Country and Western Dancing

[Vince A]

Vince,
Thanks for your words of wisdom. I know the routine cold, in my head, I can do it without my partner. I have written it out twice. My partner does not have such an easy time memorizing things, so I am trying to help him learn it as best I can.

You're a good partner . . .

Don't write the routine out too or continue to run it through your mind. If 'your' memory mixes it up somewhat . . . the two of you could be doing different parts at different times. Get it committed to "muscle memory."

And, how about you counting it out loud once, and then him do it, so you confirm that both of you are on the same page.

We do need to discuss what happens if we both blank out in the middle of the song.

Yes, and be ready to follow as Jenn said!

We are hoping to go to the Gateway Dance Festival in St. Louis in April, which is a UCWDC event.

Cool . . . Gateway . . . great, but smaller event. If this is your first event, it's a good one to get your feet wet in.

It's a lot of work, but I am really excited to get out on the floor

Granted . . . it is a lot of work . . . you'll be ready! Remember to relax, and whatever amounts of nervousness that you may get . . . turn it into energy - only the two of you know the routine, so you'll be the only ones who know if a mistake is made . . . so don't lose composure, thus catching everyone's eyes . . . including the judges!

 

[AnnieMarie]

Hi Everyone,
It's been a bit since I could post. Lots and lots and lots and lots of practice. Whew. I seem to be stuck on one small part...frustrating, but I'll get through it eventually. My friend and I are looking forward to our performance this weekend. Hard to believe it's here already. Although I guess three weeks is a pretty quick turn around to perform most of a routine.

Hope everyone's dancing is going great for them so far this year.

Ann

 

[Vince A]

AM,
Just mak sure you get back to us on "how" you did . . . and I'm not talking about the first place in your division that you will get :wink:

I've told others this . . . just remember how it "feels" as you finish that very first competition dance and are walking, hand-in-hand, off that dance floor . . . chersish that moment! Play it back in your head, over and over.

You can make each and every competition feel the same. It's up to you!

 

[AnnieMarie]

The Results Are In

Hi Everyone,
The whole weekend at Dance Camp was awesome, great workshops, great instructors...okay food. You can't win them all.

My friend was really nervous right before we had to compete. To the point that his blood sugar really dropped and we weren't sure if we were going to be able to do our two step or not. Luckily eating some food and drinking a Pepsi helped. It was so much fun to get out there and dance. All the practice, and frustration and aggravation paying off. What an awesome feeling We competed in the "First Time" division so there wasn't an overall awarded...we took 1st place for our two step. Everyone was talking to us after the competition about how well we did.

Wanted to drop in with the update. We get a couple days to savor it, then back to work to prepare for St. Louis in April.

Ann

 

[Vince A]

I was gone most of this past weekend . . got to work this AM, and the first place I went was here to see if you had posted . . .

See? I told that you would do good. Congratulations . . . 1st in Two Step! And that's the hard one to get right. Kinda nice nice to "feel like a star" for a few minutes, eh?

Tell your partner congratulations from me . . . and I especially know what it feels like when the blood sugar drops. Believe me - I know! It happened to me in the middle of an ECS at the World Championships, but I didn't know what was causing it then. Now I do!

Keep working at getting your minimum amount of routines together and get them on the floor. Floor time is so invaluable!

It's nothing but upward for the two of you . . . now go kick butt!

Keep us posted!

 

[AnnieMarie]

Vince,
Thank you so much. I will pass along the congratulations to my friend. Apparently we exceeded our coaches expectations....that's always a bonus. We haven't watched the video yet.

We are working on getting our routines done. I know we won't have a full program in April but hopefully by August we will have 5 dances up and running. I will be doing five dances in April with my coach though. Lots of work to do

Too bad I can't win the lotto...then I could just go to dance events. That would be fun.

I am most excited about the gift certificates we won towards some Evenin Star boots. I need some new one now that we are allowed to wear them without welts on them. I tried a pair on...really comfortable and much easier to dance without the welt.

 

[Vince A]

Vince,
Thank you so much. I will pass along the congratulations to my friend. Apparently we exceeded our coaches expectations....that's always a bonus. We haven't watched the video yet.

Remember that we are our own worst critics . . . don't over-critic yourself. I literally "hate" the videos that I buy . . .

We are working on getting our routines done. I know we won't have a full program in April but hopefully by August we will have 5 dances up and running. I will be doing five dances in April with my coach though. Lots of work to do

Don't forget that your partner could also learn your new routines that you do with your coach . . . although your partner may have to do a more simplified version of what your coach does. Don't forget . . . you are paying for that choreography! You can use it!

Too bad I can't win the lotto...then I could just go to dance events. That would be fun.

That's what my wife says . . .

I am most excited about the gift certificates we won towards some Evenin Star boots. I need some new one now that we are allowed to wear them without welts on them. I tried a pair on...really comfortable and much easier to dance without the welt.

I know what you mean . . I love my ES boots. . . especially when dancing the Waltz . . . yet in WCS . . . I don't like them. If I happen to look down, all I see is my semi-pointed toes . . . just a perception issue I think???

 

[AnnieMarie]

Vince,
It's just our video...we had someone use my friends camcorder...but same deal, we are our own worst critics. I don't mind doing WCS in my boots, but that's all I know. I've tried other dance shoes, so far none compare to my boots.

I'm doing Newcomer with my coach, so I don't get a routine. He has them, but he doesn't teach them to me. My job is to follow...so when we practice he likes to change things up on me.

I guess those of us on Dance Forums would be really happy to just go to dance events.

 

[Vince A]

Vince,
It's just our video...we had someone use my friends camcorder...but same deal, we are our own worst critics. I don't mind doing WCS in my boots, but that's all I know. I've tried other dance shoes, so far none compare to my boots.

I'm doing Newcomer with my coach, so I don't get a routine. He has them, but he doesn't teach them to me. My job is to follow...so when we practice he likes to change things up on me.

I guess those of us on Dance Forums would be really happy to just go to dance events.

You are lucky . . . most of the events do not allow camcorders!

RE: Evening Star boots . . . I know lots of people who compete in "Swing only" events and they still wear those boots! They are great to dance in.

I can't beleive that your coach does his own routine with you. You "should" know the entire routine . . . he is human you know, and he can also forget. Then you could pull him back to reality.

But if you got it on tape . . . you have one routine that you and your partner could do . . . tape the rest of your dances???

Some of the very best times that I've ever had were at dance events. Yep, we're a happy bunch!

 

[pygmalion]

Vince,
It's just our video...we had someone use my friends camcorder...but same deal, we are our own worst critics. I don't mind doing WCS in my boots, but that's all I know. I've tried other dance shoes, so far none compare to my boots.

I'm doing Newcomer with my coach, so I don't get a routine. He has them, but he doesn't teach them to me. My job is to follow...so when we practice he likes to change things up on me.

I guess those of us on Dance Forums would be really happy to just go to dance events.

Best of luck! Let me know how it goes. This is exciting.

 

[AnnieMarie]

I want to clarify with my coach and my Newcomer Routine. He does have routines that he choreographs and has his Am's learn above the Newcomer level. What he does with me is based on what he choregraphed for myself and my partner he just mixes other things in so I HAVE to follow. We are very limited as to what we can actually do in Newcomer Pro-Am. There is a step sheet he has to go by...so I'm not doing a Masters routine in Newcomer Pro-Am, not even close.

I lapse into anticipating...so he likes to keep me on my toes

This was a non-sanctioned event run by the SwingNCountry club in Chicago, so they sold video passes. Yes, more and more the events are not letting people record on their own.

 

[Vince A]

I want to clarify with my coach and my Newcomer Routine. He does have routines that he choreographs and has his Am's learn above the Newcomer level. What he does with me is based on what he choregraphed for myself and my partner he just mixes other things in so I HAVE to follow. We are very limited as to what we can actually do in Newcomer Pro-Am. There is a step sheet he has to go by...so I'm not doing a Masters routine in Newcomer Pro-Am, not even close.

This was a non-sanctioned event run by the SwingNCountry club in Chicago, so they sold video passes. Yes, more and more the events are not letting people record on their own.

OK, I got ya' . . . I thought that even though it was a non-sanctioned event that they still went by UCWDC rules???

I still do, although the degree of difficulty has moved up, the same routine as an Intermediate dancer as I did as a newcomer. When you learn it as a newcomer, your steps are very basic. You are judged on the basics . . . many judges do not look beyond this area. If you can't get the correct footwork . . . they won't look above your knees!

Then as you move up, the same routine only changes the patterns that allow more advanced footwork - chasses, lock-steps, swivels, etc - and you begin learning how to have softer arm, where you head needs to be, body language, rib isolations, etc. These are the things you need to have as you move up that proverbial ladder!

 

[jxntwinkletoes]

I LOVE CW dancing! The 2step is my favorite! That is how I got started dancing by going to a club that played CW music. I loved to watch the dancers and always wanted to learn how to do what they were doing. My hairstylist befriended me one day after I was crying on her shoulder about a guy. She was a dancer and she taught me some basic steps and introduced me to the guys that were dancers. And I was on my way! Since the dance studios didn't teach CW dancing in my area, I started taking ballroom lessons. Then I started going to the UCWDC events and taking workshops to learn more CW and swing. I definately recommend going to a UCWDC event. You will get a whole new appreciation for CW dancing. These events also have lots of swing comps and workshops as well and you see the best WCS dancers! People think I can really dance and am really a great dancer, but when I go to these events I feel like such a beginner. The dancers there are so much better than the level of dancers here in mississippi. And being able to dance with then of course makes me a better dancer. I hate it that some people look down on CW dancing because they just don't know what they are talking about. It is so much more than line dancing! I have pretty much won over my ballroom friends so that they don't make fun of it in front of me and will even go CW dancing themselves sometimes.

 

[AnnieMarie]

Welcom jxntwinkletoes I too fell in love with CW dance. I always loved to watch dance, ballroom, ballet...any type that I consider a more graceful form. Although all styles are beautiful in their own right.

I have seen many people truly amazed at the dancing they see at UCWDC events vs. what they would see on your average saturday night out at the saloon

 

[Vince A]

I have seen many people truly amazed at the dancing they see at UCWDC events vs. what they would see on your average saturday night out at the saloon

And most of those 2-Step dancers that you'll see at a UCWDC event also compete and excel in the Ballroom venues, not to mention the Swing World.

I should issue a challenge to the Ballroom dancers/DF members, who have never, ever did a 2-Step, to try to get it and get it well within a year. It's not an easy dance to get right . . . lead or follow! It's every bit as difficult as any of the Ballroom dances . . . it's the music they'll have to suffer with . . .