The Blog Of A "Passionate" Dancer

The End :'(

2007-03-06T16:51:00.000Z

Well, this is it. I've admitted to myself that I never have time to update this blog. Even if I do it's more about the fact I had a good night rather than the night in detail. I'll still post dancing stuff on my other blog from time to time but it probably will be about as frequent as I'm currently posting on this (maybe monthly). I'll tag all my dance related things with Dance but blogger doesn't allow for tag based RSS feeds. Thanks for reading and I hope you continue to do so.

End of 2006

2007-01-08T14:26:00.000Z

I've become poor at updating this recently. It could be to do with generally being busy or laziness or a bit of both. Anyway the end of year was an interesting one for me. I decided that the music on a Tuesday night just seemed to be getting to me so I gave up Tuesday dancing (though I might still go to the occasional one like tomorrow). That had an interesting effect though. The last weeks of November and early December I found that I had poor Tuesday night dancing and great Thursday night dancing. Strangely when I gave up Tuesday I didn't have as great time on the Thursday. Do I need a poor night of dancing to remind me what a good night of dancing is?

I've finally got rather good at the penguin walk which is a lovely move. Like any kid with a new toy I've been using it in a lot of my dancing recently. Seeing just how fast I can get it or just how many turns we can do. It's great fun and I can't get enough of it.

Enjoyed the last couple of lessons in WCS a great deal. They had a set of really interesting moves and I had a few good freestyle dances which makes it all worth while.

I also went to the Edinburgh Christmas party which turned out to be great fun... I was worried that with Stirling on as well we would have lost a lot of good dancers to that (and we did) but there was still enough dancers I love dancing with there to make it all worth while. I did the cabaret for the last time. It was probably my best go at it with nothing really going wrong for me (like my horns falling off). Anyway it is good to be putting the nuns outfit aside.

They say you should start a year as you mean to go on (I have no idea who "they" are though) so I started it dancing. There was a New Years Ball (I went to one of these last year) which was enjoyable. It was a little busy for me (in terms of space on the dance floor) though when food was made available I suddenly had space to dance again :D. The cabaret there was also really good fun to watch. The guys doing YMCA seemed especially brave. I didn't enjoy wearing a suit to the event it was far too hot and before long I had changed out of it.

I've gone to one freestyle so far this year (I didn't make it for the lesson) which was very busy (I guess people are missing dancing) but also was good fun. I also went to Red Hot and Blue which was fantastic. They've started teaching a short blues lesson there as well which seemed to result in a lot of people turning up early (including us) which was great as it meant the night felt in full swing at nine rather than me turning up at ten or later. Saying that I did briefly pop to Asda half way through the evening to get some stuff; where I discovered that I am getting married, apparently. They might have gotten the wrong Gary though ;). Anyway good stuff, I'm looking forward to the next one though I have to say that the venue that they are moving to (the Route 66 one) is a little remote for my liking but it is a nice venue.

Anyway loving my time dancing and I'm hoping that this year is filled with exciting freestyle, weekenders and learning new things along with meeting some of the lovely and fantastic people that are part of the dance scene.

Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday

2006-11-20T17:01:00.000Z

Well quick post about the last couple of weekends which have been pretty fab.

Fife Party

I went to the Fife party to do a smaller version of the Heaven and Hell routine and get some freestyle in. We started out by going to a nice restaurant and having a lovely meal. Then onwards to do our thang. It's great how relaxed it felt doing the routine now, the competition really took the fear out of this performance even though we made some quite big changes to it.

It's was a quite quiet venue; as Bill has only just recently started there this wasn't a huge surprise. They really did a nice job with food and such and there wasn't a bar but soft drinks and water were laid out. It helped make it a nice atmosphere. Not surprising, given the time it has been running, that there are quite a few beginners there but they seemed good followers, Bill is obviously teaching something on the connection and other principles as they often seem to have grasped that. So it was a really nice night of dancing and I had quite a few complements which was lovely.

I got a dance with Bill a bit later on in the night. I like dancing with really proficient leads occasionally as you can feel what makes them such a good lead, something you can't pick up by just watching. Sure enough he was very smooth and I can see why he is so popular.

Tuesday Night Ceroc

I was looking forward to Tuesday night Ceroc as there was a special guest dancer there who I love dancing with. I had some good freestyle dances that evening in spite of the music which was poor and also, for the first time ever in my MJ history, too loud (I found my ears were slightly ringing at the end of the night). Still it was good fun hamming up Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Also there were new moves in the intermediate class and I mean I haven't done any of them before which was a nice surprise. I've forgotten most of them now but... oh well.

Dance Fever

I didn't go to all of Dance Fever just the Saturday workshops and party. Started out with a Lindy Hop class taught by Joseph & Trisha. I had previously done a blues class with them and they seemed a good laugh. They didn't disappoint here and had the crowd laughing loads. It was a fun class though I don't expect to take up Lindy any time soon. Next up was a WCS which was good but was aimed at beginners (which I still am but it was nothing new). I then did Bill and Fran's Blues class. I've done quite a bit of blues but only a couple of lessons. I took things away from that lesson and not just a couple of moves but a better understanding of the fundamentals. I'm always happy to practice my blues dancing. I did the Latin MJ class with Steve and Lindsay which was maybe over all to quickly to get everything in about the style. I missed the next class to relax and then finished with the WCS class to try and balance the numbers as there was a men's style class at the same time. I think I probably should have done the latter though. Steve, who was teaching it, had some interesting things lined up.

Anyway after going back to my lovely host's flat and getting some food I headed back out for a quick rehearsal in the evening before the party started. After some nice freestyle there was a brief Lucky Dip competition (which I didn't get anywhere in but that is expected :D). We did the cabaret (for the last time?) which was probably our best performance yet. There was also a couple of other performances which where amazing for two reasons. First they both looked good and second both of them had very little time to pull them together. Keith & Janey were involved in a car crash the day before and Janey didn't make it up (it's good to know that both of them and their child are ok) so Keith did the routine with someone else. James McLauchlan did a line dance performance with Ross and that was really fantastic to watch. Both men have such style and it was a really fab routine.

After getting glittered up for the glitter ball I danced the rest of the night away. Due to some exceptional dances I had a fantastic night rivalling the better nights I've had at Southport (and that's saying something). When I was dancing with someone she mentioned she wanted to applaud a dance I had with another woman earlier. That was lovely to hear and was interesting that the dance looked good from the outside rather than just feel good. Anyway I can only hope for more party nights like that. Afterwards I headed to my host's place. As I was packing the next day I realised that I forgot my dance trainers. Crisis of epic proportions! I went back to the hall and couldn't find them. Thankfully someone else did later and my trainers are in good hands which is great because I love them.

I couldn't end this without thanking the woman who gave me a place to sleep for the night and cooked me nice food and to all the women (and man) who I danced with for making it such a good evening.

Saturday Night Party And Stuff

2006-10-31T19:07:00.000Z

Yes, I really am still going to post about Southport. If I can remember anything that happened. Bet you are all sitting at the edge of your seats waiting.

Was at the Edinburgh Saturday Night Ceroc party on Saturday. Got there quite early... by quite early I mean before 10pm which is good in my books. Now maybe I've mentioned this before but I've been having problems with my ankle and knee for a while now and, along with making me feel like an old man, it means I try and be cautious while dancing avoiding any large leans or drops. As I felt my knee get painful on the night I really cut back on the footwork I was doing or any moves that might be bending that knee. I'm going to get to a physiotherapist at some stage in the near future but for now I'm going to take the informal advice I got from another physio.

Anyway that aside the evening was rather good. I'm trying to smooth out my lead more at the moment and quite a few women commented on it as delightful which gave a lovely warm feeling inside. Also there were some women up from that England place (they were there for a workshop that was cancelled which must have annoyed them). They commented that us Scottish boys seems a lot more stylish than those back home. I wonder whether that is true and, if so, it has something to do with the fact that many of the guys up here are very stylish and that raises the bar for the rest of us meaning that we work on style more too.

The music was a little too fast for my liking. I was hoping it would drop into a more bluesy set later on but it never really came. Other people seemed to like the set more than me so perhaps I was missing something or just looking for something else that never came.

Though it wasn't quiet by any means it was quieter than it often is and there was a lack of the people I often look forward to dancing with from the rest of Scotland :'(.

So I did have a good time. That was added to by it being the one year anniversary of my girlfriend and I. She requested a track for the twilight dance which was lovely.

Scottish Competition 2006 and Britrock 2006

2006-10-20T18:59:00.000+01:00

I figured I'd just bundle the two competitions that I recently entered into the same post.

Well the Scottish Competition was my second competition. Due to the fact I injured myself a while before and wasn't able to dance for a while I didn't enter into role reversal or intermediate as I originally planned. I did enter into Lucky Dip though I didn't get anywhere. I found the Friday night party a bit lacking. I don't know why but I did. Saturday daytime was quite good. The pacing was good in the event with plenty of freestyle in between the events and it was enjoyable to watch a lot of the other people compete. I had a great time on the Saturday night and enjoyed the addition of the blues room. I felt a little of a blues room hotshot in regards to the fact I pretty much moved to the blues room when it was open and stayed in there all night (which is more surprising because my favourite DJ was in the main room).

I had a friend from Aberdeen staying on the Saturday night. The car journey home was certainly interesting

Anyway I also recently went to another competition down in Brighton. This time it was mainly to do a team cabaret that I had been rehearsing for. Before I went down I was a little nervous about it. I still feel I didn't quite have it all together and I felt I could have done with more practice time.

We won in the end. It certainly felt close. Amir had another team entry (though he wasn't in it) and they were very technically precise. They didn't do any team formations or such like which we did a lot of. Their approach was very different to ours, I guess, and it really depended on what the judges were looking for. Anyway I thought the other team did very well. It was interesting to see them do the beginning of their routine though as it is what Amir uses to teach one of his musicality classes.

You can, maybe, see the back of us dancing at:

The Friday night started with tracks that constantly ran into each other (like at a night club). This was rubbish as it made my I'll ask that woman to dance on the next track statement difficult to carry out and meant that when I did finally ask someone we kept dancing until we finally sort of just gave up. Thankfully that ended soon enough to let us get on with enjoying the rest of the night.

There was a fun class with a line dance (which was quite good fun) and a ceilidh (which was amusing given we were in the South). I also got picked on for not keeping the teacher straight when he got it wrong. That might have something to do with the fact that I was wearing a kilt on the Friday.

The freestyle on the Friday got better as the night went on and I was definitely enjoy it by the end. Dancing in a kilt was good fun and kept me cool (except for the ceilidh top which got very warm and later on I changed into a T-shirt). Enjoyed dancing with one new dancer in particular and had the last couple of dances with her.

The competition was quite good fun. Did Dance with a Stranger and Intermediate. We didn't get anywhere in either though that might have something to do with the fact that I always seemed to end up with my butt facing the judges or maybe just the fact that I wasn't dancing very well. There were some really great dancers there though and they were good to watch.

Loved a few of the showcases; in particular Amir's routine which was graceful and amazing. I've seen his performances on the Jango DVD but they weren't as impressive as the one I watched there. He got a standing ovation at the end and it seemed the most popular showcase though didn't win. I found this a little bit of a crazy decision by the judges but maybe I was missing something.

The day came to a bit of a stop for a while when there was a wedding service in one of the other rooms (downstairs) and our organisers felt that we made to much noise and would disturb the vows. As far as I could tell this was the Britrock people rather than the venue pushing for this and that was really considerate of them. The couple came up afterwards and did a dance for us which was lovely and really brave of them to do.

The early evening got of to a really bad start. After a bit I went back to the hotel (where I caught a bit of Strictly Come Dancing where they apparently were doing West Coast Swing though I'm sceptical to say the least). Got back and had a much better evening (including a few dances with another lovely dancer from down South). Was pulled away from the dancing to dress up for the cabaret (in case we won as we had to do it straight after the awards) which resulted in me missing so many great tracks :'(. Thankfully that was over with and other than possibly one of the worse performances of the cabaret I've done it went ok. Had such a lovely time for the rest of the evening with so many lovely dances with lovely dancers. I am glad it finished when it did though since my legs were aching and I had to get up early the next day to get back to Edinburgh.

Being A WCS Demo

2006-10-12T17:57:00.000+01:00

I've still got the Scottish Competition, Southport and Red Hot and Blue to catch up on for last month and this. I'm sure I shall at some stage but these things take time...

Anyway last night I was the demo at the WCS last night. I've never done any form of demoing (at dancing) before and I always assumed, if I did, it would probably be a modern jive event since I quite good at MJ (I'd say intermediate anyway) whereas I consider myself a beginner at WCS. There are certainly better dancers who attend on a weekly basis and though being a teacher or demo shouldn't be about whether you are a great dancer having a much better understanding of the dance is.

It got worse as someone who doesn't really do classes (he tends to have private tuition instead because he is passed what classes cover) came along. I'm not really sure what information I can give someone like that.

Anyway despite my nervousness I think I did ok. For some reason I also ended up walking through some of the footwork and doing some of the calling out (including counting people in and calling out the moves). I didn't really get to dance with that many people either though the teacher is very good and it was a joy getting to dance with her.

Classes

2006-09-29T17:23:00.000+01:00

I've still got to write about the Scottish Competition or Southport but I'm sure I'll get around to both. Recently most class nights have seemed pretty average to me. I figured I needed bigger events to get the same enjoyment that I used to get at a class night. I'm pleased to say this week's classes have be really good though.

I had quite a good time at Ceroc on Tuesday, I think a couple of silly dances really made my evening fun. At West Coast Swing on Wednesday, even though there weren't a whole lot of people there just two really good dances were enough for me to think my dancing is coming on and to make my evening.

Finally Thursday night Ceroc seemed to attract a lot of people I don't often see in regular class nights (and one person I haven't seen in ages). I think I had two bad dances in the evening. I felt on form and rushing to try and get dances with all the women I wanted to dance with. The set seems so much better than what I've come to expect of a class night. I don't think that was just because of my dance high, rather the tracks played were just better.

Anyway it's been such a reassuring week for me. Really good to remember how it should be rather than worrying that my class nights just are short term fixes :D.

Asking and Being Asked To Dance

2006-09-25T18:42:00.000+01:00

A friend of mine pointed me (ages back now) to a dancer's site which had a few good (and funny) articles in. I lied his article on asking people to dance. It's interesting because, without realising it, you do asked people based on many of these factors. Ceroc tends to have a lot of women asking men though (in part because it is very open about that and, in part, because there are often a lot more women than men).

Google Calendar

2006-09-22T13:40:00.000+01:00

While I currently do not seem to be posting about the quite good time I had at the Scottish Competition or the fantastic time I had at Southport I thought I'd mention I've set up a calendar with Modern Jive events in for in and around Edinburgh (though I might expand this to other places or someone else can if they are interested in joining the list. I'll try and keep it up to date and include all the events rather than just ones that I'm going to. I've included a widget on this page to show events and a button to subscribe to the calendar (if you are using Google Calendar that is).

Though I'm adding many of the events anyway and therefore it isn't much work let me know if you find it useful, it might help me remember that it is worth keeping it up to date for others too.

August Round Up

2006-09-11T18:02:00.000+01:00

Well August was a fairly quiet month with me taking it easy and making sure I didn't overwork my ankle (which is still not quite right). It was so good to be back and really enjoyed being back dancing, it was like it was the first time all over again. I was following in a few classes to get ready for Role Reversal at the competition (though I never entered into it in the end). I found following in class really interesting and I hope it helped my following.

I also went to the Edinburgh party night which was good mainly as a chance to see all those people from Glasgow and such that I've missed. So August... a bit light on the dancing :(.

Other People Dancing!

2006-09-04T11:19:00.000+01:00

Amir uploaded a routine of a workshop he did. I was watching the video and found it very useful as a reminder of some of the stuff that I did in his classes. If you've done some Jango before you might well find it useful.

A Year On and When Things Go Wrong

2006-08-22T17:04:00.000+01:00

Well late last June I went to my first Ceroc class. Nervous and uncertain what to expect. I arrived early (something never really seen since) and was greeted by a lovely Taxi dancer who explained what to expect. At the same time I remember being overwhelmed by a couple of dancers doing a warm up dance and thinking that I was way out of my league being there. Anyway the beginner class was difficult. I think I had trouble getting a Shoulder Drop right and spending ages worrying about it. We moved from class into freestyle while I nervously danced with a few women. Even though I was finding it difficult and I knew four moves I loved every bit of it. A lot of men have said it has taken them weeks to actually get to a stage where they were actually enjoying it but I found I was taken with it from the word go.

It didn't take long before I was back again. Part of that was my desire to learn more and to get the moves right. The other part was to get another fix. Less than three months in I found myself in my first competition and my first weekender. That experience just got me both wanting to learn more and realising how much I enjoyed it. I was more hooked than ever before. I tried some other dance styles as well. Salsa never stuck but WCS did and I'm still hoping to learn others (such as actually doing a reasonable level of Tango).

One thing that has always surprised me in dancing is what a lovely, friendly bunch of people go; and how enjoyable it is dancing with people you've danced with many times before and also dancing with people you've just met that night. I met my lovely girlfriend there and it has been so enjoyable to go dancing with her.

I've traveled more in Scotland and around the UK this last year than I have done in my entire life previous to taking up dancing. It's been a fantastic part of my life and I'm so glad that a friend pointed it out and that I decided to go. So to everyone out there that I've met through it and all the lovely people that I've danced with Thank You it's been a wonderful part of my life.

At the beginning of July I had a small accident at work and managed to damage the tendon in my ankle. That's meant that up until recently I haven't been dancing for the last 5 weeks or so (I'm still taking it slowly now but that's for another post). Not dancing for that period made me realise how much of my social, exercise and entertainment dancing is and how the absence of it drove me a little crazy. I think it took that for me to realise what a big part of my life it really is. Not that I'm happy that the lesson had to be learned in such a way.

So I'm hoping that my second year of dancing doesn't go on the way it started but that I can continue to enjoy it and hopefully improve my dancing in the process.

June Review

2006-08-21T19:19:00.000+01:00

We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.
-Japanese Proverb

Aberdeen Beach Ballroom

I really enjoyed my trip to Aberdeen, the workshops and the parties. Amir has such a good teaching style and I've taken away a lot from the workshops (though still need to practice all of it).

The Saturday party was good, though very busy, and the chocolate and ice cream were wonderful touches. Dance Demon's later, bluesy set, was fab and I had a lot of good dances mostly with people I don't know.

However I preferred Sunday for the wonderful atmosphere and I had my best dances there. At the end of the night I took some advice and closed my eyes while dancing with my partner and it felt wonderful. It made me much more aware of the position of her body and our weight shifting. Another obvious result of this is it required a constant connection. Sending her out into a spin meant that I couldn't be certain of her position or anything. I definitely need to experiment more.

Stirling Tea Dance

I had lots of lovely dances at this tea dance; some very memorable ones from a lovely lady from Aberdeen. I'm hooked on Tea Dances. They seem the best atmosphere for me. I had a really fun four person dance where we constantly gave or stole the lead from the other couple. It was really interesting because it was a challenge invading another couple's space and attempting to disrupt them without actually crashing into them. I shall definitely find some people I can do that with again.

Edinburgh Party

It was a good set at the Edinburgh party and I had a good time. I seem to have a lot of two dances with people from Edinburgh and Glasgow. It worries me that this means that I don't get around to dancing with anywhere near as many people but then I very much enjoyed the dances with the people I had dances with.

Classes and Such

Unfortunately the end of term arrived at West Coast Swing. Which is more of a shame because I finally felt I was really getting the hang of it. I'll see what the next term brings.

A friend I haven't seen for a while came back to the Edinburgh venue and it was amazing seeing how much she had improved. It was really wonderful dancing with her and I think there is a really lovely surprise in seeing people after a few months and see how much they have come on (she is a better dancer than I am, but her style and such were notably more her).

Well that's it for now. I've got a sort of end of June to talk about and the poor months that represent July and the beginning of August. But in time...

May In Review

2006-07-11T19:16:00.000+01:00

Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, and she did it backwards and in high heels."
- Faith Whittlesey

Again I've left this much to late to actually remember much about the classes. I did have some wonderful dances during them though.

Big Forum Gathering

My second BFG. This time I was staying a wee bit away from the site making it slightly difficult to get to and from however that didn't seem to stop me attending a big bunch of workshops.

Workshops

I started with Footwork and Body Movement which was basically a solo fixed routine. It was really interesting though as I don't really see myself as a solo dancer but I could see how to integrate some of the into partner dancing. Then I did one of the highlight classes for me Hi-Jack in Style. This had the woman hi-jacking part of the lead and doing her thing. When a follow hi-jacks it adds an unexpected change for the lead and I really enjoy it. Of course what was taught in the class really can only be done by followers (though I have tried a few of them, successfully, as a follower since). There is one that is initiated by the lead. I did a hi-jack class down at Storm but I hated that. I was a joy to do this class though. I also did the Musicality in Practice class though I thought it was alright I probably should have stayed for more of the tea dance (I'll get to that in a bit though).

On Sunday I did the Double Trouble workshop which was mostly the same as last time but I picked up a couple of new moves, it was good to revisit some of the stuff I had already been taught and Bill is always a fantastic teacher. I also attended Playing with the Connection which was interesting though not something you can put into practice with just one workshop. I didn't do any classes in the afternoon as I spent it at the tea dance.

Tea Dances

This BFG really hooked me on tea dances. They have an afternoon relaxed feel about them which is hard to explain. Both tea dances were great to be at with a big bunch of my favourite dancers there. Tiggerbabe really did a wonderful job with the playlist on the Sunday and I had so many wonderful dances I was in heaven.

Friday and Saturday Party

The Friday party might well have been good but I can't actually remember much about it. Oops.

The Saturday party was busy but enjoyable. I got there in time for the end of the class and to watch the Feeling Good routine. Afterwards freestyle got into full swing but a lack of energy kept me from dancing the whole night away.

Overall

There's no write-up for Sunday night's party because I hadn't drank enough water or gotten enough sleep so, by the end of the tea dance, I was feeling pretty bad so I decided to retreat back to Edinburgh.

I had a really great time there and meet some new favorite dancers along with having wonderful dances from existing favorites. The tea dances really had me hooked and I think that shows from my more recent tea dance attendance.

Edinburgh Party

This was a really interesting Edinburgh party for me. I finally managed to get a dance in with a teacher from Aberdeen and she was a truly wonderful dancer. It was a good night otherwise as well with lots of good dances from lots of lovely ladies. I also had a dance with The Tramp. He's an international Ceroc champion so I was interested in having a go dancing with such a proficient lead. It was really interesting following. Unlike most people I follow he was quite capable in leading me into ballroom drops and a somersault move (ok the exit on that didn't go great) and I spent most of the dance in a utter state of confusion. It was good fun though (even if we did have a semi circle of people watching which is a little more attention than I like).

Stirling Tea Dance and Slotted Dancing Workshop

The workshop was really interesting. Since I've been doing a bit of WCS then it was interesting to see how I could apply that slot technique to Ceroc. I try and practice slot techniques in the beginner classes (when I make it) and generally like the style.

Had a really good time at the Stirling Tea Dance. Lots of lovely dancers (many of which were at the party the night before) were there and Tiggerbabe's sets are always spot on. I also took advantage of the cake :D. To say something against it, the sunlight coming in through the large windows made the place even hotter. That mixed with me foolishly drinking coffee and not enough water made me feel faint at one stage. Sensibly I took a break though. Despite there being very few people there I still didn't get around to dancing with all the women :(.

Tags: Ceroc

April Review

2006-06-27T19:15:00.000+01:00

Cutting a track short is like stealing a special moment of my life.
-Ducasi

I started off dancing in April early with the April Fools Party. There was some dress code about dressing up foolishly. Since I felt I didn't need much work to get to that state I just went in what I'd normally wear. The party was very quiet since there was another party going on in Glasgow at the same time. This meant:

having two rooms felt a little excessive.

it felt like there were more Edinburgh dancers there than Glasgow ones.

This wasn't bad though it did mean that I felt I wasn't really experiencing a Glasgow party. I had a reasonable night though I had a slightly sore knee so I was careful with the moves I did. Not having dips and drops isn't a huge thing but being careful means you have to add another layer on to leading to make sure you automatically don't just lead a move. They supplied Cream Eggs as well which I ate a lot of... and then felt ill :p.

I didn't really attend that many other parties in April. Red Hot and Blue was good from what I recall. I've totally forgotten about classes. This is what you get for writing things up so late. I didn't do to much West Coast Swing this month as most weeks it wasn't running.

My big weekender for the month was Perth ran by Boogie Nights. It's not a Modern Jive event though there was a lot of Modern Jivers there. It made it interesting as you couldn't guarantee that the person who was following had a clue about even the most basic of move. It also means the weekend wasn't necessarily tailored to MJ music though it did end up taking that focus.

The workshops were a bit mixed. I enjoyed the Line Dancing workshop; it was a silly and a fun way to get into the mood for dancing. I enjoyed the WCS workshops though the mix of ability meant that they kept it a little simpler than I was expecting. However it was Keith and Janey's classes that were really the highlights workshop wise. They focused on some really interesting moves and frame theory which was all really interesting stuff. One issue with these classes is the lack of a definitive level of the classes and the fact that there were only two workshops on at the same time meant that people who really weren't ready for those classes attended them.

Friday night party was good and I certainly had a few really enjoyable dances. It was quite warm (indeed this apparently affected the DJ's equipment) but, as it turns out, cool compared to Saturday night. Saturday night was a much shorter evening for me as I didn't get to the party until late and then went up to the hotel room to get a change and fell asleep! So I got about 2 hours of freestyle in (maybe a little less). The atmosphere did seem good but it was very warm and humid making it difficult to have a dance without feeling like you were melting.

However beyond the workshops and the freestyle the hotel, meals and the really pretty city that is Perth made it a really enjoyable weekend for me to spend with my girlfriend. I had a really good and relaxing time.

Ah well that's April's summary done. May and June should hopefully be soon and then I'll try and stay up to date on posting a summary at least at the end of the month if not at the end of a week.

March in Review

2006-05-30T19:00:00.000+01:00

Well since I've failed to keep up with my blogging I thought I'd do a few months in review to cover what I've been up to. March was so long ago that I've almost forgotten what happened during it. As I recall there wasn't much in the way of parties in March. There was Red Hot and Blue and the Edinburgh party but beyond that there was the big event: Storm.

Storm

After getting up very early on Friday for the flight and a lift down there I thought I'd call it a short night on Friday night. I did the Funky Jive class; which was a fixed routine to Do Your Thing by Basment Jaxx. It was good fun and was a good way to remove a lot of self conscious feeling you have when in a new dance environment. A few of the things taught, like body rolls, certainly could be used later. I danced 'til 2ish before getting a (relatively) early night. It was good dancing with some people I've met before again and also getting a chance to dance with new people.

Saturday I started of going for pancakes at the chalet of the person who gave me a lift from London. They were lovely :). That gave me the energy to get to a Jango class. This was my first introduction to Jango and Amir as a teacher. People have said a lot of good things about his teaching style and for good reason; he's a fab teacher with good advice and a pleasant and amusing teaching style. Loved the concepts of Jango and the smooth feel of the moves to the degree that I was sold on the DVD. I also did the WCS class which was all stuff I had done before; however it was good to get a different perspective on it. I also did a Dance Psychology class which was like being on the forum except trapped in a room instead. Amir's musicality class was also very good. I'd really glad I fixed partner with Dizzy as my concentration was beginning to wane and I made a lot of stupid mistakes... plus she was a great laugh. I didn't stick with the Waltz, Men Style or Sabotage class possibly because I was too tired and they weren't really gripping me.

Saturday evening didn't start out great for me. I certainly had a few enjoyable dances but nothing wonderful. I thought maybe I had burnt myself out during the day. Anyway I went back to the room to go get changed and back to the dancing but then I fell asleep! It all could have gone horribly wrong if it hadn't been for someone woke me up with a text about how Blackpool was. I promptly left my room to go dancing again and had a really wonderful night including a bit of following, some double trouble with the "D" sisters and some simply divine dances with some of the best dancers from around the UK. I pretty much spent the whole night in the blues room but didn't regret that for a minute.

Did some good classes on Sunday including West Coast Swing 2 and Up Close And Personal along with Cuban Blues which, given the teachers were at the post-party party that I was at was surprised how well we all did.

Sunday evening was just as good, if not better, than Saturday night. There was a woman, who I was introduced to (called Lucy), who I had some really lovely dances with and another woman who I had no idea who she was that I had a couple of fantastic dances with (that I still remember two months down the line). I'm not sure if it was the atmosphere or my mood but so many dances just seemed to work and I had a really, really, really, good time.

Jango

Since I was in London on Monday the person I was staying with kindly took me to Jango. I heard a lot about it before I'd been and I really enjoyed the class at Storm. The Jive/Tango blend appeals to me as I really enjoy Tango and the fusion of the styles sounded yummy. I did have a wonderful time. It was very quiet but there were a lot of fantastic dancers there and after Lily B complimented me on my footwork I was over-joyed.

Tags: Ceroc

February Round-Up

2006-02-16T19:27:00.000Z

I've gotten very lazy at writing up posts. If my voice was a lot more exciting I might have just uploaded the discussions I've had on the dancing I've done. It's not though.

I've been recording my moves as audio which allows me to replay them on my iPod before going to a dance. This has benefits from having them written down (in the fact that I can listen to them while walking) but there is something about writing a move down that makes it easier to understand. I suppose video would be the best media; though saying that I've never really watched the BFG routines I have.

Who said I don't just write any thought that comes into my head down?

As with the previous few I'm not writing the moves I did down. If someone was actually interested in them let me know.

Tango on the 5^th: Started my first Tango class. It was quite different from the other dances I've currently been doing. A lot more focus on weight distribution (for obvious reasons) and we were taught some very basic things such as walking. The key element to Tango appears to be a very strong torso lead and, when walking, traveling through the centre point of your axis. It doesn't really feel like dancing yet so I'm hoping to progress to a stage where it feels it does.
Ceroc on the 7^th: Quite an average night at Ceroc; this one. The music was a little average and I had difficulty really getting into the dances. A shame after the delightful time I had on Thursday.
West Coast Swing on the 8^th: I had a wonderful night at WCS tonight. Really lovely music; lots of nice dances that though might have been simplistic really felt like they flowed. My brain began to do the steps without me needing to be actively aware of it. Certainly hoping for more nights like this one (unlike the next one).
Ceroc on the 9^th: Another fairly average night at Ceroc. It all started out quite well but I think I started losing energy towards the end which didn't help. Had a go at following which was good fun though I found it very difficult and it does imply that it might just be me anticipating my regular lead more; I'm not sure.
Valentine's Day Ceroc: Tonight was a little better than the last couple. I had quite a few good dances; it was good being a little selfish and getting quite a few dances with my girlfriend. Saying that the evening was quite quiet so I got to dance with most of the women there. One woman seemed a little surprised that I was asking her to dance; I'm a little worried that that's a sign I'm becoming a Hotshot but she didn't seem to imply it that way... it was more a pleasant surprise. I did some double trouble as well; which was a bit of a shame as I would have liked to dance with both women separately (well I did have quite a few dances with one of the women; but none with the other :'( ). At the request of the teacher I wore a pink T-shirt which she did comment on, from the stage, in front of the class, which got me a little embarrassed. The music tonight could have been better but it was alright. I was hauled up for Now That I Can Dance by someone before I could escape. On that note I've discovered I love Chains by, the same artist, Tina Arena; it's a divine WCS track.
West Coast Swing on the 15^th: Unfortunately not as good a night as last week. The music seemed a bit trickier, but I think I was just less on form, most of my dances didn't really flow and that was at no fault to my partners. It did feel like a bit of a step back and definitely not the week that I wanted to finally get a dance with the teacher. Still I'll definitely stick at it; I just need to be more in the zone. At the end of the class the music went a bit crazy and we had Ceroc, Cha-Cha and a variety of stuff that was interesting to dance to.

Tags: Ceroc, Tango, WCS

Thursday Night Wholesome Goodness

2006-02-02T23:40:00.000Z

I had some utterly wonderful dances tonight. I felt I might have been a little selfish, as I had multiple dances with a few of the women I was really enjoying dancing with, but it was working so well that I didn't want to leave. I had a bit of practice on a few moves that I enjoy doing. Most of the time they worked; which was just fab. The intermediate routine was good as well; it had a lot of moves flowing from another which I think is good practice for freestyle showing how you can break down a move and chain one move straight on from another. I haven't written the moves (I did voice record them; but I'm not taking up Podcasting :p). If you are interested in the moves we did (or at least my scribble about them) let me know. I figure most people skip that stuff anyway.

Tags: Ceroc

WCS Wednesday

2006-02-01T23:50:00.000Z

Another night at West Coast Swing and though I'm still frequently getting things wrong and finding it difficult to make the moves flow I'm still enjoying myself. Most of my brain is still focusing on making my footwork match the timing of the song and I found out a bit more about the lead/follow connection techniques along with the fact that it's more a slinky dance and therefore there is a lot less hip movement :(.

We did a lot of moves tonight though I'm still sticking with a lot of sugar pushes before doing anything and my "other moves" are quite far between. When I tried linking moves without sugar pushes they generally went wrong. I'd write up the moves but there was quite a lot and I just voice recorded it. If you are really interested I'd be happy to give a go at writing them up.

Tuesday Blues... In a Good Way!

2006-01-31T23:33:00.000Z

The DJ started by impressing me with his set between the beginners and intermediate class by playing a set consisting mostly of blues. His set didn't quite maintain that for the rest of the evening but was really good never-the-less. Anyway the music and my partners so picked up the night to be a wonderful evening. I had a lot of enjoyable dances where we played with the music a lot. Did a spot of double trouble and swapped leads with a lovely partner which was great fun.

I've got a good hold of double spins now and can generally do them every time I feel inclined (and sometimes when I'm not really initially wanting to). However I am beginning to worry that I'm often not there to take my partner's hand when she comes around and I think that might be effecting the quality of our dance.

Moves:

Arm Wrap into Neck Break. Start with both hands held; take your right and wrap it so that the woman's arm is under yours and her arm is between your arm and your body. Place her hand on your (right) shoulder and take her to your right facing in the same direction as you as you take her right hand in your right at her right shoulder. Wrap her into you and then double turn her (in one count) around to face.

First Move Underarm Mambo Walk. First move, as you push her out turn to face (left foot forward) and keep a high frame with the right and the left hand low. Lift your right to take her under your arms and guide with the left. As she is going under your arms step back with the left (where back is in relation to her so 90° to your original position). Then step back right, then left and move into a mambo step for four beats (your right arm is crossed with hers, kinda like what you might have on Sunday stroll, apparently). Bring her in-front of you with the right for a spin. As she spins take her right arm with your left (for a Ceroc Spin) and spin her the other way. Catch, return and go into a double handed hold.

Slow Walk Push Spin. Double handed. Pull down towards your right hip with both hands taking the woman past you, raise your hands to turn her behind you so that your hands are crossed. Slow walk her forward past you (for 4 counts) as she comes past take your left hand up her left to her left shoulder as you turn her around. Take her right hand into a push spin and push return her (taking the left hand up to put her into a turn). I've done the latter half of this move before.

Tags: Ceroc

Edinburgh Party 7

2006-01-29T03:16:00.000Z

Arrived just in time for the fun class at the Edinburgh party night. I wasn't going to do the class but the teacher pointed out there was only one woman extra so I thought I'd balance the numbers. As they were on the second move I played a quick catch-up. There were a few women in the class where the party night was their first night. I can't imagine the evening being easy for them (and I had a dance later with a few of them) as it seems they really were starting at the deep end.

I never really enjoyed the music for much of the night. There was a lot of fast stuff (especially earlier on) without any slow, or even average, tempo stuff. There also was a lot of tracks where there wasn't really a chance to play with the music much. I found it, as a result, difficult to really get into it during the earlier part of the evening (that's not to say it was just the music but it was a factor) and I only had a few good dances during the first half of the night. Later on the evening picked up a lot though and I had a lot of really good dances; only wish I could have been in that zone earlier.

During the evening I had a double trouble dance that went well (ish). Another double trouble dance (to Now That I Can Dance) which didn't go smoothly but I found hilarious and made me almost enjoy dancing to that song. I also followed (and led for a short while) Ducasi; he led really well and found it much easier to follow him that most of the people I've had lead me.

It wasn't my best party night ever but it was good fun.

Tags: Ceroc

Thursday Night Going Well

2006-01-26T11:22:00.000Z

Tonight went well. You always worry after a couple of not great nights that
it might not be but it went well. I had a lot of good dances and part of that
was just feeling like I had a good connection. My balance was good and enjoyed
doing a few double spins. There were a lot of fast tracks which I'm not a huge
fan of but were fun to dance to all the same. There was also no Now That
I Can Dance, seriously it wasn't there. I'm so happy. Anyway a few
of the regulars that I love dancing with weren't there but there were plenty
of women who were there that I enjoyed dancing with (I had a lovely dance
with the taxi dancer who took me through my first lesson). Aleks took me through
how to practice body rolls.

Armjive Swizzle Into Underarm Pass. I'm to lazy at the moment to look
this up but I've done it before. Armjive, pass under the arm on the Swizzle
then push the woman to your left keeping both hands into a half nelson; then
slide under your right arm to get in-front of the woman and turn her. I notice
I've gotten lazy in freestyle and kept the right hand at shoulder level and
pass underneath it there.

Basket Into Turnaround Spin with Lady Spin. Liked this one. Basket
but rather than exit turn the lady 180° clockwise as you turn yourself and take your left hand up so it is at the lady's shoulder. Then use that to turn her around 1½ times in one count. Take her hand out to your right and both of you spin (I took this chance to do double spins as everyone was doing a spin).

Catapult into Sway Accordion Dip. Catapult offering left hand up
at shoulder level, on the right side, when the lady is behind you. Lead her
to take it and return her in-front until she is facing away putting your right
on her waist at the right and putting her left on the left hand side of your
waist. Push her across with the right taking your left high into an Accordion
position. Return her wrapping her right into a half nelson keeping the left
high. When she is facing towards your right side take your left over her head
(with your arm across her back) and put her into a dip. Exit letting go
of left and unwrapping with the right swapping to your left hand.

Tags: Ceroc

West Coast Swing

2006-01-25T23:02:00.000Z

Well I thought I'd give West Coast Swing a go tonight. Much like my first night at Salsa I found the footwork difficult and it feeling a little bit of a step back (no pun). However unlike Salsa I really enjoyed the music and the people were much nicer which makes a big difference. Anyway rather than write out lots about WCS I'll just link to the Wikipedia entry. The basic step works on a step on left (normally back) then on right then a triple step ; followed by a second triple step so your weight is on your right foot (allowing your left to move again). Most followers gave the right tension and were very good at following which was delightful (and I needed the help).

I did find that the footwork and a much more strict requirement on the count took up a lot of my brain activity leaving me with very little to actually focus on having fun with my partner. A few times I got into the zone and found the footwork became automatic. At other times I found myself getting so much into moving to the music I just led my partner into a First Move... oops.

The slotted dancing is nice and neat. I like it :).

Anyway the moves, quite quickly: The Sugar Push (including one where on the push you transferred to the right hand allowing for a right handed step across with you moving to the left and letting go with your hand wait for the woman to turn and take left to right). Underarm Pass (lift hand step to your left, with right foot forward, then cross step so left foot is behind as you turn for you and your partner to do a ronde). A starting move where you have a closed First Move like position and do a double triple step to get on the same timing and do some compression and such then lead the woman out into an open triple step before cross stepping to the left (as another triple step count). The Whip; which:

Whip: This 8 count basic resembles Lindy Hop. The follower starts at one end of the slot and is led around the lead, to the same end of the slot she started. However there is one fundamental difference from the Lindy Hop Swing Out. The follower stays in her slot, pivoting, then coming back to where she started. The leader steps in and out of the slot, creating a less circular, and more elastic move.
Wikipedia Entry

We also did a whip where we stayed in the pivot repeating it over and over.

Tags: West Coast Swing

Tuesday Blues Part 2

2006-01-24T22:36:00.000Z

I went in dancing tonight with high hopes but again something about the evening just made it a bit of a poor one. I think it was a factor of my own dancing, the music, how warm I was and other dances that didn't go so well. I wasn't really on form and at times I just felt I was going through the motions or that my dance was a bit uninspired. I think that can have a knock on effect to other things; I'm sure I'd enjoy the musical set (well excluding ~~Now That I Can Dance~~), for example, if I was in the zone. I also found it really warm which I've been finding a lot of venues too warm for a while so it suggests it's something about me. Anyway all said I did have a handful of very good dances. One of which was probably one of the best dances I had with a lady who is very close to me.

That same lovely lady that gave me a fab dance also wrote up some moves for me; I'll quote her write-ups:

First Move Behind Wrap Spin. Start a First Move but as you push the woman out let go with your left hand and keep your right hand on the left hand side of her waist. Using that hand turn her clockwise 180° keeping your hand on her hip (which is now at the far side) as she is slightly behind you facing away to your right. Nudge her with your right hand and keep your left hand behind you to allow her to loop her arm around it. You then bring her around with that loop and spin her in front catching right. Return.

Man Wrap.

Starts like a catapult - when the lady is behind you, bend your right arm and turn anti-clockwise to face the lady. Hover your left arm over
the lady's right arm. P}lace your hand on her arm to bring her in to
your side. Walk around for two beats, unwrap yourself by lowering your
right arm and stepping in front of you, finish with a return.

Secret Walk Turnaround Into Double Handed Ladyspin with a Comb Lean.
Holding right to right, signal to the lady by placing your left arm
overyour right arm above the elbow. Step in side to side with the lady
- she takes spare hand, extend right arm so that lady pivots to be at
your side. Bring both hands together and turn the lady anti-clockwise
until she comes round to face you. Twist slightly out so that you end
up stood side by side, bringing your left arm over your shoulder and
your right arm in front of the lady at her left hip. Then raise your
left arm, lower your right as you step across moving the lady to your
other side, lower both arms so that they are in front of you at hip
level. Pivot clockwise bringing the lady round to face, taking both
hands out to the right in preparation for a flick spin. Spin the lady
catching right to right, Turn the woman for a comb, turning yourself as
well so you end up side by side,take the woman's arm over your head and
lunge to the right.

Tags: Ceroc

New Teacher On a Monday

2006-01-23T23:05:00.000Z

I cancelled a regular event so I could meet someone this week. As she had to pull out then I had nothing to do with my evening. Thankfully dancing was on tonight so I headed up there...

We had a returning teacher tonight. I've never been taught by her before and it was her first night back. I found she instructed well though the intermediate class was relatively simple and I was unsure about the ending on the third move. I'll get to that in a bit though. I haven't been to a Monday in quite a while. There were quite a few new dancers there. Whether that is because of the new year or the Monday caters to a slightly less advanced audience than, say, Thursday I'm unsure. Anyway after playing quite a bit at Route 66 tonight a few women looked a bit confused when I opened a lead for them. I did have some good dances tonight; I am worried that I'm not expanding my move repertoire as much as I could be. Though I think I'm much better at doing many of the moves I lead now I worry that I've got to focus on improving and incorporating moves that I'm weaker at. I've been working on my footwork moves though I'm still a pretty weak lead with them.

I got to do some double trouble with two lovely ladies who I don't think had done it much before. It was good fun though and it has been a while so it was good that I still remembered my limited array of moves.

~~Now That I Can Dance~~ was on again tonight. I did bring it up at the end because I really don't want to hear it 4 times this week but I suspect I will. Otherwise there were some good tracks on tonight and some less good ones. I thought the set was alright.

Moves:

First Move Walk. As you enter the First Move keep your left hand on your shoulder (I changed it to a butterfly grip to try and stop the woman anticipating and to make it easier to lead). Walk around for a couple of counts then continue as a regular First Move.

Basket Cross Step into Left Handed Comb. Basket; as you bring the woman forward though extend her further forward so she takes her right foot very much in front of you. Lead her forward so she takes her left over her right (generally in a cross step but you can't guarantee this; you can cross step as well); she is now doing that directly in-front of you. As you guide her to face left, at some stage, let go with your right hand and return her under your left then take it straight into a Left Handed Comb.

Double Handed Yo-Yo into Lunge Step. Start a Yo-Yo but offer your left hand in-front of you at waist level. As you execute the push-turn on the Yo-Yo take your left hand up as well (still holding on) and around the woman's head. When she comes to face keep turning her another 90° and turn as well so you are both facing the same way with your left hand at the left side of your waist and your right by the woman's right (ish). Lunge left leading the woman to do the same; as you do take your hand over your left shoulder. As you come back up you take your right hand over the woman's shoulder. At this stage we just sort of broke the flow of the move, rather than side your hand to the woman's hand on your shoulder instead, we just took our hands away and turned to face taking left to right. It was a fairly disappointing ending; it just stopped the flow. I've done this move before sans the weird ending; just to lazy to look it up.

Tags: Ceroc

Route 66

2006-01-21T02:20:00.000Z

I'll try and keep this quite short since it is late. I doubt it will happen though. Anyway I had a quite good time tonight. I think I was a bit tired and drained of energy. Tiredness generally effects my concentration and therefore has an impact on my musicality; move repertoire and general connection. Lack of energy seems to effect my balance (and therefore my ability to do spins) more than anything else. I think the amount of caffeine I drank to remain awake also kept me very warm. My level of skill fluctuated through the night. There was one fast song, that went on for ages, that started of well but went downhill after it continued on. I coped alright with the bluesy stuff at the end. I had quite a few enjoyable "fun" dances and quite a few good technique dances as well. I did take quite a few breaks and before I knew it the night was over. I had the last three dances with the same girl (because the first track we danced to was naff; the second was better and then we just figured we'd stick with each other for the last track). They were enjoyable; she is a good dancer with a lot of style. We also had a few dances earlier where she lead and we stole the lead from each other which was fun. Had good dances with others too; some regular partners and others much more infrequent (or the first time tonight). I didn't get a dance with every woman in the hall; which was a shame as I certainly think it would have been possible.

I practiced the Argentinean First Move a bit with mixed results but, occasionally, it worked really well and I was over the moon. I also put one follower into a Lambda Drop and she took me bringing her back up as a sign I was going to drop her rather than me just feeling we had held the position long enough. She sort of yelped :o.

I felt the music was a bit of a mix at times. There were certainly a few tracks I didn't like but also some really good ones.

Tags: Ceroc

Thursday Night Fun

2006-01-19T23:27:00.000Z

After having a fairly poor night on Tuesday it was good to see that tonight was very different :D. Had a great time tonight. A lot of really working dances. Had a couple that went a bit wrong; think I tried playing to much with less experienced dancers. There were a few new people tonight. I managed to get a dance with a few of them; which is good. I got a lot of attention for my "Cunningly Disguised As An Adult" T-shirt as well :). The moves tonight were really good. My teacher for Tuesdays was also there and kindly took the time to work on the move from Tuesday that I really liked. It was of great help and I really appreciated her going out of her way to go over it. Don't think I have it mastered but think I have it more sorted. I'll just update that move. Back to tonight's moves (oh we did a Push Spin on its own in the beginners class; very strange):

Sway Walkaround Sway. Sway but walk back for a count then pivot yourself and your partner on the spot so you are facing the other way with your left hand at her left hip and right in front of you with her to your left. Then push on her left hip (and draw in with the right) so she moves across in front of you and goes into a Sway. Back and forwards then return (in this case one handed swapping to left.

Thing With Arms And Stuff. Double handed. Start with a Left Handed Comb but turn your back to your partner so your left arm rests on your right shoulder. Then lift your right up behind you to turn your partner 90° clockwise as you turn the same as well (so you are side to side facing the opposite sides to each other). Turn her back to face you (continuing the turn) as you, umm, turn to face her back. As with the Grande Mangle your right hand is outstretched and your left is on the lady's neck. Take your right to her left waist then right to left. Wiggle (ok I added this in) before taking your right up to turn her twice (anti-clockwise) bringing the left up to meet as she comes to face the first time. You end this part with your hands crossed. Take her past your right side with your hands at your waist. Slide your left up towards her left shoulder as you turn her in front. As she is turned lock your left on her left shoulder (with her right hand in yours) and your right outstretched into a push spin position (though she is 90&#B0; facing your right) to turn her nearly twice. Return.

First Move Push. First Move but throw out with left and step back with right to face your partner with your right on her back to guide her forward. Lead her forward while lunging and indicate to a clockwise turn and catch right.

The DJ, at a few peoples request, played some new music (new to him playing it) for half an hour. He had a few complaints so he aborted it. I really enjoyed experimenting with the new tracks and though I liked familiar territory as well I'm hoping we can move more to playing more untested tracks.

Tags: Ceroc

Tuesday Night Blues

2006-01-17T23:31:00.000Z

Well everyone has bad nights and this was one of mine. I couldn't get on form and had difficulty concentrating for the whole evening. My dancing felt a bit flat and I didn't seem to have any musicality or rhythm sense at all. It's not that I didn't have good dances but I felt my own form was a bit off for all of them. My partners certainly weren't to blame and in a few cases we made the most of it. This also was true in the intermediate class as well where I had a lot of difficulty with the moves. I did like the First Move though and the footwork First Moves are certain something I'll be working on. Hope the women I dance with don't get bored of it. Quick move list. I'll try and write some more details later.

Basket into Double Handed Lady Spin. Start a Basket. As you wrap her in don't lower the left hand. Instead turn her behind you with both hands. Turn anti-clockwise and take her hands out to your left for a double handed lady spin.

Argentinean First Move. Oh this move was sexy. I shall work on getting it right but I had a lot of issues with the timing. Start a First Move, when you move to pivot the woman out turn 180° to face but offset to her left with your left foot forward along side her back foot (which will be her right) with a hand on her hip with your right and a butterfly or normal grip with the left. Take a whole count pause on this then move your left foot and guide her right foot parallel so you are facing each other then push her left foot back stepping forward with your right in front of the left (a sort of cross-step); this action should take one count. Then draw parallel by moving the left before stepping backwards with your right cross stepping your left. We changed direction at this stage. I got some hints that you should take a full count on this so do a weight shift for a beat (which should lead the woman to a weight shift as well) then reverse direction and draw parallel by using your right. Then step backward with the left; parallel and end with a push out like the middle of a First Move (so you step back with left facing the same way as the women) and end as normal.

Armjive Step into Slow Comb Walk. Move into the woman's left side taking hands to waists then push out. Repeat on the right hand side. Put hands over both your heads (so you are facing the opposite way with a hand resting on your and your partner's far shoulders) slide out right to right and move into a comb. Travel with the comb for a bit then break contact.

A smart lady pointed out the main difference between the Argentinean moves and the Colombian moves is that in the case of the latter the follow mirrors the action of the lead.

Tags: Ceroc

Red Hot and Blue Number 2

2006-01-14T02:01:00.000Z

Just come back from Red Hot and Blue. It was a lovely night. Like last time I felt it was a little warm and the floor was tricky to spin on. Someone talc'd the floor and that gave us a brief super spin time (it's like a power-up) where we could spin like crazy. But that quite quickly left the floor on people's feet. The music was the slow stuff that I'd expect allowing you a lot more freedom to play around with the music though sometimes that makes me feel a little lost. Still learning a lot about blues dancing and have some way to go. While I'm on music I found the beat in Santana's Maria Maria very tricky to dance to. I found I could some times get some footwork going for the beat but I found leading my follower to the beat a lot more tricky (or even thinking of moves that might work in this regard). I think it was a track Franck and Tiggerbabe used in the How To Slow Jive class at Southport so I should have had a few moves that could have played to it but I found it a little tricky to execute those moves to it. Anyway as I really enjoyed the beat I'd love to practice dancing to that style of music.

I did have a few dances where I found it tricky to make a connection or that I was too low on energy to concentrate on. However most dances were really excellent and I had such a good time. I found playing great fun and was complimented on my ability to react to a lady steal. Lots of luscious dances with some of my favourite dancers. Aleks (I hope she doesn't mind me using her name; I'll check) said she noticed that I was flirting a bit in the dance and we had a really good time just having some fun. I felt that it worked really well; I've got to remind her to show me how to practice body rolls :). Also my lovely dancing spy mentioned that some people were talking about me and established that I'm a passionate dancer. That wasn't unfortunately said directly to me but I loved that as a complement. I suppose it makes me feel my enjoyment of the dance shows through.

I had a couple of dances where I followed for half the time. One was with a man, though not the man I had arranged to have a man-dance with, we both found it difficult given the bluesy nature of the track. It was also difficult for me to improvise as a follower. I had a second track straight afterwards with a woman who was leading; I found I needed a stronger lead (and I don't even mean that it the clearer way; I actually mean a physically stronger lead) and found it tricky to dance as a follower. Willing to give it more goes though :D. It was fun stealing the lead from her and her asking how that happened.

I really music thank all the women I got a dance with tonight for making the evening so good. Without you I'd just be wiggling my butt on the dance floor.

Tags: Ceroc

Thursday Night Goodness

2006-01-12T11:21:00.000Z

It was a really, really good night tonight. There were a lot of people there including a big bunch of new faces. It did result in it being very warm for much of the evening. A got in a few dances with women I haven't danced with in a while and really enjoyed them all. They've improved and my lead might well have improved as well and I hope I make a better attempt at dancing with them in the future. Though there were a lot of beginners I hardly seemed to be able to get a hold of any of them leaving me a bit shameful at my lack of dancing with any of them. I managed to get a few dances with my favourite dancers tonight. I find I've been playing more and I certainly really had enjoyable dances with them; a few of them mentioned that they had a good dance with me. Hoping that's also the case with those that didn't mention. I've realised I'm much more a fan of fun dances than technically excellent dances though I'd like a better grasp of the latter. I think my ability to lead footwork moves has actually gone down hill.

I think I managed to annoy someone dancing Now That I Can Dance with them. I did warn her I hated the track but maybe I would have been better turning her down. I don't think I put in that much effort and towards the end of the track I realised how silly I was being but I think she had entirely lost interest by that stage.

I'm currently trying to follow once a lesson. A friend who I really enjoy leading (she does a lot of exciting footwork that I enjoy) lead for a bit of a track. I'm still pretty back at following though. It's this whole taking instruction thing.

I found my double spin confidence has increased as well and I can casually go into a double spin from a Comb. I hope the women I dance with aren't getting aggravated by having to wait for my spin though.

Done the first two intermediate moves before. I'd look them up but I'm changing the way I list moves any day now anyway. There was one woman that I didn't have any desire to do the dip with as it was her first week. I'm not sure why she was in the intermediate class. I don't think she was a bad beginner but I would hardly say she was the exceptional that I think you should be to attempt an Intermediate class on your first week. I tried it on my fifth though so I can hardly talk.

Accordion Sit Down. Variant involving taking the woman's left hand in right and moving her out for a lady spin.

False Pretzel Sway.

Neck Break Weird Lean. Start a Neck Break but put your right hand over the woman's shoulder so your thumb is facing down. Transfer her right hand into your right; turning her so she is on your right side facing the same way as you with your and her right hand on her right shoulder and she offers her left at your waist level which you take with your left. You then turn her into face you though I'm a bit uncertain if there is another step here. Switch her over to your left side mirroring the previous position then raise the right to turn her moving your arms so your right is locked behind your head and your left is at her left waist. Wrap this arm to her waist for support while taking your left leg behind her for support. Twist anticlockwise to put her into a lean. I could do with confirming this move. Move out double handed into an Accordion.

Tags: Ceroc

Triple Spin! Triple Spin?

2006-01-10T23:04:00.000Z

At the joining together bit of the beginner's class I might have done a triple spin (it might have only been a double; but what a double if so) during a Catapult. Either way I was intending a double but it was the lack of force put into it that (I felt) made it feel graceful and I came to a rest just as I turned to face my partner on the last spin. It was fab; of course I couldn't, as much as I tried, replicate it for the rest of the night. Anyway that made me feel confident for the rest of the evening and I enjoyed a big bunch of my dances. A few times I got some great complements from my partner as well which probably only helped inflate my ego but did help, I think, the confidence I put into the dance. Had a really exhausting dance to Zoot Suit Riot on the "last" dance and finished with a twilight dance with a really lovely dancer. I felt in the zone tonight and more so towards the end which was a shame as I would have happily danced longer (though my legs were beginning to tire).

It was too hot tonight and my first T-shirt change in a regular class since... I can't remember when. There were also far to many extra women leading to me not getting to choose my partner as much as I'd like and not getting to dance with a lot of people that I wanted to dance with.

Moves were:

Basket Back Turn. Start Basket but keep left hand high and pull with right to put the woman into a clockwise turn. Let go with right as she is behind you but continue to turn her so she is at your left side (though you turn to face). Travel return her back to where she started.

First Move Barrier Walk Thing. First Move Barrier. Draw your left hand to your right (in a lady spin sort of position) and cross step. Cross step taking your right hand over the left as you take your left hand to the left and turn to follow it. The back right. Spin both of you. Catch right.

Chop, Lock and Flop. Right hand start. Place left high up right arm and draw the woman in to take it. Extend her out to your right side then turn her in towards you taking your left to her left shoulder and turning her back to you as you move around taking your right to a really uncomfortable position before letting go and pushing her out with the left then turn her using that hand. Accordion. I might get around to writing this up properly; or not.

Tags: Ceroc

Welcome Back To Ceroc!

2006-01-05T23:43:00.000Z

Well I was suffering some withdrawal symptoms since Saturday so it was good to be back. I think after the amount of concentrated parties I was at tonight was a little flat (the weekender blues). However I did have some really good dances with a few people. Did a Catapult Lambda in a way that worked so well it surprised me and I think my partner liked it too :D (used the second hand on her back as support rather than kept it on her thigh). Had some good dances with a mixed range of other people though a couple of times I found myself going on autopilot rather than really thinking about anything. I was a bit off balance for a lot of the evening; I'm not sure why that happened. I double troubled to Now That I Can Dance. One of the women had already heard my singing and obviously came back because she liked it so much. I still hate the track but I'm determined not to let it beat me!

A few other venues weren't open causing the evening to be quite packed including a couple of surprise attendees. I think a salsa lesson was cancelled and we had a few of the salsa people there as well and they were very interesting to dance with. I enjoy new styles and that was certainly the case.

Had covered two of the moves and most of the other one already but a brief summary (and I'll be changing the way I list these some time soon; seriously).

Wurlitzer Basket Caress into Mambo Step. Like the other time though most of the time it still seemed that either me or the woman ended up on the wrong footing.

Catapult Swizzle Comb into Lady Comb. Catapult. Take your right hand to the right then over your head on the way out of it. Then turn the woman into a swizzle position to a comb. Then lady comb (with your thumb downwards to assist with the turn) then do a quick double turn.

Catapult Into Dip

With the first move I started of getting it right with a lovely partner from Glasgow but it went wrong most times there on in. She asked how our dancing was this evening. I was a bit neutral maybe but I did enjoy the dances and I think the connection was stronger than it has been which makes a difference. She commented on that but I'd be inclined to agree; I find the people I enjoy dancing the most with are those that I feel the best connection with.

Anyway another few days 'til my next fix. How will I cope?

Tags: Ceroc

New Year Ball 2005

2006-01-01T03:13:00.000Z

I was at the 2005 New Year Ball tonight (well last night and this morning really). The hall was really nice with a good layout for the dance floor and a well sized dance floor. I was warm but that's probably, in part, due to me being ill and wasn't really much to do with the hall. I was also probably quite warm because I started out wearing a dinner shirt, waistcoat and jacket. I changed to progressively cooler and more casual things as the night moved on.

Anyway on to the music which was outright stunning with the exception of Now That I Can Dance (where a woman especially came to find me know I hate that track; feel the love) and there were a few other tracks I couldn't quite get into. I found out a track I was hunting down was called Last Night by DJ Robbie (it isn't on iTunes though :( ).

Dancing was fantastic and I really hope this is an example of how 2006 will pan out. Though I felt I was being a little cheeky at times I had so many really good dances with so many different women. One woman commented very favourably on my wiggle so I'll keep it up until women are sick of it. I had a lot of dances with people I know (and really enjoy dancing with) and a good range of dances with people I didn't know. I didn't managed to get a dance with everyone I wanted to nor did I get a dance with all the new faces. I got the final couple of dances with a lovely dancer who seems to be under the crazy impression that she isn't one of my top dancers.

The was a cabaret performance from Dance Demon (who I didn't realise could sing); someone doing some Irish Soft Shoe dancing and Dancing for (with) Dummies. The last one way very funny. We also did some Ceilidh just after the bell which was good fun though threw many of us out of our element.

I felt I was chaining moves together better as well tonight and I think that's something I need to work on more in future (along with a lot of other things). Said my goodbyes and new year wishes (and kisses :D). Anyway in 2006 I hope I can take my dancing to new levels; given the line-up of weekenders; workshops and parties I fail to see how it won't be a good year.

Happy New Year.

Tags: Ceroc

Farewell Henry Wood Hall

2005-12-30T05:39:00.000Z

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

2005-12-24T01:53:00.000Z

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 :(

2005-12-22T23:59:00.000Z

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

2005-12-20T23:17:00.000Z

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

2005-12-18T03:40:00.000Z

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

2005-12-17T02:59:00.000Z

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

2005-12-15T23:18:00.000Z

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

2005-12-13T23:50:00.000Z

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

2005-12-10T02:29:00.000Z

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

2005-12-08T23:26:00.000Z

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

2005-12-06T23:07:00.000Z

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

2005-12-04T01:46:00.000Z

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

2005-12-01T23:22:00.000Z

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

That's What I'm Talking About

2005-11-29T23:59:00.000Z

Despite a few of my favourite dancers not being there tonight and me feeling a little ill I had such a good night tonight. Most of my dances were just fab (maybe they weren't for my partner but they certainly were for me). I only had a couple of dances that I didn't enjoy and only a handful that I thought were a bit average. Lots of great tunes as well and I really liked the set the DJ picked (except the last song being Now That I Can Dance; arrrrgh!). I am certainly hoping to be able to repeat nights like this.

The moves were nice as well and I certainly hope I can fit them into my routine. We ran out of time in the class and in the end dropped a bit off the third move. As I think I had it and went over it at the end of the class then I'll give the complete move.

Catapult First Move Thing. Start a One Handed Catapult; as the woman is behind you under tension (without the left hand) turn anti-clockwise to face switching from right to left and pulling her straight in for the start of a First Move. Push her into the outward then turn her anti-clockwise while pivoting to face her.

Wurlitzer Barrier Accordion. Wurltzer; as you push the woman out to the side swap from right to left hand and draw her past your right side so she makes a Barrier. Turn her out of the barrier and go into an Accordion then do a two handed return.

Secret Move Double Twist Into Walk Thing With Stuff. Start a Secret Move but take your right hand to a higher Yo-Yo position. Effectively Hatchback out of it keeping hold with your left. Raise your left hand as you turn to face rotating her anti-clockwise for two turns. As you turn her for a third time take her other hand with your right at waist level. As you turn her take the right hand high. As she comes to face again take the left low and let it flow around her so she ends up with her left across her abdomen and you have your left hand at her right waist and your right extended out (a bit like a swizzle out) at her right side with her back turned to you. You then quickly unwrap her clockwise and as she comes to face take the left high and the right low to repeat the action in mirror. Then as you turn her anti-clockwise to unwrap keep the right low so you put her into a half nelson as you continue to turn her then put your right on her shoulder as support and take her into a dip (with her facing your right at an angle; I've done this loads before). Unwrap and put her into a Lady Spin catching right.

Tags: Ceroc

Edinburgh Party Number 5

2005-11-27T02:57:00.000Z

So my 5^th party arrived and gone. We arrived early in the evening and I started dancing pretty much straight away. I didn't take that many breaks and I was pretty exhausted at the end only having the occasional burst of energy (for my favorite songs) and probably generally not dancing as well as I should. There were a quite a few good tracks but they seem to have been spilt apart by a few fairly dull tracks as well so I found the music average really. I like tracks that I can mess around on more I guess. It was a good night; I enjoyed meeting all the people from other cities as well as seeing the regulars at the party night (maybe it’s because they are more dressed up; an effort I could do with making as well).

At the end of the night I was invited out to a post-party party as well but I was exhausted so turned it down and headed home. Still I hope that I'm invited to any future parties :).

I should note that I backdate any posts to just after the event; I didn't actually write this at the timestamp given :D).

Tags: Ceroc

Dancing in Aberdeen

2005-11-24T23:00:00.000Z

Well a quick trip to Aberdeen meant I decided to go dancing up there on Thursday. Given Thursday is the big night in Edinburgh it was interesting to see that it was the quiet night in Aberdeen (I don't think the icey roads helped attendance though). There was an interesting latin and hip-hop style of music as a whole which made a good and interesting change. Most of the songs I hadn't heard before so it was all new stuff to dance to. I did have a good fun dance when on of my favourate tracks Smooth by Santana (featuring that guy from Matchbox 20) came on. Had lots of nice dances with a woman I've met a few times before and some nice dancing with lots of lovely women I've never met before.

Almost Pretzel. Start a Pretzel, snatch away the right hand, turn to face then pull her back across into a lady spin.

Accordian Swizzle Sitdown. From a left high stage of the Accordian go into a Swizzle where you are behind the woman (it takes one and a half rotations to do this) then as you take her hand out pivot to your left as she does the same and sit her on your left knee. Extend and exit out of the Swizzle keeping a double handed stage for the return.

Secret Move Block. Start a Secret Move, after the woman is out on your right then pivot to face as you raise right high and left low and lock when the woman so her back is turned. Pull on left while slightly moving right to turn the woman quickly back into an accordian.

Sway into Swizzle Top. Start a Sway (I did a Accordian into Sway I found it worked better). Let go with left as you step back. As you move forward in the Sway take your left to a Swizzle Top position and spin her out catching left.

While waiting around for a while in a pub in Aberdeen afterwards a house song came on with the lyrics The Southport Weekender presumably they were refering to another Southport Weekender. In fact, that site has the song as the background music :D (though the one I heard was a different mix).

Tags: Ceroc

Slow Night

2005-11-22T23:59:00.000Z

Tonight took me quite a while to get into. The music was such a strange mix including a few tracks that are my current favourites to a few tracks that I really didn't enjoy (I still fricken hate Tina Arena's Now I Can Dance; I hate it). Anyway had some real gems of dances that made the evening worth it.

First Move Barrier into Sway. First Move take hand to hip when exiting and lead into a Barrier block. Turn the woman one and a half times and then take her hand down into a flick spin to spin her another half time moving into a Sway. Take her left hand up turning her under it and turning with her so you continue facing the same direction. Move into a double handed (sort of Accordion) move before double handed returning from that.

Secret Walk Spin. Start a Secret Walk by taking hands across your abdomen. Pull the woman out but then turn and face and take the woman's hands out to the right and lady spin with them.

Wurltzer Flick Spin into Backwards Lean to Seducer into Tandem Mambo Walk with Lady Spin. Lets break that down. Wurltzer with you going out as well. Wrap the woman in so she is on your right, hip-to-hip, with her facing the other way from you. Take her right in your left at your left shoulder in a ballroom grip and secure her with your right hand at her hip (I actually wrapped it around to her back as will become clear in a second). Lean to the left then pivot her in front of you into a seducer with left high. As you exit out turn her anticlockwise under the left hand so her back is facing after one and a half turns. Take her left in your right at her waist and your left hand down so she is in a basket like position in front. Mambo step for four beats. Begin to exit as you would a Basket take the left low but raise the right and wrap into her right side then take her in front of you and turn her one and a half time into a lady spin. What a move :D.

Tags: Ceroc

Get Your Kicks at Route 66

2005-11-19T02:23:00.000Z

Mmmmmm. Went out to Route 66 and had a fantastic time. Had some really lovely dances and though I found the music challenging I enjoyed the new stuff as a whole and dancing to the different styles. I had a lot of lovely complements including a fantastic one from a little monkey :D. I didn't get there till a little later but went on the dance floor soon afterwards. I did dance with a lot of people I knew and not that many people that I didn't know. There were a few people there who had never done any partner dancing before and I tried to lead one of them to limited success. I hope they did get some more dances in but a couple of them I think were using the time to drink so I'm not sure how well they'd dance :O. Wish I had taken my camera along but I didn't; oh well.

Tags: Ceroc

Yeay! Guess Who's Back?

2005-11-17T23:56:00.000Z

After a few not great nights I really enjoyed tonight. There were so many people I wanted to dance with but never got a chance but then I also got dances with my most of the people who I love dancing with. I also had someone say that I'm one of her top dancers (though she probably says that to all the boys) and compliments go a long way to helping you feel good about a night (and I had a few other compliments too :D). Felt my musicality was much better and things just clicked more. Dance floor was a little busy but you can't have everything.

Secret Walk Back Thing. Start a Secret Walk; extend the right hand out then take it high so the woman turns her back to you. Take her hand over her head and wrap it in as if she is in a Basket in front of you. Let go with your left and unravel her into a ceroc spin and spin her out.

Catapult into Something Else. Start a catapult but as you bring the woman into your left side take your left hand over her head so her left hand rests on her left shoulder while you keep your right low. Turn her clockwise as you turn yourself letting go with the right but then taking her right hand again and take your right hand to her right shoulder keeping your left low. Then turn her by raising the right as you both turn and you take your hands so you have a hand at your and her far shoulder. Slide out and travelling spin her.

Flamenco Walk. Throw your left hand out to your right side while you turn to be back to back with the woman. Take her left hand in your left then wrap her into a Flamenco Walk for a couple of beats before turning the woman out and taking the right hand at waist level to go into an accordion. We did a double handed return into the Secret Walk at this stage.

Tags: Ceroc

Now That I Can Dance?

2005-11-15T23:36:00.000Z

Well it was another fairly average dance night tonight. I'm not really sure why (I don't even have the sleep excuse anymore). My musicality just seemed a little off and at times it really just felt like I was going through the motions. The floor also seemed very slippy which felt like I was a bit all over the place at times. Strangely the beginners class was maybe one of the most enjoyable points of the evening.

Anyway it could have been a whole new move thing and perhaps on Thursday I'll get more into the groove.

Quick intermediate moves list.

Basket Lady Comb?. Basket but as you step back keep your left hand high and take it over the woman's head to her neck. Release her hand and bring your hand to her waist where hopefully she'll take it again as she steps forward you can then hold her in this repeating the move as you like or exit the Basket. I tried doing this with other Basket variant exits and found it difficult to move into them but I'll continue trying to combine both.

Mambo Swizzle Thing. Armjive Swizzle start. As you take the woman's arm out though you move (with left foot) into a Mambo Step for a few counts then you exit the Swizzle and take your right high and left low to lead into a mirror of the first part repeating again. You then repeat back to a Swizzle, hold for a single step and exit as a normal swizzle.

First Move Barrier Cha Cha Thing. I didn't like the Cha Cha footwork when I was down at Southport and I found it difficult tonight as well. Start a First Move but return with the left arm low then take the woman out in front and form a barrier. Spin her around from that (one and three quarter times) straight into a Cha Cha out-step (so left hand out to the right side with left foot forward). Step into face and take her other hand for a Cha-Cha-Cha then repeat with right hand to left. Do the step in again then left out to right but both of you spin and face and go straight into a two handed Cha-Cha-Cha before taking the right hand left but take the left hand high so she turns underneath it and return.

Tags: Ceroc

Intermediate Workshop I

2005-11-13T16:57:00.000Z

They were men short in the intermediate workshop so I went along to balance numbers :D.

Open Handed First Move. First Move. Fling out and wrap right hand to lady's right hip. Lead forward then draw the woman in and wrap your left hand around pulling her out into the reverse position stepping again. Repeat the draw in and then move into a push spin exit.

Single Handed Catapult. Just like in the charity ball.

Slow Halleluya. Take the crossed hands and raise them over the head into a comb. Take your hands and slide them to her elbows or hips while wiggling.

Man Wrap. Start like a Catapult and but as you push out turn anticlockwise and move into a half nelson. Wrap the woman into your right side and put your left hand on her shoulder or back to move walk around then unwrap using the half nelson then move her into a lady spin position and spin her.

Hatchback

Train. Turn into a Shoulder Drop position but walk forward instead. Then take your right hand out to the side (and back) turn to face the woman and turn her back to you and stop her with your left hand and walk her forward. Unwrap her with right and return.

Swizzlestick

Teapot

Backhander. Left hand. Move slightly past the woman on the right and wrap her hand into a half nelson and take with the right. Move past her as you unwrap low and then take your hand high so she turns two and a half times. Return.

Catapult Bounce. Catapult but in the middle stick in a move where you draw the woman directly in behind you and bounce her back.

Secret Walkabout Swizzle. A secret walkabout (the move where you cross your arms on your chest and then expand out; bring around swapping sides). Finish on right extended moving out into a sort of Yo-Yo and then moving into a Swizzle.

Accordion

Double Handed Sway. Start the left hand high and put the woman into a sway from both hands.

Catapult Walk. Catapult not offering left hand. Take her to left and wrap left hand around her (she should hopefully take it). Walk forward then turn taking both hands behind your back (so your back to back with your partner. You adopt a mirror of the position you were in and do the walk again. End by pushing her out and swapping from right to left return to a double handed hold.

Walkaround. Walk her to your left hand side taking your left hand high and your right hand to your left waist. Walk her around behind you letting go with right and when she comes around to right turn her in front of you and move to a lady spin then spin and catch right.

Lasso Sway. Start a return and turn her more to turn move her straight into a sway.

Tags: Ceroc

Charity Ball

2005-11-13T02:01:00.000Z

I went to a charity ball event tonight. Apart from failing to get dressed up (which probably comes as no surprise to people who have been to party nights with me). Tiredness is still effecting my dancing (will sleep soon) though I did have quite a few good dances and the set was good. However I was asked to join a team at Blackpool this evening (which I can't make) but it still made my night :D.

Class consisted of some likable moves.

Basket Pull Through. Start Basket step back then move the lady forward directly in front of you under tension before flinging her back and turning to face her catching left to right. Travel return her.

First Move Block. Start a first move but move into a side position (like a strong frame) and as you bring the woman forward block with the knee (though really you are stopping with your arms). Then move her back slightly before exiting the first move as normal. Return.

Left Hand Catapult Dip. Do a left handed catapult but turn to follow woman as you pull her under and pass from left to right hand extending the right hand out for a spin. Spin her and move in for a seducer of the spin. Spin her out and catch right.

One Handed Catapult Into Flick Spin . Right handed catapult but don't take with left hand. Rather just use the right and take that over your head as you move back. At the woman comes forward turn her and then flick spin catching left.

Tags: Ceroc

Dancing Leads To More Dancing

2005-11-10T23:50:00.000Z

It was a good night again tonight; however I'm still a little tired and that is still effecting my dancing. I shall try and catch up on some sleep. I also found some of the tracks a little too consistent with previous weeks; I prefer a mix of new and known stuff.

I also found out that someone I dance with is a physiotherapist and I asked her about my knee (at the end of the evening rather than just interrupt her dancing). She kindly went over it with me. It's apparently some patellofemoral thing (there's an article called (Partellofemoral Pain Syndrome if you are interested) caused by an imbalance in my quadriceps and calves (my calves are over developed and my quadriceps are like lard or something). She gave me some static exercises to work with to try and develop the quadriceps muscles to remove the imbalance. They basically involve trying to put the knee down while keeping the foot tense (though I'm going to try and do some more reading on this online to get it right). She's really fab anyway but especially so for taking the time to talk shop with me :D.

I was also invited to help in the Intermediate Workshop on Sunday. It's an early start but I look forward to help in the class and I'm delighted to be asked.

Quick move list.

Didn't get the name last time either but we did this move here as well (the last move on the list). The first part of it basically a Yo-Yo while holding the other hand. In this variant we wrapped straight in for a basket at the end and then unwrapped her out and returned as normal.

Start like a Basket but as you step back place your left hand on her right shoulder (with your arm in front of her) and draw her forward and into a spin with that before stepping slightly behind her and placing your right hand on her left shoulder and spinning her out catching right.

Start a Wurlitzer stepping out yourself as well. Wrap the woman into your arm at shoulder height and then let go as she is being brought in still bringing your arm around her neck. Wrap her until she is turned to face your right hand side and place your right hand on the top of her back (you can also place the left high on the back as well). She takes your arm in her hand or hands as support (her call) and you dip her back possibly using your knee as a break (depending on how low you want to go). Correct and then lead her into a Neck Break style unwind.

Tags: Ceroc

New Day; New Dance Blog

2005-11-09T18:13:00.000Z

This is my new dance related blog. I decided to move it from LiveJournal to here because blogger gives a better access to the look and feel of the page and generally more control. I will start making new posts here and will backdate my old posts here as well (there are a couple that need to be written up still anyway). In the meantime you can still access my Ceroc and Salsa posts though I might well start to delete the ones that don't have comments. I'm going to stick with putting longer posts and, more likely, the move lists under a cut. People who access the feed should see the complete post and the full article will (obviously) have the full post.

Dancing!

2005-11-08T23:51:00.000Z

Tonight's dancing was a bit average. I had a lot of good dances (not great but good) but my moves and energy seemed a little lacking. Still I've been here before so I'm sure it'll pick up again. The numbers were balanced (men a little over at times in the beginner's class) which was great I prefer that to a thousand extra women. Even then there were a lot of women that I would have loved to dance with that I never got the chance to.

Someone also said that a bunch of the women said they really enjoyed dancing with me. Yeay!

First Move Tango Walk. Start a First Move but upon pushing out pivot to face and adopt a strong frame and a butterfly grip. Put the woman's weight on her right foot and then pivot her anti-clockwise so she cross-steps backwards with left behind right. Then redistribute her weight to her left foot and backwards cross step right then left again before kick-sweeping right around and moving back into your frame and then turning the woman out. Take both hands on a return.

Basket Push Around. Start a Basket. As you step back take your left hand down (but let go) and place your right hand on her right shoulder. Bring her in towards you and swap the right hand with the left (so you can continue the motion). As her back comes around place your right on her left shoulder as you turn slightly to continue facing the same direction as her yourself. Then push with right to guide her into a half turn to face. Catch right. Return.

Sway Comb Lean. Start a sway not taking the woman's left hand (doesn't really matter though). Exit by turning her then return and pivot side on from her. Lean as she moves into a controlled lunge (without any support by you). Exit by sliding your left hand to her right.

Tags: Ceroc

Dancing On A Thursday

2005-11-03T23:49:00.000Z

Tonight was really good; I had some fab dances and one that just really connected and worked. It had been a while since I had danced with the woman and she got all cheery and said how much I had improved and how much she enjoyed the dance. I shall definitely ask her to dance more in the future.

I feel that Thursday night's playlist could do with a bit of a change though; maybe just a slightly wider pool of tracks would help. I mean, I like dancing to familiar tracks, but the introduction of tracks I haven't heard presents a challenge and keeps the music fresh. Salsa often drives me mad due to the similarity of the tracks; I'd hate to think that Ceroc would end up doing the same.

Wurlitzer Back High Hand Thing Into Basket. Wurlitzer start then pull the woman under your right hand (apart from it being right to left it's just like a Catapult) and offer your left hand high on your right shoulder. Bring her in and she takes that hand turning anticlockwise (both of you) to move her straight into a Basket. In the lesson we directly moved out of the basket rather than remained in it and returned.

Under Arm Thing. Move in a bit like a First Move but keep the left hand low. Put your partner's right hand behind her back in a half nelson and take it with your right. Unravel her and as she comes around move underneath your hands then take the hand out for a Lady Spin. Spin her and catch right.

Man Spin Butt Wiggle. Start a Man Spin but get the woman to walk around you (while still keeping hold of the hand) and wiggle while she does so. As she comes around again take her other hand and let go with the left then bring her back to back and spin her catching left to right I assume.

Tags: Ceroc

What's With The Techno?

2005-11-01T23:23:00.000Z

I think the DJ was being a bit experimental with a couple of tracks. Including a very strange techno one. This was another post that I delayed for nearly a month and therefore I can't remember that much about the evening. Anyway I jotted down some notes on the moves.

First Move Travel Return Walk First move out the back to shoulder. Travel return for two twirls. As you twirl her travel right of her so you can take her hip as she is turning to face then take her out to your side, back to shoulder and repeat the move. Exit with a regular first move exit.

Wurlitzer Thing. My other notes for this were useless so I think it is: Wurltzer start take her behind you using your right hand. Extend it out so you are back to back then lady spin her with that hand. I could just be making this up though.

Accordion. When your right hand is low you pull her forward letting go with the hand (keeping hold with the left hand though). Take your right hand to her back (with your hand on her upper back but with the rest of your arm as support). Take her into a brief lean before stepping back into an accordion.

Tags: Ceroc

Ceroc Party Number 4

2005-10-30T02:44:00.000Z

Well a write up of the BFG is coming. I've voice recorded them at the moment so I don't forget them. My fourth party representing my fourth month of dancing, pretty much, as well. Unfortunately it wasn't the best party nor did I think I was particularly on form. The night started badly when in my second dance I nearly dropped someone; now I know that it happens and I didn't actually drop her but it still made me a little on edge. However as I try not to make drops a large part of my dance anyway then my lack of desire to do them didn't really affect my night that much. I think generally I just had difficulty concentrating and it took me quite a few dances before I felt more on form. Saying that I did have one woman mention I had a reputation (which was good apparently :D) as I asked her to dance. The music was very much what I've come to expect from an Edinburgh party night; I like a lot of the tracks but I felt there could have been some new stuff thrown in. Tried a bit more double trouble too and that seemed to go quite well; I ended up double troubling on the last track (excluding the twilight dance) and felt quite good at the end. So started bad and progressed to better throughout the night. I had a very good time post party as well :).

Tags: Ceroc

Such a Late Post :D

2005-10-27T23:10:00.000+01:00

I can't even remember this evening given the fact I'm writing it a month later however I did take notes on the moves.

Not a great lineup of moves this evening. One isn't lead-able in freestyle and the last one was tricky and I'm not convinced about how much time was spent on it compared to how much time should have been spent on it.

Clothesline Let Go Thing. Start by signaling by doing a clothesline with right arm (left handed move). Left hand to left shoulder with lady stepping to right. Pivot with left foot throwing the lady out and then click your fingers over your head. Then pivot back as she pivots forward and click your hands behind your back. Then spin and catch. Not that most of the move involves no contact. She needs to know the move to do the pivot and I expect by the time she has worked it out the move will be over.

First Move Lunge Log Step. First move out then twirl her once go into a ballroom hold for a brief lean then push her our and lead her into a log step then twirl her out.

Open Hold Mambo Turn. Step into a open hold (both hands out to your sides). Mambo step then pivot her around as she goes down on one foot using the momentum to carry her around as you step over her outstretched foot and bring her back up. Exit out with a return.

Tags: Ceroc

BFG Blues :(

2005-10-25T23:42:00.000+01:00

Went to ceroc tonight and really did have some great dances. I feel it is important to mention that before going on to say that I was hoping I improved a little more. When I was dancing on Sunday (at the BFG which I will finish writing about) I felt there were only a couple of dances that went wrong and so many that just felt so right. Maybe it was the music or atmosphere. Maybe my sleep deprivation just made me think everything was great. I suppose my biggest disappointment in myself is that I had the best dance with someone from Edinburgh on Sunday and I was really hoping for that same feeling tonight. Though the dance wasn't bad; it just wasn't... that. Also someone commented that I was rushing the moves by half a beat; some times just not completing the moves on the beat etc. I shall work on this; I think it is, as she said, that I'm thinking about getting into the next move rather than that pause. Anyway met a couple of first time people that had a fantastic following skills; though they were a bit uncertain I still lead them through a few intermediate moves. Hope both of them return.

Twirl Wrap Walk Spin Thing. Do a two handed travelling twirl past your right hand side and turn and face the woman. Take your right hand up turning the woman's back to you and taking both hands to her shoulders (so her arms are crossed in front of her). Slide your hands from hers to her shoulders and pivot her right then left then right before spinning her out.

Pretzel Walk with Barrier. Start a Pretzel when you lift the right take it to your shoulder as you pivot clockwise (180 degrees?) then take your lowered left hand to the lady's far shoulder before doing a walk around and sliding the left hand into the lady's left. Guide her to your right side and kept hold so she forms a barrier then spin her out of that and catch right.

Return Lasso Dip. Right hand. Return her as you do take her hand down to her left side causing her to spin; move in and wrap her arm around your neck and take a standard seducer stance and lower her then correct. Spin her out.

I suppose it could also be factors outside of dancing that have actually affected my night. It hasn't been a good week so far.

Tags: Ceroc

Why Was It So Warm?

2005-10-20T23:40:00.000+01:00

This is what you get for writing a Thursday post on a Monday. You've forgotten much of the event. As a result it is just a list of moves being, as it was, overshadowed by the BFG (write up coming).

Start a basket (another basket variant!) and step as usual then push the woman to the left using the right arm turning her at taking your left to her left shoulder. Take your right up to twirl her clockwise (?) as you twirl behind her (so traveling). You basically then rotate her into another basket. Exit like the end of a Wurlitzer.

Start a Sway but walk her backwards for a couple of counts. Then still walking her let go with left and take your right into a half nelson before ducking forward underneath it. Take your hand out in front while taking her other hand. Do some cross step log walk before taking hands high and into an Accordion. Double handed return. Drop the left.

Lean Dip. Like last time; sort of we offered the left hand and moved straight into a first move in this variant.

Tags: Ceroc

Salsa and Chips

2005-10-19T23:06:00.000+01:00

Well my third week of Salsa in my current class. Unlike last week were we didn't really learn anything in the way of moves we learned quite a few this week. Since there is a long intermediate class after the beginner and nothing for us beginners to do but watch or (yeah right :)) chat then I didn't wait around for freestyle. As such I didn't really get to practice any moves or enjoy a freestyle :(.

We worked on a cross body double twirl for the woman which is lead like a cross body lead except without a frame take the hand high and twirl her around using the raised hand pushing away; moving her past you and moving in to meet her. That's done on beats 5-8. We then did a right turn for the guys directly leading to a right turn for the woman then another cross body twirly move using the right hand to right hand. Then; still right handed we did another right spin for the guy swapping to left; moving left to a half nelson behind the back (this is on beats 1-3) and then on beats 5-7 bend down taking your hand around your back (you should have your right hand inside this; trapped when you start it) and drop the lady's hand on your shoulder; collect and move into a framed stance with a mambo step. It was a good routine I just wish I could have practiced it :(.

Tags: Salsa

Venue Chaos

2005-10-18T23:35:00.000+01:00

Tonight the venue was in a bit of disarray. The taxi dancer was also the venue manager which meant that she couldn't take the beginner revisited class during the intermediate. The beginner class went on past what would be freestyle and into intermediate. The intermediate class went on well past half nine. Furthermore the beginners couldn't do the revisited class until after the intermediate class. I was tempted to offer to taxi but, again, it would be on my own and I don't think I'd be very good (there would be a way to find out though). Had some good dances and noticed that there are some really good beginner followers out there. Danced with my ickle sister and one of my long term friends in some double trouble which was good fun even though I was making up most of it. Being super busy with women I didn't get the chance to dance with half of the people I wanted to including a big bunch of beginners which I really wanted to. Seriously I should give this taxi thing a go.

Beginners moves :).

Catapult Trickster. Start the catapult; move forward under tension. Take the right hand over your head and the left hand at the woman's left hip. Twirl her in front but as her back is turned use your thumb (!) on her right hand to stop her and take her hands back as if she was leading a catapult. Take your right hand out and over her head bring your left hand in front of you. Twirl in front of her with your right hand high then take both hands behind you as you move into the catapult under tension position. From there exit as a catapult.

Basket Case. Start the Basket but on the step back release with the left hand and put that to her right shoulder. Step her forward using the right and then spin anticlockwise using the left. Step to her left and put your right hand (flat hand facing down) to guide her forward before turning her to face and taking with the left.

Same tango style first move thing that we've done previously. Still bad at it; still love it.

Tags: Ceroc

Ceroc On A Thursday

2005-10-13T23:37:00.000+01:00

Why not leave the post till super late again? It was stupidly busy tonight. There was probably as many women as last week and then more men had turned up to make it so packed that you could hardly move on the dance floor. It was an enjoyable night with some enjoyable moves. I can't believe that we still consider the In-and-Out as a move. I suppose the other three basic moves were quite complex but they could have at least done a Sidestep or something. Intermediate moves were really good.

Basket. Drop left and begin unwrapping with right hand swapping the woman's hand to your left and turning her clockwise one and a half times. As she comes around move into an Accordion (with right hand low). We just turned once and dropped the left.

Get ready with the Yo-Yo offering left hand behind back. Woman takes left as you push her out. Step to the right while raising the right hand (keep left low) and pull the woman left at the same time. Guide the woman forward with left turning her clockwise (for one and a half turns) taking her left hand into a half nelson and her right into a lady comb. Walk her past your left hand side letting go of the left as she moves past and turning her half a turn (clockwise?) using the right. Hopefully her hand is still in the half nelson behind her back as you keep your left hand in contact with her and collect her hand as soon as you can. She is now facing again where you can repeat the lady comb and walk her forward to the left. When you tire of this you quickly spin and a half her and return.

Start a catapult but as the woman is behind take the right hand out to the right side (behind you) and take her into a lady spin moving quickly in to take her upper back in your left hand and your right on her hip while she takes her hand behind your head. Go for a quick dip/seducer then correct and spin using right. Catch left and return.

Tags: Ceroc

Salsa Wednesday

2005-10-12T23:19:00.000+01:00

Right salsa it is. First of I found out that we are doing New York (Cross Body) style of salsa. Given that I don't know anything about the Cuban style that's popular I'm not really sure where the differences are. Anyway first they teach an interesting dancers frame (higher arms elbows out) and leading with the shoulder for a spin. Apart from my lack of balance I was finding I could project myself through a double spin occasionally. Had totally forgotten the left hand turn from last week. I think the key point being that I kept trying to put a spin into it (there really is only a pivot). I probably asked less people this week than I did last being content to chat to people. I really should have danced with more people though. At times I also find trying to get the correct beat in the music difficult and in moves that are prone to falling out of beat I often don't correct. I'm also prone to rushing through the silent beat as well.

They did do a good job at telling you about using the balls of your feet rather than heels and how to distribute your weight; frame technique and such. Even if I can't, at the end of it all, still get that salsa feel I think I'll still walk away feeling that I've learnt a lot. They teach a good grounding in the theory of dance :D.

Anyway we did a cross body lead which involved using the first part of a left turn but stepping out to the side creating a gap for the woman to walk through. Guide her with the frame (so pushing on her high back and pulling with your left hand) then turn her to face and move back into "the line". Revisited some of the stuff from last week. I also lead a left turn using the ladies left hand and a right handed turn for the lady where you break her turn with a flat right hand (to her left) and turn her around for a left hand turn. The intermediate class did a multiple cross body lead that I tried to shadow with a friend. Basically its the cross body but rather than pivot to face your partner you pivot to the other side and keep an open line so you can cross lead your partner again then do the same again (you are transfering momentum at this stage) and release into an open hold. I'd say that I successfully did it about 25% of the time :(.

Tags: Salsa

Not A Great Dancing Evening

2005-10-11T23:38:00.000+01:00

Something wasn't quite right last night. I'm not sure if I just wasn't focused or it was the miserable weather (yes; I'm aware it is indoors) but I didn't feel particularly on form. This especially was true during class where I was hopeless with one of the moves which is the first time, in a while, where I've struggled with an intermediate move to the extent that I was prepared to give up on it. This was particularly crippling as I didn't actually think the move was that difficult maybe just to much unnatural feeling movements. I managed to mess up the second move for a while but then I realised I was offering my right hand; doh.

Despite not feeling on form I did have a surprising number of good dances. I was also snatched up by a few women for dances too which always feels good :D. So despite feeling like I was struggling and wasn't dancing at my best I did have a good time. Just hope my partners found it enjoyable too.

Armjive into Teapot except try and get the woman's left arm into a half nelson. Then pull with left hand drawing her to your left as you lower this hand and move into a half nelson with left behind her back and right in a half nelson behind yours. You then turn anticlockwise and duck under your arm to come out in front of her taking right hand between you and then high to unwrap her (still with both hand). Lower right step back and return dropping right for a left to right hold.

Sidestep Flamenco Walk. Liked this one. Start with a Sidestep then pull the woman past you to your right hand side. Put your left hand on her shoulder and run it down her left arm (as she'll be naturally inclined to take a right to left normally). You end up with a left to left hand hold. Raise your hand and take her into a traveling twirl putting right hand on her waist (her left side) and move right hip to her right hip and walk around with the left hand high (same as a technique done in a catapult a while back). Let go with left but keep walking with right at hip then spin her out of it.

I'm not sure why I had so much difficulty with this move but I did; it really consists of two independent parts and the second part (from leading the woman forward with arms crossed) I was ok with and I liked it. Start both hand hold take left hand over right turning clockwise 180° taking your left to your right shoulder. On the next count take your right high and behind you turning the woman anticlockwise and yourself clockwise while transferring your hand from your shoulder to hers. Take the right that you were raise as you turn her away from you (so you are behind her) over her head and to her waist. Then take your left from her shoulder down so she has her hands crossed in front of her. Then raise both hands high turning her (clockwise? or was it a return) resulting in your hands being crossed. Walk her to your right hip then raise hands turning her putting her left hand on her right shoulder and continue to turn to face with her right hand flat. Gently push spin this unraveling her taking her left high and allowing her to quickly twirl under than. Step back and your into a normal left to right.

Tags: Ceroc

Missing Dances

2005-10-06T23:55:00.000+01:00

Another stupidly busy Thursday. Once again meaning that there was so many people I didn't get to dance with and I came away feeling guilty again. There were a couple of girls I was really looking forward to dancing with but we never got the chance. Then afterwards they were talking with me about when we'd next be available. I asked if they were going to the salsa club (since both of them know a little salsa) and I'd dance a bit of salsa with them there. But somehow I missed them there and felt really bad. I'm hoping that I get dances with the both of them in the near future.

I did see a few people from my salsa class there and had a dance with one of them which was really good fun.

Tonight's playlist was fab. Maybe I was just in the mood to dance but what the teacher was playing tonight really worked for me. It still had his own slant towards fast tunes but he's added a few in there that I really liked and kept much of the good old stuff too. We had quite a bit of old skool Rock and Roll which I found really enjoyable for a change. Still hoping that Tiggerbabe finds the time to do a few sets in Edinburgh.

I also got a compliment on the way I clearly lead the Man Spin. Yeay!

Catapult, Step Across, First Move and, Shoulder Slide. Then intermediate which I had quite a bit of difficult with even though I had lots of practice as they had to move a billion women on or something.

Start with Basket. As you come out of it take your left to her right shoulder then lift right over her head as you turn away from her place your right on your left shoulder and then; your left on your right so you have your hands crossed in front of you and your partner facing your back. Let go with with both spin to face with her left hand still on your shoulder and taking her right in your left (quickly) and right on her hip and move into a mambo step (start forward) for a few before pulling her past into a turn then return and (in this case) manspin to get to right.

Bring the woman past with the right while swapping hands behind your back (so you turn away from her). Take your left hand out with your back is turned to her so she has her back turned to you as well. Spin her but keep hold and put your right hand on her shoulder to stop her spin. Push her firmly but gently back out into the previous position. Spin as normal catching right.

Move into a Sway. Execute the Sway as normal. When coming out of it nudge the woman forward keeping hold of both hands resulting in the sort of tension position a woman would see in the Catapult except with really weird arm position move forwards changing to a flat to flat hand (with your hands upwards) bringing your hands in a position to the side and just underneath of her breasts. Step back and begin to squat on your knees while she moves into a Drop Kick. Correct and turn out right-to-right (in this case we did a quick hand swap to left).

Tags: Ceroc

Salsa Is Not Ceroc

2005-10-05T23:54:00.000+01:00

I've got a backdated ceroc entry nearly ready to go. That will appear before this post.

Went to a Salsa class tonight which I'm trying out for a while. Went to the absolute beginner's class even though I have done some salsa before. Last time I stated that I did enjoy my dances even though they felt as hopelessly limited as my Ceroc did when I started that. Well this time it was worse. There were lots of very experienced dancers there tonight and I felt that I gave them some really dull dances. I also found some of the music a little challenging to pick up the beat on. Like the first time I went I still had a little difficulty not trying to start something else on the 4^th beat. Anyway even though I danced a little ceroc at one stage (only because the woman was interested) I'm still looking forward to giving it another go.

Moves; like the last time. On twirling a woman you take your left hand left, right then up (on each beat) to indicate she should go into a spin (it feels a bit like trying to execute an uppercut on Streetfighter) where she'd perform a right spin which consists of a step forward (left foot) pivot on both feel to face the other way (second beat) and then push with the left foot spinning 180° on right to face partner. We also did a spin as a man that when stepping back on right (5th beat) you pivot on both feet swapping the woman's hand to your right hand behind you then spin clockwise to face. We also did the Mambo step with a high frame with right hand on shoulder blade and left in a ceroc like hold. Finally we also did a left turn which takes a full eight beats. Start left forward; tap right; left back to behind the right and at an 90° to the left. Cross step the right over the left to turn away; tap left and straighten it (to be able to put your weight on it); spin using left foot 180° to face partner.

Tags: Salsa

Another Note Post

2005-10-04T23:52:00.000+01:00

It was an enjoyable night though I did seem to be settling into doing the same moves rather than using many of the other moves that I've learned. I shall work harder on using the moves I've pushed aside. Quite a lot of new women tonight and I enjoyed dancing with them.

Firstmove Push Spin, Yo-Yo, Comb, Step Across.

Left hand. Traveling twirl the woman past you and take her hand in a wide circle to the right turning it behind her (in a half nelson) and causing her to turn her back to you. Both of you walk forward for a count. Pull down and out with her hand causing her to turn to face. Twirl her past and repeat. Twirl her past again to exit the move.

Pretzel. Since I don't think I've ever done a Pretzel in class even though I do them fairly often. Offer right hand at waist level behind back. Woman takes this hand. Move back-to-back lowering left hand and then raising right moving the woman to your right. Draw right hand slightly around and turn to your right to face your partner. Lead her forward with left turning your back to her to turn to your left. Take her out and around anticlockwise.

Flingy Flung. Wurlitzer start. Upon pushout continue to face partner; spin her into her own arm until she has her back turned. Put your left hand on her left shoulder causing her to stop. Lightly push outwards causing her to spin away again (still holding on). Flick her hand down and forward causing her to spin (again) and catch right to right.

Right handed push in and out as a filler.

Offer left hand above right she takes. You twirl both hands about her head until she comes around to face then you then keep turning her turning yourself in the same direction taking hands over heads so both your and her left hand is on her left shoulder and your and her right hands are on your right. Drop your left to the woman's upper back (between shoulder blades). Drop right and take woman's left hand in right. Dip her back as you lean on your left knee (for possible support). Raise and use right to turn her one and a half times moving to a lady spin and spin her.

Tags: Ceroc

Thursday Night With Tiggerbabe

2005-09-29T23:04:00.000+01:00

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!

2005-09-27T23:35:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-26T23:52:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-25T02:26:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-22T23:45:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-20T23:39:00.001+01:00

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!

2005-09-19T13:00:00.000+01:00

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
~~victim~~partner 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

2005-09-15T23:07:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-13T23:01:00.000+01:00

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.

Tags: Ceroc

Route 66

2005-09-10T02:48:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-08T23:46:00.000+01:00

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.

Tags: Ceroc

Too Much?

2005-09-06T23:44:00.000+01:00

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.

Tags: Ceroc

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

2005-09-05T23:40:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-04T01:38:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-03T01:44:00.000+01:00

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

2005-09-01T23:48:00.000+01:00

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

Double Spin, Double Spin, Double Spin

2005-08-30T23:40:00.000+01:00

Just got back from another night dancing. I was feeling a bit ill but I didn't think it was contagious so I went tonight anyway and I was really glad I did. Had a fantastic set of classes and enjoyed so many of my dances. There were some things that I was doing wrong in freestyle and I didn't really branch out in my intermediate moves but I think overall things were good.

Beginners' Class was Yo-Yo, Shoulder Drop, First Move Three Step and, Man Spin. As there were no actual beginners we did the First Move Three Step which starts like a First Move then you move your left hand in front doing a little left step bring in right foot and step with left (like a little skip) before twirling the woman straight out of that. The teacher also said you can try a double spin on the Man Spin which (obviously I tried) I did and then repeated to varying degrees of success in freestyle (about 50% of the time I can do it). She even congratulated me in class. I felt all special :).

First Move into Swizzle Top. Start with a First Move when you put your hand back on your shoulder push away with it transferring to your right hand so you are at arms length then move your partner in under your arm in a twirl and then move into a Swizzle Top (like a Sway but with right hand firmly on her waist and the left ready for a push spin on her left shoulder). Push spin and catch with left. Return.

Neck Break. Raise right hand in the air to indicate the move. Draw her forward with the left raising your left hand to your left shoulder while stepping in side to side. The right is then dropped to her left shoulder (slightly over it) you then twist her around using the left (being brought down to your right side). Let go with the left and put the right firmly on her shoulder. Bring her in towards you slightly before spinning her using her right shoulder. Return.

Armjive Swizzle into Some Super Choke Thing. Start with armjive swizzle but as you finish the swizzle rather than take your left hand out put it on her right shoulder (so she has her right hand on her own shoulder. Then you take her left hand (which is in a half nelson) and turn her anticlockwise (?) and extend the hand out a bit like a swizzle. The right hand rests in a strange pseudo comb over the back of her neck while she faces 90° to your left. Then you bring the left hand up, turning her to face away from you, and comb that over her and onto her stomach. Then you do the same with the left hand you have locked behind her neck trying not to break her neck or anything at the same time. Half the time at least it seems to get caught in her hair but the other half you'll get it over and down to her waist as well. You then lift up the right and then the left begin turning her clockwise while letting go with the right and extend the left out to the right after one and a half turns and spinning her.

The last move was tricky and there were only a few women that I could pull it off with.

Tags: Ceroc

Party Number 2

2005-08-28T02:28:00.000+01:00

I'm exhausted. Seriously. So I would say I'm going to keep this short but I know I'm going to write a lot instead. Maybe I should get a cup of coffee. Anyway had a fantastic night dancing. I had no energy left by 23:30 but then just carried on anyway. I think that when I hardly had any energy left I wasn't really dancing as well as I can but I had some of my best dances I've had yet while being at Ceroc which were just ace. The last song of the evening was super fast and turned out to be really good fun to frantically dance to finishing off a really good evening for me.

I met quite a few of the forumites tonight which was interesting to put some faces to the names (or even learn what their names are as well :)). There were probably about half a dozen women there that had never been to a Ceroc event before; I imagine the party must of been tough going for them (though it's more forgiving of beginner women than beginner men). I hope the night was enjoyable for them. They often make a point in class about women asking men up to dance but they didn't at the party so often these beginner women will sit waiting to be asked and in a fairly high ratio women-to-men event then often men will never get the chance to approach them.

So my third month dancing and my second party has passed. If I'm going to try and make a goal for the next one (along with just general improvement and having fun) it would be to work on my First Move stuff mainly just leading it better and improving my style.

Love the moves we learnt tonight as one of them is a nice filler move that works really well and, I think, looks good too; I'd certainly like to learn more of this sort of move and will definately keep using it in future.

Short party routine. It's a shame ducasi hadn't arrived by the lesson (I don't think he had anyway) otherwise it would have been interesting to see how our descriptions of the moves varied :).

Arm Jive Step. Step in to the left of your partner (rather than turn) then rotate 180° to face your partner and extend arms out to move back. Repeat until bored (or twice); at which stage raise your left hand to indicate and twist the follower clockwise. Return.

Man Spin Turn Around. Start like a Man Spin but as you move in don't turn and put your right arm behind the woman and on her left hip (well really her hand that is on that hip). Walk clockwise with her doing the same and then (after two turns but in freestyle I'd often do it until I thought there might be something inline with music happening) pull with your right arm sending her into a quick twirl and bringing her into her own arm to move into a Basket. We then twirled her with the right, extended arm to the left and than span her but, hey, it's the Basket go crazy. Loved this move to, I expect, an excessive use boredom by my partners.

Dip. Tough one this and I don't even think I tried it in freestyle. As the woman is spinning put your right hand on her lower back as she is part way through the spin and your left arm on her upper back when she is finishing her spin. Hopefully she'll pick up the signal and wrap her arm around your neck ready for the dip. It's a really fast execution time though and very few women ever seemed to be prepared for it so I didn't want to dip them. Exited with a spin from the right hand at her waist for what it is worth.

Tags: Ceroc

Fast Dances All Around

2005-08-25T23:27:00.000+01:00

It's late and I've got an early start so I'll try and keep this short. Lots of fast tunes but they were enjoyable as a whole. Not sure how my dancing is coming on at times I felt that some of the intermediate moves I was leading I was slightly gripping and yanking the woman into position which isn't really a habbit I want to form (or keep if I am already doing it). I'm still not leading the intermediate great at times; certainly women take the wrong lead from it.

Octopus, Man Spin, Catapult and, Armjive Swizzle. Fine; though a lot of work for a total beginner (three quite complicated moves).

Start like the Zipper I think by taking the woman past your right while twisting her in towards you (could be wrong though and did it wrong a few times during freestyle) so her arms are crossed. Then pull with your left hand while turning to be back to back with arms high above you. Move left into a half nelson with her doing the same and then back right for the opposite hold. While in this though duck and slip under your nelson and the woman's arm (in towards the woman) and out the other side then twist the woman with your left arm (clockwise I think) for a spin and a quarter taking her to face away from you. At this stage move her to face right then left, right, left before letting go with left and spinning her with right for one complete turn (I think) and take her into a right handed ceroc spin and catch with left. Though I'm currently fairly certain on how to do this move I hope I can revisit it on Saturday to see if this is what it actually consisted of.

Left handed start while offering with your right behind your back you move the woman towards it but then pull it away so she can't actually take it (it's a strange move) and twirl to face her (now that she is behind you) and swap to your right hand then move into the position where she is on the right and your right hand is on her right hip. Sway her back and forward before indicating her forward and swapping to the left. Return.

Take both hands and move into a Basket. Only move back though then release with your left hand and spin her twice to bring her in front of you with the right while keeping the left at her waist. At this stage move into a ballroom grip and step back on left bringing her into a lean then dip her to the side (while trying to take your raised left hand past your head; wasn't very graceful at this) resume an upright position and flatten hand for a spin while moving right hand to her hip. Spin and catch left.

Well so much for short.

Tags: Ceroc

Dance!

2005-08-23T23:50:00.000+01:00

I had some really enjoyable dances tonight but also some that seem to have just gone wrong (I don't think entirely because of what I was doing). There was a few intermediate moves that I tried and just gave up on. There were some other intermediates that seemed to have been going really well. At the end I was knackered; which was great. My knees hurt a little bit (I'm currently have some problems with 'em) but not as much than when I was sitting in an office so something strange is up. Once again I never got a chance to look at the moves list so I haven't yet had the chance to replace my descriptions with just names (but I'll get around to it).

Armjive Push Spin, Shoulder Drop, Step Across and, Sidestep.

Archi-Spin Basic. Left hand start. It's on the excellent Jivoholics Anonymous; I'd direct link it but they don't allow you to. I'd just mention it is important to get the woman's hand to face upward and then making a sweeping clockwise motion with it to stop injury. As you do that she begins moving past behind you as you rotate anti-clockwise as she does the same. Return.

Hand Swap Turny Thing. Start left but swap straight to right hand. Turn yourself anticlockwise and when you turn and face the follower turn her clockwise. Step back and return.

Err... Move Around Thing. Start like a Yo-Yo except spin the woman aniti-clockwise, for half a turn, rather than push out at the same time pivot 180° yourself. Rest your left hand on her left hip and stand to her right. Push across with the left and spin using the right hand on her hip (while turning 90° to face her). Catch with right.

Dip Thing. I needed practice with this so my explanation will suck. Right hand start. Offer left hand from up the right hand (so you start with arms crossed). Move in crossing the woman's right arm over your chest. Rotate 180° to face woman. Take your left hand and put it to the woman's right shoulder. Then pivot the woman around with right hand (taking your arm over her head so you are behind her and her arms are crossed in front of her and yours are crossed behind her back. Then you let her drop her arms and lean back with one foot allowing her to dip on your hands and your elbows as support. You then spin her for a half turn using your left arm. Catch with left. There was probably a return.

Tags: Ceroc

I Love It!

2005-08-18T23:23:00.000+01:00

Tonight was fantastic but went all to quickly (must like the fast paced music we had for so much of the night) leaving me craving more. Loved so many of my dances though was very surprised to see some people who were attending their first class try the intermediate (they gave up after the first move though).

The teacher kept the intermediate quite simple tonight which was good but did some beginners moves that are no longer in the beginner's set. This was interesting for me who is beginning to see the same beginners moves twice a week (though I still enjoy them). We had the Hatchback, Cross Over, Armjive and, Wulitzer (sp?). The Hatchback starts like a Yo-Yo (but you flatten your hand across your chest) then you step forward right and spin the woman behind you while turning. The Wulitzer we did at the last party but basically it's two handed and you push the woman out to the side using the (flat) left hand and then spin her anti-clockwise using the right. Cross Over might be called that but I appear to be having a brain fart.

I'm actually going to copy down the intermediate name some time soon. The moves tonight had short names but I still failed to remember them.

Teapot Something. Left hand start; move that up in between you while putting your right hand on the womans left hip (stops her trying to continue forward; even still in freestyle at least a few women took the raised hand as a sign to return). Let go with left and slide your right hand at waist level around her to her left hand side while moving in at her right. She hopefully offers her left hand which you take with your left and then move her back (moving her and your left hand to her right as a nice style tip) and then forward. At this stage push her across to the left while moving her left arm into a half nelson and extending the right. Pull her back to the previous position and do the step back and forwards again but this time push with your right arm to move her out as she piviots around taking your right with her right. Move that across and swap her hand into your left hand (for the next move).

First Move into some Spintop thing. First Move but when you move her out push further back with your left hand causing her to move her right arm back further and put your right hand inside that loop (on her arm) while letting go with the left. This means you can spin her around behind you and catch with the right

Catapult into Dip. Catapult but offer left hand on your right side and rotate her anti-clockwise before turning yourself on her back (clockwise) and letting go with the left. Spin her around you then in front for a another spin (for a total of two spins) before putting your left hand on her back; right on her waist; and moving her arm over your neck for a breif dip. Correct and spin. I did something just like this a while back; except the dip ending.

Liked the intermediate moves from tonight and had a good chance to test out other intermediate moves some of which worked and a few that went wrong. However what perked me up was the fact that I lead intermediate moves on women who didn't know the particular move and it worked; which is the first time I've really been able to take that from theory and put it into practice with intermediate moves. However I do want to practice my Lambada Drop but I'm always to shy to ask women if they fancy a go at it so don't get the opportunity to practice it.

Tags: Ceroc

Much Better Than Thursday

2005-08-16T23:10:00.000+01:00

Tonight was really good fun. Turned up a little late; about half way through learning the first move; there were a bunch of new people but the girls I danced with were really fast learners and it was a joy dancing with them. Dancing tonight was great and the music was great too.

Beginners were Armjive with a Swizzle, Octopus, First Move Push Spin and, Hand Swap. Intermediate:

Basket into Slide Thing. Start with a Basket then instead of leading out move the woman across the front of you keeping hold of the left hand and taking the right hand onto the woman's left shoulder. Then spin her around twice (in one beat so it is very quickly) and comb her raised hand to your right shoulder. Then both of you slide to the right as you let go with your left hand and then put it down to your waist level to catch her hand before bringing her under your arm (like the end of a Shoulder Drop).

First Move into Lunge then Log Step. Start a First Move but spin the woman 1½ times flattening left hand and bringing her in front of you and placing right hand on the small of her back. Step back with the left (bending the knee slightly) as she steps forward into a lunge then she moves into a pretend dip to the left before correcting and moving out of this. Then when you are upright push and lower the left hand while taking a step back on left (the woman does the same with her right foot) and then you guide her right hand to your right (as waist level) than around to the left then up to shoulder and flatten for a push spin. Spin and return.

Catapult into Spinning Top. Start with a catapult but don't offer your left hand behind you. Move the woman to your left side and then place your left hand on her left side. Move her forward and she moves her right arm above your head. You move her out in front under tension with hands on both hips. You then move her back into your right side while placing your left hand on her left shoulder and your right hand at her hip. You then push and pull at the same time to send her into a clockwise double spin behind you before catching with left hand. Return.

A nice, enjoyable, set of moves.

Tags: Ceroc

Ceroc? No; Salsa!

2005-08-14T22:53:00.000+01:00

I fancied a dance over the weekend and nothing really happened to plan so I went to a Salsa class. I had previously read Widipedia's entry on Salsa as my basis of knowledge about it. It was really quiet (which I hope for the lovely instructor's sake isn't a regular night). It took me a while to get into the feel of the footwork which is something like:

The basic movement occurring in the dance patterns of the various salsa styles is the stepping on the beat of the music. Salsa is best grouped in pairs of 4-beat patterns counted "1-2-3-...-5-6-7-...". The leader (male) starts on count 1 by stepping with the left foot. On count 2 and 3, he steps with right and left, respectively. On count 4, he pauses or makes an optional tap with the right foot. On counts 5, 6, and 7, he steps with right, left, and right, respectively, again followed by a pause on count 8. As a standard, every step must be taken with full weight transfer. The follower (female) part is identical, but with left and right reversed. In all patterns and styles, the leader starts with the left foot and the follower starts with the right foot.
Salsa Dance; Wikipedia

So though I'm not going to make it a regular thing we went through the Mambo, Sidestep, Backstep, Backstep Across and, Mambo Twirl. I kept planning on changing moves mid sequence (i.e. on the fourth beat); which I couldn't do. However I did enjoy my dances even though they felt as hopelessly limited as my Ceroc did when I started that.

On top of the Salsa we also learned Merengue which was great fun. It's sort of like a march. It was interesting to see move similarities. The twirls were odd where it takes a full four beats to get around and the woman would do it and then the guy (under the same arched hands). There was also a double hand hold twirl were both people went under their hands and then lifted the other hand while dropping the raised one to complete a circle. There was a move where you turned opposite facings while lifting your hands over each other's shoulders and sliding down the arm into a hand hold (similar to a few ceroc exits just with it taking a bit longer and marching occurring at the same time). There was a move like a Basket as well except you started walking backwards when in the hold. All in all it was most interesting. I hope I can and least try a bit of Salsa at some stage in the next few weeks and see if I can still do the few moves I learnt :D.

Tags: Salsa, Merengue

Not Tonight

2005-08-11T23:07:00.000+01:00

I think everyone has fairly poor dancing nights and I think this was one for me. I did have some really good dances and I was real upbeat when a woman complemented me on my ability to adjust to the music (not just the beats but in changing style and my moves). I did stick to mostly basic moves again but the intermediate tonight knocked me down a peg. I also had my new dancing trainers on; which were great and did make a difference (though my attempt at a double spin just resulted in me going off balance).

After going for some drinks after Ceroc I tried my feet at some Salsa but that didn't work very well; I tried to imitate others on the floor but felt like I really wanted to do some Ceroc

Beginner was Yo-Yo, Ceroc Spin, First Move and, Shoulder Slide* except the Shoulder Slide was a variant where as you turned around you pushed on the woman's biceps to send her into a spin (and we did a proposal sort of style things for the guys at the same time). It was fun but this time I kept moving into the next move without the return (which we seemed to have on all the moves).

Lets give these intermediate moves a go.

Left hand start, step back turning slight clockwise and offer right hand behind back. Woman takes this as you move past her taking your left hand down and your right hand up (so at some stage you are back-to-back). When she comes around begin turning clockwise(?) into a weird hold thing letting go (probably with left) and twirling her around for 2½ times in front before moving her hand out and spinning her catching with right.

Right hand start with the Yo-Yo but start with offering your left hand behind which she takes when you move her outwards. Then you move across taking your right hand above your head and your left hand across your back then you move her out like the end of a Catapult but you keep hold with both hands. Then, magically, one of her hands is in a half nelson behind her while you take her other hand over her head. Then you move out of that in such a way to end up with her hand over your shoulder and yours over hers hip to hip facing the same direction before sliding left hand down and sending her into a spin in front of you as you step across. There might have been a return, who cares by this stage? As you can see I didn't get the move; I didn't know it then and I sure as hell don't know it now.

First Move but instead of going back up to shoulder move her hand between you both forcing her to pivot so she is facing the other way from you. Then pivot her back but slightly in front then back directly facing you for a slight lean before moving into a left foot Mambo step. Finish on your left foot forward; twirl her, while keeping on her waist with right hand, 270° drop her hand to your neck while supporting her upper back with left and give her a quick dip; after correcting spin her using right hand.

Not my night for moves at all. I could only do the third move with any success and even then not that often. Obviously this showed in class as twice I was left partner-less after a count (I think that was just coincidence though; I hope... obviously someone did come to my rescue). Anyway scratch tonight's intermediate .

Tags: Ceroc

Singing and Dancing

2005-08-09T23:34:00.000+01:00

Well I sang along to a couple of the songs (no doubt my tone-deaf singing was a delight to my partner).

What did they have in store tonight you ask? Started with the First Move, Shoulder Slide, Yo-Yo and, Ceroc™ Spin. Great stuff.

Hug Strip - Both hands. Move woman past you on the left and then spin her anti-clockwise so her arms are crossed then rotate clockwise 180° so your back is facing and your arms are crossed. Place your crossed arms on your shoulders and then down to your waist. Then there is a "taking your top off" action (without taking your top off; though maybe some people who want to be more stylish do that :D). Raise your hands quickly over your head then switching your hands (so they aren't crossed but the follower's are) drop them back on your shoulder then release and catch both hands behind. Move into a half nelson position (with left arm) and with your partner on the right before letting go with the left and sweeping your partner in front. Twirl her around in front then sweep with the left arm and move down her arm.

Accordion Seat. We did a quick Man Spin. Right hand twirl woman then take her right with your left into an Accordion where you pivot the woman in front of you. When you get to a right hand at waist with the left high you can then turn her away from you, snap your right hand to the right hand side of her waist. You then kneel behind her while bringing your left hand down to her right hand side causing her to sit on your lap (sort of; there isn't really any weight there as she is supporting herself). Lift left hand out and spin back with right then twirl with both hands still connected.

Something involving a Crucifix. Both hands still crossed move the woman past your right hand side and then twist in with your left hand causing her to turn in such a way that you complete a 360° turn then both of you pivot left and wrap arms over each others heads (we've done things like this before). Take your right hand away from her shoulder and drop to your right waist which she takes with her now free arm. Step in and angle her other arm upwards before turning her around with the right while simultaneously bringing that arm up. She moves 540° around while your stretch our her arms into a Crucifix like shape. She is then pretty much in control while you just stand around holding her arms. We actually did her doing a few step across before then taking a foot and sliding it (on the floor) between your feet (putting a little bit of lean on your arms).

Was a good range of moves and I enjoyed all so many of my dances. Got some other intermediate move practices in. While dancing with one of the taxis (well she wasn't a taxi this evening) she was stealing the lead again. That nervous feeling of her preparing to steal the lead kept me on my toes. It was interesting; she lead the Accordion move we learnt in Intermediate but the first point I was aware that that was what I was doing was when she yelled Sit! from behind me. It was most amusing.

On another note I got a call today saying my dancing trainers are in stock. Yeay! I might well go buy them tomorrow.

Tags: Ceroc

Dancing On A Monday?

2005-08-08T23:35:00.000+01:00

My Monday night game being cancelled twisted my arm into going dancing. I took my notes of previous intermediate moves reading up on them and determined to learn a few well. I was also worried about overloading my brain this week with nine new intermediate moves. As chance would have it they were missing a male taxi dancer so I offered to help out as a taxi dancer minion or something. Anyway so that lead me not to do the intermediate but revise the beginners stuff. The beginners moves were Octopus, Man Spin, Catapult and, The Comb. The beginners were all fun to dance with and it all seemed to work out well.

My intermediate moves are still a bit poor I need to lead them better but a few of them worked; a few others I had to abort. All the dancing was excellent fun though and I probably came away with one of my biggest dancing highs. One of my dances, with the taxi dancer, she kept stealing the lead which was really interesting and good fun. So tonight was my first night of dancing as a follower. It's bizarre I'm not sure how women do it all the time. I suppose my poor analogy is a bit like tickling. Now if you try tickling yourself it doesn't make you laugh that's because you are expecting it. Leading is a bit like that you control the dance; the only reason you are spinning, for example, is because you chose to spin. On the other hand following you don't get any real control someone is spinning you around and you can't really anticipate what is coming (maybe you can; but it requires practice I guess). It was also weird seeing moves from the other perspective and only half way through, say, a Basket I'd actually realise I'd just been put into one. At the same time my brain was working away trying to steal the lead back but at the end it was only when she relinquished it that I actually got it back. I'd definitely like to do that again though.

silverhippo and Graham were asking what sort of dancing it was so my poor descriptions weren't obviously very good. Anyway if you do want to know more check out Jiveoholics Anonymous they have some videos and everything. Speaking of which on of the moves I learnt at the party was a Zipper Basic hurray!

Tags: Ceroc

Hey! This is Ceroc; What's With All The Footwork?

2005-08-04T23:29:00.000+01:00

Just got back from another fantastic night dancing. There was quite a bit of footwork in the intermediate, which came as a surprise, along with a drop that nearly put the follower on the floor (in the case of the couple behind me it did though she was fine). Loved all the dances and, scarily, started seeing ducasi's point about faster songs; had a really enjoyable and fluid dance with a quick song and loved it. As per a usual Thursday the floor was packed.

Started out with the teacher demoing something different than we actually did (I'm not sure how many others noticed). Armjive with a Swizzle, Basket, Shoulder Slide and, Catapult was the actual beginner's set we did. The teacher had us men do filler while we spun the woman on the Catapult including a spin and a proposal. I liked doing the filler and will definitely continue doing it in future (I need to spin faster though since often the woman would finish first).

Intermediate had three great (though scary) moves in. Two of them involved quite a bit of footwork which isn't really my strongest point. Anyway all three of them are moves I hope I keep; failing to learn their names though I'll just make them up.

First Move Step Lean Thing?. Start with a first move but then bring partner to face then step across left foot with right facing away them straighten and face woman then step again (4 times in this case) them move into a slide with left knee out and allow the woman to put her leg slightly up your right leg (as one person said like a dog pissing up a post; though hopefully more graceful than that :D). Step back out of that and you are basically at the middle of a first move you could finish that or...

First Move into Samba Mapping or Something?. Wow samba mapping geek jokes. I'm not even convinced it was a Samba. Anyway First Move; pivot to be in front of your partner with your right hand on her lower back. Pull her forward while moving your right foot back then left, right and then sweep her around so she is along side you in another first move like style before repeating to go back across the floor. Exit the First Move as normal (or in this case with a push spin).

Catapult into Cross Steps and Scary Ass Drop?. Catapult; check. Great when the woman is behind you with both arms tense move into cross stepping right-to-left, left-to-right, right-to-left and, left-to-right (sorry about listing them like that) hopefully your partner will follow suit. When that's done move back like a normal catapult but wrap your left hand over her head and right hand to your back and shift hand positions to a tight grip (with your left hand facing away from you across the palm of the woman). Bring the woman forward and do a shallow dip (the arm supplies some additional support) then prep to do it again but possibly with the scary ass drop instead. Move the arm away from behind the woman while still preparing the drop then drop her (hopefully gently) partially against your left leg to, like, and inch of the floor before pulling her back up again. Then spin her out of the the move with the left.

I did the scary ass drop a few times during class but the busy dance floor stopped me wanting to do it during a dance (still loved the Catapult with cross over movements though). Did a Lambada though which was good; and tried doing a fair few intermediate moves. I tried marking all the beginners I danced with and tried to find them later to give them a proper dance but couldn't so I felt really bad.

Tags: Ceroc

What a Night!

2005-08-02T23:40:00.000+01:00

Well recently got back from dancing. Had a really good time tonight; though apparently I wasn't smiling as much as normal. I'm going to place the lack of smiling on concentration but I'll do better in the future. My lil' sis was there tonight. Her first night in a long time.

Beginner's Moves were Yo-Yo, Slow Comb, Basket and Man Spin. Interestingly on the Slow Comb we went straight into a double handed catch rather than on the return. It kept things fresh.

Intermediate were all good fun. I thought I was coping ok but the teacher had a fourth move as well which started me messing up the others a bit.

Yo-Yo Lasso (Push?) Spin - Start with a Yo-Yo rather than locking arms move the follower's arm up and rotate her around 1½ times to face flattening hand at the same time. Go into a push spin then catch with right. Return.

Start of by pulling woman into your side holding right to right on her right hip. She simultaneously offers her left; which you take with your left. Raise her left hand high rotating her clockwise while holding on with the right. After rotating her once lead forward with the left (causing her to step left foot in front of you) turn her to face and then rotate her anti-clockwise in front resulting in a crossing of hands.

The last move's exit is great for the next move which starts by stepping side-by-side facing each other, with your partner on the right, with the man holding the hands crossing his waist (meaning the woman has left hand stretched across). Move to turn and face her insuring hands are together take both hands to the right hand side while releasing with the right and holding with the left. Take her hands and rotate her clockwise as you are rotating her hands over her place your right hand on her back and slide to the hip ready to twirl her in the opposite direction. Once this is done move her hands (using a loop) over your head into a double handed comb drop your hand and when she is ready she will release and you take both hands (or with your left just if you like).

Start with a wertzel or whatever it is called. Push her out holding with right to left. She spins into your waist and takes your hand and she does a brief lean you then raise your left hand then let go and slide your hand down her arm. At the same time take your right hand and turn her clockwise for 1½ turns until she is facing. At this stage drop the right to hip level and put your left hand on her shoulder as she does the same. You take a right then left step back and then go into a Mambo with stepping forward and backward with the left. When you get bored of this step up to her side (on the left) and then move her out back in the wertzel ending style before spinning her and catching (in this case right). There might have been a return.

I'd love to go into more detail but I should call this a wrap. I have to apologize to one woman who I said I'd dance with again later but didn't get a chance before the end. I promised her a dance on Thursday.

Tags: Ceroc