Friday Night Dance

I didn't know if I would make the dance last night. I had been out of town on business all week but managed to get back in time to go to the dance. We go to the social dance that is held every Friday night at Studio One in Alexandria. Attendance was light last night. Everyone must have been home watching the Olympics or something. This just means that there was more room on the dance floor for us.

Pictured are Agnes Bordas and Richard Benjamin, dance instructors at Studio One.

Going dancing is a great way to unwind from the week. Richard lays out some finger foods and occasionally someone will bring in a favorite dish. They have tables and a TV in the back where couples rest between dances and watch re-runs of "Dancing With the Stars". We visit back and forth but generally try to get all the dancing in that we can. Richard plays a selection of dance tunes every week, both smooth and latin. We are getting so that we know at least a few steps in most of the regular ballroom dances. One day we will pick up the dances that we haven't gotten to yet. There is always more to learn. With dancing the journey is the destination. Whether you are a novice social dancer or a professional there is always another step to learn or technique to polish.

Monday Night Lesson

We took our regular Monday night lesson from Richard at Studio One last night. I am getting better at keeping the timing on the Back Spot Turn with Reverse and Roll Underarm turns. It seem counter-intuitive, but adding the turns seems to make all the difference in getting the time right when going into that last chasse.

Also on the Cha-Cha, we started work on the Cross Over and Break, not to be confused with the Cross Over Break. You do a Cross Over Break as part of the Cross Over and Break. This is one where we need a real slow Cha-Cha.

On the Foxtrot, Richard made a correction on our Adlib Right. You are supposed to step, brush, step, and then pivot to the right. I was turning right as part of the brush step, which doesn't give my partner a good lead and looks weird.

We also started a new step in the Foxtrot, the Promenade Twist. I have to remember to twist with the right heel and the left ball of foot and Doris has to remember to lead with her right shoulder.