2 show joy of wheelchair ballroom dancing

by David Carter on April 23, 2010

Marchione and her disabled partner, Nick Scott, will compete together for the first time at the upcoming Philadelphia Festival Atlantic Coast Championships in Philadelphia in June and again at the IPC Worlds in November in Germany.

Read More…

1 person likes this post.

{ 1 comment }

Now Writing for The Examiner.com Website

by David Carter on April 23, 2010

I am now a freelance writer for the Examiner.com website.   This is very exciting for me as I will be covering dance in the local Central Arkansas area as well as many other dance related topics.

You can find my page here.  If you like what you see,  I would love to have you as a subscriber.

2 people like this post.

{ 0 comments }

West Coast Swing – Tangential Momentum

by David Carter on April 21, 2010

How we apply our lead can have great influence on our partner’s balance.  The proper spinnning bbalapplication of Tangential Momentum in your lead will increase your partner communication and help her maintain balance.

I recently traveled to Dallas on business and while there, I was able to schedule a lesson with Beata (like the car Miata with a B) Howe.    She is a three time US Open Swing Champion and an excellent teacher. Click Here for more information on her website.

Anytime I travel, I look for a West Coast Swing instructor that is considered the best in the area.   Each time I do this, I come away humbled by how much I don’t know about this dance.  This trip was no exception.

[click to Read More..]

3 people like this post.

{ 2 comments }

Looking for a great place to dance on a Sunday afternoon?  This may be just what you are looking for!!!!!

Arlington Hotel Tea Dance

http://www.examiner.com/x-45600-Little-Rock-Dance-Examiner~y2010m4d21-Monthly-ballroom-dance-held-at-the-Arlington-Hotel–Hot-Springs

1 person likes this post.

{ 1 comment }

West Coast Swing – Musicality

by David Carter on April 16, 2010

What is Musicality?

Webster Defines Musicality as:

  1. Sensitivity to, knowledge of, or talent for music
  2. The quality of being musical

For a dancer it means to make the dance fit the music.  This in turn means using movement to represent and WCS_dipemphasize the tempo, harmony, melody and vocals in a song.

Adding musicality to your dance requires some understanding of the structure of the music itself.  It also means you must be connected to the music.

Click Here for suggestions of good West Coast Swing music.  Pick out some and see how the information in this article applies to them.

Don’t worry,  it’s not as hard as it sounds.  Music is not as hard to understand as many believe.  In fact,  equipped with just a little knowledge we can begin to identify repeating and predictable patterns within music that will allow us to connect to it and make our dance fit the music.

[click to Read More..]

3 people like this post.

{ 1 comment }

Little Rock West Coast Dance Club

Presents

Special Saturday Group class

featuring Memphis Favorites

bill

Jeannette

Jeannette Jeffries

and

Richard Britt

__________

This Saturday night, Jeannette and Bill will be teaching our regular Group class at Bogies Nightclub in North Little Rock.

They will be staying for the party so make sure you get a dance with them.

Jeannette and Bill are graciously donating their time and expertise to our club so there will be no cost for this group class other than the normal cover charge.

Don’t miss this opportunity!!!!

Date: 4/17/2010

Time: 6:30 – 7:30

Cost :  $5.00  (Bogie’s Cover charge)

Like

{ 1 comment }

Ballroom Dancer’s Horoscope….Seriously?

by David Carter on April 15, 2010

I guess there is something out there for everyone.  If you are into Horoscopes and dance, well this site is just for you.

Not for me, but I certainly got a kick out of it.  I wonder if you get a free palm reading with the purchase of private lessons????  Might be worth asking.

Ballroom Dancer’s Horoscope For April 14 — 20
With the new moon in impulsive Aries today, Wednesday, April 14, use your common sense and focus your energy…..

Like

{ 0 comments }

skippyBliarThe more I learn about West Coast Swing, the more I find there is to learn.  If you want to see how deep the rabbit hole really goes, then read on.  The links below are to various writings by Skippy Blair.

Who is Skippy Blair – Click Here?

Although quite technical at times, the information in these articles is some of the most extensive information you will find.  You may not have heard of Skippy, but the people you have heard of in the West Coast Swing community consider her the teacher’s teacher.

She is the creator of the Universal Unit system of annotation and has developed concepts such as Rolling Count, Centering Knob, 3-Toe base and Plusing which are fundamental to West Coast Swing today.

[click to Read More..]

Like

{ 1 comment }

What Do Women Want? – On and Off the dance floor

by David Carter on April 9, 2010

As men, we often ask ourselves what do  women want and it seems to be a mystery to many.   ….

Is it possible that what women want in life is the same thing they look for in dance?   I hear over and over again from dance instructors the following statement in one form or another.  “Guys, this is the one place you are in charge”.   Is this really true?  I wonder.raymond_ray

We live in a society today that has taken something critical from men.   Our Masculinity and Authority.  Gone are the days of strong men.

[click to Read More..]

Like

{ 3 comments }

How To Identify Dance Music – Part 2

by David Carter on April 8, 2010

confusedIn How to Identify Dance Music,  Part 1,  I covered some timing definitions and how to identify music for smooth dance styles.   Now I will finish this series with latin and swing styles.

Tango

Timing:  4/4 Time (usually)
Tempo:  approximately 120  beats per minute
Beat Representation:  tap tap tap tap drum-roll that leads into repeat pattern
count:  sometimes taught vocalizing the steps with the letters T, A, N, G, O

Tango music has a distinctive style and is probably one of the most easily identifiable.   It is most often defined by the staccato nature of steps and the unique instrument (bandoneon  similar to accordion) played.

[click to Read More..]

Like

{ 1 comment }