Due to technical difficulties, video demonstrations of mentioned figures will be posted late. I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may cause.
Last week I addressed dances that differ heavily between
International and American Style, and I promised a further post regarding
specific figures. That is the
subject for today and next time.
Generally speaking, International Style “translates” more easily into
American Style than the other way around because International Style uses a set
syllabus while American Style involves many syllabi and therefore relies on
restrictions. However, some
American Style figures do resemble International Style figures, and this can
lead to confusion, particularly when the figures in question do not appear at
the same level in different styles.
When you go from American Rhythm to International Latin, you
run into a lot of what I might call level pitfalls. What does that mean?
It means that many figures classified as Bronze, and sometimes Silver,
in Rhythm are Gold or out of syllabus in Latin.
Swing/Jive
Sugarfoot swivels are allowed in Bronze Swing[1]
but in Jive are Gold (Chicken Walks). Also, as described by recent changes,
Sugarfoot can only be up to four quicks in timing in Bronze, while Chicken Walks can have
variations in timings. Sugarfoot timings may vary in Silver and Gold.
A Tap on the Shoulder or Continuous Tuck-In Turn in Swing is
also Bronze and resembles the Gold Jive figure Chugging. However, there is one major difference:
the Continuous Tuck turns RIGHT overall whereas Chugging turns to the
LEFT.
Another form of swivel action, the Toe-Heel Swivels, are
Silver in Swing but Gold in Jive.
Lastly, one of the most popular figures in Bronze Swing,
variously known as Swing Kicks, Walks and Points, Back Walks and Points, Four
Kicks, etc., does not exist anywhere in the Latin syllabus.
Cha Cha
Cha Cha also offers several examples of level pitfalls. In Cha Cha there are a few figures that
are actually quite different between Rhythm and Latin, but just similar enough
on the surface to be confusing.
Parallel Breaks (also called Sweetheart or Cuddle), and Chase Turns are
Bronze Rhythm figures. In Latin,
somewhat similar figures are Turkish Towel, Sweetheart, and Chase, and appear
at Gold (Turkish Towel and Sweetheart) or Silver (Chase).
Both Turkish Towel and Sweetheart resemble Parallel Breaks
in that the Man and Lady face the same direction.
Key differences between Parallel Breaks and Turkish
Towel/Sweetheart are:
1.
In Turkish Towel, the Man is in front of the Lady; in Parallel
Breaks the lady is in front.
2.
Parallel Breaks is notable in Bronze Rhythm for being the ONLY
figure in which the Man and Lady may be on the same foot. In both Turkish Towel and Sweetheart,
the Man and Lady are on opposite feet.
3.
Turkish Towel has a special entrance – an Alemana – and
Sweetheart a special exit – ending in fan position.
Chase turns in Rhythm are danced on opposite feet for Man
and Lady, while Chase in Latin puts the Man and Lady on the same foot.
[1] NDCA allows
Sugarfoot Swivels in Bronze. USA
Dance does not mention swivels one way or the other at Bronze, but includes a
“Figures including swivel actions” allowance for Silver. This suggests that swivels are not
permitted at Bronze, but it is never explicitly stated.
No comments:
Post a Comment