Guess who has two thumbs and is going contra dancing Sat night?

This chick

A friend who had gone swing dancing with a friend was told about contra dancing and she asked two of us here if we would like to try it with her.

Just because you love it so muh AC, I thought "why the hell not?"

I will report back Sunday.

What are your plans?

Whooooo ~~ that sounds like fun, Arwen!!

Unfortunately I have no plans for the weekend other than going to the laundromat tomorrow.
The weather is supposed to be really nice though, so maybe I'll venture out with my camera at some point.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Tonight Im just hanging with the pets and watching some TV. Ive got to catch up on Project Runway, Survivor and Mad Men.
Tomorrow Im meeting my guy and his girls at this place in Decatur called the Land Trust. Its a huge farm like area with a bon fire, people dancing around the fire, drum circles, and just music and kids and people being all silly. They have a kitchen with hot chocolate, cider and smores and actual bathrooms. There is even a steam room from what I understand. Yeah, the last time we went I did smell a little herb now and then but it all seemed harmless and out of the general area. Pretty upscale hippy style. Should be fun.

Tonight, I'm returning a bathroom rug I bought this afternoon and buying a bigger one. Not sure what I was thinking, buying a 17 X 24 inch tiny scrap of carpet. Then I have to return approximately 56 library books that are due tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I'm taking Carson and a friend down to Ellicott City to earn their Art to Wear badge. Dan is taking Lauren to a cookie booth sale at the Giant (he's thrilled) and Megan's going to my BF's house for a few hours. Once we all reconvene back here after lunch, we will happily be doing NOTHING.

Sunday, so far, just church in the morning.

Tonight I'm finishing up watching Season 3 of Mr. Belvedere. Tomorrow and Sunday I'm marking 60 global climate change posters that my 9th graders did.
One of them suggested, as a solution to the effects of climate change, "putting all the polar bears into a refrigerator".
This is gonna be a long weekend.

(Arwen - the dancing sounds awesome!)

Tonight - Friday night dinner

Tomorrow - Academic Tournament; also getting tile put in our master shower

Sunday - Tile guy will be back to finish the job


Somewhere in the middle of all that: Write a stinkin paper for this stinkin class.

The good news: I'll have my degree (Specialist) on December 13th and be FINISHED with the classes! PTL!

Arwen- HOW COOL! You'll have to bring a cam and post some pics! Hope you have fun.

There will probably be a short class before you start- make sure you go to that, or if there isn't, get there a little early and ask your friend (of the caller) to walk you through the moves- There are only about 8-10 moves in contra, just walking them through helps before you dance with people.

A couple of contra tips:

You are gonna screw up- you can't help it, everybody does (thats half the fun)- so make sure you laugh when you do. I have been doing this for 5 years, and I screw up all the time. If you aren't laughing and smiling while you are dancing, you aren't doing it right!

Relax- if you can walk you can contra dance. You will get dizzy though if this is your first time. Look at your partner's face when you swing with em. You have to find a center point that isn't spinning, otherwise you'll get dizzy. If it gets to be too much, ask your partner to slow down a little.

Other than that have a great time! Here are a couple of videos of some dancin!

Here is some rocking Vermont contra...



This is The Groovemongers playing in CALI...love this band!



Have a great time!!!

Thanks AC

I am super good at laughing at myself so I'll be a natural.
I was doing some reading and the spinning kinda scares me so I'll do what you said and look at my partner.

I'm gonna have to read these descriptions a few times. I'm not sure what they mean...

3.Carrying your own weight during swinging:
It makes a significant difference to both your dance experience as well as your partner's when you carry your own weight during swinging. This means that your weight is above your own body and that you aren't clamping on too tight to your partner or pulling/pushing down on their shoulders or arms. Not sure if you have this part of swinging down pat? Ask someone for advice.

4.Giving weight:
This is different than carrying your own weight during swinging and is probably the biggest key to contra dancing that some people miss. Again, it helps you connect better, move much more efficiently, allows for more flourishes (fancy variations) if you want, etc. The best way to describe giving weight is that you are providing a bit of resistance in your arm. To provide resistance, you keep a bit of flex/tension in your arm and keep it bent, using it as a spring, rather than having it fully extendd or loose. Giving weight is especially useful in allemandes, balances, women chaining across, and right and left throughs.

http://www.ottawacontra.ca/view/?about

PS

Yes, there is a lesson first thing

Okay- I was going to mention that, however it is REALLY hard to explain it by writing it out. You have to kind of show you.

On the weight issue: When you swing or alamande- you always kind of "tug" or "pull" on your neighbor or partner's hands. You keep tension on your grip with the other person, so that when you release them, they can easily move onto the next position or partner. If you look at the Vermont video, you see how everyone kind of is flung into the arms of the next person. It's that constant tension that helps you move up and down the line.

When you swing, kind of lean back. The staring into your partners face is kind of like being on a marry-go-round. You don't look off into the horizon, you look at one point in space, so you dont get pukey.

There are some guys who really like to spin their partners. If you feel at all dizzy, tell your partner- ask him to spin you slower- these dances last for 10-15 minutes, and they really can bust your butt (exercise-wise).

Anyway- have a great time! Let me know all the gory details when you get back!

Thanks!

I think I understand

I am sure you will get it once you start moving! Have a great time!

Well, it was lots of fun

There were about 50 couples in a rec centre and everyone was super patient and went out of their way to ask all 4 of us newbies to dance. There were lots of beginners (my friend said more than she's seen in the two months she's been going) so I wasn't the only one making mistakes There was a coouple of practice rounds before each song so we got a few tries to get it right before the live band started playing.

Contra dancing is kind of like square dancing in that there is a caller that tells you the moves and you get to know what's coming next once you learn the lingo. It's nice because you can come alone and you switch partners as the dance progresses so you don't stick out like a sore thumb if you are alone.

We all got super dizzy from all the spinning. The secret, I am told, is to look into the eyes of your partner but that was really weird. I mean how often do people look each other in the eyes just passing on the street, in this case you are expected to look into the eyes of someone you don't know for a good 15min off and on. That's going to take some getting used to.

I am a little bit sore today and my friend cancelled on our movie this afternoon because she still has a headache but it was all worth it. I think we may all go again

You don't HAVE to look in their eyes- that is really hard you are right. Sometimes I look at their nose, teeth, etc-just so I have a center point to focus on.

Most contra dancers are pretty patient- they really go out of their way to make people feel good- Glad you gave it a try!