Tracking Aerials

I hope people find this document to be a valuable resource. This is a comprehensive spreadsheet of aerials I’ve learned, hope to learn, taught, been enamored by, and whose name I know (or think I do). Aerial names vary by location and person. There are also many more airsteps and tricks out there invented by creative individuals. If you want an aerial listed in this sheet, contact me, and please provide the name, video link, and time marker. Otherwise, scroll down to click the Expanded View or Google Doc with video links.

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Expanded View

Google Doc Spreadsheet with Aerial Links

Sofia Underground Swing

This photo nicely illustrates this post about the Sofia Swing Dance scene. It exists, it’s been going on for a while, but until you dig, you may not know it exists. While this picture shows Roman ruins, Sofia swing scene has not been happening since the days of yore, but it is slightly underground. Several people were surprised I was teaching in Bulgaria, not knowing there was a swing scene. There is and let me tell you more.

Sofia is a unique city. Everywhere you turn, you’ll see a church, mosque or other religious center. Turn around some more and you’ll find the fifth place of worship, McDonald’s. There are so many McDonald’s here! There’s great Bulgarian food, but that’s another post, another blog.

I met the organizer, Yavor Kunchev, via a Facebook friend request in mid-June, 2012. This may have been spurred from a comment I made on a video posted on a Bulgarian swing dance group wall. Who knows? Facebook and YouTube bring people together in unusual ways. We kept in touch and I landed in Bulgaria for a week in late March.

First things first. Yavor knows how to take care of his instructors. I was set in two nice apartments with a great wireless connection (so important), two grocery stores nearby, and the city center within walking distance. Also, I was introduced to so much Bulgarian food. More and more organizers are realizing that I’m a food tourist. I appreciate this very much.

Along with finding the Sofia swing scene very friendly and helpful, they’re also crazy for swing dancing. The Smugglers Collective swing party was packed Saturday night. This is a very cool underground venue. They have so much happening below the streets here. I don’t know how the dancers stayed up so late. (Aside: Porto, Portugal might have competition. I’ll let the Sofia dancers attending the Porto Swing Jam Exchange decide that). I went home much earlier than the hardcore party people. Aerials were on my mind.

That weekend, I worked with two different follows, Stela for lindy and Valentina for aerials. They were great to easy to work with and dedicated to give me two extra hours of their time for training purposes. I even used Yavor for some in-class demonstrations. As a solo teacher, you must be prepared to lead, follow, and switch at any moment. The solo to partner class kept me really busy. There were definite points where I was footwork confused.

If you’re ever in this part of Europe, take the train or plane to Sofia. The airport is close to the city, the food is great, the city is lovely (free English speaking tour), and the dancers enthusiastic. Check it out.