Gene Gene the Dancing Machine

upcoming dance event, please promote-H

2012-01-23T16:26:00.001-08:00

Dear Dancing Friends:

We are about three weeks or so from our first exciting dance for all types of dancers and dance styles.

Please pass the word and we hope to see you there. lets raise the roof!

Sun, Jan 22, 2012 7:20 pm
Subject: upcoming dance event, please promote

LVS2DNC.PARTY presents THE UN-VALENTINES DANCE
When:Saturday, February 18, 2012.

Time:7:00pm until 11:00pm

Where:VFW Post 755

2211 Old Jacksonville Rd
Springfield, IL 62704
LVS2DNC.PARTY ,with host Dancing DJ, Marilyn Ferry and Gene Gene-The Dancing Machine Weiser.
This dance features Music with Variety-Dance 4 Fun.
All Types of music for all types of dancers.
Free dance lesson is included with the $10 per person cover charge.
Lesson is from... 7 PM-7:45 PM-Will be a Cha Cha lesson by Gene and Sharon Weiser

and the dance is non-stop from 8PM-11 PM.
Cash Bar and Snacks available for sale.
Plenty of additional parking next door to VFW.
If you enjoyed "Ballroom Boogie", you will love LVS2DNC.PARTY
For more information, contact Gene, phone-217-652-2128 or email- gnw52@aol.com.
Contact Marilyn,phone 217-836-1438 or email-msfdance@yahoo.com

ALSO check www.dancingdates.com for more info and on Facebook, search for LVS2DNC.PARTY

LOVES TO DANCE & PARTY/ LV2DNC.PARTY IS BACK!!!! Plus exciting new dance coming in February 2012, mark your calendars now~!

2011-12-13T13:17:00.001-08:00

DANCING FRIENDS:

PLEASE- see this e-mail from Marilyn and also information on our dance coming February 18th, 2012-DON"T MISS THE FUN!

Gene Gene

It's that time of year again

All the hustle bustle of Christmas shopping,

socializing with friends, and of course,

eating lots of goodies.....

TIME OUT

ATTENTION ALL DANCERS

LVS2DNC.PARTY IS BACK

DECEMBER 30, 2011

7-10:30 PM

DECATUR MOOSE LODGE

3190 N. WOODFORD ST

DECATUR, IL

Music by Dancin' DJ Marilyn Ferry

I will play music for all types of dances and announce different varieties of dance that can be done to many of the songs. I will have our favorite line dances mixed in as well so you do not need to have a partner.

Important dates -- mark your calendar!!!

Friday night, January 6th, I am having

the last how2dnc.country until February 17. Mark these dates on your calendars for when I return. Feb 17, March 2 & 16...how2dnc.country!!! I will be cruising, dancing and having my first visit to Disney World for a month

Then on February 18, 2012 Gene Gene the Dancin' Machine and yours truly Dancin' DJ Marilyn Ferry will be hosting a really exciting, all inclusive, dance called "Mix -It- Up" with the mission to play Music With Variety and the atmosphere to be Dance 4 Fun. The theme for this February 18 will be " The Un-Valentines Dance". Oh yes, You won't want to miss this one.

Location Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 755

2211 Old Jacksonville Road

Springfield, IL 62704

plenty of additional parking next door to the Post

Time: 7-11PM Doors open at 6:30

Cover charge: $10 per person

Includes a free dance lesson from 7-8

Open dancing from 8-11

Cash bar and snacks available for sale

This is the first of a series of dances being put on by Gene and Marilyn for all types of dancers. It is an event that will be fun and all your friends will be there. If you liked "Ballroom Boogie," you will love "Mix-It-UP."

If you want to book a table ahead of time, contact Gene at gnw52@aol.com or 217-652-2128 or Marilyn at msfdance@yahoo.com or 217-836-1438.

---------------------------------------------------

Remember Plan on Coming to lvs2dnc.party

Friday night, December 30th,

Almost New Years Dance Party put on my Marilyn Ferry called lvs2dnc.party. I guarantee you we will have fun.

Please feel free to bring a treat to share......

cookies, pie, cake, cheese, crackers,

appetizers, whatever you want.

**The Moose has a wonderful bar that will be open for us throughout the evening.

** Nice Ballroom with a wood floor!!!!

******You do not have to be a member of the Moose to come to the dance. I have rented the room. There will be a cover charge of $6.

-------------------------------------------------

And December 30th,

the day before New Years Eve,

yes we are dancing!!!!

See you on the dance floor

Marilyn Ferry

DJ & Dance Instructor

.

2010-11-28T14:47:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the following clip,

it says it all and great memories as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYL3j27sSH8

Contra

2010-08-28T12:34:00.001-07:00

Lead 'ContraSwing' Versions of Your Favorite Moves
. . . and increase your versatility as a dancer!
At a recent dance, I watched the participants of the Basic Swing class
wander back into the main ballroom from an adjoining room where their
class had just ended. As usual, a few of them continued around the
perimeter of the dance floor and exited the building opting to dance
another evening when they felt more self-assured; and the rest, more
confident with their new skills, made a beeline for their tables where they
would roost with the certain knowledge that they were going to have a
fun evening of dancing. Their instructor must have given the female
students the "it's OK to ask guys to dance" speech at the end of their session because as the
last of the class entered the room, one of the ladies walked up to me and confidently
popped the question. I graciously accepted, anticipating an enjoyable but unremarkable
dance, but I was wrong. The dance was not only enjoyable but also very enlightening
because my partner asked me an interesting question which caused me rethink many of the
swing moves that I have learned over the years.
I could tell by the way that she initially gripped my hand and joined me in the closed
position that she had made the right decision to take the Basic I class. After I led her into an
initial "Tuck and Turn," it became apparent that her virtually nonexistent footwork could
use a little remedial work. Not wanting to offend her, I asked if she would like me to
briefly review her footwork or if she would prefer that we just continue enjoying the dance.
She opted for my help and quickly learned how to step around proficiently when I turned
her. It was at this point that she asked me a very fundamental question that challenged my
understanding of the dance: "when you raise your hand above my head to turn me, how do
I know which direction to go?" As a dance instructor, my first inclination was to tell her
that in a "Tuck and Turn" the male dancer (or 'leader') always leads his partner (or
'follower') into a clockwise turn into the open position; instead, I answered: "you should
always rotate in the direction that your partner leads you." We finished our dance and
agreed to get together again later, but as I left the dance floor I couldn't help pondering her
innocent question. Every swing dance club in St. Louis teaches the "Tuck and Turn" in
their classes exactly the same way: the male dancer always 'tucks' his partner
counterclockwise in front of him and then he 'turns' her clockwise into the open position.
Suddenly I realized what was troubling me...since my new partner, who may never have
heard of a "Tuck and Turn," was not anticipating the usual clockwise turn after her tuck,
why couldn't I, as the leader, rotate her around the opposite direction into the slot using the
ContraSwing version of this move? The answer is that I could have but I didn't in this
instance because leading my partner into an inside turn would have been inappropriate for
her experience level; however, her question did cause me to think more creatively about the
mechanics of the moves that I lead.
We swing dancers habitually perform our favorite moves the same way every time because
the repetition has conditioned our reflexes; it's a phenomenon called 'muscle memory.' If
we would step outside of our comfort zones occasionally and lead our partners into the
ContraSwing versions of these familiar moves, where we either lead them down the slot on
our opposite side or rotate them around in the opposite direction, then we can virtually

double the number of moves in our arsenal.
The ContraSwing version of the traditional "Tuck and Turn" that incorporates a woman's clockwise (outside) turn into the open
position now becomes a modified "Tuck and Turn" that incorporates a woman's
counterclockwise (inside) turn into the open position. The opposite (or ContraSwing)
versions of other popular moves include, for example, substituting a right side 'throw-out'
down the slot (two-hand, overhead lead into a wrap) for the more common left side
'throw-out'; substituting a counterclockwise 'come-around' (male dancer leads his partner
around him in the slot), for the clockwise 'come-around' and finally leading our partner
past us in the slot into a crossover on our left side instead of on our right side. Experienced
leaders routinely perform certain moves like the "Straight Jacket/Reverse Straight Jacket"
and "Continuous Right/Left Waist Wraps" in both directions, but 'mirror moves' like these
are the exceptions and they have no ContraSwing versions. In retrospect, I am really glad
that my partner was listening when her instructor told the class that "it's OK to ask guys to
dance" because she helped me realize that I know a lot more moves than I thought!
________________________________________________________________________
Copyright © 2010 by Henry H. "Skip" Culver, Jr. Member of the West County Swing
Dance Club and author of: Imperial Swing Dancing (visit: www.ImperialSwing.com).

Never too soon to take lessons or privates

2009-07-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Dancing Friends:
This weeks topic is about how good of a dancer do you think you are or want to be.
A lot of us dancers that have a desire to get better or be the best always take their dancing ability to another level.
Another level usually means, taking all types of lessons including going back to the basics or beginning classes.
It can also mean taking private lessons from dance instructors, semi pros or actual dance professionals.
Many pros come to dance convention weekends and always are available to give private lessons. They are not cheap, however the experience you will get from a lesson with a professional will help you become a better dancer and appreciate all types of dancers-regardless of their dance level.
A lot of times we as dancers always hear that people want to do some fancy moves and forget that dancing is about timing, musicality, technique and most important-THE BASICS.
If you don't desire to be better, then the advice above would not apply to you.
Lately many people in the are have been taking advantage of private lessons from different sources. To those of you, we tip our hats and hope
that you will continue to get better and enjoy this art form.
And for those who don't want to invest the time or money in being a better dancer, that is your choice and all I can say is-"Dance like nobody is watching", because at least you are out there!
Until next time, keep dancing and keep smiling.....
Regards, Gene Gene The Dancing Machine and Mrs, DM2
Thanks to Shari M for sending me this weeks video clip. It is called Wedding Entrance Dance and it's a winner!
Here you go,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Also here is another tidbit:
What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.
Here are this weeks area dance opportunities

Friday, July 31

Central Illinois Singles/Couples Dance with BOBBY REMACK
8 - 11 PM

VFW Post 755

2211 Old Jacksonville Rd., Springfield

217-546-9515

Saturday, Aug 1

PRAIRIE CAPITAL CONVENTION CENTER!	Featuring the Debbie Ross Band from 1:00-3:00, the Micah Walk Band from 4:00-5:30, and the Damwell Betters from 6:00-8:00, Dance Space Provided: Unknown Checking with the Convention Center
www.springfieldpccc.com www.myspace.com/springfieldpc3 http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id88941056	The World Horseshoe Cook-Off Saturday, August 1st FREE TO THE PUBLIC!!!

lvs2dnc.party (Loves to Dance Party)

Prairie Land Dance Club

650 MatildaStreet

Illiopolis, IL

Swing Dances-West Coast, Triple Swing, East Coast with Night -Club, Cha Cha, Rumba,Two Step, Line Dances, Waltz, and Latin mixed in.

Time........7:00-11:00

Our 4000sq ft floor allows many different styles of dances at the same time. We encourage people to use the music for the dance they prefer.

Dance the evening away to a great mixture of dance music by these artist and many more. Something for everyone is the plan. It is your party. Make it happen!!!

Leona Lewis.................Santana

Lady GaGa...................Beach Boys

Keb'Mo'......................Al Green

Tweet.........................Shakira

Timbaland...................Kelly Clarkson

R.L. Burnside..............Gretchen Wilson

Admission..just $5/per person - Everyone is encouraged to come

Participants or Watchers-Beginners or Advanced-High Energy Dance Evening

Soda, Bottled water & tea, Coffee, Candy,Chips & Popcorn........sold on site

Contact Marilyn Ferry DJ

msfdance@yahoo.com

Prairie Land Dance Club website

http://www.pldc.org/events.htm

Sunday, August 2

Walkway Singles / Couples Dance Cancelled

Matton IL

5:00 - 9:00 PM

Pla-Mor Dance Land

Music Men

5 :00 - 8:00 PM

1300 East Third Street, Pana IL map

Wednesday, August 5th

Nightclub Two Step with Elizabeth Cheney-workshop

Swing Etc.	Aqua Club Springfield IL Dances are from 7:30 to 10:00 Workshops from 6:45 - 7:30
	Music courtesy of DJ Claude
Dance Space: roughly 1500 sq ft dance floor

Great article, please take a few minutes to read

2009-06-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Dance Your Way Into Her Heart

by Ross Behrens

Every woman will love to dance with you when you make it fun, keep her safe, and lead
with confidence.

I WASN'T A POPULAR DANCER when I started West Coast swing fifteen years ago. My leads were late. I forgot patterns. Fancy footwork confused me. I was so awful that women ducked when they saw me coming.

But by the time I taught my first West Coast swing class in San Francisco in 1996, women were smiling, asking me to dance and complimenting my leading skills. Even accomplished dancers were pleased when I drew them as a partner in Jack and Jill contests.

So what had I learned about swing dancing and leading to account for the change? Was it better dancing skills? Better connection? Anchoring? Pattern knowledge? Or had I learned something about women?

It was all of these and more.

For one thing, I learned that gals don't care much about pattern s. When a lady is getting dressed for a night out, she doesn't think, "Gee, I hope I meet a guy who leads me through a shoulder roll followed by a tunnel and then a spin whip." No, she goes dancing to have fun. Maybe she'll meet some guy she clicks with, but her main thing is to get out of the house, join friends and have a good time.

Knowing this, a guy starts making her evening enjoyable before the first dance together begins. As you stroll up to her, make eye contact, smile and compliment her on something: her blouse, her shoes, hair, perfume… anything, just so the compliment is sincere.

As you lead her onto the dance floor, keep in mind that her safety is your responsibility. Find an open spot on the floor so that she won't get stepped on.

When you are in closed dance position and before you lead anything, take time to allow both of you to feel the music. When you start, you and your partner should be moving as one.

After your initial throw-out or glide-away, you need to do two things: 1) get her into a comfort zone of trust, and 2) get a feel for her skill level. Use a simple initial pattern. I prefer a side pass to find out if she knows what a slot is. Does she take big steps or small? Does she move smoothly or is she stiff? Does she reestablish connection at the end? All of this tells me what I can confidently lead, what I might be able to lead if I set it up properly, and what to avoid.

Lead with confidence

Good leaders plan their leads a move or two in advance. Followers do not have to think as far ahead, but they must think quickly, reacting simultaneously to music and patterns while adding styling and exhibiting grace.

How can you help her? Extend your lead throughout the movement, through the beginning, middle and all the way to an end that you visualized before you began. This is the essence of a confident lead that gives your partner security. Here are some other tips on leading:

Tips for newbie leaders

Keep your connected hand calm so that your partner doesn't think you are leading a move when you aren't.

Use the pistol grip hand connection. This is the one where her fingers overlap three of your fingers and your forefinger extends against the side of her hand. This connection gives you lateral control, a smooth release through turns, and helps keep your thumbs clear. Since pros use it, you will also look cooler.

Don't lead with your arms. Lead from your center (some pros suggest low center).

Take small steps on fast songs. A step the length of your foot should suffice. Slower swing songs might call for a longer step. But keep in mind that when dancing in a slot the woman travels farther than you do, her legs aren't a long as yours, and she might be in heels. Don't out-stride her.

Don't let your partner get so far away from you that your arms straighten. Keep some flex in your arm.

Make it easy for her to keep her balance on spins and turns by positioning your hand close to her head; don't lift your arm high so that she has to reach up.

Mai ntain your frame. Maintain eye contact. Smile.

Tips for intermediate leaders

Don't start your lead on the beat. Initiate your lead on the "&" before the beat.

Alter your patterns to fit the style and mood of the music and your partner. The last thing you want to do is bore her with the same patterns done the same way dance after dance.

When dancing with a skillful woman dancer, reduce the number of complex patterns you lead and sprinkle in basic patterns that she can spice up with footwork and cool interpretations.

Dance at the front of the beat on fast music, and at the back of the beat on slow music.

A few last words

It has been said that partner dancing is the "art of unison." To make this merging of two dancers possible, you must lead clearly and confidently. Your partner shouldn't need to guess where you want her to go, nor should she be concerned for her safety while she's with you on the floor. Focus on making sure she has fun, and you'll have many happy dance partners.

An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps!

Take care of your feet and your shoes

2008-04-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

BE GOOD TO YOUR FEET!

Dancers:

Many of you have dance shoes and if you don't, think about getting some!

There is a big difference in how you will be able to dance and move when you have the proper footwear.

Besides having good shoes, you also need to take care of your feet as dance calluses or corns can be painful and can change or hamper the way you dance.

Here is another tip from Gene Gene the Dancing Machine.

Your dance shoes can have the suede soles replaced if they are worn.

You can buy replacement suede sole from a company called Toe to Toe Dance wear , Inc.
They have many other dance items and services. You can also call and request their latest catalog.
Listed below is their phone number and web site:

1-877-348-4362 web site is www.toe2toe.com

You can take your replacement soles to any shoe cobbler where you live and they can usually replace them on the shoes that are worn.
In Springfield, we use Dick's Shoe Repair on Laurel Street. They usually cost around $15.00 a pair to replace the soles which is more reasonable then paying $100 or more for another pair of shoes. The
suede soles are usually around $10.00 for a 9x12 piece which can cover 1-2 pair of shoes.

Ideally some dancers have more than one pair of dance shoes. Some of us have practice type shoes for dance lessons or venues that do not have wooden or good dance floors. The other pair might be used for the places that actually have a good ballroom type dance floor.

Wearing regular street type shoes or tennis shoes don't always help you with some unique moves. Once you own a pair of dance shoes or dance sneakers, you will never wear regular shoes when dancing.
Also leather bottom or smooth surface shoes are worn by many dancers.

So remember to check out the web site above as well as other places on the Internet and be good to your feet!
KEEP ON DANCING and KEEP ON PRACTICING! ...Gene Gene and Mrs. Dancing Machine

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