Frustrating but nice - Johnny & Serap Intermediate

March 11, 2005

This was a frustrating session because of poor partner(s). In retrospect, there's a lot of good stuff here.

cross hand basic left hand on top open break then turn 90 counterclockwise as partner is pulled in front facing the same way with arms slightly stretched out on 2,3 (partner is turned counterclockwise 270 (or was it right hand on top and 90 clockwise turn for the partner?)
turn partner (pretty sure it was counterclockwise...how many turns?) ... left hand up ... partner moves across to my left on 5,6,7 (90+ on 5, 90+ on 6, <360 on 7 seems reasonable but it doesn't seem right as they were practicing 180, 180, 270)


[modified September 18, 2005]

Looking at this again, my note above is a somewhat confused (but recognizable) description of Copa (also seen in another of Johnny's class on September 16 as well as in an Ivan & Sally workshop on May 21 (section 2 - under the heading reverse cross body (one of many options) and in one of Sergio's class (I can't find the notes but it started with R-R hold and involved releasing R-R and connecting with L-L on beat 2 at the start of Copa) - I'm leaving the description above crossed out but otherwise as is but will attempt a better description below.

crossed hold with L-L on top
1,2,3 open break on 1, take steps to overtake follower on 2,3 while R-R is used to lead follower forward on the line and L-L goes around in front of follower and then to point the direction in which the follower came from - what happens at beat 4 is like a Titanic position in the middle of the line except unlike in beat 8 ending of Titanic, both dancers feet are set more apart here - also refer to reverse cross body feet position except with follower's R foot stepped forward beyond both leader's feet)
5,6,7 lead follower back to where she came from in a traveling 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn (This is one of many options - as taught in this particular class, the only cue for the follower to go back is a strong pull with L-L - this works with a follower who knows Copa but could be tricky for the uninitiated.)


a smooth cross body
standard 1,2,3 cross body (at 3 left foot could be pointing left)
partner is turned around me counterclockwise as I turn on spot (sort of like hooking pivoted on my left foot)

seanto-like (sientela?)
open position
open break (or maybe step side to left on 1 while pushing) on 1
wrap partner counterclockwise (left hand up) 180 on 2,3 and bringing hands down to partner's waist on 3,4 --- partner should be positioned slightly to my right and very close in front facing the same direction
seat partner on my right leg
- in an end move, could go all the way down with my left leg on its knees for support
- in continuation, a quick dip and up on 5,6 and turn and upwrap on 6,7 and finish with open position on 8

non-dip finish
closed position
using my left hand, toss partners hand towards my shoulder for embrace presumably on 5,6,7

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