Team Dance: Got to Dance!

Dance offered the greatest risk reduction for dementia of any activity studied by experts in the field of memory care!

Team Dance: 290.5 hours of Dance Logged by 12 Teams for January 2013!

Team Dance: Ballroom Dance!

Team Dance: November 50/50 Dance!

Team Dance No. 18 Turning Back Gate

Man starts side left- together(with right foot)-forward left,side right- together(with left foot)-side right. Continue with left and right foot going back then forward with the left foot while turning 1/4 turn to the left. Finis!    

 Don't forget to mark your calendar for our Dance Fair Sept.9th. where we hope to have 3 or 4 general dances so that you can showcase the dance routine I've taught you_____ no pressure just relaxed dance fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  See you there, Dale Archer

Team Dance No. 14: Rhumba!

Rhumba (Quick,Quick,Slow)


Man goes side to side- together forward, then side-together side, breakstep forward with left foot to center, breakstep on opposite side with right foot to center, repeat on both sides with 1/4 turn to man's left on the last breakstep-back. Finish with a rhumba box.

Remember that our classes are held on Wednesday afternoon from 2:30-3:30pm.

Practice dances on May 4th. from 5-6:30pm (I will teach a 1/2 hr. lesson of Salsa____in honor of cinq-de-mayo).

Hope to see you there, Dale Archer

Team Dance No 12: Rhumba!

To all dancers,here is the information I promised you about executing the patterns we are teaching in Rhumba. There are a total of 7. The routine will consist of rhumba box, gate break, turning basic, ladies underarm turn, parallel breaks, cucarracchi's and rocking steps. Last week we worked on gate break which starts on the man's left foot _____ side-together-forward and side-together-side then finishes with a 1/4 turn to mans left as he does a back step-turn. The lady stays on man's right side as he turns the pattern to the left. Remember ladies to stay on the man's right side----follow the turn of his shoulders and hips. Don't forget to Practice of better yet come to our open dances in the the auditorium_____they will start in March and continue every other month thereafter. See you at the dances, Dale Archer

Team Dance No. 8: Tango and Swing!

Here at St. Leonards we are presently working on dance patterns in Tango and Swing. I will start with Swing which is considered a spot dance with 6 beats of music. Many times the music for swing lends itself to Foxtrot a smooth dance rhythm also with 6 beats of music that is only done line of dance. Which we know from previous instruction travels counter clockwise(CCW) around the dance floor. On the other hand, we have another smooth dance known as American style Tango which has 8 beats of music but has no line of dance. It is a dance where the man always starts left foot while the lady always starts with her right foot. In the next follow-up I will cover the progression of steps we currently working on. See on the dance floor. DaleArcher, the traveling man Ballroom Dance Class Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 The Franciscan Center Free to the public

Team Dance: October 50/50 Dance!

Team Dance No. 5: Thinking on Your Feet!

We have been discussing the "line of dance" and now it is essential that we talk about -thinking on your feet and when in traffic on the dance floor. 1st rule of thumb or "Big Toe" as we in the dance world like to think of it- is to protect you and your partner's feet from being stepped on. Be aware of who is around you and if they are out of control. The lead of the dance can skillfully move their partner to another area of the dance floor if they are aware of their environment.

The same thing applies to dances that travel around the perimeter of the dance floor. It is important etiquette to recognize beginners and try not to overtake or intimidate them. Practicing a repertoire of movements and dance patterns can help you circumvent tight dance spots on the floor.

Your traffic cop in tight spots -Dale Archer

Free ballroom classes at The Franciscan Center!

Wednesdays at 2:30 pm

Team Dance Tip No. 3: Inner Perimeter

All of the swing & hustle dance steps and patterns should be performed in the inner perimeter of the dance floor.

~Your truly, Directionally Challenged Dale Archer

Ballroom and Sock Hop Jive Instructor. ~

Research has found a coorlation between dance and the reduction of Alzheimer, depression, and Parkinson's-like symptoms

Team Dance Tip No. 2: The Man's Lead

Submitted by Ballroom Dance Instructor Dale Archer

The Sock Hop Jive Class is currently working on single swing and tango! My advice to the lady doing these dances and all others is to wait for the man's lead. The man has to place the lady to step because of his connection to the dance floor is through her weight shifts, which he causes through his lead. As partners you must remain connected and sensitive to each other's movement.

Team Dance No. 1: Dance Tips and Floor Etiquette

Put your best foot forward. Ask the lady to the dance floor and escort her back her to seat after the dance pull out her chair as she rejoins her friends. Hope to see you on the dance floor soon, Dale

Dale is our ballroom dance instructor and a member of Dance Teachers of America and Contact person for Danzsport. Coach for (FDA). In addition, he is a member of Federation of Dance Amateurs and Co-owner and Director of Gemini Dance. Dale Archer has been a dance Instructor of 26 years and he volunteers his time at St. Leonard to teach and help refresh favorite dance steps for residents, community, and staff.

Team Fitness Gurus: Ballroom Dance!

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Swing Dance!

Team Dance: May's 50/50 Dance!