Pre-Silver Step For December: Charleston and East Coast Swing

Happy Holidays!

This month we're doing Charleston mostly, with maybe a little East Coast Swing.  I should warn you that this is going to be a tricky month, so if you're not too comfortable with the Charleston from last month, this is going to be a little overwhelming.  Also, remember that I do teach private lessons, which could help you a lot with this level.

Pre-Silver Charleston

1. Charleston Basic
2. Tandem Charleston
3. Overturn and Push-Out (to get in and out of Tandem Charleston)
4. Half-Moon a.k.a. "Rainbow"
5. Charleston Crossovers with Double-Kick apart turn
6. Half-Moon with kick choreography

November Pre-Silver Step List: Bolero

Hello November!  Time to take Bolero to the next level!

This is the most difficult level of all, so be warned that you'll be expected to do full turns in this class.  Plus, you should be comfortable with all the steps from last month.  If you need to know what was covered in the previous level, click here.

Remember, this is a guide only.  It can't replace the actual lesson themselves, so come to class as often as possible.  And don't forget that there are always private lesson!

Pre-Silver Bolero

Note: The steps are titled by the name Michele uses, which are apparently the original names that you can find in any dance textbook.  I've added a short description as well, in order to help trigger your memory.

1. "Three-Threes": This is the Gold Level step where the ladies do a bunch of turns in front of the leaders.  She first does a half turn to the right, a full turn to the left, followed by a final right turn

2. "Cross Body Lead With Syncopated Turn": this is the one where you do a half moon, but with the ladies turning.  The ladies rhythm while turning is quick-and-quick-and-slow.

3. "Back-To-Back Line": This is the one where the leaders and followers quickly step back following the followers' underarm turn.  This is followed by a fencing line and a double turn for the ladies

4. "Opening Out": compared to the rest, this was an easy one!  It consisted of multiple back breaks for the followers, finishing with a spiral turn.
5. Open Hip Twist
6. Romantic Sway
7. The "Pizza Slide": the bit that usually followed the back-to-back line

8. Hip Rock (aka "Jim's step")

 

October: Pre-silver Samba Step List

It's October and it's time for some Samba!!

Here's the step for this month.  Check back regularly for updates!

Keep in mind that this list is a guide only.  It cannot replace the lessons themselves, so come to class as often as you can so you can practice and improve your skill!

Samba:

1. Forward rock, spiral turn into counterpromenade, bota fogo, bota fogo in place, maypole

2. Bota fogo into "easy" grapevine, ending with spot turn voltas

3. Bota fogo into "difficult" grapevine
4. Left turn into bota fogo (with guys going backwards), into ladies swivels

Pre-Silver September Step List: American Tango

September is here!  And Tango has made it to the pre-silver level!

This post is for the whole month, so check back regularly for weekly updates.

Remember that this is a guide only.  It cannot replace the actual classes themselves, so be sure to attend as many classes as you can in order to improve your skill!

American Tango Step List:

1. closed promenade with ronde to 1 or 3 fans
2. right foot lunge from corte
3. rock to corte from promenade or open promenade (an ending to a song if you like)

4. closed promenade, challenge line, oversway, ronde, slip pivot

Hartford Ballroom Pre-Silver Steps Of The Month For August 2014: Hustle

This month was a tough one for the Pre-Silver class!  Lots of interesting new turns and combinations.

For those of you not familiar with Hartford Ballroom's levels, the Pre-Silver class is the most advanced class we offer.  Even though it says "Pre-Silver", we do include Silver Level Steps in this class.

Here's a list of steps that we covered:

Pre-Silver Steps For August 2014: Hustle
Tangle To Ladies' Syncopated Tap Steps 

Nate's Crazy Pickpocket (involves a right hand shake) 

Ampersand Into Sliding Door 

Parallel Sweetheart With Ladies' Free Spin 

Butterfly Into Diva Walk 

Triple Right Side Pass  

Half-wrap To Cuddle From Closed Position Basic (Involves Ladies' Left Arm Reflex) 

The Crazy Advanced Combination (Involves Sweetheart With Inside Turn, Cool Hand Slide Back To Sweetheart, Ampersand, To Cuddle)