NATIONAL STEP DAY

Good Morning Steppers,

Well another year has come and gone, and I had a good time at the National Step Day event. Although I was attending several events that evening, I managed to attend them all. I got a chance to dance with people, and got a chance to see some improvements within their dance too. Something I did notice is that, memory recall wasn’t the best with everyone. Because this dance is repetitious, I’ll work on getting folks to have that recall. So break out those “Move Lists”, and get ready to be DRILLED on those moves. Also, we’ll welcome newcomers John, Tashia, and Naomi this Thursday. I want to congratulate Ms Monique Sanders for her accomplishment in winning the beginners Step contest at the National Step Event this weekend. CONGRADULATIONS GOOD JOB!

Yesterday I was asked is there a wrong way to step? And the answer is Yes AND No. So let me explain, there ARE so many different styles of the dance, INCLUDING the different methodology it entails. There’s the OLD school style, then there’s the 4 count, and now the latest 6 or 8 count if you will. Now, if you know the difference and can adjust to how the woman is dancing then great, but if you don’t, then a hot mess is stirring on the dance floor. J OK, so as long as you’re having fun with your partner, and you both are doing the same style (method or version) of the dance, then more power to you, and enjoy. However, if the woman is doing one version, and the guy is doing something else, then yep you’re doing it wrong, and it’s going to look that way. Just ask, or watch----- Shoot uh hmm I mean to say………. LOL OK seriously, I’ll make it real easy for you, each method or version of the dance regardless of how new or old, has rules, and in order to have a good dance the men NEED to understand just what those rules are. For example you can’t use the rules of football, while playing basketball. It just doesn’t work. So men need to follow those set rules that apply to the particular style that the women is doing, and NOT follow his OWN rules currently being made up as he goes. You might as well be just regular dancing, trust me it will look better. J

Guess What

Well it’s almost time. J Let’s see, there’s class tomorrow at the Elk’s at 6pm, and now they’ve added 80’s night, along with steppin music there as well. There’s also steppin music being played over at Bobby C’s too, you decide. And Saturday is National Step Day, and the Steppin Ball along with several birthday parties, an anniversary party, Vegas steppers attending, AND a fun Steppin Contest for those steppers with 1 year or less. This should be a enjoyable night.

In addition, I have DVDs 1,2,3,4 of the It’s G Style combination list. The DVDs along with the list show you 40 different moves and combinations. These are steps that we’ve gone over in class, and some that I threw in there for fun. J

I want to wish everyone entering the contest Good Luck! And don’t forget to have fun.

Tips for you

Yes, I’m back from my New York trip, and I must say. I can’t wait to return. I had a pretty good time there, of course I wasn’t driving though:talk about crazy. Anyway, while I was there, I learned some new things, and it’s time to share. So I’ll see you at 6pm, and if not have a great weekend. Oh and if you can, you should practice a little.

First thanks to everyone that came out last night, I know we covered a lot. Don’t forget to add those moves into your rotation, and soon you’ll have a strong combo list. I also want to send a big CONGRATS to Mr. James and his better half on their beautiful new baby girl, which just happens to have the best name ever: Jasmine. Of course I don’t know how they’re spelling it, but that’s how my daughter’s name is spelled. See best name ever. I also want to welcome new stepper Richard from Chicago. And thanks for helping me with those new steppers Ms. Woody.

OK as everyone knows, I feel you should know and or have your basics DOWN-PACKED before venturing out and trying footwork. Now with that being said, ladies remember to practice those what 5 that we went over last night. Actually more if you count those variations that we did. So let’s start here, you have “The Rock” (which can be done on 6 78, or just on 78) then you have the “Shuffle” with a 78 cross cross walk up, and the “Shuffle” again with a “Rock” at the end of it. We practiced the “Sherri” which is a 6 78 step, and the “James Brown” with a left OR right turn, and lastly the :Allyiah” (Rock the boat) and don’t forget to get those 2 poses in. Hey maybe we can all get some practice with again tonight.

Class

Welcome to another Tremendous Thursday, and keeping with theme, let’s have a Tremendous Class tonight. And since I’m ALWAYS right J, that’s what side we’ll concentrate on. Our FAVORITE Turns tonight will be served up on the menu all night. And you’ll soon see there’s nothing to be afraid of. It can’t hurt you, it can’t kill you, although I’ve heard people being beat down by a right turn, but today you’ll have a BIG STICK. J So that’s it, no commentary, no tips, no questions concerning your practice habits, nope nada zilch, just the facts.

See you tonight all right---- J

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING?

Well I wanted to get some things straight. First, there are the 3% of people that WILL, or CAN pick up this dance without any problem, or extensive practice. And then there’s the rest of us. L Sadly I wasn’t included in that 3%, but I practiced my butt off, and within that same year of starting, I was teaching. Now, I’m not saying that everyone can accomplish that, but what I am saying is that THERE IS NO GETTING AROUND PRACTICING! NONE, ZIP, NADA!!! Even if you ARE like me and can watch a video and pick up moves, YOU STILL HAVE TO TRY IT AND THAT’S PRACTICING. I love that people are interested in the dance, I HATE that people are LAZY with the dance. You are going to have to put in the time sometime, you might as well get it out of the way now. Why be stuck in the same place years later, when you can get it out of the way in about 4 or 5 months? But I get it, that’s too much like right. I love going out dancing, and seeing all the other dancers putting it down. And I love watching those that have started, get better and better. What kills me, is those students that have been students since the beginning of time, and still can’t get their basic together. That’s just lazy. You’re going to have to put in some time to learn this dance, just like everything else worth doing. You put in time to learn to drive, to walk, to talk, to spread the right rumors, gossip, or how to put on make-up. Well here’s something else you’ll need to put some time into learning. Just think of it as a very unique Line Dance. So NO! You’re not going to get this in one visit. No you’re NOT going to get this in ONE lesson. All those folks that you’ve seen on the floor dancing and having fun, yep they put in the practice to get there. Some have worked on their style and moves for years, so they can win contest, yada yada yada, what makes you think that you’re going to take ONE class or one LESSON and suddenly be like them?

Something For Nothing-You want to do nothing, but be able to do everything. Sorry doesn’t work that way in this dance.