Two Couples and a Tornado

Dear dancers, I am afraid I have been remiss in my duties as official RSCDS Chicago jester. We had a Halloween dance and a fall dance without any snarky remarks. While I feel the costume contest was a bit frustrating (I didn't win all of the prizes--tsk tsk), the dance itself was full of merriment and colorful characters including an 11th doctor, Peter Pan and Captain Hook, and a government shutdown embodied. 

Just last weekend, the Branch met at Fermilab to discuss whether or not we wanted to ban all setting steps. ... Either that, or I was at the wrong meeting. Then we had a tasty feast of pastries and fruit before trying out the barn's new floor en masse. 

For the Loch Mich class, Noel flew in from Minneapolis, on the heels of a tornado, to make it just in time for dancing. Unfortunately, she planned this week for three couples and we only had two--oops. But we picked out a grab bag of two person dances that we spent a good portion of the evening laughing about. There were a few real gems, but there were also one or two that made our Kiwi contingent grimace and squirm. If you ask me, that is just as good a reason to do funky dances as any.

The wind must have agreed that we should keep dancing--it battered the windows all night. Next week we begin doing the competition dances in earnest. With eight submissions, there are sure to be a few new favorites in the mix. If there are any that can't stand the heat--Hunger Games style--we take no prisoners. 

Our teaching moment of the week was to blend warm-ups with proper foot positions to help them become ingrained in dancers' minds. Begin with an extended leg, the heel turned away from the body. Then shift into correct turnout position, with the heel turned in toward the body, as if leading forward from the heel. This both warms up the foot and reinforces good dancing technique. 

Which Way Do I Go Again?

This week the Loch Mich class had an Aussie invasion--too bad for any kiwis in the room. 

Judy visited from her perch in Australia and deigned us with her presence at dance. She got her money's worth because our frustrations were a sight to see--believe me. We seem to have collectively forgotten how to do patterns. Whether its falling asleep (me) or forgetting whether you're a man or a woman (everyone but Greg). We couldn't quite get it down. Hilarity ensued.

But ho! Salvation in the form of a former demo dance. Rest and Be Thankful was awesome. We couldn't get everyone up and dancing because it was toward the end of the evening, but everyone who did dance flew through it. We picked up new couples, spun about in half reels, and came in to meet in the middle. This dance especially gave us room to throw in the tricks that are favored among the younger half of our class, including twirling reels, high fives, and impromptu somersaults. We should strive to bring this one back into vogue--looking at you demo team. 

In other news, we are planning a combined group event--The Hunger Games ... Scottish Style. Needless to say, the bloodshed may get gruesome as we test unsung dances for the right to be published. But more on that once the COM gets everything worked out (or else we already have and I haven't been paying enough attention).

Now for the Dancing Tip of the Week

This particular segment is short this time around because Xiaowen and I were chatting about surprise ballet dancers. She distracted me from taking down any exact quotes, unfortunately. But the gist of it was: pay attention to foot transitions between setting and hands round. In both directions you'll need to add in a little hop to change weight and make it look pretty. Coming back round before setting is easier because your jettee keeps going in the same direction as the step. 

Before we meet again (hopefully in a horrific costume at the Milwaukee Halloween dance), be prepared for a new segment in the coming weeks. If you ever wanted to get a closer look into your dance partner's head, this will be the perfect opportunity. 

Until then, Ciao my dancing friends.

Performances and Puny Sets

Sorry guys, this post is going to be more serious than comical. Next week I will work on my hilarity more.

Last weekend, the demo team flew--literally. We were on a segmented stage that moved up and down more than we ever could. But, bouncing aside, the six of us danced our nine dances admirably. And at least one audience member was pleased (she came up to me afterward and said she loved watching us dance). We should have a few more demos through the end of the year, including our renowned Museum of Science and Industry Christmas performance. Be sure to join in on the fun, watching or otherwise. 

Back at the Loch Mich class, we have had a couple of four-person classes due to members being out of town or too involved in their PhD work. Though I knew I would rather hide under a bush than be stuck in and endless procession of two-couple dances, the classes were surprisingly fun. We worked on technique and got the beady-eyed stare from Noel when each of us forgot to use turnout. With a small democracy we even traveled at our own pace and did dances we could all agree on. But the best part for me was undoubtedly the mocking of the teacher and each other. 

This weekend we should be inching back to a normal set size, but at least we know we can persevere regardless of class size. We have enthusiasm and a creative teacher who can find dances for any lesson plan, however unusual. 

On that note, I would like to honor our teacher with a new segment: Dancing Tip of the Week.

During set and link, the person casting should move forward a little bit to create the illusion of the pair moving together before they separate. If you move just enough to avoid turning on the spot, it'll make the figure look cleaner. Plus, don't let go of each others hands before the end of the third bar--you're meant to be a link, connected. 

Until next week, ciao my dancing friends.

Upcoming performance

Quick check in, everybody. The demo team is performing at the Will County Folk Fest on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The festival is in Joliet, but for anyone who can make it down, it looks quaint and is probably the last Celtic event for the summer. Hope to see you there :)

Loch Mich Begins Again

What is the number one thing Chicago dancers wish they could have? 

Is it live music?

Nope--sorry Tim.

 Is it more kilts? 

Thanks, Bruce

Well, ...

In this case, it is a refinished  wooden floor!

Yes, we at Bethany have just had our first session of dancing on a new wooden floor and, oh, how we flew. I don't think there is a finer surface anywhere else in the city. So, if anyone wants to come down for a skip step race, you're on.

I've also heard whispers of a new floor at the Fermilab Barn, so we shall see how that fares for our fall dance, which is tentatively set for November 10th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In other news, Charles Coulon has set up an official RSCDS Chicago Facebook page. Anyone with pictures or news they'd like to share should skedaddle and post them right away.

We hope everyone enjoys the start of dancing for the fall season as much as we will. If I don't see you until the fall dance, adieu.

And so marks the end of the Loch Mich Scottish country dancing season.

Now, an ending may be a weird place to start but its where this blog begins.  We had our final dance class and it was an ending full of beginnings. We had a new regular member show up for his first class. To make the moment special, he brought along a violin and a band-mate on recorder. So, we also had our first live music session of the year. The energy was high and the church hall was toasty--but not so hot as to cook actual toast--and I do try.

In a couple of weeks, we will have our ball walk through and a celebration for the class's recent PhD completion. Next, is the Scottish weekend complete with an all-Midwest ball. Then we say goodbye for the summer.

Our class, though taking a break, is an official class of the RSCDS Chicago branch. And this is the official blog of RSCDS Chicago. So the summer will be replete with tales of Scottishness, even if my class isn't dancing. I will be covering the highland games and updates from our sister class at Fermilab, Silk and Thistle. Until then, keep practicing your turnout.