Ballroom and Latin Dancing

2020 Strictly Come Dancing Professional Line-up

2020-03-12T03:59:00.000-07:00

Here is the full list of Strictly professionals for the 2020 series:

AJ Pritchard
Aljaž Škorjanec
Anton Du Beke
Giovanni Pernice
Gorka Marquez
Graziano Di Prima
Johannes Radebe
Neil Jones

Amy Dowden
Dianne Buswell
Janette Manrara
Karen Hauer
Katya Jones
Luba Mushtuk
Nadiya Bychkova
Nancy Xu
Oti Mabuse

The line-up remains the same as 2019, with the exception of popular Kevin Clifton who is leaving the show after 7 years.

It is unclear at the moment if there will be any new professionals joining the show. There are 17 pros already confirmed which does allow for a couple of 'stand ins' in case of injury. It would be shame not to introduce at least one new face, the public enjoy getting to know the professionals as much as the celebrities.

Sequence Dance Copyright Chaos

2013-03-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

There have been some strange developments over the last few weeks in the Sequence Dancing world. It's not something I'm really involved in but feel the situation is worth comment.

Some of the major Youtube channels involved with the online tuition of sequence dancing have been closed down or threatened with closure for copyright infringement. Why? For showing sequence dances either as a walk through or danced to music. The International Sequence Dance Circle and Brockbank Lane Sequence Script Service have started to get a bit touchy about the sequence content on some of the Youtube channels.

This begs the question - What exactly can be copyrighted?

The script (the printed sheet with all the instructions to dance the choreography) is copyrighted - that's clear, but the content? The content that is constantly being used comes from the technique books that the major dance societies produce. The technique book we all work to!

There are some interesting articles available:

http://www.lawlawlandblog.com/2010/09/so_you_think_you_can_steal_my.html

- which states "The Copyright Act itself does not even attempt to define a choreographic work. In one of the few cases to broach this topic, the Second Circuit acknowledges that “social dance steps and simple routines” are not copyrightable"

and perhaps just as interesting:

http://www.thestage.co.uk/connect/eagle/0519.php

"The second requirement is one of record. You ask if it is sufficient for a choreographer to record his work "in written form". In principle the answer is yes but the notation must be capable of being understood, not just by its creator but by other choreographers of reasonable competence. There are certain well-known, standard methods of notation, such as the Laban or Benesh methods. It is, however, no use just scribbling incomprehensible lines and marks and comments on sheets of paper which no one but the person making the notes can understand or be made to understand."

And for me, that's where the problem lies. Even if the script has a copyright, most sequence dancers wouldn't be able to read and understand it so need to turn to an alternative medium to learn. And low and behold, as the youtube channels are being shut down, Brockbank Lane have introduced a video service (paid I might add!) to their website.

I will watch from the sidelines with interest as the battle rages on. One thing is certain, without the hard work and dedication of a few Youtube channel owners, the decline in Sequence dancing is certain to continue.

Posture and Hold

2013-03-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

Posture

The Gent should stand in a natural upright position with knees slightly flexed, with the body weight forward over the balls of feet and with the feet flat.

The body should be inclined forward from the feet braced at the waist with shoulders relaxed at normal level.

The Gent should also be aware that although the weight is forward over the balls of the feet, he must not lean over the Lady.

Hold

The Gent should stand facing the lady as described above, with the lady very slightly to the man’s right side. He should hold the lady with the right hand just below her left shoulder blade with the fingers together.

The left hand will hold the lady's right hand, making sure that the left wrist doesn't bend. The left arm bent should be bent, with the forearm slanting upwards from the elbow to the hand. The left hand should be held at the height of the left ear.

For the lady, the left arm will be placed on the man’s right arm, the fingers of the left hand grouped neatly in the centre of the arm just below the right shoulder. The right arm will slope very slightly downwards from the shoulder to the elbow, then upwards from the elbow slanting forward towards man's left hand. The fingers will fold lightly over the man's left hand between his thumb and first finger.

there should be a straight unbroken line between the elbow and the hand

The upper part of the right arm should slope downwards from the shoulder to the elbow. then downwards from the elbow to the hand in a straight line.

Foxtrot - The Feather Step

2012-04-08T07:21:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd share the following with you. It was a question that I responded to on a Ballroom and Latin dance forum:

I noticed in an old Alex Moore book that used feet diagrams that the foot alignment on steps 2 and 3 of the feather is turned to the R by approx 1/16 turn compared to step 1. I say approx as I got this from the diagram and I didn't get my protractor out. The change in alignment makes sense in a way because the rotation of the pelvis to generate CBM on 1 will obviously carry the foot foot without weight with it.

Now the current technique (Guy Howard etc.) has all three steps on the same alignment.

So does that mean the technique has been revised or is it just the the change in alignment is so small as to be considered unaltered. And the big question then becomes: is the feather always curved.

Here was my response:

Let me see if I can explain it as I see it!

I think the Guy Howard book gives a much better explanation of the technique but the diagrams in the Alex Moore book help to visualise the steps.
Using the Guy Howard breakdown:

STEP 1 - RF Fwd (CBM)
   CBM means the left side of the body rotates towards the right foot and the right foot will also start to turn out (to the right).

STEP 2 – LF FWD L shoulder leading preparing to step OP
   The second step is taken forward in a slightly more open position – in other words slightly left. The left shoulder leading indicates body rotation to the right.

STEP 3 – RF fwd in CBMP OP
   The right foot is placed forward onto the line of the left foot giving the appearance of CBM having been used but without any further turn of the body.

The foot alignments come as a result of primary factors such CBM and left shoulder leading and are therefore secondary. The second paragraph of the Guy Howard book explaining “alignment” states “The given alignment should indicate the direction in which the Fig is to travel” which in this case is Facing DC as the standard alignment.

I feel that the 4th step in the Alex Moore book is misleading. If you were to take step 4 as the first step of a Reverse Turn (i.e. LF fwd (CBM) ) then the placement of the left foot would be quite different to that indicated in the diagram.

Because of the CBM and left shoulder lead, the Curved Feather (which isn’t included in my copy of the Alex Moore book) is a very comfortable development. Incidentally, step 3 of the Curved Feather is the only step where you get CBM, CBMP and Sway at the same time.

Alignments

2012-04-07T05:38:00.002-07:00

This relates to where the foot (or feet) are facing at the end of a step. There is also a pointing alignment that happens on the inside of a turn.

They are based around an imaginary "line of dance" that runs anti clockwise around the dance floor.

Understanding the definitions shown below will help as we start to look at specific figures within the Ballroom and Latin dances.

The standard alignments used in Ballroom and Latin Dancing

Ballroom and Latin Dance Shoes

2012-04-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

One of the first real investments once you’ve started dancing is to buy your first pair of dance shoes. The range of brands and styles can be quite daunting – you only have to do a search for ballroom shoes on ebay to see a selection of what’s available!

Gents social shoe

There are two main reasons why you'd need a pair of dance shoes. The first is the construction of the soles. They’re much thinner than outdoor shoes and allow the wearer to rise up onto the balls of the feet easier.
Secondly, the sole of a dance shoe has a layer of suede that is in contact with the floor which provides slight grip when on a wooden floor.

Gents Latin shoe

So, let’s take a look at Gents or Boys shoes first. For most male social dancers, one pair of shoes would suffice. I would recommend a leather (rather than a patent) shoe with a standard (one inch) heel. For the more dedicated social dancer or medallist competitor and beyond, a pair of ballroom shoes – patent with a standard heel and a pair of Latin shoes – leather with a Cuban heel.

Social Shoe

Ballroom Court Shoe

Latin Sandal

For the ladies, you have a much wider range of styles with almost endless permutation but for social dancers, you’d only need one pair of shoes. Let’s look at the main styles. There is a court shoe for ballroom, a Latin sandal or a hybrid social shoe. There is a fourth style known as a training shoe which has a similar style to a gent’s shoe with a Cuban heel offering a larger surface area. Another thing to consider is the heel height and style. Most shoe designs come with a variety of heights, 2, 2 ½ and 3 inch heels with either a slim or flared heel.

Juvenile Shoe

For under 11 year girls, there is a specially designed Juvenile shoe with a low block heel. Under no circumstances should under 11s wear a high heel. Once a girl reaches eleven, a higher heel can be introduced.

Always try the shoes on before buying them and remember, they do tend to stretch a little over time.

Finally, shoe maintenance. Get yourself a good shoe brush to remove the dirt that collects on the suede sole. For patent shoes, you can buy a creme that can be applied to stop the shoes sticking together when you close your feet. A good alternative is a silicon aerosol which you can get from a car maintenance store. Whether using a creme or spray, just make sure you don't get it on the soles!

Dance shoes manufacturers that I’d recommend: Supadance, International, Freed, Dancesport International, Roche Valley, Ray Rose and Werner Kern.

How To Choose A Dance School

2012-03-31T13:13:00.001-07:00

Well, as it's my first blog post, I might as well start at the beginning and give some advice on choosing a dance teacher if you've never danced before!

The first thing you need to consider is "are they qualified?" Since Strictly Come Dancing has been on the television, ballroom and Latin dance teachers have been springing up all over the place - trying to capitalize on its current popularity. A qualified teacher should know the correct technique but more importantly should have insurance in case you have an accident whilst on the premises. There are many professional bodies in the UK; the main ones are The UKA, The IDTA, The ISTD and The NATD. Don’t be afraid to ask - a qualified teacher has nothing to hide!

Secondly, location. You want somewhere that is accessible all year round. That drive down the country lane in the summer can be quite pleasant but a little less appealing in the middle of winter when it's icey or snowing. Once you're there, is there sufficient parking for everyone? You don't want to have to get there half an hour before the start of the class just to get one of the few parking spaces available.

Another consideration is your teacher's personality. Now you know, we can't all get on with everyone, so give your potential dancer teacher a call and have a chat with them. What are they like? Friendly or standoffish? Do they answer your questions clearly and concisely or do you come away from the telephone conversation feeling confused?

Now, an important bit of advice! As a dance teacher I get inundated with phone calls every day, from telephone sales to people enquiring about dance styles we don't do so, do your homework! If the dance school has a website, take a look at it. Do they teach Ballroom and Latin? If it's up to date then there should be a class schedule on there. If you're enquiring about Absolute beginners classes then what night is it on? Are you able to go? It sound obvious but we currently have a couple who can only come on a Monday to our advanced class and are totally out of their depth! They slow the class down and will inevitably quit because they can't keep up.

So, you've found your teacher. They have a class on the night you want, they're just down the road and they sound really nice on the phone. Job Done! Well, not quite. Once you start your classes you need to ensure the content is kept basic and appropriate for complete beginners. A simple Cha Cha, basic Waltz or Social Foxtrot routine is ideal for complete beginners. When you first start dancing, repetition is the key so teachers should stick to a short routine with one dance per lesson to avoid overwhelming new pupils. Classes should be fun, light hearted with plenty of time for practise with your partner and the opportunity to ask questions.

Ballroom and Latin dancing is an ideal way to keep fit, make new friends and learn a skill for life. Take the plunge - you won't regret it!