I was just thinking about the number of performances I've done over the past few years. I don't think I can count them with both my hands, but yet, even after doing so many, I've not lost the interest for performances..
And I realised it isn't the performance per se that I actually like. I don't think I'm hankering after the applause or attention, and I can't even be bothered to inform friends about most performances after a while.
Nope it's not really the performance but the training that I like. The challenge of taking up something new - new stunts, new moves, new performing environments and more recently, new genres - that's the attraction factor. One of it at least. I'm training almost every weekday for an upcoming locking ( plus a wee bit of popping) cheoro, something out of my league, and it's the most fun I had for dance training since over a year!
Another thing I like is being part of a team. It's been a long time ever since I've trained so hard with the same group of people. In salsa, the 'tough' factor isn't there anymore.. At least not when the team frequently replaces itself with new people. Seniors merely play mentors. I'm not against this system, in fact I'm for it, but one can only take so many semesters of simply playing mentor. I've drifted apart from the team since... I'm a bit too pragmatic in that way lol.. For wushu even, I've lost the motivation to train ever since my batch stopped. Nonetheless, the CNY performances coming up have provided me with a very good incentive to start wushu again!
The third reason is pretty obvious... Learning movement control and different styles (aka improving your dance skills) is something I find worthwhile to do. While not particularly useful, I get a kick out of being able to do stuff and look good doing it too! I love the freedom of expression through movement (I'm not particularly proficient in singing nor musically inclined, so not much of a choice there lol). While there are obvious constraints to follow (else there won't be any genres), I don't like to follow these too rigidly. Hence I'll likely never take part in competitions based on pure styles, even though I used to for wushu and DSA. Performances give so much more freedom :D
It's not the end but the journey that truly counts.
I hope the journey will be a long but enjoyable one.
Locking is really fun!!! But for now, I've my eye on popping next :P