BREAKIN NEWS

Good Evening Steppers,

I’m so excited about this late breaking news, I can’t think straight. So here it is--- 123 456 78. LOL I crack myself up. No Seriously here’s some great news.

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY AND I DO MEAN LIMITED, ANYONE WHO PURCHASES A 3-DAY PASS NOW, WILL GET TO ATTEND ALL THE WORKSHOPS FOR FREE.

I told you it was great news, and just because we’re friends I’ll tell you this deal WON’T last! THIS IS AZ SOUTHWEST STEPPIN’s Christmas present to you. I’ll have tickets tomorrow for those that want to get them then. Also, for those folks that got there’s from me already, yep you guessed it; you’re included too. So what workshops will be there? Great question, and here’s your answer:

Steppin B will have a Steppin Class

Angie Faine & Keith Hubbard will have a Walking Class

Darnell Brown will have a Detroit Ballroom Class

These classes will be for an hour and a half long, and you’ll get all that for free. But you don’t have to, you can wait and just pay for those classes separately. Oh the cost of them is only $20 EACH. Just think you can pay $50, get in the event all 3 days, AND attend ALL three workshops for a measly $50. WOW! And congrats to those folks who won a free ticket from me, over $110 just for coming to class. Can’t beat that.

Some Useful Tips

Good Morning Steppers,

YES THERE WILL BE A CLASS ON THURSDAY. As there’s nothing else going on this weekend, that I know of, we can get our dance on while at class. Also, The “MEN ONLY” Free workshop oh yeah it’s a done deal. We (Marsha, Byron, Myself and possibly Mr. Seay) will host a Free Saturday workshop for MEN ONLY. This will be a BEGINNER (I’ve never done this before), and INTERMEDIATE (I kind of got the hang of it) event. We will help those that need to get started, and for those that have grasped the concept, we’ll show some basic combinations, correct footwork, and body positions. We’re hoping to have this on January 22, if there’s no big event scheduled. So for all those ladies that wanted to dance with a guy and he didn’t know how to Step, now you can get them to the class, and we’ll get him to the floor.

Thursday’s Class ( The Elk’s 1007 S. 7^th Ave Phoenix)

BASIC BOOTCAMP 6 – 6:55PM This is where you learn the FOUNDATION. Here we'll go over conquer at least 4 different basics. "In Place", "Normal", "Half Basic", and "Cross Basic" to start. Introduction to several methods, as well as the 6 and 8 count methods.

BASICS REINFORCED 7:05 – 8PM We will get to know those steps like you know your own address, phone number, favorite ice cream, or favorite ---- well you get the picture. We'll also introduce some common turns into the process. And each week we'll really focus on a particular turn or turns.

CONFIDENCE BUILDER 8:10 – 9ish It's not enough to know the steps, but knowing you KNOW them, and WHEN, and WHAT it feels like being LEAD through those steps. We're going to embark on a bold new methods, and having you doing these steps blindfolded, literally. We're going to be able to do these steps in our sleep, and on the floor effortlessly.

A couple of useful tips:

Ladies you need to stay off of your heels. I noticed Saturday that a lot of you are dancing flat footed. When you dance on your toes, or the balls of your feet your dance and turns are much smoother.

Ladies while your dancing , counting, however you describe it, it SHOULD have a flow to it. I notice that most of you are doing a 123 456 78 STOP then START over. An example would be: let’s say you’re driving and you come to a yield sign. You stop, turn off the engine, and then start driving again instead of just slowing down then proceeding forward. When you’re dancing and counting it should be 123 456 78 123 456 78. See the difference, there no long delays, between the numbers, nor is there a point where you stop and start again. Remember this dance should flow just like you walk. Now if you naturally stop walking and start over after a few steps, then by all means keep up the good work. But if you don’t, then your dance shouldn’t either.

Lastly, never buy hand soap the same color as your mouthwash. I learned that one the hard way this morning. Just a little helpful hint.

Now Get TA` Steppin!

Oh for those emails that are after 3:30 pm on the weekdays, and on the weekends, you may want to send them here: itsgstyle@gmail.com

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WWW.AZSOUTHWESTSTEPPIN.COM

Back to work

Well it’s time to get back to work, and back to a nice practice routine too. Over the weekend the topic of “Counting” came up again. I was told that I would be much better if I didn’t count while I was dancing. LOL I thought that was funny, because I don’t. Now I do teach the dance with a count, but there comes a time (and it’s different for everyone) when you’ll stop counting. I’m apologize if you or someone told you that once you start counting, you’ll always have to count. Yep, and if that’s true, then those folks still say left right, left right, left right when they want to walk somewhere. J You have to start somewhere, and counting is an excellent place to do so. From there you’ll be able to break down ANY and ALL steps, combinations, and those multiple turns. Just as learning to walk isn’t a “Learn it in a Day” thing, neither is Steppin. For those of you who have kids, you know they didn’t learn to walk in a day. Although, some kids DO pick it up and they just skip over crawling and jump straight into walking. Those kids are the exception, and we do have those exceptions in Steppin too. Remember that your basic will be different that the next person’s. So work on your, and make it yours by practicing and putting your own style into it. But that comes with practice, and only practice. J

This past weekend was very nice. There was the Urban Black Expo Friday, and Saturday. Then dancing Saturday night at the Stepp Inn, oh and First Friday at the Legion although I didn’t stay there long. L In any event, I have tickets for the AZ Steppin Event coming up in April. After all, this is what we’re learning for—so we can dance. We’ll have people from all over, and you’ll be able to dance with people from every coast. J

Class this Thursday as follows:

Basics Reinforced from 6-6:55 PM – Come learn the pattern and build a solid foundation. I will count for you, and with you as we began construction of your Steppin palace.

Confidence Rebuilding 7:05- 8 PM – Here we’ll have a quick review from the previous week, then move forward with more steps from the “Move List”.

Combination Practice, Confidence Drills, and Step Line Dance Instructions 8:10-9 PM – Here we’ll run everything in real time, and call those numbers out and execute those moves and combinations accordingly.

ALSO, I along with the other instructors will have a MEN ONLY 2 part BASIC WORKSHOP, and a MEN ONLY COMBINATION, MULTIPLE MOVES WORKSHOP. Stay tune for more info.

Square-N-Compass Seay's Steppers Workshop - Sunday, December 12th

Location: Stay Tuned To The Website For Change in Venue www.square-n-compass.com

Tim Seay and his friends in the Valley share 'Just The Basics' with new Steppers. Cost is a $5 donation. For speedy success, Steppin' Students are encouraged to join weekly Steppin' classes given by workshop instructors listed above in the Steppin Folks section. For more information visit www.square-n-compass.com or call (623) 748 - 9811

Let's get ready.......

WWW.AZSOUTHWESTSTEPPIN.COM

Thursday night fun

I sincerely thank everyone that came out, and had fun with me tonight. We had some fun, learned some things, and got a workout. Now ladies don't forget to practice, especially your 456 78 turns, as moves 11 through 20 ALL have them in there. You wanted some turns, and here they are. Also I send out the steps for the Stepping Line Dance too.

Weekend Fun

What's Up Steppers,

Well the Saturday birthday bash for Tyrone was very fun. I enjoyed dancing with everyone, and meeting the new excited folks that want to learn this beautiful dance. With that being said, I was asked again, "What do I count"? And that's a very good question. The answer is "I count only when I have to, and that's normally when I'm creating a new move, or practicing something I learned, then I count to figure out where I'm supposed to be. As I tell everyone, once you learn the pattern of the dance, and are comfortable with doing it, your counting stops. I really want to stress this, as so many people have the misconception that you have to count forever, but you don't, and you won't. The counting helps you learn the pattern, what to do with your feet at all times. In all actuality WHAT you count is irrelevant, so long as you're following the pattern. And that's where I come in, I'll teach you the pattern, and from there on ...... timeless enjoyment. So let's have some fun. :-)

And it gets easier---

What's up Steppers, so I have so much that I've been shown here, and can't wait to spread the knowledge. Ladies, more footwork for you--for those that can handle them, and a ton of footwork for the men. :-) It's time to let the men put it down. Now to help you pick it up, I've put them in a line dance for you. :-) Yeah, something I know you'll all like. And ladies, yes there's one for you too. I can't wait to get back for class, I'm so excited.

Now GET TA` STEPPIN !

HomeBase FREE Class

What's up Steppers? I'm currently in Detroit getting some dancing in of course. Although I won't be there tomorrow, HomeBase Free classes starts tomorrow. Get there by 6PM so you can enjoy all the instructions from all the different instructors. I'll be back in time for the next free class on the 17th.

Get Ta Steppin

Time 6 – 9 PM

Basics Boot Camp 6 – 7 PM This is where you learn the FOUNDATION. Here we’ll go over conquer at least 4 different basics. “In Place”, “Normal”, “Half Basic”, and “Cross Basic” to start. Introduction to several methods, as well as the 6 and 8 count methods.

Basics Reinforced 7:10 – 8:10 PM We will get to know those steps like you know your own address, phone number, favorite ice cream, or favorite ---- well you get the picture. J We’ll also introduce some common turns into the process. And each week we’ll really focus on a particular turn or turns.

Confidence Builder 8:20 – 9 PM It’s not enough to know the steps, but knowing you KNOW them, and WHEN, and WHAT it feels like being LEAD through those steps. We’re going to embark on a bold new methods, and having you doing these steps blindfolded, literally. We’re going to be able to do these steps in our sleep, and on the floor effortlessly.

I use the term “WE” because it’s going to take both of us to make this happen. You will have to practice ON YOUR OWN, and NOT just in class. Or you’ll forever be taking classes, and that’s NOT good at all. You want to learn the dance, and go have fun. Not sit and watch everyone else doing it. J My goal is to GET you to the dance floor having fun, your goal is to BE on the dance floor having fun. Let’s make that happen.

As I know from personal experience, practicing to one’s favorite song really helps. So if you have one or two, let me know. Bring your CDs, I WILL get your song played. I’m not making any promises on that heavy metal, hard rock, deep country, underworld hip hop, folk music, or polka. I’ll lend you my head phones for those.

Cost $7

Big THANKS to HomeBase

The Steppin Community here would like to convey their deepest thanks to the people over at Homebase, for everything they're doing. Tonight they had a Chicago Step Demo, for those that attended. They had also given everyone a chance to get to learn the dance next month with two free lessons given by a few Phoenix instructors. Don't miss out, come check it out and see if you'll like to get in on all the fun.

As always Get Ta Steppin...

Class info listed on the right side

Coming Soon..... Stay tuned

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