Improving steadily or am I?

May 22, 2006

Three two-hour class format was used today; this is to be the new format.

Hour 1 Intermediate with Joe Davids

R-R hold
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break and somewhat like Copa-like start with R-R high but continue smoothly leading follower around counterclockwise (for total of 1 1/2 turn) with R-R coming down (pulling the zipper) between 5 and 6 (to place follower’s R hand behind follower’s back L waist) while stepping into space vacated by follower on 6 and turning 3/4 to catch follower’s L hand at chest level (L hand is a little contorted with back of the hand pointing R and palms of fingers pointing toward lead) by 8
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break and bring L-L around high in counterclockwise motion on 2,3 and windmill lead down and up forward along follower’s line on 5,6 to lead follower 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn and leader turn around in a manner similar to previous move and reconnect L-L (same hold as previous)
1,2,3,5,6,7 lead follower to into broken left turn (leader’s L hand rolls around from top in something like a counterclockwise motion) – bring follower forward and stepping slightly to her right on 5, then lead broken left turn
1,2,3,5,6,7 leader does pivot turn to get into CBL position with L-L low – I decided that L-L can be disconnected and brought up to shoulder for closed hold using an old Nelson Batista move, which was talked about by Joe Davids couple of months ago. Joe wasn’t teaching this version, and he was highly amused when he saw me doing this and made some pointers for refinement (for example, there’s no need to crouch down – just flick it using upper R arm) – finish with simple CBL finish

[note: L-L can be at just above shoulder level to end resting on shoulder for the last pivot turn. I should try practicing both versions in coming weeks.]

Hour 2 Intermediate with Joe Davids

1,2,3,5,6,7 open break and somewhat like Copa-like start with R-R high but continue smoothly leading follower around counterclockwise (for total of 1 1/2 turn) with R-R coming down (pulling the zipper) between 5 and 6 so that it ends behind follower’s back L waist – stay in CBL position
1,2,3,5,6,7 Mambo jazz, lead follower into full counterclockwise turn keeping R-R in place throughout and leading with L-L only – step to L with R foot on 7 to get around
1,2,3,5,6,7 temporarily get around and bring L-L down (not straight down – in fact take L-L far behind follower before bring it down so minimize discomfort for follower) to follower’s back R waist for what I jokingly refer to as straightjacket position and come back to original position for back basic on 5,6,7
1,2,3,5,6,7 basic and lead follower into broken left turn (free turn)
1,2,3,5,6,7 pivot turn to get into CBL and finish with simple CBL finish

Maybe I should start leading broken left turn more regularly. I bet everyone will like that!

Shine (name?)
1,2,3,5 basic
6 L foot slightly to R
7 R foot toe (no weight) forward - crossed behind L
8 R foot slightly back and transfer weight
1 L foot back crossed in front of R
2 R foot slightly back
3 L foot toe (no weight) back - crossed in front of R
4 L foot slightly forward
5 R foot forward crossed behind L
6 L foot slightly forward
7 R foot forward crossed behind L
8 bunny hop with L foot
1,2,3,5,6,7 basic

The class was decent sized although slightly smaller than last week – because of exams, etc according to Joe (I suppose all of the University students were missing). Dancing afterwards was fine for me although representation from the usual suspects was fairly light - Cyrille was the only familiar one among the leads in class. Was dancing fine in spite of there being fewer hard-core people (or perhaps more importantly fewer hard-core leads) or because of it? Who knows?