What’s the deal with Swivels? – by Cassie Tucker
Swivels; one of the most common and challenging actions we face while dancing! Swivels make an appearance in so many New Vogue dances (Merrilyn, Gypsy Tap, Evening Three Step, Lucille Waltz, Excelsior Schottische, Carousel, Tango Carnaval, Barclay Blues, Charmaine, La Bomba, Parma Waltz, Tangoette, Tango Terrific, Tracie-Leigh Waltz, Twilight Waltz just to name a few!),…
Is there a difference between Ballroom and Latin shoes? – by Cassie Tucker
I often get asked by beginners if there is a difference between Latin and ballroom shoes. In fact, I remember asking this very question myself when I first started ballroom dancing! The one thing all ballroom and latin shoes have in common is that they have a suede sole.
The Buddy System – Practice made fun! – by Cassie Tucker
Finding the motivation to practice alone can be tricky. Like with most things, activities done together are more enjoyable, more rewarding, and much easier to commit to when you know you have someone else relying on you. Finding a buddy to practice with can sometimes be that inspiration needed to get you through the studio door!
Fear of Falling (Part 2) – by Cassie Tucker
I think that everyone at some time has felt anxious about falling on the dance floor; whether it be fear of being injured or fear of embarrassment. Everyone has had at least one “slip” or near miss that has made us wary of falling. This fear can prevent us from dancing our best as we often restrict our stride to maintain control.
Fear of Falling – by Cassie Tucker
I think that everyone at some time has felt anxious about falling on the dance floor; whether it be fear of being injured or fear of embarrassment. Everyone has had at least one “slip” or near miss that has made us wary of falling. This fear can prevent us from dancing our best as we often restrict our stride to maintain control.
To Curtsy or Point? – by Cassie Tucker
Another question we get a lot from our ladies at DK (especially close to Award Presentation time) is, “How to finish your dance: Curtsy or Point? “. Ballroom Instructor Cassie Tucker gives some simple guidelines to help you choose… Every performance needs a clean finish; an opportunity for you to say “Ta Da! I am finished!”, while giving the audience their cue to applaud…
Why do we dance Cha Cha and Rumba on the “2” count? – by Cassie Tucker
DK Ballroom Instructor Cassie Tucker tackles the question we have all heard (if not asked ourselves), “Why do we dance Cha Cha and Rumba on the “2” count?”
Rumba and Cha Cha are two dances that have been around for a very long time. Both originated in Cuba, the first being Rumba which emerged as early as 1919.
Friday Night Socials – by Cassie Tucker
At DK, we’re all desperately missing the Friday Night Socials! With any luck we’ll be back in the Studio once more… Until then, Ballroom Instructor Cassie Tucker shares some of her fondest memories…
Friday Night Socials: The highlight of the week!
New Vogue Lock Steps – by Cassie Tucker
In this instalment, DK Ballroom Instructor Cassie Tucker discusses the Lock Step in New Vogue dances (& how they differ from Standard Ballroom)… Figures in ballroom dancing are generally designed with a particular function in mind: some are designed for travel (Weave), some to change body position (Progressive Link), some are used for floor craft (Hover Corte) and others are purely designed to be fancy (Fleckerl).
Take the thinking out of Dancing! – by Cassie Tucker
DK Ballroom Instructor Cassie Tucker describes why practice is so important…
I am oddly fascinated by cases of memory loss. I’m not talking about a weekend bender that resulted in a blackout; I’m talking about chronic cases of long or short-term memory loss where parts of the brain responsible for forming memories have been permanently damaged.