For an exciting change of pace, Oscar and Samantha taught on Monday and worked with the whole group on our slow dancing technique. We focused hard on connection and natural movement, and learned a sequence of moves. I for one LOVE slow dancing (and/or blues, whatever) so I had a great time.
The team worked on our routine for the 19th. . . and that's about it! We have a lot to do between now and then!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
INTENSIVE Recap!
Hello Lindy Bombers!
This past weekend, a few of us die-hard Lindy Hoppers attended an Intensive workshop with Nick Williams and Nina Gilkenson. This has been a dream of ours for several months, and it was fantastic to finally have it come true! If you were at the workshop, you might want to bookmark this blog entry, because I'm going to embed video recaps of the classes.
If you WEREN'T at the workshop, feast your eyes on some great dancing anyway!
Also, (THANK YOU RYAN FOR THE VIDEO!) Nick & Nina did an impromptu demo at the Saturday dance:
Thank you to Nick and Nina for teaching, Evan and Oscar for organizing, and everyone who came out to dance!
This past weekend, a few of us die-hard Lindy Hoppers attended an Intensive workshop with Nick Williams and Nina Gilkenson. This has been a dream of ours for several months, and it was fantastic to finally have it come true! If you were at the workshop, you might want to bookmark this blog entry, because I'm going to embed video recaps of the classes.
If you WEREN'T at the workshop, feast your eyes on some great dancing anyway!
Also, (THANK YOU RYAN FOR THE VIDEO!) Nick & Nina did an impromptu demo at the Saturday dance:
Thank you to Nick and Nina for teaching, Evan and Oscar for organizing, and everyone who came out to dance!
Labels:
Cool Events In Town,
Nick Williams,
Nina Gilkenson,
Workshop
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Lesson Recap 11/8/10
Last night was great, so thank you to everyone who came out!
During the first hour, Evan brought us some fun new Lindy Hop moves. We started out with a swingout that turned into a duck-under for the leads (under their own right arm) ending in either open or closed. We also did 8-ct Lindy footwork with a Bal-Swing shape to it instead of a typical swingout or Lindy circle. In that context, we worked on a free spin and a texas tommy. We also did a new turn from cross hand that had TWO, count them TWO tucks, orchestrated by the cross hand connection and the lead's left hand on the follow's right elbow. Last, but certainly not least, we did a move that starts out like a basket and turns into one of my favorite things: A HIP LEAD! Lead get's his R hand on follow's R hip by count 4, also his L hand on her L shoulder. Changes her direction around count 5 and spins her out 6-8. I really liked that one, if you can't tell!
Team practice was productive last night as we plowed through some new choreography which you will get to SEE on Sunday, Dec. 19th if you come to Harry Reese. It's looking good so far, I can imagine that it will be awesome by then! We worked on aerials too, including, to my great satisfaction, some same-sex aerials we're saving for a rainy day.
See you on the dance floor!
~Chelsea
During the first hour, Evan brought us some fun new Lindy Hop moves. We started out with a swingout that turned into a duck-under for the leads (under their own right arm) ending in either open or closed. We also did 8-ct Lindy footwork with a Bal-Swing shape to it instead of a typical swingout or Lindy circle. In that context, we worked on a free spin and a texas tommy. We also did a new turn from cross hand that had TWO, count them TWO tucks, orchestrated by the cross hand connection and the lead's left hand on the follow's right elbow. Last, but certainly not least, we did a move that starts out like a basket and turns into one of my favorite things: A HIP LEAD! Lead get's his R hand on follow's R hip by count 4, also his L hand on her L shoulder. Changes her direction around count 5 and spins her out 6-8. I really liked that one, if you can't tell!
Team practice was productive last night as we plowed through some new choreography which you will get to SEE on Sunday, Dec. 19th if you come to Harry Reese. It's looking good so far, I can imagine that it will be awesome by then! We worked on aerials too, including, to my great satisfaction, some same-sex aerials we're saving for a rainy day.
See you on the dance floor!
~Chelsea
Saturday, November 6, 2010
WORKSHOP RECAP!
Hello Lindy Hoppers!
We have had two great workshops recently! I attended both of them, and am here to let you know what went down.
Oscar and Ashley taught a total body movement workshop on October 30th. Some of the major focus points of the day included:
- Using your body's natural way of moving when you're dancing. (For example, you never swing your right arm forward as you walk forward on your right foot. No need for that on the dance floor either.)
- Leading/following with your whole body. We may only be connected through our hands or arms, but moving with our whole bodies is what makes that connection work!
There was a LOT of technique to be learned at this workshop, and those of us who went definitely came away with plenty of things to work on!
Evan and Sonya taught an Intro to Lindy Hop workshop this morning. HUGE THANK YOUs to our newcomers Sarah, Tori, and Amanda (Amanda I know you're not REALLY new but thank you just the same!). We had a handful of beginners and a handful of more experienced dancers to help them out, and I think it was a great event. Hopefully these workshops will help grow our community.
We have had two great workshops recently! I attended both of them, and am here to let you know what went down.
Oscar and Ashley taught a total body movement workshop on October 30th. Some of the major focus points of the day included:
- Using your body's natural way of moving when you're dancing. (For example, you never swing your right arm forward as you walk forward on your right foot. No need for that on the dance floor either.)
- Leading/following with your whole body. We may only be connected through our hands or arms, but moving with our whole bodies is what makes that connection work!
There was a LOT of technique to be learned at this workshop, and those of us who went definitely came away with plenty of things to work on!
Evan and Sonya taught an Intro to Lindy Hop workshop this morning. HUGE THANK YOUs to our newcomers Sarah, Tori, and Amanda (Amanda I know you're not REALLY new but thank you just the same!). We had a handful of beginners and a handful of more experienced dancers to help them out, and I think it was a great event. Hopefully these workshops will help grow our community.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Lesson Recap 11/1/10
Hello Lindy Bombers!
Last night's practice was AWESOME! (OK, maybe I just think that because I helped teach. . .)
During the first hour, Phil and I taught one of our favorite dances: BAL-SWING! We focused a lot on connecting to your partner using counter-balance techniques. We reviewed the Bal-swing basic and did some side-walks. (Haha side-walks. Like sidewalks. Get it?) We also did some Maxie Swivels, and I have no idea where that name comes from or if I spelled it right.
The second hour featured none other than the amazing Megan Pfieffer, dancer extraordinaire and front-woman of the Wash Tub Floozies, teaching with Adam. I don't know what they taught, but if she reads this post, maybe she'll comment and let us know.
The team (sans Oscar, Evan, and Ellen) worked on the Big Apple, jam circle choreography, and aerials. I am proud to report that we have had our first successful girl-on-girl aerial. Stay tuned for more!
Last night's practice was AWESOME! (OK, maybe I just think that because I helped teach. . .)
During the first hour, Phil and I taught one of our favorite dances: BAL-SWING! We focused a lot on connecting to your partner using counter-balance techniques. We reviewed the Bal-swing basic and did some side-walks. (Haha side-walks. Like sidewalks. Get it?) We also did some Maxie Swivels, and I have no idea where that name comes from or if I spelled it right.
The second hour featured none other than the amazing Megan Pfieffer, dancer extraordinaire and front-woman of the Wash Tub Floozies, teaching with Adam. I don't know what they taught, but if she reads this post, maybe she'll comment and let us know.
The team (sans Oscar, Evan, and Ellen) worked on the Big Apple, jam circle choreography, and aerials. I am proud to report that we have had our first successful girl-on-girl aerial. Stay tuned for more!
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