The roles of lead and follow...

[Sparkles]

Something tells me it's not long before this thread'll be moved upstairs at this rate

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Lory

what's your safety word going to be then?

"Philadephia"? "Boise"? "Palestine"? Mmm, Marcia Cross

I remember seeing an episode of Buffy a few years back (mmm, buffy ) where there was a mention of safe words - I was amazed they got that in US network TV aimed (ostensibly) at a younger audience. But then after you've shown an underage girl sleeping with a dead person, mentioning safe words is probably pretty low on the ol' shock-o-meter.

Wow, this is serious thread drift, I blame Lory...

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Gadget

The point is not that you insert a wiggle or slow turn here and there - it's the timing of it and the dissruption it can cause to the lead. How do you know if a man is ready for your wiggle to be unleashed on him?

Would you do it to a beginner? Would you feel the need to do it with an "advanced" dancer? Do you take over when you want to enjoy the music more than the dance?

I'd do it when I felt like it. It would be highly unlikely I'd it with a beginner. I'd do it when it felt appropriate. For example, I did it to Sherif on Tuesday to Quanso Quando Quando & it provoked a "woohoo", and some playing of his own.

Originally Posted by spindr

There is an easy way to stop the lady playing/backleading -- but not many of them will appreciate an entire dance of windmills

Someone did that to me once. By the end of the third one I just gave him a withering look & walked off the dance floor.

Originally Posted by DavidJames

Wow, this is serious thread drift, I blame Lory...

Me too. Bad Lory! Tut!

[Lory]

Originally Posted by Lou

I'd do it when I felt like it.

It would be highly unlikely I'd do it with a beginner.

I'd do it when it felt appropriate.

For example, I did it to Sherif on Tuesday to Quanso Quando Quando & it provoked a "woohoo", and some playing of his own.



Me too. Bad Lory! Tut!

Moi? Hmm Just re read your own last post!

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Lory

Moi? Hmm Just re read your own last post!

I'm sure I don't know what you mean!

Now, have we convinced Gadget yet?

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by Lou

Now, have we convinced Gadget yet?

...wha? Sorry, distracted by you doing it all over the place.

Convinced me of what?

[JoC]

Originally Posted by Lynn

Best thing to swap the roles would be to have an intermediate class 'swap' roles - ie women dance lead and men follow. Not every week, but not as a one off either, maybe once every couple of months. Might not work, but just a suggestion. I think it would improve a guys lead, to learn to follow and vice versa.

Has anyone ever run a workshop specifically on total role reversal? Not as in switching roles within a particular dance but as in basically teaching ladies to lead and men to follow?

Don't know if some people are a bit put off dabbling with the 'reverse' role in the regular classes because they're a little uncomfortable with dancing with someone of the same sex (I'm not fussy!, and I'm going to have a go soon...), or they don't want to make other people uncomfortable. Am I being too sensitive here!?

What I'm trying to say is I can imagine a workshop environment might be good for this sort of thing. Don't know what the demand would be...?

[Tazmanian Devil]

Originally Posted by Gadget

Would you feel the need to change roles when dancing with an "advanced" dancer?

It's not about feeling the need to change roles at all, It's about having some fun on the dance floor What I mean is we all go out for a fun enjoyable evening and although we may be a bit serios because of the champs coming up thats still what it's about. I mostly swap roles with the lovely Teacher Kelly (Greenwich) who Teaches advanced classes weekly, and I have just as much fun with her as I do when swapping roles with my friend jon (who's a tad bit rusty at following at the mo)

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by JoC

Has anyone ever run a workshop specifically on total role reversal? Not as in switching roles within a particular dance but as in basically teaching ladies to lead and men to follow?

yes: Franck ran one at the last beach ballroom {might be the wrong event, but he did run one - I was there.}
I think the main thing it highlighted was that I can't follow and to the ladys.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Gadget

...wha? Sorry, distracted by you doing it all over the place.

Originally Posted by Gadget

Convinced me of what?

That it's fun when ladies "do it"?

Unless we've actually persuaded you to do anything else?

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by Lou

That it's fun when ladies "do it"?

Unless we've actually persuaded you to do anything else?

depends... can I "do it" at the same time, or do I just watch?

[spindr]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

Heh. The easiest way to make me backlead is to overspin me. I doubt I'd make it to the end of the second windmill...

Oh right, I don't normally count falling over as backleading -- but I suppose you're right -- you wouldn't be following then

SpinDr.

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Gadget

or do I just watch?

And join in later? I know.....

[Lory]

Hey, how about men wearing badges

RED = Play it straight, 'I'm leading' and any deviations will be sorely frowned upon!

AMBER = proceed with caution but I may use the 'safe word' at any given time

GREEN = Bring it on, I just love being played with!

Us girls like to know where we stand!

[Gadget]

Now with definitions like that, you really think that anyone would wear anything but green?

{hmmmmm.... perhaps I see through your cunning plan!}

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Lory

Hey, how about men wearing badges
...
Us girls like to know where we stand!

Hey, I'm game, but it's only fair that the ladies should wear similar ones. Care to suggest a few colours and meanings Lory?

[JoC]

Originally Posted by Gadget

yes: Franck ran one at the last beach ballroom {might be the wrong event, but he did run one - I was there.}
I think the main thing it highlighted was that I can't follow and to the ladys.

I'll watch this space then...