May Extra
Home Up

The Extra:
An Insider's Look at the
MAY SSQQ
Dance Semester

 

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Please visit BALLROOM DANCING for an in-depth explanation of how our Ballroom Program works.

x Sunday 430 Sunday 7 Monday 7 Swing Monday 7 Whip Tuesday 7
  Wednesday 7 Thursday 7 Salsa Thursday 7 Whip Friday 7 Saturday 430

   4:30-6:30 SUNDAY AFTERNOON SSQQ WESTERN PROGRAM

Beginning Two Step/Polka

Western Music has dominated the radio airwaves as the most popular music in Texas pretty much forever! As a result, Western Dancing is very popular here in the Bayou City.

Since
you live in Houston, Texas, you should get plenty of opportunities where a little knowledge of the Twostep/Polka will come in pretty handy.  For example, Western dancing is a fixture at Rodeo time.
Come learn the fundamentals of these important famous dances!

The Texas Twostep is easy to learn and fun to use.  From George Strait's "Fool Hearted Memory" to Shania Twain's "Holding onto Love", the Twostep is used to a wide variety of C&W music.  It is also the dance that gave SSQQ its name: Slow Slow Quick Quick.

The Polka is used to a different speed of music than the Twostep. Known as the "Triple Step" dance, the Polka and the Twostep can be danced to about 80% of all Western music (the other 20% are Waltzes, Night Club, and Honky-Tonk Swing).

Since this class is so popular you take this class on Sunday, Wednesday or Friday.  As these are considered "Parallel Classes", you can rotate between the three time slots to fit your schedule. 

 

Beginning and Intermediate Western Swing  (History of Western Swing)
Western Swing is a dance that combines Double Turns with Twostep and Polka rhythm.  Another name for what we call Western Swing is "Twostep with Turns", but that doesn't do justice to this highly popular dance that originated here in the Houston area back during the "Urban Cowboy" era.

Over the years, Western Swing has been a favorite because the ladies love to turn and swirl and the men always enjoy seeing the grins on their partner's faces after a roller-coaster trip around the floor.

All levels of Western Swing are offered on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday at the studio.  One thing to remember - you need to know how to Twostep before you can take Beginning Western Swing.  It's one of those "don't run before you learn to walk" concepts.

Intermediate Western Swing is three courses in one:
First, it reviews all the Beginning Western Swing patterns
Second, it shows how to convert the Twostep Western Swing patterns to the tricky Polka-rhythm
Third, it covers many new Polka patterns such as Conversation, Crossovers, and Side Travel
 

Advanced Western Swing I and II (I in the odd months, II in the even months)
 ADV WESTERN SWING I WILL BE OFFERED ON SUNDAYS, WEDNESDAYS,  
 FRIDAYS IN MAY


Advanced Western Swing covers many very important patterns including Cross the Line, Crossed Hands Wild West Shuffle, the Texas Tornado, the Lariat, the Yo-Yo, and the Dishrag. This course serves as the introduction to the difficult Clockwise Reverse Double Turns known as the "Cyclone Turns".

Please note you are always welcome to take Advanced Western Swing II BEFORE you take Advanced Western Swing I.  The order makes no difference.

 

INTERMEDIATE TRIPLE TWO - Scott    SUNDAYS IN MAY

Beginning Triple Two is the legendary Western Swing export from Dallas, Texas.  Triple Two is not well-known in Houston, but it is a staple on the Western Dancing Competition circuit. It is fast, fluid, fun to dance, and great to watch!

Danced to Polka-speed music, Triple Two is the dance of many aliases. Also known as Triple Twostep, Fort Worth Shuffle, and Dallas Twostep, Triple Two is very popular among experienced Western Swing dancers because it is less strenuous than a regular Polka and the patterns are unique and very flowing. This special course has not been offered at SSQQ for over a year.

In the 2007, this class was so popular it lasted for five months.  You will be pleasantly surprised at how much fun the Triple Two is to learn and to use out on the floor!

 

BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE WHIP/WEST COAST SWING
 BEGINNING WILL BE TAUGHT SUNDAYS AT 4:30 IN MAY
(For description of this class, click here)

 

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  SUNDAY EVENING 7-9 PM SWING AND BALLROOM CLASSES

PLEASE NOTE THE SUNDAY 7 pm SWING & BALLROOM CLASSES ARE FOLLOWED BY AN HOUR-LONG BALLROOM TEA DANCE (with complimentary Ice Tea & Cookies)

 OVERVIEW ON EAST COAST SWING AND JITTERBUG CLASSES
(Read more: History of Swing Dancing)

Many people do not know this, but Swing Dancing is America's gift to the world.

It is the only Ballroom dance that is 100% Born in the USA!

Swing Dancing started in Harlem in the Roaring 20s Jazz Age.  The first form of Swing dancing was the Charleston.  The Charleston gave rise to the Lindy Hop in the late 20s.  As Jazz music transformed into Swing music, similarly the Lindy Hop grew into Swing dancing during the 30s and 40s Big Band Swing Era.

Since that time, Swing Dancing has grown to include many types of music such as 50s Rock 'n Roll music, fast Blues, Western Honky-Tonk "Born to Boogie" music, plus the marvelous Big Bad Voodoo Daddies/"Jump, Jive, and Wail" 90s Swing music as well.

People ask all the time, "Where should I begin?"

Swing Dancing is a good answer to that question due to its versatility. A Swing class is an excellent starting point because no matter what the music is, Swing can be used at practically any dance occasion. 

Please note our Sunday Swing classes are taught primarily to Big Band Music while the Monday parallel class is taught to all kinds of Swing music.  Although the music JUNE differ slightly, both classes should be considered "parallel". You JUNE rotate between them or come both nights each week. 

One more note: people ask about the "Jitterbug".  Swing Dancing can be used to a Slow Slow Quick Quick footwork and timing to fast music while Jitterbug is the SSQQ term for the Triple Step Triple Step Back Step footwork used to slower Swing music.  Both dances have identical patterns, so it easy to learn both dances at the same time.
 

BEGINNING Swing/Jitterbug on Sundays AND MONDAYS -
 
RICK
WILL TEACH BEGINNING ON SUNDAYS IN MAY

Each month SSQQ has a new Sunday Beginning Swing classes offered at 7 pm.  In addition there is a parallel Monday class at 7 pm.
 

(Intermediate Swing/Jitterbug ON SUNDAYS - NOT OFFERED ON SUNDAYS IN MAY TO MAKE ROOM FOR SWING CHARLESTON.  HOWEVER INTERMEDIATE SWING IS OFFERED ON MONDAYS IN MAY)

Swing dancing can be used a wide variety of music and many different speeds of music ranging from 120 beats per minute to 220 bpm.   However to dance to such different speed ranges comfortably, you must learn how to adapt your footwork to the different speeds.

  • The slowest music (120-150 bpm) uses Jitterbug footwork:  1 and 2, 3 and 4, Back Step. 
    (6 beats, EIGHT STEPS TOTAL)
  • The medium range music (150-180 bpm) works best with Tap-Step footwork.  
    (6 beats, Tap-Step, Tap-Step, Back Step = SIX STEPS TOTAL)
  • The fastest music (180-220) uses Swing footwork.  Step-Hold, Step-Hold, Back Step. 
    (6 beats, FOUR STEPS TOTAL)

    All three footwork systems use 6 beats.  All three footwork systems use identical patterns. 

    The fastest music requires the fewest steps (SWING) while the slowest music (JITTERBUG) requires the most steps.  Those extra steps in the Jitterbug system are used for Traveling, which in essence speeds up the dance.   In addition, medium range music works best with the TAP-STEP footwork.  

In the Beginner Level of Swing/Jitterbug we teach mostly Swing footwork and warn you about Jitterbug and Tap-Step footwork.  Once you make it to Intermediate, we show you how to use the other two systems.

SWING CHARLESTON I Sundays IN MAY WITH MAUREEN BRUNETTI

The fascinating Swing Charleston kick patterns can be easily merged with regular Swing.  Although Swing Charleston patterns are 8-beats and Swing patterns are 6 beats, it is relatively simple to go back and forth.

There are two Swing Charleston courses.  The first month covers
Side by Side  Charleston patterns and shows you how to get in from Swing and back to Swing.

Swing Charleston Classic patterns include Bus Driver, Kick and Rock, Side by Side Charleston, and Crossed-Hand Charleston as well as others. Many people are not aware that the Lindy originated out of the Charleston. In particular, the “Side by Side” and “Crossed-Hands” patterns were pretty much the first Lindy patterns ever used when Lindy was making its breakout from the Charleston in the 1920s.

Next month Maureen will tackle Tandem Charleston.  Please note this is an Advanced class, so if you haven't finished Intermediate Swing, steer clear. Thanks!!

 

Please note that Swing is also a Ballroom Dance, but due to its importance it has its own program.
You can take Swing classes on Sundays & Mondays at 7 pm

THE SUNDAY BALLROOM PROGRAM

Ballroom Dancing is a general term that is used to refer to about a dozen different dances, including dances like Cha Cha that are considered Latin Dances as well.  If you would like to be more specific, then call it Ballroom and Latin Dancing

Here at SSQQ, we stick to the five most important Ballroom and Latin dances: Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha, and Rumba.  For a more detailed look at the SSQQ Ballroom Program, please read our special Story:

THE SSQQ BALLROOM PROGRAM


If you don't have the time to read the entire story, then here is an abbreviated explanation.  There are six levels of Ballroom Dancing at SSQQ  (BEG and INT I, BEG and INT II, plus BEG & INT TANGO). 

These classes are taught on Sunday evenings followed by our Sunday Evening Ballroom Dance from 9 pm to 10 pm.

You can take all six classes in any order you wish. 

For example, let's say you start classes in MAY 2008. 
You can take BEGINNING BALLROOM I which covers Foxtrot and Waltz.
In MAY, you can take INTERMEDIATE BALLROOM I.
In MAY, you can take BEGINNING TANGO.
In MAY, you can take INTERMEDIATE TANGO.
Now it gets tricky. In May, perhaps you can take BEG SWING.
Then in June, you can start BEGINNING BALLROOM II which covers Cha Cha and Rumba.
In July, you can take INTERMEDIATE BALLROOM II.
 
Once you have completed the six levels, we invite you to join Dakota Wilhelm's Accelerated Ballroom Class which we describe in more detail below.

LISTING OF SUNDAY BALLROOM CLASSES FOR MAY

Beginning Ballroom Dance I (odd months) and II (even months)

BEGINNING BALLROOM I and II serve as our "Introduction to Ballroom Dancing".

It is simply too much to offer all five dances in the same class, so we break them up into two sections.


On Sundays in the "Odd months" we teach Beg Ballroom I which covers Foxtrot and Waltz.
On Sundays in the "Even months" we teach Beg Ballroom II which covers
Cha Cha and Rumba

Please note you are perfectly welcome to take Ballroom II before Ballroom I.  The order does not matter.  Either way is fine!   Both courses are perfect for beginners who want a good place to start learning more about Ballroom Dance. 

BEG BALLROOM I (Odd Months):  BEG I ON SUNDAYS IN MAY

1. Foxtrot
is the dance for Weddings. It is also the dance of choice for all Sinatra music such as "New York New York" and "The Way You Look Tonight". 
2. Waltz
is Cinderella's dance of Romance, grace and elegance. Waltz is certainly the dance most commonly associated with the term "Ballroom Dancing" due to its beauty. 
 

BEG BALLROOM II (Even Months):

1. Cha Cha is sexy and flirtatious. It is easy to learn and to dance. Best of all, Cha Cha it is also a dance where a flirt can have a field day of fun!  
2. Rumba is the sultry Latin dance of Romance.  This moody Latin Dance works marvelously to soft jazz music like "The Look of Love" and "Night and Day".  Rumba is a deeply sensual, graceful dance.  Note that there are patterns in Foxtrot that are identical to certain Rumba patterns... learn them both at the same time.

Two months of these Introductory classes will give you a complete overview of Latin and Ballroom dancing!


BEGINNING TANGO (Odd Months)   BEG ON SUNDAYS IN MAY

Tango is the seductive Dance of the Dark.  If Waltz is the symbol for the light side of Romance, then Tango is the timeless symbol for the dark side of Romance.   Jealousy, Suspicion, and Passion are the emotions associated with Tango.  

Tango
music is haunting and mysterious.  In the spirit of the music, the movement of the Tango very dramatic complete with dramatic lunges and eye-catching flares and fans.  

INTERMEDIATE TANGO (Even Months)  

Intermediate Tango covers a wide variety of patterns.  In addition to the Fallaway and Boomerang Fallaway, there is the Grapevine, Walking Step, Moving Pivots, Turning Flares, Double Cortez, Double Fan, Inside and Outside Turns from Promenade, and Counter-Clockwise Turns.  Impressive amount of material!
 

INTERMEDIATE Ballroom I is taught on even months; II is taught on odd months

INTERMEDIATE BALLROOM I covers Foxtrot, Rumba, and Waltz

Foxtrot and Waltz are two dances that share extremely similar footwork based on the Box Step. 
By grouping these two dances together, the learning time can be cut dramatically.

Sinatra music is synonymous with Foxtrot such as "The Way You Look Tonight" and "New York, New York".  Foxtrot is the High Society Uptown equivalent of our Texas Twostep.

Waltz is Cinderella's legendary dance of romance.  Waltz can be danced to a wide variety of music.  For example, it is danced to Western Waltz classics such as "You Look So Good In Love", popular songs such "Could I Have This Dance?", traditional songs like "Greensleeves" and "Auld Lang Syne", plus beautiful Irish and Celtic Waltz music.

This particular Ballroom class is perfect in preparation for weddings, jazz combos on a dinner date, and New Year's Eve.  It is also the perfect class to take for a cruise trip since both dances work perfectly to the Atrium bands playing ballroom classics.



INTERMEDIATE BALLROOM II covers Rumba and Cha Cha
 INTERMEDIATE II WILL BE TAUGHT ON SUNDAYS IN MAY



The sexy Latin dance Cha-Cha and the moody Rumba share many patterns. 
The mysterious Rumba is the Latin equivalent to Waltz.  This graceful, sensual dance is perfect for Latin jazz, slow salsas, and popular music such as "Under the Boardwalk", "Yesterday", and "It's Now or Never".

   SPECIAL STORY: THE SSQQ BALLROOM PROGRAM  


ACCELERATED BALLROOM WITH DAKOTA WILHELM:
TANGO IN MAY

JANUARY: ADVANCED WALTZ I
FEBRUARY: ADVANCED WALTZ iI
MARCH: ADVANCED CHACHA I
APRIL: ADVANCED CHACHA II
MAY: ADVANCED FOXTROT I
JUNE: ADVANCED FOXTROT II

JULY: ADVANCED RUMBA I
AUGUST:
ADVANCED RUMBA II

SEPTEMBER:
ADVANCED TANGO I
OCTOBER:
ADVANCED TANGO II
NOVEMBER: VIENNESE WALTZ
DECEMBER: SAMBA

Dakota's Accelerated Ballroom made its debut in MAY 2007. Designed as a Super-Advanced Ballroom course, Dakota expects each student to have a strong knowledge of the current month's dance as a prerequisite to taking this class.

The students who are prepared for this level have a right to expect the class to move swiftly. Therefore we reserve the right to send students to a lower level if they are not ready for this Advanced level.

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FORMAL DANCING FOR WEDDINGS AND OTHER SPECIAL OCCASIONS
- MARLA ARCHER


Here at SSQQ, we say that Slow Dance and Romance go hand in hand.  There are special occasions like the First Dance at a Wedding, a fancy New Years Eve party, a romantic standard at the Captain's Reception on a cruise, or a sultry torch song at a nightclub where the ability to Slow Dance would sure come in handy.

Formal Dancing for these occasions comes in three forms: Slow Dancing, Foxtrot, or Waltz.

When it comes to Slow Dancing, the blunt truth is that most people don't have a clue how to Slow Dance gracefully. Women are lucky because they can probably wing it, but the men don't do very well when they are forced to fake it.  Sad to say, they usually flub miserably.

As a word to the wise, there are certain moments in life when the ability to dance gracefully to romantic music becomes a mighty important skill to have.

Like the ability to change a tire comes in handy at an unexpected time, the smart person learns how to Slow Dance AHEAD OF TIME... because you never know when you will need to know how to Slow Dance.

Learning to Slow Dance is especially important to couples who are getting married.  At least these people have of knowing when their time is due. As a result, they have the luxury to prepare in advance.

Classic romantic standards like Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable", "At Last" by Etta James, or American Graffiti-era hits like "In the Still of the Night", "All in the Game", "Only You", and "When A Man Loves a Woman" become special to dance to when you actually "Know How" to Slow Dance properly.

Slow Dancing is a derivative of Foxtrot. Most people can shuffle from foot to foot, but when it comes to Slow Dancing well, the majority of people are clueless.  This course covers ways to Slow Dance gracefully with several footwork combinations. We explain how different songs JUNE require different timing and footwork.

We no longer offer the Slow Dance class as a 4-week program at SSQQ.

Instead, Marla now teaches this material in private lessons plus occasional Saturday evening Crash Course (check the current Schedule).  In a typical week, Marla teaches 5 Wedding Couples a week in Private Lessons.  Her strengths are Foxtrot, Slow Dance, Waltz, and Swing.

Warning: If you want to dance the Foxtrot at your wedding, start earlier.  If you want to Waltz at your wedding, start twice as early!!

To read more about Marla's Wedding Dance experiences, please visit: 
Houston Wedding Dance Lessons

You can contact Marla at marla@ssqq.com

 

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  MONDAY EVENING 7-9 pm EAST COAST SWING PROGRAM!

MONDAY NIGHT Beginning East Coast Swing/Jitterbug
- Steve, Maureen, and Marla

  steve WILL TEACH BEGINNING ON MONDAYS IN MAY

If there is one dance that is popular to a wide variety of music, that would be Swing.   Swing music can be Big Band, Rockabilly, 50s Jitterbug classics, Born to Boogie Western, and 90s Retro Swing Hits by Brian Setzer and the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies.  Once you learn to Swing dance, you will find many opportunities to use it.

Swing Dancing originated from Big Band Swing music.  Since the 30s and 40s Big Band Swing era, Swing Dancing has grown to include 50s Rock 'n Roll music, Western Honky Tonk music, and 90s Swing music as well.  Swing Dancing is probably the single most versatile and practical form of social partner dance to learn because it can be used at practically ANY DANCE OCCASION!

Please note this same class is also offered on Sundays at 7 pm.  You can take both classes for the price of one.   You can come to both classes or you can alternate.
 

MONDAY NIGHT Intermediate East Coast SWING/JITTERBUG

  MARLA WILL TEACH INTERMEDIATE ON MONDAYS IN MAY

Swing Dancing can be used to a wide variety of music once you learn to adapt your footwork to the different speeds.

  • The slowest music (120-150 bpm) uses Jitterbug footwork:  1 and 2, 3 and 4, Back Step. 
    (6 beats, EIGHT STEPS TOTAL)
  • The medium range music (150-180 bpm) works best with Tap-Step footwork.  
    (6 beats, Tap-Step, Tap-Step, Back Step = SIX STEPS TOTAL)
  • The fastest music (180-220) uses Swing footwork.  Step-Hold, Step-Hold, Back Step. 
    (6 beats, FOUR STEPS TOTAL)

Swing Footwork is taught primarily in Beginning Swing Jitterbug.  The Intermediate Level covers the Jitterbug and Tap-Step footwork systems.

 

MONDAY Advanced Swing/Jitterbug
  MAUREEN WILL TEACH ADVANCED LEVEL 1 ON MONDAYS IN MAY

SSQQ currently offers 4 different Advanced levels. 

Our Advanced levels cover double turns, famous Swing and Lindy footwork patterns, and all sorts of intricate patterns.  You can take these different levels in any order you wish after completing BOTH Intermediate Swing/Jitterbug levels. 

 

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  MONDAY EVENING WHIP/ WEST COAST SWING CLASSES 7-9 PM

SSQQ Whip/West Coast Swing
(History of Whip)

BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE WHIP/WEST COAST SWING
 BEGINNING WILL BE TAUGHT SUNDAYS/MONDAYS IN MAY

Beginning and Intermediate Whip and West Coast Swing are taught on Sundays and Mondays.   The main night for Whip is Monday Night. 

Whip and West Coast Swing are very sophisticated partner dances used to Blues, Rock and Disco music. 

Both dances have identical patterns with identical timing. However the styling is different. Whip uses an unusual hip motion styling for the woman while West Coast Swing (WCS) emphasizes a wide variety of jazzy lady's footwork such as hitches, hijacks, kicks and flicks.

West Coast Swing is the dance system widely used throughout the USA.  The legendary Whip was once the Toast of Texas, but in recent years it has been passed here in Houston in favor of the flashier WCS.  

Here at SSQQ we teach mostly West Coast Swing, but we include Whip Styling as well.  A dance as hot as the Dirty Whip deserves to be kept alive.  Together the dances make for a potent combination.

There are three levels of classes in the SSQQ Program.  There are parallel Beginning and Intermediate West Coast classes on Sundays and Mondays (Beginning in the odd months, Intermediate in the Evens).

Once you complete Beginning and Intermediate, these classes would be followed by a two-month Monday training program known as Tech I and Tech II. This would allow the Monday student to stay with his and her same group for four months before joining Martian WhipTech I would be WCS footwork for a month, Tech II would be Whip footwork for a month plus patterns to relieve the tedium.

Please note that students in the Monday Technique II class are welcome to join the Friday Martian class each week at no charge in addition to their Monday class. This helps to bridge the gap between Tech and Martian Whip.  (Martian Technique I students are asked to wait till they reach Technique II before joining the Friday class.)
 

MARTIAN TECHNIQUE

 TECHNIQUE I IS TAUGHT ON MONDAYS IN MAY

The purpose of Martian Technique is to offer 2 solid months of different material to prepare our students for Martian Whip. The first hour of each week will be footwork and fundamentals that students will need at the higher level. Then the second hour will cover important patterns.  The Technique class is spread over two months.  Tech I covers West Coast Swing footwork and patterns.  Tech 2 covers Whip footwork and patterns.

The major goal of the Technique class is to train students in West Coast and Whip syncopations, also known as the Hitch technique.  The Hitch is the gateway to superior WCS dancing.  Mastery of the difficult syncopation on 1-2 (Walk Walk) allows a wide variety of new footwork patterns to develop. 

Entrance into the Technique class assumes you have completed Beginning and Intermediate Whip ahead of time.



MARTIAN WHIP 6 -  MONDAYS/FRIDAYS IN MAY

Rick Archer and Cher Longoria teach Monday Martian Whip.   Jack Benard teaches Friday Martian Whip.  The pace is swift and material is demanding. 

These two Martian Whip classes are not parallel.   The material is different.   In other words, when you sign up for Martian Whip, you are truly getting two classes for the price of one.

Martian Whip
is a privilege; simply registering for the class does not guarantee your admission.  Rick and Cher reserve the right to tell you if you are not ready for this class.

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 TUESDAY EVENING SALSA CLASSES 7-9PM

Please Note that Tuesday BEG and INT Salsa are parallel to Thursday and Saturday

Beginning Salsa

Starting with Living La Vida Loca, Salsa first exploded on the dance scene with passion in 2000.

Unlike earlier dance crazes such as 70s Disco and 90s Swing, since then Salsa has shown to have legs. The energy of Salsa just grows stronger and stronger as the 2000s progress.

Today in 2006 with epicenters in Miami, New York, and LA, a strong case can be made that Houston is the fourth largest center for Salsa dancing in the country.

Latin dance clubs in Houston are thriving. Salsa dance classes at SSQQ are filled to capacity. Tuesdays alone frequently see classes approaching 100 students. While some people don't like crowded classes, the vast majority of our students absolutely thrive on the energy generated from so many people dancing to the pulsating Latin rhythms.  These are VERY POPULAR CLASSES. 

You can take Beginning Salsa three different nights of the week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) for one price.  This is place to start if you want to learn to dance Salsa.   Sexy, flashy, fun, challenging, and great music all combine to make Salsa the most popular form of social dancing in America. 
 

Intermediate Salsa 1    TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS IN MAY

Currently you can take Intermediate Salsa three nights a week for the price of one!   Please note our Salsa classes are beginning to get so crowded we JUNE need to change our rules, but for the present you are welcome to come all three nights if you wish.

There are four levels of Intermediate Salsa.   The patterns vary, but the difficulty is about the same.  Like the branches on a tree, after you finish Beginning Salsa, you can take the four Intermediate Salsa classes in any order you wish. And when you discover the Intermediate patterns are getting too easy, that's when you know you are ready to move up to Advanced Salsa.
 

Advanced Salsa 11 -Steve GEKAS  TUESDAYS IN MAY
Steve's Elite Tuesday Adv Salsa class covers the most difficult Salsa moves. Please be aware the pace of this class is very swift.

Salsa first exploded onto the scene in 2000 with Ricky Martin singing "Living La Vida Loca" against the backdrop of the Bush-Gore struggles down in Florida. Since then Bush has been re-elected and Salsa has grown to become the most popular single dance style in America today.

Steve and Danielle spend so much time dancing in the clubs and practicing at the studio that they have come up with their own style of exciting and complex Salsa patterns.  Since their students are mostly very experienced dancers, Steve and Danielle work hard to stay ahead of this talented group. As a result, Salsa dancers from around Houston flock to the studio on Tuesday to see if they can the challenge of this "Honors" Advanced Salsa program. Indeed, the Tuesday Advanced Salsa class has become so popular our biggest room regularly fills up with classes that approach 100 students. If you can handle the heat, this class can't be beat.
 

The Tuesday Two and Three Left Feet Program with Jill Banta
 TWO LEFT FEET ON TUESDAYS IN MAY
Two Left Feet
is taught in the Odd Months
Three Left Feet
is taught in the Even Months.

Please note you can take take "Three" first and "Two" second or the other way around. It does matter since the classes cover different material. They can be taken back to back in either order.  

Both "Left Feet" classes have several things in common.

First they give a broad overview of the different types of social dancing that are out there.
They are both introductory courses for complete beginners. The Left Feet classes are a "something for everyone" kind of class because each week we teach a different kind of dancing.

Second, they are taught in sympathetic, highly-patient way because we understand that these classes are taken practically exclusively by total beginners.

There is no hurry, there is no pressure, there are no expectations. Consequently these classes are sought-after as a great starting point for anyone interested in social dancing.

Both Left Feet Classes are good for Weddings, Cruises, Rodeo dances, Ballroom dances, and high school reunions because they cover such a wide ground of material.

Then after you know more about the individual dances, most people usually decide to concentrate on the type of dancing that best suits their favorite music.

Two Left Feet - Jill Banta (odd months)
Two
Left Feet covers Western Twostep, Big Band Swing, Ballroom, and Merengue.  With a nod to the name of the class, Jill teaches the class at a very relaxed pace.  You not only get a chance to learn something about several different dances, you quickly realize social dancing is nowhere near as hard as you thought it was and how much fun it is as well.

Three Left Feet - Jill Banta (even months)
Three
Left Feet on Tuesday covers Western Polka, Tango, Salsa, and Slow Dancing.  With a nod to the name of the class, Jill teaches the class at a very relaxed pace.  You not only get a chance to learn something about several different dances, you quickly realized social dancing is nowhere near as hard as you thought it was and how much fun it is as well.

  Two Final Notes about the Left Feet Classes. 

Note One:  In MAY 2002, Joel McCleskey and his future wife Ruth signed up for the
SSQQ Two Left Feet class.  

Ruth and Joel got married in MAY 2005.  Interestingly, this was the same month and year that Joel won his first World Dance Championship in Nashville.   In MAY 2006, Joel McCleskey won his second World Dance Championship, this time in Sweden.  (Read Story)  Ruth is a competition dancer now as well.

The point is not that Two Left Feet will make you a World Champion.  The point is that Two Left Feet is a great place to start whether you think you are footwork-impaired or not.

Note Two:  If you actually note the inconsistency that Two Left Feet is taught in the Odd Month and Three Left Feet is taught in the Even Month, this is a strong indication this is the correct class for you.
(Articles for People who are
New to the studio)

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  WEDNESDAY EVENING WESTERN CLASSES 7-9PM

Note: Many Wednesday classes are parallel to Sunday and Friday. The In-Depth descriptions are listed with Sunday.

Beginning Two Step
Two Step and Polka are the two basic dances used to Country-Western music.

You can take this class on Sunday, Wednesday or Friday for the price of one. (See Sunday's writeup)
 

Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Western Swing I & II
(See Sunday's writeup)

 ADV WESTERN SWING I WILL BE OFFERED ON SUNDAYS, WEDNESDAYS,  
 FRIDAYS IN MAY

 

Super Ghost Town 5 - SCOTT   WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY IN MAY
In response to the request for Parallel Ghost Towns, we now offer the same level of Ghost Town twice a week.  This way if you miss one day, you can make it up on the other.  In addition Scott is likely to throw in a bonus pattern as well!
 

SHARON SHAW'S INTERMEDIATE WESTERN WALTZ
 WEDNESDAYS IN MAY


Sharon (Crawford) Shaw's legendary Western Waltz program began anew in APRIL 2008 with a Beginning Western Waltz class, the first step in a five month cycle.  She had nearly 100 students!

Now in May Sharon's class moves in Intermediate material.

Sharon taught her first extended Western Waltz class back in MAY of 2000. In that year, Sharon had over 70 people sign up for Beginning Western Waltz in MAY.  Due to the high energy of the class, naturally we scheduled a follow-up Intermediate class in May. However there was no drop-off!   Not only did the same 70 people stick around, the class grew a little bit as experienced Waltz dancers joined in progress to share the fun.  Soon the students started begging for more levels. Sharon and her friend John Jones added an Advanced level in June. Then came Super-Advanced in July.

In 2000, Sharon and John stopped at four levels, but when the same thing happened the following year, they found a way to add a fifth month of Western Waltz in 2001. 

What makes the class exceptionally fun is that many of the dancers stay after class to practice.  Before you know, all that practice pays off - the entire room is wall to wall with beautiful Waltz couples swirling and twirling across the floor!  As a result, many of the finest Waltz dancers in Houston claim they owe their skill to Sharon and John's class!

Sharon's Five Month Western Waltz cycle in 2007 marks her eighth year of teaching the best Western Waltz in the entire city.  You do not want to miss it.

Warning - two years ago we actually had to CLOSE this course due to over-crowding. Do not hesitate to sign up. It could easily happen again. If you have ever desired to learn the Western Waltz, this is your golden opportunity. Join now.

 

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  THURSDAY EVENING SALSA CLASSES 7-9PM

Many Thursday Salsa classes are parallel to Tuesday and Saturday.

Beginning Salsa
You can take Beginning Salsa three different nights of the week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) for one price.  This is place to start if you want to learn to dance Salsa.   Sexy, flashy, fun, challenging, and great music all combine to make Salsa the most popular form of social dancing in America.  (See Tuesday for writeup)
 

Intermediate Salsa 1    TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS IN MAY

You can take Int Salsa three nights a week for the price of one!   (See Tuesday for writeup)
 

Advanced Salsa 5   THURSDAY AND SATURDAY IN MAY
Take both the Thursday and the Saturday Advanced class for the price of one!

Don't forget a parallel to this course will also be offered on Saturdays at 4:30 pm!!  Take both the Thursday and the Saturday Adv class for the price of one! 

One common question about the Advanced Salsa classes is "which one do I take first?" 

Just like with the four Intermediate Salsa levels, you can take Advanced levels in any order you wish.  However there is one important note: The pace and the patterns of Advanced Levels 1 thru 6 (offered on Thursdays and Saturdays) are easier than the difficult Advanced Salsa class on Tuesdays. 

In other words, Thursday/Saturday is Advanced, Tuesday is Super-Advanced.

The Thursday/Saturday class will be difficult, but with two chances a week to practice the material, it should be easier than Tuesday.

BEGINNING BACHATA- Linda   THURSDAYS IN MAY

According to Linda Cook, Bachata has now moved past Merengue to become the second favorite Latin dance behind Salsa.

Bachata is a Latin dance used to slow-rhythm Salsa music. It is considered "suggestive" and naughty. Originating in the Dominican Republic, Bachata traces it roots to an ancient African dance rhythm known as 'Ibo' brought over by slaves stolen from the Nigerian Kwa tribe in the early 1800s.  The dance is very similar to Bossa Nova.

Long considered disreputable music of the lower classes, Bachata was not played on commercial radio until recently, even though it had a huge grassroots following. In many ways the history of Bachata is similar to that of American blues. Originally a rural, guitar-based form, Bachata was the music of the poor and uneducated. The lyrics often contained raw double-entendres and bawdy sexual innuendoes.

And now that you know that Bachata is sometimes known as the Salsa version of "Dancing Down and Dirty", come learn how to dance it! . 

SUPER-ADVANCED hustle level 5 - Scott    THURSDAYS IN MAY

Hustle is the famous Disco Dance from the 70s.  It is also a cult favorite here at SSQQ. 

Hustle is best used to Disco music and soft R&B hits.  This flashy partner dance is a clever combination of Swing footwork and Latin hip motion.  Taught on Sundays at 4:30, this dance was first known as the "Latin Hustle" when it was the major partner dance back in the Saturday Night Fever Disco era. 

A very smooth, flowing dance,
Hustle footwork & timing is very similar to West Coast Swing.  However its patterns are more similar to East Coast Swing.
 While the patterns resemble from Swing, the Hustle also has a hip motion and feel which is more similar to Salsa.  In other words, Hustle is a fusion of East Coast and West Coast Swing plus Salsa as well.  You will certainly enjoy this dance which is a unique blend of all three dance styles.

Since this is a beginner class, of course Scott will assume you know nothing about the dance and therefore teach his Hustle course starting with the Basics.  However this is a tricky dance best taken by people who already have at some dance experience, preferably with Swing.  Since we only offer this course once a year, in order to save time we assume everyone in the class has already taken Beg Swing since so much of the Latin Hustle footwork is derived from Swing.  In other words, if you are not at least a somewhat experienced dancer, this class may move pretty fast.  A Beginning Swing class would probably be a better place to start.

Scott Ladell has worked magic with his Hustle class in past years.  In 2006, his class was so popular that it went for five months.  That was pretty impressive.  You will be pleased to note that this accomplishment was no accident.  Scott is one of the best Hustle teachers in the city and deserves the loyal following he has developed.

 
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  FRIDAY EVENING WESTERN CLASSES 7-9PM

Many Friday classes are parallel to Sunday and Wednesday. You can read their write-ups by scrolling up to Sunday.

Beginning Two Step
Two Step and Polka are the two basic dances used to Country-Western music. You can take this class on Sunday, Wednesday or Friday for the price of one. 
(See Sunday's writeup)
 

Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Western Swing I & II
(See Sunday's writeup)
 ADVANCED WESTERN I WILL BE OFFERED ON FRIDAYS IN MAY

Super Ghost Town 5 - Scott Ladell  WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY IN MAY
In response to the request for Parallel Ghost Towns, we know offer Ghost Town on two different nights of the week. If you miss one day, you can make it up on the other.  In addition Scott is likely to throw in a bonus pattern as well!

 

MARTIAN WHIP 5 - JACK BENARD  FRIDAYS IN MAY

Friday Martian Whip is offered as a reward.  It allows you to accelerate your progress by taking in essence TWO DIFFERENT ADVANCED WHIP/WEST COAST SWING CLASSES each week.  Please note y
ou can take class on both Monday and Friday for the price of one.

This class is similar to the Martian Whip class offered on Mondays, but there are some differences. 

  1. You will learn different patterns on Fridays and Mondays.
  2. You have a different teacher on Fridays and Mondays.
  3. Students from Martian Technique II on Mondays are welcome to participate in the Friday program as a way to receive more training and accelerate their progress.  Please note that Martian Technique I students are asked to wait till they reach Technique II before joining the Friday class.
  4. Friday Night features a special Whip Practice Night hosted by Jack Benard.
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  SATURDAY AFTERNOON SALSA CLASSES 4:30-6:30PM

Many Saturday Salsa classes are parallel to Tuesday and Thursday.

Beginning Salsa
You can take Beginning Salsa three different nights of the week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) for one price.  This is place to start if you want to learn to dance Salsa.   Sexy, flashy, fun, challenging, and great music all combine to make Salsa the most popular form of social dancing in America. 
 

Intermediate Salsa 1    TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS IN MAY

You can take Intermediate Salsa three nights a week for the price of one! 
 

Advanced Salsa 5  THURSDAY AND SATURDAY IN MAY
Take both the Thursday and the Saturday Adv class for the price of one!


Note: SALSA EXPLOSION 5 with
Bjorn and Rebeca Bangstein
The Explosion class is a Super-Advanced Salsa Class. It is one level above Adv Salsa.

Rebeca and Bjorn are well-known in the Houston area for their dazzling Salsa performances. The Explosion will be a styling and advanced patterns class. In Rebeca's own words, she will teach women (and men) movement of the arms, shoulders and hips. Women find it challenging to style while dancing with a partner and intimidated when left alone to shine. 

The
Explosion class is for Advanced Salsa dancers ONLY. There are six levels of "Explosion".  In July 2008, Rebeca and Bjorn will go back to Explosion 1.

SPECIAL NOTE: Because Salsa Explosion has moved to 4:30, people who are REPEATING a previous Salsa Explosion level will not be able to register ON-LINE for Explosion 2 in MAY.  However you can register for Explosion 4 for half-price using WALK-IN REGISTRATION if this course is a repeat for you.

Alternating Saturday Class:

Zydeco (odd months) - Willie Bushnell and Ronnie Alexander 
 SATURDAYS IN MAY

Zydeco is a Creole Swing Dance that is extremely popular in the Houston area.

Zydeco dance music originated in the state of Louisiana. Similar to Cajun music, Zydeco is more heavily influenced by blues and music from the West Indies. Zydeco is fun, sexy, and pretty easy to learn! This is a great Saturday class that will have you laughing all night long!
 

Rhythm and Blues Twostep (even months) - Willie Bushnell and Willie Ellis
Also known as "Swingout", Rhythm and Blues Twostep is a popular dance used in African-American nightclubs. Taught by Willie Bushnell, R&B Twosteppin' is a partner dance similar to Zydeco. The man and woman first dance in closed position, then the man "swings her out".

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The SSQQ Newsletter

SSQQ has a Newsletter which contains quite a bit of information about the studio including the last-minute schedule changes, the social events, and “gossip”. If you would like to get an “Insider’s Look” at what is going on at the studio, visit the SSQQ Newsletter.

Like any good politician who wishes to stay in office, we are well aware that staying in business requires making our customers happy. Please send your suggestions for classes you would like to see offered to dance@ssqq.com

Thank you! 
Rick Archer

 

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