Re-reading my last blether I felt initially that all I needed to do was tell people to read that one again. All the comments about busy-ness, and time passing, not to mention never knowing how a class would go could have been written about this week's class too. As usual we had a completely different mix of people in the session, but this time we weren't joined by so many old friends, instead we welcomed (and welcomed back) some new ones. It was brilliant to be joined by even more intrepid newcomers. They did so well (even if they might not have thought so themselves) and hopefully they enjoyed themselves.
I'm very aware that the class is a very steep learning curve initially. There are so many levels of dancing ability and experience attending, literally from total beginners to demonstration level, it's definitely a challenge to keep everyone interested. Dances are mainly chosen for their 'fun factor' rather than classic style or ease of learning. On the other hand the class itself is very welcoming of newcomers and it's always easier to learn when most of the rest of the people in your set know what they are doing; it's a brilliant way to learn if you can stick the pace, however...
Eventually I hope we'll have enough people interested in 'going back to the basics' to resurrect a 'beginners' class. Monday afternoon 'basics' sessions, also at the UKCA, worked very well in the past as an additional resource (but it wouldn't have to be on Mondays if that wasn't convenient). I know many people prefer to have the moves and steps of a dance taught thoroughly before having to do the whole thing - in contrast to just walking a dance through and going for it -however much fun that might be for more experienced dancers! Let me know if you are interested and if we can get enough people to make up at least a set we'll organise the best time for a class and give it a go. In the meantime I hope I'll see you again next Tuesday.

This has been an ultra busy week and every time I've sat down intending to update this blog something has distracted me - but now I've finally found a moment to myself it's difficult to know where to start. Not only does the last class seem ages ago already, but I hadn't realised that I'd missed commenting on the previous session too. As I've said so many times before, it's impossible to predict how an evening will go. Two weeks ago I was expecting quite a respectable turn out, but though people arrived bright and early we only just managed to get a set together, which meant it was a long evening and very hard work for everyone. However enjoyable it is to dance, sometimes it's good to have the chance of a rest too! This week, instead of a reasonable number of early arrivals only one or two managed to make it early and I was anticipating another strenuous night, but as 6 pm approached people started streaming in. Like so many of our dance nights we had a very different mix of dancers from the recent weeks. It was wonderful to welcome people back to the class, who we haven't seen for years, as well as others who haven't been able to come regularly since we restarted. It was great fun and a super atmosphere. We managed 2 full sets easily. The piece de résistance was teaching and dancing the 5 couple 'Staircase to Syria'. Not only new to the new dancers, but to many of the more experienced ones too. Well done to all concerned. 
Next week is our 'fallow' week - unless I advertise otherwise the next class will be on 26th April. It's frustrating to have to wait, but on the other hand time is passing so fast no doubt it'll be here before I know it!