It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing

Lani and I were pretty apprehensive going to our first teaching assignment for Dance Magic 808 at the Salt Lake District Park this past Tuesday night in the Aliamanu area. Our thoughts were "How can we get the students who are very experienced dancers HOOKED ON SWING?" Freeway driving was a breeze but parking was at a premium at the district park which judging by the number of cars searching for a parking space that the park was very much in use by that community. Fortunately, we found a space at the far end of the parking lot. The long walk to the gym building sure taxed our legs but it was a good warm-up for us.

Most of the students who were in Joshua's Bolero dance class during the previous four weeks were there when the class started at 6:45 and that was enlightening for Lani and me. We were gonna be there for only two Tuesday nights so Lani and I decided to cut to the chase and teach a couple of steps that would be easy to learn in the East Coast Swing aka Triple Time Swing. After reviewing the basic timing, footwork, holds, body positions, and how to lead (for men) we swung into the meat of the dance lesson..first the "peek-a-boo".  The timing was different from the normal "triple step, triple step, break step" but the students picked up the pieces with the music that they were ingrained with the "pee-a-boo" and dancing the steps with ease. Styling was another important area that Lani and I teach and emphasize in all our dance classes because in our thoughts the whole of the human body is alive and should show passion of the dance. Teaching the "sliding door" came next and Lani and I saw that it was easier for the students to learn because the timing was the same as the "peek-a-boo".  Before the 45-minute session was over, the students were in tune with the music and swinging in style to the jazzy beat of Sweet Home Chicago.