I attended a total of 9 workshop sessions at DallasLindy, with each session being 1 hour.

Most of them were taught by the heavily inked Todd or Faulty and their respective follows, Casey and Pamela. (realizing this fact, I questioned whether or not getting tattoos would make me a better dancer)

In lieu if boring everyone to death with my exact minute thoughts for each and every workshop, I will limit myself to one sentence to summarize the overall message of each session and one sentence to summarize my impression of the session.

Let’s go!

My 1st session (Day 2) — Faulty & Casey: Building a Dance

What’s it about? A session about listening to music and creating different “characters” to match the energy of that part of music (building up the energy of a dance.)

What did I think? Walking out of this session, I was really only thinking about the fact that Faulty had all the leads lead head nods and bounces for the first 2 phrases of a dance, no rock-steps even. Clever.

My 2nd session — Faulty & Casey: Call & Answer

What’s it about? Faulty taught the dynamics of call and answer lead-following, even teaching us how to lead a call-and-answer session from scratch.

What did I think? I think I had the MOST fun in this session; There is a certain simplistic joy present in imitating your follow’s variation.

My 3rd session — Josh & Shannon: Fun With Lindy

What’s it about? Josh & Shannon taught the group 2 quite performy combinations that I will likely never whip out on the social floor.

What did I think? Honestly, when I walked out of that session, the ONLY thing in my mind was the fact that I can’t walk under my own arm because of how huge my head is…

My 4th session — Todd & Pamela: Fascinating Rhythym (note, it is pam-EL-a, not PAM-el-a)

What’s it about? Todd (with his fabulously tattooed arms) gave us a few of his favorite tap-based variations, and Pamela (who apparently has jelly legs when doing variations) taught the girls some of her favorite variations.

What did I think? I actually quite liked Pamela’s variations, which involve twisting stomps, but Todd’s variations are less my style, since they are based on stationary tap.

My 5th session — Todd & Pamela: St. Louis Shag

What’s it about? The pair taught us the basic of the St. Louis Shag (triple-step, double kick, step- stomp, hangman) along with a few of the simpler combinations.

What did I think? St. Louis Shag is a fun dance, but it is SO TIRING. Done. Next.

My 6th session (Day 3) — Brad & Jessica: Hitting that Note

What’s it about? These local instructors gave us a few of their favorite 32 count combinations to use while not connected with our partners, particularly for use in competition.

What did I think? It was nice to walk out knowing these sequences, but I honestly forgot them immediately after the session ended.

My 7th session — Faulty & Casey: Alternatives to Lindy

What’s it about? Faulty and Casey taught us a few other basic steps, including 2-step, snake, 20’s foxtrot, and others that I forgot the names of.

What did I think? I am so upset with myself for forgetting my favorite basic that they taught (It was a faster, almost West Coasty step… It was even the last one we learned!)

My 8th session — Faulty & Casey: Practicing and Your Own Variations

What’s it about? Faulty and Casey discussed the importance of individual practice and had us create our own variations, then teach someone else that variation.

What did I think? I think this was the most beneficial session as a whole for everyone; having us teach one another our variations was a nice touch.

My 9th session — Todd & Pamela: Momentum and Hadoukens

What’s it about? Todd taught the guys one of his favorite combinations to exit a Hammerlock – a move he calls the “Hadouken” because of the fireball-like nature of the move.

What did I think? It’s always nice to incorporate video games into my dancing. Thanks to Todd for that one.

Thanks for reading my silly summary, Internet. More later.