Fieldwork Diary Entry (January 28, 2013)

I am in my fourth week of fieldwork and am feeling somewhat discouraged. As enthusiastic as she seemed initially about by research, Rosaria's interest seems to have waned.  It is hard to tell whether this is my projection onto her or whether it really is the case.  In the face of the invitation to her studio in Croydon never being mentioned again and her not showing up early as she'd agreed to at last week's class to talk to me, I wonder if she is fickle, wary of me or just forgetful.

Regardless I am finding it hard to make progress, mainly also because I am unsure of what I am looking for in this fieldwork process.  I know the module is for us to have a taste of fieldwork and that is the focus.  But  I do not know what my question is. Should there be a question? The only reason I think I should have one is for the essay at the end of all this.  Otherwise I am just curious as to why people are dancing the Charleston now and why it is not as popular as other vintage dances in London?

I had a look on Youtube on the weekend at clips of the Charleston  from various periods of time in various places in the world.  It frustrated me because watching the clips made me more aware than ever of how little progress I am making with the dance.  I had already completed an eight week beginner's course with Rosaria before starting this new course for fieldwork . This new course is a rehash of everything she'd covered in the last one. So as a student, I am not learning anything new in terms of Charleston technique.  Which makes it boring but perhaps better for fieldwork.

I need to remember that this fieldwork is not about me as a student, nor about Rosaria but about the experience as a whole.

During last Friday's class (23/1/2013), my friend Nu kindly came to the class and filmed it for me.  Even though I tried to ignore the camera, I felt quite self-conscious knowing that I was being filmed. This made me realise how the other students might have felt when I was filming or taking photographs of them and how the is process of documentation affects the field.  I would much have preferred a hidden camera but in this case, it was not possible.  Nu also had the task of filming the whole class without including Jane in the footage which once again, limited the angles she could shoot from.  Feeling so self -conscious at being filmed did make me reflect on the pros and cons of overt as opposed to covert fieldwork.

Footage filmed by Nu Tran. Includes Basic charleston, Granny knees, Propellor, Birdy walk,    Tick tock & Flick kick.

                                 
During the weekend I emailed the Bees Knees who run irregular Charleston workshops at Wild Times in London. I took one of their workshops last September and whilst not very impressed with the tuition I received, I did want to interview them about their views of Charleston, especially of teaching in London.  I am also intrigued about the Charleston workshops they are running at Claridges and want to know what exactly they are going to teach when charging £125 per person for a four week course.