Something about an empire

June 28, 2007

Intermediate/Advanced with Sally and Chris

1,2,3,5,6,7 open hold CBL inside turn for follower (1 1/2 traveling counterclockwise turn)
1,2,3,5,6,7 double right turn for leader (3 o’clock turn followed by hook turn – R-L over leader’s head – switch ending with R-R at about shoulder level)
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break(?) connecting L-L underneath and lead follower straight forward on 2,3 with R-R over leader’s head (leader turns about 1/4 clockwise) – lead follower to 1 1/2 counterclockwise travelling turn with L-L (keep it straight extended away from follower) with leader turning counterclockwise
1,2,3,5,6,7 leader continues to turn until reaching CBL position (should be done by 2 without too much difficulty) – allow follower to step forward on 5 and lead her straight back on 6 to turn full counterclockwise for follower (this could be done with switch to R-L early or late – I liked late switch rather than the early switch taught in the class) to end with R-L wrap in CBL position
1,2,3,5,6,7 mambo jazz start – allow forward to step forward on 5 and then lead her straight back again on 6 for full counterclockwise turn for follower the same way using L-R to end back in same wrap position
1,2,3,5,6,7 mambo jazz start – lead follower into 1 1/2 clockwise travelling turn to unwrap ending with leader turning counterclockwise (leader facing away from follower)
1,2,3,5,6,7 leader turns further 1/2 counterclockwise and reconnect L-L to lead follower into stationary clockwise turn

Some like Rajiv, Zern, Pauline and Andrea were at the class. Cyrille arrived at a funny time – after most of the class was done. Rajiv led the early party to the Sauce for drinks. Chatting away and getting distracted left and right, Cyrille and Zern led the stragglers. I ended up bringing a chair between couches occupied by Andrea and Rajiv. When Sergio and Natalie arrived, I stood up and chatted with Sergio and Cyrille.

I ended up having three opportunities for dancing Salsa On2 tonight mostly with unexpected partners. I found any practice dancing On2 to be more stimulating compared to most On1 dances. In fact, I was getting rather antsy and arguably a bit disinterested as the evening progressed until a couple of opportunities for On2 came up. I think I was more engaged with a series of On1 dance afterwards although the songs being more familiar and easy on the ears must have helped – as well as more space – and nice dance partners too of course. The social dance part of the evening closed with Sergio reminding me about how to prepare follower for a turn and with one more On2 practice.

I learned of a couple of upcoming changes. At Sauce, Andrea talked about an upcoming change of career and address for her coming up in September. During a nice low-key and chatty dance, Sam mentioned that she is going to have a change of address, which I imagine would not improve her commute. I don’t think there were any planetary collisions (not my words – convergence is not collision) but the absence of a need for safety dance afterwards was brilliant.