Week 6 at LDA

July 11, 2006

1,2,3,5,6,7,1,2,3,5,6,7 CBL followed by touch-and-go double turn for follower

Okay. That was the instruction. Implicit in this instruction was that after CBL, the hold changes crossed hold (R-R first and L-L underneath) to be followed by preparation and leading of double stationary clockwise turn for follower with touch-and-go so to end with crossed hold with L-L on top. I did not realize that I should be switching to crossed hold and thus was completely baffled by the next move with three partners. After this (and continuing of instruction half-way into next bar and half), Helen (not the assistant) became my partner. With her help, I was able to sort out my initial mistake and catch up with the rest of the material (while she kindly stayed with me for couple of partner switches). Thanks a million to Helen – you were a godsend – if she ever comes across this blog entry.

1,2,3,5,6,7 from crossed hold L-L on top, into CBL position and lead follower into 1 1/2 counterclockwise traveling turn with L-L going over follower’s head initially and ending behind follower’s R waist and leaning against R-R (which is raised slightly?)
1,2,3,5,6,7 twist (?) and lead follower into full stationary clockwise turn keeping all connection low (and leading only with R-R) during 1,2,3 so that now R-R is behind follower’s L waist while L-L is kept in front of follower while leader moves toward follower’s left and getting ready to get out of her way – lead follower forward into traveling counterclockwise 1/2 (I don’t think it’s 1 1/2 here) turn with leader doing a clockwise walking turn (not a hook) with L-L drop catch (ending in front with leader in CBL position) and with R-R connection high with palms facing follower
1,2,3,5,6,7 (follower does back basic on 1,2,3 – do not lead follower forward here) starting on 4, lead follower into fast stationary turn with R-R (and L-L) starting high and R-R ending low by follower’s L waist (follower’s R arm is across her front waist) and L-L at about chest level – lead follower backwards on 6,7 (follower would step forward slightly on 5) and leader does counterclockwise walking turn with L-L high (and R-R let go)
1,2,3,5,6,7 lead follower to stationary triple turn with L-L leading

Just as I was beginning to get some handle of the first three bars, the fourth bar came to confuse me briefly. This was sorted out eventually and with less confusion (compared to earlier in the evening).

There was a scheduled engineering works, which required me to take a bus from Stevenage to Royston to catch the train to Cambridge. I learned of this only few minutes before my departure, but I decided to take the train anyway. Train allows me to read and write (and also to listen to music).

LDA is not starting level 4 Salsa class during the next 6-week session. My best guess is that maybe 1 or 2 leader and 1 follower among people who showed up regularly may have been considered locks for moving up if level 4 were offered.