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World Class Dancing: Jonathan Wilkins & Katusha Demidova

Dr Matt's Dance Class — Foxtrot Week Ten

Here are the notes for each week's Foxtrot Lessons:
1     2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12    pics

Greetings Everyone:

This week we learned a "Weave" in the Walk Rhythm Foxtrot. Here's a video that shows a Foxtrot Weave--from 0.01 - 0.04 (its the first step the dancers do, so don't blink).

Here's another video that shows essentially the same foot placements and partner positions, but the dancers call it a "Quick Open Reverse"--this is a term borrowed from a step in the International Tango. The dancers are Heather Smith and Victor Veyrasset; a couple who have come to Provo, Utah many times to perform and to be judges at BYU competitions. They are former United States Standard Ballroom Champions. If you want to watch Heather and Victor perform.

Consistent with being world class dancers, Victor and Heather demonstrate the footwork of the Weave/Quick Open Reverse . . . exactly as it is described in the technique book. Notice on their 2nd step (after turning left a quarter), they both step Diagonal Center, and then on the 3rd step they are positioned LOD. Observe that none of their steps are short and choppy--they stride out on all 6 steps of the Weave. When Foxtrot is done right, it moves and it flows!

At first, I suggested that the ladies would be doing a heel turn on this step. Heel Turns are done in a basic Foxtrot Reverse Turn--take a look at a Heel Turn at 0.34 seconds. The dancer are Chris Hawkins and Hazel Newberry--they were Standard Ballroom World Champions from 2002 to 2004. Notice how the couple stays in Closed Position in the basic Reverse Turn--and that's essentially the difference between the Reverse Turn and the Reverse Weave (the Weave steps O.P. or Outside Partner). At 0.38 you will see that the dancers finish O.P. on the 4, 5, 6 counts.

Reverse Turn is the name given to Left Turns; and Natural Turn is the term used for Right Turns. At 0.42 you can see Hazel Newberry do another heel turn, this time in a basic Natural Turn.

Heel Turns and Double Reverse Spins

So, the Ladies will NOT be doing a heel turn in the Weave, but I've added 2 consecutive "Double Reverse Spins" to the short side of our Foxtrot Choreography, followed by a Zig Zag. It's a fantastic looking sequence and very fun to dance!

Of course, the Double Reverse Spin requires a Heel Turn. Watch the World Champions do two consecutive Double Reverse Spins At 2.37 — 2.41. The whole video is worth viewing, but if you want to see the Double Reverse Spins in short order, just drag the Buffer Ball to about 2.27--from here you will see the dancers do an Impetus Turn straight into Pivots, followed by the two Double Reverse Spins.

The Lady's part of the Double Reverse Spin involves doing a Heel Turn plus a Viennese Cross. The Guys will only step twice, while the Girls will step 4 times. We will begin learning the Double Reverse Spin this coming Tuesday. The first half of the Double Reverse Spin is essentially the same as a "closed" Telemark--which you can see at 1.44 & 3.20 of this same "The Way We Were" Foxtrot Routine.

Last week, the Learning Curve completely kicked us in the Butt! The ONLY way we can avoid this regression in learning is to practice at least ONCE between our weekly classes. Why do we take time to learn ballroom dancing, if we are NOT applying our skills directly on the dance floor? The weekend dances are an obvious time to put our learning to use.

Here's the Foxtrot Choreography to give you a guide for practicing outside of class. The saying goes: If you don't USE IT, . . . you LOSE IT.

Diagonal Center = Walk - 4 ct., **Weave - 6 ct.
Diagonal Wall = Walk - 4 ct., Weave - 6 ct.
Forward Against LOD = Walk - 4 ct., Rock Turn to Flip Flop x 4 (moving LOD)
360 Guy Flip, 360 Girl Flop, 180 to Closed Position (Lady to step Outside Partner)
Backing LOD = Open Impetus Turn - 3 ct. (Guys Heel Turn), Grapevine - 5 ct.,
Pivot - 6 ct., Grapevine - 8 ct., Hesitation - 8 ct. (Turning Right to Face New LOD)

New LOD = Walk - 4 ct., Double Reverse Spin x 2, Zig Zag x 4,
Diagonal Wall = Rock Turn to Throw Out (Man stepping O.P. on ct. #1 of Rock)

Diagonal Center New LOD = Walk - 4 ct., Rock to UnderArm Turn 8 ct.,
Diagonal Wall Against LOD = Walk - 4 ct., Rock to Left Side Pass 8 ct.,
Diagonal Center LOD = Walk - 4 ct. to Closed Position,
       (Repeat Choreography at **Weave 6 ct.)

Happy Dancing!
 :o)
Matt

Notes for Dr Matt's Ballroom Dance Class — Week Eleven

Hey Dance Fans, . . . have you read my review of the
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