James was the best dance partner ever!
I have many fond memories of us dancing together. James could do any dance out there! Old School Swing, Pop & Lock, Robot, Bus Stop, ChaCha, Hustle, Freak, Slide, Worm, 4 Corners, Muscle, etc. We watched Soul Train religiously to pickup new moves. We loved to be the first to learn the new and latest dance. That was our family thing. LOL.
Each week, we would practice, practice and practice our dance routines for the weekend. We had to be ready for the weekend! After learning the routine, we had to coordinate our outfits. We both love red as early as I can remember as little kids, so that was a good color for us to start with. Red was our Grandmothers favorite color too (*See picture posted in the gallery). We would try to mix it up though. By the weekend, we were ready to compete in local dance competitions around Miami, some of which we won.
Dancing is something you just did as a "Jackson". Even my elderly aunts Estelle and Virginia could bust a move in their 70's and 80's. My mom can too, don't let her fool you.
We went to Hawkinsville each summer. James and I spent hours dancing with Jarvis and Tory in preparation for the "Sock Hop" teen party on the weekend. We would share dance moves, watch Soul Train and just dance at Ruby and Leon's house. We had dance off's and combined our GA-Miami routines so we could all dance together if we went somewhere.
In later years in Miami, on Saturday's family would gather at our house on Friday nights. We each brought food and music. No one had to ask "if" we were gathering or what time. They would just show up. We would dance together, laugh and eat. Young, old, teens, and the little ones enjoying each others company. We had a back-to-school gathering for the young ones each year when time for school to start, when someone graduated or accomplished something.
I remember when our GA family came to visit (Vernette, Faith, Emma Lyon, Jarvis, Tory, Maurice, Tongala, if I forgot anyone who came to visit...I'm sorry!). My brother would plan all the activities (beach day, sight seeing, dinner and dancing). We had a great time.
Family we've had some good times. Let's hold on to the good ones and look forward to making many more new ones!