Begin Lindancing with the Rugeley Rednecks

Welcome to the beginners page of the Rugeley Rednecks.





If you are not sure what to wear, wear what you feel comfortable in. The majority prefer trainers, soft shoes (or dancing shoes) and t.shirts. You will enjoy yourself, have a laugh, meet lot's of nice people, listen to some great music and generally have a fun evening.







Linedancing is a great way to keep fit, you can do as much or as little as you want. It is recommended by many doctors, as it gives gentle exercise, and is good for keeping your joints supple and exercising your muscles.

Linedancing is good for exercising your memory. Dances are graded by difficulty, from Beginner to Advanced. Having learned and practiced the basic steps, you can progress at your own pace. Beginner dances are not difficult to learn, and with a bit of practice you will be enjoying the dance floor with everyone else. The more advanced dances take more time and practice but you will not be expected to do anything above your level, remember, we are enjoying ourselves, you are not in competition with anyone else, so whether you like modern or country music or both, there will be some lovely music to dance to.

According to an interview on BBC Radio 4, Linedancing is the second most popular recreation in the UK, our website has over 260,000 visitors every year, from every corner of the world, Linedancer Magazine website has millions of visitors, linedancing is popular worldwide so why not see what it's all about.

When you start linedancing, please don't expect to do all the dances in one night, if you come away knowing one or two, that's fine, even if it seems all to much and you forget what was taught, that's also fine, we have all been beginners at some time and we know exactly how you feel, in fact we have been dancing for years and we still get dances wrong. Practice what you know and don't worry if you forget the dances, you will go over them many, many times again, and if there is anything you are not sure of, don't be afraid to ask.The first few weeks are the hardest, but then everything starts to drop into place as you get used to the steps, and before you know it, you know a few dances and away you go. If you are not sure of a dance, just sit and watch how it goes, you can join in anytime. Just remember, if there is something you find difficult, there will always somebody else in the same boat, just have a laugh and try again.



Things to remember:

1)Wear the right shoes, dance floors can be a bit slippy, trainers or soft shoes should be ok, if you are not sure, just ask Pauline, and she will advise you.

2)Bring something to drink or you can visit the club bar, exercise will make you warm and you will need to replace lost fluids. Non-alcoholic squashes are best or just water does fine when you are thirsty.

3)Bring a smile, don't take it to seriously, we have a fun evening and we hope you will too, if there are any details you are not are not sure of, give Pauline a ring on 01889 577981. We look forward to see you.

Beginners dances taught

September
Fuzzy Duck
Choreographer-not known
Danced to Cotton Eye Joe .
We have now started our beginners class & what better way to start than with the first dance we did 12+ years ago. Only 16 counts & 4 walls. Just toe and Heel touches with 1 easy 1/4 turn. Builds up co-ordination. Music is very catchy

First South
Pamela Hodgkiss
Danced to About the South by Rodney Atkins
This week we introduce step touches & heel hooks in this dance. Music is country, a little bit fast but class did really well. 32 count & 4 walls.

Lift Me Up
Glynn Holt
Danced to Lift Me Up by Geri Halliwell
The class like this one, a bit slower tempo, so time to think. You can raise both arms on the lyrics "Lift Me Up". A little early for our class though, concentration is on the feet. 24 counts & 4 walls. A good one for having a go with grapevines.

Simply Goes It
Barbera Lowe
Danced to Get Happy by Jane Horrocks
This dance is just 16 counts & 4 walls. Begins with nice easy charleston steps, going on to side together & a bit of syncopation with a chasse, and a chasse 1/4 turn. Could not get the above track, so searching through our music, I found a track "Tear Stained Letter" by the Mavericks. The class prefered this second choice, gave the dance a different feel and was slightly faster. Some of you may remember doing "Mucara Walk" to this track (Oh memories!)

Big Girls Boogie
Mavis Broom
Danced to Big Girls by Mika
Introduced something a bit funky to the beginners this week. Took a couple of weeks to master but we got there. Seems to be popular at socials & with all levels of dancers.32 counts & 4 wall.

Crazy Postman
Glynn Holt
Danced to Mr.Postman by The Carpenters
A nice little dance to this Carpenters track. A super one for beginners. 32 counts & 4 walls.

November
Lemon Tree
Kim Ray
Danced to Lemon Tree by Fool's Garden(iTunes)
This is a track you will certainly singalong to. It's the type of music that really sticks in your head. Good for the Beginner, just weaves and points.

One Step Forward
Choreographer Unknown
Danced to One step Forward by Desert Rose Band
Another Classic Golden Oldie. Very basic dance but always sems to be a bit tricky with co-ordination. we dance it to the oringinal track, but putting it to a faster track makes it a bit different.

Easy Come Easy Go
Unknown
Danced to Any Man of Mine by Shania Twain
The beginners picked this dance up really well, and they really liked it. Fits well to this track by Shania. Another classic fom the past

Red Hot Salsa
Unknown
Danced to Red Hot Salsa by Dave Sherriff
Still staying with the old Classics, Red Hot Salsa is one you can have fun with. Another track you will sing along to. Some of the lyrics actually tell you what to do. A good fun dance.

December and January 2008
Rio
Diana Lowery
Danced to Patricia by Mestizzo
Very popular dance for all levels. 32 counts beg/intermediate, 4 wall. Easy teach, have fun with the flick in section 3.

How Long
Jo Thompson
Danced to 'How long' by the Eagles
A beginner dance with one very easy tag. 32 counts and 4 walls. You can split the floor with 'Eagles Rock' also written to this piece piece of music.

Blusher (The Daffodil Dance)
Kate Sala
Danced to Jambalaya by Eddy Raven
This dance has been choreographed for the Marie Curie Foundation. An easy beginner level. We danced it to 'Relax'(Take it Easy) by Mika. Fit's very well. It can also be done to a country track by Shania Twain 'You Do, Don't' Also try an Intermediate level dance called 'blush'

February

king of the Road
Pedro Machado & Jo Thompson
Music-King of the Road by Roger Miller
This dance was first on the floor in 1997 (those were the days). Our beginner class really enjoy this one especially the Elvis knees at the end. 4 wall & 32 counts Intermediate level.

Thinkin Over
Liz Clarke
Music-Thinkin Over by Glen Rogers alt-Waterloo by ABBA (iTunes)
This dance was taught at the Beginners class at the Blackpool Awards. a 32 count 4 wall Beginner level. An easy teach with 3 very easy restarts if using Waterloo. Ideal for introducing beginners to restarts. We do it to the alt track Waterloo.

My Girl Sally
Audrey Watson
Music-Sea Salt Sally by Rick Guard
4 walls & 32 counts. A very easy teach, that our class enjoy, we have fun with the runs at the end. A good floor split with Sea Salt Sally.

Zjozzys Funk
Petra Van De Velde
Music-Bacco Perbacco by Zuchero
A good fun dance, our beginners requested this one. Footwork is a bit tricky in places, but we are mastering them well. 2 wall & 32 counts. One easy tag (which I always forget), the class call out to remind me. Have fun with this. Do it Contra or even suicidal

February.

The Picnic Polka
David Paden
music-Cowboy Sweetheart by LeAnn Rimes
48 counts & 4 wall. Our beginners class like this dance. It's lively to a great piece of music. We had a bit of trouble with the turning shuffles, but we are now mastering them.

Closer
Mary Kelly
music-Closer by Susan Ashton
32 count 4 wall Beginner/Intermediate level. A good dance that flows well to the music. The step point-kick ball point & scissor steps are a bit tricky

Cow Girl Twist
Unknown
music-What cowgirls Do by Vince Gill
This dance is one of the very first dances I learnt, about 14 years ago. Very easy with no hard steps, 30 counts & 4 walls. Worth a try with Beginners.

March.

Cowgirl Twist
Bill Bader
Music-What the Gowgirls Do by Vince Gill
A classic dance that I first did numerous years ago. A nice easy teach for Beginners.

Dance Like Your The Only One
Teresa & Vera
Music-Sun Goes Down by David Jordan
Having a bit of a struggle with this one at Beginners. But I am sure we will get there. Very popular at socials. Good beaty track. No tags or restarts

Jamaica Mistaka
Chris Hodgson/Peter Metelnick
Music-Almost Jamaica by Bellamy brothers
Another dance from a few years ago. A few turns that make it interesting

Tush Push
Jim Ferrazzano
Music- Swamp Thing by The Grid
Another good old classic dance that is still danced at socials. Still feels good. For a floor split you can do 'Swamp Thing'

The Alamo
Christine Goodyear
Music-What the Cowgirls Do by Dave Sherrif
Sorry, but another old classic. It's good to revive some of these dances. Interesting bit of footwork at beginning but an easy teach.

May

First Waltz
Dee Musk
Music-Any with a waltz tempo
A nice little waltz for beginners. No music suggestion, we have tried it to several tracks, but our favourite is 'Children' by the 'Mavericks'. Makes a good floor split with the old classic 'Midnight Waltz'

Hey Hey mambo
Claire Ball and Steve Mason
music-Mambo by Helena Paparizou
32 counts and 4 walls. Little bit tricky in places but a good mambo for beginners. Nice piece of music

Trashy Women
Unknown
Music-Trashy Women by The Dean Brothers
Revical of an old dance, a nice little fun dance, especially with the thrusts. Only 32 count. Before the days of tags and restarts.

July
Move It 'N' Grove It
Stephen Rutter
Music-Moving On Up by M People
A nice Beginner dance that goes well with this track. 4 Walls & 32 counts.

Also Rama Lama Ding Dong (See main 'Dance Review' page

August

Buy me a drink
Maggie Gallagher
Music-Do you still wanna buy me that drink by Lorrie Morgan
A nice dance to a catchy piece of music that will have you singing along to. 32 count, 2 wall, easy tag at end of wall 3. About 4 years old now but still a good dance.

Fiesta ChaCha
Shirley Donahey
Music-Lets get loud by Jennifer Lopez
A good one for a beginner cha cha rhythm. Only 32 counts & 2 wall. The scuff-hook caused a bit of laughter in section 3, but was soon mastered.

Cowboy Strut
Unknown
Music-Bring me Down by Mavericks
One from the way back when, a very easy teach, 32 counts & 2 walls. Ideal for basic beginers.

Ride the River
Kath Dickens
Music-Ride the River by Gale & Eric Clapton
Even though this is Intermediate, it was a requested teach at the Beginners class. I think it will take a few teaches before we have mastered it. It is a super dance that you can have fun with by including a few arm movements. Watch for these at Socials. A good flowing track that you will find you will sing along to. 48 count & 4 walls.