Back to Dancz - yippee

Good Afternoon Danczers, Visitors and Friends,

Happy Friday!!

Well I'm back from my holidays, and my break away from the Dancz floor, and I'm raring to go (danczers beware). It was fantastic to be back on the Dancz floor on Wednesday for the Dancz / Cinnamon Club open evening. Thank you to everyone who came along for a taste of the Dancz experience, it was lovely to see so many people on the Dancz floor again, and that's without Strictly Come Dancing even starting yet. The evening was a great success with many people signing up on the night for the new absolute beginners course starting on the Monday 1st October 7:00pm. http://www.dancz.co.uk/Beginners.aspx

I am so lucky to have a talented photographer as part of the Dancz family, so a big thank you to Trudy for taking some great shots of Wednesday evening, and for capturing all the danczers looking fantastic - you should see the stylish arm usage on the photies- proud teacher alert!!!

I've got Strictly Come Dancing set on the planner, all ready to go for tomorrow evening. It's hard to believe that a year ago I was sat there behind the judges on the opening show - time flies. The line up is great this year, and it just goes to show how popular the dancing is, and how influential it can be from the 'names' who want to be a part of it. I'm really looking forward to watching Nicky from Westlife, it'll be interesting to see whether he can transfer his musicality on to the Dancz floor. As always, I'll be rooting for a man to win, it's definitely a lot harder for them to dance as they have to lead the lady as well.

I'm very much looking forward to the start of the new term on Sunday, and to seeing everyone back on the Dancz floor again.

Happy Danczing.

Zoe x

Nearly the end of another Dancz school year!!!

Good Afternoon Danczers and Visitors

I can't believe it's over a month since I published my last post!! It's been a busy month at Dancz, and Dancz HQ - Dancz exams, the end of another Dancz term, Dancz end of term outings!!

The IDTA Dancz exams on Sunday 8th July went really well, with all the Danczers achieving impressive results - especially the adults. All the Danczers worked extremely hard for the Latin American medals, so I was pleased that they achieved great results for their hard work and dedication.

We all had a lovely evening at La Vina in Hale last night for the Dancz end of term outing. It's such a pleasure to see the friendships that have been formed as a result of attending Dancz, and it just goes to show that Dancz is soooo much more than just a danczing school.

We're on the final countdown before we close for Summer this Wednesday 25th July. It's been a really busy and demanding year at Dancz, so I must admit that I am ready for a break, and I'm looking forward to recharging my batteries in time for September. All the information for the new term will be available to view on http://www.dancz.co.uk/ from mid August so you'll be able to see what's on the Dancz schedule then.

Hope you all have a lovely summer.

Zoe xxx

I

The joys of Dancz

Hello Danczers and Visitors,

It seems like a while since I posted my last entry. It was nice to have some time off during the Jubilee celebrations to recharge my batteries. As always dancing featured as part of my time off with a visit to Blackpool Wintergardens to watch the open professional Latin competition. I had a fantastic time, and it was fabulous to get to see some exceptionally talented dancers in action. This week sees the start of another Dancz term- this will be our last full term until September!!

This term we've spiced up our timetable with the addition of sequence danczing. We've decided to dance the popular sequence dances to pop music, to make it appealing to danczers of all ages to join in. I'm really looking forward to the class this evening - it's always nice to teach something new.

We had fun during last nights class with the introduction of the Fleckerl in the Viennese Waltz. There was a lot of reverse (left) Fleckerl turning, I'm surprised we were all able to walk in a straight line by the end of the session. As promised please find the rhyme to help you master the sequence
Men
In front, side, in front, side, behind, side

Ladies
Side, behind, side, in front, side, in front

I'm sure I'll be able to tell those who have practiced off the Dancz floor.

Happy Danczing.

Zoe x

The wonders of Blackpool Tower

It's the start of another Dancz term!!

A great big thank you to all the Danczers who came on the Blackpool Tower trip- what a fabulous night, if I do say so myself. It was a top notch evening, great company, fantastic social dancing, informative Rumba and Jive workshop followed by an outstanding demo (shame I didn't manage to get a quick dance with the talented Gregor Rebula!!!). Luckily one of the dancz members managed to capture some super shots of the whole evening. The night certainly made me proud of all the danczers showcasing their talents on the beautiful dance floor.

Monday saw the start of our new Dancz courses for the lower levels, with both the absolute beginners and beyond beginners getting a good grasp of the new dances that had been set. We managed to do more than anticipated with all the classes.

The Wednesday and Sunday classes will all be concentrating on the Waltz and Paso Doble. I feel that the Paso is slowly becoming a favourite with the classes, as they all take on their roles of Matadors, Capes and Flamenco Danczers!!!

Happy Danczing.

Zoe x

Danczing in time - the challenges

We're now approaching the final sessions of the current Dancz term.

It's been a busy term, and we've also had the added pressure of the Dancz exams - which I must say went really well (if I do say myself!!) I'm a proud teacher.

As we approach the end of term, we always like to test / challenge the Danczers, just to prove how far we come during the term. One of my favourite challenges is to test the Danczers on their ability to count in to the music, and then keep time. It can be tricky, as it's very easy to get caught up with 'the routine' and 'the technique' that we almost forget that the reason for danczing is to express ourselves to the music being played.

The dances that always seem to challenge the danczers most are the Cha Cha and Rumba. The main reason for this is that all our routines commence with a preparation / settling in step, which means that we have to start danczing on the count of ‘4’. The main mistake that is made is that the danczers are great at finding the ‘1’ but they don’t move on count 4, they wait until the 1- which means they are then danczing out of time – eekkk (one of my pet hates!!!)

In the Dancing World it is imperative that you dance ‘in time’ with the music to succeed. Throughout my competition days – whether it be competing or training competitors, I frequently watched those who danced ‘in time’ (with the music) triumph over those who may have been ‘better’ dancers but who weren’t dancing with the music.

So here’s a challenge for you J
This week when you are listening to music (at home/ in the car/ out clubbing) try and pick up the first beat of the bar ‘1’ and then count 2,3 and then follow it with a Cha Cha Cha (4 & 1) or Slow (4,1). This is how we count in to a basic Cha Cha or Rumba.
(WARNING - Be careful that you don't delay your movement and count the 4 as well!!)
If you’re struggling just tap your foot, click your fingers, or simply clap your hands and you’ll find that more often than not you will start on the first beat of the bar!!!

Good Luck J

Happy Danczing.

Zoé x

Dancz - Time flies when you're having fun

Wow - it's hard to believe that we're on week 3 of the current Dancz term, where is the time going.
This week is an extremely busy (and stressful) week for me, as a number of danczers are taking part in their IDTA medal examinations. I'm sure everyone will do really well - just remember they're here to give you constructive comments, not put you off danczing for ever!!!

I'm really pleased with how all the classes are progressing this term. I know that I work all the danczers hard but I'm eager for as many people as possible to get the enjoyment that I have out of dancing.

As promised please find some songs from last week's Dancz sessions so that you can download / locate them and practice, practice, practice. A great dance teacher once told me "Practice makes Permanent" so don't forget Dancz practice Monday evenings 9:30 - 10:30pm.

Foxtrot
Layla (Foxtrot) - Dancelife's Best: Do you remember this 2
Brown Eyes Blue (Foxtrot) - Bring a Smile to your feet 3

Cha Cha
Hey Daddy (Cha) - Cha Cha Pa'Ti
A Night Like This - Caro Emerald

Tango
Serenta;- Casa Musica Best of Ballroom
Adios Muchachos:- Stanley Black Best of Tango

Samba
Hazmelo:- Latin Unlimited Agua De Coco
Macarena:- Bring a Smile to Your Feet 3

Waltz
Together Hand in Hand:- Ross Mitchell 25 Top Waltzes
Take it to the Limit:- Ballroom Orchestra Waltz

Hopefully that's enough to get your Dancz music collection going!!!

More next week.

Happy Danczing.

Zoé

Another Dancz Year

I thought it was about time that I started a blog - I've always got so much to say and so many memorable experiences to reflect on!!

It's hard to believe that another Dancz year is over!!!

In January we will celebrate our 7th anniversary - eek. It makes me realise how young I was when I started Dancz.

Over the years I've been lucky to meet and teach so many lovely people, most of whom have continued with their Dancz experience, and I'm proud to call them 'Danczers'.

The Dancz Christmas Ball on Sunday was another memorable occasion and enabled us to finish the year on a high!! We had great food, fabulous company, a superb live Ballroom and Latin dancing band, and young superstars in the making in the form of our demonstration couple Michael Johnson and Sally Rose Beardall and then Saskia who is a singing talent of the future.

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all the Danczers a fabulous christmas and a happy new year and I'll look forward to seeing you all back on the Dancz floor in 2012.

Zoé xxx