"World of Floorcraft"
As many of you know the Cafe has been having a wonderful turnout these past few weeks, it's great to see so many people coming to dance. However, this also means that the floor can get a bit crowded. some people I have spoken with describe the floorcraft at the cafe using the term Cluster %@*&. Navigating a crowded floor can be challenging, and yet, sometimes we get on a floor even more crowded than the cafe has been from what people have told me the floors in Buenos Aries are even more crowded, and floorcraft is not a challenge at all. What is the difference? What makes a floor move well, and what makes it hard to move at all.
My observation is that two things can make the difference between a walk on the beach, and LA during rush hour. One is our individualistic nature, and the other is our insistence on doing "stuff". We (I am certainly guilty of this) can get so caught up in trying to do some figure, or fancy step, that we sacrifice everything else (balance, posture, embrace, and floorcraft) in order to make the figure work. If we sacrifice a little of the "stuff" in favor of floorcraft, instead of vice versa, it makes a big difference in the dynamics of the floor. Along with this, being aware of the couples around us as we dance, not only to find the gaps we can squeeze through, but also to allow them the space to move freely. Open the door for the people around you, instead of slamming it in their face, so to speak.
We all know how to dance smaller. Most of us have been a class with Brian when he confines us to the corner, and makes us dance in a space about the size of a kiddy pool. We managed not to get any stiletto wounds then, why can't we continue that on a larger floor when we actuality have more room? We get spoiled at the Carillo ballroom and UCSB, and forget how to make our dance fit the space we have.
Some common comments/suggestions I have heard often:
Keep the line of dance moving.
Give the person in front of you some room, don't tailgate.
Make two lanes, if needed, and don't weave between the two.
Don't pass unless it's really necessary.
Watch when you back up, take small back steps.
Use the corners.
Although a lot of this is directed at leaders, I took a class with a teacher who pointed out some things that a follower can do to help, even with a leader who is not aware of the floor around them. A follower can limit the size of a step they are taking, even if the leader leads a large step; hold it back a bit if you feel someone behind you. Another teacher, "keep your feet on the floor, or along a leg (you're own or your partners)". And of course help us out if we are about to back into something, (then later give us a hard time for not looking).
I was at a milonga where the host would "ppull over" dancers who were disrupting the flow of the floor, and give them a talking too. I must say that was one of the best floors to dance on that I have experienced.
Maybe I'm preaching to the choir, or just pissing in the wind, I don't want to come off as elitist, my floorcraft was very sloppy tonight, so if I cut you off...sorry!
I am also linking a video for your enjoyment
All the best, and happy dancing!
My observation is that two things can make the difference between a walk on the beach, and LA during rush hour. One is our individualistic nature, and the other is our insistence on doing "stuff". We (I am certainly guilty of this) can get so caught up in trying to do some figure, or fancy step, that we sacrifice everything else (balance, posture, embrace, and floorcraft) in order to make the figure work. If we sacrifice a little of the "stuff" in favor of floorcraft, instead of vice versa, it makes a big difference in the dynamics of the floor. Along with this, being aware of the couples around us as we dance, not only to find the gaps we can squeeze through, but also to allow them the space to move freely. Open the door for the people around you, instead of slamming it in their face, so to speak.
We all know how to dance smaller. Most of us have been a class with Brian when he confines us to the corner, and makes us dance in a space about the size of a kiddy pool. We managed not to get any stiletto wounds then, why can't we continue that on a larger floor when we actuality have more room? We get spoiled at the Carillo ballroom and UCSB, and forget how to make our dance fit the space we have.
Some common comments/suggestions I have heard often:
Keep the line of dance moving.
Give the person in front of you some room, don't tailgate.
Make two lanes, if needed, and don't weave between the two.
Don't pass unless it's really necessary.
Watch when you back up, take small back steps.
Use the corners.
Although a lot of this is directed at leaders, I took a class with a teacher who pointed out some things that a follower can do to help, even with a leader who is not aware of the floor around them. A follower can limit the size of a step they are taking, even if the leader leads a large step; hold it back a bit if you feel someone behind you. Another teacher, "keep your feet on the floor, or along a leg (you're own or your partners)". And of course help us out if we are about to back into something, (then later give us a hard time for not looking).
I was at a milonga where the host would "ppull over" dancers who were disrupting the flow of the floor, and give them a talking too. I must say that was one of the best floors to dance on that I have experienced.
Maybe I'm preaching to the choir, or just pissing in the wind, I don't want to come off as elitist, my floorcraft was very sloppy tonight, so if I cut you off...sorry!
I am also linking a video for your enjoyment
All the best, and happy dancing!
posted by Argentine Tango Club Officers at 1:58 AM
1 comments
