Rugcutter Aerial Workshop

We did not expect such a wonderful turnout. I think we had something like 29 couples for our first class and the number stayed rather steady the whole day!

The Schedule:

Dips & Trick: 1:30-2:45 PM
Lift and Jumps: 3:00-4:15 PM
Lindy Hop Aerials: 4:30 – 5:45 PM

Dips and Tricks did not require partners because we intended the moves to be socially leadable. In it, we taught "The Jeremy", a lunge, and the Ninjammerz Dip.

"The Jeremy" named after Jeremy Otth and was inspired by a move he did at the US Swing Dance Open this past year. We weren't entirely sure it was the move he did, but it was our interpretation of it. But we particularly enjoy the move because it's rather similar to one that was popularized during the Neo-Swing revival. Next was the lunge which is a move Kevin and I often use during our social dancing and choreography. We felt like it would be good for our students to know because it's in their current Rugcutter Routine. Finally, we taught the Ninjammerz Dip, which is the final move of the Ninjammerz routine.

We then moved on to Lifts and Jumps where we required people to have partners. We taught technique on how to prep aerials, how to base, and how to land. We started the class with a climbing exercise we call the Monkey because the follow must climb around their base (normally the lead) without touching the floor. This is a challenging exercise in slippery pants. We taught the Frog, the A-Frame (or Russian), and the Liu Kang (a bicycle kick throw-out). I think most people enjoyed the last one.

In our final class we taught a pancake. We walked the students through the technique for the prep and the actual aerial. Many of the students went through the aerial all the way!

We were so proud of all the students who came to the workshop. Every arrived ready to laugh and learn and to push themselves. We were very impressed and thrilled that everyone was so receptive to our humor! One of my favorite moments was when we started doing the "meatball prep" which is where I hold a V-position (looks like Downward Dog if you do yoga) and Kevin was pretending like he was skiing over my butt (picture him in a crouch position and I am under his legs). But of course, I didn't know this until I was told after classes.

So the long of the short of it is:

• We love our Pittsburgh lindy hoppers
• We love laughing with them
• We love teaching them
• Kevin and I are VERY funny
• I love working with Kevin

If you have any photos or videos, can you send them to me?

Lindy Leap Year - Sunday

What an extraordinary way to end a workshop. Today was a day like no other.

We started our teaching day with the warm-up we normally do at home. We run around in a circle, then kick our heels up, kick our knees up, do the elephant, and then crab walks. As we were running, students started to join in (we love those sorts of students). As we cycled through, finally we got to crab walks - this is where you look like table top; hand and feet are touching the floor, and you are looking - and all of a sudden, a Crab War broke out! Kev scuttled around the floor as if he was a crustacean! He knocked my feet out from underneath me and then continued to attack the other students. One by one they all went down. However, a few students got their crab legs underneath them and went 2-on-1 with King Crab Kevin. One went for the legs while the other went for his hands. Kevin pulled out his best Sammy Davis Jr (check the end of the clip), avoided the take down, and then ATTACKED again! It was a momentous occasion.

Round 2 - Lunch Special:


Our first two Charleston classes went really well. We taught the yo-yo, a syncopated yo-yo, Charleston Jumps, and then trucks (or skates). Next we had two aerial classes (more of a tricks, then an aerial) where we did a climbing exercise I like to call "the Monkey and her Tree", a Frog (where we explained prep, jump, and landing technique), the Lu-Kang (a trip that turns into a throw; named after a Mortal Combat character), and then we did the Fly (a favorite of ours). Finally, we finished off with a Blues Class.

Highlights of the day:

• Crab Wars
• Randomly singing "The Good Ship Lollipop" and then having Kevin turn it into being attacked by pirates, which I then turned to our favorite pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow. Oh Johnny Depp.
• Telling the students they could only have the doors open for a few minutes, and after a bit I said that the window had to be closed now....and it was. I wondered if my "wishing" powers would extend beyond closing doors, and so I wished for Johnny Depp. Unfortunately he was a no-show.
• After aerials, we did a cool down and then some of the boys started to work out. At one point, they were all standing on their heads (on a towel). Sommer sees this and joined the fun. She was standing on her head and moving her legs about. She is a total yoga star and the boys had NOTHING on her.
• After aerials, I thought we were done. I was wrong.
• Kevin on his soap box: He told the room that girls like to dance and learn how to move their bodies at a young age. Boys learn how to throw, hit, kick, and catch (stereotypically). Girls dance and they want boys to dance. Not only that, but they want them to lead as well. Boys don't always know how to control their bodies, but they need to learn to control theirs in order to control someone else. It. Was. Awesome.

What a wonderful way to end the weekend. The students were stellar and came ready to learn. Wow-e-wow-wow.

Hop to the Beat - our workshop in Boston

So here is the run down of what was scheduled:

Both Kevin and Emily are stars on the social dance floor, in competitions and as performers. They are excited for this opportunity to share their talents and have put together a fabulous line-up of classes for all levels of experience. You won't want to miss this chance to learn some new moves, refine your skills and be inspired by this very creative and dynamic couple!

Rounding out the weekend will be our monthly dance, Uptown Swing, on Saturday, December 1 in Brookline. Features of the evening will include dancing to Shawn Hershey and the Fried Bananas and a dance performance with Kevin and Emily.

http://www.hoptothebeat.com/kevin_emily.html

Saturday, December 1, 2007
  Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

    A. 12:30-1:45pm Lindy Hop Fundamentals
       Starting at the beginning, Kevin & Emily style. For beginners and anyone wanting to review or refine basics.       (no partner or experience needed)
    B. 2:00-3:15pm Existential Funk? Buy a New Suit
       Going beyond the basics, a connection intensive.       (no partner needed, all levels)
    C. 3:30-4:30pm Take A Spin
       Variations, spinning, dynamic frame.       (intermediate+, previous experience required)
    D. 4:45-5:45pm Strut Your Stuff
       Styling for leaders and followers.   (intermediate+, previous experience required)

Saturday, December 1, 2007
  Brookline Tai Chi, 1615 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
    8:30pm-Midnight Uptown Swing Dance Club
                    Beginners welcome, no partner needed
                    Admission $15 ($10 with Student ID
                    Beginner Lesson (8:30-9:00pm)
                    Band: Shawn Hershey and the Fried Bananas
                    Dance Exhibition: Kevin St. Laurent & Emily Hoffberg


Sunday, December 2, 2007
  Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

    E. 12:30-1:45pm Victory in Boston
       Sweet as the cream pie from the city it's named after - a Jazz routine.   (non-partner, int/adv, but all levels welcome)
    F. 2:00-3:00pm Afternoon Delight
       Rubbing sticks and stones together make sparks ignite: Blues.  (no partner needed, int & int/adv, previous experience required)
    G. 3:15-4:30pm Cirque du So-LAME? Flashy, Flighty Moves
       Jam material to keep the crowd kickin'.       (no partner needed, int/adv, previous experience required)
    H. 4:45-6:00pm We ARE Lindy Hop - Fire & Ice
       A Lindy routine to heat things up and cool 'em down.   (partner required, int/adv & adv, previous experience required)