a. Sunday
i. Don’t
sleep in—instead, go to the continental breakfast, which is tasty. Then grab
some laundry soap from the convenience store and start doing laundry.
ii. First
lesson is again a mix of conceptual basics—how to lead a really clear linear
motion—and moves that illustrate / expand on this idea. Neat move that involves
an angular rockstep, wrapping one’s arm around oneself and lunging forward to
whip one’s follow back in front.
iii. Hit
Frugals again for the lunch break after some more laundry shenanigans involving
a fatally defective room key.
iv. The
next lesson is really neat. The teachers have made up some cards, paper
triangles arrayed in a row on the floor, that represent different steps and
their rhythmic duration. We start with the basic 8-count step and slowly modify
it beyond recognition. Soon, we’re doing swing-outs to rock-step kick-step
step-step hop-hop or step triple-step clap step-step triple-step.
v. After
the lesson we drive out for the picnic on the side of Foys Lake! The band plays
without amplification; most people chill and eat, and I do plenty of that, but
also get a few dances in. Then Eleonore rouses the UW crew to dunk themselves
in the chill waters of Foys. After the initial jump, we stay in almost 15
minutes—I’m almost warm for a few moments, then the slow energy drain gets to
me. Around us, people are dancing and tossing follows into the water with
aerials.
vi. Dry
out, a few more dances, then head back for the final main dance.
vii. The
pre-dance lesson is fun and goofy, on using arms. We do lots of silly arm
motions.
viii.
Main dance is super great. I incorporate
everything, including crazy arms. And I actually manage to lead some jumps.
ix. I’ve
been forgetting—throughout the main dances, different dance teams have been
performing, which is both a welcome break and a source of energy and
inspiration. Each team has their awesome swing-era dress style and runs through
their own “choreo”.
x. After
the main dance is the last late-night, which starts as swing and shades into
funk. People are doing all sorts of weird solo jazz moves. Eleonore is dancing
like a banshee—no idea from where she calls the energy J
xi. Back
for more sleep!
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