Ivan & Sally substituting for Johnny & Serap

April 15, 2005

I don't think the point of this class was about learning new routines. Instead the focus was on LA stylizations and being more smooth (using deceleration rather than being robotic), etc. Routine done was not linear but added things in the beginning and modified the middle section, etc. Also experimentation was highly encouraged (easier said than done).

Anyhow, the completed routine as finished (with variations and stylizations) is as follows,

1,2,3 pivot turn for leader (Double turn could be done too, but I don't think anyone was up for it)
5,6,7 hook turn for leader
1,2,3,5,6,7 cross body lead (starting with somewhat closed and ending with open)
1,2,3 cross body lead start with leader's stylization (L arm hook over partner's R arm and ending again with open L-R hold) - this might have been for the prev. cross body
5,6,7 end of cross body lead with follower's stylization (followers style: L arm straight forward on 5 as walking forward, turn as usual on 6,7 with L hand doing her hair) - change hands to crossed with R over L
1,2,3 basic and lift R arm up and in front of follower's forehead on 3 (no later than 4) and keep L low and ready to break
5,6,7 lead partner to pivot (clockwise 360) turn keeping R high and L low (break) ending with partner's L arm behind her back - R-R can be used to give partner a hat slowly starting on 8
1,2,3 finish giving partner a hat but keeping connection with R hand as I go into cross body lead start
5,6,7 finish cross body lead with clockwise (reverse!) turn for partner to get back into open - ending with another crossed hold but with L-L on top (note: there is also a one handed variation explained below)
1,2,3,5,6,7 another cross body lead, leading partner forward presumably with R hand on 5 and turning partner counterclockwise to get to a Titanic position but without staying in Titanic position for a whole beat... instead, keep both outstretched hands fairly low and gradually lower it starting on 8 - a sharper move could signal a more complex maneuver on next 1)

(variation with one-hand hold R-R)
1,2,3,5,6,7 cross body lead as above except using R-R only. L hand can be placed on partner's shoulder starting at 1 to guide the turn for the follower. Otherwise, it's same as above (and familiar) except there's an optional follower's stylization on 8 (chest up)

1,2,3 forward and to left on 1 as hand(s) are gradually lowered and then R hand is back up on 3 in front of follower's forehead - note: for two-handed version, there is also a leader's stylization where both hands are lowered and move over and around partner's hands on 8,1
5,6,7 lead partner to clockwise turn with R hand - ending with crossed hold with R-R above L-L
1,2,3 pivot turn for leader with R high and L low ending with ~wrap
5,6,7 variation 1 - release R and use it (going around in counterclockwise circular motion in front) to break L-L with upper R arm and toss partner's L hand up (follower's stylization here) -- could lead to another crossed hold or open hold
5,6,7 variation 2 - lower neck and go under L-L hold

[note added in June: There was a case of mistaken identity. Ivan's teaching partner today was Zina, not Sally.]