No. 30 teenage boys, one instructor, fencing foils and accoutrements, and me trying to dance? Hah.
How are your practices going?
- Thread starter latingal
- Start date
I met up with Summer Practice Partner today for a joint practice. 2 hours, and it went OK. We had the floor to ourselves, and we’re at the point that, without traffic, we’re adequate at getting the rotations and alignments that we need. I’m not so sure that we’d be adequate if there were traffic – but hey, gotta leave room for improvement, right?
Heh, I did think that Female Pro from yesterday’s lesson would have probably fainted at how quickly SPP takes hold. I don’t mind the “simultaneous” method, but I do acknowledge that SPP does sometimes grab my right bicep with her left hand before I’ve actually placed my right hand on her shoulder blade….so maybe the sequencing could be studied just a tiny bit.
Heh, I did think that Female Pro from yesterday’s lesson would have probably fainted at how quickly SPP takes hold. I don’t mind the “simultaneous” method, but I do acknowledge that SPP does sometimes grab my right bicep with her left hand before I’ve actually placed my right hand on her shoulder blade….so maybe the sequencing could be studied just a tiny bit.
Happyhorsie
Well-Known Member
Jive practice hurts my feet lol. I think it’s cuz I’m still not applying the “bounce” my teacher talked about.
I’m still trying to find a decent practice space. The racquetball courts at the Y are a depressing place to practice. Yesterday, I’d reserved a court, and no sooner had I put on my shoes and headphones than a bully holding a racquet pounded on the door, all puffed up and demanding to know whether I had a reservation (clearly HE didn't have one). Then, about 10 minutes later, two girls, maybe 10 or 11 years old, opened the door, telling me that they were going to practice volleyball and it wouldn’t bother them if I kept dancing. So, I had to tell them “no”, that wouldn’t work and that I had reserved the court, and told them when I would be leaving. So, now I’ve gone from being the “lady who dances” to the “mean old &itch.” And the airlessness started to get to me yesterday. And, today, of course, I have sore hips and very sore feet from the flooring.
I mean, I know that practicing isn't always "fun"; but does it have to be cheerless and bleak?
Sigh.
I mean, I know that practicing isn't always "fun"; but does it have to be cheerless and bleak?
Sigh.
The City where I work (and where the Y is located) is about 50 minutes West of where I live; the Studio where I take lessons is about 45 minutes East of where I live.
When I finish work at the end of the day, I don’t really want to drive about 90 minutes, so that I can practice for about 60 minutes before I have to drive about another 45 minutes to get home.
For lessons, I would do that. For practice, no.
For those of you who actually DO that kind of thing in order to practice - my hat is off to you.
Happyhorsie
Well-Known Member
Maybe there are studios or potential practice spaces somewhere along your route home? That way the commute would not be as inconvenient. As an aside, I completely with emphasize with you on the commute issue; I also travel for about an hour, sometimes more, to get to my lessons; I also only practice at the studio before/after my lesson and practice closer to home at a gym otherwise.
There are only 2 "ballroom" studios in the city where I work. One is Arthur Murray and they won't let me practice there. The other studio has only a small wood laminate over concrete floor, with a floor fee rental of $55/hour - and I'm not going to do that.
The other "studios" are ballet studios, with those black marley floors.
I've looked at park district facilities, community recreation buildings, community college spaces, and dance studio facilities within about a 30-mile radius of where I live. I've been looking at wedding and banquet venues, and hotels that might have ballroom-sized rooms that might be idle during mid-week. But they are all combinations of unsuitable size, wood-over-concrete or "tiled" floors, and they are priced for "events", not for a dancer who wants to practice for about 60-90 minutes, 2 or 3 times a week.
My local historical society (where I'm a member) is in an old, old building, and it has a "stage" that has a wood floor that is not over concrete, but they won't let me use it. And, even if they did, their hours aren't workable for me.
I'm out of ideas. (I know, I know: excuses, excuses.)
bia
Forum Master
No, I get it; I've been there. The place we were grateful to find for when our regular space (university rec center) isn't available (student groups and football game days get dibs, plus they're renovating this summer) is a barre studio -- nice floor, space big enough for worthwhile chunks, though not for rounds (why we didn't compete this summer). Not to say that any barre studios in your area would have nice floors or nice owners, but maybe an idea, since I don't see them on your list? Though if they fall under "dance studio facilities" that you've already tried, I got nothing. I particularly feel for you about the historical society -- old old buildings have the best floors! They wouldn't let us use our local one either.
Oh, wait -- one brainstorm I had recently was the local roller rink. I have no idea about the floor quality or hours or any rental possibilities besides child birthday parties; it just struck me that it's a big open non-carpeted space. If I'm stuck again, that's where I'll ask next.
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Happyhorsie
Well-Known Member
If you would be willing to dm me your location, I can see if I have any ideas for you? No guarantees but I think we live in a similar area, based on what you have said in past posts.
Roller rinks have very solid floors. Roller skating puts a lot of stress on the floor. I think the one I dance at is wood over concrete -- not very flexible, but it is smooth.
You've also got the problem with it's a real big space that requires a lot of lighting and air conditioning. It's great if you've got a dance crowd to share the expense with, but for one person? I don't think so. And I don' think I'd be happy trying to avoid the skaters when it's open. (The children's birthday parties seem to rent a room for their private party and skate with everyone else.)
Ugh. I'm in pain. My bunion flared up. And not clear why - I haven't been dancing or running more than usual. I think I was walking more on vacation a couple of weeks ago in shoes that are not quite tight but they touch it. And now practices are painful, especially smooth - I can't roll my foot. And the rhythm shoe straps stop before the bunion but the smooth goes over it. Ouch.
Anyone else deal with them?
Anyone else deal with them?