Cosmic balance restored

January 29, 2007

It was another one of those days where I didn’t leave work until 7:30 PM. The lineup today was Joe, Tiz and Niki. Niki arrived even later than I did - this was her first time. From what I gathered from overhearing her talking to the class whenever my mind wandered away from Joe's instructions, she seemed like an amusing character.

Intermediate with Joe

1,2,3,5,6,7 one up one down stationary double turn for follower ending with R-L behind follower’s R waist – offer L in front by 7 (could do this with leader’s turn on 7)
1,2,3,5,6,7 swapsi (early traveling counterclockwise turn for follower) ending with L-R behind follower’s L waist (all the lead comes from R-L)
1,2,3,5,6,7 leader turns 1/2 clockwise and into open CBL with R-L pointing forward (L-R is let go) – lead follower into 1 1/2 traveling counterclockwise turn ending with R-L at leader’s chest level and L hand on follower’s L wrist
1,2,3,5,6,7 leader turns into follower’s L arm bringing R-L under L arm (switching to L-L with follower’s hand on leader’s R breast – step back on 5 to give forward momentum for follower and make R-R connection to lead follower into full counterclockwise traveling turn into half Jesus check with L hand on follower’s L shoulder (R-R should be enough to stop follower’s momentum)
1,2,3,5,6,7 prepare and lead follower to 1 1/2 clockwise stationary turn and end with giving follower a R-R hat (follower could do a second haircomb with her free L hand next bar)

second hour
1,2,3,5,6,7 one up one down stationary double turn for follower ending with R-L behind follower’s R waist – offer L in front by 7 (could do this with leader’s turn on 7)
1,2,3,5,6,7 swapsi (early traveling counterclockwise turn for follower) ending with L-R behind follower’s L waist – throw follower’s L hand behind her back (over-rotate?) on 7 – in the same motion switch to R-R by 7/8 and get to L-L behind follower’s R waist by next 1
1,2,3,5,6,7 rocking step lead – bring R hand to follower’s shoulder by 3 – lead follower forward and into leader’s arm on 5 and lead follower to unwind 1 1/2 counterclockwise with leader stepping across on 7
1,2,3,5,6,7 staggering backwards to rotate as couple up to full turn or so counterclockwise and launch follower out into CBL finish to end in open position

Some of the girls including Anastasia did not arrive until the second hour. After a quick hello, Anastasia asked me to show the class material followed by a quick dance during the break. Euvian arrived near the end of the class. She too asked me to show the class material, which also was followed by a dance.

The floor was in poor condition - very sticky everywhere. Spinning was the most noticeable challenge, but even the most basic footwork was made less fluid. I seem to recall there being a lot of spills on Friday. I think there might have been a bigger than usual party on Saturday too. The upper wood floor was slow but somewhat more consistent. Hopefully cleaning will help to restore consistency of the floor.

My dancing was subpar compared to last week. Perhaps there were signs of decline last night (e.g. some of those stumbles during multiple turns). Often different variations of double turn leads were misinterpreted. Sometimes single turn lead was being misread as well. I wasn’t able to diagnose the problem – too subtle lead or perhaps outright poor lead? Some self-leading might have been caused by poor leads as well.

Obviously Jane cannot have her birthday every Monday. Although there were some nice girls about, it was a fairly weak night. The music provided was the same Vishal CD (originally noted here) used for last 3 Fridays (Micaela, Thinking of you, Margarita, Montuno Street, Tambo, Timba Temba Tumba, etc… I think the CD might end with Chin Chon Chow, but everyone including me left after the Merengue started so I couldn't confirm this). In some ways, I was relieved that at least one off night happened this week before Brit Salsafest starts. After all I wouldn’t want to peak too early.