Gene Gene the Dancing Machine

This Wednesday-Aqua Club dance

2009-07-13T11:25:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends:
Please show your support for Swing,ETC and the Sparlings at the Aqua Club, this Wednesday-July15th. Work shop starts at 6:45 PM, please be on time if your taking the lesson.....thanks again, Gene

Wednesday, July 15

JAN AND CHRIS SPARLING-COUNTRY 2-STEP

Swing Etc.	Aqua Club Springfield IL Dances are from 7:30 to 10:00 Workshops from 6:45 - 7:30
Click link for workshops and schedule	Music courtesy of DJ Marilyn
Dance Space: roughly 1500 sq ft dance floor

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Prairie Land Dance Club Sat. 7-11:00 Country Dance

2009-07-10T09:57:00.001-07:00

Sent: Fri, Jul 10, 2009 9:43 am
Subject: Prairie Land Dance Club Sat. 7-11:00 Country Dance

Will you let everyone know about this dance? !!!!!

Come one come all:

Yes, you heard correctly. The dance after the Country Workshop at Prairie Land Dance Club is open to everyone. Non members pay only $5 for a fun filled evening of all types of dances. Our dancers actually know hundreds of line dances, pattern partner dances, plus the usual lead and follow dances. Marilyn Ferry will play all your requests and many more. It is not necessary to have a partner. Give yourself a treat and experience dancing on a wonderful 4000 sq ft dance floor.

July 11,2009

7-11:00

Members $3 Non Members $5

Prairie Land Dance Club

Illiopolis, IL

website: www.pldc.org

The welcome mat is out.

DON'T COUNT THE DAYS...MAKE THE DAYS COUNT!

Dancing to Live, Living to Dance,

Marilyn Ferry

PLDC President

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Heeees backkkkkkkkkk with News

2009-07-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Dancing Friends:

Hope you all enjoyed the 4th of July weekend.
Wednesday nights at the Aqua Club in Springfield still seems
to be popular with a lot of dancers in the area.
The workshops have been interesting and a lot of good moves
and dancing ideas are being presented.
The dance afterwards is also bringing in a good crowd.
Be sure if you are on Facebook, to check out the Swing Etc site.
There are videos of all the workshops that have been presented
as well as other interesting tidbits.
Not a whole lot to report this week.
Be sure and check the Illinois Times and your local newspapers
for dance opportunities.
A lso be sure and Check www.DancingDates.com for the
latest dance updates, and send any dance announcements
to Steve & Marty Harris at DancingDates@GMail.com.
DancingDates is a non-commercial service dedicated to promoting social dance.
Until next time, keep on dancing and keep on smiling!
Gene Gene The Dancing Machine and Mrs. DM2

Friday, July 10

Central Illinois Singles/Couples Dance with BOBBY REMACK 8 - 11

VFW Post 755

2211 Old Jacksonville Rd., Springfield

217-546-9515

Singles / Social Dance

Doors open @ 7:15

$10 per person

New Lafayette Club in Bloomington,

1602 South Main Street, Bloomington, IL‎ - Map

(309) 828-1212

Saturday, July 11

Country Dance Workshop ~ July 11, 2009
Prairie Land Dance Club

www.pldc.org

Map & Directions

Sunday, July 12

RONNIE SCOTT 4 - 7

Knights of Columbus

401 S. Fourth St., Riverton

$15

KEVIN TURNER 5 - 8

Pla-Mor Dance Land

1300 E. Third St., Pana

Wednesday, July 15 - Country 2 step with Chris and Jan

Swing Etc.

Aqua Club Springfield IL

Dances are from 7:30 to 10:00
Workshops from 6:45 - 7:30

Click link for workshops and schedule
Music courtesy of DJ Marilyn

Dance Space: roughly 1500 sq ft dance floor

=0 A

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Great article, please take a few minutes to read

2009-06-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Dance Your Way Into Her Heart

by Ross Behrens

Every woman will love to dance with you when you make it fun, keep her safe, and lead
with confidence.

I WASN'T A POPULAR DANCER when I started West Coast swing fifteen years ago. My leads were late. I forgot patterns. Fancy footwork confused me. I was so awful that women ducked when they saw me coming.

But by the time I taught my first West Coast swing class in San Francisco in 1996, women were smiling, asking me to dance and complimenting my leading skills. Even accomplished dancers were pleased when I drew them as a partner in Jack and Jill contests.

So what had I learned about swing dancing and leading to account for the change? Was it better dancing skills? Better connection? Anchoring? Pattern knowledge? Or had I learned something about women?

It was all of these and more.

For one thing, I learned that gals don't care much about pattern s. When a lady is getting dressed for a night out, she doesn't think, "Gee, I hope I meet a guy who leads me through a shoulder roll followed by a tunnel and then a spin whip." No, she goes dancing to have fun. Maybe she'll meet some guy she clicks with, but her main thing is to get out of the house, join friends and have a good time.

Knowing this, a guy starts making her evening enjoyable before the first dance together begins. As you stroll up to her, make eye contact, smile and compliment her on something: her blouse, her shoes, hair, perfume… anything, just so the compliment is sincere.

As you lead her onto the dance floor, keep in mind that her safety is your responsibility. Find an open spot on the floor so that she won't get stepped on.

When you are in closed dance position and before you lead anything, take time to allow both of you to feel the music. When you start, you and your partner should be moving as one.

After your initial throw-out or glide-away, you need to do two things: 1) get her into a comfort zone of trust, and 2) get a feel for her skill level. Use a simple initial pattern. I prefer a side pass to find out if she knows what a slot is. Does she take big steps or small? Does she move smoothly or is she stiff? Does she reestablish connection at the end? All of this tells me what I can confidently lead, what I might be able to lead if I set it up properly, and what to avoid.

Lead with confidence

Good leaders plan their leads a move or two in advance. Followers do not have to think as far ahead, but they must think quickly, reacting simultaneously to music and patterns while adding styling and exhibiting grace.

How can you help her? Extend your lead throughout the movement, through the beginning, middle and all the way to an end that you visualized before you began. This is the essence of a confident lead that gives your partner security. Here are some other tips on leading:

Tips for newbie leaders

Keep your connected hand calm so that your partner doesn't think you are leading a move when you aren't.

Use the pistol grip hand connection. This is the one where her fingers overlap three of your fingers and your forefinger extends against the side of her hand. This connection gives you lateral control, a smooth release through turns, and helps keep your thumbs clear. Since pros use it, you will also look cooler.

Don't lead with your arms. Lead from your center (some pros suggest low center).

Take small steps on fast songs. A step the length of your foot should suffice. Slower swing songs might call for a longer step. But keep in mind that when dancing in a slot the woman travels farther than you do, her legs aren't a long as yours, and she might be in heels. Don't out-stride her.

Don't let your partner get so far away from you that your arms straighten. Keep some flex in your arm.

Make it easy for her to keep her balance on spins and turns by positioning your hand close to her head; don't lift your arm high so that she has to reach up.

Mai ntain your frame. Maintain eye contact. Smile.

Tips for intermediate leaders

Don't start your lead on the beat. Initiate your lead on the "&" before the beat.

Alter your patterns to fit the style and mood of the music and your partner. The last thing you want to do is bore her with the same patterns done the same way dance after dance.

When dancing with a skillful woman dancer, reduce the number of complex patterns you lead and sprinkle in basic patterns that she can spice up with footwork and cool interpretations.

Dance at the front of the beat on fast music, and at the back of the beat on slow music.

A few last words

It has been said that partner dancing is the "art of unison." To make this merging of two dancers possible, you must lead clearly and confidently. Your partner shouldn't need to guess where you want her to go, nor should she be concerned for her safety while she's with you on the floor. Focus on making sure she has fun, and you'll have many happy dance partners.

An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps!

Rollin on The River Event-St. Louis

2009-05-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Dancers:
Here is a fun event coming up and usually sells out. It is a great location and a lot
of fun as well as a great area that they have it at. We have been attending this event for the past 6 years. See all information below, Gene

ROLLIN' ON THE RIVER

Rollin' On The River tickets are on sale now for our Labor Day Event. Last year the event sold out early with dozens of dancers on a waiting list for tickets, so order soon. Ticket sales are already ahead of last year so it will be another sellout!

September 3-7, 2009, Sheraton Chalet, Westport Plaza St. Louis, MO

Labor Day Weekend

Tickets are $60.00 for the 4 days event which includes:

A dozen free workshops

Continental Breakfast each day

Great "sit-down" dinner on Sunday evening

Blind and Regular Jack n' Jill competition

President's Wine & Cheese Reception

Super Sunday Gospel Hour

AND

Over 30 hours of Open dancing

You can buy your tickets 2 ways.........................

1. Pick up a Rollin' flyer at any club weekly or monthly dance (or download it from the website), fill out the registration, send a check AND include a self addressed envelope and we'll mail your confirmation, or..

2. Just go to www.wcsdc.com and click on the link to Rollin On The River, then click on the "BUY TICKETS HERE" link and use the convienence of your credit card and we'll email your confirmation.

Don't wait until the last minute!!!! What a great (and inexpensive) way to spend your Labor Day weekend

A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!

Take care of your feet and your shoes

2008-04-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

BE GOOD TO YOUR FEET!

Dancers:

Many of you have dance shoes and if you don't, think about getting some!

There is a big difference in how you will be able to dance and move when you have the proper footwear.

Besides having good shoes, you also need to take care of your feet as dance calluses or corns can be painful and can change or hamper the way you dance.

Here is another tip from Gene Gene the Dancing Machine.

Your dance shoes can have the suede soles replaced if they are worn.

You can buy replacement suede sole from a company called Toe to Toe Dance wear , Inc.
They have many other dance items and services. You can also call and request their latest catalog.
Listed below is their phone number and web site:

1-877-348-4362 web site is www.toe2toe.com

You can take your replacement soles to any shoe cobbler where you live and they can usually replace them on the shoes that are worn.
In Springfield, we use Dick's Shoe Repair on Laurel Street. They usually cost around $15.00 a pair to replace the soles which is more reasonable then paying $100 or more for another pair of shoes. The
suede soles are usually around $10.00 for a 9x12 piece which can cover 1-2 pair of shoes.

Ideally some dancers have more than one pair of dance shoes. Some of us have practice type shoes for dance lessons or venues that do not have wooden or good dance floors. The other pair might be used for the places that actually have a good ballroom type dance floor.

Wearing regular street type shoes or tennis shoes don't always help you with some unique moves. Once you own a pair of dance shoes or dance sneakers, you will never wear regular shoes when dancing.
Also leather bottom or smooth surface shoes are worn by many dancers.

So remember to check out the web site above as well as other places on the Internet and be good to your feet!
KEEP ON DANCING and KEEP ON PRACTICING! ...Gene Gene and Mrs. Dancing Machine

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