Swing lesson 8 | Brunswick

(Monday nights at Bridie’s, Brunswick)

Monday night comes again and it’s time for more 6-beat with Awesome-Dave and the newly returned and absolutely fantastic Emily.
Tonight we breezed quickly through 6-beat basics which for most of us was fantastic, but for one or two of the new-comers a little quick. A few of them unfortunately never nailed the basic steps for the duration of the lesson, but if they come along to more lessons and get into Swing elsewhere, they’ll be fine.
Starting from open-position, we went into cross-hand and practiced spinning the follow to swap positions. This led into spinning the follow into closed position before doing yet another crazy move which I don’t remember the name of. It involved leads raising their left arms which of-course lifts the follow’s right, and both dancers tilting from the waist, rocking back and forth and kicking out with the feet. Good fun – totally nuts, but good fun nevertheless.

I’m still enjoying it as much as ever, and I’m learning naturally and quickly. I’m beginning to hop around with a little improv when I’m with one of the more experienced dancers that join our level 1 class before their level 2, and it’s a blast!

Wendesday sees Deej and I back at Werribee, but unfortunately I won’t be able to make Thursday night in Yarraville as I’m attending a lecture given by a good friend of mine, subject matter: Australia’s response to the Hungarian revolution of 1956. I formatted and helped edit his thesis and it was both great working with him and learning about the subject matter, especially as he is 64 years of age. It’ll be a great night – a shame about missing Swing, but it is only one lesson.