So much to learn - So little time!!

If I’ve not said it before.. WELCOME to footnotes swing dancing classes – a whole new world of dancing, friendship, parties and shenanigans awaits you!

This year is a different experience for me personally, new dance school, new class structure, new time frames, and a brand new outlook in general, but for you, I imagine, its just new-new everything!!

Even though I try to do my best in class to tell you everything you need to know, 45mins is not long, and I can tell most of the time you guys are like “quit flappin your gums and make with the dancing already!!” so, lemme share with you each week, info that will help keep you swinging red hot!

Firstly, the beginners class structure!

Firstly you should know, that there is no point waiting for “the perfect moment to start classes”, any Tuesday at 6.30 at the Grand Poobah is great!  We welcome brand new beginners every week so we don’t expect you to have any previous experience, or remember anything from a previous class, just turn up and pay your $10.00 (or slide in for free if its your first class) and enjoy your evening!!

You will start every class with a warm up, usually to a mystery song that even I don’t know (this way, im as off guard as you, and we get to have a bit of a nervous giggle together!!) once we are warm, we are pretty much dancing already!!

Swing dancing needs three key ingredients to work – Rhythm, Direction and Momentum.  We talk about the first two quite a lot in beginners class, the third one comes along when your leading and following start to come together, and is explored further in more advanced classes.

In beginners class we look into the six count rhythm, the 8 count lindy rhythm and various Charleston rhythms including 20’s and 40’s!  It takes us eight weeks to get through it all once over!!  For this reason, it makes sense that you do at least sixteen weeks as a beginner to become familiar with what your feet are doing, let alone all the other mysteries taking place.

Four months is a minimum requirement**, along with attendance to at least one Swing Out class/workshop, but there is no pressure to leave beginners after this time, in my experience as a teacher, I have found that the key to moving to a more advanced class, is to feel completely comfortable with where you are at (don’t worry though, I will give you a gentle nudge if I think you need one!).  When you are ready to move into the intermediate class, you are also required to do at least two extra months of beginners to make sure you are really getting the best of both worlds (please make sure you have a quick chat with me before you move up, so I can make sure ive told you everything you need to know before you move up)

Swing dancing has been around for a very long time, there is a lot to teach and a lot to learn, on top of everything that we show you in beginners classes as far as rhythm goes, there are also offshoots of swing that you may not have heard of before, such as; blues, balboa, collegiate shag, just to name a few!

So the moral of this blog, is that you are always welcome in beginners class, you should stick around for a minimum of four months (but stay on for longer if you’ve missed classes or feel you’re not quite getting it), and talk to your teachers about how to progress forward, our only reason for being there, is to help you out!!

**four month minimum requirement is based on the following break down

-          Minimum of 4 weeks of six count over any period of time

-          Minimum of 4 weeks of 1940’s Charleston over any period of time

-          Minimum of 4 weeks of 8 count over any period of time

-          Minimum of 4 weeks of “teachers selection” including 20’s Charleston, tandem Charleston, or additional footwork classes

     T     Till next Blog - Much Love Relle
        For additional info head to 

      http://www.footnotesdance.com.au

Not about Dancing - this is about food

Sometimes, you just gotta brag!  Kyle and I have had a bumper crop of Tomato this year, I had so many after a weekend away, that I had to oven roast them and turn them into soup!  I pretty much followed Jamie O's "30 Minute Meals" recipe but slow roasted the Tomatoes rather than blasting them with heat.  The soup came out a little yellow, but that's due to the delish yellow cherry tomatoes we discovered in the lower section of our yard!  Finished the soup off with some home grown basil!  This is what I do when I'm not dancing!

This is the bulk of yesterdays collection! 

Half of our tomato loot - ready for some oven roasting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Been slow roasting (could do it in half an hr if following Jamie O)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hit it with your stick blender and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Bill, is that your dog?

I wade with caution into this discussion but I feel like I should join in the great debate of “who leads and who follows” and the on going conjecture over whether a good follow simply follows or if too contributes to the lead of the dance. 

To me, learning to dance is like learning a new language.  At first, you only learn statements

• My name is Bill
• My dog is brown
• I need to pee

This concept may be more familiar to the leads as at first, they are the ones doing the talking, in your first phase of dancing leads tend to make statements at their follows, and we ask the follows to bare with it!!

Next comes questions

• What is your name
• What color is your dog
• Where is the bathroom

We are getting closer to a conversation, but its still the leads asking all the questions, and the follows nodding along trying to reply when they can but there is no real flow

-          My name is bill, what is your name, My dog is brown what color is your dog, I need to pee, where is the bathroom

After a while, the leads get a feeling for when to make a statement, when to ask a question, when to wait for an answer, and when to move onto a new topic, this tends to be around about the same time that the follow feels she can also freely contribute to the conversation

• Hi my name is bill, what’s your name?
• Hey Bill, my name is Sarah, how you doing?
• Good thanks Sarah
• Hey bill is that your dog?

You get the picture right?  But like a getting to know you conversation in a loud pub, quite often things can be missed, or misunderstood, and if you’re anything like me, sometimes you might find yourself talking over someone by accident!!  Just as we do when we are having a verbal conversation with someone, we learn to apologize for butting in, we ask for a repeat when we mishear, we learn to speak clearer when there is a lot going on, and  we get better at conversational communication the more we practice.

The truth is, some people like to listen to great stories, others like to tell great stories, and some like to join into conversations that they hear along the way.  I don’t think a bad follow is one that is captivated by the story, who does not like to illustrate too much and who likes to enjoy the journey so to speak.  Nor does it make for a bad follow if she actively participates in the conversation, adds in voices for the characters you’ve created, and at times, generally makes up new parts to the story (never let the truth get in the way of a good dance).  The same goes for a lead, sometimes its hard enough to just start the conversation with the ladies, let alone back it up with 3 mins of interesting banter!  At other times there is so much to say that you just need to get it all out and you silently pray that she keeps quiet and lets you finish your story!!

As long as both people have a chance to have their say, and the dance generally follows a conversation and not a great debate, then its usually smooth sailing.  This is what I feel is the role of the lead and follow – to have a conversation through their dance, and end up knowing where the bathroom is and who owns the brown dog!

What Makes a Man a Gentleman?

I used to have such grand ideas of what made a normal guy, a gentleman.  He had to open car doors for me, walk up the stairs behind me (to catch me if I fall), but down the stairs in front of me (to catch me if i fall..) walk on the side of the footpath closest to the road to save my pretty frocks from an unwanted splash of mud, and always stand up as I entered the room, and then again as I left.  Whilst somewhat out dated, these are the things I though a gentleman did.  Dancing has changed so much of what i thought a gentleman should be, and I'm most proud to say, the most gentlemanly men i know are from Tassie.

Last night I was enjoying my first social dance of the evening, when half way through an attempted spin, I commented on the stickiness of the floor, was barely a whisper, but my lead, through a variety of interesting and very well led moves, negotiated me to a secret stash of talc on the floor, with which I could powered up my shoes for extra slip.  I did not know what his intentions were, and if anyone cared to be watching, I don't think they would have cottoned on either.  This gentleman, ensured without fuss or grandeur that I was taken care of, a little like a gentle gesture to let you know you're slip is showing or to tidy the edges of your mouth, I was not made to feel embarrassed or demanding, I simply felt like a well taken care of lady.  You know who you are - and I tip my hat to you sir.

My second social dance of the evening was just as wonderful but for different reasons.  This dance just made me feel like the best dancer.  My lead took note of what moves I loved, and repeated them throughout the dance, he listened to what moves I was not getting so well and did not force them onto me again.  He maneuvered me out of harms way more than once, but never made it look obvious to the people who nearly crashed into us.  He was much a gentleman to me, as he was to the whole dance floor.  This lead took pride in the invisible.  No one will know that he nearly killed himself avoiding a crash, no one will know that he most certainly saved me from a world of hurt, but I sir, know who you are, and you are a gentleman!

My third social dance, was one that filled me with security and comfort.  Every lead was smooth and strong, every dip supported me head and neck, every pulse was subtle but clear, and every hold was like the ones you see on a black and white movies (swooony!)  We made our mistakes, I misread leads, and he experimented with new moves, but at no stage did I feel left to flounder, at no stage did I feel as though I had "ruined" the dance and although, I missed the end dip, he held my hand until we had left the dance floor, he thanked me for the fantastic dance.  This is how to be a gentleman!!You sir are the benchmark to which all others must measure!

This is more than has been taught in any class, this is the product of our young Tassie guys generally being awesome - yes last night I was actually awe struck by these guys!  Ladies, I hope next time you dance with a gentleman, you treat him well and show your appreciation!  I owe at least three guys a cool beverage next time the opportunity presents itself!

I am not against China - I am for Tibet

I am not against china, I am for Tibet

Mr Dalai Lama

How true this rings for just about everything in my life at the moment.  I have a feeling that whilst this year is going to be full of great things, good times and adventure, my real manta will be “I am not against China, I am for Tibet”

Primarily at the moment, I can apply this mantra to my current teaching situation.  Having for quite some time struggled with working for Tasswing, time and patience prevailed when Kara and Helen announced they are launching a new (swing) dance school in hobart.  Much to my joy I have been invited to teach for FootNotes, but it has surprised no one more than myself to realise, I’m not against Tasswing, I am for footnotes.

It is no secret that I have been known for my spite and malice over the years, and I thought this would be the one time I could revel in announcement of moving to greener pastures, but in a moment of clarity it dawned on me that we are all to a certain degree responsible for our successes and failures and we are all most certainly responsible for how we handle ourselves in the mist of both jubilation and despair.  To this end, I ever so desperately want the success of FootNotes, and my career there to be successful on its own merit, and not due to the potential demise of TasSwing just as desire for their success to be their own, and not at the demise of mine.

I am no longer privy to the goings on over at TasSwing, but I can say that Tibet seem to be making sure that their government and structures are strong and their people are happy - that's priority number one.  Things like foot binding in regional China aren't something they or I need to worry about, which to be honest, I a real relief.

Anyway, really I guess I just want to convey that I am so excited and looking forward to this year, looking forward to challenges, rewards and successes, be that though dancing, at work or at home, and my biggest wish is that my successes are not at the detriment of others, that my rewards are heart felt when given and received and that my challenges while daunting, will be focus of my attention until they are conquered and then onward and upward again.

ps - for more details on the launch of FootNotes - stay tuned for the next blog, check out http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173973335975135&ref=ts

or contact info@footnotesdance.com.au

The Scarf

Its not often I'm cool with announcing publicly that I somehow managed to grind the skin of my boyfriends face, WITH MY INNER THIGHS, but today, I feel its ok.

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend a Shob and Andy weekend of workshops, although they were all fun, the aerials workshop was by far the most grueling and rewarding (what am I talking about?  I still have all my face skin!!).

Its hard to explain and I have had no luck finding a youtube clip, but essentially what happens is the follow starts on right hand side of her partner and ends up wrapping her right inner thigh onto her leads face, while she hooks her knee pit around his neck. Then with a vigorous swoosh she throws her arms around in a big circle, while her head hurtles toward the floor, in a moment of delight and confusion, her head comes back up, but now somehow she is behind her partner, and ends up with her feet on the floor, bent over his left shoulder in a "somersault" position. 

Now if all goes according to plan, no one gets hurt (massive kudos to our spotters!!), but occasionally things like me gripping onto Kyles neck as I'm trying to spin around him, makes it hard for him to really get into anything that resembles a somersault position, due to the fact that I have forced his head to be at my knee height by the end of the whole move.

Also, we found that if one was to grip, just a little too much in the entry and execution, one of us might end up with his face skin missing.  Apparently a few guys had rub burn on their ears!!  As any good dancer knows, this is because the leads were not doing something right, clearly!!  Had nothing to do with my vice like thighs clamping onto kyles neck and face for fear of cracking my head on the ground below!!

Anyway, as they say, practice makes perfect, and the social dance floor is not the time to practice aerials, so if you are up for a Sunday practice session in the park over summer, let me know!  Otherwise see you at the Christmas party tonight!!!

Jack and Jill went up the Hill

I love teaching - I really do - but its usually at the TasSwing Christmas party that I get a little bit annoyed and wish for just one night - I was "normal".  The sole reason for feeling this way, is the Jack and Jill competition.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with how the Jack and Jill works, it is as follows.  A certain number of leads line up, and  certain number of follows line up opposite them.  Then our dice monkey rolls the dice and follows move along (say if the dice landed on 3, follows would move along three leads).  Then the dancing begins.  This means you dont know who you will be dancing with, you dont know what song you will be dancing to, but you do know, all eyes will be watching the dance floor.

The aim of the game is to prove yourself to be the best lead, or the best follow, this is done through a number elimination rounds and maximum amounts of showing off of your wikid dance skillz.

Im not gonna lie to you, at first it seems really daunting, but believe me, it is well worth the experience and there are a few things that will help you get the jump on your competition.

Leads

Ok sure, you watched that youtube clip of that crazy aerial that must be easier than it looks - DO NOT TRY IT HERE.  Even the most experienced dancer should be warned against busting out arials on the Jack and Jill dance floor (any social dance floor for that matter).

Dont try to force your partner into a series of complicated spins, moves and tricks, sure by all means test out a few, but dont forget, a brilliant basic, with a beaming smile is worth more to your dance than a frown and a multitude of f*ups.

Dont be down on the girl who has only been dancing for four days and who has bravely agreed to go into the Jack and Jill.  The golden rule of dancing is to make your follow look good, and this means leading clear moves with determination, not giving up and leading like a fish then being grumpy at your gal.

Follows

JUST SMILE!  Ok its a bit more complicated than that, but keep in mind, your lead is out there trying to make you look good so damn it - SHINE!!  No matter what moves are thrown at you, or what leads you dont pick up on, no one will know if you smile through it (even giggle if you wanna!!)

Remember everything we taught you about dips.  A great dance can come undone by throwing your head at the floor.  Try to keep your chin above your belly button, your head forward of your bottom and your chin up (these rules apply even if you have been flipped over and you are hanging upside down!!)

Thank your lead for the dance, even though you are in a Jack and Jill competition, thanking your lead is a good sign of grace.  Even though its a competition, the most important part is that all contenders have a great time, so make sure you remember your manners (even if he treads on your feet!!).

Remember its all a bit of good old fashioned fun - ham it up and go for gold!!