Category: Video Review

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Learning How To WCS: Starter Step, Super Tuck, Shotgun Whip

 

This video contains my favorite whip the “Shotgun Whip” a very dynamic and technique rich pattern.

This pattern begins with a basic Starter step that ends in closed position. From this closed position you begin a closed tuck turn (1-2) that bumps the follower away from the leader at a 45º angle to the slot (3&4) and then shoots her past the leader and to (his) the left of the slot. The leader then steps his 5 perpendicular to the slot in opposition to the follower causing her to dance her 5&6 back to the center/slot.

The shotgun whip begins like a basic whip with a big set up on count 4 to “pump” her frame into an outside rotation (5-6). The final triple of the whip the leader uses his footwork to back the follower up returning her to the end of the slot. The video features a leader’s ronde extension which is not leadable. The follower may decide on her own to copy cat the leader and will fake her footwork to start the next pattern on the correct foot. As demonstrated the leader will have to use 3 triples (syncopation) in the next 6 count pattern to get his footwork back to the basic.

Mr. Jonathan has been teaching WCS and Country Two-Step for over a decade. His unique approach to teaching makes him a sought after dance coach. You can catch his 2-Step Class every Sunday from 6:00-6:45pm and his WCS class 6:45-7:30 at the Longfellow Club JoEllen in Wayland, Ma (524 Boston Post Rd)

Each Class is $15 and includes practice time/Dancing afterward.

www.MrJonathanIsMyDJ.com

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Mr. Jonathan and Kim Take First Place With Moonwalk

Mr. Jonathan and his Moonwalk

No one is thinking “Moonwalk” as Kim and Mr. Jonathan are sitting patiently waiting to be called to dance in this “Spotlight” Jack and Jill. Spotlight simply  means that the competitors will be dancing one couple at a time. Events will often do this when they don’t have enough pros for a proper dinner show…The competition heats become the show.

Just prior to going on Mr. Jonathan noticed that every song that was being played was not only the same tempo but also the same genre…hiphop. With a twinkle in his eye he leaned in and asked Kim how good her moonwalk was and a look of shear horror covered her face!

“Moonwalk!?” She whispered through her teeth, “What the hell are you talking about!?”

“Never mind” Mr. J replied, “Please forget I even asked, I didn’t mean to freak you out” They both straightened up in their seats and their names where called…Here is what happened!

In Jack and Jill competition you can take first place with out all of the judges placing you in first. When every judge gives you first it is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a competitive couple. The expression is “getting a picket fence.” Mr. Jonathan and Kim Moonwalked their way to that picket fence on both of their very first competitions. They remain friends to this day and still love dancing with each other.

Check out this link to see another video of Mr. Jonathan dancing