About Night Club Two-Step

[Spitfire]

Although I don't really know it that well yet I really have come to enjoy NC2S. I went to a progressive 3 week group class about a year ago, but can only remember one or two things that were taught, so what I've been doing is using moves in other dances that I'm familiar with that work pretty well.

Even though it may be kind of hard to do so, I was wondering if those of you here who also enjoy the dance can describe some different NC2S patterns that you enjoy.

[Vince A]

Although I don't really know it that well yet I really have come to enjoy NC2S. I went to a progressive 3 week group class about a year ago, but can only remember one or two things that were taught, so what I've been doing is using moves in other dances that I'm familiar with that work pretty well.

Even though it may be kind of hard to do so, I was wondering if those of you here who also enjoy the dance can describe some different NC2S patterns that you enjoy.
You have tough requests . . .
I do the NC2S, in fact, next month my wife and I are doing a demo at a club, then we will teach a few patterns. Later in the year, we hope to team up for the first time and compete in NC2S, Hustle, and WCS.

I am very detailed, and to teach a pattern over the 'net would be difficult.

You already said that you can incorporate moves from other ances. Try that for a while, but for goodness sakes, get the basics down real good.

It is a romantic slow dance, so look deep into the eyes of the one you are dancing with . . .

Remember as you go from side-to-side, to lead with your ribs, so that you appear to be arching your body away the side that you were just on, and then straighten up by putting your weight on the outside foot.

As you do the count, however you do it . . . S Q Q S-a Q Q S-a . . . etc. The are other ways to count this, but try to remember to say slow-a as you put the weight to the outside foot. So the counts, as above, would be . . . beginning: S Q Q S-a Q Q S-a Q Q S-a . . .

Now, the above is not 100% wriiten, as more could/should be said, but I am only trying to get you to visualize the movement of the body.

See how difficult it is to explain how to do a move by writing it out???

Remember to, as you bring the, say L foot into the backstep, check step, rockback, what you call it . . . the one that goes behind you on a quick, the R foot or second quick goes across in front of that L foot, setting you up for the slow!

This is already too difficult to write out. I would suggest, getting a group class to learn moves. As you get into the basics of the dance, those moves that you know CAN be used.

[Sagitta]

You know when I looked at a NC2S by Ron Montez, that a friend had bought from Dancevision, I recollect the basic going something like 1a2, 3a4. (Note to self to borrow tape.) So, LF rock back(1), replace weight on RF(a), LF side (2), RF rock back(3), replace weight on LF(a), RF side (4). If this is correct, how would it fit into the S Q pattern?

[KevinL]

Sagitta,

As Vince says, there are several ways to count Nightclub 2-step. (That's especially true because I don't recognise the way that Vince counted it, 8^). ) I've seen NC2S counted as either QQS QQS, or as 1a2 3a4. I think Ron Montez counts 1a2 3a4, and as I recall that is also how Michelle Kincaid counts it, but I could be recalling wrong.

So, based on how you (and I) remember that tape:

LF rock back(1),
replace weight on RF(a),
LF side (2),
RF rock back(3),
replace weight on LF(a),
RF side (4).

You could also count it as:

LF rock back(Q),
replace weight on RF(Q),
LF side (S),
RF rock back(Q),
replace weight on LF(Q),
RF side (S).

The difference would be that the first version would take 4 beats, while the second version would be 8 beats.

Regarding co-opting patterns from other dances, the timing is the same as salsa, so you should be able to interchange patterns. The style and look of the two dances is completely different, though.

Kevin

[Sagitta]

Thanks Kevin. :D I use both the 4 and 8 beat count!! For a little while there I was doubting myself since I learnt NC2S just by dancing socially to the music, and I just started dancing recently.

[Vince A]

Sagitta and KevinL,
Both of the counts that you mentioned are correct . . . I just pointed out a count that "orks for me" to insure that I get the proper sway out of the dance . . I change counts to make the dance work for me, so I don't have to work at the dance!

If I were to teach a class, I would never mention the counts I used above.

The dance is evolving, even since I started competing in it . . .

Judges want to see a triangular pattern made as the couple travels . . .
Feet are never to leave the floor . . . only glide . . .

Etc. . . .

[Sagitta]

Well, plan to try out your variation Vince and see how it feels one of these days. :)

[Vince A]

Even more . . . straight out of my book of notes, etc.

The standard position for night club two step is a closed position, but it's neither the strong topline of smooth/standard nor the more inward and verticle arm bold of Latin/rhythm. Instead, it's somewhere in between, and more relaxed (though firm, of course). Eye contact is encouraged.

Two Versions: (A) Popular in the East & (B) California Style
A. Timing: 4/4 Rhythm: QQS 1 2 3 (4) QQS 1 2 3 (4)
Dance Position: Closed
Footwork: Rock step, side step, rock step, side step MAN
QQSQQS

Step back left
Replace right
Step side left
Step back right
Replace left
Step side right

LADY
QQSQQS

Step back right
Replace left
Step side right
Step back left
Replace right
Step side left

Note: Some instructors teach it 1 & 2 but dance it to QQS.

(B) Timing: 2/4
Rhythm: 1 & 2 3 & 4
Dance Position: Closed
Footwork: Ball-change-side, ball-change-side

MAN
1&23&4

Step back left
Replace right
Step side left
Step back right
Replace left
Step side right

LADY
1&23&4

Step back right
Replace left
Step side right
Step back left
Replace right
Step side left

Note: On counts 3 & 4, the side cross footwork is used often for better movement. 3&4

Step back right
Cross left over right
Step side right
3&4
Step back left
Cross right over left
Step side left

Beginner's Level: Basic Step, Outside Turn & Inside Turn
Intermediate Level: Left Couple Turn, Right Couple Turn, Outside Turn-Walk w/Couple's Free Turn, Couple's Left & Right Combination

[bjp22tango]

I didn't really see any difference between the East Coast and West Coast variations that Vince listed except for the side cross of the footwork and the timing difference.

Five or six years ago, when taking this class from Buddy Schwimmer (the "originator" of this dance) he mentioned that he prefers the rock step basic start over the the side step basic mentioned in an earlier post.

The dance borrows moves from many dances - swing, samba, rumba, to name just a few...
He also mentioned that this is a very fluid, improvisitory dance that can use different tempos, not just slow ballads which most of us dance it to. I find myself using the 8 beat count when dancing to slow music and the 4 beat 1&2 3&4 count when dancing to more upbeat music.

He basically started dancing it when music would play that didn't have a "standard dance format" - cha cha, swing, etc.

Competition will cause NC2Step to be "standardized", but in the social world NC2Step will stay open to wide interpretation, just like Swing, Salsa, and any other dance that is done on the "street". :D

Personally, I find NC2Step to be one of my very favorite dances to both lead and follow.

[pygmalion]

Hi bjp22tango! It's nice to have you with us. :D 8)

[Vince A]

I didn't really see any difference between the East Coast and West Coast variations that Vince listed except for the side cross of the footwork and the timing difference.

Five or six years ago, when taking this class from Buddy Schwimmer (the "originator" of this dance) he mentioned that he prefers the rock step basic start over the the side step basic mentioned in an earlier post.

The dance borrows moves from many dances - swing, samba, rumba, to name just a few...
He also mentioned that this is a very fluid, improvisitory dance that can use different tempos, not just slow ballads which most of us dance it to. I find myself using the 8 beat count when dancing to slow music and the 4 beat 1&2 3&4 count when dancing to more upbeat music.

He basically started dancing it when music would play that didn't have a "standard dance format" - cha cha, swing, etc.

Competition will cause NC2Step to be "standardized", but in the social world NC2Step will stay open to wide interpretation, just like Swing, Salsa, and any other dance that is done on the "street". :D

Personally, I find NC2Step to be one of my very favorite dances to both lead and follow.
Nice response bjp22tango . . . exactly what needed to be said . . . competition will standardize, although in one year, in UCWDC, that standard has already changed, yet, as you say . . . individual interpretation "will stay wide open."