Dodgy week

Last posting I thought I was getting somwehere, so it was frustrating to go backwards again. I went down with a cold which meant missing out on dancing for the entire week. I finally got to G2 in Birmingham on Sunday night, but there was a grand total of four women there. Last year I went and it was pretty busy; this year it was virtually empty and I wished I was at the Wharf. (You don't get many people at the Wharf but two or three of my favouriate dancers are almost always there). I gather G2 isn't usually as quiet. I didn't do the class because they don't do intermediate any more, though I watched it and it looked useful: Michael is an enviably smooth and elegant dancer. It's friendly and inclusive there: both Michael and Maxine dance with the punters. I did have a couple of good dances.

I was staying in Coventry the rest of the week and the plan was to go to Bar Risa in Birmingham on Tuesday night, but when it came down to it, it was too cold and too far to travel. I had a contingency plan (dancing in Coventry) but the teacher's number was unobtainable so I didn't risk it.

Good to be back in Cardiff last night: I hate missing the Toad, though for the first hour or so I was really ropey. I knew what I was doing wrong but didn't seem to be able to correct it. I was seriously hamfisted until about half eleven (sorry Sarah!) but then started to get into it and had some good dances. Can't get out this weekend, so I'll have to make sure I do Monday and Thursday.

Getting somewhere

Definitely getting a lot of dancing in lately - and it's starting to pay off. Andy's Advanced workshop on Saturday was exceptionally useful. Much more useful than a class, this focused on subtle leading using body weight, and using a 'compression block' (I think that's what he called it). It sounds like a plumbing term but it's a really good technique for varying the lead, adding dynamism, and giving myself more time to complete my move while the woman turns.

I was lucky to be doing it with Sarah who was great despite not having got to bed til 5am! Not only is she a dynamic dancer, she's also good at telling me what I'm doing wrong, which is really useful in a dance partner. (Sue told me the other week that the reason a lot of men in London dance with each other is that men are more willing than women to tell their partner when the lead doesn't work - and if your partner won't tell you it's broke, it's difficult to fix it.)

Andy's hoping to run a six-week Advanced course on similar lines if he can find a free night, which would be great. He's also planning to run an Intermediate one.

That night was Liz's party in Newport: a good time was had by all. I didn't stay that late as I was knackered after the workshop.

The Wharf was very quiet, due largely to the party, I think. I nearly didn't go but it was well worth the trip over from Penarth to dance with Laura and Sarah. Sarah and I tried out the workshop stuff over several dances and it really works. I also found that it made it easier to play around with the rhythm (after being inspired by Lee the other week).

Don't think I'll get to the Toad this week, unfortunately: I only managed to go last week because the heavy Friday I was supposed to have in work got cancelled. So it's a choice between La Cachaçaria and La Tasca (I could go to both..).

I'm staying in Birmingham on Sunday night so I'm hoping to get to Michael and Maxine's class at G2 - it was very good last time I went.

More fun

Lisa*, it was great that you were finally back in action last night! I had a great time dancing with you - hope you didn't overdo it. I should have some new stuff from tomorrow's workshop to try out the next time I see you.

I nearly didn't make it cos I had a heavy day in work scheduled for today, but it got cancelled : )

Strange how few people there were last night, particularly as the music was buzzing. I really wasn't ready to go home at half twelve...

*see comment on this post

Great Western

Cuban salsa etc at the Great Western has now moved to Tuesdays.

Back to basics

I went along to Andy and Lucy's 'Improvers to Intermediate' workshop on Saturday to make up the number of men (along with honorary men Irene and Christalla). The venue was excellent - really good floor, mirrors on two walls, and very effective air conditioning. And while I think I made the transition from improvers to intermediate about three years ago, it's surprisingly useful to go back to basics and focus on the correct way of doing moves I normally do without thinking. Looking forward to the Advanced workshop this Saturday.

The Toad was good last week as well: I think the standard is definitely improving, and there was loads of good people to dance with. And that's even after arriving too late to dance with Christina and leaving too early to dance with Sofia. Most inspiring dance of the evening was with Lee: she has a fascinating way of working with the rhythm.

Sunday was fun at the Wharf, though the intermediate class (which I didn't join) looked a bit overcrowded since the previous day's workshop had got quite a few improvers deciding to try moving up. One of my favourite Cardiff dancers has been watching from the sidelines on Sundays since being sidelined with back problems. Fortunately she seems to be on the mend, so let's hope she'll be back in action soon. Most exhilarating dance was with Laura to a very fast track. I was momentarily disconcerted by hearing applause at the end until I realised it was for Andy and Lucy!

Went to O'Neills last night for the first time in weeks - busiest I've seen it for a long time. Music was better than usual.

Flashy London moves...huh!

The flashy London move I was pleased about learning last Wednesday? I found out on Sunday that it doesn't work (at least for me) on anyone who wasn't in the class. I think I may have worked out what's wrong with it, though, so I'll be trying out my new improved version on Thursday.

BTW the floor in the Wharf is now nicely grubby, so there wasn't too much skating on Sunday.

Good to see Irene back from Barcelona - hadn't danced with her for ages.

Dips

There's a bit of a debate lately on Salsajive about dips: someone complaining that his partner was injured by someone dipping her and suggesting that promoters should ban them. I've met women who've been put out of action by dips so I'm not a big fan. But I think they're OK if used sparingly and carefully.

I've learnt dips from both Andy and Paul, and they've both stressed safety as a priority. I've also seen (not from a Cardiff teacher) elaborate and potentially dangerous dips being taught without any mention of safety.

Key safety points? Don't do a deep dip on a new partner. Make sure there's plenty of space. Try to keep your own back straight and to dip by extending your arm, so that both of you keep your own balance.

Some people say you should always ask before you dip a new partner, but that does take some of the fun out - a bit like those guys who tell the women what move they are going to do next. My technique is to do a gentle dip the first time, led in such a way that she's got the option of not going with it. From the way she responds I can tell whether she's an enthusiastic dipper or not.

I would agree with the general point that some guys you see doing a lot of dipping aren't actually good dancers (I don't have any individual in mind here), a bit like the characters who try to do salsa trio when they can't actually lead one woman adequately.