3769  Floorcraft in Denver

Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2005 07:40:17 -0500
From: Michael Figart II <michaelfigart@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Floorcraft in Denver

I thought the floorcraft in Denver was fantastic. Almost without fail,
everyone there adhered to line of dance, used the corners, used the
lanes correctly, took up the space in front, and respected their fellow
dancers. The movements were kept nice and tight, and the ladies kept
their boleos, etc, on the floor. There is one aspect that needs a little
work however, and I'd like to ask everyone to keep this in mind, and for
all the teachers reading to include this in the floorcraft portion of
their curriculum.

If, when stepping onto the dance floor, everyone is already dancing,
please make sure that the leader who will be behind you is aware of your
entrance into the line of dance. As you know, it is very difficult for
the leader to see to his right, and it's pretty irritating to bump into
someone that wasn't there a second ago.

I'm continually turning, rock-stepping, doing an ocho cortada, etc; all
kinds of movements that help me stay aware of my surroundings, and I
believe that most leaders do the same. Please wait to catch my eye, and
I will always, without fail, provide a little signal (a nod, or a wink,
or an upraised finger [not the middle one!]), to tell you that I'm
allowing room for you to enter.

This goes for followers as well. Please wait at the edge of the floor
until your leader feels it is ok to enter.

And never, ever, start dancing off the floor while trying to wedge
yourself into LOD. This is doubly dangerous, as now there are two
leaders in close proximity who have no peripheral vision, with one of
them totally oblivious. Besides, I think it looks much more classy to
step onto the floor, escorting your partner by the hand, and then assume
the embrace.

Thanks for reading, and allowing me to express myself on this list.

Michael from Houston