3.17 Learning American Pair Dance through Sign Language (Review)

Hello, this is Nami♡ from Deaf Dance. Today the representative is away, so this is a report from the vice-representative, Chiz.

There were 11 participants today. Since there were people who hadn't been here in a while and some first-timers, we started with self-introductions just by name. Including Yoshi-sensei, there were 12 participants, and perhaps because it's starting to feel like spring, many people came. Among them, we welcomed 5 deaf members and a newcomer who has dance experience. Thank you for the introductions, and thank you all for participating. We practiced in the largest floor in the facility today, but it felt small with 12 people dancing.

Deaf Dance Kansai usually has more women, but today some male members came for the first time in a while. One came in just before the start and handed out chocolate-covered Yatsuhashi, a famous Kyoto confection, saying, 'Please have some, everyone😃.' Thank you as always for your thoughtfulness. The vice-representative said she is keeping some for the representative as well. Mr. K, please come empty-handed next time.

First, we did our usual warm-up with Merengue. Those who have practiced it many times can do it without difficulty. Those who hadn't been here in a while also remembered it after repeating it a few times and seemed to enjoy the steps.

After Merengue, we worked on the Foxtrot. With the count of SSQQ (Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick), we practiced the forward-forward-side-side and back-back-side-side movements as leaders and followers.

Next, we learned a stopping movement called a 'lock,' and used the lock to practice turning 90 degrees to the left. When the leader reaches a corner on the floor, they can use this lock + 90-degree rotation, known as a Left Lock Turn, to turn the corner (change direction). Because it is used when turning at a corner, the Left Lock Turn is also called a corner step. With this, you can dance on the floor forever.

We also practiced how to move compactly so that we can dance not only on large floors but also on smaller ones. Now everyone is ready to dance at events too.

While we were practicing the Left Lock Turn and other things, the end time arrived in a flash. During the self-practice time after the teacher left, there was a request to try one more dance, Swing, so we all danced the basic steps of Swing before wrapping up. It was a two-hour pair dance session where we worked so hard that we had to turn down the air conditioning several times. Great job, everyone.

The next session will be on March 31st, the last one of the fiscal year. I will send out information about a day before, so please let us know if you can attend. If you are a first-timer, please contact us at deafdancejp＊gmail.com (please replace ＊ with @).