GREETINGS, THANK YOU &
Dance notes for the BOOT SCOOTIN'
Thank you to everyone who made my first ARLIS convention so memorable.
I attended as a new member and also as an exhibitor of ANTARCTICA, the
hefty photography book created by myself and my husband.
I really appreciated your warm welcome, as I was literally the "new kid
on the block" in the exhibit hall. (ANTARCTICA - an internationally
acclaimed TOME http://www.keough-art.com )
Something I thought I could contribute to you are notes for the dances
taught at the Boot Scootin' Fund Raiser: the Texas Two-Step, the
Merengue, the Salsa, a Line Dance, and the Tango. This was a fun
event and in addition to laughing a lot, I learned some dances that
I've been wondering about a long time. What great teachers we had. For
those of you who weren't there, can you imagine our group managing the
basic step of the Tango in just 10 minutes? The dance master and his
lovely partner apparently teach dance every night of the year. They
declared that we were their best group ... since the previous evening.
The initial notes were penned that evening together with Linda
Zoeckler, my dance partner. I've added information from other sources.
Any errors are mine.
Best
Rosemarie Keough
Pat & Rosemarie Keough
[log in to unmask]
tel: 250-653-4993 British Columbia, Canada
DANCE NOTES: BOOT SCOOTIN'
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Texas Two-Step
The Texas Two-Step is the most widely known and performed country dance
in America.
Dance rhythm: quick quick slow slow, danced in 4 steps to 6 beats of
music.
Couples, ballroom position
Below is the Basic Step of the men's role. The women's is the "same
but different."
1. On the first beat, step forward quickly with your left foot.
2. On the second beat, step forward quickly with your right foot.
3. On the third beat, step forward again with your left foot, but
slowly.
4. Pause through the fourth beat.
5. On the fifth beat, step forward slowly with your right foot.
6. Pause through the sixth beat, then pull your left foot even with
your right.
7. Repeat.
Described a different way:
Beat Leader Follower
1 Step forward left. Step back right.
2 Step forward right. Step back left.
3 Step forward left. Step back right.
4 Hold Hold
5 Step forward right. Step left back.
6 Hold Hold
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Merengue
The Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic, and also
to some extent, of Haiti, the neighbour sharing the island. It is
characterized by a dragging of the feet, possibly because the founders
of this dance are believed to have been shackled slaves.
Dance rhythm: even counts, one two three four
Couples, ballroom position
Danced with heels low and lots of twisting at the knees and hip movement
ARLIS learned dance as:
4 steps to the right
8 steps turning in a circle as a couple
8 steps for woman to spin under raised arm of designated man
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Salsa
Dance rhythm: a regular tempo, 4/4 rhythm
Couples, ballroom position
Basic Step taught to ARLIS dancers:
L foot forward, rock back onto R foot, bring L foot beside R
R foot backward, rock forward onto L foot, bring R foot beside L
The "forward basic" dance step described another way:
Beat Dance step Leader Follower
1 (8 or "and") Transfer weight onto right foot (hold) (same as
leader's step 5)
2 1 Step forward on left foot (break) (same as leader's step 6)
3 2 Rock back onto right foot (rock) (same as leader's step 7)
4 3 Bring left foot back (close), (same as leader's step 8)
without weight transfer
1 (4 or "and") Transfer weight onto left foot (hold) (same as
leader's step 1)
2 5 Step back on right foot (break) (same as leader's step 2)
3 6 Rock forward onto left foot (rock) (same as leader's step 3)
4 7 Bring right foot forward (close), (same as leader's step 4)
without weight transfer
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ARLIS Line Dance
Moving to the right "side, behind, side, touch"
- described more explicitly as - step R to the R, step L behind R, step
R to the R, touch L beside R
Opposite footwork to the left
- step L to the L, step R behind L, step L to the L, touch R beside L
Moving backwards
- R foot step back, L foot step back, Right foot step back, touch L
beside R
Moving forwards
- L foot step forwards, R foot step behind L, L foot step forwards,
touch R beside L
Swivel counterclockwise and repeat dance
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Tango
Dance rhythm: slow slow quick quick slow
Couples, ballroom position
Movement: forward forward forward side together
Some points to remember:
1. Step straight toward your partner. Don't be afraid of stepping on
toes.
2. No bouncing. To keep your steps smooth, keep knees slightly bent to
absorb the bounce.
3. Smile, relax and enjoy the dance.
Leader:
On beat one step forward with your left (slow).
On beat two step forward with your right (slow).
On the first half of beat three step forward with your left (quick).
On the second half of beat three step slightly forward and to the right
side with your right (side).
Now on beat four drag your left foot up to the side of your right
(drag).
Follower:
On beat one step back with your right (slow).
On beat two step back with your left (slow).
On the first half of beat three step back with your right (quick).
On the second half of beat three step slightly back and to the left
side with your left (side).
Now on beat four drag your right foot up to the side of your left
(drag).
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Pat & Rosemarie Keough
[log in to unmask]
photographer and private press publisher
ANTARCTICA - a TOME
Collected by fine libraries on four continents!
Recipient of 21 prestigious awards
http://www.keough-art.com
Nahanni Productions Inc.
400 Meyer Road
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Canada V8K 1X4
tel: 250-653-4993
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