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.