Messing Up in the Middle of Your routine

Messing Up in the Middle of Your routine. What do you do?
By Edie, The Salsa FREAK
Al and I performed at the Sportsman's Lodge last week, and we missed a hand, then a trick, then everything basically fell apart after that. We can't really remember what exactly happened, but suddenly, I was free spinning, and we were off - WAY OFF. The music kept going, and we were falling more and more behind. Al and I have never messed up like that before, and when I saw we weren't getting it back together, I realized we never really rehearsed - much less talked about - what we would do if we messed up.

Messing up in the middle of a performance is something you never really think about - nor care to discuss, during rehearsal. All you want to fill your mind with, is performing a flawless routine... so why rehearse messing up in the middle of the routine? Right? Wrong... something will happen, and it will ALWAYS happen - at the worst possible time, in the worst possible way when you least expect it.

Rehearsing contingency plans is vital. Working about a Plan "B" is paramount to a complicated performance or routine.

We saw a couple last week, who had been practicing for WEEKS a flawless, to the music, killer routine. When it came to competition day, the worst possible thing happened - their CD wouldn't play on any of the DJ's equipment. They decided to compete anyway, to a song of the DJ's choice. They basically winged the routine - and danced free-style like they would in a club. Because they stayed on beat, had great attitudes, and had the guts to go on, they STILL came in third place. "Performing anyway" was the most honorable choice they could have made.

When you make a mistake, or mess up a part of your routine... what do you do?

The first thing you do, is think fast - VERY fast. As a male leader, you need to start dancing as if you both were jamming at a club, and start calling out your pre-rehearsed moves or tricks. The worst thing you can do is try to play catch up with your routine in the music. This will kill your flow every time. Just smile, wave, put her in a few turns, and listen for any upcoming cues you can place her in.

Ladies, when you miss a cue, or a hand, simply look your partner straight in the eye, SMILE, even if it's a fake smile, and let him continue to lead you. Don't fight his lead, or try to get him back into the routine. It's all up to him from now on. Just relax, smile, and let him lead you into whatever he wants. Smile at him, tell him to keep going, encourage him, tell him he's doing "great", and just continue till the end.

Most importantly, do not stop, get upset, or show it in your faces during and after the routine that you messed up. This makes it worse because your face is now being read by the audience. Now, the audience will start to wonder where you messed up! Believe it or not, they had no idea of your screw up, because they don't know your routine. Only you do.

Remember, it's not what happens to you, it's how you handle it that matters. You've got to deal with the cards that have been dealt you, bloom where you're planted, and pick yourself up, and do it again - better next time.

Last but not least, if you mess up in the middle of a performance, remember that you're only human. The only perfect person that ever lived was Jesus Christ - and no, you don't come a close second. .:)

I read your article on messing up in the midst of a performance. Yup. It happens. The Don't Quit Your Day Job Dancers take the stage at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco June 1st and 2nd (2001), two nights of sold out performances, 1000 people per night.

I'm dancing virtually every number in Act II, which is entirely comprised of salsa numbers. I feel excited and nervous just thinking about it!

Because we Day Job Dancers aren't professionals, we have to rely on something other than flawless technique and execution when we perform. What we do is to be as joyous as possible, and let the energy of joy lead. If we can put that energy out front, the audience gets it. Surprisingly, that makes our dancing much better, and more enjoyable for us and the audience. Lets face it: how many times have you watched flawless dance performances and come away yawning? I'd say, most of the time. As the song goes,

By the way, a group of us saw you and Al perform recently in Oakland at the Fiesta del Barrio night. You two were terrific. Joy was clearly in the lead. And the dancing was great.

On a special note: I'd say that when you put joy out front, you're letting Jesus do the leading, whether you're the man or the woman. And when the body follows His lead...