Unbelievable! Without having dance almost every day - the body just seizes up and aches! Everywhere! This "holiday season" time off from the regular dance schedule is murder on the body!
I went up to practice almost 2 hours early this morning just to get moving! No Monday & Friday class; no Thursday class... All I've got is Tuesday night, Wednesday night and Sunday practice. Bad Bad Bad!
One more week of this "danceless" schedule and then we'll be back on track. I need to find a time to dance a little bit every day! I NEED it!!!
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Went to Orlando Friday for Rachael's workshop yesterday (what is the deal with all the traffic???).
Rachael taught:
Ain't Misbehavin'
Boys Like You
Papi
Show Me Your Moves
Sugar Honey I.T.
Under The Moon Of Love
Whip It
Ain't Misbehavin' is Guyton, Jo Thompson Symanski, and Amy Glass' dance. 48 count, 4 wll Intermediate dance with no restarts or tags. This is a cute dance and I'm glad Rachael taught it (was hoping she would). Rachael said there were some mistakes with the step sheet - but as I read it today, I can't find them...
Boys Like You is Rachael's new one that she introduced in Taiwan. 48 count, 4 wall Intermediate dahcne with no tags or restarts. A cha cha style dance - it's a nice dance.
Papi is an old dance of Rachael's from 2011. She assures us she's going to be teaching this at all her upcoming workshops and promises it will be played at events. It's a 64 count, 2 wall High Intermediate/Advanced (not in today's standards) dance with 2 easy restarts.
Show Me Your Moves is Brenna Stith's dance. An AB dance - 32 count A and 32 count B with 2 different tags and a restart once in the middle of B (making it a B- section). A, Tag 1, B, A, Tag 2, A, Tag 1, B, A, B-, B, A, A. Intersting dance - not all that difficult. 2 walls and described as an Intermediate/Advanced dance.
Sugar Honey I.T. is Johanna Barnes dance which came out in September. A 32 count, 4 wall intermediate dance with 2 restarts.
Under The Moon Of Love is Rachael's dance. New in November, a 48 count, 4 wall, beginner dance. I thought of the Thursday class right away - I think they'll like it. Will probably be one of the first new ones I teach after the holidays.
Whip It is a dance of both Rachael's and Shane McKeever. A 64 count, 2 wall, advanced dance. If there was anything I walked away without completely knowing how to do - it would be this one. Counts 47-50 need further review. There's a timing thing here and some fancy footwork leading into a jump-hold and I can fake my way through it but want to spend a little more time on it to get it right. It was a dance that I wasn't real sure of when it first started - and by the end of the day, it was growing on me. I suspect because of the level of the dance, it will be one of the ones that actually sticks around.
Out of all the dances introduced - it'll be interesting to see which ones actually go somewhere. I suspect Ain't Misbehavin' will, and Whip It probably will... Papi, maybe... and other than that? We'll see.
Rachael received a resounding applause when she said she was tired of choreographing new stuff and was going to work on bring back old stuff! Yay, Rachael!!!
Rachael taught:
Ain't Misbehavin'
Boys Like You
Papi
Show Me Your Moves
Sugar Honey I.T.
Under The Moon Of Love
Whip It
Ain't Misbehavin' is Guyton, Jo Thompson Symanski, and Amy Glass' dance. 48 count, 4 wll Intermediate dance with no restarts or tags. This is a cute dance and I'm glad Rachael taught it (was hoping she would). Rachael said there were some mistakes with the step sheet - but as I read it today, I can't find them...
Boys Like You is Rachael's new one that she introduced in Taiwan. 48 count, 4 wall Intermediate dahcne with no tags or restarts. A cha cha style dance - it's a nice dance.
Papi is an old dance of Rachael's from 2011. She assures us she's going to be teaching this at all her upcoming workshops and promises it will be played at events. It's a 64 count, 2 wall High Intermediate/Advanced (not in today's standards) dance with 2 easy restarts.
Show Me Your Moves is Brenna Stith's dance. An AB dance - 32 count A and 32 count B with 2 different tags and a restart once in the middle of B (making it a B- section). A, Tag 1, B, A, Tag 2, A, Tag 1, B, A, B-, B, A, A. Intersting dance - not all that difficult. 2 walls and described as an Intermediate/Advanced dance.
Sugar Honey I.T. is Johanna Barnes dance which came out in September. A 32 count, 4 wall intermediate dance with 2 restarts.
Under The Moon Of Love is Rachael's dance. New in November, a 48 count, 4 wall, beginner dance. I thought of the Thursday class right away - I think they'll like it. Will probably be one of the first new ones I teach after the holidays.
Whip It is a dance of both Rachael's and Shane McKeever. A 64 count, 2 wall, advanced dance. If there was anything I walked away without completely knowing how to do - it would be this one. Counts 47-50 need further review. There's a timing thing here and some fancy footwork leading into a jump-hold and I can fake my way through it but want to spend a little more time on it to get it right. It was a dance that I wasn't real sure of when it first started - and by the end of the day, it was growing on me. I suspect because of the level of the dance, it will be one of the ones that actually sticks around.
Out of all the dances introduced - it'll be interesting to see which ones actually go somewhere. I suspect Ain't Misbehavin' will, and Whip It probably will... Papi, maybe... and other than that? We'll see.
Rachael received a resounding applause when she said she was tired of choreographing new stuff and was going to work on bring back old stuff! Yay, Rachael!!!
Friday, November 20, 2015
Friday, November 20, 2015
Spent quite a bit of time working on dances yesterday morning:
From The Other Side - Neville and Julie (Adele - Hello). Finally got it. Restarts and all. Yay!
Levels - Will Craig. Figured Deb was going to do it that night (and she did).
Falling Up - Guyton & Fred. Reviewed from last week's teach at Deb's class.
Round Your Finger - Joey Warren. Reviewed from Tampa. Got it! Nice that it's just one wall.
Tuesday Blues - just to make sure I still had it. I did.
NYC Funk - just to make sure I still had it for class at night.
So after that, and teaching in the afternoon, went to class last night - and Deb taught Levels and Tuesday Blues. And we danced all the normal stuff. And then, late night, she taught What Do You Mean by Will Craig. No tags or restarts. I think 64 count - need to pull the sheet. Cute dance. Even at 9:30 at night I didn't do too badly with it. I think Round Your Finger might be next?
Exhausted today! By the time I got home from Nancy's class, all I wanted was something to eat and a nap!
From The Other Side - Neville and Julie (Adele - Hello). Finally got it. Restarts and all. Yay!
Levels - Will Craig. Figured Deb was going to do it that night (and she did).
Falling Up - Guyton & Fred. Reviewed from last week's teach at Deb's class.
Round Your Finger - Joey Warren. Reviewed from Tampa. Got it! Nice that it's just one wall.
Tuesday Blues - just to make sure I still had it. I did.
NYC Funk - just to make sure I still had it for class at night.
So after that, and teaching in the afternoon, went to class last night - and Deb taught Levels and Tuesday Blues. And we danced all the normal stuff. And then, late night, she taught What Do You Mean by Will Craig. No tags or restarts. I think 64 count - need to pull the sheet. Cute dance. Even at 9:30 at night I didn't do too badly with it. I think Round Your Finger might be next?
Exhausted today! By the time I got home from Nancy's class, all I wanted was something to eat and a nap!
Sunday, November 15, 2015
November 15, 2015
Today was my first real day of being able to practice since I don't know when!
And I spent the whole time working on two dances: From The Other Side (Neville & Julie) to Adele's "Hello" and Tuesday Blues (Simon Ward) to Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues".
From The Other Side is a 4-wall dance with three restarts and lots and lots of turning - which makes for some real directional challenges!
Tuesday Blues I learned in Tampa and felt pretty good about pulling it out again, first time since last weekend. And bonus for me - Robi came to practice and has also been working on it so we were able to dance it pretty well. Restarts and all!
Other Tampa dances that I really need to look at: Round Your Finger and Levels. There are others, as well, but those will be the most likely next two up.
I think I need to resort to leaving my dance book open on my porch and whenever I walk past it - look at a dance and give it a try, There are just way too many out there that need review and practice! So - I need to dance more. I've got no problem with that!
And I spent the whole time working on two dances: From The Other Side (Neville & Julie) to Adele's "Hello" and Tuesday Blues (Simon Ward) to Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues".
From The Other Side is a 4-wall dance with three restarts and lots and lots of turning - which makes for some real directional challenges!
Tuesday Blues I learned in Tampa and felt pretty good about pulling it out again, first time since last weekend. And bonus for me - Robi came to practice and has also been working on it so we were able to dance it pretty well. Restarts and all!
Other Tampa dances that I really need to look at: Round Your Finger and Levels. There are others, as well, but those will be the most likely next two up.
I think I need to resort to leaving my dance book open on my porch and whenever I walk past it - look at a dance and give it a try, There are just way too many out there that need review and practice! So - I need to dance more. I've got no problem with that!
Thursday, October 22, 2015
October 22, 2015
Making progress but not nearly ready!
Knocked out another 8 today but still have 38 left. More than 3 a day at this point!
His Only Need
I Hope You Find It
Have Fun Go Mad
Hurt Me Carefully
I Got It Easy
Intrigue
Knockin' On Wood
Madness
Knocked out another 8 today but still have 38 left. More than 3 a day at this point!
His Only Need
I Hope You Find It
Have Fun Go Mad
Hurt Me Carefully
I Got It Easy
Intrigue
Knockin' On Wood
Madness
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Sunday, October 18
Yesterday's workshop with Rachael in Orlando was good. In a couple ways: learned some neat new dances AND got to whittle away some of my "review" dances for Tampa!
Finally feel pretty good about Witness, No Man's Land, Jessie James. Got to work on Foot Play, which was a dance I was going to teach and then put it away because it was getting to close to the end of summer. It was on the playlist for the workshop/social so I re-looked at it and was able to dance it on the floor.
Rachael taught: Shots With Somebody (Nancy and I agreed that we would teach it to the M/F class), Painting Pillows (a waltz - probably Deb's favorite of the day), Dock Of The Bay (I want to bring this to the Thursday class), Loving You Tonight, Strip It Down (I want to bring to the Thursday class), and Won't Tell A Soul (which was taught in Chicago). I don't think I want to let any of them get too far away from me - but Shots, Dock, and Strip will be the first three to focus on.
Finally feel pretty good about Witness, No Man's Land, Jessie James. Got to work on Foot Play, which was a dance I was going to teach and then put it away because it was getting to close to the end of summer. It was on the playlist for the workshop/social so I re-looked at it and was able to dance it on the floor.
Rachael taught: Shots With Somebody (Nancy and I agreed that we would teach it to the M/F class), Painting Pillows (a waltz - probably Deb's favorite of the day), Dock Of The Bay (I want to bring this to the Thursday class), Loving You Tonight, Strip It Down (I want to bring to the Thursday class), and Won't Tell A Soul (which was taught in Chicago). I don't think I want to let any of them get too far away from me - but Shots, Dock, and Strip will be the first three to focus on.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Thursday, October 15
Yay! Pounded out Cheesecake, Chicago Bonfire, Clap Happy, Coming Unplugged, Counting Stars, Don't, Fault Line, 50 Ways, Fireball, and Get It BAE this morning.
Added to my 6 from before (surely I have more than 6 from before???) and I've looked at 16. Way, way, ay off course. 17 of 65 done. So sad. 😢
Time for a shower, like lunch and then get ready for class... And class!
Added to my 6 from before (surely I have more than 6 from before???) and I've looked at 16. Way, way, ay off course. 17 of 65 done. So sad. 😢
Time for a shower, like lunch and then get ready for class... And class!
Sunday, October 11, 2015
I just gotta say -I'm NEVER going to be ready for Tampa! I can't catch a break! No time to practice and the list is so long!!!
I have been able to work on a couple dances but there are just way too many. I really hope there are some good ones at Rachael's workshop next weekend so I can knock a bunch of my list from there!
I have been able to work on a couple dances but there are just way too many. I really hope there are some good ones at Rachael's workshop next weekend so I can knock a bunch of my list from there!
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Saturday, October 3
My 2-a-day plan is not working like I'd like! I'm NEVER going to get through these dances!
Have been "reteaching" myself AK Freak - that's coming along. Spent some time on Alcazar, All Of Me, Bittersweet Memory, Blurred Lines, and Boys Will Be Boys, If I include AK Freak, that's 6 - fits with the 2-a-day program... I really have to work harder on this!
Have been "reteaching" myself AK Freak - that's coming along. Spent some time on Alcazar, All Of Me, Bittersweet Memory, Blurred Lines, and Boys Will Be Boys, If I include AK Freak, that's 6 - fits with the 2-a-day program... I really have to work harder on this!
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Thursday, October 1
Am missing Deb's Thursday night class tonight. And feeling jealous of everyone who is up in Chicago for the Windy City Event this weekend.
Spent some time today going through all my stepsheets and pulled the ones that I want to at a minimum give a "once-over" and at a maximum "relearn" before Tampa. I figure I've got about a month. I've got about 65 dances that I want to go through - that's about two a day. Yikes! I'm hoping some of them will be on the open dance list at Rachael's and maybe some will show up on Thursday nights at Deb's class. In any event, must get busy refreshing my feet on some of these "older" dances that I KNOW will be played in Tampa!
DONE
AK Freak
All Of Me
Bittersweet Memory
Blurred Lines
Boys Will Be Boys
Celebrate
Chandelier
Cheesecake
Chicago Bonfire
Clap Happy
Coming Unplugged
Counting Stars
Don't
Fault Line
50 Ways
Fireball
Get It Bae
17 of 65
At Rachael's Workshop
Jesse James
No Man's Land
10/22
His Only Need
I Hope You Find It
Have Fun Go Mad
Hurt Me Carefully
I Got It Easy
Intrigue
Knockin' On Wood
Madness
27 of 65 (not quite half yet! 2 Weeks to go! 38 left... need to do more than 2 a day!)
Spent some time today going through all my stepsheets and pulled the ones that I want to at a minimum give a "once-over" and at a maximum "relearn" before Tampa. I figure I've got about a month. I've got about 65 dances that I want to go through - that's about two a day. Yikes! I'm hoping some of them will be on the open dance list at Rachael's and maybe some will show up on Thursday nights at Deb's class. In any event, must get busy refreshing my feet on some of these "older" dances that I KNOW will be played in Tampa!
DONE
AK Freak
All Of Me
Bittersweet Memory
Blurred Lines
Boys Will Be Boys
Celebrate
Chandelier
Cheesecake
Chicago Bonfire
Clap Happy
Coming Unplugged
Counting Stars
Don't
Fault Line
50 Ways
Fireball
Get It Bae
17 of 65
At Rachael's Workshop
Jesse James
No Man's Land
10/22
His Only Need
I Hope You Find It
Have Fun Go Mad
Hurt Me Carefully
I Got It Easy
Intrigue
Knockin' On Wood
Madness
27 of 65 (not quite half yet! 2 Weeks to go! 38 left... need to do more than 2 a day!)
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Saturday, September 12
I've had a thought running through my head - ever since someone took the World Linedance Newsletter Survey and broke it down into the "newer" dances and harder vs. easier. And, after a lengthy discussion with one of my friends about dances taught and dances that show up at events.
The survey is a valuable tool, but it's not the only tool. There are a number of dances that show up at events that are nowhere to be found on the survey. Especially in the beginner room. And while I don't want to teach in my classes based on what's happening at events, I do want to make sure that some dances that show up at events are taught so that those students who travel to the events, will have some dances they can do while they're there.
So, I need to figure out how to take the playlists from these events and combine them with the survey (both the WLD and the modified one) and come up with my own chart of dances that are not only popular but are also being danced at events. I'm hoping it will help to guide what I teach since there are just way too many dances out there!
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Thursday, September 3
I, personally, had a great dance day today! I spent quite a bit of my morning working on/reviewing a number of dances for Friday's class as well as teaching myself two dances to teach to this afternoon's class.
I am really, really, really liking this new dance of Jo Thompson Szymanski's - "Never Been To Spain". Learned a beginner dance "Never Been" to teach this afternoon so we have a floorsplit for the next social.
Also learned a new one, "Have Fun", also to teach this afternoon, also as a floor split for "Fun."
Plus reviewed/refreshed my memory on I'm Ready, And Get It On, Marilyn Monroe, Mr. Put It
Down, WTF, Twisted Sister, Dear Future Husband, Turn The Beat Around, Your Loving Arms, Hard Work, and Won't You Stay.
Plus once-overs on all the new ones: Riversoul, Suffer, Can't Feel My Face, Darling Hold My Hand, Eternal Secret, and The Avener.
Whew!
I am really, really, really liking this new dance of Jo Thompson Szymanski's - "Never Been To Spain". Learned a beginner dance "Never Been" to teach this afternoon so we have a floorsplit for the next social.
Also learned a new one, "Have Fun", also to teach this afternoon, also as a floor split for "Fun."
Plus reviewed/refreshed my memory on I'm Ready, And Get It On, Marilyn Monroe, Mr. Put It
Down, WTF, Twisted Sister, Dear Future Husband, Turn The Beat Around, Your Loving Arms, Hard Work, and Won't You Stay.
Plus once-overs on all the new ones: Riversoul, Suffer, Can't Feel My Face, Darling Hold My Hand, Eternal Secret, and The Avener.
Whew!
Monday, August 31, 2015
Monday, August 31
Another great dance day!
Intensive reviews on Suffer, Ain't No Angel, and Eternal Secret. Walk-thru reviews on several other dances and "just danced" Beautiful In My Eyes and The Avener.
Looking ahead to learning Never Been To Spain and working on Somewhere In My Car and Mr. Put It Down. New teaches coming to the M/F class (and a floor-split dance "Never Been" for Thursday's class, too!) very soon.
Intensive reviews on Suffer, Ain't No Angel, and Eternal Secret. Walk-thru reviews on several other dances and "just danced" Beautiful In My Eyes and The Avener.
Looking ahead to learning Never Been To Spain and working on Somewhere In My Car and Mr. Put It Down. New teaches coming to the M/F class (and a floor-split dance "Never Been" for Thursday's class, too!) very soon.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Sunday, August 30
Worked on a few dances this morning before practice in preparation for tomorrow's class. Will be reviewing Suffer and Eternal Secret tomorrow, along with an indepth review of Ain't No Angel.
Also pulled out Rachael's dance "Somewhere In My Car" that she taught a few years ago at Cowboy's in Davie, FL. Since that song has been on the radio with some frequency this summer, I thought maybe it was time to revisit that dance and see where it goes. I don't think I'll teach it tomorrow - but soon. And I may even try it with Thursday's class. We'll see.
Hopefully this week will provide a full week of dance opportunities - there've been too many missed classes over the past couple weeks. It's time to get down to the business of dancing!
Also pulled out Rachael's dance "Somewhere In My Car" that she taught a few years ago at Cowboy's in Davie, FL. Since that song has been on the radio with some frequency this summer, I thought maybe it was time to revisit that dance and see where it goes. I don't think I'll teach it tomorrow - but soon. And I may even try it with Thursday's class. We'll see.
Hopefully this week will provide a full week of dance opportunities - there've been too many missed classes over the past couple weeks. It's time to get down to the business of dancing!
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Saturday, August 15
I guess now that I'm home from my travels, it's time to kick up the blog again!
Received an email from Bettye the other day with all the dances she's doing up in Virginia. Nice to see that what she's been doing coincides nicely with a lot of what we're doing down here. Always makes it just a little bit easier for those who are returning after being gone all summer if they already know some of the dances that are being done in our area. Bettye - can't wait for your return!!!
This is from Bettye's email:
Received an email from Bettye the other day with all the dances she's doing up in Virginia. Nice to see that what she's been doing coincides nicely with a lot of what we're doing down here. Always makes it just a little bit easier for those who are returning after being gone all summer if they already know some of the dances that are being done in our area. Bettye - can't wait for your return!!!
This is from Bettye's email:
This is what we are dancing up here in Virginia:
Class #1
Darlin' Hold My Hand (64/2) - Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris
Living To Love You (32/4) - Maria Maag
Eternal Secret (32/2) - Ria Vos
Run Away With You (64/4) - Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris
Ain't No Angel (32/2) - Malene Jakobsen (Denmark) & Debbie McLaughlin
Slam Goes The Door (32/4) - Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris
Goodbye Cha (64/4) - Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris
Black Magic - Alison & Peter
Girl Crush (32/2) - Alison Johnstone & Rachael McEnaney
Mr Put It Down - Rachael McEnaney-White
Class #2
Shades of Passion (72/4) - Rob Fowler
Twisted Sister (32/4) - Guyton Mundy
Homegrown - Rachael McEnaney
Do You Wanna Dance (8/14) - Marie Sørensen
Down To The River (64/2) - Klara Wallman
Write Your Name (32/4) - Julia Wetzel
Down To The Wire (32/4) - Julia Wetzel
All I Can Say (64/2) - Rachael McEnaney & Simon Ward
I think these are planned for future:
I'm Yours Completely - Sue Ann Ehmann
I Love It - Ria Vos
Foot Play - Daniel Whittaker
Do What You Do - Rachael McEnaney-White
Mami Chula - Julia Wetzel
Your Place Or Mine - Ria Vos, Winson, Hickie
Gold - Bailey, Whitehouse
Witness - Fred Whitehouse and Darren Bailey
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Thursday, July 16
Well... Everyone left for FITS today. Am missing being there!
But, we did dance today. Went over Wedding Prospect, Love Contract, Bible Belt Boogie, Truck Stop, You Girl, and No Vacancy. Taught "The Bomp" and danced it 3 times. Danced "Love You Forever", "Cheap Talk", and "Shotgun Mambo". Also went over Skip The Line, Mucara Walk, and Tell The World.
And then I worked on Turn The Beat Around and Mr. Put It Down.
All in all, a good day of dance...
But, we did dance today. Went over Wedding Prospect, Love Contract, Bible Belt Boogie, Truck Stop, You Girl, and No Vacancy. Taught "The Bomp" and danced it 3 times. Danced "Love You Forever", "Cheap Talk", and "Shotgun Mambo". Also went over Skip The Line, Mucara Walk, and Tell The World.
And then I worked on Turn The Beat Around and Mr. Put It Down.
All in all, a good day of dance...
Monday, July 13, 2015
Monday, July 13
Dancing on a regular basis just doesn't happen on the road.
:-(
But, today, while we were doing laundry, we worked on a few: Skip The Line, No Vacancy, Wedding Prospect, Mucara Walk, Truck Stop, Tell The World, Love Contract, You Girl. I showed Suzanne The Bomp.
I'm working on Turn The Beat Around. Need to look at Dear Future Husband. And still need to work on Rachael's Mr. Put It Down.
Anxious to hear the reports from FITS!
:-(
But, today, while we were doing laundry, we worked on a few: Skip The Line, No Vacancy, Wedding Prospect, Mucara Walk, Truck Stop, Tell The World, Love Contract, You Girl. I showed Suzanne The Bomp.
I'm working on Turn The Beat Around. Need to look at Dear Future Husband. And still need to work on Rachael's Mr. Put It Down.
Anxious to hear the reports from FITS!
Friday, July 10, 2015
Thursday, July 9
Got some dancing in today!
Reviewed No Vacancy and Skip The Line, worked on Bible Belt Boogie and You Girl, and also worked on Mucara Walk.
Reviewed No Vacancy and Skip The Line, worked on Bible Belt Boogie and You Girl, and also worked on Mucara Walk.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Tuesday, July 7
Even though we're off traveling, there is still some dancing going on!
This morning, for example, we worked on No Vacancy and then did a little dancersize with Let's Just Dance, Love Me Or Leave Me, Ain't Nothin' (Like A Southern Girl), Bossa Nova, Tennessee Waltz Surprise, and Mona Lisa.
Traveling and dancing! What could be better?
This morning, for example, we worked on No Vacancy and then did a little dancersize with Let's Just Dance, Love Me Or Leave Me, Ain't Nothin' (Like A Southern Girl), Bossa Nova, Tennessee Waltz Surprise, and Mona Lisa.
Traveling and dancing! What could be better?
Friday, July 3, 2015
Friday, July 3
Teaching days - done
Learning days - done
Dancersize day? May have one more... Maybe.
Then we hit the road and it'll be about 6 weeks (or so) before the real activity kicks up again. Stay tuned, though - there very well could be intermittent posts about new dances that I'm looking at/preparing to teach when I return.
:-)
Learning days - done
Dancersize day? May have one more... Maybe.
Then we hit the road and it'll be about 6 weeks (or so) before the real activity kicks up again. Stay tuned, though - there very well could be intermittent posts about new dances that I'm looking at/preparing to teach when I return.
:-)
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Wednesday, July 1
For those who are waiting, the schedule for FITS (Fun In The Sun) is posted. And, sorry to say, none of the beginner dances that I brought back from Raleigh are being offered again.
Lots of the Intermediate/Advanced dances are, however. And Get It On, Make It Rain, Lay It Right, Stonecold, and I'm Ready.
Also being taught are other dances that some of us already know: WTF, Take Me To Church, Bo$$, Psycho, and I Hate Myself.
Several of Rachael's dances from last weekend are also being taught including: Making Me Feel, Lean Way Back, Riversoul, Do What You Do, and Mr. Put It Down. I would recommend going to the ones of these that meet your skill level. They were all good!
It looks like a great schedule! I'm sorry I'm going to miss it this year.
Lots of the Intermediate/Advanced dances are, however. And Get It On, Make It Rain, Lay It Right, Stonecold, and I'm Ready.
Also being taught are other dances that some of us already know: WTF, Take Me To Church, Bo$$, Psycho, and I Hate Myself.
Several of Rachael's dances from last weekend are also being taught including: Making Me Feel, Lean Way Back, Riversoul, Do What You Do, and Mr. Put It Down. I would recommend going to the ones of these that meet your skill level. They were all good!
It looks like a great schedule! I'm sorry I'm going to miss it this year.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Tuesday, June 30
There was no dancing in my world on Sunday. A day without dance is like a day without sunshine. You just don't want to have too many days like that!
Yesterday, Monday, was the first of 2 review days before I leave on vacation. We spent a lot of time on Stonecold and Like A Phoenix. Both were looking quite good by the time we were done! Several dancers are "feeling" Like A Phoenix like I do. Such a great dance! The entire class time was spent reviewing dances - which we'll do again on Friday.
Today, we had our dancersize session and there's Chris' class tonight - her last night class until September. Don't forget Tuesday nights are changing to Thursday afternoons for July and August.
Yesterday, Monday, was the first of 2 review days before I leave on vacation. We spent a lot of time on Stonecold and Like A Phoenix. Both were looking quite good by the time we were done! Several dancers are "feeling" Like A Phoenix like I do. Such a great dance! The entire class time was spent reviewing dances - which we'll do again on Friday.
Today, we had our dancersize session and there's Chris' class tonight - her last night class until September. Don't forget Tuesday nights are changing to Thursday afternoons for July and August.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Saturday, June 27
Great dance day in Orlando today with Rachael McEnaney-White. Learned "Do What You Do" (Intermediate dance), "Faded" (Intermediate dance from 2003), "Lean Way Back" (Beginner dance), "Making Me Feel" (Improver), and Mr. Put It Down (Intermediate/Advanced). Kathy also learned "Riversoul" (Intermediate/Advanced) - which ended up being her favorite of the day.
IF I were teaching any new dances this week (which I am NOT), I would think about teaching "Making Me Feel" a 32-count, 3 wall, Improver Level dance to Laura Bell Bundy's "Making Me Feel". Cute dance, not terribly difficult, only two restarts. And I would think about teaching "Lean Way Back" - a 32 count, 4 wall, beginner dance to "High Time" by Kasey Musgraves. One really, super easy tag and another dance to music recommended by Rachael's mom (that's where Caught In The Moonlight came from). These would be my teaches for the Thursday group.
IF I were teaching any new dances to the Monday/Friday group (which I am NOT), I would think about teaching "Do What You Do", a 64 count, 2 wall intermediate dance to the music "That's What I Like" by Flo Rida featuring Fitz. There's a funky tag done three times in this dance but the dance itself is not that difficult and was fun. And I would think about teaching "Mr. Put It Down" which Rachael choreographed with Trevor Thorton (of Sugar Rush fame). This is a 64 count, 2 wall, high intermediate/advanced dance to "Mr. Put It Down" by Ricky Martin featuring Pitbull. Out of all the dances done today - this was probably my favorite.
I didn't take the teach on Riversoul, which, unfortunately, turned out being a really nice dance (Kathy's favorite for today). This is a 64 count, High Intermediate/Advanced dance to the music "The River" by Jacksoul. No tags, no restarts, and the music was recommended by DJ Louis St. George (who also recommended "The Other Side" for the choreographers to come up with WOW Hawaii). But, I couldn't teach it right now even if I wanted to - I didn't take the teach on it. So it'll have to wait.
The playlist for the open dance segments of today was an awesome undertaking - which we gave our best effort to. Danced some of our new ones: Make It Rain, Stonecold, Slam Goes The Door, I'm Ready; and danced a whole bunch of other dances like Jesse James, Washed In The Water, Rock & Roll King, Say Geronimo. Was on the floor A LOT!
Just an all-around excellent day of dance!
IF I were teaching any new dances this week (which I am NOT), I would think about teaching "Making Me Feel" a 32-count, 3 wall, Improver Level dance to Laura Bell Bundy's "Making Me Feel". Cute dance, not terribly difficult, only two restarts. And I would think about teaching "Lean Way Back" - a 32 count, 4 wall, beginner dance to "High Time" by Kasey Musgraves. One really, super easy tag and another dance to music recommended by Rachael's mom (that's where Caught In The Moonlight came from). These would be my teaches for the Thursday group.
IF I were teaching any new dances to the Monday/Friday group (which I am NOT), I would think about teaching "Do What You Do", a 64 count, 2 wall intermediate dance to the music "That's What I Like" by Flo Rida featuring Fitz. There's a funky tag done three times in this dance but the dance itself is not that difficult and was fun. And I would think about teaching "Mr. Put It Down" which Rachael choreographed with Trevor Thorton (of Sugar Rush fame). This is a 64 count, 2 wall, high intermediate/advanced dance to "Mr. Put It Down" by Ricky Martin featuring Pitbull. Out of all the dances done today - this was probably my favorite.
I didn't take the teach on Riversoul, which, unfortunately, turned out being a really nice dance (Kathy's favorite for today). This is a 64 count, High Intermediate/Advanced dance to the music "The River" by Jacksoul. No tags, no restarts, and the music was recommended by DJ Louis St. George (who also recommended "The Other Side" for the choreographers to come up with WOW Hawaii). But, I couldn't teach it right now even if I wanted to - I didn't take the teach on it. So it'll have to wait.
The playlist for the open dance segments of today was an awesome undertaking - which we gave our best effort to. Danced some of our new ones: Make It Rain, Stonecold, Slam Goes The Door, I'm Ready; and danced a whole bunch of other dances like Jesse James, Washed In The Water, Rock & Roll King, Say Geronimo. Was on the floor A LOT!
Just an all-around excellent day of dance!
Friday, June 26, 2015
Friday, June 26
Everyone did really well in class today! We had a pretty intensive review of Stonecold - and it looks like we've got a pretty good grasp of that dance! Such a big dance to be doing that well after just one teach and one review! Yay!
We thought we could do Beautiful Goodbye as a "no-brainer" dance - but had to go back to the step sheet for the samba steps since all 7 dancers (myself included!) went in different directions! Pretty funny! So, it became another dance reviewed. As did Body Goes Boom.
The teach of "Like A Phoenix" went well and we danced it 3 times.
Brains are sufficiently fried at this point. I will not teach any more new ones before I leave on vacation... Unless, of course, there's a dance from Rachael this weekend that is an absolute MUST teach! LOL!
Both the Monday/Friday class and the Thursday class will have just reviews next week.
NOTE: there is no Dancersize on Saturday and there is no Practice on Sunday.
We thought we could do Beautiful Goodbye as a "no-brainer" dance - but had to go back to the step sheet for the samba steps since all 7 dancers (myself included!) went in different directions! Pretty funny! So, it became another dance reviewed. As did Body Goes Boom.
The teach of "Like A Phoenix" went well and we danced it 3 times.
Brains are sufficiently fried at this point. I will not teach any more new ones before I leave on vacation... Unless, of course, there's a dance from Rachael this weekend that is an absolute MUST teach! LOL!
Both the Monday/Friday class and the Thursday class will have just reviews next week.
NOTE: there is no Dancersize on Saturday and there is no Practice on Sunday.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Thursday, June 25
Kept everyone hoppin' in class today but we were able to review all the new ones, teach a new one (Alcazar Lite) and "just dance" all the requests! Feet are tired!
But - they need to recover because I'm off to more dance tonight! Yay!
But - they need to recover because I'm off to more dance tonight! Yay!
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Wednesday, June 24
Heard back from Scott Blevin's today. The changes to "Lay It Right" won't be anything more than the changes made right at the workshop. We can keep dancing it. Yay!
Monday, June 22, 2015
Monday, June 22
Make sure you check out the pages on the right... You'll find a page for the Monday-Friday class, Thursday class, Dance Practice, Socials, and Dancersize. A list of dances being taught, reviewed, and danced will show up on those pages.
Big teach of Stonecold today. Whew! But, when we danced it again at the end of class - was looking really good! Everyone did a great job in sticking with it! Well done!
Also demo'ed Like A Phoenix, which will be taught Friday. Have I said lately how much I like that dance? I really do!
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Sunday, June 21
Happy Father's Day! What better way to celebrate than to dance!
Have I mentioned lately how much I like Rhoda Lai's "Like A Phoenix"? That dance just "gets me!" I love it! Can't wait to teach it!
Also got to practice "Fun" today and learned "Alcazar Lite" so I can teach it on Thursday. Will be a challenge for me since my feet want to do "Alcazar" when the music comes on and John was nice enough to make the first 8 of A Lite very similar to the first 8 of A. So now my feet are totally confused! They'll get over it! And, of course, did another run of Stonecold for tomorrow's teach. Yay!
Have I mentioned lately how much I like Rhoda Lai's "Like A Phoenix"? That dance just "gets me!" I love it! Can't wait to teach it!
Also got to practice "Fun" today and learned "Alcazar Lite" so I can teach it on Thursday. Will be a challenge for me since my feet want to do "Alcazar" when the music comes on and John was nice enough to make the first 8 of A Lite very similar to the first 8 of A. So now my feet are totally confused! They'll get over it! And, of course, did another run of Stonecold for tomorrow's teach. Yay!
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Saturday, June 20
Very excited to be able to work on "Like a Phoenix" by Rhoda Lai! REALLY like this dance! Also worked on Stonecold - will be teaching it on Monday.
And just when I thought I was finished with new teaches for Thursday, I've been asked to teach John Robinson's "Alcazar Lite." So I'll have one more that I'll need to work on before Thursday.
Didn't get a chance to look at "Fun" - hopefully during my practice session tomorrow!
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