Welcome to Dance Data ! Dance Tips and Resources

May 14, 2009:  Volume 1, Issue 15

Thankful Thursday! I have much in my life to be thankful for: Good health, great family and friends, a roof over my head, food in my tummy (especially that piece of chocolate I just ate), the ability to grow as a person and learn from my mistakes, and the joy of dance which  makes life just that much better!   For those of you that are just learning to dance, I am here to tell you that it was the most difficult, yet most rewarding thing that I have ever learned to do. If you are just "thinking" about getting started, there is no time like the present! My only regret is that I didn't start dancing sooner. So grab a friend, or head out alone and get started! You might also want to consider joining us on our dance cruise. There will be beginning and intermediate/advanced workshops on sea days and dancing all night long, every night! You will be amazed at how much your dancing will improve in just one short week! We still have cabins available.  Prices start at only $659.53 per person, This includes all taxes and fees, plus all the workshops, dancing and activities. The cruise is for 7 nights aboard the Carnival Splendor, cruising to the Mexican Riviera on Sept. 27, 2009. Join us for a great time! Hope you are enjoying the spring weather and finding time to dance some sunshine into your life. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your world! The "Ras" Girls Michele Rasmussen, Ras #1 Cindy Rastutis, Ras #2

Tip Of The Week

Love N' Dancing For those of you lucky enough to have Love N Dancing  in a theater near you, Go and see it! I've heard that it is terrific. This is a movie "Made for Dancers by Dancers". For those of you West Coast Swing dancers, you will see many of your favorites on the big screen: Jordan & Tatiana, Sarah & Kyle Redd, Ronnie & Brandi and Arjay & Meissal to name a few. The movie stars Amy Smart , Tom Malloy and Billy Zane, plus tons of dancers from "So you Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars"!

Recent Article

Where are My Feet and Arms? With so much to remember as a dancer, one of the most important things to be aware of is where your feet and arms are, and where they are going. One of the first skills that you should try and master is awareness. Awareness of not only what your body is doing, but where it is going, and how it is getting there. First things first. How do we get onto the dance floor? Just getting onto the dance floor can often be a challenge and require quite a bit of skill. "Merging" onto the dance floor is an art and no different than merging into traffic. Wait for a break, get on and get going! Do not expect dancers that are already dancing to be on the look out for you, or to stop and invite you into their dance space. Respect them and merge quickly and peacefully! Do not mosey onto the floor, stand there, count  8 beats and then start dancing. If you are not dancing a progressive dance, observe the dance floor to determine which direction dancers are slotted, wait for a break and then make a mad dash to the center of the floor! Being courteous, observant and quick to make adjustments allows for a collision free entrance and exit from the dance floor. As a dancer, our arms can be very expressive and beautiful, but they can also be lethal weapons. Weapons to our partners, other dancers and even bystanders. Before you go throwing your arms up and over your head or out to your side, take care to look around and see that your way is clear. Be sure to bring your hand up close to your own body and face, before extending it up into the air. This way you will be sure not to poke your partner in the eye or hit him in the face with an elbow or two. Black eyes and bloody noses are no fun. When dancing around the outside of a dance floor, such as in Country Two Step, be very mindful of not only those spectators standing too close to the edge of the floor, but of the drinks on tables that are also often within flailing arms reach. You don't want to be labeled the "Dance Terminator"! As far as your feet go, be careful where you step. Be aware of other dancers' feet around you, as well as your partner's. Take care not to step on anyone's toes! Watch where you are going and be aware of where you are stepping. Be careful of others that dance into your space. If you feel a foreign object under your foot, do NOT continue to step down. As dancers you should be able to quickly shift your weight to your other foot. It is often difficult, on a crowded dance floor to be aware of everyone around you, but if you take small steps, and don't lift your feet high off the ground you should be able to avoid dancing on someone else's feet. Leaders, your job can be extra trying at times as you need to be extra careful when you are backing your partner around the dance floor. She does not have rear view mirrors or eyes in the back of her head, so be careful not to back her into the person behind her. And ladies, there are times when it is your job to protect your him. Bottom line, protect each other from harms way, to the best of your ability.  Be prepared to adjust to the stop and go dancing  in the progressive lane. You can never count on a continual flow of traffic. Dancers will often pause to hit a break in the music, and couples move at different speeds, some taking small steps and others large. It is inevitable that traffic will back up; it is ok to pass, but look before changing lanes.  While there is much to remember while dancing, it is most important to remember that we are all there to have a great time. Awareness is key; on and off the dance floor.

Upcoming Events

Swing Diego West Coast Swing Dance Convention - May 7-10, 2009 Frezno Dance Classic - May 21-25, 2009 Quest for the Best, Seattle - May 16, 2009 USA Grand Nationals - May 21-25,2009 Atlanta, Ga. NJ DanceSport Classic Summer Sizzle - June 13-14, 2009 Portland Dance Festival - July 9-12, 009 Portland Oregon Swingtime in the Rockies - July 23-26, 2009 Denver, Co.

Blog Re-Cap

Looking for a great way to spend Memorial Holiday Weekend? Join us in Fresno: Fresno Dance Classic Stop by and share your dancing stories with us. We love to hear about your trials and triumphs! http://www.ras-this.com/

Resources

Online Dance Instruction: www.learntoballroomdanceonline.com Ballroom Dance Association: www.USAdance.org National Association of Swing Dance Events: http://www.nasde.net/ USA Swing Dance Network: http://www.usaswingnet.com/

Keeping Up with the Ras-Girls Our Blog: www.Ras-This.com Be our friend on MySpace Add Michele as a friend on Facebook Add Cindy as a friend on Facebook Twitter Follow Michele at http://twitter.com/MicheleRasmusen Twitter Follow Cindy at http://twitter.com/threerivers33 Email address: ras.this@gmail.com About Us We are Cindy Rastutis and Michele Rasmussen, aka The Ras Girls, #2 . We share the same hopes and dreams (and often times a brain) as many of you, and hope to share the joy that we have found by learning to Dance in the Rain. Thank-You!