Stumbling Free with Madaelin

So, there I was as always, stumbling my way through Bree in the Landroval realm. Despite the fact that the streets are a mile wide in my perspective, I can never find my way around! As I hobble to the Pony, after a long adventure out in Evendim, music lit the air, like a diamond in the sky!

Low and behold, as the lovely sound of fanciful music lofted down the street, there before me stood the musk wafting quartet of Animal House! This troupe is gearing up in preparation for their performance at Weatherstock V this July 20th.

What I could not miss, is the mess of miss steps and toe stompers dancing around!

Fortunately, being lead by the luminous Madaelin (Independent Socialite Society), an elite of the feet, was a dancing class of no comparison! While I often stumble about, with my twirls and jig, this group, seemed to get it fast! With quick timing, Madaelin helped them pick their moment to join on in with the group of up to 10 others! That takes some skill! When they all got in step it was quite the sight! Going through all the dances, she trained them to move the way the pros do it! What made this hobbit jump for joy is the “Star Burst” pattern dance they did, back to back as they stepped along to Dance_Elf2.

Xandrin says, ‘Maddie, I’m happy you out and wipped us into shape tonight. It always great fun when you come to town.”

Graciously, Madaelin the magnificent Maestro of Movement is happy to present to you how even you can stomp in step, instead of stumbling and fumbling:

Tonight’s dancing was an opportunity for new dancers to get the chance to learn the timings free of pressure and with folks willing to let them attempt the dances as many times as they liked. As requested here are the starting points for each of the dances. We learned them in order of their difficulty to master.

Dance_elf: This dance begins when the lead dancer returns to the starting position and pauses. You will see them set both of their feet and that is the point at which you join in.

Dance_elf2: Just like the first elven, the dance lead will waltz out, and then back again. Simply wait for the lead to return to the starting position and pause, then join in just as they are starting out again.

Dance_man: For this dance, watch for when the lead is done with wagging their finger and clapping their hands. Their feet will begin to move back towards the start position, but you must begin before they set their feet. Many times the lead dancer’s arms will just be resting at their hips at the moment best to join in.

Dance_man2: For this dance you must watch for the rotation where the lead dancer performs the four kick steps run through. The dance has a two kickstep run, and a four, after the four kicksteps they will move all the way to the right. You simply join in as they start to the left again.

Dance_hobbit: For this lively dance, you must watch for when the lead dancer raises their left arm. When they do so, their elbow will be pointed directly to the left (9 o’clock position) and they will begin to perform a counterclockwise spin. When that left elbow is pointed towards the 12 o’clock position (sometimes sooner, sometimes a little later if your connection is lagging, or fast) that’s when you join in.

Dance_hobbit2: For this dance you must wait for both large leg sweeps to be completed. After that watch for the lead dancer’s right foot to reach the farthest back spot. Then you join in just as they begin to stutter step forward again. You will see a little heel-hop as they start forward and that is the spot to join in.

Dance_dwarf: For this dance, there are two ways to join. The first you can watch for the lead dancer to be all the way to the right, and join in as they take the second bounding step towards the left. Or, you can target the dancer you wish to match, and using the target circle at their feet, wait until they are all the way to the right, and join in as soon as they hit the middle of that target circle.

Dance_dwarf2: The hardest of the dances to time, but if you watch for when the lead is crossing their arms behind their back it helps a lot. There is a split second right before those arms cross, and they lean heavily on their right foot, that’s when you join in.

And on the side we learned the third dance of man for those that had it.
Dance_man3: For this dance you simply watch for when the lead dancer spins to the right, wait until they move to the left, and join in as they slide to the right again.

And for posterity, we didn’t cover this one but many sometimes are curious.

Dance_jig: This dance cannot be put into the same step, unless you are of the same race and gender as the person you are trying to match up with. So for many it is more socially accepted that you just join in at any time and have fun with it! Since everyone will be jigging in their own variety.

If you are ever in need of jolly stepping tips, and timing tutoring, feel free to contact Madaelin. She is always glad to help!

Want to hear more original and transcribed music from Animal House? Check out their Music Station.