Comments for Smooth & Ez

Comment on Smooth & Ez Congratulates Local U.S. Open Winners! (Video Included) by redmatch

redmatch — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:53:56 +0000

You have really great taste on catch article titles, even when you are not interested in this topic you push to read it

Comment on About Us by Fitness Tips

Fitness Tips — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:37:45 +0000

thanks !! very helpful post!

Comment on Your Thoughts by admin

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:50:47 +0000

Lawrence “Brad” Bradford is our resident expert on Hand Dance music. His knowledge includes musical styles suitable for Old School and New School Hand Dance and the Bop. He can help you pick out music based on your personal interests and tempo preference (slow, medium or fast). If you are currently attending classes at the Eclipse on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday just stop by the DJ booth and ask Brad before or in-between classes. If you would prefer, please send an email request to smoothandez@gmail.com and include your contact information and Brad can contact you personally.

Comment on Your Thoughts by Evangeline Jones

Evangeline Jones — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:36:16 +0000

Hi,

I am a former student of Smooth & EZ. I graudated June 2001. I am now interested in teaching hand dancing, I was told that I could obtain a teaching certificate at Smooth & Ez. Please send me all the information.

Thanks

Comment on About Us by Evangeline Jones

Evangeline Jones — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:24:22 +0000

I am a former student of Smooth & Ez. I graduated June 2001. I am now interested in teaching hand dancing. I was told that I could obtain a teaching certificate with Smooth & Ez. How would I go about obtainig that? Also, I will need some instructors assistance.

Thanks

Comment on Your Thoughts by Theresa

Theresa — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:47:03 +0000

Where can I purchase dancing shoes for hand dance classes. My dress shoes are killing my feet and my ankle is starting to hurt.

Comment on Your Thoughts by Teddi

Teddi — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:41:23 +0000

Where can I purchase music for hand dancing?

Comment on Dance Jewels by admin

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:40:07 +0000

Thank you for your comments and your praise of the footwork of some of our certified instructors. I too agree that their dance displays some wonderful footwork.

Your point is well taken. I believe that I teach more basic foot patterns than most. The reason for this is so that ladies will have the ability to express their creativity during times in the dance when their partner is not indicating a spin or turn.

There are times during a dance when a leader will purposely give a follower an “Invitation” – a travel lead that allows the follower the opportunity to execute whatever footwork she wishes. However, most leaders execute several basics between patterns and amalgamations — this is a perfect time for your footwork.

Insertion of footwork into a dance can and should be done in conjunction with following and not instead of following. The ability to do this involves several factors: 1) Practice will give ladies confidence in their ability to execute footwork patterns while remaining in step, 2) A good connection will help ladies to know when they have the opportunity to execute footwork and 3) Both partners being attentive to one another.

I usually teach a number of footwork patterns during the course of the intermediate class that ladies can insert when they have the opportunity. During this class session I will teach a minimum of six patterns incorporate them along with other techniques executed in the intermediate and advance classes. This should get you and the other ladies started.

Comment on Dance Jewels by Pamela Johnson

Pamela Johnson — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:52:37 +0000

Hello, Brad
I was reading your article on your thoughts and your article on the history of hand dance. I am a recent learner of hand dance, and though I was born in ‘46, I never had a chance to thoroughly learn “old school” before moving on to free style. Three years ago I started taking classes in hand dance and have never stopped. Currently, I’ m taking hand dance, line dance, social ballroom, steppin’ and recently but only for four week, it was too much–west coast swing.
I constantly watch so called female “old school” / old school dancers who have become certified instructors, and yes they do, when dancing as an individual at clubs, etc. do marvelous foot work. In many of my classes women constantly are told to follow and for a while that’s great, but I believe that women want a more participatory role other than just responding to a male lead. When women are allowed to do their “old school” foot work it adds a different diminsion and adds a greater depth to our dance. Unfortunaltey, with this emphasis on intricate turns and making women spin, we are simply reponding with a chance every once in a while with being able to do a little sweep.
I propose this– that women have a chance through some kind of signal, such as being in front of her partner and giving his hand a squeeze that she wants time to do foot work. And/or that men allow at least once during a dance with a signal that she has time for foot work. Also, I propose that more intricate foot work, beyond just keeping the six count, be included in formal instruction for men and women beyond the warm up and that it be included in some of the actual routines. It will help keep alive the foot work of old that younger or “old folk” such as myself who are taking instruction are currently not learning; it will perserve some history of hand dance; give younger dancer something new to learn and for instructors to teach; it will add greater depth of expression to our dancing, etc. . What are your thoughts on this? Please forgive any typos.
Pam Johnson

Comment on Hand Dance: A Definition by Leslie

Leslie — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:45:07 +0000

I enjoyed reading your article. I heard the grapeline that you are a great instructor.