Silver Smooth - VWaltz w/larinda

(Skipped intro)

Reverse turn beginning leader forward 123456
reverse turn 123 then underarm turn 456
reverse turn 123 then cross body lead to pp 456, then spin out and pow 123456.

swivel to pattycake lady starts to leaders left
underarm turn Heel toe 1-3 side 1

open naturals in shadow

Open Standard - Quickstep w/Mark

Previously: open naturals to PP....
Then -

From PP into corner and then turning the corner:
- open natural SQQ
- heel pull S S
- "hairpin" = curved feather QQ
- slip (?) pivot (S)

- heel turn SS
- natural fallaway S
- outside change SSS
repeat with different timing
SQQ SQQ

turn corner for new wall:
- natural turn SQQ
- barrel pivots SSS (heel, toe, heel; alternatively SQQ)
- Slow like change of direction, but "up" and shape to right
- stutter lock: back right, X left in front, replace R in back Q&Q
- side left, back right QQ

THE END

Gold standard - Foxtrot w/Istvan

Natural twist turn to natural weave, can also do closed impetus or open telemark ending

pattern:
-feather
-open telemark
-open natural
-swivel
-feather finish
-fallaway slip pivot
-three step
-natural twist turn
-natural weave

Gold Smooth - Foxtrot w/Larinda

As leader:
- Twinkle to closed moving to diagonal center
- Feather
- lunge (QQ), lady opens up left arm behind
- turning to face diagonal wall S
- runs (QQQQ), open position on last 2 quicks
- open natural with lady's arms moving over so her R arm is across leaders R shoulder
- lady turns while leader does QQQQ "chasse" like figure (LRLR)
- catch lady's R arm with R
- check (L forward)
- recover R, side-ish L
- grapevine on short wall X R in front, L side, R in back, L side
- send lady out in 4 steps to left, leader has R Slow, L together, side R
- lady turns back to shadow, ends on R feet
- step tap (step w/L, tap in front of lady with R)
- step tap (step w/R, tap w/L
- threestep
- natural turn
- finish natural turn(?)
- chasse while lady does inside turn ending in PP

phew!

Gold Standard - Quickstep w/Christine

- Quick open reverse (leader's first step is outside)
- reverse pivot
- cross swivel
- tipsy to R, L, R, L (Q&Q,Q&Q,Q&Q,Q&Q)
- backward lock

Open Standard -- Tango w/Mark

- Fallaway reverse slip pivot
- 2 viennese crosses
- double reverse turn
- bombshell (ronde, lower on R and left leg sweeps around counterclockwise)
- back L, side R, pivot L
- countracheck

several different timing options starting from the double reverse turn. One fast (perhaps too ambitious), and one slower:
1) Q&Q&, S, Q&Q, S
2) QQ&S, S, Q&Q, S

Bombshell strongly continues rotation from double reverse. perhaps rotation which gets the ronde going, BEFORE lowering on the standing leg.

Some exercises from EL: dancing stomach and dancing liver, perfect circles in small rotations at all joints

Continuing Oct 29:
after contracheck
- recover forward (leader also!) into twist turn
- open promenade
- outside spin
- rudolph ronde
- boing! "promenade position"
- recover to corte

Gold Standard w/Istvan -- Quickstep (as leader)

as leader:
- coming from reverse slip pivot
- cross swivel: step forward w/body rise on L, swivel on L, step forward on R (SSS)

alternate endings:
- running finish: back on L, side and slightly forward on R, forward on L (QQS)
- fishtail: staying up on to on R and turning line of dance, toe replace L close to R foot, side and slightly forward w/R, forward on L, XR behind, forward on R (QQQQS)
- tipsy

Fabric sources

Here I am collecting links to online sewing resources:

fabric:
- www.chrisanne.co.uk
- www.choicelondon.net
- www.onlinefabricstore.net
- www.fabric.com
- www.danverfabrics.com
- www.sewsassy.com

accessories/lace/etc.
- www.trimfabric.com
- www.touchoflace.com/
- www.cheeptrims.com
- www.worldoflace.com.au

sewing machine repair/parts/stuff
- www.sew4less.com
- sewing machine parts
- universalsewing.com
- a1sewingmachine.com

Cranberry Standard Skirt with small wings ala EL

Pretty :)

Open Standard - Tango w/Mark

- 2 walks (SS)
- rocks (QQS) moving to Promenade on last slow
- skaters lock (SQQ)
- fallaway reverse slip pivot (QQQQ)
- reverse turn syncopated (SQQ)
- left whisk (QQS)

Standard Lesson w/Mark

quick notes from lesson.
- relax arms (release tension), connecting left arm to left knee!
- drape over tray, keeping level even when rising and falling: the parts do not all have to move in one block, although they move in harmony.
- neutralize after (and between) shapes by "bending forward" (not really)
- weight between partners by bringing left or right side forward (left or right side of a 2" tie), when moving backwards this means drawing the left or right side of the partner in.
- more of this feeling in foxtrot (ribcage moving and forward feeling) when passing feet compared to closing feet
- don't tense up the knees on heel turns (double reverse, telemarks, foxtrot natural turns)! similarly in waltz chasse, the body and lower parts can rise but at different times to the top, keep the top down more often.
- contracheck present from higher up than previous, keeping butt back
- weight towards the leader is fluid, not constant (don't mess with the balance).


very nice lesson!

Gold standard w/Christine -- Waltz (as leader)

Today we worked on waltz from last week and then started a new piece.

From leader's perspective:

- reverse turn ( begins forward left)
- hover corte:
--- back R, swing side L half-way to brush R to left (can hold an extra measure here 2-3-1-2), back on R
- back whisk:
---back R, back R bringing lady into whisk position, cross left behind R in PP
- chasse

Smooth w/Larinda -- Waltz (as leader)

Loads of fun dancing this today. thanks larinda for a really great lesson!

Gold -- (from leader's perspective)

- Twinkle (FL, Fslightly to side R, open to PP brush left foot in, step out on L in PP)
- check (R foot forward) sending lady across and to left using R side rotation "lock" L foot in back, open to pow position facing LOD on R foot, leading with L side
- Forward L, swing R side forward, lock left behind compressing with R hand
- 4 step spin (1&2&) to right (RLRL), sending lady forward on first step by bring left side through center, then pow position to side on R foot on count of 3

- lady run around (2 measures):
- Lead sends lady out in front and across w/straight L arm while stepping onto L foot on 1
- turn into arm (to left)
- on 3ish, step back on R (lady should be a little more than half way around)
- forward left foot on 1 turning toward lady to block continuing of run around, brush R to left on 2, back on R on 3. At end of 3 prepare for closed position by moving within the frame from side-by-side towards lady which causes her to release her R hand in preparation
- open impetus (back on L, heel pull, etc.)

Silver waltz: (from leader's perspective)

Can connect from previous piece:
- from impetus ending PP facing diagonal center
- feather ending facing diagonal center

- open reverse turn: forward on L, side on R, back on L)
- reverse underarm turn: back on R, side L raising L arm up and across front of body so lady begins rotation to left, forward-ish on R (down line of dance still) as lady slips to complete turn and both compress into L hand while lowering
- twinkle with only 1 hand connection until moving to PP

- open natural beginning in PP but releasing R arm so that can move apart as step across lady on L and then back on R with both partners pulling opposite (lady has "ski-knees". R side extended in line up and back.
- L back (1), R back (2) and slightly side while initiating lady's turn to right with left by leaving arm back and then "stirring", close L to right in chasse timing (&), forward on R (3) catching with R hand lady's left hand
- check: forward across (outside partner, as she is far away at this point) somewhat similar to contracheck, then straighten standing (L) leg while raising R hip causing lady to similarly raise L hip which causes left side and head to continue pretty line. At top of this lady can do develope. Timing can be quick (1-2-3 = check-raise hip-lower) or slow (1-2-3 = check, 4-5-6 = shaping of hip and develope)
- hover corte: back on R, swing lady through rising on L but keep R foot on ground (do not brush, this increasing stability), back on R
- impetus

Open Standard - Waltz w/Mark

Continuing:
- natural turn
- natural spin turn
- turning lock to right
- chasse to center with 1-2-3& timing
- 1 "additional" step (back L) to connect figure, 1
- quick open reverse &2&
- slip pivot 3
- telemark
- oversway

Gold Smooth - Tango w/Larinda (as leader)

As leader:

Begin facing diagonal wall
- american tango basic: SSQQS = 4 walks, into promenade position facing diagonal center
- walk, walk closing lady, compress, pow (SSSS)
- QQS lady moves to shadow position
- 2 boogie walks (L, R)
- rocks left foot forward (QQS)
- right turn still in shadow (QQS QQS)
- rocks right food forward (QQQ) then step on L down the line turning to face partner and prepare to lead across (Quick!)
- RLR move to right as lady spins across in front, changing places (QQS)
- LRL moving to left and turning to left, changing places (lady also turns) QQS
- facing partner lead a 1 foot spin to left, stepping back on R (optional forward if follow is not moving much), catch around waist into corte position (SSS), looking at partner, left arm extended back
- rock (like in pong) (QQQQ) RLR on last quick go to closed position

option 1:
- forward side close (QQS)
option 2:
- rock one more time (QQS), back side close (QQS)

Practice notes

Waltz fallaway: on step 2, stay down and 'create crease' in left hip.
Use head weight, keep left.
Give space to partner when moving backwards wherever possible.
Soft knees
Contra check- wait for man's lead from leg.

Gold Standard - Waltz w/Christine (as leader)

I'm thinking about taking this class as leader this semester for real (have attempted during previous semesters, but only for a few classes).

Turning Lock to Right
- Natural Turn
- Overturned Spin Turn, ending with slight right shape and head to R
- Lock: back R, X L in front of R while turning - "thighs cross but feet do not"
- Promenade: swing R hip back in to position, Left side strong forward, do not linger on L foot but transfer all weight, move center with hand, step between lady's feet, soft knees...

Fun, thank you followers!

Continued Oct 3, 2009
- chasse to center
- wing
- fallaway slip pivot (second step for both lead and follow is TOE only-- soft knee)
- double reverse
- contracheck: notes from class -- this is easier for lady to rise if I step back with body making space.

Open Standard - Waltz w/Mark

before i forget this lovely wall:

- rolling chasse (starts like natural turn pointing diagonal center)
- contracheck-like figure (except lady is moving forward) -- lead looks at partner
- check
- slip pivot
- timing is 1,2&3, 1,2,3

- chasse to right (creating picture and nice shaping lady first to R then to left)
- heel pull (like start of rhumba cross)
- curved feather

NICE!

Continued 24 Sept 2009:

- outside spin (R forward outside, L together, R forward in pivot-like action; note than leader is L back toe in, R FORWARD, L back)
- natural turn
- natural spin turn to nice shaping on count 2

Sewing - Robin's egg practice skirt

Robin's Egg standard skirt:

8 panel skirt of robin's egg blue lightweight lycra. This is my third version of a standard skirt, and my favorite so far. Improvements include a more comfortable fully secured elastic waistband, fuller skirt (172" skirt hem, more than 14 feet, compared to 136" or 11 feet for my gray skirt), and much better draping of the skirt. I'm really pleased by how much a bias cut improved the drape, even for this stretchy fabric. Plus it allowed me to fit the whole pattern in only 3yds of 60" wide! I think I'm going to stick with this pattern and just play around with fabrics for the next one. I almost did the hem with horsehair braid, but decided for a simple 1" turned under top stitch instead. Thinking about stuffing a skirt with a stiff hem into my dance bag gave me second thoughts. Next time!

I'm thinking it will look nice under a long black top -- could even be dressed up....can't wait to try it out dancing!

Total cost:

3yd x $6 = $18 fabric (nice deal at Winmil fabrics: note Chrisanne lustre lycra is 12.65 GBP per meter!! and the dance crepe is 21 GBP!! )
$3 thread, 1 new ballpoint needle, 1" elastic for waistband (again, have nice bulk discount on elastic)
----------
$21 materials

Total time (estimate):

pattern making (infinite)
cutting (2 hr)
stitching (2 hr)
waistband (1 hr)
hem (2.5 hr)
hemming and hawing about design decisions (infinite)
----------
7.5 hrs + infinite.... Note that these times are for Me at present, not necessarily what a more experience tailor would need!

In case anyone (me) is counting, this is my 6th standard skirt. Previously:
- 1 gray, 1 black for me
- 1 black, 1 red for YF
- 1 purple for CS

Open Standard - Quickstep w/Mark

- Natural Turn (SQQ)
- Pivot (QQ)
- Running Right Turn (SSQQ)
- Running Finish ending outside partner (SQQ)
- step hop step hop

- Chasse (Q&Q with LRL and Right Shape)
- Tiller Girls QQS, QQS:
* hop on R, point L foot left, with shape to left
* hop again on R, bring left behind in a "tap"-like position, head shape to R
* pushing off on R, now hop on L, leaving R foot pointing to R, head shape to R

better in dance sneakers!!

Quickstep cont: Sept 3, 2009
- ka-boom into oversway
- pendulum hops ( hop 2x on left, swinging R diagonal back, then 2x on right, swing L diag forward) where the hop action is QQQQ but the feeling is SS
- coupes (QQQQ) small and loose, paying attention to FEET
- step hop stop hop (L back, hop, R forward, hop)
- Q&Q&QQ chasse hop
- pepper pot (Q&Q QQ) Rback, L together, R back, L lock in front, R back, used to transition from hopping actions to swinging action

Open Standard -- Foxtrot w/Mark

ok... i know I wasn't really at the class, but (thanks Ron and Noelle) this foxtrot combination is really nice!

From the lady's perspective, Part I:
- feather
- lunge line (SSSS) Rback, Lback and shape, R replace and recover
- QQQQ lady outside, LRLR, holding last R through to next slow of
- feather
- reverse turn
- feather finish
- reverse turn with slip pivot (SQ&Q) Rback heel turn, L, small Rstep slightly forward, slip on L forward
- feather

part II:
- continuous hover cross
- continuous weave (QQQQ....) lady outside moving forward
- feather finish
- start bounce fallaway (QQ) R back, L back slightly side; then S on Rback swivel to developee (standing on R, bring L up and extend)
- L back straight into a heel turn, rising up on R (toe)
- L back down, sweeping R foot around in rounde ("double" b/c partner is mirroring same)
- finish bounce fallaway with tumble turn ending to feather finish (QQQQQ&Q)

LL Lecture

Devotion to the dancing.

Subject - Opinion - Words - Energy

Words:

Foot pressure - push the floor away, pull the floor towards. Swimming analogy. Climbing stairs. How long you can apply the foot pressure.

Body Action - rotation and counterrotation of spherical joints. this counter rotation, especially in the hips (ladies), lets you stay in balance. Essence of waltz is closing of the feet (feature, not action). swing each joint. not lowering but range.

Not judging while dancing (analyzing when practicing or exercising, separate this from dancing)

Energy:
personal feelings / professional feelings.

Not lead and follow, but talking and listening.
Not weight, but natural body's response to gravity.

Champagne glass (frame, steps) filled with body action, music,

2009 Comp Results

BU 22 Feb 2009 w/Ron Hoffmann
- 5th out of semifinal Gold W/Q (6/5)
- 5th out of semifinal Gold F/T (4/4)
- 3rd out of semifinal Novice VW
(0 pts)

Harvard 15 March 2009 w/Ron Hoffmann
- 3rd out of quarterfinals Gold W/Q (3/2)
- 2nd out of quarterfinals Gold F/T (2/2)
- 5th out of quarterfinals Gold VW
(WTVFQ = 1/2/1/2/1)

MIT 25 April 2009 w/Ron Hoffmann
- 3rd out of quarterfinals Advanced W/Q (3/3)
- 4th out of quarterfinals Advanced T
- 4th out of quarterfinals Advanced VW
- 1st out of quarterfinals Advanced F
- 3rd overall
(WTVFQ = 1/1/1/3/1)

total: WTVFQ = 2/3/2/5/2

More Notes (from run throughs)

Tango footwork: all forward steps in natural twist turn are heel steps for lady, not ball, until final left foot. Generally keep shoulders level on "picture" lines like oversway, corte, etc. and only move head. keep hips underneath...

Waltz: promenade to chasse: begin to turn head on ONE, as swing starts -- just as strong as any other step! Receive a strong invitation to swing from leader through body and lowering action.

Quickstep: no swing on forward lock, but strong contrabody, keep right side strong and up, and there is lowering but used to progress across floor instead of swinging up

Foxtrot: impetus turn needs to start properly -- don't overrotate the top in the preceding natural turn. Lady's hips are turned "more" for closed impetus than open impetus....

from any promenade, lady stays back for longer....

Standard w/Mark

Connection: Lady doesn't lift left arm, leave some weight on the inside of wrist for communication. On natural turn can swing with body and... hands....
penetration in upper ribcage, absorption in hips....
bigger and wider....round counter clockwise energy...

2 ways to signal open or closed impetus. pay attention to when the head turns for promenade. don't be lazy.

Tango: for example in promenade, stretch is diagonally across body, right hip forward left shoulder side back, man invites lady to move forward but blocks until go! don't rise on link.

(note to self, 5 step lady's footwork according to book is BH, whole foot, HB, B, H. Timing is QQQQS or QQS&S.)

Open Standard - Foxtrot w/Mark

from PP

• Open natural
• Outside spin
• double natural (mirror image of double reverse spin)
• contra-check-like (lady's left foot back)
• recover RF, left pivot

notes: soft needs and strong ankles on the outside spin to create rotation, he goes-she goes figures

exercise for shaping

• zig zag, outside walks
  

Gold Standard - Quickstep w/Christine

• Natural Turn (&SQQ)
  
• Rhumba cross (SSQQ) RF pivot with strong right shape,BL, swing right side back for RB and lady's head begins to turn back to left, LXinfront
  
• Running Right Turn (SSQQ) RF pivoting, LB heel turn, close R to L, LF
  
• Running Finish (SQQ or QQS) RF outside partner, LF, RB in CBMP
  

Previously, in Waltz

• Contracheck

Notes: to recover, leader rocks back on feet first, then turn. When lady transfers weight more to back foot, front (left) toe turns out -- this helps the direction of the recovery! When feel leader's rock, push off back foot to get up, and only begin turn afterward.

And more previously:

• Fallaway

Notes: keep head left

Russell

• shape created from swing. no swing, no shape
• swing straight, don't turn
• movement on step 2 is a consequence of step 1, which is a consequence of step 3...which prepares for the 1....
  
• javelin from man's left buttock, through his center, up through lady's center and out to man's hand
• Dance to your partner
  
• Don't move into holes that your head sees. Holes can be created by going off in a different direction and also by not moving to fill them (lady's swinging in chasse from promenade, for example).
  
• move the walls if you have to

my notes: tone in the core always helps, especially in double reverse turn and recovering from contrabody motion.

figures danced: natural turn, overturned and underturned spin turn, reverse turn, turning lock, weave to close, double reverse, outside spin,

sunday practice

testing video upload....



it worked! now if i could only get rid of the fuzziness... on well, thanks mom!

Gold Smooth - VWaltz w/Larinda

Lead

• begin on right foot
• canter (left HT rising 1-2, lower R 3, moving forward against LOD)
• repeat canter
• Lforward swiveling to left 1-2-3 weight forward bb
• Rback opening arms out in side by side, looking LOD 4-5-6

• canter? step forward left 1-2; forward R 3
• L forward and ronde R around 1-2-3 (catch lady's hand to help this)
• spiral on right foot turning to LOD 1-2-3
• reverse turn (LRLxin front) passing lady, then catch her arm in Left at end

opt gold

• guide lady to spin towards your center as you step back on R 1, leading into shadow catch her with R arm, crook elbow on 2 and rising
  
• step down LOD a little bit outside circle for shadow pivot on left foot on 3
• step to side (not back) with R foot 1-2, x left in front 3
• continue

opt silver

• guide lady to spin across as you step back on R 1, do simple close change Lback 2, R together on 3 (or R slightly forward depending on lady's position)
• continue in closed position

fun fun fun!! thanks to my great followers!

VWaltz Continued Jan 24, 2009

Cleanup:

• on opening canter steps, lead's right arm is out and curves in, out and in, in a 'pattycake / i like my partner' attitude.
• the lead for the swivel is slightly forward first
• on canter coming out LOD the right foot is in a lunge-like position, this leads to a 'jump' of sorts with together pressure (inside arms) and then apart connection during the ronde, with both partners' free legs and arms stretched as wide (perpendicular to LOD) as possible for big line

Continued:

• 1-2-3-4-5-6 natural in shadow position (maybe 2x?)
• lead ladies turn to right by indicating on her left shoulder
• side by side position
• lead underarm turn for lady (lead turns wrist so that palm faces up)
• swivels as breather (lead going backward) (2 each side)
• open natural

Open Standard - Quickstep w/Mark

Tonight's open standard lesson with Mark
Lady's steps, part I

• SSS 7-8, 1-2, 3-4 pivot/lunge RF, LB, RF
• Q&Q QQ 5&6, 7, 8 pepperpot (chasse, lock) with no rise because of subsequent quicks LF, RF, LF, xR in back, LF
• QQQQ 1,2,3,4 RF, LF, RF, LF
• QQ 5,6 RF, LF, left outside partner on these 2 steps
• QQ 7,8, RF, LB, feather finish

Lady's steps, part II

• S, 1-2, RB in traveling countracheck
• QQ 3,4, LB turning to PP, RF in PP
• QQS 5,6, 7-8, step hop slide LF, LF, RF slide all in PP
• SS 1-2, 3-4, point R foot to R with R sway, then L foot to L in closed position
• QQS 5,6, 7-8 kick/point left foot 2 times across to right in PP, then point L foot to L in closed position
• QQ QQQQ woodpecker (2x) hopping on R foot to C____ (L with R going diagonal back; R with L pointing diagonal forward; repeat L R) with diagonal loose pendulums

To the music of Nat King Cole's 'Almost like being in love' which apparently is slow for quickstep!

Lady's steps, Part III January 15, 2009

• back left step hop
• RF pivot, LB pivot, RF pivot
• Running right turn
• Quick open reverse

In various sequences of quicks and slows, timing optional.