Blog 32 - Getting My Groove On!

Challenge 7 was to learn a 40 move dance routine. 

As I work in a theatrical environment and love going to see a variety of dance productions and am a super fan of Ashley Banjo’s Secret Dance Crew, I quite fancied finally being able to learn a routine that I could pull out on the dance floor! Like everyone I love a good boogie and after a few drinks I of course think I am Beyonce! The cold clear sober reality is that I am not and apart from a basic sense of rhythm I don’t really have a clue what I’m doing!

When starting to think of how to attempt this challenge, I realised I was going to need professional help! So I sought out the help from one of the dance teachers at work and roped in two lovely work colleagues to 'volunteer' to join my crew! 

Sally, Me, Emma and Jo

As with all the other challenges I had no idea how hard this would be and thought we would only need one session to learn and perfect a routine! Funnily enough it took a bit longer than one session, it actually took us three sessions to get the dance choreographed by the very talented Emma! Poor Emma had to adapt her choreographing skills to take in all the ailments and inabilities of three middle aged women but came up with a fab and fun routine that we loved learning. 

It was great in the lessons following Emma's instructions, but as soon as I got home and went to practice on my own, my mind went completely blank and I had forgotten everything. We recorded the practice of the routine and I resorted to typing up the routine move by move to try and get it to stick in my head! 

Although once you see the video you might be surprised to know that over the last couple of weeks I have practiced like mad, going over and over the routine, much to my neighbours dismay and the amusement of many dog walkers in the park behind the house as I did most of my practising in the garden. My 6 year old daughter pretty much knows the routine off by heart and quite frankly looks ten times better than me dancing it but has been my best supporter!

I have to say we all would have liked longer to actually rehearse it more and even maybe be able to give it a bit more attitude. As time was short and the 40th birthday was looming, we had to film at the end of the 3rd session! We have actually decided that the three of us are going to continue with a lunchtime dance class each week and perfect this routine but also learn more routines, which shows how much we enjoyed the challenge and it will hopefully become a new hobby!

Sadly Sally was unable to make all of the sessions due to illness so Emma had to step in as the third member for the video. This made Jo and I extra nervous as dancing next to a professional dancer was bound to make us look even worse, but also meant if Emma wasn't dancing in front of us, how on earth would we copy her??

God love Emma, we made her make noises and shout instructions at certain points to try and keep us on time and remembering the right moves! Have to say as much as I hate seeing myself in the mirrors, it was harder having to complete this challenge in the basement and not the dance studio as it is easier to copy Emma with the mirrors! Apart from a few comedy slip ups and mis-timings, quite frankly I'm pretty proud of Jo and I!

Once again I left my dignity at the door and filmed the challenge attempt to prove that I did it, feel free to watch from behind your hands (as I do cringing) and prepare yourself for a dance routine of sorts by two very amateur dancers and one professional...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T5F1I72It8&feature=youtu.be

Massive Thanks to Emma for giving up her time and energy to make us look half decent and using every skill she has! And to my other 'Single Ladies' as ever I am indebted to you and couldn't have done it without you and I look forward to loads more dancing sessions with you! Next staff party we will be pulling that routine out of the bag and showing all the young uns how its done! You Knows it!