Can We Talk About Bal Now??, anyone?? anything??

[Gogo]

Whoa... I think nb, Gretsch, and Dave should get together and form a curriculum for getting a PhD in swing dancing.

[Green Gretsch]

QUOTE (Gogo @ Apr 17, 2003 09:50 PM)

I think nb, Gretsch, and Dave should get together and form a curriculum for getting a PhD in swing dancing.

I'm just a n00b trying to figure things out. :ermm:

[Green Gretsch]

Right now I'm working on smoothing out my reverse turns (with a slide). Also getting comfortable with pop turns.

just curious as to what people are working on or doing more often these days.

[Soupbone]

I'm working on.....

Circle slides out of a come-around (and sucking at it, currently),

Better leading of continuous swivels,

Making my basics look energetic and fun, while remaining smooth and consistent.

[Green Gretsch]

QUOTE (Soupbone @ Apr 18, 2003 09:24 PM)

Making my basics look energetic and fun, while remaining smooth and consistent.

how are you doing that?

bigger holds?

[Soupbone]

QUOTE (Green Gretsch @ Apr 18, 2003 04:44 PM)

how are you doing that?  bigger holds?

With mixed results, I'm taking the newly-instituted pulse (see my comments in the bal thread regarding bounce/smooth) and concentrating the steps into smaller "bursts of energy."

That is to say, mixing up what I'm doing on the holds... sometimes triples, sometimes accented "down kicks" (kinda like what Nick Williams does), shuffles, and occasional slides.

I could never really do those things before without really messing the feel of my basic. But, then I realized it was because I was trying to "over smooth" my basics to the point of just flat-footing 'em (again, see other thread). Once I instituted smaller steps with a more pronounced (but understated) pulse, all these things became easier.

It may be in my mind... but it seems to make it more energetic visually without sacrificing connection or consistency in feel. Again, I wish I had more bal folks around so that I could dance with more than two or three follows for more "feedback" (meaning my partners following, reactions and so forth)

(edited for grammar)

This post has been edited by Soupbone on Apr 18, 2003 01:56 PM

[Green Gretsch]

QUOTE (Soupbone @ Apr 18, 2003 09:54 PM)

sometimes accented "down kicks" (kinda like what Nick Williams does), shuffles, and occasional slides.

damn! this happens on balboanation a lot. people refer to things I never even saw or if I did it was a blur at some odd event weeks or months ago.

what are accented down kicks?

are you going to all bal weekend in cleveland?

[Gogo]

QUOTE (Green Gretsch @ Apr 17, 2003 05:47 PM)

Right now I'm working on smoothing out my reverse turns (with a slide). Also getting comfortable with pop turns. just curious as to what people are working on or doing more often these days.

What are pop turns? Are they the same as free turns out of lollies?
And what are reverse turns? Is it that turn when both people turn and the lead begins it with his back facing the follow with his left hand reaching over his right shoulder?

[Gogo]

QUOTE

But, then I realized it was because I was trying to "over smooth" my basics to the point of just flat-footing 'em (again, see other thread).

Were you literally doing your basic flat-footed or are you speaking figuratively? I bet if you did everything exactly the same but did it on the balls of your feet, you would get that smoothness you're striving for. Although based on the things that you've said, you know a bit about Bal and I'm sure you probably already tried that.

[Green Gretsch]

yeah that's the reverse turn...I am trying to get in a little slide with the send out (spike out).

the pop turn is when you let go of the left hand and generate the spinning with your right arm while its still on the follows back. ok that's a lame description. but its the best I can do.

what are free turns out of lollies??

[Gogo]

Pop turns? Oh you mean "shoulder pops". At least that's what most people call it.

QUOTE

what are free turns out of lollies??

It's exactly what it sounds like. Very, very basic move.

[Soupbone]

QUOTE (Green Gretsch @ Apr 18, 2003 05:10 PM)

what are accented down kicks? are you going to all bal weekend in cleveland?

"Accented down kicks" is a phrase I just made up to try to describe it. I don't think that's anything official.

Nick does this thing where just after the 2 beat (which is a step) he quickly shoots his left leg back at the knee and then kind "kicks" down at the 3 beat for the hold. If you've got the Steve and Denise and Marcus and Baerbl videos, watch the Bobby McGee's jam at the end. He does it there some.

Now, as for the Cleveland Bal Weekend, I'm completely saddened that I cannot go. I had every intention of going. But, my fiance' and I are moving at the end of the year, and we're still trying to decide to where. So, instead of Cleveland, we're going to Seattle in May, since that's our likely destination.

The wallet won't allow me to do both, and I'm totally bummed about that.

:(

[Soupbone]

QUOTE (Gogo @ Apr 18, 2003 05:34 PM)

Were you literally doing your basic flat-footed or are you speaking figuratively?

A little from column A and little from column B. :)

I was actually doing more flat footed stuff than I realized I was doing. But, it was more metaphorical, in that it totally looked like I was just walking through the steps without any life.

[BigDaddyK]

QUOTE (Gogo @ Apr 16, 2003 01:56 PM)

When you're actually dancing at speed, I don't think it makes much of a difference. But I learned to do it on 3.

i do it on an even number, not odd

[BigDaddyK]

QUOTE (Green Gretsch @ Apr 18, 2003 01:10 PM)

QUOTE (Soupbone @ Apr 18, 2003 09:54 PM) sometimes accented "down kicks" (kinda like what Nick Williams does), shuffles, and occasional slides. damn! this happens on balboanation a lot. people refer to things I never even saw or if I did it was a blur at some odd event weeks or months ago. what are accented down kicks? are you going to all bal weekend in cleveland?

look at CampHolly 99 (i think) when Christian and Thea won the shag jam, he is a major down kicker. the best of them all (contemporarily speaking)

[BigDaddyK]

QUOTE (Gogo @ Apr 18, 2003 01:28 PM)

QUOTE (Green Gretsch @ Apr 17, 2003 05:47 PM) Right now I'm working on smoothing out my reverse turns (with a slide).  Also getting comfortable with pop turns.  just curious as to what people are working on or doing more often these days. What are pop turns? Are they the same as free turns out of lollies? And what are reverse turns? Is it that turn when both people turn and the lead begins it with his back facing the follow with his left hand reaching over his right shoulder?

pop turn: lead an inside free spin with you right arm, not your left hand. better seen not described

reverse turn: think of it as the shoulder toss. its when the lead turns to his left as the follow is doing an inside turn.

[Gogo]

QUOTE (BigDaddyK @ Apr 21, 2003 05:50 PM)

look at CampHolly 99 (i think) when Christian and Thea won the shag jam, he is a major down kicker. the best of them all (contemporarily speaking)

Christian rocks!! :kick:
I believe they actually took first place in 2000. Till now I'm still trying to breakdown his footwork. I still haven't seen anyone else Bal like him.

[Soupbone]

QUOTE (Gogo @ Apr 21, 2003 09:45 PM)

Christian rocks!! :kick: I believe they actually took first place in 2000. Till now I'm still trying to breakdown his footwork. I still haven't seen anyone else Bal like him.

Is he still dancing? I think I saw him at the Vegas exchange, but I'd heard he was no longer dancing.... ?

[GemZombie]

QUOTE (Soupbone @ Apr 22, 2003 04:47 AM)

QUOTE (Gogo @ Apr 21, 2003 09:45 PM) Christian rocks!! :kick: I believe they actually took first place in 2000. Till now I'm still trying to breakdown his footwork. I still haven't seen anyone else Bal like him. Is he still dancing? I think I saw him at the Vegas exchange, but I'd heard he was no longer dancing.... ?

I think his priorities are now on drinking, rather than dancing.

[Soupbone]

QUOTE (GemZombie @ Apr 22, 2003 11:17 AM)

I think his priorities are now on drinking, rather than dancing.

:huh:

Good times...

[Green Gretsch]

Hey could I borrow the aforementioned footage of christian and thea from someone?

[MINI b]

QUOTE (frustratedmynx @ Apr 17, 2003 12:39 PM)

see, even carolyn doesn't count.  :P

I don't count either - it makes it harder for me to follow :)

Sorry I'm a little behind - was at VLV6 all weekend

This post has been edited by MINI b on Apr 22, 2003 11:38 AM

[Green Gretsch]

One of the things that I found useful as a survival tool is lollies or swing kicks. Just blew that come around. no problem, get into some lollies, do a spike out and try again. Can't find the one? lollies. Not sync'ed with your partner. rock step and lolly.

Anyone else have useful survival tips?

[Gogo]

Yeha don't Bal or Shag while wearing super traction New Balance running shoes. Damn my calfs are sore and swollen! >_<

[Green Gretsch]

what happened to the chromed leather bottoms?

[Gogo]

I left all my dancing gear at home last nite. If you didn't notice. :(
I had no idea that wearing sneakers could change the way you dance. I dance and look totally different in my hard leather soles.

[Green Gretsch]

I thought you had your 'groove attire' on. :blink:

[frustratedmynx]

heh. i was about to say that.

but you know... when we get started on our groove-bal, i'll have to plunk down some money on new shoes too...

tip (mostly for me, in the future): never have more than one beer when attempting anything other than pure bal.

[Gogo]

QUOTE (Green Gretsch @ May 1, 2003 03:59 PM)

I thought you had your 'groove attire' on. :blink:

Hey Gretsch.... (IMG:http://www.acuraworld.com/forums/images/smilies/stfu.gif)

BTW I thought you guys were going to hit up the Elbo Room.

[Green Gretsch]

come on now. Ya'll pulled out a body roll and a wave. ;)

we passed by but I was a wuss and needed to go home to sleep. how was it?

This post has been edited by Green Gretsch on May 1, 2003 05:18 PM