A short break from a Salsa break

May 15, 2006

Latin Collective – Intermediate with Joe Davids

R-R hold
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break into Copa fake (keeping R-R in hand-of-god like position on 3) and into reverse CBL-like position by 3 and windmill lead (starting far in front of follower’s line and making a windmill motion in clockwise motion from leader’s perspective – going down and up) to lead follower into a traveling 1 1/2 clockwise turn

option 1
finish with leader turning 1/4 counterclockwise and releasing R-R from leader’s R neck and reconnect L-R underneath …
1,2,3,5,6,7 …as leader turns 1/2 counterclockwise as early as 8… and into CBL in place (no forward step on 1) and finish with simple CBL finish

option 2
finish with leader turning 1/4 counterclockwise and releasing R-R for a drop catch and reconnecting with L-R at waist level
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break followed by L-R toss and reconnecting with R-R or simpler yet getting follower’s R forearm with R hand – lead follower forward on 5 and into free 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn – end with closed hold for…
1,2,3,5,6,7 simple CBL

entry variation 1
1,2,3,5,6,7 CBL ending with leader turning 1 1/4 counterclockwise and switching to R-R

Latin Collective – Improver with Joe Davids

R-R hold
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break into Copa fake (keeping R-R in hand-of-god like position on 3) and into reverse CBL-like position by 3 (follower is slightly turned already on 3) and lead follower into 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn with follower’s R hand coming down between 5 and 6 (or follower is nearly done with her first turn) so that it ends behind follower’s L waist

option 1
involves switching of R-R to L-R shortly before follower’s R hand is brought down (straight down) between 5 and 6
1,2,3,5,6,7 forward on 1 and into CBL position – L-R is led down and forward along follower’s line on 5 for free 1 1/2 clockwise traveling (short distance) turn

option 2
involves staying with R-R for bringing follower’s R hand down between 5 and 6 – getting follower’s R hand placed behind her back L waist and with leader turning 1/2 counterclockwise with R-R released and reconnecting with L-R with leader facing away from follower’s line (R foot would cross over in front of L foot while leader turns 1/2 counterclockwise on 7)
1,2,3,5,6,7 towards the follower on 1 (involves a further 1/4 turn) and into CBL position (another 1/4 turn here) and lead follower into free 1 1/2 clockwise traveling turn as was done in option 1

variation 1
on second 1, L foot can cross behind R foot instead

variation 2
on second 5,6,7 step into follower’s space and turn 3/4 clockwise to get back to facing follower (closed hold end would be good)

We had another massive class. Unfortunately, about 1/2 of the students struggled mightily with the first class (intermediate level) and then struggled mightily with the second class (improver level) as well. I am one of the best lead among the students for either class, and I find improver class material interesting if not challenging - at least when trying to execute the moves with people who are struggling mightily. Best students are generally the ones who show up regularly - no surprise there. I don’t think I will ever bother to find out but I probably could have done better job as a follower for tonight’s classes than approximately one third to two third of the followers who took part in the class. For whatever its worth after seeing the turnout, Joe announced that he and his team will switch to format of three classes of two hours starting next week. I am going to miss taking the improver classes. I already miss having smaller classes with better overall standard of students.

Dancing afterwards was surprisingly good – well beyond expectations. I’m just speaking for myself though, and I may be merely experiencing feeling of irrational exuberance (even though I was feeling rather somber most of the evening).

This is getting really old, but Contigo made its return after a brief absence on Saturday (of course for all I know it could have been played before 11:30 PM at the Rocket although this is doubtful). Joe Davids became the fifth DJ in Cambridge to play the song after the song made its debut 12 days ago. The other five in order are Sally (once), me (once), Vishal (four times including once in Peterborough) and Chris (once). When it rains… I pledge not to talk about this any more, except to note that a person who arguably is as responsible as anyone for this phenomenon has yet to hear it played.

Lastly I told Vishal that we should skip Tony's June tour because of combination of scheduling difficulties and school being out of session. It may help if I become much better at dancing Bachata before trying to promote another event.