CLASS NOTES

Only a couple of things first Class tonight at The Elk’s on 7^th Ave starting at 6pm. Bring all your questions. (smile) Also here’s today’s practice routine for everyone:

Half Right Turn

Ladies is “Half Right Turn”, or “ A Push Pull Turn”, or “Bump turn”. All of these are the same thing, just called something different. In short the woman will go across on her 4. Men you should practice your “L Basic”.

And here’s what’s going on this weekend: Note that THIS Friday we’ll be at The Legion around 6pm, it’s our Friday there (smile)

WE ALL HAVE QUESTIONS

Here’s something I found interesting as I hear it all the time:

Student: I went to the same dance class three or four times; what should I know by now?
Mistalocks: You definitely should know the location of the class and its start times! When it comes to learning the assimilation rate varies person to person; you must put effort into you retention by using a systematic method of note taking that fits your learning style. I Teach Dance! ~ Mistalocks

More about that listed below. As for now, Today we’re heading over to Michael’s Café on 7^th Ave and Camelback from 6 to 8pm. It’s all steppin music for two hours from what I hear, and I believe it’s free to get in. Can’t beat that huh? (smile) And for those that love having their phone give them directions here’s the exact address: 5025 North 7^th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85013-2230

Now with that in mind, here’s some stats or goals you can work towards. These are not written in stone, but just guide markers used to gage where you are, or should be. Let’s not forget that this info is taking in account that you’re practicing at least 5 times a week.

0 to 1 Month – You should have learned your basics, the beat, and the count if necessary.

1 Month to 2 Months – You should start to learn to dance better on the balls of your feet, learned the concept of movement, movements and turns should be getting smoother.

2 Months to 3 Months – Your dance should be able to do all the turns single, double, triple, you should be focusing on style, and counting should be second nature, by this I mean you should know by now what each foot should be doing, and or going.

4 Months to 6 Months – You should be able to dance well enough for anyone, and with anyone. You should be able to handle or catch on to all the arm wraps, the twists, the movements without a 78, start to put your own little style into those steps without having to stop in the middle of the dance, or keep getting lost inside a turn. Remember these results reflect the effort you put in. If your efforts are minimal, then so are your results. Again, everyone learns at different rates, some of you will pick this up quickly, and some will have to put in some work.

What Time Is It?

Good Afternoon Steppers,

Great effort from everyone last night, especially from those new students. Remember to stay off your heals (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) And if you’re having trouble with that, here’s a great idea: puts some small ROCKS in your shoes, that should take care of that. Oh you may have to tape them down so they stay up by the heels. (I’ll type this out from now on, because some people aren’t getting the smiley faces) (smile) that’s too funny--- Oh and use like masking tape or drafting tape it’s easier to remove.

Now on to the good stuff I know you’re excited about what’s on the practice menu today, drum roll please…. Wait wait wait, all at the same time this time “Drum roll please….” (yeah that’s it) Today for the Ladies: HALF TURN, and for the MEN: your normal basic (you in front of the woman stepping back on your 1) and doing a turn on 1 and back on count by the time you’re supposed to be on your left foot for 4. For these you can use ANY song, ladies to help you remember just what you’re doing you can count it like this 123, 4 step back, 78.

FYI Ms. Nicole Mattox should be back in town this weekend. Oh and BIG KUDOS! To Ms. Lisa and ms. Daphne. They were the only ones that walked the walk. They went out and did what we asked the ladies to do, and got a couple of people (men) because of it. A total of 4 new men. Great work ladies, keep it up. And if the rest of the ladies could do the same, can you just imagine how many MEN you’ll have to dance with? So let’s make it happen, it’s first Friday this Friday let’s repeat and get some more men. Oh and this will help you, for the next couple of weeks the NEW MEN will get in FREE. So they can see if they like it, and we’ll go from there. And the men that aren’t new—yeah you, get back to practicing. (smile) Don’t worry I’ll look out for you as well. And of course ladies your day is coming too, in the meantime get back to practicing. (smile)

Enjoy, and do the darn thing!

Happy New Year 2012

In case you missed it, last night’s class was very informative to say the least. We had several question and answer periods, followed by application of said answers. Also, I was notified that the men here don’t lead the women all the way through their turns, so we worked on that too. And that’s today’s tip: Men you should lead the woman ALL the way through her turns, which means pushing her back on her 456 on those simple left, right, half turns, and half right turns. A question for the ladies: I was wondering can you do this – Cook dinner, talk on the phone, help the kids with their homework, listen to the radio all at the same time??