June 2007
From the Editor
Dip her! But do it safely!
Dips certainly can look cool and feel great when executed at that special moment in the music. The couple create beautiful clean lines with their bodies while the men are sweeping their partners off their feet - it looks exhilarating! After watching a couple expertly perform a flashy dip in one graceful swoosh many people are drawn to partner dancing. But girls - if you don’t now how to protect yourself with good technique, then you are putting your long term spinal health at risk!
Once considered the domain of only the most advanced dancers dips are no longer beyond the reach of an intermediate level dancer. However there are some important safety points that must be considered.
FOR THE LADIES:
The follower must always wait for their partners lead.
The follower should also be aware of where her legs and feet are positioned during the dip. It is usually possible to support the bulk of your own weight using your thigh muscles. (And don’t forget to engage those abdominal muscles!)
The follower must make sure that her weight is in the right place before attempting a dip. It is important to be able to control your own body weight - don’t put all your faith into your partner
Ladies determine the depth of the dip - go only as far as you can while always maintaining control of your weight.
FOR THE MEN:
The leader must feel confident he understands how the dip is executed, with correct body and hand placement before attempting the move for the first time on a social dance floor.
Men will look smooth and make the move safe if they keep their back straight, rather than leaning forward over their partner.
Always dip your lady by bending your knees, rather than your back.
And finally - NEVER EVER drop a partner!
FOR ALL DANCERS:
Bear in mind that your partner may not feel comfortable with dips, or may not have learnt the correct technique. It is usually best to reserve dips until you have danced with your partner a few times.
Never attempt a dip with someone you have never danced with before, and always be aware of who and what is around you.
In social dancing, it is best to avoid dips where the follower has limited control of her own weight.
Remember that anticipation and throwing yourself into a dip are recipes for disaster! It is also worth bearing in mind that even simple moves can look fantastic if pulled off with a flourish.
Happy Dipping!
Body Movement Course with Vanessa
What is it? The new Smooth Latin Groove course with Vanessa Van der Werff is called Body Movement. If you have ever wondered why some people look different than others when executing the same moves, here is your answer! Body Movement is essentially a dance conditioning class that strengthens and helps protect people’s bodies, while allowing a fluid projection of movements to be expressed freely with the body. It is not a course in which you learn certain moves so that you can dance them next time you’re at a party. Rather the syllabus entails body isolation, turning exercises, and stretching, along with preparing the body for cambre’s (dips). This syllabus will help increase not only the fluidity of movement, but also the flow of creativity that puts individual flare and enjoyment to your dancing - whichever Latin dance style you love the most!
A bit about the Instructor: Vanessa has been dancing throughout her life. She started her classical ballet training when she was five, along with tap, contemporary and jazz. Among the dances she has studied are the Polynesian styles, Aboriginal, Indonesian, Indian and Persian dancing. She continues dancing in Brisbane focussing in Funk, Hip Hop, and Latin dancing. Vanessa’s achievements include dancing with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, at the Opening Ceremony of Good Will Games, just to name a few.
Vanessa, with the help of Smooth Latin Groove, has come up with a syllabus that will help in every aspect of dance, expression, strength, joy and vitality. “I believe this course will help put all the pieces of the puzzle of dance together so that dance becomes an enjoyable intuitive creative experience, which extends on to the people you’re dancing with.”
Course begins Saturday 14th July- please see Timetable for more details.
4 week course
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Investment $70.00
New facilities and enrollments
Secure Online Facilities: you can now book online as SLG has secure online Credit Card facilities!
Special Offers
Core Elements Students receive: Second course is half price!!*
When you enrol into either Zouk Accelerated+ or Salsa Accelerated+ you will get your Gafieira Course for free!
Zouk Open and Gafieira Open students get another course of for free!*
*Offers expires Thursday 28th June
NB. All enrollments are subject to class ratios
Don't miss out...Book early!l
Term Break Workshops
Ladies Styling
Tuesday 26th June 7:00pm to 8:30pm Studio One
Learn fun, elegant moves and intricate footwork options that you can do while being lead on the social dance floor. The session will cover concepts applicable to both Salsa and Zouk. Look more feminine, increase your sensuality, and feel great as a follower - be “the picture in the frame” of Latin partner dancing!
For the Blokes!
Tuesday 26th June 7:00pm to 8:30pm Studio Two
Learn stylish moves and steps, with an emphasis on body isolation and posture, and look even more masculine on the dance floor! We will show you how to execute clean turns and fancy footwork that will have the ladies lining up to dance with you. You will feel confident and will be able to take those ladies for a smooth ride on the dance floor!
Cha Cha Cha Partner Work
Wednesday 27th June 7:00pm to 8:30pm
This session is best suited to those who are familiar with the basics of Cha Cha Cha (breaking on 2!). Learn a smooth Cha Cha combo along with a shines pattern that will make you look and feel great on the dance floor. You will never sit out a Cha Cha at a party again!
Too Cha Cha or Cha Cha on two…and what about the gong gong!
Having grown up listening to the soulful strokes of Carlos Santana’s guitar mixed with the hypnotic percussion of the tumbao (pronounced [toom-baw]) means that I do enjoy the raw delicious flavour of a real Cha Cha Cha. As I dance more and more, so grows my awareness to connect to the groove that is the Cha Cha Cha music. Today my taste also extends to, among a few others, Edwin Bonilla and Little Johnny Rivero.
When first instructed on how to dance Cha Cha Cha many are shown the foot pattern based on the 4 count phrase: to break (ie. step forward) on count 1. While this pattern is most certainly not wrong, if you continue to dance Cha Cha Cha you may eventually find that the “Cha Cha” part of the step falls a bit out of time with the music.
For me and many others the slap of tumbao on count 2 and the “gong gong” on 4 & are the very essence of the rhythm. Break on 2 is what gives rise to the name “On 2”. Then the pattern becomes: forward(2), spot(3), cha-cha-cha(4&1), back(6), spot(7), cha-cha-cha(4&1).
When first attempting Cha Cha Cha, the first thing that is often connected to is the start of the musical phrase. This is why a lot of dancers may not be aware of the “breaking on 2” pattern. If you are dancing a Cha Cha Cha to anything other than a tumbao rhythm it really doesn’t matter where you break forward. (I would never wish to stop anyone from enjoying themselves!) However if the music contains the traditional Cha Cha rhythm (and the “gong gong” on 4 &!), you will find that breaking “on 2” allows for a lot more interesting body movements and foot patterns that fit beautifully into the music. Give it a go!
At SLG, we have offered successful workshops in Cha Cha Cha in the past, and this term break you will have the opportunity to learn a bit more about this exciting dance style! We will explore the variations of count 2, along with body movement, styling and breaks. The workshop will develop both individual as well as partner work. Come and enjoy with us the groovy rhythms of tumbao and the “gong gong”!
(Wednesday 27th June 7:00-8:30pm)
*Of course Salsa can also be danced on two, which is of course is another article.
Sample of Cha Cha Cha on congas
~Ian Corbett
SLG Open House - “Come and Try” especially for beginners!
Come and try a Free Latin Dance class with no obligations!
- by yourself or with a partner
- no dance experience necessary
Discover how easy it is to get started!
Thursday 28th June 7:00pm to 8pm
Booking Essential - class numbers are limited!
From the Dance Floor
Term Break Office Hours:
Monday 25th June to Friday 29th June: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturday 30th June: 9:30am to 5:00pm
What’s On at SLG?
Merengue Course – July
4 week Course
Saturday’s 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm
Investment $60.00
Starts 7th July then 15th, 22nd and 29th
Merengue is a fun, festive and a very popular Latin Dance. The dance is characterised by fancy turns and a simple relaxed basic step. The simple footwork and steady beat makes Merengue very easy to learn. Develop rhythm, animation and flair! This course will introduce and stylize the basic foot patterning, and combine cool turns and playful combos. We will show you how to execute them smoothly and get you dancing this fun and easy style in no time at all!
Bachata Course - August
4 week Course
Saturday’s 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm
Investment $60.00
Starts 4th August then 11th, 18th and 25th
Bachata is a beautiful romantic partner dance from the Dominican Republic. It is a relative of Merengue and the music is often heard at Salsa events. This is a chance to immerse yourself into this passionate, smooth and sensual and easy-to-learn dance style. With beautiful step combinations, and captivating partner connection, you will be having fun and add a fabulous, popular dance style to your repertoire.
Extra Core One Consolidation Class Saturday 23rd 11:00am to 12:30pm
This is an extra free class with all Core One Students welcome to attend
Big Thank You to all the students who have been out and about sharing their joy and skills from dancing with SLG at both the Junction Road State School Fete and St Sebastian’s Fete
Thank you to all these students Steve/Tracey, Paul/Louise, Bryce/Martina, Frank/Tina, Mark/Helen, James/Vanessa, Gary/Vanessa, Gavern/Natalie, David/Bronwyn, John/Jill, David/Donna.
Timetable
Please refer to web site for terms and conditions.
Contact Us
From the Editor
Dip her! But do it safely!
Dips certainly can look cool and feel great when executed at that special moment in the music. The couple create beautiful clean lines with their bodies while the men are sweeping their partners off their feet - it looks exhilarating! After watching a couple expertly perform a flashy dip in one graceful swoosh many people are drawn to partner dancing. But girls - if you don’t now how to protect yourself with good technique, then you are putting your long term spinal health at risk!
Once considered the domain of only the most advanced dancers dips are no longer beyond the reach of an intermediate level dancer. However there are some important safety points that must be considered.
FOR THE LADIES:
The follower must always wait for their partners lead.
The follower should also be aware of where her legs and feet are positioned during the dip. It is usually possible to support the bulk of your own weight using your thigh muscles. (And don’t forget to engage those abdominal muscles!)
The follower must make sure that her weight is in the right place before attempting a dip. It is important to be able to control your own body weight - don’t put all your faith into your partner
Ladies determine the depth of the dip - go only as far as you can while always maintaining control of your weight.
FOR THE MEN:
The leader must feel confident he understands how the dip is executed, with correct body and hand placement before attempting the move for the first time on a social dance floor.
Men will look smooth and make the move safe if they keep their back straight, rather than leaning forward over their partner.
Always dip your lady by bending your knees, rather than your back.
And finally - NEVER EVER drop a partner!
FOR ALL DANCERS:
Bear in mind that your partner may not feel comfortable with dips, or may not have learnt the correct technique. It is usually best to reserve dips until you have danced with your partner a few times.
Never attempt a dip with someone you have never danced with before, and always be aware of who and what is around you.
In social dancing, it is best to avoid dips where the follower has limited control of her own weight.
Remember that anticipation and throwing yourself into a dip are recipes for disaster! It is also worth bearing in mind that even simple moves can look fantastic if pulled off with a flourish.
Happy Dipping!
Body Movement Course with Vanessa
What is it? The new Smooth Latin Groove course with Vanessa Van der Werff is called Body Movement. If you have ever wondered why some people look different than others when executing the same moves, here is your answer! Body Movement is essentially a dance conditioning class that strengthens and helps protect people’s bodies, while allowing a fluid projection of movements to be expressed freely with the body. It is not a course in which you learn certain moves so that you can dance them next time you’re at a party. Rather the syllabus entails body isolation, turning exercises, and stretching, along with preparing the body for cambre’s (dips). This syllabus will help increase not only the fluidity of movement, but also the flow of creativity that puts individual flare and enjoyment to your dancing - whichever Latin dance style you love the most!
A bit about the Instructor: Vanessa has been dancing throughout her life. She started her classical ballet training when she was five, along with tap, contemporary and jazz. Among the dances she has studied are the Polynesian styles, Aboriginal, Indonesian, Indian and Persian dancing. She continues dancing in Brisbane focussing in Funk, Hip Hop, and Latin dancing. Vanessa’s achievements include dancing with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, at the Opening Ceremony of Good Will Games, just to name a few.
Vanessa, with the help of Smooth Latin Groove, has come up with a syllabus that will help in every aspect of dance, expression, strength, joy and vitality. “I believe this course will help put all the pieces of the puzzle of dance together so that dance becomes an enjoyable intuitive creative experience, which extends on to the people you’re dancing with.”
Course begins Saturday 14th July- please see Timetable for more details.
4 week course
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Investment $70.00
New facilities and enrollments
Secure Online Facilities: you can now book online as SLG has secure online Credit Card facilities!
Special Offers
Core Elements Students receive: Second course is half price!!*
When you enrol into either Zouk Accelerated+ or Salsa Accelerated+ you will get your Gafieira Course for free!
Zouk Open and Gafieira Open students get another course of for free!*
*Offers expires Thursday 28th June
NB. All enrollments are subject to class ratios
Don't miss out...Book early!l
Term Break Workshops
Ladies Styling
Tuesday 26th June 7:00pm to 8:30pm Studio One
Learn fun, elegant moves and intricate footwork options that you can do while being lead on the social dance floor. The session will cover concepts applicable to both Salsa and Zouk. Look more feminine, increase your sensuality, and feel great as a follower - be “the picture in the frame” of Latin partner dancing!
For the Blokes!
Tuesday 26th June 7:00pm to 8:30pm Studio Two
Learn stylish moves and steps, with an emphasis on body isolation and posture, and look even more masculine on the dance floor! We will show you how to execute clean turns and fancy footwork that will have the ladies lining up to dance with you. You will feel confident and will be able to take those ladies for a smooth ride on the dance floor!
Cha Cha Cha Partner Work
Wednesday 27th June 7:00pm to 8:30pm
This session is best suited to those who are familiar with the basics of Cha Cha Cha (breaking on 2!). Learn a smooth Cha Cha combo along with a shines pattern that will make you look and feel great on the dance floor. You will never sit out a Cha Cha at a party again!
Too Cha Cha or Cha Cha on two…and what about the gong gong!
Having grown up listening to the soulful strokes of Carlos Santana’s guitar mixed with the hypnotic percussion of the tumbao (pronounced [toom-baw]) means that I do enjoy the raw delicious flavour of a real Cha Cha Cha. As I dance more and more, so grows my awareness to connect to the groove that is the Cha Cha Cha music. Today my taste also extends to, among a few others, Edwin Bonilla and Little Johnny Rivero.
When first instructed on how to dance Cha Cha Cha many are shown the foot pattern based on the 4 count phrase: to break (ie. step forward) on count 1. While this pattern is most certainly not wrong, if you continue to dance Cha Cha Cha you may eventually find that the “Cha Cha” part of the step falls a bit out of time with the music.
For me and many others the slap of tumbao on count 2 and the “gong gong” on 4 & are the very essence of the rhythm. Break on 2 is what gives rise to the name “On 2”. Then the pattern becomes: forward(2), spot(3), cha-cha-cha(4&1), back(6), spot(7), cha-cha-cha(4&1).
When first attempting Cha Cha Cha, the first thing that is often connected to is the start of the musical phrase. This is why a lot of dancers may not be aware of the “breaking on 2” pattern. If you are dancing a Cha Cha Cha to anything other than a tumbao rhythm it really doesn’t matter where you break forward. (I would never wish to stop anyone from enjoying themselves!) However if the music contains the traditional Cha Cha rhythm (and the “gong gong” on 4 &!), you will find that breaking “on 2” allows for a lot more interesting body movements and foot patterns that fit beautifully into the music. Give it a go!
At SLG, we have offered successful workshops in Cha Cha Cha in the past, and this term break you will have the opportunity to learn a bit more about this exciting dance style! We will explore the variations of count 2, along with body movement, styling and breaks. The workshop will develop both individual as well as partner work. Come and enjoy with us the groovy rhythms of tumbao and the “gong gong”!
(Wednesday 27th June 7:00-8:30pm)
*Of course Salsa can also be danced on two, which is of course is another article.
Sample of Cha Cha Cha on congas
~Ian Corbett
SLG Open House - “Come and Try” especially for beginners!
Come and try a Free Latin Dance class with no obligations!
- by yourself or with a partner
- no dance experience necessary
Discover how easy it is to get started!
Thursday 28th June 7:00pm to 8pm
Booking Essential - class numbers are limited!
From the Dance Floor
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Tara Morgan I started dancing in September last year, in Latin Foundation with no prior dance experience. I am currently enrolled in Core 3 and Carnival Samba classes and really look forward to each week. When I'm dancing, I get to relax and I never fail to have a laugh. I love the social side to dancing, especially as you bump into the same people at different events and catch up while you dance. When I'm not dancing, I'm catching up with mates for dinner, drinks and social commentary. At the moment I am organizing a ski trip to NZ, watching State of Origin (Queenslander!!!), drinking good old Vodka, fresh lime & soda, and eating Greek and Japanese food. If money was no object I'd get my pilot's license and travel everywhere and anywhere! I really enjoy dancing with SLG as the style of teaching is laid-back yet comprehensive.� Ian, Desley, Helen and Chantal are all so approachable, so it's easy to ask for help and I've really found that my dancing has improved through the practice sessions and dance parties that they host. As SLG is actively involved in the Latin dancing community, everyone encourages you to get out there and have a go; it's amazing what you can achieve when you're having fun and testing yourself. |
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Michael Oertel I have been dancing with Smooth Latin Groove for about 6 months. I was interested in doing ballroom dancing but when a work acquaintance told me he did Latin dancing I thought I would give it a try. I went along to a free introductory night and I couldn’t wait to register for regular lessons! I found “Smooth Latin Groove” very well organized, with different classes for different levels of experience which makes it a lot easier to learn. Once started, it didn’t take long until I was able to get up and dance, and with ‘Tune Up’ dance nights every 2nd Friday as well as the monthly Saturday night parties, there is plenty of opportunity to strut your stuff. Not only is Ian and the team there to help you if required, but you can dance with numerous other experienced dancers who are only to happy to lend a hand. I have just started a “Salsa Rueda” class which is currently held every 2nd Saturday where you follow calls from a leader. It is a really fun dance where you swap partners and after performing it on a Friday night dance, I have had several people come up to me and say how great it looked and wanted to know how they could get into it. Not only is Smooth Latin Groove a great way to keep fit, it’s also a great way to meet new friends. It doesn’t matter if you are single or a couple, or what your age is, I would not hesitate to recommend you give it a go if you’re thinking about getting into dancing. |
Term Break Office Hours:
Monday 25th June to Friday 29th June: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturday 30th June: 9:30am to 5:00pm
What’s On at SLG?
| 23rd June – SLG Party! 26th June – Styling Workshops 27th June – Cha Cha Cha Workshop 28th June – Open House 29th June – “Merengue Cool Moves” Tune Up 2nd July – New courses begins 13th July – “Samba no pe” Tune Up 21st July – SLG Party! 27th July – “Bachata” Tune Up 10th August – “Salsa Shines” Tune Up 18th August – SLG Party! 24th August – “Cha Cha Cha Shines” Tune Up |
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Merengue Course – July
4 week Course
Saturday’s 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm
Investment $60.00
Starts 7th July then 15th, 22nd and 29th
Merengue is a fun, festive and a very popular Latin Dance. The dance is characterised by fancy turns and a simple relaxed basic step. The simple footwork and steady beat makes Merengue very easy to learn. Develop rhythm, animation and flair! This course will introduce and stylize the basic foot patterning, and combine cool turns and playful combos. We will show you how to execute them smoothly and get you dancing this fun and easy style in no time at all!
Bachata Course - August
4 week Course
Saturday’s 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm
Investment $60.00
Starts 4th August then 11th, 18th and 25th
Bachata is a beautiful romantic partner dance from the Dominican Republic. It is a relative of Merengue and the music is often heard at Salsa events. This is a chance to immerse yourself into this passionate, smooth and sensual and easy-to-learn dance style. With beautiful step combinations, and captivating partner connection, you will be having fun and add a fabulous, popular dance style to your repertoire.
Extra Core One Consolidation Class Saturday 23rd 11:00am to 12:30pm
This is an extra free class with all Core One Students welcome to attend
Big Thank You to all the students who have been out and about sharing their joy and skills from dancing with SLG at both the Junction Road State School Fete and St Sebastian’s Fete
Thank you to all these students Steve/Tracey, Paul/Louise, Bryce/Martina, Frank/Tina, Mark/Helen, James/Vanessa, Gary/Vanessa, Gavern/Natalie, David/Bronwyn, John/Jill, David/Donna.
Timetable
Courses starting from 2nd to 7th July 2007
Please refer to web site for terms and conditions.
Contact Us