Heavenly ...

I want to teach the world to swing. Yes ... it's very cheesy, and ripped off from a coca-cola commercial from another decade, but it's true. I love swing dancing, in all its incarnations, and love teaching it to people. Most recently taught my (family) ward. So, only about 16 people came, and the newlyweds refused to dance with other people as if it were an act of unfaithfulness, but there were other couples, and those three cute teenage girls who just ate it up. Have also recently taught a bit to Board Game Fanatic and White Boy.

The other week, sent out a large email about Teddy Lee Hooker playing at the Speak Easy Blues, which is one of my favorite blues venues. White Boy came with me, and my friend JoN from work came as well. In the past, Perky, Teddy, and couple others have come along with me. Anyway, taught JoN a little last year. And he was awful. Had the hardest time with the concept of the rockstep, a bad indicator. Anyway, he met me out a couple more times, and that's the last I've seen of his dancing feet. Everyone in a while he would tell me about feeling inadequate and shy on the dance floor, and how he was taking lessons, etc. We danced a little at the SEB, and he blew me away. So improved! Still rather a beginner, but oh-so-much-better! I almost shed a tear. THIS is validation that anyone can learn to lindy.

Have also been meeting weekly with White Boy to teach him swing. Orinigally was teaching him some moves for the (family) ward activity, but he's been noticing other health improvements, and wants to continue. So, having taught a bunch of east coast moves, decided it was time for him to learn some lindy. And yes, I was a little tough on him, but he did very well. We also worked some on our move, titled Heavenly. White Boy saw something similar to it at SEB, described it to me, I added a few trimmings, and voila! Heavenly! Start with a cross-handed link (left). Rock step, tuck step, then in to a more closed position, follow's body at 90 degree's to lead's. Rockstep back, then lead moves follow forward on first triple, stops her with a hand on the abdomen to reverse her steps for the second triple, at the same time as moving in front of her. Rock step to the back while catching follow's right hand in the lead's left hand. On first triple, leads follow to left side, coming elbow to elbow. On second triple, both do inside turns and end up side by side facing the opposite direction. Rock step and two sets of lollies. On the last kick out, step down with inside foot, kick out and plant with outside foot, slide back with inside foot. Slide ouside foot back to meet inside foot, and wait for "that moment" to stamp it. And yes, I did just waste that much time typing text to recount a move that takes just 30 seconds!

Anyway, so in one night, we smoothed it out,added the bit from the lollies, and taught it to Perky, who spent a couple minutes watching us. How Heavenly is that?