09.12.14 UPTOWN FUNK (Rob Fowler) This would be my last new teach of 2014 so I was trying to guess what people might be dancing in a month’s time when classes resume. Didn’t want anything too hard and although its a 64 count, 4 wall dance with a restart, it didn’t take that long to cover. It has a great dance beat but may take another couple of listens to grow with some people. My only criticism is that the track at four and a half minutes is too long – need to find a shorter version for when we return.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/uptown-funk-ID101399.aspx
Also did a brief revival recap of IT’S UP TO YOU (Kim Ray) – virtually everyone was up for this so obviously a popular oldie that is featured in the latest Linedancer Magazine.
Also danced tonight: Everybody’s Someone, Say Geronimo, All I Can Say, Superheroes, I Lived, Cecilia, 911, So Wrapped Up, Last Call Boys, Alcazar, Cheesecake, Paint The Town Green, The Remix, Eternal Secret, Samira, Angel In Blue Jeans, and Not The Only One.
02.12.14 SAMIRA (Kate Sala & Robbie McGowan Hickie) A bouncy little samba which opens with a couple of sections borrowed from I Just Want To Dance With You. The class appeared to find the last two sections the hardest but it fell into place with a little practice. Played it twice and half the class sat down the second time. I thought they didn’t like it, but then when I played it again at the end of the night, virtually everyone was back up for it?
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/samira-ID101323.aspx
Also danced tonight: Bittersweet Memory, Alcazar, Ball & Chain, Cecilia, Cheesecake, Fireball, Superheroes, Not The Only One, Paint The Town Green, I Lived, Last Call Boys, Eternal Secret, The Remix, Bailando Amor, and Wonder Train.
For dances previously taught…..
25.11.14 CHEESECAKE (Scott Blevins, Rachael McEnaney & Joey Warren) I didn’t expect everyone in the class to like this one and sure enough a few dropped out after the first time of dancing it. Quiet directionally challenging, especially getting from the end of the sequence into the start of the next wall. However, its one of those dances that feel great once you’ve got it all sussed. I did have something easier lined up but was requested/persuaded to do this instead!
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/last-call-boys-ID100810.aspx
18.11.14 LAST CALL BOYS! (Rachael McEnaney) After a couple of harder dances, I wanted something a little easier this week. Most of this 48 count dance is fairly straightforward but the first half of the penultimate section is a little more tricky – the knee pop 1/4 turn press and kick part caught a few out. And its a lot harder if you try to bring in the arm movements at the same time when she sings “don’t stop, hands up”. One or two weren’t sure about it but most seemed to like the dance.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/last-call-boys-ID100810.aspx
11.11.14 THE REMIX (Yvonne Anderson & Karl-Harry Winson) I think some in my class had the same initial reaction as I did when I first heard the music. I wasn’t sure I really liked it but do the dance a couple of times and you soon warm to the track. When teaching the dance, one or two of the holds may have felt a little odd at first but again once you dance it to the music, you find they fit really well. Quite a long teach but it is 80 counts and a fairly quick tempo. Certainly worth checking out.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/the-remix-ID100629.aspx
4.11.14 I LIVED (Karl-Harry Winson & Ria Vos) Two of my favourite choreographers have come together to create and interesting and challenging dance to a great track by One Republic. I think it’s fair to say the class found it quite hard on week 1, especially the second half of the dance. Have a feeling that this is going to do really well though as once mastered it will be rewarding.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/i-lived-ID100918.aspx
28.10.14 SO WRAPPED UP (Alison & Peter & Vikki Morris) I like the cross 3/4 unwind in the first section that cleverly seems to hit the lyrics ” around your finger” on some of the walls. Quite a few ball steps in this, both forward and back plus two quarter pivots at separate stages of the 48 counts. These seem to make it take a bit longer for the dance to fall into place with some. I know this dance has already been taught by a couple of other teachers in the East Midlands but one member of my class has also learnt another dance to the same track!
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/so-wrapped-up-ID100775.aspx
Also did a quick teach of the little improver dance CECILIA (Willie Brown & Heather), From time to time you need something a little easier to mix in with the harder ones. Catchy track and likely to be one I can just put on after a couple of weeks.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/cecilia-ID100527.aspx
21.10.14 Two new slightly easier dances tonight. WONDER TRAIN (Ria Vos) is a fastish 64 count easy intermediate dance to yet another track by the band Train. Nothing too hard in it and the class picked it up quickly. I like the toe strut hinge turn combinations but I’m not so keen on the step lock, lock step parts.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/wonder-train-ID100267.aspx
Also tonight we did NOT THE ONLY ONE (Craig Bennett) to the song of the same name by Sam Smith. This is a 32 count nightclub two-step and I’d originally planned on covering this at the very end of the class as I knew not everyone would like it. In the end I taught it much earlier in the night while people were a little fresher. Although not a big hit on the first week, by week 3 virtually everyone is up for it. There’s a couple of similar but different step patterns within the dance so you do have to concentrate a little as well as remembering the timing. Nice to have a smooth slow one for a change and after being somewhat unsure of the track at first I now love it!
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/not-the-only-one-ID100419.aspx
14.10.14 SUPERHEROES (Maggie Gallagher) Another dance, like last week’s, to a track by The Script. Totally different in style though. Spent quite some time getting the timing across and dancing the first four walls in full to cover the restarts and first tag. Definitely one of those where the step sheet might look a bit daunting at first, but the restarts are fairly obvious and the tags are both on the 3.00 wall. Once we’d danced it, it quickly fell into place and seemed to be a definite hit with the class.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/superheroes-ID100147.aspx
07.10.14 PAINT THE TOWN GREEN (Alison & Peter) I liked the music by The Script and also liked the dance especially the touch and hold parts that feel so right. A great example of how a hold can be just as good as an actual step. All of the class were up 3 times and it got a round of applause at the end so a definite hit I think. When learning the footwork some thought it was going to be quite challenging only to find after dancing it to the music, it wasn’t so hard. However, it does seem to be taking a while to sink in with everyone as recaps have been needed for a number of weeks.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/paint-the-town-green-ID100390.aspx
23.09.14 WE ONLY LIVE ONCE (Robbie McGowan Hickie) This one seemed to be a big hit. Some commented that it was nice to have a dance that flowed so well without any complex step patterns. This also meant it wasn’t a long teach. A catchy track too – “We Only Live Once” by Shannon Noll. 64 counts, 2 walls and no tags or restarts. Dance sheet not out yet so please contact Robbie if you want further info on its likely release date.
Also revised a recent oldie from Feb 2012 – Neville and Julie’s KISS THE STARS to the Pixie Lott track. Lots up for this former class favourite – it was good to do it again.
16.09.14 911 (Karl-Harry Winson) This was a complete contrast to last week’s dance. A nightclub two-step to Keith Urban’s track “Cop Car”. As usual this type of dance isn’t for everyone but most appeared to enjoy it. I think it flows quite well but you do need to practice it a few times to get completely comfortable with the timing, especially on the first wall before the beat kicks in. At 48 counts and 2 walls with just one easy restart it the dance isn’t too challenging. Seemed to go better on the 2nd week.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/911-ID99426.aspx
09.09.14 AIN’T WOT U DO (Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris) Not a hit with everyone – I think several weren’t too keen on the music and only danced it the first time. It does have a great dance beat though for this 8&1 cha-cha. Others told me they did like it while some were still making up their minds. Although I thought the dance wasn’t too hard, it did take a bit of practice for everyone to perfect.
http://www.copperknob.co.uk/stepsheets/aint-wot-u-do-ID99923.aspx
02.09.14 ETERNAL SECRET (Ria Vos) Not everyone likes a nightclub two-step but this is a classy dance to a lovely track from David Nail of Bittersweet Memory fame. Took a while to teach before everyone had mastered both footwork and timing but after a few plays, it started to look and feel great. Once you’ve got the dance, take time to listen the words of the song that tell a great story as only country songs can.
26.08.14 ANGEL IN BLUE JEANS (Alison & Peter Metelnick) We’ve done several dances in the past to tracks by the band Train and they always tend to go down well. This is another catchy song and the dance has enough in it to keep it interesting. I think its going to do well, especially once the song starts getting a lot of airplay on the radio.
19.08.14 FIREBALL (Kate Sala) Had a few doubts beforehand whether the rapping might put some people off, but the rest of the track more than makes up for it. If it doesn’t exactly sample Tequila by The Champs, it does a good imitation. Even with an intro, a restart and an ending, its not a hard dance so doesn’t take too long to teach. The only downside is that the track which has already been released in the USA and most of Europe, has yet to get its official release in the UK. The dance could well be a big hit before the song is!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZL-muqE4II
12.08.14 NO CLASS
05.08.14 GHOST (Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris) Quite a tricky one this and it took a while to cover. Much of it is danced on the diagonal so easy to forget where you are heading. Possibly not for everyone but several said they would enjoy it once mastered. Its already been taught elsewhere in Lincoln and one we are bound to see out and about. Shame I don’t have a class next week to recap it. I’m sure they’ll all remember it in 2 weeks time though!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKgevoEWQg0
29.07.14 BAILANDO AMOR (Kate Sala) Had seen a couple of favourable reviews for this one. A 64 count dance plus about 40 “&” counts and the second half seemed a bit more tricky than the first as it gets quite busy towards the end. Goes well to the music though and only one person sat it out after the first dance of it. Think this will do well at my class. We dance it to the English version of the track.
22.07.14 SAY GERONIMO (Ria Vos) This seemed to be the dance of the weekend from Harrogate and even those who had already learnt it were keen to see it covered in class. I gave an alternative for those who wanted to leave out the shoulder movements. It was an easier teach than I expected. After the first 16 counts, there’s nothing too hard. Having said that though, the first time we hit the tag I noticed a few were just stood there having completely forgotten what they were supposed to be doing! I’m sure this will do very well in this area.
Made it a double-Dutch night with a second new dance which was HE’S ITALIANO (Wil Bos). Told them up front it was an improver dance and although they danced it twice, there wasn’t really much of a response to it. It seems they can take it or leave it. Quickish teach and shouldn’t take too long to recap next week.
15.07.14 DIVINE LINE (Robbie McGowan Hickie) Wanted an easier one this week and as several of the class were going on Robbie’s line dance weekend break it made sense to cover it. Only 32 counts and no tags or restarts but it does feel a long track for a short dance. Mixed response but everyone dancing it on the second week. Faded it out just before the 3 minute mark.
08.07.14 WALKING ON AIR (Simon Ward & Amy Glass) I think this has the feel good factor that’s needed to become a big hit. Lots of steps on the diagonal but nothing too complicated, and both the main dance and the tag fit the music so well. It’s up to you how much effort you put into the air/flying steps that make the dance a little different. On first play the the jury was out, but by the end of the night it seemed that nearly everyone was enjoying it.
01.07.14 After a week’s break, I didn’t teach a new dance this week. Instead we had a night of revision and I also went over THE PULSE (Kate Sala) from 2010. This went down well and a couple even complained that I hadn’t played it again before the end of the night!
24.06.14 ***NO CLASS***
17.06.14 MASQUERADE (Karl-Harry Winson) 64 count intermediate dance to the track of the same name by Eric Saade. I like the skate, hold triple 3/4 turn part. A couple of restarts and an ending but not too challenging. Class didn’t seem overly keen at first but it got a better response when played for the final time at the end of the night. Maybe not a stand out track at first but could well be a grower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2E1r5orRCk
10.06.14 COCA COLA SHAKE (Ria Vos) Phrased dances – some love ’em, some hate ,em. But when they fit the music as well as this one, they are worth the extra effort of having to learn the sequence. This looks a bit of a nightmare at first, but quickly falls into place after a couple of plays. Section A is possibly the easier of the two but I like the turns first to the right and then to the left in the first half of section B. The second half is a little more manic with a clever mix of heel and toe touch steps. Definitely another hit for Ria.
http://youtu.be/sdS3mdbf1so
03.06.14 BALL AND CHAIN (Michelle Risley) Numbers well down this week with people either on holiday or just doing other things. Still managed to have the most fun for a quite some time with the new dance when we reached section 5. The turning finger click part took a while to master with some going off the wrong way just as others were staring to get it right! Great country track with enough to keep your mind occupied and a good reaction from the class.
http://youtu.be/AlASNYrim3I
27.05.14 ALCAZAR (Robbie McGowan Hickie & Karl-Harry Winson) Rather unusual to have a 52 count dance and one that you only ever dance the first 16 counts when starting facing the back wall. Takes a bit of getting used to the vine 1/4 turn right after the step pivot step to the back – not sure I want to go in that direction at first! Catchy track and easy enough dance though – should do very well, if people can get hold of the music. We enjoyed it!
http://youtu.be/P19osXWPv0g
20.05.14 RAGGLE TAGGLE GYPSY O (Maggie Gallagher) Not the type of dance I normally go for, but after trying it out it just felt right! A bit quick but nothing too hard and one that was soon mastered. Even the three restarts didn’t cause any problems and everyone was back on the floor to dance it again at the end of the night which is always a good sign. http://youtu.be/ILip9R-1z5s
20.05.14 ELECTRIC RHYTHM (Karl-Harry Winson) This was also well received and although 64 counts and 4 walls, the step patterns seemed fairly easy for the class to pick up and remember. I was a little worried that some might not be so keen as its an instrumental but I needn’t have been concerned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BXrLrMzJyU
13.05.14 NO CLASS
06.05.14 CLAP HAPPY (Shaz Walton) Quite a few on holiday so decided to catch up on one I’d never quite got round to. It didn’t go down very well with only a handful up when it was played at the end of the night. Not sure if it was the dance they didn’t like, the speed of it, or whether they were just tired. Still not many doing it on week 2 so it was dropped, which hasn’t happened for a long time.
http://youtu.be/5aVq6PhZ9VE
29.04.14 RAINMAKER (Niels Poulsen) A basic two wall 48 count dance for the first 4 walls, then 32 counts for the next two walls. This is followed by another 48 count wall with a slight step change and then a final 16 counts that brings the dance to a nice finish on the front wall. Might sound a lot to remember at first but soon falls into place with the music. It got a bit of a mixed response from the class – some felt it made their legs ache or was a bit slow in places while others seemed to enjoy it more. Time will tell but I do feel it will be heading up the dance charts shortly.
http://youtu.be/C7cpyKnxJrI
Also did a late teach of HIT THE ROAD JACK (Peter & Alison). Most in the class already knew this one but some had asked to learn it after seeing it played in the break in previous weeks so I taught it at the end of the night.
http://youtu.be/GuPFWiSoVZc
22.04.14 ONE TRACK MIND (Alan Birchall) Another track from the latest Enrique CD and yet another one featuring Pitbull. I chose to teach this as others in the area are also covering it and it’s starting to get danced at socials around here. Plenty of turns in this one but being 2 walls with no tags or restarts it wasn’t too much of a challenge. Most but not all are enjoying it.
http://youtu.be/ZYhCSYDANtQ
15.04.14 CELTIC HEARTBEAT (Maggie Gallagher) I believe this is the Irish entry for Eurovision. It’s a mainstream pop track with just a touch of the Irish sound. Takes a short while for the beat to really kick in but then it has quite a catchy chorus. The class picked up the dance quite quickly and even the restarts are fairly easy to spot from the music. Everyone up to dance it all 3 times it was played. I suggested they change the coaster step on the final wall to a coaster half turn left to finish facing the front wall.
http://youtu.be/meZl3Pmln4g
08.04.14 HIT THE FLOOR (Ria Vos) When I first checked this one out I thought the funky shoulder parts might put my class off a bit. So what I decided to do was give them an option of just doing the basic steps or dancing it with the extras mentioned on the step sheet. Most decided to keep it simple and found it’s not a particularly hard dance. But there’s the opportunity for those who want to, to give it a bit more attitude. Great heavy dance beat and they were all up for it again when we danced it at the end of the night.
http://youtu.be/ueggZ53yE-w
01.04.14 LOVE’S HIGHWAY (Robbie McGowan Hickie) Unusual to teach a dance from the same choreographer two weeks running. But this is totally different being a gentle and slightly old-fashioned kind of country track. The change of pace seemed to be welcome and although there are a fair few turns, it wasn’t too hard for the class to pick up. Should do well on the live act/country circuit.
http://youtu.be/hSiO3wreji0
25.03.14 KEEP IT GROOVIN (Robbie McGowan Hickie) Was a little worried that the music was a similar style to last week’s dance and they may get the two confused. But this week I think they were too busy concentrating on the footwork to even think about another dance. It did feel a bit of a battle on week 1 to get some parts to sink in but went much better on week 2.
http://youtu.be/mimSeU8RDrY
Oldie revised – MAKE IT SWEAT (Ria Vos).
http://youtu.be/ciCeWIDQgsk18.03.14 ADRENALINA (Ria Vos) Was tempted by Ria’s other recent release called Hit The Floor but after last week’s dance, I was looking for something a bit less funky and not too hard. This comes in at just slightly on the easier side of intermediate, but still enough to get your teeth into. Music from Ricky Martin and JLo I like, less keen on the rapper halfway through the track! Went down a little better than I was expecting.
http://youtu.be/ArZrMgiBE5A
11.03.14 NEW YORK 2 LA (Rachael McEnaney) This choreographer is certainly producing some great dances since her move to live in the USA. Originally I had something easier planned but this funky 48 count 4 waller with one tag just had to be covered. I know of at least two other instructors in the area who have also covered it this week. If you like the track, you’ll really enjoy the dance. Needed a long teach and also danced it once slowed down a little before we went to the full speed.
http://youtu.be/UUxL4j2Pm2c
04.03.14 ALL I CAN SAY (Rachael McEnaney & Simon Ward) This one has got to be a hit. Two walls 64 counts with no tags or restarts and not hard. A catchy song too and the dance has a distinctive hook with a look back over the right shoulder in the first few counts.
http://youtu.be/0KvhHXkRizk
04.03.14 RATHER BE (Dee Musk) The 2nd dance of the night was one we had learned at a weekend line dance event in Holbeach. When I first heard this rather quirky track I wasn’t too sure about it. But Dee has come up with a great dance that captures the Samba feel and again its one that most intermediates can master fairly quickly.
http://youtu.be/hDQ8_6Ym1xU
25.02.14 DANCE AMOR (Kate Sala) This is a latin sounding track reminiscent of Enrique. The trickier parts of the dance are in the middle (sections 4 and 5) plus the final 8 counts. Felt quite a long track and a few quickly decided they weren’t too keen on the music so not a resounding success.
http://youtu.be/n-cfaUDESB8
Also recapped a recent “oldie” – ROLLING IN THE DEEP (Maggie Gallagher). Went well with those who stayed behind at the end of the night to go over it.
18.02.14 RUNNING SCARED (Yvonne Anderson) This one has been out a while but after hearing some good reports I decided to cover it, even though some in the class had already learnt a dance to this song many years ago. So long ago in fact that no one could remember the name of the original dance! I like the feel of the choreography in it – flows well but plenty to keep you thinking. The pace of the dance is fairly gentle but at 4 walls, 64 counts plus restarts and tag, there’s plenty to take in at first. I didn’t hear any negative feedback and looks like it could become a favourite with the class.
11.02.14 COULD IT BE MAGIC (Alison & Peter) A modern version of the old Manilow/Take That classic. This was a little harder teach than I first expected. There are a couple of side-touch, kick ball cross steps and two 3/4 turns within the dance so you do have to concentrate to remember where you are up to. The rock switch into a Monterey turn in section 5 also proved tricky at first. Some good feedback on this one but also some not so keen.
04.02.14 I JUST CAN’T LET YOU GO (Wil Bos & Aurelie Clota) The timing with the “a” counts may put some off teaching this but it would be a shame if that happens. The rhythm is fairly obvious to spot when you dance it, and apart from the sways, its consistent throughout the dance. The restart and tag are fairly simple too. One or two seemed to be tempted to rush ahead in places as its slower than a lot of dances we’ve done lately. Looks like being a hit though.
28.01.14 TIMBER (Alison Biggs & Peter Metelnick) A catchy but weird mix of country, pop and rap. I like the heel bounces and the funky rocks. Seemed to go well.
Also taught RITMO (Ria Vos) This is fast and furious in places and if you have the feet of Michael Flatley it certainly helps. Turned out to be an easier teach than I was expecting, once they’d got used to the tempo.
21.01.14 WALK ALONE (Kate Sala & Robbie McGowan Hickie). Have a feeling that this could do really well. A decent track with a strong beat from Cher and a good dance to match. I like the rock and turn sequence in the final section and love the little ending. Unusually, we danced this a total of 4 times tonight! A definite hit!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxJuNL3SPgw