Dances taught Double H Weekend Skegness 18-20 April 2008

Here’s a brief review of the dances taught at the double H weekend in Skegness18-20 April. Choreographers for the weekend were Robbie McGowan Hickie, and Oli Geir from Iceland.

Robbie taught…

NEVER CHANGE (Some Things Never Change” by Chris Gray) a 64 counter, easy intermediate dance to a country track. Seemed to be get a very good reception although personally I prefer something more challenging. Ideal warm up dance.

LIKE A HERO (Hero” by Charlotte Perrelli) I think this was a brand new one that Robbie was teaching for the first time, 64 counter with a strong pop beat and a couple of tags. Fortunately no connection with the Bonnie Tyler song which I was initially concerned about it! Wasn’t completely convinced after dancing it once, but another couple of goes and I was well hooked. This was much more like it, a definite future teach for me but the sheet isn’t being released for a couple of weeks yet.

BUD WISER 32 count improver level dance to probably the best track from George Strait’s Troubadour CD. The dance flowed well, was easy to pick up and had enough in it to keep it interesting without being complicated. I’d already learnt Peter & Alison’s Play Me A Dancer a few weeks back to the same track and think I prefer theirs, although this is such a strong country track, I’d be happy dancing either on a regular basis.

READY TO GO Solid intermediate 64 counter with a choice of tracks. A country one by Sara Evans or a very funky (for Robbie) track called Naughty But Nice by Room 2012. I loved the latter although maybe just a little too thump thumpy for the more country minded in the room. A good mix of familiar step patterns and slightly different combinations to keep you thinking. This could soon rate alongside my other favourite Robbie dances Soluna and Do You Really. Check out Graham & Kathy’s video if you like the sound of it.

Oli taught …

ALVARO (Quizas Si Quizas No” by: Los Toros Band). Wow this music is different. Latin with a distinct salsa type feel. Its 64 counts and proved quite tricky in places, a lot of footwork in the 2nd half of the dance with some sailor kick, kick ball step and touch ball cross patterns to get your feet around. Some grrovy hip bumps with a quick half turn on the end to finish the dance off. This was one of my favourite dances of the weekend although when I spoke to others about it, they didn’t seem as keen.

A PERFECT DAY (It’s Your World Now” by: The Eagles) Another 64 counter but much easier. Nice enough track from the latest Eagles offering but it’s a slow rumba style, a little too slow for me.

COPENHAGEN AIRPORT (Copenhagen Airport” by: Annette Heick) I was resting when he taught this one so didn’t learn it. Seemed fairly straightforward easy intermediate 32 counts, 2 tags and a restart. Upbeat europop type music .