“Pink is the colour, cha-cha is the game” !! Good news, dance fans!
I read this in the Sunday papers so it could/could not be true! (disclaimer and get out clause)
Chelsea midfielder “Fat” Frank has been linked to an appearance on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. (he is called that by my hubby who is an avid Man U fan - not by me!)
I should imagine Mr Lampard to be a natural at dancing. He is of couse no stranger to waxing his chest and getting a tan! He is also obviously not averse to wearing bright colours - that yellow they wear defies explantion!
But seriously - football and dance have a lot in common - both need high levels of fitness and agility.
However, he will have to remember a “deflection” is a hip movement in indian dance and not a way of winning the game!!
Good luck Mr L.. I will be voting for you!
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Posted by Suzanne - January 31st, 2008
Posted in Strictly Come Dancing - No Comments »
Last weekend at the Villa Marina my daughter took part in her first competition with her new dance partner Todd. (I am hoping to put some photographs up when I figure out how to do it! They were definitely the cutest couple on the floor)! Laura wore a full length white silk and chiffon number which was heavily encrusted in diamante, and Todd looked equally gorgeous in his white tie n’tails combo!
“Old Time” or sequence dancing is the sort of thing you might see when you watch a BBC period drama such as Pride and Prejudice. Forget your hips, leave your “groove thing” at home, stand tall and LOOK POSH! This type of dance originates from the days when everyone could dance a bit, but only the “elite” had the time or money for lessons where they would be taught the exacting steps that Old Time is made up of.
What you will notice straight off is everyone is following the same “sequence” of steps. So – if everyone is doing the same – how can a judge decide who is doing it better – why is the “winner” better than everyone else?
Here are my suggestions:-
Timing is very important in all dance, but even the tiniest error shows here! If a “sequence” lasts 16 bars (4 beats to a bar) and you are dancing slightly ahead of the music you will be doing your 16th bar moves, but everyone else will still be doing their 15th – this is perhaps the most obvious thing to spot
Old time dance is predominantly about the position your feet are in at any time, and you will be expected to do ballet type things like the Pas De Basque! (the first thing 4 year olds learn at dancing!)
“A step in which the dancer swings one foot to the side, springs onto it, and swings the other foot against it.
Or more precisely — Slight CCW ronde movement with left foot and arched instep on “and” count and step side with slight hop, ball-flat. Close R to L with right heel to left toe on the second “and,” soften both knees and lift left heel on an “a” count, and step L raising R slightly toe pointing down. Done over two beats of music.
And finally a little more fancifully — Jeté to Second Position with Demi-Rondé. Assemblé to Fifth Position Front. Slight Plié and Coupé in place, finishing in Fifth Position en l’air with toe pointed down. (such music!)”
(from Silvester & Whitman, 1967)
No problem!
and the bug bear of all beginners the “old time waltz” – “into 5th,” etc….. and there are many, many different things your feet need to do! However, this footwork has to be exact – this is what separates the men from the boys!
When you are not doing this “waltz” bit, you will be holding one of your partner’s hands, and both progressing forward. Throughout the dance there are times when you must look at your partner, then look away –being quite sharp in this movement. Also you need to be able to move your joined arms forward and back in the prescribed manner!! (remember to look at your partner at the back of these joined hands!)
Complicated stuff eh!!!
However if you think, “Oh, I can’t dance”, you still might want to give Old-time a try. Because it is so structured there is no guess as to what you will do, or where you will go next. This can be very relaxing, and even has some meditative qualities. And, if you get stuck, you can just follow the person in front!
I personally LOVE old time… it is exercise without the exertion – just my cup of tea!
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Posted by Suzanne - January 22nd, 2008
Posted in Ballroom Dancing - 2 Comments »
Why do I need dance shoes, won’t ordinary shoes suffice?
Dancing shoes are expensive, £50+, and if you are hobbyist only starting off, I suggest you give it a few weeks to see if you like dancing before forking out! I am sure I am not the only one with a house full of stuff that was only used twice! Wear soft soled, low heel (not flat), closed toe shoes. That should do for your first few sessions.
With the right shoes though, you will find it easier to dance, they are a lot more flexible, the soles are made of suede so you can glide but not slip – and I believe there is a strong psychology behind putting on your “dancing shoes”. Also it is probably true to say that a normal shoe would not stand up to the hammering a pair of dance shoes can expect! A beginner stomping out a jive in a normal shoe takes the chance of snapping a heel (or an ankle!) Remember though, some places will not let you in with your normal shoes, because it will ruin their very expensive floors. Check with your studio.
The favourite shoes in our house at the moment are:-
For Standard
Manufacturer - DS Paris - Flesh Satin with diagonal Bar and Silver & Diamante Buckle. Round Toe. 2.0″ Flared Heel
For Latin
Manufacturer - Supadance 1029 Flesh Satin T bar with 2” flared heel – diamonte strap detail
Neither of these are particularly high – but they look the part, and are a joy to dance in. Highly recommended to those of you not used to heels
Any men out there??? You should wear 1” low heels for Standard and 1 ½ “ Cubans for latin dance. You can get 2” shoes, I have heard of them – but don’t know where from. Sorry! If your lady is a bit taller than you because of her heels, you can purchase build-ups that go inside your shoes. That extra half an inch might be all you need! Failing that, make her get flatter shoes!
Any kids out there?? Juveniles luckily only need one pair of shoes! You can get white ones, silver ones, gold ones, black ones! – The most important thing for you to remember about yours is that you must look after them! They are not cheap! You should never wear dance shoes outside because they will get wrecked, and your mum will be really angry!
Tips for cleaning your shoes
SOLES – Suede picks up all sorts of gunk – you need to “scratch” this off with a special brush that you can get, generally from the same place you bought your shoes.
UPPERS – Wash them gently using a sponge and some warm soapy water. Obviously you take the sponge to the shoe, don’t dunk the shoe in the water! Leave them to dry for a few hours. Don’t use heat on them.
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Posted by Suzanne - January 17th, 2008
Posted in Dance Shoes - 1 Comment »
Eyes
One rule - The more the better, as long as it’s tastefully done. We don’t want lots of pandas wandering around the floor. Lots of black eyeliner to emphasise your eyes, if you can’t do it yourself get someone else to. White eye shadow (Barry M – also Superdrug – is very good although Bourjois also do some nice pots, lots of stuff around) around the top of your eye, under the brow and out towards the hairline. Use some colour on the bottom of the lid – gold and other shimmery colours are nice, or a deep grey or brown can also look nice for emphasis or try and match your costume – but not if it’s red…
Finish with ooooodles of mascara (after curling lashes) or alternatively false eyelashes Some people use the fake eyelashes that come with diamante already at the base… I personally dont like these - but each to their own!
Another good make up brand to look out for is Mac. There used to be stage make up called Leichner - but I havent seem that in years (more’s the pity)
Especially important with eyes - a message for the kids out there - DONT USE ANYONE ELSE’S EYE MAKE UP!! Eye infections are nasty!
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Posted by Suzanne - January 14th, 2008
Posted in Dresses & Make-Up - No Comments »
