DANce StepsNotes from Dan

Download Dan Calloway’s Workshop Notes – JAdore Ballroom Workshops

Social Samba

1. Reverse Turn                                      SQQ SQQ SQQ
2. Three Back Rocks                               SQQ SQQ SQQ
3. Natural Turn (eventually Nat Roll)    SQQ SQQ SQQ
4. Two Closed Rocks                             SQQ SQQ
5. Three Open Rocks                              SQQ SQQ SQQ

Restart.

Technique

1. Samba is a highly rhythmic dance, expressed through body action on every step. The prupose of taking a step is to use that foot and pressure against the floor to create a hip/body action.
2. This routine intentionally avoids using the common 1a2 timing, which always accompanies bounce action. Figures counted with S’s and Q’s have no bounce action.
3. The best corner figure in this sequence is the Natural Turn.
4. A ronde action of the Lady’s lower leg initiates each of the Closed Rocks. Think about flicking the long samba train on the back of your skirt out of the way.

Social Tango

Group 1 (Begin facing DW)

1. Two Walks, curving to face DC                     SS
2. 1-3 Reverse Turn, Lady Outside                    QQS
3. Two Back Rocks                                            QQS QQS
4. Turning Rock                                                  QQ QQ QQ S
5. Two Tango Closes, curving to face DW         QQS QQS

Group 2 (Begin facing DW)

1. Two Walks, curving to face DC                     SS
2. 1-3 Basic Reverse Turn                                  QQS

(Leader ends with feet crossed, Follower ends with feet closed)

1. Double Chasse, backing DC                           QQ&QQ
2. American Style Corte                                     SS QQS
3. Second Tango Close, curving to face DW       QQS

Technique

1. Keep your center of gravity low.
2. All steps are taken with an angled body, never square.
3. Leaders lead primarily by changing weight. Take your steps with conviction and the lead is communicated through the frame and body contact.

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