That's more like it! - SOS level 3

November 6, 2005

1,2,3,5,6,7 cross body lead ending with switch to R-R hold
1,2,3,5,6,7 prepare on 1,2,3 and lead follower to a double clockwise stationary turn starting on 4 and leaders turn half clockwise with R-R point up from his R shoulder when the follower completes her turn
1,2,3 R-R goes over leader’s head and get down to about shoulder level and L-L connection is made below R-R at about waist level on L side as leader positions himself in front of the follower on her R side (reverse cross body open position in my diagram)
5,6,7 (and 8?) lead follower to a traveling clockwise double turn and leader turns half counterclockwise with hands crossing over leader’s head (so R-R is on leader’s L shoulder and L-L on leader’s R shoulder) -- I found this bit very tricky and because there were about 3 men for 2 women, I simply did not get enough practice to master this part
1,2,3 R-R is disconnected as follower’s R hands is tossed downwards and R-R is reconnected at waist level on the R side as leader positions himself into a open cross body lead position
5,6,7 lead follower into a full traveling counterclockwise turn with L-L high and ending on stretched to follower’s L side like half of a Titanic and R-R disconnected and R hand on follower’s stomach
1,2,3 big preparation for follower (L-L moving counterclockwise motion first and getting back to original then high position for normal spin lead)
5,6,7 lead follower to a 1 1/2 stationary clockwise turn with L-L coming down and ending up follower’s waist level after the first turn so that L-L ends up behind follower’s back R waist – once L-L ends on follower’s back R waist around 7, leader turns full hook turn (clockwise) while switching to R-L
1,2,3 in a Copa like movement, start with open break on 1 and pull back to initiate follower to turn half counterclockwise on 2, then point R-L forward again to keep follower facing opposite direction (compared to 8/1)
5,6,7 lead follower to a free 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn
1,2,3 leader turns about 3/4 turn counterclockwise to get into cross body lead position
5,6,7 end with simple cross body lead

Male to female ration in level 3 was about 3:2 meaning not enough practice. I might be able to salvage parts of the lesson though. I missed the shine part because the fish & chips place lost our food order and caused us to arrive late.

Dance afterwards was fantastic. Music was better than last week too. They still closed a little early (about 15 min early), but no big complaints from here. This was more like it. What's amazing to me is that not only do I get better dances at SOS compared to Cambridge but I'm a lot more likely to get good people to agree to dance with me as well. Practically no one says no. This was true today even though it seemed like there were more men than women tonight, which was a little unusual. Now I can take another long break and let Johnny & Serap navigate their way to SOS and back by themselves next time. Hopefully my detailed directions will keep them from getting lost in the maze that is London.