Yes, we have finally seen some sunshine!! Yes, we are seeing flowers blooming at last!! And what do our thoughts turn to? West Coast Swing!!
This dance has become a summer favorite with everyone. Any kind of Swing makes us all happy, but there is something about the music of West Coast, whether it's the traditional bluesy sounds or the new contemporary songs, that just makes us all want to get up and shake it!!
I guess WC is on my mind right now because I have recently become aware that while some people in the Albany area are into the dance, there is another faction that absolutely hates it. How is this possible???? One of the big happy surprises for me is how much everyone in GF loves this particular dance and starts clamoring for it as soon as the snow has melted!!!
I think it is all in the teaching approach.......many people who teach the dance encourage their students right away to start "doing their own thing" and adding styling. The problem with that approach is that you can't play around with something until you really understand it. You have to have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of the dance before you can add or change things. How can you play with a basic if you don't really know what it is supposed to be?
One of the things I love about dancing is that it always makes sense. There is a reason why you do something or lead something at a particular time --- it's never hit or miss. And that is still true with West Coast Swing. You have the freedom to play, but always need to stay within the boundaries or framework of the dance (and the rhythm of the music)----otherwise it just becomes a mushy mess.
Most of you are working on Hustle or Samba right now, but West Coast is fast approaching. We will be reviewing some of the fun patterns we did last year, and of course, adding new ones. If you have never tried West Coast before, you should join the BEG-2 class on Sundays at 4 PM. This class will be doing West Coast for the very first time, and we will take our time learning the basics and getting a feel for the dance. And they will end up loving it too!!!
Why do we love this dance so much? I think the men like the dance because for them the footwork is really pretty simplistic, there isn't anything that's super difficult and if you dance to slow bluesy music, you won't work up a sweat like you do for East Coast. We women love it because let's face it, let's admit it------ it makes us feel sexy!! All those ladies who have a need for the "twirlies" get to turn and spin, and those of us who like to "wind up our bottoms and go like a rocket" (yeah, that's me) get to shake it. Hey, that's one of the reasons why Zumba is so popular --- women get to wiggle and can tell themselves it's good for them!!!
Here are some tips to remember:
1. Arms should be held parallel to the floor, please avoid the "squirrel-eating-a-nut" look with hands up. And please do not bounce your hands in time to the music, which will confuse your partner and make your leads muddy.
2. Ladies should always stay behind the man's hand for the 1-2 counts. He's going to lead something on 3, so do not go past him. You'll have an easier time doing this is you avoid heel leads for the 1-2. Watch Brandi Tobias on the internet --- never a heel lead and she is absolutely fantastic!!
3. When I show you a pattern, please please try to do it exactly as shown. While it is certainly allowed to play with your anchor step, make sure that your variation is on purpose and not by accident!!!
4. You must lead the patterns at the right time, just as in all other dances. Otherwise, the lady either misses the lead completely or feels like she's constantly playing "catch-up".
5. Once you feel you have the footwork down, go ahead and relax with it. Remember the dance is about playful fun between the partners, and there should be an easy relaxed feel to the dance rather than a stiff or mechanical feel. Men are allowed to "plop" through the footwork and worry more about the leading. Ladies, get those tushies moving!!
