Looking for something to do? Simone Salsa Dance School runs and hosts a monthly LATIN NIGHT at the elegant Maestro's Restaurant at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts! Visit the event's page on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/events/162169903884760/ Here are the dates for the 2012 series: Feb 16 - Mar 15 - April 19 - May 17 - Jun 21 - Jul 19 - Aug 16 - Sept 20

100 Days of Dance - 1-25-12

Wanted to share this you tube clip with you today to get you up and moving during the 100 days of dance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=L7N6slVrQeY&vq=medium

100 days of dance - 1-18-12

So I have not been posting of late as been recovering from a lingering cold that has zapped my energy but here is a recap of what I did manage to eek out:

Friday the 13th was not so scarey, I attended a social dance where the lesson taught was 'slow dance' and a surprising number of people turned out for the lesson which was an interesting amalgamation of elements of different dances that fit toghether nicely for slow, very, very, slow tempos where most people are rubbing bellys and swaying - now a group of people know how to do it in style and elegance!

Saturday the 14th I worked on some West Coast Swing and swear one of these days I am going to get beyond taking a lesson and make it to a social dance... I have the will but scheduling has been an issue. There are several local dances in our are dedicated to just WCS so I could spend a whole evening working on that. Sometime people are bored with the lack of variety but I never seem to mind a full evening os salsa or swing.

I took a private lesson and worked on my ChaCha technique, specifically rotating my ribcage for more dynamic action. I need to practice very slowly and for long periods to build the muscle memory, it seems to dissipate quickly and I am back to my rigid, ond habits.

That night I was planning on attending the Fuego 813 but got ditched at the last minute and was thinking maybe I should stay in and rest up as it is a bit of a drive to get to the once monthly social held at the Arthur Murray over on MacDill, and I did just that! Did not get out of bed till Monday night - did not even watch a dance video!

Monday night I did some salsa which I tried to beg off of but ended up having an enjoyable time and Tuesday felt better but not well enough for dancing. I will attempt today although feeling a lack of stamina. Everything is best once I am up and moving!

100 days of dance 1-11-12

Today from 1-3 there is an afternoon social I will be attending.
For only $7.00 anyone can participate in a dance lesson and open dancing.
No partners are needed and there are even snacks & refreshments included.

Troy teaches the lesson, and Julie is there to assist. Because most people work during the day, the dance is less crowded and it is a great opportunity for you to get more comfortable with your progressive dances like Watlz, Tango & Foxtrot when a leader must use good floorcraft in navigating around the other couples.

Someone sent me a very interesting article that explained how social dancing helped keep the brain young and wards off Altzheimers because of the neural pathways created by the decision making process involved in using both sides of the brain and body in making judgements while in motion. I will share bits of it with you on Sundays!
This dance

100 Days of Dance - 1/7-10/12

Saturday was an hour of west coast swing. This is probably the most useful of social dances, as it can be danced to a lot of music tempos that other dance is not suited for. It's sassy and each partner can apply their own style..

Sunday I am counting late night Saturday into Sunday salsa dancing at a local latin club: Amorama which is located on Ulmerton Rd. in the Icot center. Nicely appointed.
$5 cover, all latin music most every night.

Monday was 3 hours of group class where I am trying to learn to lead some salsa moves so when I go out with my girlfriends I don't have to sit at the table waiting to dance like Saturday night. I did get a post comment asking for more photos - I have not had the time to jazz up the page, my apologies for that.

Practice, practice, practice - there are no shortcuts! Where will you be in 100 days?

100 days of dance - day 6

Some frustrations yesterday with the few blind spots in my routines that are not gelling in my brain. Got further along in my foxtrot but need more practice alone on my part to get it up to speed. At the moment I am doubting myself. That's one good thing that comes out of dance, you find out that you CAN. Patience is not a virtue I have, I am still learning to be patient with myself. Today it's Friday, that means a big ballroom party starting at 7pm with a Tango lesson tonight and 2 hours to dance dance dance.

100 Days of Dance - Day 5

I was having an out of body experience during my dancing. My brain and body were not connected. This can be a good thing for those who are overthinkers...shutting off the censor can be freeing for the body.

Reviewed some routines and covered Silver Rumba - Me Likey! Very, very pretty patterns with some time changes from the DVIDA Syllabus. They offer excellent videos if you want to supplement your learning at home.

Soon to try and add arm movement and technique to ChaCha, as I almost have the routine down... a couple of transitions I just blank. One more thing to think about might just make it click!

Very excited about a bolero progressive class starting soon on Thursdays at 8. 6 hours for $70 is a great way to learn patterns and really know your footwork at value pricing.

This is a wonderful image by Jane Perez of JP Photografitti taken at Let's Dance FL LLC, 29121 US 19 N. Clearwater, FL 33761 of 2 of the instructors!