Farewell Henry Wood Hall

Hello Henry Wood Hall. It was my first time here. I'd talk about the hall but I'm just going to do what I suggested and link to Ducasi's post. So:

Although it has its faults, it’s such a great place. It’s big and roomy, with a rather good floor, (if you excuse the fact it slopes and has a hole in the middle of it!)

Ducasi

OK. That's just silly. The hall was large and there was a good deal of space on the dance floor. The tables are laid out around the floor giving it a good social atmosphere.

I missed the fun class; a shame because I love Franck's teaching style and generally seem to end up adopting a lot of the moves he teaches. I did get to participate in a circle for a birthday dance (not Ducasi's) and got a dance with the lady in question though I didn't dance for many beats before being self conscious about dancing and handed her over to the next guy.

I felt a bit ill (I think I'm coming down with something I hope I didn't infect anyone) which played havoc on my concentration especially at the beginning of the night. It also ate into my energy so I took a lot of breaks and hid outside. However I still had a lot of dances (it went on 'til 3am). Thought some of the dances I had were just wonderful; in many cases it was with people women that are my favorite dancers but it's great when dances just work and I felt there were a few that really did (hope that my partner agreed though :p). There were a few beginners there of a really high standard; in particularly there was one that had only been coming five or so weeks and she was following like someone who had been dancing a year; I didn't even think about suitability of more intermediate moves I threw them in and she followed them. I didn't get to dance with everyone I wanted to and felt I probably could have done a bit better at asking people I didn't know.

I think I gave the women (or at least those that wanted it) a bit more space to play and really enjoyed the feeling of a better connection and interaction that I got. However saying that one women did ask me when it would be her turn to wiggle :o.

The music selection was good. I missed a few (for a variety of reasons) that I would have liked to dance to and danced to a few that I don't like dancing to. Yes I know that everyone except me loves Now That I Can Dance; it doesn't stop me hating it though. Tiggerbabe, in particular, did it for me mainly because she provided some really wonderful dances as well as a great set. Though it got confusing as to who was playing what at the end as I think the DJs just started picking for each other's lists.

By the end of the night I really was exhausted and I'm glad it ended when it did rather than at 6am. I didn't do any double trouble for the whole night (despite my girls being there) until the last song where everyone was on the floor except two women so I asked them both to dance. It was going well (I think it was their first time at double trouble) but then we noticed a guy sitting out so one of the girls rushed to his rescue. I think everyone got the last dance.

Like Ducasi mentioned there were just the dedicated forumites there at the very end. We headed of for some food but, for some reason, ended up in two different places. We went to a noodle bar and then went home. It did mean I didn't get to say goodbye to a few people (because I assumed I'd see them again) but I was glad we left when we did as I collapsed when I got home.

Tags: Ceroc

Edinburgh Christmas Party

Ah my 6^th party and nearly my 6^th month of Ceroc. I was going to take my camera but, as usual, I forgot. I did actually remember it at Stirling but then it didn't have charged batteries. Sigh. I wish I had taken it; so many people had gone to a lot of effort to dress up for the occasion. I thought our Tuesday night teacher looked fantastic in her outfit. Just as an aside yesterday I mentioned my mediocre night and one woman, jokingly, mentioned about trying to make my dance enjoyable tonight. I did have some enjoyable dances yesterday but I just wasn't in the zone and didn't really feel that I was pushing myself to my best. It was certainly no complaint on the women I had dances with. You are all lovely :).

Tonight! Well the hall was decorated with a Christmas theme. Given how much it really is a dance studio rather than anything else they did a good job. It was busy (though less so than I expected) there were some songs where I quickly picked up on how to minimise my moves. If there was a fun class I missed it as I didn't turn up 'til just after 9. I had a many really good dances throughout the evening. A good mix of slow and fast ones as well to confirm that I enjoy most types of music. Tiggerbabe confirmed that I really do enjoy moves that I can wiggle on. I've also now picked up a new habit of doing a sweeping action with my spare arm when coming out of particular moves. I actually think it might look okay but I'm also aware that I'm doing it without thinking about it and that lack of controlling my style worries me. At one stage during the night I actually had to stop dancing (I did wait until the end of the song) as my legs had gone numb and I was quite literally afraid of collapsing. I took some time out and recovered though that whole point of the night I had barely enough energy to really put a good effort in my moves and my brain wasn't really working. I had a dance to Now That I Can Dance where I tried to get my partner to strangle me; I didn't get to dance to Zoot Suit Riot :(.

Anyway it was a really enjoyable night in all. I'll have to work on my energy reserves though.

Merry Christmas.

Tags: Ceroc

Average Thursday :(

Quite an average night. Given the recent great nights I've been having this really brought me down. I don't know if it was my dancing or some outside factor but I just couldn't really get a connection with my partners or the music and most of my dancing just felt like I was going through the motions. It wasn't a bad night; it just wasn't very good either and I felt... distracted.

• 5 Combo First Move. First Move but step out into a strong stance. Travel turn the woman twice then move into a ballroom grip and a strong frame and sweep around the woman for a half turn. Move back into a strong stance and lead her into the cross steps (I've done before) starting with her right over left and finishing left over right. Turn her twice again before counter balancing her (and striking a pose) then move her into a left handed comb before letting go and catching left.


• Hand Swap Catapult Crucifix Sweep. Travel return her and swap from left to right hand pushing her out behind you like the middle of a Catapult then take her to the left letting go with right and turning her with left at shoulder. While she is moving to face away move into a Crucifix but take your hands to her armpits and pivot her around before letting go with the left and spinning her with the right and catch left to right.


• Slow Man Spin. Start Man Spin and let her walk around you while wiggling. Catch left.

Tags: Ceroc

Following on a Tuesday

Tonight was a good night for the Christmas theme (even down to the teacher's Christmas Bauble earrings) and despite attending two other Christmas themed events this was the first one that really struck home. Perhaps it was because it was my regular venue compared to party nights (which are different anyway).

During the intermediate class the men followed for two of the three moves (there was extra men! maybe it is a follower thing :D). Following was tricky as they were intermediate moves and quite a few women had no experience of leading (and didn't actually lead the move... at all). Not like I was a confident follower mind though I didn't anticipate which did mean I spent a while standing around. After class I had another few goes at following: half of a dance following with the teacher, another song with a friend and one of my favourite dancers and, a dance with a guy who was described as having a unique style (I thought I'd get a dance with him to see what all the fuss was about; and he does have a really interesting dance style).

I was also just generally in a silly move and emphasised some of my hand work and such. I had a good time though I'm not sure all the followers I danced with agreed with my silly pauses and such. I had a couple of much more serious dances as well; they were enjoyable.

I also got a tip for following (keeping my arms closer) and a complement on my wiggle and spinning. Another person who was watching me dance said he liked the way I wrap one foot around the other leg. Yeay!

I did the intermediate moves I followed as leads so I think I got them ok.

• Almost Pretzel Turn - Almost Pretzel. As the woman comes past take her hand up to turn her and swap from left to right hand turning her again. No return.


• Swizzletop


• Sway into Back Lean - Sway start with the back and forward. Take the woman in front of you as if you were the follower in a Catapult then let go with right and loop in under the woman's left arm as you turn back to back and do the same loop with the left to her right. Lean forwards allowing her to lean back behind you. Let go with left and spin with right.

Tags: Ceroc

All That Glitters Stirling Party

Went to the Stirling party; second of my Christmas parties. It's the fist time I've been to the hall and I have to say that it was such a lovely hall. They had laid it out well including chocolate at tables. I found the floor difficult to spin on but I think it was my balance that was just off (it happens some times). The blues room was nice as well though I found the lights in it messed with my eyes.

I had some really fab dances at the beginning and middle of the evening. Ran out of energy towards the end but had some luscious blues dancing to finish the night. Loved so much of the music; the sets played had a good mix of stuff that I was familiar with and stuff that was new to me. I liked choosing between both the halls it gave me a good opportunity to dance to faster and slower stuff (I still very much enjoy dancing to faster pace music). I did start by doing a bit of double trouble in the blues room as soon as it was open. I did turn someone down for Now That I Can Dance though I was also going for a quick refresh so it seemed like a good song to do it on. Dance floor in the main hall was busy especially at the beginning of the evening but most of the dancers had a good dance floor awareness so sharing the space was fine. The hall got really warm but that's really to be expected given the number of people there.

I had a couple of compliments on the strength of my lead. Obviously I'm not driven by compliments they just make you feel all good :D.

By the end of the evening I was utterly exhausted but the whole night was fab.

Quick fun class summary. Franck really is such a good teacher.

• Catapult, keep lady behind for a few beats while wiggling. Then as you spin the lady out keep the left hand low into a half nelson and take the lady's other hand and do some wiggling. Do a double handed return.


• Hallilugh slowly.


• Travelling double handed return. Take left to right shoulder while bringing the woman in to do a Hug Strip but don't take your hands back over your head. Do the wiggle thing (again) and then slink out to the end of a Catapult.

Tags: Ceroc

Christmas Kicks At Route 66

Festive time at Route 66. My first Christmas themed dance party (though not my last for this year by any means). There were a lot of people that had gone to the effort to be dressed in Santa outfits (or Mrs Claws). I, unfortunately, had done no such thing. I did get to borrow a santa hat but it kept falling off my big head so I didn't wear it for very long. They had added some Christmas chocolates and tinsel etc. and did a good job of adding a Christmas feel to the hall which I liked. Thankfully they kept the Christmas themed music fairly infrequent.

I had some amazing dances; not just very good but leaving me walking away happy with the whole dance. It took me straight back to the way a few dances went at the BFG. Even excluding the incredible dances I had I still had a lot of really great dances. It was mostly familiar people I danced with mostly because there wasn't that many people I didn't recognise. I spent a bit of time socialising during the night as well which gave me some time to watch some of the really good dancers do their thing (and being told by someone that they watch me in the same way :o ).

On my first dance I had a go at following after my lead was shot down for a dance due to his santa hat. I managed to put in a double spin; even though I had to cheat on it :D. I also finished by following on the last dance with my girlfriend. Didn't follow anywhere in between though.

Tags: Ceroc

Fantastic Intermediate Class

Another sound Thursday night. It was quite quiet, which was good. Unfortunately (as I'm writing this a few days later) though I enjoyed the evening it's been Blitz’d by Route 66 and Stirling. Both of which were fantastic nights (which I'll write up in due course). So on to the moves :D.

• Accordion Walk Spin Swizzle Thing. Start an Accordion but move the woman to your left keeping your right high and putting her into a half nelson with the left. Walk in front of her and mostly with your right guide her to your right hand side letting go with the left. Offer your left hand in front of you taking her back into an Accordion. Repeat until you feel happy then exit by having her to the right in the Accordion and moving her to a Swizzle position (with left low) and double handed return.


• Slow Hallelujah Into Lady Comb. Start with a Hallelujah comb and slowly take your left then right hand over the lady's head and move your hands (slowly in my case; because I ignored what the teacher said) to her waist and push away.


• First Move Slide. Done this before but I did it better this time. First Move; then bring yourself parallel with her keeping your right on her waist. Step with right in front of left and lead the lady to mirror. Then move to parallel again. Each step occurs on a beat. When ready on the parallel move into a tango lunge with the woman’s leg up yours (if she likes) then exit out into a travelling return (linked to next move).


• Travelling Return Seducer. Does what it says on the tin.

Tags: Ceroc

Even The Venue Manager Must Dance

Had a really good middle bit of my evening dancing; it was a great high and I really was enjoying a long chain of dances. The beginning was a bit sketchy and the end saw tiredness consume my ability to dance (with brief spurts of energy). I had an amusing dance with the venue manager (where she was sitting down) and a lot of good dances with people I wouldn't normally expect to have great dances with but the connection was just there. On the other hand a I had less good dances with few people who I absoulutely adore dancing with (doesn't mean that I've stopped adoring dancing with them).

I seemed to have quick a bit of difficulty spinning tonight. I always seemed to be putting myself off balance and most of my double spins failed. I was shocked but I'm sure it was just an on this evening thing.

Quick list of interemediate moves. With the exception of my spinning the beginners class was good (I never bring it up any more).

• Armjive Fast Teapot. Do an Armjive Swizzle taking yourself under the woman's arm to a Teapot but push with your right hand to immediately exit the teapot. Return.


• Manspin Walk Catapult. Manspin but don't let go with the left while you let the woman walk around you while shaking your thing and offering your right hand at left (this was 4 counts) she takes your hand with her left making a sort of reverse Basket. Walk forwards starting with right for a few counts before moving in front of the woman, letting go with both hands, and taking her hands behind you to end like the end of a Catapult.


• Firstmove Lock Underarm Wurlitzer Walkaround into Wurltizer Traveling Double Turn. Start a FirstMove as you push the woman out pivot to face her and take your right hand to just under the top of her left arm. This allows you to pivot her under both your arms taking her out (while letting go with left) and moving to the open part (with both you facing the same direction) of a Wurlitzer. Wrap her into a Basket without taking with left and walk her for a couple of counts. Then unwrap her and offer left in front high up. Wrap her in and take her right with your left to do a double traveling return.

Tags: Ceroc

Red Hot and Blue

I went to a new dance event, Red Hot and Blue, which was bluesy dancing and made an interesting change. The venue was quite small and got a bit warm (though the DJ said he'll bring another fan next time). The floor was also a little tricky to spin on but then it's bluesy dancing so I really shouldn't be spinning as much as I did.

There were a lot of really good dancers there. I'd say there were only a handful who, like me, had a limited experience in blues dancing. I found some tracks trickier than other and sometimes I was moving a little fast for the music (one of my friends mentioned this to me). I pretty much stayed on for two dances with everyone I danced with just to get used to my partner as well as the music. I found this worked quite well and it is a shame in Ceroc classes that we feel so guilty about staying on for a second dance. The atmosphere was very friendly; I did know a lot of the dancers there so that helped I expect. The music was a good mix, quite a bit of which I didn't recognise, and though I found it challenging to dance to I had a lot of fun trying.

My lack of practice with blues moves and some of the difficulty I seemed to be having getting in the zone didn't help but I think I did alright and certain had a few dances where I felt I had a really good connection and the moves were just flowing. I shall try and brush up on my moves that work at slower speeds (including blues moves; I was a big fan of Marc's Cuban Blues workshop at the BFG) for next time which I've very much looking forward to going to :).

Tags: Ceroc

Singles' Night

Tonight was very busy. That was mainly because it was playing host to some form of singles night. This meant that there was a large number of people who were beginners and also, I suspect in many cases, not really interested in dancing. I did dance with a few of the new people but mostly stuck to my regulars (I'm not sure if this was bad or not; to be fair I didn't get a huge amount of choice as I was asked a lot during the night). I told the DJ (the same one from Tuesday) that I found his set, on Tuesday, excellent (except for the horrible song). He played that song at the end which he chuckled about when I thanked him. Still his set tonight was great as well and different enough from Tuesday that it felt all fresh and new.

I had done two of the moves before but I found practicing them really useful and I might actually include them my routine now.

• Neck Break Lady Under. This time we brought her back around to face and stopped her turning with the right hand then put her into a return spin.


• Wurlitizer Caress Mambo Thing. The last description will probably do but we held the right hand high this time and we cross-body lead the woman to the other side keeping hold with the right hand and moving her into a lady spin. That was a much cleaner exit :D.


• Lambada Drop. Both hands. Go for an In-and-Out bounce then take your hands high changing to a ballroom grip and stand so one of the woman's legs is slightly between yours. Lean her back while you counter balance by going back and take both your hands to a strong hold out to the sides. Lift your hands back up to bring her back up and slide out into a regular double handed hold. I actually found this move surprisingly safe feeling. I liked it.

Tags: Ceroc

Hats Off For The DJ

Tonight was good with a few exceptional dances in it. I wish I had thanked the DJ at the end of the night. The music, with the exception of Now That I Can Dance, was fantastic; it was a great set and had a bit of everything to cater for different tastes in. There was quite a high women to men ratio which meant that I was very much in demand and didn't really get much of a chance to decide who I wanted to dance with. That was a shame since I was hoping to catch a couple more of the beginners than I did. However I did enjoy the dances with the women who asked me and probably happier with the dances I had as a result. I got a lovely complement on my leading :D.

Anyway the moves were nice as well. I had some difficulty with the second one for some reason, both in class and afterwards, I found it tricky to work on trying to lead it clearly and also get it right. I also had someone show me Amir's First Move and got a tip on how to add a bit more style (to the arms) in my Lap Sit which I'll have to try.

• Arm Jive Walk - Arm Jive but draw the woman into cross-stepping and walking forwards while you cross-step back traveling the dance floor (we did this for 4 counts) then change to walk forward and exit as a normal Arm Jive.


• Basket Basket Thing - Two handed. Lead the woman towards your right taking your right to the right side of her waist and the left over to the left side (so she is in front of you in a basket position). Extend her forward slightly then pull her into your right side rasing your right to turn her out behind you as you pivot around and put her into another Basket in front of you then extending and pulling into the right. Drop your right hand and take it in a big arc over to your left side as you move in front of her and offer the hand at the right. She takes that as you turn her in front (with just the right) and move her into a Lady Spin.


• Push Spin - Take right hand to a flat hand hold and push spin then take the left hand up (where she'll hopefully meet it with a flat hand) and spin her. Repeat until you get bored. The ending had a trying to get her right hand with your left but I found that ending with a Yo-Yo end more natural. I also found, in freestyle, it easier to start from a Yo-Yo. I also found standing there while spinning the woman dull so I added in spinning in the other direction (away from the push-spin) and offering the other hand worked well :D. I like spinning.


• Octopus Lady Spin - Do an Octopus; as you turn in don't take the other hand and turn the woman around for a lady spin.

Tags: Ceroc

Boogie Nights Night

I went along to a non-ceroc party tonight organised by Boogie Nights (which had modern jivers there) in the same venue as the Ceroc parties are held. The venue was laid out quite differently and I liked it. The fantastic music set was DJ'd by Dance Demon (though some of the WCS that he played was a bit tricky to Ceroc to) and it was fun and challenging to dance to it.

Had lots of really good dances mostly with people I've danced with quite a bit before including a few of the Edinburgh regulars that I love dancing with and a woman down from Aberdeen for the event. I danced with a few of the WCSers including the girl that Ducasi mentioned in his blog. It was odd feeling the need to build up the confidence to ask a 12 year old to dance but it was as intimidating as asking any good dancer you don't know. She hadn't done that much MJ before; she's a quick learner though. I took some time to watch the WCSers and they did look good. They seemed to play with the music more as well but then it could just be that there was a bunch of really good dancers there.

Anyway WCS is something that I'd like to try and I'm sure I'll go to a class one day. The venue was quiet and there was a lot of space on the dance floor which meant I travelled more and tried a few of the walking moves I know with mixed results.

It was a really top night. I'd definitely go to another one if it happens :D.

Tags: Ceroc

Thursday Night With A Difference

My Tuesday night teacher was teaching tonight which was great as I really enjoy her teaching style. Anyway it was a great night. Had some really fab dances. While in class we did a Man Spin and I decided to a double spin (as I'm prone to doing) and my partner at the time, who I hadn't danced with before, said she definitely had to get a dance with me later (on the back of that) and that made me feel great. A lady also said I spin better than she does later though I'm sure she was just being nice. Anyway all this and more turned it into a wonderful evening. That's two great classes in a row; lets hope it continues!

I've done all the intermediate moves before. I'm still compiling my proper move list but the summary (with some made up names of course) is The Frog Walk Something, Accordion Lap Sit and Blah Blah into Crucifix (started from a double crossed hand taking to right side and turning lady and self to face in the same way etc). I got a few complements on my Lap Sit but I think that's because I bluesify it a bit. I mentioned to the teacher that I had done all the moves before but it was only in conversation; I certainly hope she doesn't think I'm disappointed about that... I think it is really good to review moves and it also means I don't have a new set of moves to worry about practicing in addition to the backlog in freestyle.

Tags: Ceroc