You’ve heard of the Horse Whisperer and even the Baby Whisperer so why not have a Lead Whisperer. That’s me. I am the Lead Whisperer. I’m going to talk about the small details that make one a better lead. It starts with the confidence with which you hold the lead in the very beginning of the dance. And not just how you hold them but where do you place your hands. I will discuss pacing your dance to coordinate with the music and with your follow. If you are whipping out the slide-between-your-legs-followed-by-a-triple-spin-by-the-lead move within the first 15 seconds of the song, then you need to think about pacing yourself. Also don’t outdance your lead. By that I mean notice the level of the dancer who you are dancing with and dance accordingly. It quickly becomes boring to notice a non-synchronous dance couple. I will also go into the psychology of lead-follow dancing and how it plays itself out on the dance floor. What makes me qualified to talk about these issues? Lots and lots of dancing and even more importantly lots of watching other dancers dance. So, if you buy into that then come back and check out this column regularly and please comment too.
See you soon and keep dancing.
Dennis
Welcome to the world of Rueda dancing. Learn to listen and respond to the music as I teach you the essence of the dance and you learn 10 fun and easy moves.
Casino Level 2: Mondays 8:00 – 9:00 pm $80.00 for 6 class series Pay now at PayPal
6 week series begins January 4th 2010 (Adv. Casino Dancing)
Learn about spacing, body awareness, hand positions, and improving your timing. The emphasis in this class is on efficiency of movement, ganging moves together,and precision of new moves..Footwork drills and core exercises begin each class.
Dennis Richards 1833 North 51st. Street Seattle, WA. 98103.
Email: dennisrichards@yahoo.com
Class Location: Phinney Neighborhood Association
6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle 98103
upper building, free parking
Private Lessons
Call for appointment 206 367-3739
Sharpen your dance skills with a private lesson which can focus on the music, body awareness, body positioning, becoming a better dance partner, and developing your personal style. Please call in advance to schedule your private lesson.
Price: $45 per person or $80 for a couple for an hour and 15 minute class. Individual 4-class series discount $160.00 Couples 4-class series discount $300.00
Easy payment Pay now at PayPal
Saturdays, 6:00 – 7:10 pm
In Casino Elements you will learn the basic “guapea,” the casino cross-body lead, circular dancing basics, crossing techniques, and (K)not Salsa.
$60 for 6-class series
Easy payment Pay now atPayPal
Saturdays, 7:30 – 8:45 pm
This class is designed to help dancers improve phrasing, pausing, centering, gesturing, spacing and isolation. Improve your ability to respond to music, to fluidly link movements, and to foster more spontaneous play and creativity in your dance. I will not be teaching you moves but rather improving your ability to dance from your core.. Come ready to sweat!
$60 for 6-class series. Pay now at PayPal
You don’t have to fumble through your first dance. Why not surprise everyone as you beautifully glide across the floor with your new partner and start the festivities with a bang. By learning how to do some basic steps the two of you can really kick up your heels with flair and style. Let me show you how.
Class Location
Todo Bien Studios (in Wallingford)
5417 Meridian Street
Seattle, WA 98103
It’s not Salsa.
What? What is it then?
That’s how it all started. People were asking what the heck I was doing and why did it look so weird to them. So I started explaining it. You know “It’s similar to Salsa but it’s more circular in nature. It’s actually the precursor to Salsa… blah blah blah. It’s roots are Son blah blah blah.” Some stayed and listened. Others drifted off in search of a dance partner or anyone to get them out of the conversation.
And then it hit me one day. It’s not only not Salsa but it is also KnotSalsa. By that I mean there are various combinations that the dancers do which twist them up and then they have to very creatively get out of these….. knots. Get it??
So there it was born. KnotSalsa also known as Casino dancing. So, it’s KnotSalsa.. it’s Casino.
Welcome one and all to KnotSalsa. Welcome to Casino. It’ s fun and contagious. Cuidado.
Dennis
