Ballroom Dancing

[Minnie M]

Who is interested in learning Ballroom / Latin dancing and would you like to use it socially on the MJ dance floor - or should we have separate dance nights dedicated to it

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Minnie M

Who is interested in learning Ballroom / Latin dancing and would you like to use it socially on the MJ dance floor - or should we have separate dance nights dedicated to it

Given the progressive nature of Ballroom, albeit not so much Latin, I think it would be a disaster to attempt to mix the two on the same floor. You'd get people jiving to foxtrots and quicksteps, and given that people's floorcraft on average is pretty grim even for a non-progressive dance such as MJ, mixing them on the same floor would be a lot worse, at a guess.

The Latin dances tend to take up more space than MJ, too, so even though you could potentially mix MJ with, say, Cha Cha Cha or Rumba, to appropriate music, there would still be an issue over space.

Except when a waltz comes on - that would get rid of almost all the jivers Which would, of course, detract from their night, so I'm not sure it would be a good plan in that respect either.

So separate nights, I'd think, or at least separate rooms.

Having said that, I think it's a bold move for Ceroc to attempt to storm the Ballroom/Latin fortress. It's sure gonna p1ss off a hell of a lot of dance schools, though

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

.The Latin dances tend to take up more space than MJ, too, so even though you could potentially mix MJ with, say, Cha Cha Cha or Rumba, to appropriate music, there would still be an issue over space.

I've done cha, cha, cha/MJ mix (being led by a dancer who does both ballroom and MJ) - mainly cha, cha, cha with some MJ moves added in.

Originally Posted by ChrisA

.Except when a waltz comes on - that would get rid of almost all the jivers Which would, of course, detract from their night, so I'm not sure it would be a good plan in that respect either.

So separate nights, I'd think, or at least separate rooms.

I think ballroom and MJ 'worlds' are are different as the dance styles, maybe more so, and not sure how they would work in practice?

[El Salsero Gringo]

I managed three Cha-cha's and a Rumba last night at Guinness to Bobgadget's excellent tunez - no giggling please if you were watching, I am well aware that "managed" is too kind a word. And only one dance caused serious injury to another couple. (Sorry Annette, I hope the would heals without permanent disability.) A great success, overall, I'd say.

Seriously though, I don't see why the non-progressive Latin dances shouldn't be mixed with MJ, I'm sure they can be danced 'small' when there's less room, just like MJ moves. Moving from ballroom moves to MJ moves and back will relieve the boredom of having to lead a full three minutes of Cha Cha with only three figures (think back to you early days of MJ). And it will also really annoy the dance purists, which can only be a good thing.

[Banana Man]

I've been to quite a few classes (both Int and Adv) where moves/styles/ideas from other dances have been incorporated, so I guess there is already a crossover of some sort. I agree with Lynn that the MJ and ballroom worlds are different, as are MJ and Salsa (despite having some moves in common).

The posts on this forum and the audience figures show a great interest in the Strictly Come Dancing shows, or maybe just in partner dancing in general.

One of the great appeals for me in MJ is that footwork doesn't have to be particularly important, and you can dance to a wide variety of music. The music is where much of the crossover happens, particularly with latin. I agree that there is isn't much place for mixing MJ with progressive ballroom dances, but I do think some of the moves can be incorporated to extend a dancer's repertoire of steps, although personally I can't usually remember much from any class and resort to my usual limited set of moves.

Although maybe tongue in cheek, ESG's comment of causing only one injury in four latin dances does worry me. I know a few people (mainly ladies) who dance mainly on toes or balls of the feet and are wary of putting their heels down quickly in case of injuring someone. I was dancing with Annette last night and saw exactly what happened, but couldn't lead her away in time. (Sorry )

(Ballroom) Latin has very well defined technique, especially footwork, and I think the attempt to get things right could lead to less awareness of what's going on on the dance floor for some dancers. I've seen some pretty horrific injuries on a ballroom floor, including a friend getting kicked in the stomach and suffering cracked ribs. I shudder to think how many injuries there will be once everyone starts going for it! Think I'll be wearing steel toe-caps and shin pads for a while.

[Dance Demon]

Small select crowd of Edinburgh Cerocers have been going to ballroom classes on Saturday mornings for the last month or so. It's fab & I'm hooked
Don't think ballroom & MJ on the same floor would be a good idea though, for all the same reasons Chris A mentions

[frodo]

Originally Posted by Lynn

... I think ballroom and MJ 'worlds' are are different as the dance styles, maybe more so ... and not sure how they would work in practice?

Hopefully the 'worlds' will prove more mutable than the dance styles.

[cheeks]

Poll choices- Tick Tango but don't Only! want to do this!


I have always wanted to do Ballroom/ Argentenian Tango as well as MJ. But in Dundee our choices are small( Bob and Betty Barty still teach and are fab but the thought of being taught by the same couple who taught me modern dance when I was 12 doesn't have the same passion for me)

Incorporating into MJ? Personally i think this would cos some difficulties as previously mentioned but the idea of using a second hall on freestyle nights certainly sounds like it has potential as this is allowing us the choice.


Cheeks

[Minnie M]

Originally Posted by cheeks

Poll choices- Tick Tango but don't Only! want to do this .......

It is a multi-choice poll - when making up the poll categories I wasn't sure how to break them down

AFAIK -
Ballroom = Strict Tempo (Waltz / Quickstep / Foxtrot etc) circling around the whole dance floor

Latin American = Rumba / Cha Cha / Samba - not sure if Salsa fits in this category

Where does Argentinean Tango fit it ?

and what about Ballroom Jive ?

and what about the other 'jiving' dances, like Rock 'n' Roll, Lindy, West Coast Swing etc etc

[El Salsero Gringo]

Originally Posted by Banana Man

Although maybe tongue in cheek, ESG's comment of causing only one injury in four latin dances does worry me. I know a few people (mainly ladies) who dance mainly on toes or balls of the feet and are wary of putting their heels down quickly in case of injuring someone. I was dancing with Annette last night and saw exactly what happened, but couldn't lead her away in time. (Sorry )

(Ballroom) Latin has very well defined technique, especially footwork, and I think the attempt to get things right could lead to less awareness of what's going on on the dance floor for some dancers. I've seen some pretty horrific injuries on a ballroom floor, including a friend getting kicked in the stomach and suffering cracked ribs. I shudder to think how many injuries there will be once everyone starts going for it! Think I'll be wearing steel toe-caps and shin pads for a while.

Most of the reason for the accident last night was because I was leading unfamiliar steps so had to an extent taken my eye off the dance-floor, much like being a novice MJ'er once again. Rest assured, lessons have been learned. I would like to think that if there is an increase in accidents if Latin mixes in with MJ to a limited extent it will not be because of the style of the dance per se but merely because it is new. It will also take an adjustment from MJ-only dancers since part of our common floorcraft is grounded in an intuition as to which moves other dancers are likely to perform and where their next steps are likely to be. It would be sad if there was friction between two opposing 'camps' or if at Ceroc venues it was felt necessary to have "No Latin" signs.

[cheeks]

Originally Posted by Minnie M

It is a multi-choice poll - when making up the poll categories I wasn't sure how to break them down

AFAIK -
Ballroom = Strict Tempo (Waltz / Quickstep / Foxtrot etc) circling around the whole dance floor

Latin American = Rumba / Cha Cha / Samba - not sure if Salsa fits in this category

Where does Argentinean Tango fit it ?

and what about Ballroom Jive ?

and what about the other 'jiving' dances, like Rock 'n' Roll, Lindy, West Coast Swing etc etc

Yes not an easy one see what you mean babe...x

Cheeks

[skippy]

I did ballroom and latin for over ten years and loved it, but it is already to find it hard to find a male partner for ceroc, it would be even harder for ballroom.
I have always thought it gives you discipline and good rhythum.
I tried line dancing for a while and they have two different style on the dance floor and it works but I do think it depends on the size of venue and the number of peolpe wanting to waltz around the floor!!!!

[Stuart M]

Originally Posted by Minnie M

Where does Argentinean Tango fit it ?

It doesn't. It might be a little more accurate to say that ballroom tango is a specialised form of tango, which has a variety of different forms (there is even a form called 'Finnish tango', which is almost as weird as there being such a thing as 'Glasgow Jive')

This internet encyclopedia entry offers a decent summary.

[bobgadjet]

Not knowing who to point this reply to, its to all interested....

Have you ever been to the Rivoli on the Pink Jukebox night first Saturday monthly I think. ?
If not, you should. Its the best thing on the dance scene. I only wish I lived nearer as its in Brokley Hill.
The lady DJ has a brilliant ear for music, and ALL the dancers, gay or straight, have excellent dancefloor etiquet. She picks all types of music from really original 40/50's to modern day chart/pop, and knows exactly what sort of B'room technique would be suitable.
The DJ suggest the dance, and it can be anything, and I mean ANYTHING, from Line dance, thru Sequence dance, ALL the ballroom techniques AND MJ.
It all works.
What actually occurs is that the brilliant B'room dancers actually dance their way around all the other forms of dance going on.
Apart from the very popular sequence dances, the quickstep is the most hazardous and I've been there where, for safety, she has 2 sessions so that everybody gets a dance.
Often there are MJers at the back of the hall while Line dancers talk to front, and maybe a few latin dancers in the middle, or just mixed in.

It really depends how the evening is CONTROLLED, and I think that should either be the venue operator, manager, MC, or the best would be the DJ, but they would have to know what dance is most appropriate, call it, and if it includes needing a split dance floor, suggest it..
Similarly at the Royal Fest Hall on Sunday lunchtimes there are often several dance routines on the floor at the same time, but as said before, it may have to depend on the venue as to how the evening is run.

For instance at Ashtons there could be a split dancefloor with MJ at the front half and B'rm at the back half.
I remember that venue when there were so many people dancing (about 600), the LINE dancers were on the main floor, and the partners had to go round the balcony.

Don't be afraid of having more than one discepline on the same floor. It will only be a short time for people ro realise what is going on, and conform. It would be better if it were known beforehand, so maybe include certain discepline instructions at the beginnging of the evening.

The MUST will be to have an overall controller whose word is LAW, for the evening.

[El Salsero Gringo]

Originally Posted by bobgadjet

Not knowing who to point this reply to, its to all interested....

Have you ever been to the Rivoli on the Pink Jukebox night first Saturday monthly I think. ?
If not, you should. Its the best thing on the dance scene. I only wish I lived nearer as its in Brokley Hill.

Bob (and all) the Pink Jukebox website is here: http://pinkjukebox.co.uk/index.htm

I don't know if they're moving from the Rivoli as the website kind of implies. It's organised by Ralf Schiller, of the Kensington Dance Studio (www.kensingtondancestudio.com) who run the Ballroom classes I've been going to for the last few weeks. I will ask him on Wednesday whether they're continuing at the Rivoli also. (And I'll pass on your complements about the DJ!)

[bobgadjet]

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

Bob (and all) the Pink Jukebox website is here: http://pinkjukebox.co.uk/index.htm

I don't know if they're moving from the Rivoli as the website kind of implies. It's organised by Ralf Schiller, of the Kensington Dance Studio (www.kensingtondancestudio.com) who run the Ballroom classes I've been going to for the last few weeks. I will ask him on Wednesday whether they're continuing at the Rivoli also. (And I'll pass on your complements about the DJ!)

Thanks

I have unfortunately not been for over a year, but the times I did go it was THE BEST night I ever had.

I remember distinctly one particular night dancing a Polka. I had NEVER done that before, but gave it a go. Altho I wasnt much good, I enjoyed it, as all those that also did it, did.

[Andreas]

I did run dance parties that catered for all these dances. We played about two to three songs of each kind in a row, going through the carious styles. The hard bit is to arrange it in a way that you don't have people rush on and off the floor because they can dance style one but not two. Also, it requires more of 'reading the crowd' than just playing MJ music or Salsa .... all the time. So a new challenge for the DJ

[Minnie M]

Originally Posted by Andreas

........a new challenge for the DJ

listen carefully Sir Bob

[bobgadjet]

Originally Posted by Minnie M

listen carefully Sir Bob

BRING IT ON

[Dance Demon]

Originally Posted by Stuart M

(there is even a form called 'Finnish tango', which is almost as weird as there being such a thing as 'Glasgow Jive')

How's that wierd then Stuart. I've done Glasgow Jive and it' s quite different from other styles I've tried......