Dance! - The Road to Heavies: lesson 37, September 21, 2014. Facing a camera
Together with Sophie Hilbrand (a well-known Dutch TV host) ánd my brother, who came along to danceclass on request of the executives, a camera-guy, sound-engineer ánd director enter the class-room.
After a lot of waiting I can finally go a ahead and just when Catherine (the teacher) wants to start the music, the camera-operator positions itself at not much more than 1,5 meters in front of me. I warn him what I am about to do and secretly I hope that it takes quite the effort to follow me while dancing. At least, as far as I took notice of it, they followed me during the lead around and kept following me after that.
A surprise for the crew
Together with the crew, Sophie is completely surprised. She's familiar with the NDSM-wharf, but she never expected Irish dance to be given here.
I am glad that the Reel is flawless. Funny enough, I don't feel any nerves or anxiety, but it's probably also down to the chaos around all the filming and taking shots all day, which I'm 'quite' fed up with by now. I just want to do my own thing now.
When I get some steps for the Slip Jig, my brother later tells me that Sophie tried to do some steps together with me.
The steps on heavy shoes I got last week, stayed in my mind. That's quite the rarity for me. So far, I've had the greatest trouble remembering what I had to practice just right after dance-class.
Ok, so I got the steps... now to get the timing
It's one thing I still know the steps, but performing those steps is a whole different story. It's not right when it comes to timing. The teacher shows them: while standing on your right leg and with your left leg lifted up behind you, you jump onto your left leg. While in the air, you hit the floor twice with your right leg. Riiiiight...!
She shows the steps a few times and I try to follow, but it isn't much. It has a lot to with speed ánd fear. Because I lack the speed, I'm more anxious to fall as I don't have any foot on the ground while changing feet.
Even though I'm so afraid to fall, I practice this one at home a couple of times. I get a better impression what this should be like in the end. I keep going over the timing in my head however. How the hell do you do that!?
Strength gained without knowing so
While practicing, I notice how much strength I have gained in my feet, especially around my toes. With my soft shoes on, I arch the toes of my right foot until I feel the shoe move. When I apply more power it suddenly feels like someone pulls my toes with a string and tries to pull them to the sole of my feet. There's so much strength it even scares me a little!