We will be having a student dance this Saturday, Febrary 3 at 7:30. We have lots of great new music to share with you. Come and enjoy an evening of fun and relaxation with friendly people. Soft drinks and some snacks will be provided. You may bring finger foods to share, but please, no alcoholic beverages. Cost: $7.50 per person. Hope to see you there!
Gail and Paul

Welcome new students! Linda and Larry Pittman, Harvey and Jennifer Barton, and Nat and Debbie DeBruin.

Here is the routine from the class last night:
2 Straight Basic (see parctice page for step example)
1 Corte (Single)
2 Circular Basic
1 Corte (Single or Double)

If you would like to add the Promenade with Left turn, just put in another basic step and then do the turn.

Here are a few notes:
- The basic step timing is: Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow
- The Single Corte timing is the same as the basic, but begins with the leader taking a step back with the left foot right into the dip.
- The Double Corte timing is: Quick, quick, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow. The step begins with the leader stepping forward on the left foot and then replacing weight to the right foot (quick, quick) then stepping back on the left foot into the dip. Repeat for the second corte.
- One of the most important things to remember about the promenade left turn is for the follower to keep the legs together at the ankles when making the turn so that when the turn is finished she is right in front of her partner 90 degress from where she started. The timing for the promenade turn is: Slow, slow AND, quick, quick slow. (The “AND” is the turn.)

Please reply to this post if you have any questions or send me an e-mail by clicking on the “Contact” page.

Here are some notes on the Cha Cha for those of you who were in the Wednesday class:

- Cha Cha is done to 4 beat music (see examples on Practice Page)
- Start the first step on the “2 count” of the music
- Bend the knee of your moving leg as you take a step
- Step on the ball of your foot first and then lower your heel as you straighten your leg and place weight on it.
- The fast steps of the “Cha Cha Cha” are done by shifting weight from one foot to the other while lifting your heels and bending your knees. No need to “hop”.

Practice by standing with your heels close together and feet slightly turned out. Bend one knee as you raise your heel off of the floor. Then straighten that leg and put your heel down as you bend the other. Practice this both slowly and faster. Be patient! It takes a while to get good at this. This action is the same for Rumba but with a different rhythm.

Next week we will start on East Coast Swing.

For those of you who were in the Tuesday class - the Fox Trot routine is listed below:

2 Basic Steps
1 Rock Turn Left (leader steps forward on left foot)
1 Basic Step
1 Promenade Step
1 Basic Step
2 Sway Steps
1 Basic Step
1 Promenade w/ Underarm Turn
1 Basic Step
1 Rock Turn Right (leader steps back on left foot)

Hope you enjoy practicing! Next week we will be working on Tango. Should be lots of fun!

We had a wonderful time at the January dance! We had a nice crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy the evening. Paul and I are very proud of the progress of our students. You are all getting so good! We are looking forward to our next dance on February 3rd.