Sandra Sleeper's Casino Rueda Workshop

Posted by Amy

Well, it is about 2am and now I'm all wet from the rain.  But I love the rain and lightning.  It makes you feel glad to be snuggled up in your bed when you get home.  The Rueda workshop was a lot of fun!  Sandra brought more of her crew with her this time and more people came trinkling in later on........

I think the Houston group did really well.  I ran into a couple of people that I knew from Salomon and Rocio's cha cha class.  I also met new people which is always a point I make whenever I go out anywhere.  You never know when you need to borrow some money;-)  Just kidding.

We definitely covered more advanced stuff than the last time Sandra was here.  First, we covered briefly the basics real quick like the basic footwork, guapea, and dile que no.  Then we moved into the higher level like the mano y mano and Paseala and treinta tres.  There were a combination of patterns that we did to make a longer call.  I sure wish I remembered the names.  I am sure our more qualified visitors can give us the list that we covered today. 

Right away, one man left the group after 10 minutes in the class.  I was a little surprised.  I guess when a person is so intimidated by a situation that they feel they can't handle it.  So, they want to run to the door as fast as they can.  I see that in classes I have taken in the past where a person would walk to the back of the class and just sit.  Then they would disappear from the class and never come back.  But sometimes I see those same people taking classes elsewhere.  Sometimes, you will have an instructor that does not fit you or your dancing needs.  We are lucky that we have so many that have different styles of dancing and teaching.  You pick one that fits you better.  But, I do get frustrated when I can't "master" an instructor.  But that is life, and I just have to let it go.  On the other side of the spectrum, you have some that just jump in those unknown waters.  There was one man, Scott, who doesn't dance a lick of salsa or Rueda and he took the workshop!  I don't think he got the full idea about what he got himself into.  Ignorance is bliss;-)  We all gave him props for trying and he kept up with us, but the harder calls were difficult for him to understand because he didn't know his basic to well.  Which brings me to another point.  I did extremely well for someone who hasn't danced since mid July.  I got so many compliments.  But the secret is that I just made sure I kept my basic and gave a good frame.  Then I could be lead by anyone and I did it with a smile.  I had no idea what was going on.  LOL.  I just followed.  Thank you Sandra and your crew for coming down to muggy Houston and educating us.  We appreciate it.

Sandra warming up her crew

Practicing during the break

Whew!  Class was tiring!  Austin crowd taking a break before dinner.

Mr. Scott wins the Go Getter Award!  Cool, for once I'm the taller one;-)

Later, we all met up again at Chibcha's.  I didn't get there till after 11pm.  I did not expect to see anyone from the usual crowd because it was Saturday.  I have never been there Saturday and the floor was occupied enough to get some crowd energy, but we had plenty of room to do Rueda!  I love to look at the reaction of the spectators watching.  Their eyes get real big, they exchange looks, then they look back at us with these huge grins on their faces.  Their expression says, What the heck is that they are dancing?  I had the best time.  Duane from Austin wins my vote for you-like-to-make-me-blush dance moves award.  Whew!  I'm still thinking about it.  Duane, honey, come down here anytime you want.  You will be the toast of the Houston Ladies Party.  I would also like to thank some of you for the compliments on my dancing.  One guy said that he used to see me at Tropicana on Tuesdays and that he liked what I did.  Thank you. Thank you.  I get insecure whenever I don't dance for so long.  But I see have nothing to worry about.  I still get asked:-)  Goodnight salsa lovers.  I need to catch a few Z's.  Tomorrow is a busy day for me.

Soon I will be taking......Belly dancing!  I know it is not salsa, but any dancing that expresses how you feel is worth writing about.  I'm really excited about this class.  It looks pretty difficult and I like a challenge.  If any of you ladies like what you read and would like to try it, e-mail me and I will give you some good feedback.  amy.cortez@gmail.com