Me & Big B.

It’s been a few weeks since I began working with the bata (a.k.a. “Big Girl” or “Bianca” ) and I think it’s going well. Our relationship has definitely improved since day one, when she was either biting my ankles or simply refusing to cooperate. No, I think we’ve developed a good rapport and understanding: I treat her right and she does what she’s supposed to do.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. Flamenco is challenging in itself, but then try dragging a few pounds of fabric behind you and see what happens. The first two classes were filled with all kinds of ridiculousness, but I think we’ve all since found our basic bata bearings and we’re actually able to dance, at least a little. It’s all very exciting! Watching us all in the mirror with all of these lovely, colorful trains behind/alongside us, I can imagine how fiercely gorgeous we’ll look in performance someday. Someday.

One tough thing about learning bata is you need adequate space in which to practice. I can’t put this thing on in my dinky living room and kick it around, and I haven’t had time (or funds) to get to the studio. But I’ve taken a cue from a reader who says she’s doing bata-mime until she can get a Big Girl of her own. Don’t be surprised if you catch me in phantom bata doing odd squat-kicks in the ladies’ room at work or in line at the grocery store. It’s important to get the technique down, so I gots to get my practice in whenever and however I can.

All in all, I LOVE bata and I think bata might love me.