Day 68 #The100DayProject

Slightly delayed.            I could have danced all night!

#100daysofhappys

WHY?

As you may know I have become a huge fan of Ballroom and Latin Dance. This was always a hobby I wanted to pursue since I was 14 when I was having ice-skating lessons and 'Ice Dancing' was a big thing. I have always danced when I was little doing that Ballet, Tap and Modern combo but gave it all up to do singing instead; a decision I slightly regret.

Anyway, so what held me back? Men. 

The Psycho, jealous boyfriend and The 2-left footed man.

(I didn't realise when I was a teen that taking the plunge and going alone is OK and the best way to get into it!) But I didn't have the confidence back then, as I do now. Man #3 although too short for a good dance partner (for my lanky frame) was up for it and this began my long-awaited 'journey' (ew cringe) of finding my dancing feet!

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A GOOD LEAD

When dancing the Man has to have a good lead as us women are not mind-readers. 

• The lead in Ballroom comes from the man's body posture/hands and his legs (Oo-er) 

• In Latin the lead comes from his hands and eyes (sensual pouting and hysterical laughter ensues)

My second practice of the week focuses on more advanced steps and technique and often led by a turtle-necked lycra wearing Italian man (who is a world champion!). He slots nicely into the stereotypical dance instructor and is both lovely and scary: tonight I unintentionally whacked him in the face...smooth (Miranda moment). 

He is the type that stamps his feet, yells at you, pushes you about like your a ball of clay but then shouts admirably YES!!! THAT WAS BRILLIANT!!! and clasps you to his breast.

But on a happier note dancing with him is literally like gliding along a Krispey Kreme conveyor belt*- absolute bliss! I feel like im on Strictly being whipped around the floor with flair and finesse.

Tonight we danced Rumba how it is meant to be danced- sensual, (yes this is getting abit pervy),  serious and smooth (not stick like, counting the beats out loud and trying to stem hysteria.)

*Metaphorically speaking! -logistically that would be very hot, sticky and awkward which is not the portrayal of dancing with him I'm trying to create perhaps controlled gliding on Ice is a better simile. 

 ~

 WHAT TO TAKE:

• dance shoes (Freeds, Leicester Square)
• bottle of water 
• deodrant
• money 
• notepad and pen (to write down the figure names and steps)    

 ~

#100daysofPeggy

 

Peggy gets caught doing her 'business'.

 

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Day 51, 52 #The100DayProject

#100daysofPeggy

Day 51

 Peggy goes alfresco.

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Day 52

Peggy goes Bowling!

#100daysofhappys

Day 51

~Apologies for more food photos!~

Met with a dancing friend, Megan for dinner at 'Giraffe' before we went a'waltzing.

Failed to persuade the waiter to come with us! 

Then having been chilling in the lovely sun enjoying my half-term holiday my hair went two-tone!

Easily impressed, me!

~

Day 52

I dressed up and went to The Royal Opera House to see La Boheme
having got sort after tickets through my sister's work (get in!) 
-Check out my review of it here!

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May I have the Pleasure of this Dance?

 I implore you to adorn your sweats, grab a pair of soft soled shoes and sign up to a  Ballroom and Latin class!

~

There are known health and well-being positives to Dancing:

As well as improving posture, coordination and spacial awareness. Dancing boosts self-esteem and aids in weight loss too!

Why did I start?

I started Ballroom and Latin dancing a year ago not for the above reasons but just for the pure simple pleasure of dancing to 'old style'* music. I have always danced: ballet, tap, modern, character-dance...I thrive on the structure and discipline of this genre of the Arts. 

For me dancing has become a necessity to my life. I have come so far in a short space of time and want to continue to learn new figures and grow in confidence. I'm a younger sister and have always felt overshadowed by my older sister in terms of musicality however this is the first skill I have exceeded in and it has given my self-confidence a much needed boost! 

 *early-20th Century music as well as modern tunes!

 ~

What to expect

The class I attend (please message me if your interested!) is 1 hour of a ballroom dance: 

Tango, Quickstep, Foxtrot and Waltz 

 and then 30 mins of Latin:  Jive, Rumba, Mambo or Samba and Cha Cha. 

So your learning 2 dances in 1 night!

The structure of the class may differ. At my class firstly the women and men learn the steps separately like a line dance going over basic 'figures', technique, posture and hold (the frame that you hold each other in). Then we will partner up. You learn best when dancing with different people so it suits Singles as well as Partners! You don't feel left out if you go alone!

The main deal is for the Man to learn how to Lead 

and the Woman to learn how to Follow.

Learning how to give a strong confident lead will take time! It won't happen with a couple of lessons. The same for the woman - we are not mind readers and it is easy to try and pr-empt or mis-read the lead. If you stick at it like I have the steps become muscle-memory so you can worry about technique and looking good. AND remembering to BREATHE normally - I have been likened to a moody dog patting away into the poor mans ear with great concentration on my face!

~

I attend a class twice a week. Now this is because I'm an unusual eager beaver. Most learners do once a week which is the norm! There's time to practice last week's dance in the next lesson or better still when you have built up some repertoire and feel confident getting round the floor go to a Social Dance. 

A Social Dance is an evening where couples (or singles) can put their practice into action. You are not performing to any judges or have to wear spangly outfits. It is also not a 70+ line dance and bingo night (although me and my dancing pals do lower the age by 30 years). This is one of the reasons for this post! There is a great need for more young (20-39 yr) people!

This is is not a Social Dance! Image

This is a Social Dance! (image)

Its like an ice rink you all dance in an anti-clockwise direction. However you must have a partner on the dance floor. To get up for a solo freestyle would definietely be frowned upon. Single? no worries! share a man, ask around for a dance or take part in the 'Bus Stop'; women line up and dance with the next available man.

There is a rule in Ballroom/Latin/Ceroc you must accept if someone asks you to dance. I have had some shudderingly awful experiences with dwarf-like, creepy old men but if you don't make eye contact and look busy you can shrug them off! 

 ~

Ceroc? (as in 'Serock')

My instructor calls it 'Lazy Latin' and I like this analogy (ready for the backlash of ceroc fans).  It has of course its own technique and looks fab when you link all the steps together seamlessly but the discipline of Latin is non-existent. You don't need your free hand out at the side nor does it matter which foot you start on. I enjoyed it as you dance to upbeat modern music and it made for a relaxing change to the norm but I found it difficult to 'let go', blend in and stop looking like a ballroom dancer! There are great discounts for a 4 hour workshops and lots of different classes locally. The class is set out a bit like speed dating everyone stands in rows and (depending on the greater amount of gender) the women move round on to the next man after a few moves. Its great to go as a Single!

Ceroc Class (image)

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What to wear to a class of Ballroom/Latin/Ceroc

Comfortable, lightweight layers. Ballroom and Latin can be very energetic and personally I melt! So I wear leggings and a tunic. Men usually come in trousers and sweat shirt. Bring some deodorant and water to be on the safe side! 

Shoes-wise to start with before you get into the 'swing' of things (see what I did there!) wear soft-soled shoes: eg pumps (men- wear your normal 'man' shoes of which I do not know the name of). Then you can buy a training shoe- a little cheaper and easier to dance in! 

Practice Shoes

Man's Practice Shoes

 When you get more experienced and see this as a long-term hobby you can go for the big-guns!

Shoe-gasm

 This is a public call for more of you, youths out there: 
*cue Miranda quote*

 And that 'something' is Dancing.

B

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