It was certainly an April Fooling Sunday! Lots of challenges were faced, from HappyFeet’s intention to hold a Spring Equinox event and changed it to a Cheng Beng weekend. Last minute sourcing and changing venues added on a rush of adrenaline, which only added on the excitement and anticipation of fun to come. Finally, we settled on Kickit Dance Hall @ Summit USJ – to say that it is a fabulous place to dance is a serious understatement.
A list of 62 dances kicked off the day at noon, non-stop dancing for 90 minutes until lunch break. This event was given a couple of twists.
We danced Black Coffee to I Just Wanna Be Happy by Gloria Estefan. Nice upbeat number to bring in the cheerful springtime. And Chinese buffet lunch was served at a restaurant a couple of floors below the dance hall. Yummy. A large array of hot piping food complete with soup and desserts were all gobbled up appreciatively by all. We made our way back with rounded tummies to Kickit Dance Hall, deliberately avoiding the staircases and opting for the elevators – coz we want to conserve our energies to ready ourselves for the workshop with Springy Robin.
A couple more dances were played whilst Springy Robin watched with his eagle eyes to gauge the dances which would appeal to the dance crowd; and also demo’ed a couple of dances. Of course, we put on an air of indecisiveness; so that he would go on showing us more dances J
This time, the group was decidedly more funky and game for faster numbers; dashing my hopes for more Nightclub 2-step kinds of dances….nevertheless, we enjoyed the following dances taught:
CELTIC KITTENS Choreographed by Maggie Gallagher to “Celtic Kittens” by Michael FlatleyWhat a delightful dance. Springy Robin graciously got us to put the 1 minute intro of the music to good use – reminding us to have a swig of drink and prim ourselves before the dance proper started. The singular tag for the dance was a breeze to tackle. A must-learn dance (for my cat too).
(GEEK) IN THE PINK Choreographed by Johanna Barnes to Geek In The Pink by Jason Mraz
Don't let the dance name mislead you. It is not a geeky dance at all. Cool is the word for it. The funky foot slides are refreshing steps. And for us ladies endowed with great hips, don't despair if you can't do the knee rolls. Hip bumps for the first 4 counts would do the trick equally well.
IT'S UP TO YOU Choreographed by Kim Ray to It's Up to You by Barbara Streisand
This is a great respite – slow dancing to the evergreen silky voice of Barbara. Beautiful no-stress dance with spiral full turn thrown in. A cross between Islands in the Stream and Urban Grace. Dance to end of track; finishing gracefully with steps 1-24 (rock back recover & point left).
SCREAM Choreographed by Kate Sala to Make You Dance by Chica
Nothing about screaming in the dance track; but this is a dance with loads of deft movements; your mind will scream at the end of it. By far, this is my favourite dance by Kate.
Springy Robin could have gone on and on to teach (he actually prepared 8!). But we were treated with Waltz is the Key by a group of dancers who attended Robin’s dance teach of this dream of a dance. We watched with glee as a group of young girls danced Envious.
The 6 hours fled so swiftly by, and we can’t wait for our Gangsta Paradiz in Kuching from June 9 to 11. We have booked our air tickets with Air Asia and early bird rates are valid only up to April 7 (also subject to Harbourview Hotel rooms availability). It is going to be exciting. Have no fear - there will be no head-hunting episodes, but imagine dancing with new friends in the town of Cats, slurping up the yummy Kuching Laksa, shopping for birdnests and pepper. We have loads of fun surprises which we ain’t gonna spill the beans now…you will know when you are there with HappyFeet & Rockin’ Robin.
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HappyFeet certainly have had great fun April Fooling around and my personal thanks to Maggie W. She is the reason for me to plough on and I am glad I did not give up. Luv ya.
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Yours in HappyShoes
HappyFeet
03 April 2006