Monday 22 February 2016

GNSH 2016

So this morning, 6am, I was still dancing away at Goodnight Sweetheart (GNSH). Now a few hours later I'm at my desk, the feeling of tiredness being totally overwritten by the huge high I'm still on after the weekend.

Jiveswing who run GNSH will always have a place in my lindy life as I learnt with them when I started Five years ago, so the weekender is always something I look forward to.
Advanced class fun with Joseph Sewell and Audrey Da Sois. Photo by Joseph.

It may not be the biggest camp, or in the most exotic location (try as I might, Watford just isn't sexy), but what lacks in size and location it more than makes up for in atmosphere and the level of teaching.

Sitting at my desk now, I can feel my legs and feet throbbing after the hours I've spent in class and on the social dance floor this weekend, but it's a pain that is totally worth it because I always learn so much.
I never remember my fan. Ever. This was a momentous moment!

Highlights of the weekend class wise were the two tasters I attended, Joseph Sewell's Blues (the old school, couldn't get a piece of paper in between a couple style) and Eglė Nemickaitė and Arnas Razgūna' shag taster.

I love learning new moves and techniques in the advanced classes I signed up for but it's always fun to have a go at something new!  
The last night survivors picture. Tired, achy, but having oh so much fun. Picture courtesy of the lovely Alex Gall
I also entered the Jack and Jill again this year, didn't place (obviously) but I just love the experience so it's a joy nonetheless. But my amazing dancer of a friend Florence came second which was too exciting!

And as always, I had some amazing dances, both with people I already knew and new faces. 

Every time I go to a camp it just reaffirms how much I love dancing, and that even having to hobble up the stairs because I've got achy legs and the odd bruise is so, so, so worth it! 

All in all, roll on 2017 I say! 

Friday 19 February 2016

Leading the way

Having been dancing for five years this year (where did that go?!), I decided this year to set myself a dance goal; I want to learn how to lead.

If occasion arises I can sort of maneuver someone around the dance floor but not being great at it I tend to avoid doing so. A good friend of mine (usually a follow) is an amazing lead so I thought it was high time I lead the way.

Since the beginning of the year I've been doing a Swing Patrol class in Finsbury Park (and making new friends) as a lead and I'm loving it. And I must say, my eyes have been truly opened to how difficult leads have it. Having to think of moves, having to lead moves, it's so much pressure.


So far I'm really loving, and it helps that the two teachers, Tae and Roberto are pretty awesome. The one thing I'm struggling with is dancing with follows who don't relax so I'm finding it difficult to do swing outs for example.Any tips from leads there would be appreciated, I don't want to feel like I'm manhandling follows, and I'm sure they're not mad on that either.

I don't feel confident enough yet to ask people I don't know to dance with me leading, I think I need to have a few more lessons first. Sadly for the follows that know me, you may have to endure a dance while I learn to lead.