28 November 2010
Hopper Newsletter #11
11/30/2010
From Susan
Since we were snowed out last week, this week is technically Week #12. However, I'm going to consider it Week #11. Michael is planning a make-up day in January. We'll get the correct number of weeks one way or another.
Everyone is doing so well. I hope you are planning to come to the Happy Hoppers dance on Saturday.
I want to take a moment to point out a couple of styling tips that might help with your dancing.
One is when you are promenading the Boys Left Elbows should be close together. This makes the distance traveled shorter. This allows you to dance the move in the allotted time. If the boys are far apart you can get behind and will be late starting the next move.
The second tip is to take advantage of all the level dances. The more you dance the better you feel. And the better you dance. But at these level dances, dance up front and with other dancers, not your classmates. Other dancers, especially the experienced ones, can demonstrate how the move is done and can help with a quick word or gesture where you are supposed to go.
And finally, look at some of the online square dance sites to see what the moves look like when they are danced with real dancers.
We will talk about these and more Monday night.
Have a great weekend! See you dancing!
Happy dancing,
Susan
Week #11:
33 b. Shoot The Star – Full Around: The same as ALLEMANDE LEFT using the existing forearm grip for a full circle, 360degrees. SHOOT THE STAR – FULL AROUND – 8 steps.
41. Pass The Ocean: The actual definition of this move says “facing couples PASS THRU, Face your partner and Step to an OCEAN WAVE.” What typically happens on the dance floor is; Facing couples PASS THRU but as they do, the Right-hand dancers join Left Hands and Turn a quarter to become the centers of the forming Wave. The left-hand dancers PASS THRU, face their Partner and Step to the Right Hand Wave, becoming the ends of the wave. PASS THE OCEAN – 4 steps.
42. Extend: From an OCEAN WAVE across the center of the square, those in the wave step straight ahead and form a new wave with the outside dancers. The centers (those in the original ocean wave) stay centers; those on the outside (ends) stay ends. For smooth dancing all dancers move forward half the distance toward those they are facing. EXTEND – 2 steps.
46. Zoom: With two couples in tandem, lead couple rolls away from each other 360 degrees to take the place of the trailing couple; the trailing couple steps straight forward into the empty spot. Couples can be in tandem facing in or facing out. ZOOM – 4 steps.
47 a. Flutterwheel: With the couple you face, the Right hand dancers step forward for a right arm turn, picking up the opposite dancer and bringing them back with them. FLUTTERWHEEL – 8 steps.
47 b. Reverse Flutterwheel: With the couple you face, Left hand dancers step forward for a left arm turn, picking up the opposite dancer and bringing them back with them. REVERSE FLUTTERWHEEL – 8 steps.
51. Ferris Wheel: From a Two Faced Line; The couples facing IN step straight forward till the centers can touch adjacent hands (forms a new two-faced line in the center) then they do half of a Couples Trade and Bend The Line to face the adjacent couple. The OUT-FACING couple (with an imaginary adjacent couple) does half of a Couples Trade and the Bends to face the Center of the set. FERRIS WHEEL – 6 steps.
Week #12: Half Sashay, Circulates - All 8, Single File, Split/Box, Left Square Thru, Left Swing Thru, Cross Run, Sweep a Quarter, Trade By, Touch 1/4
Since we were snowed out last week, this week is technically Week #12. However, I'm going to consider it Week #11. Michael is planning a make-up day in January. We'll get the correct number of weeks one way or another.
Everyone is doing so well. I hope you are planning to come to the Happy Hoppers dance on Saturday.
I want to take a moment to point out a couple of styling tips that might help with your dancing.
One is when you are promenading the Boys Left Elbows should be close together. This makes the distance traveled shorter. This allows you to dance the move in the allotted time. If the boys are far apart you can get behind and will be late starting the next move.
The second tip is to take advantage of all the level dances. The more you dance the better you feel. And the better you dance. But at these level dances, dance up front and with other dancers, not your classmates. Other dancers, especially the experienced ones, can demonstrate how the move is done and can help with a quick word or gesture where you are supposed to go.
And finally, look at some of the online square dance sites to see what the moves look like when they are danced with real dancers.
We will talk about these and more Monday night.
Have a great weekend! See you dancing!
Happy dancing,
Susan
Week #11:
33 b. Shoot The Star – Full Around: The same as ALLEMANDE LEFT using the existing forearm grip for a full circle, 360degrees. SHOOT THE STAR – FULL AROUND – 8 steps.
41. Pass The Ocean: The actual definition of this move says “facing couples PASS THRU, Face your partner and Step to an OCEAN WAVE.” What typically happens on the dance floor is; Facing couples PASS THRU but as they do, the Right-hand dancers join Left Hands and Turn a quarter to become the centers of the forming Wave. The left-hand dancers PASS THRU, face their Partner and Step to the Right Hand Wave, becoming the ends of the wave. PASS THE OCEAN – 4 steps.
42. Extend: From an OCEAN WAVE across the center of the square, those in the wave step straight ahead and form a new wave with the outside dancers. The centers (those in the original ocean wave) stay centers; those on the outside (ends) stay ends. For smooth dancing all dancers move forward half the distance toward those they are facing. EXTEND – 2 steps.
46. Zoom: With two couples in tandem, lead couple rolls away from each other 360 degrees to take the place of the trailing couple; the trailing couple steps straight forward into the empty spot. Couples can be in tandem facing in or facing out. ZOOM – 4 steps.
47 a. Flutterwheel: With the couple you face, the Right hand dancers step forward for a right arm turn, picking up the opposite dancer and bringing them back with them. FLUTTERWHEEL – 8 steps.
47 b. Reverse Flutterwheel: With the couple you face, Left hand dancers step forward for a left arm turn, picking up the opposite dancer and bringing them back with them. REVERSE FLUTTERWHEEL – 8 steps.
51. Ferris Wheel: From a Two Faced Line; The couples facing IN step straight forward till the centers can touch adjacent hands (forms a new two-faced line in the center) then they do half of a Couples Trade and Bend The Line to face the adjacent couple. The OUT-FACING couple (with an imaginary adjacent couple) does half of a Couples Trade and the Bends to face the Center of the set. FERRIS WHEEL – 6 steps.
Week #12: Half Sashay, Circulates - All 8, Single File, Split/Box, Left Square Thru, Left Swing Thru, Cross Run, Sweep a Quarter, Trade By, Touch 1/4