Hello dancers!

Welcome to the inaugural Class Note for our West Coast Swing class! Here is a comprehensive summary of what we have been working on for the past three weeks:

We started by doing some basic connection work, finding ways to play with “one arm up, one arm down” and moving within the slot. The lead’s job is to create a large, round space, and the follow’s job is to fill that space. For cross-body leads, the lead will move out of the slot, the follow will move straight foward down the slot, and the lead will return into the slot.

We have spent a lot of time going over a basic sugar push: getting our timing down and working on body positioning. We have also spent time finding a strong connection with our dance partner, and figuring out where a good “hook” and “wall” position are.

We have also been working on whips, and feeling the momentum that can be built up. We contrasted these to cross-body leads.

We have started doing a “dance circle” at the end of class in which we cut loose and have fun dancing with each other! The class then ends with the “reflection circle” in which we share with each other something fun or interesting we picked up that day.

We started working this week on some more advanced whips and dips!

First, we worked on a basket whip (follow’s back to the lead, arms crossed). We added an outside turn at the end of this as a variation (on the 5&). Next, we worked on right-side passes with a follow’s free spin (1.5 turns) at the end (on 3&). We continued the free spins by doing a free spin out of a half of a closed whip.

With all of the whips, we talked about creating momentum and a conection between the lead and the follow at the end-point (3&) of the whip. The follow will usually start to move backwards on the 4…but this is all dependant upon what the lead leads!

Finally, we returned the room to a stationary position and did some work on lean-dips. These start from a cuddle position (basket whip!), and then after assuring both partners are still, the lead will lunge off to the side. The lead can end this by letting go with either hand (unwrapping the follow, or leading an underarm turn).

Due to nasty weather, class will be cancelled tonight, 17 February. This is also a reminder that we have no class NEXT WEEK (24 February) because Darrell and I will be competing in Indiana. We will next meet in two weeks, on 2 March. I will let you know then how we will deal with making up the lost time from today.

Stay warm, and stay safe!

We started off with a bit of review. Leads and follows both worked on good sugar pushes for awhile, both with eyes closed and eyes open. One tricky thing that follows were working on was being able to react to the lead only AFTER the lead led a move.

From there, we started working on some swivels. There were two main variations that we explored: 1, 2, slow-slow, 7, 8; and 1, 2, slow-slow-quick-quick-slow-slow, 7, 8. The key for leads is to make a nice solid “stop sign” for follows, and then to lead the swivels from the center of the body, and not from the arms. Both leads and follows were working on keeping their shoulders square through all this motion.

We then added a little more to this sequence, doing a slow-slow-quick-quick, and then from there going into a hammerlock, unwinding with a double spin, and then coming back out to groove for a bit.

Also, the Wisconsin State Competition is coming up April 17-20. Darrell and myself will be competing both the evenings of the 17th and 19th (Thurs and Sat). If you’re interested in coming, let us know ASAP so we can get tickets!

Sadly, this was the last class for most of you However, I will still be teaching the 8th lesson NEXT WEEK, Sunday, March 16, at 5:45.

As a bit of farewell, we reviewed a lot of the moves that we’ve been working on for the previous 6 weeks. This included some technique–finding our lats, and working with a short lead.

From there, we went over some moves like the side dip, the body roll (with the feet front and back), a whip, a basket whip, and the “cape-whip.”

From there, we played with some variations on the “cape-whip”. You were playing with combining body rolls, follow’s visual leads, and arm swims. We ended by playing with the lead’s “back arm-swim”. We discovered that this can also become a follow’s “back arm-swim”…providing that the follow has soft elbows and wrists!

All in all, a fun class that was filled with lots of play and experimentation…the way any good West Coast Swing dance should be!