Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Heels
Got involved in an argument over on London Salsa - some prat thinks all women dancers should wear skirts and heels. Neanderthal is the term that springs to mind...
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Private lesson
Sarah and I had a private lesson with Andy (Witt) last night. I was overdue for one: I could tell I was picking up some bad habits but I wasn't sure exactly what I was doing wrong.
He's particularly good at watching you dancing and then showing you exactly what you need to do to improve things (and he also explains why). In his smaller group classes you get a taste of that, but in a private lesson you get so much depth.
It's extraordinary how moves I thought I knew suddenly felt more controlled, relaxed and enjoyable with a few minor changes. Most of the lesson was focused on improvements to basic technique, but we also learnt an unusual and surprising move which I'm itching to try out on Thursday (you have been warned...)
If you're thinking that private lessons are extravagant, nothing beats them for getting tuition that really focuses on what you as an individual (or as a couple) need to learn. From that point of view they're a lot more cost-effective than group lessons: I'm going to be spending the next few weeks trying to get what I learnt last night embedded in my dancing.
(For any Bristolians reading this, Andy's teaching at Fiesta Havana this week.)
He's particularly good at watching you dancing and then showing you exactly what you need to do to improve things (and he also explains why). In his smaller group classes you get a taste of that, but in a private lesson you get so much depth.
It's extraordinary how moves I thought I knew suddenly felt more controlled, relaxed and enjoyable with a few minor changes. Most of the lesson was focused on improvements to basic technique, but we also learnt an unusual and surprising move which I'm itching to try out on Thursday (you have been warned...)
If you're thinking that private lessons are extravagant, nothing beats them for getting tuition that really focuses on what you as an individual (or as a couple) need to learn. From that point of view they're a lot more cost-effective than group lessons: I'm going to be spending the next few weeks trying to get what I learnt last night embedded in my dancing.
(For any Bristolians reading this, Andy's teaching at Fiesta Havana this week.)
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
More real dancing
At last, a pop star who can really dance (move over Britney and Madonna): look at this for body isolation. Looks even better on TV.
Bank Holiday Monday
Irene's got social dancing after her beginners' class at Llandaff North Rugby Club on Monday.
Beginners 7.00-8.00p.m £4 including social dancing
freestyle 8.00-11.00p.m £2
She says it's a nice cosy venue with a bar, so I'm going to try and get there.
Beginners 7.00-8.00p.m £4 including social dancing
freestyle 8.00-11.00p.m £2
She says it's a nice cosy venue with a bar, so I'm going to try and get there.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Various
I went to Cuba for Nathalie's leaving do last week. Nice bunch of people there, as you'd expect. Good luck, Nathalie - hope to dance with you in Bristol sometime.
I saw Kate there - the rueda course is now likely to be in September if she can find a suitable venue. I've been waiting two years for it so another month won't make any difference!
I've heard from two separate sources that Andy's Sunday night in Newport is good: a reasonable sized class, not too difficult, with a good balance of men and women. I was planning to try to get there next week but it's not on because of the Bank Holiday weekend : (
I saw Kate there - the rueda course is now likely to be in September if she can find a suitable venue. I've been waiting two years for it so another month won't make any difference!
I've heard from two separate sources that Andy's Sunday night in Newport is good: a reasonable sized class, not too difficult, with a good balance of men and women. I was planning to try to get there next week but it's not on because of the Bank Holiday weekend : (
Friday, August 18, 2006
Magic
I had so much fun in Bar Risa last night – I didn't stop smiling all the way home. It helped that I've got a day off today so I knew I could stay until the end. Loads of nice dances (I think I sat out about three dances in an hour and a half) several new people, and consistently good music. Got a couple of nice compliments as well.
Isn't it funny what some women say, though? I asked a woman (think she was Italian) for a dance, and the first thing she said was "I'm not a dancer." She then spent the next five minutes comprehensively disproving what she'd just said: great sense of rhythm, graceful mover and light following. I assume what she meant was that she didn't know loads of moves, but that doesn't matter if you've got natural ability.
Isn't it funny what some women say, though? I asked a woman (think she was Italian) for a dance, and the first thing she said was "I'm not a dancer." She then spent the next five minutes comprehensively disproving what she'd just said: great sense of rhythm, graceful mover and light following. I assume what she meant was that she didn't know loads of moves, but that doesn't matter if you've got natural ability.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
2 new
That's the new rule at Bar Risa: in the free dancing you have to dance with at least two people you haven't danced with before. The idea is to try and break up the perceived cliqueiness (is that a word?) and make sure that everyone gets to dance. It's a good idea, too. I have to admit that I sometimes get lazy about dancing with new people, particularly lately since there are so many good dancers around that I can have an enjoyable night without ever asking anyone I don't know.
So last Thursday I danced with one beginner and then with someone who I thought was a beginner (I hadn't seen her before and she was standing in a corner of the dancefloor). My mistake: she was good. But the only way to get her to smile was to do something complicated or unusual. I didn't mind - I don't expect partners to smile all the time as it's much nicer if they smile because they mean it. (A fixed grin on someone who obviously isn't really enjoying herself isn't attractive).
A fairly new dancer mentioned to me recently that one of the women he dances with never smiles, and thought she was was being unfriendly. It's more likely that she didn't smile because she was concentrating or because she wasn't feeling confident.
I had an amusing encounter with a couple of beginners in London a couple of years ago. He was Canadian and she was Spanish and they were struggling with a CBL inside turn. I asked if they wanted some advice and showed them how Andy had taught me to do it. "She smiles when you dance with her!" he said in surprise, which was quite gratifying...
So last Thursday I danced with one beginner and then with someone who I thought was a beginner (I hadn't seen her before and she was standing in a corner of the dancefloor). My mistake: she was good. But the only way to get her to smile was to do something complicated or unusual. I didn't mind - I don't expect partners to smile all the time as it's much nicer if they smile because they mean it. (A fixed grin on someone who obviously isn't really enjoying herself isn't attractive).
A fairly new dancer mentioned to me recently that one of the women he dances with never smiles, and thought she was was being unfriendly. It's more likely that she didn't smile because she was concentrating or because she wasn't feeling confident.
I had an amusing encounter with a couple of beginners in London a couple of years ago. He was Canadian and she was Spanish and they were struggling with a CBL inside turn. I asked if they wanted some advice and showed them how Andy had taught me to do it. "She smiles when you dance with her!" he said in surprise, which was quite gratifying...
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Cuba
Haven't been to Bar Cuba for ages, but I went along with Sarah last night. I was expecting lots of smoke and lots of drunks, but it was great: a really nice relaxed atmosphere, good music and nice people to dance with. Now's the time to go (before it fills up with drunk students in October).
I got to try out some of the moves from the advanced workshop, and Sarah taught me how to do 'Coca-Cola' properly (she leads it very well.) It was great to dance with her: she manages to follow 'experimental' moves and multiple spins that I wouldn't dare try on anyone else.
A couple of weeks ago I overheard some teenage girls in the street walking past our house. One of them said "Sometimes I don't go dancing for ages and then I just have to go - it's scary." I know exactly what she meant: I couldn't believe how much better (physically and mentally) I felt this morning after a good night's dancing.
I got to try out some of the moves from the advanced workshop, and Sarah taught me how to do 'Coca-Cola' properly (she leads it very well.) It was great to dance with her: she manages to follow 'experimental' moves and multiple spins that I wouldn't dare try on anyone else.
A couple of weeks ago I overheard some teenage girls in the street walking past our house. One of them said "Sometimes I don't go dancing for ages and then I just have to go - it's scary." I know exactly what she meant: I couldn't believe how much better (physically and mentally) I felt this morning after a good night's dancing.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Real dancing
Back
I got home from holiday on Saturday night after rushing across Ireland to get the ferry (made it with 15 minutes to spare). I didn't get to dance when I was over there. It was tempting, but Westport - 70 miles from were we were staying - was too far away even for me. (It was great being able to go out for a drink everywhere without a fug of smoke, though. I find myself in the unfamiliar position of agreeing with Hugh on SalsaCardiff - only on this topic, though.)
Half an hour's rest and a quick shower and it was out to La Tasca. The dancefloor was surprisingly empty earlier on (due to Party in the Park). The first dance was a bit disconcerting as all the non-dancers there seemed to be standing round watching us - I think they thought we were the floor show! I'm not as rusty as I expected after a fortnight off, which was a relief. I had a few nice dances, but I called it a day once the reggaeton took over (I'm too old and too English - at least when I'm sober - though everyone under thirty seemed to be really enjoying it).
A few bits of news. Stevie from Salsamania is running a monthly 'quality event' at the Holiday Inn, Bristol, with some major DJs and performers. I heard on Saturday that the first one was good but the venue was a bit clinical - Jordy reckoned it was like dancing on a cruise liner. (Mind you, he also finds the Claverton Rooms clinical - obviously ambience is a priority for the Spanish crowd.) I also heard that Andy's new Sunday night in Newport got off to a good start.
Natalie's leaving Cardiff, unfortunately, with a leaving get-together at Bar Cuba on the 15th (not the 22nd as originally posted).
Finally, there's a debate about the quality of teaching in Bristol on the Salsajive site that might be of interest to anyone who goes over there regularly, though you need to ignore the childish abuse.
Half an hour's rest and a quick shower and it was out to La Tasca. The dancefloor was surprisingly empty earlier on (due to Party in the Park). The first dance was a bit disconcerting as all the non-dancers there seemed to be standing round watching us - I think they thought we were the floor show! I'm not as rusty as I expected after a fortnight off, which was a relief. I had a few nice dances, but I called it a day once the reggaeton took over (I'm too old and too English - at least when I'm sober - though everyone under thirty seemed to be really enjoying it).
A few bits of news. Stevie from Salsamania is running a monthly 'quality event' at the Holiday Inn, Bristol, with some major DJs and performers. I heard on Saturday that the first one was good but the venue was a bit clinical - Jordy reckoned it was like dancing on a cruise liner. (Mind you, he also finds the Claverton Rooms clinical - obviously ambience is a priority for the Spanish crowd.) I also heard that Andy's new Sunday night in Newport got off to a good start.
Natalie's leaving Cardiff, unfortunately, with a leaving get-together at Bar Cuba on the 15th (not the 22nd as originally posted).
Finally, there's a debate about the quality of teaching in Bristol on the Salsajive site that might be of interest to anyone who goes over there regularly, though you need to ignore the childish abuse.
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