to proper props being mistakenly left out of this post for reasons that are both inexcuseable, and unexplanable, it must be recognized that NONE of this event, nor would the existence of the NFDL even be possible without the inspiration and the prop supply-ation by the fabulous Friend JR. It was only due to her bag of tricks that produced the fan seen throughout the evening and used exclusively for NFDL auditions that the League was able to be birthed.

Friend JR, the NFDL thanks you for your inspiration, your insight, your very large purse full of random things, and for being the reason why we Fan Dance. We are truly nothing without you.