Thursday Night With Tiggerbabe

I had this saved as a private entry for a while just because I didn't have time to do a proper write up. Taken me a while to get around to actually finishing it.

Like most Thursdays there were far too many women. You might think this a good thing for a guy, I certainly find that never needing to sit out on a dance a good thing, but you find you try and build a list of people you'd like to dance with in class and find you never get around to dancing with half of them. Resulting in you feeling, at the end of the evening, like you haven't danced with most of the women there (probably true). Anyway there isn't really anything that can be done about except for some of the women to go to other nights (or for more men to attend on a Thursday but then I think the dance floor is busy enough).

The music was done by the fab Tiggerbabe tonight. It was a really good set though probably more challenging than what we are used to on a class night (I felt there was more songs with a tempo change and breaks in than we normally get); that certainly wasn't a bad point I enjoyed the challange. A really fab selection of songs but maybe Tiggerbabe should do some more sets in Edinburgh just so we can check it isn't just because she's an infrequent DJ to us (:non-existant whistle thing:). She also came to find me for the last song and we had a really good dance together. I'm always really flattered when anyone asks me to dance but when such an incredable dancer does I'm also surprised as well.

I doubt I would have remembered the Beginner's move by this stage if it hadn't been for the fact that a followed a woman (in freestyle) who was trying lead for the first time in class. The moves were Yo-Yo, Slo Comb, Basket and, Man Spin.

• The same move as the first move I did on the 25^th of August (which I never named back then either). It is worth metioning after turning the woman both her hands should be at waist level and you should take a count before moving into the steps.


• We did the Accordian Seat like I did back on the 9^th of August. As a note they taught a much stronger dimond shaped frame the the Accordian that I might have missed last time. Also take both the woman's hands above her head when her back is turned to you. It also had a varient ending where after you sit when you've taken your left hand to her right hand side transfer her left to your right. As you stand up begin turning to the left to move around the woman and change direction. Twirl her a one and a half times then put her into a spin catching left.


• First Move Tango Walk into Lean. Some nice footwork in this. It is a shame that I'm so bad at footwork. Still it gives a good oppertunity to practice. Start like a first move; push the woman out and change to a ballroom grip with the left (at first I didn't understand why but it is for the lean). Bring the left low so you are facing your partner with your right on her hip and left in the ballroom around waist level (?). Push on the woman's hip and draw in with the left hand; at the same time stepping crossing your right foot behind your left; the weight change you caused the woman should be mirroring this. Guide with the left hand causing both of you to correct the cross step by stepping left with the left foot. Pull in with the right and push out with the left this time causing the woman to step forward (with her left) while cross stepping yourself with right in-front of left. Then step with left to get out of a cross step. Each of the cross-step then correct happens on one count (so each step happening on a beat). Do the same as the first time pushing out but move the right hand to the small of her back while taking the left hand high to dip her slightly in-front of you as you bring the left knee behind her (effectively allowing her to sit on it if she wanted to). Correct then move out like a normal first move. I've sort of forgotten this posture correctly. Footwork sort of still being a bit of a novelty I had a bit of difficulty with the move. I'll see if I can run over it with someone that knows and update my notes :D.

Tags: Ceroc

The Man Double Spin Is Back!

I had a good night tonight; mainly due to a lot of fun dances which certainly make my night. At the same time I did a double spin of a Man Spin again and that filled me with a bit of joy. I also got a woo! from the teacher while doing a Strip Hug which made me instantly get embarrassed and pretty much stop the move. Also after a recent discussion I went over Check-Check so I could lead them even though they seem to fill some women with a passionate hatred. I got a bit of feedback (that I asked for) for my leading and my partner picked up a bit of uncertainly in a few of my moves causing me to lag by half a beat and also told me to keep the arm low for the Swizzle Walk Around which seems like some sound advice and she said generally the uncertainly with fade with more experience. I sure hope so.

I also feel guilty that much of my attention was stolen away from the beginners who I would have liked to dance with. I think it is really important for a friendly atmosphere and as a learning experience for both of us.

First Move Push Spin, Back Pass, Octopus and, Side Step.

• First Move Spin Around. First Move. After pushing out twirl the woman to your left while walking around her and snapping back into the left arm at your shoulder and your right arm at her waist. Push out and repeat. Keep doing until content that you've made her dizzy (or whatever stage you feel is good) and exit using any number of First Move exits (just standard in this case).


• Neck Break Lady Under. Start neck break with right hand "high five" signal and move in putting that over her shoulder and putting your left at your shoulder (I'm pretty sure I didn't do this before). Turn her to be hip-to-hip placing your right on her right shoulder at this stage and your left on her left. Move her in (like a normal Neck Break) but then turn her clockwise letting go with left and then (as she comes around) gently pushing down with right allowing her to duck and you to move your hand around her. As she turns away again spin her and catch right.


• Right hand offering left at right waist. Take hands in around your chest and then push out with the right causing you to be hip to hip. Turn 180 to face partner and take right hand to the right and lock in a push hold. Push and bring left up keeping both hands high then move hip-to-hip taking both your and her right hand to your right hip and your left somewhere in her direction (I don't know :)). Lean right hopefully she'll take a step forwards. At the same time take your right over your head. As you correct from the lean take your left over her head (like a few other moves we have done). Slide out into right to her left hold. Spin her and catch left (though at least a few times I went straight into a dip).

I liked these moves :).

Tags: Ceroc

I Like to Boogie

Hadn't been to a Monday night for a couple of weeks or so; so I went to tonight's lesson. Had some really good dances; one that I really wished, during it, that it would end and; one that I managed to inflict minor injury on the follower :(. My set of people who I really enjoy dancing with is growing and that's great. There was a beginner who was doing amazingly for her first lesson she was coping with a variety of beginners moves she wasn't taught; a few of the easier intermediate. The dance I wished would end was with a beginner (it was my second dance with her) so I felt a little guilty; I was trying to give her some pointers but I don't think she really cared for them. Ah well it wasn't that bad.

On another note a lack of taxis meant that the beginners were sitting out at the intermediate just watching. There were a couple of off duty taxis there who I felt maybe should have taken it upon themselves to cover. I know that they don't need to but it doesn't seem very committed. I was going to ask if they wanted me to do it but I wouldn't want to try and take a class on my own as a non-taxi who was covering.

Armjive Push Spin, Slo Comb, Step Across and, In-and-Out. The Slo Comb involved using the left hand to wrap around the lady behind her back. I hate this. I much prefer the hand-on-hip variant where you are are saying "stay for a few beats" but if the woman feels uncomfortable then she can just push off and escape (I don't think many women feel uncomfortable with me, I hope anyway, but I like to give them the option). Anyway I mentioned this to the teacher at the end and he agreed with me (maybe just to get me to go away). I hope he didn't think I was being critical of his class as I think he's a really good teacher and I had a really good class. Speaking of which; the non-trappy moves are:

• Step Across Turn. Step Across as you turn to face the woman keep the hand high so she turns. Return.


• Turn Messy Arm Thing. Right handed. Offer left at your right hip. When she has taken that hand and come in move the right then the left up and around her head turning her 2½ (?) times before taking your right hand over her head and your left over yours (so you are facing the same direction, hip to hip, with arms over the shoulder). Let go of the right and offer it in between you both at waist level. She takes that as she pivots back. Pivot her forward then begin unwrapping her (clockwise?) with the right while then also doing it with the left further up. Keep turning her until you can put her into the Crucifix. At this stage wait a count then put both your hands on top of each of her elbows walking her (in a cross step) left, right, left before spinning her. Catch right.


• Back Dip. Offer left over right at your elbow; pivot her out then take her hands bringing her in front of you as your left to her right shoulder; carry on turning her so her back is facing to you as take your right to her left shoulder. She'll have her hands crossed in front of you as you have your hands crossed behind her. Using the arm as a support on her upper back take her into a slight dip. Correct then twirl her using the left hand high; take right again to go into an Accordion. Twirl her so hands are crossed. Walk side to side for a few beats then Hallelujah out.

Tags: Ceroc

Edinburgh Party Number 3

I've nearly finished my Southport write up (on to Sunday) but I went to the Edinburgh party tonight. I didn't get much sleep last night and I think it resulted in me being rather tired this evening for the party. Everything started off well but I found I lost focus and couldn't concentrate probably making poor dances. Anyway I had a selection of lovely dances including from some other people from Glasgow and a really great dance to end the evening after the lights had gone up.

• Catapult into Swizzle Walk. Catapult taking right hand out then over your head. Pivot the follower on that and move into a Swizzle. Bring the hand left then right for four beats (just like another move we did) then return still holding on to the lower hand and go straight into a Comb. Release and catch left.


• Almost Pretzel Sway Walkaround. Offer right behind back but snatch away turning and swapping hands pulling the woman in for a Sway. Walk around for a couple of beats before going into a regular sway and exit.


• Ceroc Spin with a right handed catch. Errr.

Tags: Ceroc

Post Ceroc Drinks Make You Tired

Right again I've left this late enough that I don't really have that much time for the post. Strange set of music tonight. Finished with a lovely slow number (something about sleeping or slumbering) when the lights were up and tried out a few drops and slinky moves on a willing partner. Short night and I didn't dance with a bunch of people I'd love to and a bunch of beginners that I felt I'd of liked to but that's what busy nights get you.

Armjive with a Swizzle, Basket, Shoulder Slide and, Catapult.

• Armjive Swizzle Walk. Start with an Armjive Swizzle but after you have extended the arm fold it in and bring it out to your right marching the woman around for a step before folding it back into a standard armjive then back out to the right and so on so she is constantly walking around you. Exited by unwrapping but then directly moving into a Basket.


• Wurlitzer Tango Slide Thing. Wulitzer. Wrap the woman in letting go with right and take it to her right hip (where she should hopefully take it) and take the left in the left hand (so like the hold on a Sway). Slide to the left bending with left arm over the head to the right to give a sort of C shape. Then put right foot in front of left (so to the left of you at this stage) then immediately transfer weight to the back (left) foot. Rotate the woman around her newly established centre of mass while rotating yourself to face her both hands crossed. Two handed return then drop the left hold (so you are left right to right).


• Catapult Right Twist into Dip. Much like other versions of this move done previously. Catapult woman offering left hand at right side. Bring her in to take that move her past you keeping right at head level (to move her around) and left at waist. Begin turning her anticlockwise keeping left at waist until you can't. Let go and keep turning her while turning yourself clockwise turn her around a bit more before ending up with her 90 degrees facing right and move into a small dip.

Tags: Ceroc

Just The Move List

Armjive, Man Spin, Ceroc Spin and, Octopus.

• Armjive Swizzle into Teapot. I'm sure I can work it out from that.


• First Move Kick Ball Change Triple Step. First move start put hand on woman's far hip and let go with left. Do a Kick Ball Change (a tap dancing move I think) then guide the woman in and do a Triple Step. Swap arms behind her back and move back into a First Move sort of position; repeat back to where you started; swap back and go into a push spin (in this case). Strangely exactly the same move we did down at a lesson in Southport. Scary stuff.


• Use Your Illusion Part 1. Right hand start. Offer left at waist and keep it there as you cross your right over your chest. Move your right out to get the woman along side you. The pivot 180 to face as you move the right(?) high and to your right causing the woman to turn her back to you. The right goes into a sort of flat hand facing position. You then begin turning her with both hands high letting go with the left as she comes around so you don't end up crossing your hands and then you put it back again. Do this a few spins then take one of the hands; lower (into a crossed position) then raise both to return.

Tags: Ceroc

Southport Extravadance Extravapost!

Big post. I haven't actually proof-read it yet and I probably could have gone on a lot longer about all the things that made the weekend so good (well the dancing made the weekend so good; but in more detail). It's quite long.

I went to a dance weekender over the weekend. A whole weekend of focused dancing.
It's obviously the first one of these that I have been to. The atmosphere
was fantastic! Everyone there to dance; the dancefloors packed from morning
to evening (to morning again). It was so good heading into the main hall
at midday and so much dancing going on and likewise heading in at midnight
and that same atmosphere.

I met so many nice people as well; right from the start where I met the forum
crowd, to talking with random women in a workshop, to talking with the very
experienced dancers or just dancers from all sorts of background. I was hoping
for that friendly atmosphere that you get in classes but it was wonderful
to see that it applied to a much larger scale event.

Anyway I'm going to describe the events and stuff that I did in-between. I'll
try and keep it interesting :D.

Icebreaker Class

Led by the wonderful Marc and Rachel. After seeing them dance together
I was gob smacked at the style and technical skill of the both of them.
It also turns out that both of them are really lovely people (especially
Rachel; I'm forming a fan club for her). Anyway they gave a good introductory
class with a few fairly simple moves but all new to me so I really enjoyed
it. Since I didn't jot down notes till 6am the move descriptions might be
a bit sketchy.

• Almost Man Spin. Start a Man Spin
  but turn clockwise to face your partner and push out rather than complete
  the spin.



• First Move Slide. First Move. Step out but then bring your
  left hand forward and down to bring your partner to face you while taking a
  quick step on the right foot and then slowly slide the left to meet it.
  Then a fast step on the left and slide the right to it.



• Travelling Twirl Into Left Handed Comb. Twirl the woman past in
  front of you and take her left with your right on the way past. Go into a left
  handed comb and walk past facing your partner. Let go with left and catch
  again at waist.



• Twirl into Push Out. I think we then did a double twirl with the
  left before then pushing out to step stylishly away from our partners.

Forum Gathering

Not a class at all. Just found it a great experience meeting lots the people
from the Ceroc Scotland Forum.
Chatting with them... well you just realise what a lovely bunch of people
go dancing (even if they often pretend otherwise on the forum).
I think the fact you get to meet the people in real life like
this emphasises what a great resource the forum can be. Danced with
as many of them as I could before my second workshop...

Total Blues 1

Since I've had no experience with Blues dancing before that evening and
I was expecting to spend a bit of time in the blues room later then
I thought I'd better try and pick up some moves. Found the sudden absence
of personal space with a complete stranger a little uncomfortable
(hey; I'm shy) but I got over it. Loved the fact that they gave the move
list out; so this is just me copying from that :D.

• Basic/Penguin/Slingshot. Basic position, sinking form
  side-to-side, changing tempo on spot or with penguin, slingshot ladies out.


• Lady's Walk/Squat/Shimmy Down Sit. Lady's teasing walk and turn,
  both squat. Guys pull ladies into 'reverse' position with right hand in manly manor
  (basically into a sit-down but by using hand on her wrist), both shimmy down with ladies sitting
  on guy's knee or guys legs on either side. Ladies out into Wurlitzer position.


• Reverse Lean/Double Outwards Lean. Guys wrap ladies into side, and
  clamp with right arm (around back of waist) facing opposite directions, ladies stepping and turning. Both lean, guys
  bring ladies up, grap lady's right arm, ladies cross over right in front of left, guys
  lock lady's back foot with guy's right, both lean outwards. Travelling return changing hands.


• Wurlitzer/Wrap in Dip/Seducer. Travelling bluesy Wurlitzer
  with hands low, spin ladies in front and dip, guys taking left hand over lady's shoulder. Ladies placing
  right arm around guy's waist.


• Hip Rolls. From basic position. Guys lead ladies into roll by bending knees and rotating clockwise.


• Flashy Caveman Exit. Just for fun! - guys drag ladies helplessly away.

Late Night Dancing Friday

So it moved into late night freestyle where I started with the faster
music in the main room later moving to the blues room and trying some
slower dancing. Found the Blues lesson useful but still wasn't overly
comfortable with Bluesy dancing.
By this stage I had already been intimidated enough
that I'd often be quite shy about asking people I didn't know. Anyway
at 04:30 I called it a night.

Next Day

Well the next day I woke up feeling like crap (I don't think I drank
enough water or ate enough on Friday). I started doing the Silky Smooth
Jive class but I bailed about three quarters of the way through (it
was extra men on so I didn't feel guilty about leaving). Anyway some
of the moves I did do (feeling not well may have affected my recollection
though).

Silky Smoooooooth Jive

• First Move Mambo. Start a first move on pushing
  the woman out move forward placing left foot forward into
  a mambo step with her.


• Cha Cha. Start to back off with the mambo changing
  both hands to an curled just-below-chest-height sort of
  open hold. Take a step with your left foot to the right then
  release with the left hand while stepping to the left (as
  the follower does the same) turn to face taking hold of other
  hand and wiggle a cha-cha-cha with your hips. Do the same to
  the right. You can spin the woman at a release stage. Hopefully
  you can get in a cha-cha-cha before she turns to face.


• ...err... told you I wasn't really doing that well :(.

From there I tried to eat, had a massage and, tried to hydrate myself.
I basically wasn't wanting to go to bed so I could attend Frank's
class. Which I did :).

How To Slow Jive

Whereas Bluesy dancing promotes a new range of moves more suited
to Blues track this class was focusing on how to slow down
jive moves to be more suited to slower tracks (though not generally
as slow as bluesy dancing). There wasn't really a list of moves
it was just the First Move and the Man Spin we used. It focused
instead on how to distribute weight and move someone around using
that. I found it a really useful class and though I still need
practice I felt it was a really good way to dance; I'm glad
I stayed up for it. Anyway I'll try and describe the technique
taught.

First Move; as you move out you take the right hand into a very
high position resting the hand between your follower's shoulder blades
and hopefully having her arm resting against yours with her putting
just a little bit of downwards force in it (a bit like a ballroom frame).
This keeps a better
connection and allows the lead to control the dance better. The
left hand also has some tension though you really controlling with
the right. You pretty much bring the left down to move your partner
to face. From here you can shuffle your and her body to
the music controlling both your and her weight distribution to a given
foot or a sort of neutral both feet. You can then use this to, say,
put her weight on her front foot; put your foot to the inside of her
back foot and then lift and push that back transfer weight to the
back and slide in the front foot. I've recreated it a few times
in freestyle now to a variety of effects. He also taught a quick
left hand sweeping up and around then past her eyes for some meaningful
eye contact :D. By pushing her slightly away with the left and then
pull her back in (also changing your weight distribution) you can
also sort of get this away-in-away-pause or visa versa in step to
the music. Lower the frame and then you are back to a regular First
Move. We also did a slow turn by just pivoting on the balls of your
feet on the man spin to slow the move down rather than waiting
half a count. Frank put it that it's like you just don't want to
let the lady's hand leave your waist. It was a good way to put it.

It went well in most cases though one woman I didn't get that connection and
I didn't follow the routine at all just because I didn't see the point
of trying the more tricky stuff while the actual point of the lesson hadn't been achieved.
Anyway she basically called me shit; which, to be fair, I probably
wasn't at my best but it certainly made me feel crap.

Then I went to bed :).

Saturday Evening

When I woke up Saturday evening I was feeling a bit better and
though I took my time (and think I started annoying a partner I
danced with a bit for not really wanting to find someone else
to dance with). By 3am I was all ready for some serious dancing
(well as seriously as my dancing gets) and had some really good
dances until just after 7 when they finished.

Sunday

Sunday I was feeling much better than I was Saturday afternoon so I went to a big bunch of workshops!

The Waltz

Sunday afternoon I attended The Waltz class. As it has always been
a dance I've wanted to do it was keen on the class. LMC and I decided
to stay as fixed partners rather than constantly swap around. Seemed
to be a good plan as I initially had a little difficulty getting into
the flow and she was a very patient partner. Anyway ballroom frame
(well... yeah) and then step forward (for the sake of this post) left foot step and then to the same
distance but with separated legs with the right foot then bring the
left foot together with the right before stepping on on the right
foot taking the same steps. The same can also be done backwards or
just effectively around in a little box by alternating forwards and
backwards. Turning involves pivoting as you make that step (you plan
a pivot on the first step by turning it). To pivot you effectively
need to step back with the first foot (as you can't use the same
foot twice). Why am I describe this; there are probably about a
million resources for waltzing out there and they'd do a better
job than me.

Anyway great fun; which I could practice it more :(.

Smooth and Sassy Jive

Not sure how smooth and sassy this class really was but it did have
some good moves that I'm still using and are good for surprising
people at my usual venue.

• First Move Penguin Walk. Start a first move
  go into a high frame (like in Frank's class). Then guide with
  left to get your partner facing you standing close and put your
  left hand down to your waist. Take small steps around quickly
  changing your and your partner's weight and you can get to a
  very quick spin which can be great fun. I did get it wrong
  at least a few times afterwards though.


• Almost Pretzel Manhattan. Offer as a Pretzel
  but snatch away while turning moving your arm into a half
  nelson behind you and turning 180° clockwise and placing
  your right hand on your partner's shoulder with
  right foot forward. You then do a
  mambo step (though you are offset from your partner) then step
  forward pulling left arm behind much like the end of a Zipper
  and spin your partner turning to face yourself.


• Dip Return Move. Return your partner. As you do so place your
  right hand on her left shoulder when her back is turned and keep
  turning her so she has her back turned away again with your right
  arm stretching across her. Transfer her right arm to above yours.
  From the left. Run your left arm down her arm taking her left
  in yours (at waist level). Hopefully she has tension in that
  arm as it acts as an additional support. Use right leg as a support
  (like parking a bike they said) then lean her backwards before
  correcting and exiting out right-to-right.


• Use a long dragging kick (I know there is a name for this; I've forgotten it though)
  to turn away from your partner then pull her into your right into
  a sway position using the long kick again you turn both of you around
  then go into a standard Sway exiting as normal.


• Move past the woman on the left drawing your arm out to the right
  so you are standing behind her. You keep a strong tension allowing
  her to move past fully and go into the same sort of long kick
  turn that you did (except she does it for two beats). Return comb.


• Bring left hand high walk behind your partner (in the left) then
  step right then move back to face her spinning her twice then
  do a stylish push off (so removing hold entirely).

Dips, Drops and Seducers

I was going to give this class a miss, given the fact it was marked as Intermediate/Advanced,
but I found a willing fixed
victimpartner to do it with me so I went to the
class. I'm glad I did it was a really great class and my partner was
excellent; I couldn't have asked for a more fab girl to do the class
with. Anyway big bunch of moves:

• Move right hand to woman's left shoulder; push away then move
  right arm in a big circle (just to indicate the move) moving in
  to the left of her (not quite hip to hip though). Let go
  with the left as she places her left hand on to the right of yours on
  her left shoulder locking your arm in. You then turn her to face your
  right side (still very much to the right at a 90° angle). You place your left hand
  on her upper back for additional support and keep your left leg facing
  away. She raises her left hand in a stylish pose (that helps keep your hands locked in).
  You then lunge to the left drawing her into a drop that gets
  quite close to the ground before bringing her back up and using
  the right-to-right on her left shoulder to turn her around and
  return (or whatever).


• Left arm. Offer right in a strong downwards sort of poise (facing
  your hand to the floor). Loop in your right under her right. She should
  (if she knows the move) wrap her right hand around your right shoulder.
  If she doesn't best to abort at this stage. Anyway while that's going
  on you take your right arm up her back from the around the lower part of her back
  and your hand (with palm pointing away from her) to her upper back
  moving just slightly past her. If you like (and I really do) you can
  place your left hand on her left shoulder. Again you are lunging
  away bringing her low. Bring her back up sliding right out and taking
  her right in your right arm.


• Start with right. Return changing right hand into a ballroom and
  then moving to a comb. Move really close in and place right (?) leg
  between the woman's as she does the same with you. You then begin
  to sit down on each other's leg (sort of a squatting position) supporting
  her back with your left.
  Then when you are securely in that position you can take your right
  hand from behind your head leaning back to counter balance your
  partner doing the same. Then you begin to stand taking your hand
  behind her head into a lady comb. When you get back up you move
  into a the latter part of a neck break and continue from there.


• Right hand start. Offer left at waist level on right as you switch
  to a ballroom grip at the same time. Turn her out to the right
  extending right hand out. Make sure she is at least on your right
  hand side possibly more locking herself in with the left hand hold (if she is too far
  to the left she will be far enough back to possibly hit the ground).
  Move into a firm stance with your left leg slightly forward. Lower
  her backwards by lifting your arms taking her into a full ballroom
  drop against using your left leg to help control her descent. Lift
  her back up and you are in the Accordion.


• Sway start. Step left foot in front and lean woman slightly forward
  (so she is leaning towards the floor in front of you). Take the hands
  high turning her to face the ceiling and then take her into a ballroom
  drop using a claw grip. We didn't feel comfortable with this move
  so I didn't really do it. I'll see if I can find a partner to
  try it with at some stage so I can get the description nailed.

Please note if you haven't done these and you are thinking about
trying it based on the descriptions above... you're mad.

Anyway my partner was lovely even when I subjected her to gentle
persuasion :D.

A Little Late Nite Swing

I didn't know what to expect of this class at the beginning. It
was sort of a set routine to a song. It was interesting doing it
it was also interesting to see being used to taking instruction
to try and lead a move was paying off as the women (who don't normally
need to learn how to perform all the bits of a move) were struggling a little
more than the guys because they didn't get a lead. Anyway it was to,
unsurprisingly, A Little Late Nite Swing. I thought that the moves
wouldn't be very useful in freestyle but I recently learnt one of the
moves at a Ceroc class so that just goes to show. We did a little
jump aerial which was quite stylish. Some good things to keep in mind
but I shan't try and recall it.

The Last Evening

Well so the end of Southport was nearly on us. I ate, went home and cleaned
up a bit and then headed back for a night of dancing. I started in the
main room mostly before moving on to the blues room at the end of
the evening. I had some of my best dances that evening. With my
confidence higher than on Saturday and being a lot more prepared
to ask people I hadn't met before to dance I had a wonderful time.
I taught a woman some dips and drops during the evening
(she had been dancing a year
and was keen on learning them but wasn't particularly confident
about going to the class). Again I was amazed just how many good
dancers were there and I saw some stunning dancing. At one stage I
was being blown away by Marc and Rachel doing their thing and then
Rachel asked me to dance (I wouldn't refuse an opportunity to dance
with such an experienced dancer but I was thinking "did you see how
you were dancing a minute ago"). Anyway I managed to be a few women's last
dance (well there last dance ;) ) and just had a fab time dancing
with so many fab people. I'll finish how I started and say that
the people I met were so friendly even when sleep deprivation should
really make them cranky. I left at 7am for a couple of hours sleep
before the journey back. It's amazing how a long weekend can just
fly by.

I have to really thank all the women I danced with for making the
weekend so wonderful for me.

Tags: Ceroc

Tired Moves List

It's late (again) so I'm going to try and keep this short again. Had some really good dances again tonight and danced with a bunch of people I love dancing with. I also thought I danced quite well on a bluesy track which boosted my confidence a bit. I did have one woman tell me that she wasn't keen on doing a drop to which I said I was really glad as she was in the Crucifix and I would have had a real difficult time catching her since my hands were holding her's. I suppose the position of the Crucifix is a bit like a drop kick (which I haven't done). It was better she complained about it though than just go into a drop when I wasn't in a position to catch her (humm). It was one of those nights that the time just went by too quickly and by the end of it I was left surprised and craving more. Still I might be able to satisfy that craving...

Yo-Yo, Ceroc Spin, First Move and, Man Spin. I might stop recording these at some stage. I don't use them and I'm sure no one else does. Comment if for some reason I'm wrong about that (like your a teacher that wants to echo the beginners' class in Edinburgh or something.

• Wurlitzer into Step Out. Start with a Wurlitzer then spin the woman into her own arm to a Basket (don't do any of the steps for the basket though) and walk her around anticlockwise for a beat before you exit her out of the move like a regular. Return. I'd like to think that this move was different and slightly more complex but I actually think that was it.


• Over Shoulder to Man Spin Around. Both hands. Start by moving in to the left hand side of your partner raising hands over your heads so you have an arm behind her head and she has likewise with you. Begin walking around (I think for one count again). Release both hands while the woman's hand is still on your shoulder; spin clockwise for a complete circle underneath her arm then slide it off catching right. I liked this move and as I was experimenting in freestyle I tried to do the underarm spin fast though found that the slightly crouched position does nothing good for balance.


• Good Move Part 2. An extension of the imaginatively named Good Move. Just to highlight though. Offer left hand over the right arm. Bring the woman in with arms crossed over your waist then extend the right hand all the way out to have the woman face the same direction as you then move around resuming the arm across the chest then extend out with the other hand (tricky for me to explain; it's not that difficult to do though). As this stage start bringing your left hand high quickly followed by the right up above both of your heads to begin rotating the woman clockwise while turning clockwise yourself to be back-to-back. As you continue turning around taking the left hand down to her waist while keeping the right high as you turn her away from you you place her left hand on her right shoulder. Then begin unraveling with your left turning her for two and a half turns so you can get her left hand in the half nelson (as done in the previous move) while wrapping the right behind her head turning her 90 degrees to your right and dipping her slightly before resuming and unwrapping out.

Tags: Ceroc

Dancing and Working

Tonight I had some good dances though think I felt a bit guilty since I had work to do that I hadn't finished when I left to dance (this is why I finished being a student I believe my work day should end at some stage without concerns). Anyway with said work in mind I'll jump straight to the moves.

Arm Jive Push Spin, Slow Comb, Step Across, In-and-Out and, Basket. It was almost exactly what I did on Thursday.

• Hatchback Hip. This was an enjoyable simple move. Hatchback then rather than turn and face offer your right arm behind you. Take her hand to your right hip while leaning to your left hip and then bounce her hand to the right so she spins behind you (though you can't put anywhere near enough force in so she is really moving herself). Catch left to right.


• Something with a Mambo. Loved this move (glad I went tonight :)). Start by twirling the woman past you anticlockwise. As she is twirling past put your right hand on the small of her back while keeping the left high (though, I found, off to the side to stop her twirling again). Wiggle a bit side-to-side while moving the left arm down and into a half nelson behind her back exchanging with your right hand already behind there. Put the left hand on her hip which allows you to draw her forward into a Mambo Step. Do this for 4 counts (though I tended to do it longer in freestyle) then exit using the right arm behind her back and a small push with the left. In the class we swapped to left hand and returned.


• Basket into Cross Step Madness. Basket but then unwrap her (slowly; for two counts in fact) to face and then for both of you to face to your left. Step right across left (cross step) and then spin her anticlockwise while stepping right to move closer to her. Quickly move her hand behind your head while placing your hands on her back to move into a left hand dip (quick dip just). Exit with a spin and return. It, as the teacher said, is impossible to lead someone into the cross step in freestyle without verbal communication. It is a step that is quite popular with showcases. Despite the fact it was fun to learn I'll just drop this move rather than worry about it since it has no use in freestyle.

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Route 66

Went to Route 66 tonight. Found the music a little tricky to dance to (compared to the more set beat stuff of the modern music we tend to get in class). Had a great bunch of dances though. Danced loads of times with one particular partner which gave me some time to get use to her style. Had a women insist that she lead me; so I let her. Did some double trouble; which was new :D. Had some time to try and work on some style since I wasn't learning new moves (I shan't try and describe how to do the double trouble stuff). I would say it became apparent, especially when I was following, that I need to work on my balance. I also got a little tired towards the end and think my travelling around the dancefloor suffered. Still I might get an opportunity to work on all that soon...

Tags: Ceroc

Much Better

Had a great night dancing tonight; though it was very overcrowded as per a usual Thursday. If only some of the Thursday people came to Tuesday instead. Both nights would be truly great then. Anyway given it is late I won't go into it just a quick list of moves before I forget.

Armjive Push Spin, Comb, Step Across, In-and-Out and, Basket.

• First Move Teapot. First Move as you raise the left hand to twirl the woman keep the right on her waist and pivot her a half turn basically straight into the Teapot.


• Might Have This Written Down. Twirl the woman with left while stepping across. Place right hand on her shoulder. Rotate her clockwise (still holding on with the left) while rotating clockwise yourself so your back is facing her. As she comes to face (your back) switch to a right-to-right hand hold and continue to rotate clockwise snapping her in for a Sway. Exit and return.


• Good Move. Right-to-right. Offer left hand over arm and bring the woman in to hold it with left. Move her out to the side (so you are both facing the same direction) with your right at her waist and your left close to your left side (so they are sort of crossed). Move around alternating this position between the left and right side. Finish by pivoting to face partner raising the left high and keeping right at the waist turning her anticlockwise (?) so the right is in a half nelson position behind her back and the left can be lowered to behind her neck. She is facing 90 degrees towards your right. Move into a brief dip before exiting by letting go of left and rotating her around with right swapping hands back to the left.

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Too Much?

Tonight was OK at best :(. Lots of strange things about tonight.

First: men outnumbered women; mainly because there was a shortage of women not because of an influx of men. The second was just that my dancing seemed off form. I made some stupid mistakes; I felt I was forcing people into moves rather than leading them (only for a few moves but it was enough). After a fantastic set of dances yesterday today just felt poor. It's not to say I didn't have some good dances or that I didn't enjoy at least a few of them there was just something a bit average about it all :(.

On the plus side Tiggerbabe was DJing and it was really interesting hearing her choice of music. I found it refreshing stuff and loved many of the "new" tracks. I got a couple of dances in with her as well. I tried following for a while which I really suck at. Because I'd at least like to be able to do it a little bit (for those times the women steal the lead) then if I get the opportunity at a beginners class then I might swap roles with a given women I'm dancing with if she feels happy about it before she moves on (as a follower again). It feels a little weird dancing with a guy (which I did do tonight) and I know him I think it would be a lot more uncomfortable to actually rotate around the class and dance with a bunch of guys for both of us so I wouldn't want to force that on anyone.

Ducasi was across as was DavidY I'd be interested in reading what Ducasi thought of the whole event. I felt it wasn't the best Edinburgh night by a long shot and most of the time Tuesday is my favourite night.

Moves were First Move, Shoulder Slide, Catapult into, Basket.

• First Move Thing With A Difference - almost exactly like yesterday's First Move Thang except that we replaced the comb part with a hand to the small of the woman’s back and snap in with a flat left hand before sliding out into a regular hold again.


• Teapot. Start like a Step Across except don't pivot. Put right hand to the woman's far hip and walk around with her right hand roughly on your left shoulder. Turn to face her so her right hand is holding on your left.


• Shoulder Slide Across. Start with a Shoulder Slide but as she slides her hand from your shoulder turn to face while bringing your left hand quickly around to stop her hand sliding off (and putting it back on your shoulder) while you put your hand on her shoulder as well. Then you do some little side motion thing for however many counts you like before moving in (so both your and her arms are tense) and then snap back catching with left.


• Armjive Swizzle into Some Super Choke Thing into Some Super Choke Thing. An extension of Armjive Swizzle into Some Super Choke Thing. After you complete the first choke thing you raise your left hand over your head but keep the right down and swizzle in the opposite direction performing the same move but with the other hands. Finally move out again with the left hand to take it into a normal Swizzle and exit as a Swizzle.

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Hi; I'm Gary and I've Been A Dance Addict For Three Months

Ceroc's slogan is Pure Dance Addiction which I feel holds a certain truth for me. I'll be expecting that intervention any day now. I probably could have tried harder to arrange things with my friends tonight but I craved a dance and therefore don't think I pushed the organization overly. For that I apologize to my friends for abandoning them to go dancing. It won't happen again.

Anyway saying that I did have a good time tonight and it is interesting seeing the different people and styles that are on a Monday evening rather than other days at Edinburgh. I also had a really fantastic dance with one of the experienced dancers that really made the evening for me. She complemented me on the dance as well which made me just glow but she is a very talented dancer so most of it was her doing really. Had lots of other good dances with a variety of skill levels and got a couple of hints.

Armjive Swizzle, Step Across, First Move Push Spin and Catapult. The teacher mentioned that the stretch out part should be done at waist level which I've never done. Now I'm wondering if I've totally incorrectly learnt that basic move. Still the woman I was dancing with preferred it at shoulder height so for now I'm keeping it up there :p

• Catapult into Swizzle Thang. Start with a Catapult; while having arms under tension bring the woman into your left while pulling your right arm out to the right and then behind your head. Bring her to the front with a similar action to a Catapult except keep the her right arm up and twirl her around it while moving her left into a half nelson behind her back. Turn her to face you again and move left hip to her left hip having your and her right arm raised over your head while having your left holding on to her half nelson hand behind her back. Walk around for a beat or whatever before unwrapping with the left hand. While her back is to you bring the right arm down into a half nelson and the left arm up. Move to her right hip so you have the opposite to the previous position and walk around in the other direction. Then unravel her using the right. Your arms will be crossed; return with both arms where they will still be crossed and then do a Hallelujah (basically both of you raise your hands and let them sweep to both sides). This move is performed very fluidly and looks really good.


• Basket Thang. Start both handed and bring hands out to the left and sweep them up while turning back-to-back and start brining your left arm down turn to face your partner (as she'll do the same) and wrap her into your left side. Pace clockwise and then unwrap her and, without letting go, wrap her into the right in a Basket. We did the steps and then unwrapped using the right hand into a spin and catching left.


• First Move Thang. My naming is getting less creative. Maybe one day I'll just find out what the real names are. First move up to placing the arm back on the shoulder bring her out as it to twirl (clockwise) her but keep the right hand at waist locking into the hip. Then move into a double twirl (counter-clockwise) with the left while keeping the right at waist level then use the arm loop method to move into a comb then slide her hand down and catch with the left. My mind has gone a bit blank so I can't remember if there is a good way to lead this.

So a really good set of moves that I think look graceful and are, though a bit tricky in places, quite easy to lead. One woman I was dancing with (while I was doing the Catapult variant) said That goes really well with the music. I'm not sure if she noticed I was intentionally walking for three counts (or 6 beats) each time to fit with the very simple progression in the music but it was nice that she realised in one way or another (honestly the work of the leader is never recognized ;-)).

Tags: Ceroc

Air Conditioning Is Your Friend

Well got back from the competition. I didn't get past the first round despite being partnered with an excellent dancer (who was somewhat capped by my ability) but I had fun during it. I didn't find knowing that loads of people watching was nerve racking though I didn't go for the moves that I have a tendency to mess up and I was very aware of that. I did wish I could remember how to get into the Crusifix though as we danced to the dance remix of that titanic song and I would have liked to add the I'm king of the world! scene. Other than that I enjoyed lots of my dances but found I was quickly drained in the heat and couldn't really dance more than four in a row without taking a long break to cool down.

The quality of dancing was excellent and there was so many good dancers there. It was really good to watch I was particularly blown away by the open freestyle category. I watched the intermediate category and was very impressed by the dancing. As I didn't say earlier (when I was just wittering and was digging this big hole for myself) was that in a technical sense I felt all the moves in intermediate were do-able it was really the style and timing of the moves that made them look great and the thing that I need to work on with my current set of intermediate moves. I think, at the moment, it is still an achievement for me to chain a succession of moves whereas watching the experienced dancers I realise that sometimes it is worth taking a little break in that chain to put in a little style or to snap to another move. I'm not sure how well I'd be able to implement what I saw but I'm certainly keen on having a go.

Pre-Comp Party

Just back from the pre-competition party. It wasn't the best party I've had. I found it very warm and that made me sweat which in turn made me feel really self conscious and resulted in my trying to spend quite a few dances sitting out or even when I was dancing giving a lot of space and sticking to certain moves. Anyway there were dances I forgot about all this (and I managed to borrow someones spray deodorant as well) and I enjoyed those. A couple of people though I was doing really well and I really appreciated that. I watched some of the other dancers and wow! that's what competition grade dancing looks like. They way they kept it all fluid; made it look so natural and easy (and made the easy stuff look so good). I'm really looking forward to watching some of these people tomorrow. Now I'm more reserved about my own entry into the Lucky Dip though.

Tags: Ceroc

Pre Competition Warm Up Warm Up

Going to try and keep the post short tonight as I have an appointment with my PSP.

I wasn't sure about going dancing tonight with the upcoming non-stop dancing but I went anyway. Had a good night; enjoyed the moves and had a good few dances but some poor ones as well. I accidentally hit a girl in the eye with my elbow on one move though and felt really bad. She said she'd had worse that evening and it was fine (it wasn't black by the end of the evening or anything) still I wasn't feeling great about it. Plus I seem to have lost the ability to do double-spins again :(.

I'm going to have to write a more static page with the list of all the moves on that I can better quantify and refer to. In the mean time...

Basket, Shoulder Slide, Hatchback into, In-and-Out. The In-and-Out; is that even classed as a move?

• First Move walk thing into step thing with twirl. Start a First Move but put your right hand on the small of the woman's back. Then move your left leg around so you are facing her and sweep her across the dance floor (your left foot starts back then you step back on the right) push out with the left hand so you back in a first move pose and then do it again (you can keep doing this). We then went into those small steps that you lead with alternate pulling and pushing of hands like I did back in my first intermediate class. Before twirling the woman clockwise out of it and then return.


• Wurlitzer into walk around craziness. Start with that Wurlitzer move (however it is spelt). Wrap the woman into a Basket but do not take her spare hand then walk around clockwise (or walking backwards) for 1 count before quickly unwrapping the woman for possibly two and a half rotations (taking your hand over her head at some stage) past where she'd normally turn to (which is difficult to lead) until you have your hand behind her back on her left hip with her facing the other way from you. She takes your left hand at your left hip as well and you walk around (again for 1 beat) where you then extend your left hand so she moves away from you and spin her (catching right). Return. I liked this move a lot though I found in freestyle I kept the turn going for more than 1 count.


• Lean Dip Thing. ducasi was saying that we have more Dips and Leans in Edinburgh so I'm sure it will come as no surprise to him that we actually had a move that pretty much consisted of a Lean then a Dip (if Dip is the right word). Twirl the woman and put her hand over your head like a comb except stand with your left side facing towards her (hopefully you can align her correctly as well). Put your left arm on her left hip and let go with the right. Lean her and then put your right arm out in front of you. Nudge her slightly forward (I tended just to use the eyebrow method as I her feet aren't really in a good position to be nudged in anyway) where she places the left foot in front of you pivots around and your right arm is now against her lower back (your left arm is free). You can offer the left at any stage during that as we just corrected her and moved her out with a left to right hand position. It was such a short move and good fun though there were a few women who were reserved about it (no surprise given the lack of support they get during it) and one who was a little too eager on the dip but I managed to catch her weight without falling over or anything.

Tags: Ceroc