TOTAL MONIES RAISED AT LDF CHARITY NIGHT ON 26TH JUNE = £328.50!!!  THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH!!!

In November 2009, I was honoured to be announced as the Ambassador for LDF (Line Dance Foundation).  This is a charity which was originally launched by the lady of Line Dance, Betty Drummond, at The Crystal Boots Awards in 2007.  The aim is very simple, to raise and distribute funds to provide practical and financial assistance to any person who has earned their living or a significant part of it through the development of line dance, and for whatever reason are no longer able to do whether temporary or permanently. 

LDF 2010 - LINE DANCE FOUNDATION - MAKE LDF A LINE DANCE REALITY

CHECK OUT “LDF EVENTS” DETAILS ON FUTURE LDF FUND RAISING EVENTS COMING YOUR WAY

July monies raised = £36.35 = running total of £1,565.40

June monies raised = £417.45 = running total of £1,529.05

May monies raised = £58.75 = running total of £1,111.60

April monies raised = £92.10 = running total of £1,052.85

March monies raised - £105.55 = running total of £960.75

February monies raised - £506.60 = running total of £855.20

January monies raised - £348.60 = running total of £348.60

Here are some of the dances I have choreographed.

Please click the link to download the stepsheet.

(Note that this requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free, to open the PDF file)

versatility cha - renamed “rawhide” late 2008 (another bug in my system, not linking)

Before He Cheats

Grace

Maybe We’re Crazy

Pieces

Rocksteady

‘H’ & Mad Cat

“H” – aka Helen Peers – lives in Cheshire and “Mad Cat” – aka Cathy Hodgson – lives in Ripon, North Yorkshire

“H” and Mad Cat met at The Deans Chance to Dance week long event in Tenerife in September 2005. Since then, they have worked together and choreographed some dances.

Distance is no problem for both of them as with the technology of e-mail and texting each other on a regular basis, their dances have been fine tuned.

Their dances have been demonstrated to other known choreographers Pat Stott, Robbie McGowan Hickie, Charlotte Macari and Steve Mason.

The inspiration for the dance, “grace”, came after Cathy won tickets to go and see Simon Webbe in concert in Harrogate, a short distance from her home. Cathy had only heard the song on the National Lottery the previous Saturday and then heard it live in Harrogate the following Tuesday. The tickets were won at 9am on the Tuesday morning, picked up at 11am from the radio station and the concert started at 9pm on the Tuesday. The dance was then worked on during the course of Wednesday and taught to Helen the following Saturday before being shown to Charlotte and Steve on the same Saturday afternoon.

This seems to be the way that “H” and Mad Cat operation. A song inspires one of them, and they work together via phone, e-mail and text and hey presto, a dance is born.

Remember I am not a dictionary, another instructor’s terms list may be different, they may use the terms a little differently than I do. This list hopefully though, will help you to understand how to do these steps. If you have any questions, please feel free to come and ask me. I wish there was a set of official terms too, but until there is, each of us will just continue to do the best we can, interpreting all the step sheets to the best of our ability. This list will help you get through my classes.

Line Dance Terminology Download

(Note that this requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free, to open the PDF file)

Suggestions for learning and getting acquainted with linedancing

SMILE, RELAX & ENJOY!!!

Now that we have the 3 most important things to remember out of the way, let’s go over a few helpful hints to accomplishing the above.

Ask questions!

Please do not hesitate to ask for a step or sequence to be repeated if you don’t get it. I want to help, but I can’t if I don’t know you’re having a problem. The speed and detail in which I teach on any given night varies depending on the average ability of the students on the floor at that time. I always do my best to accommodate everyone but there may be times when you look around and see people of all levels on the floor. One of the toughest parts of an instructor’s job is trying to judge how to keep the majority of the people happy the majority of the time. Those who have attended regularly may get bored and then there are the newcomers who may feel overwhelmed. I always try to keep a happy medium for both. Pick a level which best suits your individual requirements.

Be patient!

You would be one in a million if you walked onto the dance floor for the first time and could automatically do this perfectly. Try to obtain the dance sheets, which are available from www.linedancemagazine.co.uk or www.kickit.to/ld. Feel free to practice the dances if you really want to get into this type of dancing fully. No one ever learned to dance sitting on a bar stool, although some people have the ability to watch someone for a few walls of a dance and then get up and do it, but I believe that the best way to learn the dance is to come on out onto the dance floor and give it a try. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes and around here we don’t make mistakes, we make variations, some of which are great variations, to say the least. Don’t give up. Stay on the floor.

Come often!

If you really want to become a proficient line dancer you need to come on a regular basis and try to attend your level of class each week. The more often you repeat a dance the easier it becomes. Some dances stay years, others go quickly. It is judged by the number of requests for the dances and the number of people out on the floor for that particular dance (popularity counts). Don’t try to learn every dance if you only come occasionally. It will be overwhelming. Pick and choose your favourites and enjoy those!

Take the alternatives!

If you’re new to linedancing, I try to give alternatives, mainly where turning is involved. I am fully aware that there are people who don’t like turning, and there are those who physically can’t turn, so I try to find an alternative and adapt it accordingly into the dance. Sometimes, I may find an alternative to the more intricate steps. Feel free to use these alternatives, as long as you are comfortable with them. From there, you can go on to add the original choreography back in when you’re more comfortable with the dance. Keep your steps small. You will stay in balance better and be able to fix problems more easily. Keep your knees softly flexed and keep weight to the balls of your feet. It may take you some time to adapt to your own, comfortable dancing style, and I will offer snippets of advice wherever I can.

Turn technique!

We do a lot of turning in line dancing. The better you are at it, the more fun you will have. Stay down in your turns and turn your head first.

Learn terminology!

When you hear linedancing terminology ie all the different dance steps/styles, initially, it will be like a foreign language. It will take a little time for you to learn to translate terms and get the message to your feet. Be patient. See line dance terminology. But please do NOT be put off by this comprehensive list, you will be amazed at how many of the steps you will incorporate into your linedancing within the first 3 months.

Dance floor etiquette!

With the proper dance floor etiquette we can all have a fun and a safe place to dance. See etiquette.

Comfy feet!

The main no no is strictly NO STILLETOES!! There are a wide variety of dance sneakers and shoes available, (take a peek at www.planetdancedirect.co.uk). Cowboy boots are still worn today in linedancing, but it is up to the individual’s choice of footwear, so long as you are comfortable and can carry out the steps comfortably without risk of injury to yourself or others!! I personally prefer dance sneakers and the greek style low heeled dance shoe. Each to their own!!

Music variety!

Line dancing is done to all kinds of music now, from pop to Latin, to country and just about anything else you can name. Not every piece of music is to everyone’s taste. If you don’t like the piece of music just wait 3 minutes until it ends and you never know, you might like the next piece of music!! I try to incorporate something for everybody.

Please remember some of the people want the new and “funky” stuff, some want the “golden oldie” dances, some want to be kept as up to date as possible, some like to revise dances more often than others. I will always do my best to mix it up and keep the majority of the people happy the majority of the time.

The bigger picture!

Why not consider, when you are comfortable, broadening your horizons and visiting other clubs for social events. There is usually something happening in the local area each weekend. This way, you will meet more people, see what kind of music and what kind of dances are being done elsewhere. Why not go on a linedancing weekend? These are great fun and incorporate workshops and being taught new dances, alongside live bands, and a great atmosphere. It gives you the opportunity to dance in a non-teaching environment and meet new people. You will also see how, geographically, music and dances vary. I have found that what I taught last week may have been taught in Newcastle a month ago but hasn’t been heard of in Lincolnshire yet!!!!

Be patient when things may not be exactly going your way. I am doing my best to please you, and believe you me, it’s a tough job being an instructor and linedance DJ. Thank you for coming to my class. Your presence is very much appreciated. I love teaching linedancing and want everyone to have fun.

If you have any problems, please come see me before or after class.

• NEVER come onto the dance floor carrying food, drinks, glasses, cans or lighted cigarettes
• NEVER stay on the dance floor to talk if the music has started, move off the floor
• NEVER walk through a line of dancers to cross the floor, always walk round or wait
• DON’T start a different dance unless it is acceptable, if necessary, split the floor
• DON’T wear stilettos, spurs or carry guns/knives for safety reasons
• DON’T stop dancing to teach, find an alternative, suitable area
• IF the floor is crowded, take smaller steps, use caution, enjoy the closer company and apologise for any bumps even when not your fault
• IF the dance floor is empty and you are starting a dance, move to the front of the dance are so others can fall in behind
• IF you must leave the floor during a dance, do so with caution to avoid accidents
• REMEMBER, the dance floor is for everyone. When dancing in lines, keep the outside lane clear for partner/couple dancers
• REMEMBER, everyone was a beginner once. If you are a more experienced dancer, be supportive of the new comer and encourage them
• REMEMBER, the right of way for outside lane users, don’t block their way. If needed, start a new line rather than risk blocking their progress
• REMEMBER, the line of direction for partner dancers is anti-clockwise and don’t go against this, maintain the correct outside track and no cutting corners
• KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, KEEP SMILING AND ENJOY!!!!

A-B Workshop - Learn to Linedance

A 3 hour workshop aimed at absolute beginners incorporating the dance steps for 8 dances to 13 tracks by Country duo Brushwood utilising Val Myers A-B Programme.

A-B “L”

A-B “Corner

El Corner

A-B “Waltz”

A-B “Ticket”

A-B “Whirl”

The Freeze

Simply Mambo

Pre-Beginner workshop

A 2 hour workshop aimed at those returning to linedancing who need a bit of a refresher course incorporating the following dances:-

El Corner

A-B “Ticket”

A-B “Whirl”

The Freeze

Cowboy Charlston

Cowboy Strut

Please click on the link to take you to the chosen playlist.  Please note, the majority of my classes are beginner/improver level but there are some intermediate dances thrown in for good measure.

(Note that this requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free, to open the PDF file) 

February 2009

October 2008

September 2008 

August 2008

July 2008

June 2008

May 2008

April 2008 

March 2008

February 2008

January 2008  

December 2007

November 2007

October 2007

September 2007 

August 2007

For 2010, socials will be held every other month, with tickets being available prior to the event to establish numbers in attendance. 

NB - our socials are open to everyone, not just class members so come along and join us - we don’t bite!!!

28th August - cancelled - (alot of those who normally attend will be at the Broken Spoke Festival in Ripley)

25th September - in place of cancelled August one!!

30th October

18th December - Christmas Party - bring a secret santa wrapped present to the value of £5, collect your raffle ticket and collect a present.

Our socials are held at Calcutt & Forest Moor Village Hall, Blands Hill, Knaresborough, 7.45pm to 10.30pm at a cost of £4.00. Bring your own refreshments and a plate for the beggars banquet.

Calcutt & Forest Moor Village Hall is a lovely venue for our socials with a car park, great dance floor and a fab friendly atmosphere!

Below is an alphabetical list of dances taught for all levels of dancers since November 2005. 

(Note that this requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free, to open the PDF file)

      list of dances taught

As the site takes shape, I plan to keep you more updated with what is being taught at classes.  The list covers new dances and older dances which are re-visited.  All dance scripts are available at www.linedancermagazine.com

You may notice that some of the dances have an abbreviation next to them.  These are how I personally perceive the dances myself having line danced since 1997 and been teaching since 2002 and having provided line dance disco’s to a variety of events.

ab = absolute beginner level

b = beginner level

imp = improver level

int = intermediate level

c = classic dance (golden oldie???)

_________________________________________________________________

June 2010

Bobbi with an I (imp)

askin’ questions (imp)

1/4 after one (imp)

May 2010

san francisco (int)

broken heelz (imp)

DHSS (beg)

why don’t we just dance (int)

April 2010

whole again (beg)

rhyme or reason (imp)

she believes (int)

smilin’ song (beg)

walking in the rain (imp)

March 2010

the hams jams (classic)

chica boom boom (beg)

J&M mambo (imp) 

wild (int)

tennessee waltz surprise (imp)

roomba (imp)

February 2010

you and me and me and you (”y” in my A-Z of line dancing)

urban living (beg) (”u” in my A-Z of line dancing)

verticle expression (RMH) (classic) - in preparation for sponsored line dance

the trail (classic) - in preparation for sponsored line dance

quando when quando - in preparation for sponsored line dance

January 2010

walk with me (int re-visit)

zjozzy’s funk (”z” in my A-Z sponsored line dance) (imp)

people are crazy (imp)

December 2009 - due to seasonal festivities, very laid back classes!!! 

xanadu (int)

November 2009

Louisianna swing (imp)

broken stones (imp)

boyfriend of the year (imp)

hop it (imp)

October 2009

Sister Kate (int)

sin city swing (imp)

wanna dance (b)

what do you see (int)

September 2009

be strong (re-visited) (imp)

action (imp)

rock around the clock (c)

rose coloured glasses (b)

From July 16th to September 3rd, classes run as normal but NO new teaches

July 2009

speak with your heart (int)

cool chick (imp)

magic moon (b)

June 2009

after midnight (c)

go mama go (imp/easy int)

anticipation (imp)

heartbreak express (c)

la secret (int)

smokey places (c)

May 2009

baby love (imp/easy int)

t’morrow never knows (b)

mojo rhythm (imp/easy int) 

toes (imp)

April 2009

moonlight kiss (int)

when I cry (imp)

Kellie’s Angel (imp NC2S) - lovely floor split for Angel of Inspiration intermediate dance

March 2009

rollin’ with the flow (int)

heart of an angel (only coz I worked alongside Willie Brown on 29th March!!)

when (imp) - a fun line dance by Phil Partridge that can be done in contra

wanna be Elvis (imp)

bad guy (b) - new one by yours truly!!

guantanamera breeze (b) - lovely floor split by Glynn Holt to coincide with Kim Ray’s Guantanamera 

February 2009

no more cloudy days (imp)

right or wrong (imp)

what this country needs (imp)

this and that (b)

January 2009

human dancer (int)

walk with me (int)

Galway girls (imp)

rebel amore (imp)

from January 2009, I will be revisiting dances that I attempted to teach at The Manhattan Club

December 2008

grundy gallop (c)

come dance with me (b) 

she believes (int)

Shamrock soup (imp)

November 2008

college hustle (ab)

amame (int)

cabo san lucas (imp)

higher and higher (imp)

full house (imp)

October 2008

pretend (classic imp)

Galway girls (imp)

closer (imp)

like a dream (int)

born to rock (imp/int)

travellin’ man (imp)

what this country needs (imp/int)

September 2008

little red book (b)

duck soup (b)

sloop John B (imp)

walkin’ the line (c)

prison break (int)

Dean’s back to happiness (imp)

From July 18th to September 2nd, classes run as normal but NO new teaches.

July 2008

Dublin Castle Jig (imp)

Big Love (imp) (re-visit)

T-Bone Shuffle (c)

Crystal Chandeliers (int)

June 2008

amor de hielo (int)

laid back and low key (int)

Irish spirit (int)

Smokey places (c)

one more midnight (imp)

just for grins (c)

versatility cha (imp)

____________________________________________________________________

6.00pm to 7.30pm = beginner level (of which the first half hour is dedicated to new beginners)

7.30pm to 9.00pm = improver/easy intermediate level

9.00pm onwards = intermediate level

Classes are held at The Taste Gallery, Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, Bond End, Knaresborough (just down from The Dower House Hotel) 

I cater for the absolute beginner linedancer through improver level and intermediate level and am available for workshops.  Please check both Tuesday and Thursday classes to find the right class for your own level.

absolute/new beginner - little or no dance experience

beginner - new to dancing, within first 12 months of tuition

improver - 12 months dancing experience/knowledge of the basics

intermediate - 2 years dancing experience

intermediate + - 3 years or more dancing experience

with effect from Tuesday 7th September 2010

6.00pm to 7.00pm = beginner - ideal for those who have been absent from line dancing for a while - a “return to the floor” incentive

7.00pm to 8.30pm = improver/easy intermediate level

8.30pm to 9.30pm(ish) = intermediate level

Classes are held at The Taste Gallery, Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, Bond End, Knaresborough (just down from The Dower House Hotel) 

I cater for the absolute beginner linedancer through improver level and intermediate level and am available for workshops.  Please check both Tuesday and Thursday classes to find the right class for your own level.

absolute/new beginner - little or no dance experience

beginner - new to dancing, within first 12 months of tuition

improver - 12 months dancing experience/knowledge of the basics

intermediate - 2 years dancing experience

intermediate + - 3 years or more dancing experience

For bookings, event information and general enquiries;

Cathy Hodgson

01765 606 988

07891 862 428

djmadcat@cathskickers.co.uk

• www.robbiemh.co.uk - official website of choreographer Robbie McGowan Hickie
• www.nexus-energy.co.uk - Nexus-Energy - Classes, Events, Dance Floor Hire, Dancewear and more…
• www.linedancermagazine.co.uk - Magazine dedicated to todays linedancing including step sheets, events, reviews, etc.
• www.johndeanlive.com - Official website of John Dean 
• www.kickit.to/ld - Stepsheet resource
• www.bwda2000.com - Britain’s leading Instructor Training organisation.  Many of today’s best known instructors and choreographers did their initial training with the BWDA2000.
• www.diamondjack.co.uk - official website of Diamond Jack
• www.magill.countrymusic.co.uk - official website of Magill
• www.j2step.com - official website of choreographer Johnny 2 Step
• www.westerndancers.karoo.net - official webiste of choreographer Steve Mason
• www.ppluk.com - official website of Phonographic Performance Licence UK

Crystal Boots Awards - 31st January to 1st February 2009

1.  Cath’s Kickers - Sunday night

2.  Cathy, George and Diane

3.  Maggie G, George and Diane

4.  Maggie G and Cathy

5.  “girls night out” - Pat Stott, Cathy and Helen Peers

6.  Gigalo George and his harem of Pat Stott, Helen and Diane

7.  same girls night out - Cathy, Pat, Helen and Diane

8.  gala dinner table 52!!

10.  gala table 52 - the other side!!

11.  Cathy “borrowing” one of Robbie’s crystal boots and dreaming!!!

LDF 2010 - LINE DANCE FOUNDATION - MAKE LDF A LINE DANCE REALITY

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR DETAILS ON LDF FUND RAISING EVENTS COMING YOUR WAY

Kingshill Holidays

Kingshill Holidays which I have been booked to lead/DJ/instruct for 2010:-

January 8th to 10th - The Royal Hotel, Scarborough with Billy “Bubba” King on Saturday night

February 19th to 21st - The Cairn Hotel, Harrogate with Bobby D Sawyer on Friday night and Brushwood on Saturday night

March 19th to 21st - The County Hotel, Skegness - a teaching weekend, ideal for those who are reasonably new to line dancing

May 14th to 16th - The County Hotel, Skegness

June 4th to 6th - Monterey Beach Hotel, St Annes

August 6th to 8th - The County Hotel, Skegness

October 1st to 3rd - Headway Hotel, East Promenade, Morecambe with Billy “Bubba” King on Saturday night

for further details and to book, please visit www.kingshillholidays.com

Chance to Dance with John Dean

for further details of Chance to Dance Events 2009 and to book, please visit www.johndeanlive.com

All classes are currently held at The Taste Gallery, Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, Bond End, Knaresborough and classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

I cater for the absolute beginner linedancer through improver level and intermediate level and am available for workshops. 

Please click on Tuesday class and Thursday class to see which one suits your level.

absolute/new beginner - little or no dance experience

beginner - new to dancing, within first 12 months of tuition

improver - 12 months dancing experience/knowledge of the basics

intermediate - 2 years dancing experience

intermediate + - 3 years or more dancing experience

31st August 2010

EXTRA SOCIAL DATE - 25th September - in place of the cancelled one in August

Back to some form of normality with effect from Tuesday 7th September including an addition to Tuesday evenings, beginners welcome 6pm to 7pm - ideal for those who have been absent from line dancing for a while, a bit of a “return to the floor” - all other classes remain the same

upon our return, from 7th September, entry fee will be £4, but don’t forget, stay as long as you want whether it be one hour or two and a half hours

LDF update - total raised by Cath’s Kickers up to the end of July £1,565.40!!!  

Welcome to my website combining my love of line dancing along side my passion for music.  I started line dancing in January 1997 and never thought that 13 years down the line I would be an instructor and DJ with my own classes in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.

From a personal point of view, the concept of “modern” line dance is the combination of the line dancing I have learnt and developed over the last 13 years and the wide variety of music which we dance to including country, pop, latin, irish ….. and so the list goes on.

Cath’s Kickers was established in 2002 when I gained a distinction in levels 1, 2 and 3 with the British Western Dance Association 2000 and qualified as a Line Dance Instructor.

Welcome to my website combining my love of linedancing along side my passion for music.

I undertook linedancing in 1997 as a hobbie with the aim to dance “hillbilly rock, hillbilly roll” at my wedding in May of the same year, sad, yet true …. and I did it!!! Never in a million years would I think that I would be where I am today - i.e. a fully qualified line dance instructor with a history of classes in Knaresborough, Ripon and Burton Leonard, North Yorkshire, Otley, West Yorkshire, or to be working alongside The Deans, Glenn Rogers and Roy Dale in Tenerife as well as providing mobile disco service for weddings, 40th birthday parties, kids parties etc!!!

The name “Mad Cat” seems to have stuck and I suppose you have to see it to believe it! Cat being short for Cathy and the mad bit is me to a tee!! I would like to thank Barbara from Ripon who came up with the name “Cath’s Kickers” for the linedancing club, and I am sure that you can imagine that “Cath’s Kickers” on the back of a t-shirt can be misinterpreted and has therefore caused quite a few laughs!

In February 2002, I was asked to oversee the teaching of a class in Otley, West Yorkshire, for a short period. This lead me to undertake my British Western Dance Association 2000 teacher training course in Preston and gained level 1 and 2 in September of that year and obtained level 3 in December 2002.

My passion for music is expressed through dance as well as through listening to the music I play at Disco’s. I’m never still. I boogie along behind the decks at disco’s and keep everyone entertained whilst getting them to dance too. I have provided articles for Linedancer Magazine, Up Country Magazine and pro-mobile magazine for DJ’s.