Dear Disdressesd, wear something nice. Casual or formal, go for comfortable, lightweight styles for easy aerobic movement, and very comfortable shoes-eschew rubber soles. Gentlemen find swinging purses painful; Ladies equally fear swinging, Bejeweled tie clips. Leave those home or at the Coat check.

Dear Close, Dance Lady reminds you that such questions are rude. However, she understands the Sociological Need to Know: the range is from 20s to 80s, with most being 35 to 55.

Dear Un, actually, no. Certainly Dance Lady prefers not to. In fact, most participants choose to come without a partner. And those who do frequently switch off to experience a variety of styles and steps, variety being the spice, etc.

Dear Un, Dance Lady is not prone to answer two questions from the same person, but this being a new column and there being few letters to answer this time around, she relents. Try standing near-not-on-the edge of the dace floor instead of lurking behind shadowy tables or in the balcony. As with real estate, location counts. Best, of course, is your mother's advice: to get friend be a friend. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, just ask someone to dance! It's not as if you're proposing, after all.

Dear Dance Lady, is there anything I shouldn't do at Savoy Dances?
         Signed, Emily P.

Dear P, well, yes. Please don't bring in your own beverages-liquor, soft drinks, water- but please do patronize the bar. Don't clutter the dance floor, chairs and tables with your tote bags, coats and stuff. Instead, keep the dance floor clear and seating available by leaving your belongings at the Coat check where they'll be safer anyway.

In closing, Dance Lady reminds you of her Five Dance Rules:

See you on the dance floor!

Dance Lady's distinct views do not represent the NYSDS, its' members, or its Board. She appears here because we felt bad that no one else would publish her.