Aye… We’ll go pillage and plunder rich ports along the coast

September 21, 2006

Intermediate with Sally

1,2,3,5,6,7 CBL with 1 1/2 counterclockwise traveling turn for follower [little reminders I know but don’t always do – L-R down on 5 and again after the completion of turn]
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break Evelyn CBL style (exchange places like Enchufe followed by hook turn for leader with L-R low) and make R-L connection in front
1,2,3,5,6,7 leader turns 1 1/2 counterclockwise during the full bar ending with slam dunk to end R-L/R (during the initial turn for leader, keep L-R low and bring R-L down during the second turn – keep elbows down)
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break and bring follower forward on leader’s R side with R-R connection being made and brought over follower’s head (bring all connections down fairly low by 3/4) – absorb follower’s forward momentum with L-L and lead follower back into 1 1/2 counterclockwise turn (towards direction where she came from) ending with L-L briefly let go and ending in front of follower’s R waist (across her stomach) and R-R in half crucifix position
1,2,3,5,6,7 allow follower a forward step on 1 and lead her around 1/2 clockwise – downward lead on 4 (follower steps on 4) and lead follower to traveling (perhaps minimizing the distance) 2 1/2 counterclockwise turn
1,2,3,5,6,7 hat for leader and CBL ending in closed hold
1,2,3,5,6,7 CBL start and bringing follower in and slightly turned counterclockwise already on 3 and end with 1 1/2 counterclockwise traveling turn for follower ending in a dip (leader’s footwork could be CBL standard for 1,2,3 then step to L on 5 with R foot and step to L with L foot on 6 and be prepared for dip and helping to keep follower’s balance… also try to get follower’s R arm behind leader’s head/neck to avoid it getting trapped)
1,2,3,5,6,7 bring follower out of dip and lead her to a free (traveling or stationary?) clockwise turn

For a while it looked like it could end up being a somewhat grim night because many people were absent (away in London, France, etc.) And then people started trickling in – Serap, Cyrille, Lindsey, Chris, Sergio among core CBL crowd as well as others like Adam, Steve, Luis, others and fair number of people I did not recognize. Combined with people who were already present for the class, it made for a surprisingly good night. The big addition by far was Serap of course; apparently the fact that she won’t be here tomorrow (although I imagine that she’ll find the UK Salsa Congress to be a decent replacement) was a big factor in her being here tonight.

Some of the more memorable songs tonight (for various reasons) included My Favorite Things (New Swing Sextet – incidentally it is one of Cyrille’s current favorite song despite the proclamation from some people that it’s cheesy – by the way, I have met at least one person at SOS who would not dance to this song presumably for the same reason), Vacilon (Lebron Brothers – for two reasons including… Yarrrrgh!), Un Verano En New York (El Gran Combo). and Picadillo (Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri). There was also a minor emergency (Yarrrrgh!), which led me to step onto the DJ booth for a moment to play a new song (Contigo – Cache) when the old one (Vacilon) ended.

Question of the day – “What is the Penguin?” (or was it who?)

Hmm. I hope this doesn’t lead to too much build up of anticipation and pressure.

Quote of the day – “There’s been a lot of screaming tonight.”

Serap didn’t scream. In fact she practically threw herself into the air second time around. No, this was not a part of pillaging and plundering.

The wooden floorboards were removed from the main floor presumably because of recent water damage. Apparently Vishal will wait and see people’s reaction before making further changes. As it is right now, it’s not horrible in my opinion. We’ll have to see how it goes and give Vishal feedback as appropriate.

I’ve heard some suggest that I shouldn’t bother coming to DJ tomorrow night. For better or worse, I told some people that I would be there so I will go (even though I have no idea how many of them will show up).

It has been almost two years since I started taking Salsa lessons. I think my first lesson was on September 24, 2004. If I had decided to go to the UK Congress or were planning on going to SOS on Sunday (neither of which will happen), I suppose I could make something of the occasion. As is, I’ll probably try to get some work done instead.

There was also a call to get everyone (whatever the definition means) to go to the BritFest the Sequel. I must say that I have been considering going already – work or no work and despite some poor reviews about the first one.