THE TUESDAY CLASS FORMAT.
It all started with 4 folk turning up at the very first class in 2004, (one
of the original four is still coming regularly!) since when we have over 40
on the register and an average of 24 most days. There are 5 teachers
involved and they teach in pairs for 6/7 weeks at a time but all 5 come
mostly every week. After each session we have a Social day with a request
programme and 2 parties per year at Christmas and Summer.
Afternoons begin at 1.30 ( although we assemble at 1.15 ) with a warm up
session which could be movements to music or a warm up dance. Each of the
Teachers provides his/her warm up music so it is varied and jolly. Step
practice is usually done after a break in classes at the start of the first
session, or perhaps during a class when we change tempo from fast to slow.
Formations are usually practised/demonstrated within the dance but may be
singled out beforehand.
We begin with an easy dance which is walked through 3/4 times, maybe danced
once and then danced the required number of times through. Each couple then
has 2 turns as per usual in an 8 times through or whatever. At least one
tricky dance is taught every day and in this case each couple walks and
dances through once before dancing the stated number of times. If this
seems tedious to you then the Tuesday class is maybe not for you! The walk
through is important to all of us considering that we can have new beginners
at ANY session and also that some folk only dance on a Tuesday. This tried
and tested format has become the necessary norm. No one need feel insecure
and/or unsure.
The sense of satisfaction when a good practice has led to a successful
performance of the whole dance is very obvious. Beginners, Intermediate and
Experienced combine very well and thoroughly enjoy it. Well, they must do
since they let their feet do the talking by turning up regularly. From the
very beginning there has ALWAYS been a very happy atmosphere on Tuesday
afternoons.
We do have a 15-20 minute break from about 2.30 for tea/coffee/juice plus
biscuits! Finishing around 3.25 we have usually danced 6 dances.
The final proof of the “pudding of success and jollity”, is that, as you may
know, to avoid withdrawal symptoms the Tuesday class has continued for 6
weeks throughout the Summer after the official finish at the end of June for
3 years now! We have had 2 weeks off then 6 weeks on up until the August
Bank Holiday. Folk turn up as and when they can on either side of holidays!
So, what do you do on a Tuesday? Could you do with some more social
interaction and a lot of fun? It’s an easy source of exercise and the music
is great too!! No partner needed!
