DanceInfo SA Letters March 2001

Info

March 2001

All letters

Belly dancers on TV Kyknets - phyllis

would like to add our studio to your website - P & P

MALE dance instructors required! - lani

1st competition in the Western Cape for 2001- arthur

calling all social dancers... great food at Tanz - Rob and Claudia

Tanz Café's exciting up-coming events - mareli

Western Cape results of the comp - roy

milton & yvonne win and move up to Masters Pre-Champs - demmers

Youth Championship ballroom & latin section, beware, be prepared - the w cape

roving reporter of social dancing - dancecrit

ballroom dressmaker on the Westrand - cynthia

white sports coat and a pink carnation - dancecrit

anyone taped those three international competitions? - roy

FEDANSA's Dress Code info for 2001 - maureen

Cathy Gibbons gives 6th & 7th place to a couple when all the other judges give 2nd place - roy

found an answer to Maureen's dresscode question - joyce

Alan Sasnovski replies to "7 dance in a final and only 5 are placed" - andre

dance teachers needed - prodance studio

latest news - ballroom now part of performing arts' world championships - ellen

we really appreciate your page and your updates - ellie

R60 million in jay's bank account - neville

what happens when 7 dance in a final but only 5 are placed ? - andre

want to be mentioned on the Dance Info site - lani

found a beautiful partner - maureen

partners reunited - bev

belly dance academy photo - phyllis

my current teacher always picks out what I am doing wrong - rienie

freestyle comp photos - rene

Latin Look Studio, paces ahead of the others - brian

tanz café zooms ahead with super events - mareli

In bronze, is she allowed to wear...? - maureen

R1000 national social exhibition prize sponsored by ADW Brokers - albert

need an opinion on group classes vs. private lessons & social dancing - sandra

bad temper - friendship week - ken (zim)

want freestyle/disco dance info - marilize

about belly dancing on K.T.V - phyllis

lady with passion needed for latin competitive dancing - joe

Belly dancers on TV Kyknets Dear Jay
I will be on Kyknet doing a class with my adult Belly dancers and Kyknets presenters on Tuesday 3rd of April at 7 pm. This is the screening date they have given me. Kyknet is on Satellite only.
Best Wishes, Phyllis.
Ed
Thanks for the announcement. Meet Phyllis and her Belly Dance Academy

milton & yvonne win and move up to Masters Pre-Champs Dear Jay / Disa
It has been quite a while since I last wrote to you but since then Yvonne and I have moved up to Masters Pre-Champs. We are finding it quite an adjustment, especially having to learn new variations / sequences at our age, although I must confess that practicing regularly and the lessons, which we thoroughly enjoy, help a lot. Our lessons are a lot of fun and there is sometimes more laughter than anything else, but at our stage of life what more could we ask for!
We were fortunate enough to be able to dance in the Valentine Festival at Ennerdale, and we must say that this is a competition which should not be missed, not only because we were awarded a prize, which is always a good enough reason, but also for the following:

We feel the committee who ran this competition need a pat on the back as it was well run and the music was very good. In fact the compère apologized for running the music for the Viennese Waltz too long! (It nearly killed me!) Ha! Ha! But, I am alive to tell the tale.

On departure we were thanked by numerous people for coming 1st and we in turn would like to thank everyone for making us feel so welcome - everyone at the competition was very friendly and courteous.

Just as a matter of interest - whilst dancing we were surprised by the vocal support Yvonne and I received and we felt this lifted us to new heights and helped us to win!

The toilets, etc. were spotless throughout the evening!

Since then we have danced twice (on the 10 and 17 March). We came down to earth with a bang – not having done so well! However we felt that in comparison the organisation of both these competitions was not as slick as that at Ennerdale, even though both of these competitions finished early. At the competition on the 17 March, the music seemed to be never ending, and as there were only two couples on the floor we felt the adjudicators did not need all that time to judge us. Surely someone should have told the person playing the music that the Viennese Waltz being a fast and strenuous dance that it was not necessary to play it for as long as he did. Thank goodness we are fairly fit, as we still had to dance the slow foxtrot and quickstep afterwards.
This letter seems to be a stream of moans but I just had to get them off my chest and what a better way than to write to my good listener and confidant!
At the competition on the 10 March, I waited until the competition was over before I approached the scrutineer to ask if I could see our marks. I was told in no uncertain terms that they were not available and I would have to wait for them to be posted on the Internet.
I wonder if these people realise that not everyone has access to the Internet and that it would be appreciated if the marks could be made available as they were last year – one or two sections later, and placed on the walls in the foyers where dancers could see how they performed. As the scrutineer was the same for the 17 March, I did not even bother to ask. Although we never did well at these two competitions, we know and realise that we were beaten by the better couple on the night, it is always nice to see how the judges have marked you, and we would like to congratulate the other couple on winning. The reason for wanting to see our marks is to motivate us and make us want to do that bit better next time.
I am sure that we are not the only ones wanting to see our marks.
I wonder if it is possible for someone in Zimbabwe to let us have a list of competitions being held in the future – preferably those being held in Harare.
Just as a matter of interest, maybe some people did not hear that Hennie Nortjie of Hennie Nortjie Studio in Kensington had been involved in a horrendous accident and was in ICU for many weeks. He is now well on the way to recovery and has already stated that he intends to resume teaching in the near future. Yvonne and I, and I am sure many others, wish him a speedy recovery.
As I have said before, I have danced against Hennie, and others in our age group +/- 43 years ago and those who will remember will remember our stalwart Chairman of Adjudicators, Jimmy Johnson, as someone really worth watching!
Although I must say in my opinion the top dancers at that time were far superior to what I have seen lately. The men really looked well groomed and the ladies were elegance personified. Don't forget we even had a Miss South Africa dancing in those days (Norma Vorster). Although the dresses did not all have loads of feathers, etc. on them, they were really something to see!
I am sure there are many who could comment further on these dresses and it would be interesting to hear their views.
The men’s penguin suits have not changed much in +/- 40 years, except that we wore full waistcoats and not the half ones as worn today.
Well I think you have heard enough of my moans and groans for one day!
Kind regards
MILTON DEMMER
Ed
Milton, it's always a pleasure to hear from you and Yvonne, and congrats on your win and promotion - grand stuff. I am also glad to hear that you are enjoying your lessons and the practising. Don't think of your letter as being a gripe stint, it's called dance talk, whether you moan or compliment, that's what DISA is chiefly about. Mind you, you did a lot praising, but next time when you throw the flowers, we want names. Let's tell the world who the efficient organisers are. Likewise, when things go wrong let's crunch the disorganisers. This way we keep the sport clean and healthy.
This sentence perturbs me; "I approached the scrutineer to ask if I could see our marks. I was told in no uncertain terms that they were not available and I would have to wait for them to be posted on the Internet." My explanation to that is, they are blackmailing you and all their other dance supporters by using the system to get you to visit their site, also known as forced solicitation, a form of spamming. Milton remember, by you being a willing subscriber to their site is a favour you are doing them - your support to the sport. Now that they are on the net, and you are willingly supporting their site, they're mugging you to visit it. Can't they just skip the petty-mindedness and try a little helpfulness like the Freestyle officials do at their comps. Their computer has each dancer's comp results immediately printed out and available for viewing.
Your visit to my site is a compliment, and the only way I will seduce you into visiting DISA is by making the info interesting with letters like yours. You are doing me and the dancer a good turn and I thank you for your support. Recently a dancer emailed me but wouldn't have her letter published. First she thanked me for my wonderful once-a-week updates of dance news. Her problem she says with DanceSport Gauteng is that they bombard her with millions of updates a week. She finds it so annoying, that their updates have become junk mail to her.
About the comp dates in Zim, I've emailed you Ken Scott's e-address. Ken promised to send me their calendar soon. Yvonne, should you receive Zim's calendar ahead of me, kindly shove it Jay's way - thanks.

would like to add our studio to your website Hi jay
Pieter and Peet would like to add their studio to your website as well. Could you please give us your bank details so that we can deposit the money.
Thanks
P & P
Ed
Great news, and welcome aboard. The key to having a page on my site is to regularly update your info, i.e. email any news or special events as often as possible. First I need your studio's logo and all the wording you would like on you webpage, etc.
Here are my account details:
    First National Bank
    J.J. Helm
    Branch: Sunnyside, Number 25-06-45
   Account Number 510 6100 7775

1st competition in the Western Cape for 2001 Hi Jay
Here are the results of our 1st competition in the Western Cape for 2001, formatted liked last year. The excel file that Roy sent you have the full scrutineering sheets with names. Sorry that I thought that you know excel and that you could publish the full scrutineering sheets on your web site. Can phone me 083 270 74 71(c) 021 543 2112 (w) 021 703 5769(h) 021 704 25 64 (h) for info.
Cheers, Arthur
Ed
Arthur, great to hear from you again, and thanks for the Cape comp results. Because DanceInfo SA is the most visited dance site in South Africa, being listed is a moocho benefit. It's not that I don't know Excel, it's just that Excel, web-wise, is very cumbersome and slow, and that makes it anti-Jay all the way. Once converted, Excel and Word have no respect for those browsing, they drags their clumsy feet for ages, and occupy much too much unnecessary space. I'd rather spend a little more time making it quicker for the dancer, than doing a fast transplant to ease things for myself.
Dancers interested in viewing the latest Cape comp results click here

MALE dance instructors required! Hi Jay
I deposited R50.00 into your account yesterday and I will attach a copy of our logo to this message. What happens now? We are desperately seeking gents who would like to become dance instructors, and would like to advertise in DISA. Thanks for the regular updates, it is a great source of information.
Lani
Jay, thanks for the quick response. Here follows the ad:
Acute shortage of MALE dance instructors!
Gents required to be trained as Ballroom / Latin American dance instructors.
No experience needed - all training provided in-house
Please call Pat / Lani on (011) 466-0962/3or e-mail on kya.fads.co.za
Cheers, Lani
Ed
Lani, thanks for your support, and hope DISA can be of much help to you for many full moons to come. I've placed your ad, check it out. Your R50 entitles you to a studio page for one full year. To design the page, I'll need all your studio details. Here's a sample of what you could include. The key to having a page on my site is to regularly update your info, i.e. email any news or special events as often as possible. This way you get maximum mileage, coverage and exposure. The studios that use DISA this way, benefit greatly. Think of it, if your studio recruits only one customer during your subscribed year, you've made your R50 many times over and you are in cyberspace 365 days and 365 nights in excellent company - DISA and the DANCER
Your studio is now also listed on the "Studio/Club" page. Should you want to advertise your social functions, then let me know and I'll list you on the "where to go dancing" social and party page as well.

calling all social dancers... great food at tanz Hi Jay
Tanz Café is looking up!
Apparently there is a new chef. We had a great evening and the food we had was truly impressive!
Rob and Claudia
Ed
I like, a giant step forward in the gobble direction, which proves that Tanz Café listens to, but more importantly, responds to what their customers say. Rob and Claudia, thanks for the announcement, now you'll need to dance those extras off.

Western Cape results of the comp Hi J
Here are the Western Cape results of the comp. Sorry for taking sooo long but here are the full scrutineering sheets. Hope that you can extract the results from excel spread sheets.
Cccccc Yaaaa
Roy !!!
Ed
Roy, thanks for your help, gr8ly appreciated, but it's going to be a long, slow and tedious process. I just can't, for the life of me, understand why FEDANSA and DanceSport have to make it so complicated and so very, very impersonal, not a name in sight. For miles of pages, all you see are digits, meaningless, cold, stark numbers, and with all those heavy frames, it takes hours to download on my pentium 5 - god help those using a p1.
Sorry, there are names... the important people - THE NAMES OF THE OFFICIALS and the name of the programme being used. Then stuck in one obscure, dark corner, as an afterthought, they condescended to throw in the names of a few winners. Like Scrutiny3, you also need their instruction manual to download if you want a gawk.
Arthur Isaacs, how hath the mighty fallen? In the days of king Arthur, before DanceSport knew about webbing, Isaacs used to send me the Western Cape results on almost the same day it happen. The format he used with his super PCScrutineer2000 programme was a replica of what Jay used in Gauteng at the time. Then a dancer wrote a nasty letter about one of the Cape officials, which I publish, and that took care of that.
Here's how we did it, with the dancer being the important part, and even then I asked for first names as well, check it out: Cape Comp Results
But if you would like to see the perfect system, i.e. 1st names, last names, photos of all the winners (with their names), a review of the performances, then check DanceWell's social site. It just doesn't get better than that. They highlights their top achievers in a personal way, and it's quick and easy - you don't need an instruction manual.
Roy won't you do me and the dance fraternity a favour, and one cold winter's night sneakily burglar FEDANSA's office, crack their safe and steal their website address and send it via high priority post to Jay, oh yes, and on your way out, could you also kindly pilfer their Calendar of Event for 2001, that would nice - thanks

Tanz Café's exciting up-coming events Dear Jay
Some information with regard to Tanz Café's up-coming events. We would also be delighted if you attend our birthday celebration party on 18/4
Fond Regards
Mareli
Ed
Thanks for the info and the invite Mareli. By regularly updating, you not only create an awareness of what's hot and happenings at Tanz, but also keep the dance action at your scene flowing. Dancers, to see all the action, visit Tanz Café's DISA page: Tanz events
I remember, your last birthday celebration party was a smash hit; excellent entertainment, hot music and tasty food - a party not to be missed.

R1000 national social exhibition prize sponsored by ADW Brokers Dear Jay
I hereby would like to confirm that ADW Brokers will be sponsoring the prize for the best exhibition of the day in amount of R1000, 00 plus the trophy, in the Social Dancer's 2001 National Exhibition Expo held on Saturday 25 August 2001.
I would like to appeal to all dancers to enter this Exhibition contest which will earn them recognition for your hard work.
Good luck to all dancers entering. I am looking forward to handing over the R1000 prize money to the WINNER.
Regards
Albert de Weerd (Director)
Ed
Albert, a great start to launching the first-ever National Social Exhibition Championships (NSEC). Thanks for your generous support to social dancing in South Africa. To help Brenton and his organizers of this event, DISA has pledged to give as much coverage to those who sponsor NSEC, i.e. as from the date of sponsoring, we will advertise ADW Brokers by inserting your link and logo on popular pages of this site, until 6 months after the 25 August 2001 - dancing needs and appreciate sponsorship. Next step is, let me have your ADW Brokers logo as soon as possible.
This contest is more in the mould of entertainment, dance expression and having a good time, than in the strict competitive sense. Naturally there will be loads of serious competition, but it's designed for all levels of social dancing, from the popular Sokkie to the sedate Waltz. Competitors select their favourite dance, and jig it to their favourite tune in their uniquely matched outfits. With lots of time to prepare... here comes, manigi enjoyment plus prizes galore.

Youth Championship ballroom & latin section, beware, be prepared Hi J
I've confirmed that Lana Isaacs will be dancing with Riegard van der Merwe in the Youth Championship ballroom & latin section. A word of advice to all the other couples in the Youth Championship section, prepare yourself !!!
Ccccc Yaaaa
Roy !!!!
Ed
That should be a wallachuckaooh combination. Roy, thanks for frightening us Gautengelogins out of our lily-licking boots

anyone tape those three international competitions? Hi J
I wanted to know if you or anyone perhaps taped those three international competitions that came on E-TV for the past three Sundays ? If you did, please inform me as I would like to have copies of those competitions. Cheers for now.
Ccccc Yaaaa
Roy !!!
Ed
Unfortunately not, but I'll ask around. I'm sure someone has, or maybe a kind dance fanatic somewhere in South Africa has taped them and will assist.

roving social dance reporter Hi Jay
We recently attended a dance at the Roodepoort City Hall held by Steve and Lorna Roodt. Steve and Lorna have been teaching Ballroom and Latin group classes in the evening at the City Hall for over 12 years. They can be contacted on (011) 955-1301. Steve claims that he was once a national adjudicator for ballroom dancing.
Once a month they hold a dance at the City Hall for their present and past students. We have been attending his dances for quite some time hoping that his music would improve - but to no avail. The dance is held on the best floor which is huge and sprung, giving dancers much relief to their feet and muscles and lots of room to move about.
The music has to be the worst I have ever heard. Steve is the DJ and calls himself “Strict Tempo.” What a joke. As the music starts Steve interrupts it by announcing that it is a quickstep or a jive throwing the dancers out of their rhythm - he does this, I think, to inform his new students so that they know what to do. Invariably he gets it wrong - he announces that the dance is a foxtrot and it actually turns out to be a jive. This goes on all night which is most disturbing. My partner and I get up and start to jive to a “so-called foxtrot” and all his students go around the floor fox-trotting - what a sight - two people jiving and everyone fox-trotting. It is ridiculous not to say the least.
The selection of music comes out of the ark - Doris Day and such; and I challenge anyone to try doing a Viennese to “Bachelor Boy” by Cliff Richards ... you have to be an athlete of exceptional standard to keep up the pace. The one song that really got to me was “Hot Diggity, etc.” - boy I thought that one was really put to rest (R.I.P.). And so it goes on - wrong announcements, interruptions and music that is out of Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard.
He has been approached by many people to do something about the music but he doesn't seem to listen - he actually thinks his music is the best. No wonder his attendance to his dances have been falling off with only his “novice” students attending. We always say we will never go again but we do just in the hope that he has changed. But good old Steve will carry on. It is quite sad when there is a shortage of quality venues available.
Insofar as Steve and Lorna’s teaching is concerned it is very good at this and their prices for group classes are very competitive. They certainly fill a need for folk to start with the basics in dancing. They teach all 10 dances and are most accomplished in this.
If you want to be introduced to dancing then Steve and Lorna’s is a good place to start - and if you want to see how a dance can be ruined, then you know where to go.
PS - Jay, we went to an exciting dance club recently - I will tell you all about it soon.
Please add the attached e-mail addresses to your subscriber's list.
Bye the way, I will be sending you regular articles on the dance spots I attend.
Regards
DanceCrit
Ed
DanceCrit, you're a double star: 1. for all those email addresses... WOW 'n WHOOPEE! 2. your crit, great dance talk, and "sending you regular articles on the dance spots I attend" turns my earballs on. Soon we'll start a special "social dancers" column and really get heavy into it.
In a recent letter I waft about the music they played for one or two International Championships shown on TV. Here's my statement; "On Sunday 21 January 2001 during the 10-dance championship I asked myself, 'why are you not enjoying this; the dancing is great, the outfits exquisite, the venue super, the commentary superb. What's your problem?' Then it struck me like a bolt of bricks, THE MUSIC. These poor dancers were trying to squeeze fresh orange juice out of an old, dried, wrinkled lemon... it was AGONY." I continued; "Now Roy, don't tell anyone I told you this, because if you do, both of us will be shipped to Siberia. Once-upon-a-time in 1910, Victor Sylvester Sr who at the time was the Elvis of strict-tempo Ballroom music, you know, the dude with the violin sound, whom many still love, but Roy, the music they played at the comp in question was pre-Vicky stuff. You can only play it on 'His Master's Voice' type of gramophone... the one with the spiral horn and crankshaft... IT HAIRY, SCARY stuff."
So DanceCrit, I know exactly how you feel about old sounds when desperately trying to jig-it-up at, what's suppose to be a happy, exhilarating affair. Strict tempo doesn't mean droog. It means danceable music where all the beats are clearly defined, distinguishing accented beats from regular beats; played at the correct speed to a tune with sparkling, wake-up, toe-tapping vibes.
As far as dance music is concerned, DanceSport SA has it spot-on right. The music they played at the televised comps last year was HOT, it got the dancers and the viewers totally immersed. Ryno van den Berg gave me copies of those CD's and every time I play them they allure instant reaction and vibrant atmosphere. Nothing wrong with old tunes, in fact, most the big, lasting hits are usual old melodic numbers revamped. Melodic is what many of the latest tracks lack. I've an idiot suggestion. Many of these dance spots you go to include bring-a-drink, bring-a-hamper. Why not bring-a-tune or two.

ballroom dressmaker on the Westrand Hi Jay,
Sorry I have not been in touch sooner.
Thanks for the wonderful information which you supply, I thoroughly enjoy it.
Please keep it rolling.
I would appreciate if you could advise me of a ballroom dressmaker on the Westrand if you know anybody. I ordered a dress from somebody but it turned out to be a nightmare.
Thanks,
Best regards
Cynthia Mackenzie
Ed
I'm not sure whether the contacts below are near your area, if not, they'll help you find the right thing. Jon has an excellent reputation for ballroom & latin dress design and both couples are Ballroom Champs:

Jon & Cheryl Tudhope: Home (011) 453-5839 and Jon’s cell 083 489 6250

Brian Schmidt: 083 325 2597 or Meryl Willian: 083 325 2596

white sports coat and a pink carnation Hi Jay
Thank you Justine for your reply to my letter in February. We are happy to hear that you have changed your modis operandi. It was announced that you would be holding another dance at Hennie’s at the 7th Army Division and we thought let’s give it another go.
A white sports coat and a pink carnation - all dressed up for the ball, so to speakk. Yes, all dressed up, rearing to go. When we arrived at the 7th Division Hall ... wot no dance ... the security guard on duty said that the dance was moved to another venue. What a waste of an evening after we were all dressed and ready for the occasion.
Please guys get your act together.
I am pleased to hear that Hennie is on the mend after his bad accident.
DanceCrit
Ed
Thanks for the dance info.

dance teachers needed Hi Jay,
Today I have a special request from Pro Dance Academy.
We need teachers.
Currently there is a vacancy for one female and several male teachers.
We are situated in Benoni.
Teachers that are interested must please contact Brenda at 082 970 0706
Thanks, Ellie

Cathy Gibbons places couple 6th & 7th when all the other judges give 2nd place Hi J
Well, on Saturday 10 March was our first competition for the year. The Adjudicators were Chris Bulpitt, Ethne Kenton & Cathy Gibbons. Anyway, like I told you previously this year I'll be dancing amateur, so guess where I came for my first competition ( being the new kid on the block ) ?? 2nd place !!! Graig Messina came first and the couple who came second at the South African National Championships ( Clinton Soules & Chervon Smallberg ) came third.
Now let me get to the markings. I find it VERY amazing how Cathy Gibbons can give me 6th & 7th placing for all my dancers while the other adjudicators gave me 2nd placing for all my dancers. And to really put the cherry on top she gave this other couple ( who came nowhere at the SA & never makes any finals ) 3rd & 2nd placing, and you know where they came ?? 6th, because that's where all the other adjudicators placed them. I mean honestly, either there is something wrong with her brain or her method of adjudicating is backwards. Please give me your opinion.
Ccccc Yaaaaa
Roy !!!!
Ed
In my review of the SA's on TV in December 2000 I wrote, "Couple #517 Roy Pieterse & Meagan Kleinhans produced some spirited, stylish dancing. Too often we see a couple dancing with magnificent flair, beautiful lines, expressive footwork then the girl spoils it all by poking her head back. Meagan didn't spoil it. Every time I saw them, her head was in a perfect position, "the open flower" that Salome so aptly described it to be. Roy's spotless, clean-cut posture, from top to bottom, is second to none. To appreciate their superb thrust, classical lines and flair, rewind and check their Stationary Rotations and Contra Checks, and do yourself a favour watch their silhouette during pivots.
What I also wrote was, "Winners of the SA's Youth Ballroom section, couple #519 Regaardt van der Merwe & Tracy Howard, of the little I saw, get joint 1st with couple #517 Roy & Meagon on my TV scorecard. Regaardt & Tracy however, showed a shade more arrogance."
Just recently, during the International Ballroom Championships on TV, we saw all the judges score a couple 2nd and one gives that same couple a 6th, and it happened several times. That just does not make logical sense to my nilly wily brain cells. Now you've really befrekkled me by saying that Cathy Gibbons who mostly serves as the Chairlady of Adjudicators here in Gauteng, scores you a 7th and 6's while all the others place you 2nd. That Roy, is a total mystery! My scientific dance guess is, someone got the score cards mixed up, or was it, just maybe, no! I don't think so, remember, you called Jim Warren an idiot.

latest news - ballroom now part of performing arts' world championships Hi Jay
We just received news from America. They have brought in Ballroom on the entry for the World Championships of Performing Arts. Now all routines in Ballroom are covered and people can contact us to enter. This is an open door to Los Angeles.
Thanks, Ellen
Ed
Ellen thanks for the update. Those who would like more infomation, here are the contact details

want to be mentioned on the Dance Info site Hi Jay
Please can you send me some information regarding prices, etc. to advertise or be mentioned on the Dance Info site
Thanks, Lani
Ed
Lani, as a DISA subscriber you would be entitled to a page on my site at R50 for a year's maintenance - the page is free. I add images, your logo, your details, etc. to your page and design it to your specifications. Plus you may update your page as often as you like. I then link you to the section which belongs to you scene.
I send updates each week to the thousands of dancers in my address book, which means that the more updates you email me, the more often my visitors will be directed to your page for details.
Should you feel your connection with dancers through my site will benefit you, then your annual fee of R50 is paid into my account and confirmed by email.
My Account details are:
First National Bank
J.J. Helm
Branch: Sunnyside, Number 25-06-45
Account Number 510 6100 7775
Thanks for your interest, and hope you join our DISA club soon.

what happens when 7 dance in a final but only 5 are placed ? Hi Jay
I hope you can answer this question - should be easy.
Last weekend, we danced in a competition at Newlands. We danced a straight final with 7 couples. However only 5 couples were placed. We won the section.
Now, according to the rules, if 7 couples dance in a final, 1st place gets 15 points, but if only 5 dance in a final, 1st place gets 10 points. What happens when 7 dance in a final but only 5 are placed ?
Also, why would the other 2 couple not get placed (I am assuming they would not get any points too) ?
Regards, Andre
Ed
My 2 withered brain cells tell me, if there are 7 couples in a final and only 5 are placed, but because of the system, the points are reduced, then it's blatant; those who earned legit points for being better than the rest, are being robbed. It makes no logical sense, and nobody will convince me otherwise. The amount of points a couple receive must not be determined by the number of placings or the number of couples. Particularly when there are more than 6 couples in the final. It explicitly tells us that someone on the committee is sandbagging points for a favourite relative. Andre, I smell a fat rat.
We've had this "points" argument before. Here are the links: point system / 3 couples in the final / 5 couples in the final. And for more info on the subject, here's the link to the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) rule book

Alan Sasnovski replies to "7 dance in a final and only 5 are placed" Hi Jay
Regarding my earlier letter for 7 couples in the final and only 5 being placed.
I sent an e-mail to Alan Sasnovski with the same query. His answer, which clears it all up, is below:
Hi Andre,
With regards to your question on the points system.
The points system is very clear regarding points awarded in a final - points are awarded to ALL couples in the final dependent on how many COUPLES they have beaten. This means the following:
a)    You need to reach a final in order to earn points
b)    Points are awarded dependent on the total couples beaten in the section e.g. if you have dance a Qtr, Semi and only 5 couples are called back to the final - points are awarded as if there were 6 couples in the final (i.o.w. maximum points).
Therefore only where it is a straight final of less than 6 couples do the "lower" points apply.
The fact that only 5 out of 7 couples are "awarded" places in terms of prizes (where the section is a straight final) has nothing to do with the points system. That issue is entirely up to the organisers of the various comps.
There is a sort of agreement between the different organisers (RDTA, SADTA & FEDANSA) to use the same convention for handling prizes for straight finals e.g. only 5 prizes if straight final of 7 and 3 prizes if only 5 couples etc.
Thank You
?------
Hope that clears it up
Regards
Andre
Ed
Thanks for the info. I'm sure many dancers will be grateful.

partners reunited Dear Jay
Thank you very much for the wonderful updates. I thought I'd let you know that KURT COLEMAN and partner have re-united and are dancing together again.
Kindly remove the ad in the "Partner Search" section. Must say thanks once again, I've had one or two calls from interested parties.
Cheers for eers.
Bev Coleman
Ed
Great news! and thanks for letting me know, but I couldn't find the ad to cancel it, but I know it's there somewhere.

we really appreciate your page and your updates Hi Jay,
Long time no hear from me. You must know that although we are very busy we really appreciate your page and your updates.
I want to ask you: Will you please replace our invitation to our Halloween Party with the new ad.
We are planning to have a huge party.
Please place this on our page.
Thanks,
Ellie from: Pro Dance
Ed
I delete the Halloween ad awhile back. Have now inserted your latest update, check it out

found a beautiful partner Jay,
I found a beautiful partner for my daughter and he is just doing so well, I can't believe it. He is a real little gentleman and has the perfect body.
They understand each other very well and I appreciate your help in this regard.
Lovies, Maureen
Ed
Great news! and thanks for letting me know.

R60 million in jay's bank account Hi Jay,
Please do not be fooled, this is a scam
Neville Matjie
CONFIDENTIAL
ATTN: Managing Director
Sir,
My name is Kevin Kabibe. I am a solicitor/notary public, and very active in the legal practice in democratic republic of Congo (Zaire). I am also the in-law to the late president Mobutu Cece-seko. Because of his involvement in the governance in Congo for thirty-two years, the government of today is after the family. They have claimed all the familys wealth and now president Mobutu is dead and the family is on exile to morocco. I am making this contact on behalf of my sister Mrs. Zamia Cece-seko not minding the consequences, but hoping that you would understand our
predicament hence the need for your urgent assistance and co-operation.
My aim of contacting you is to crave your indulgence to assist us in securing some funds, into your trusted bank account abroad for safekeeping, which incidentally is the part of the family wealth.
Fortunately with my immediate assistance, and contact, we were able to deposit the money (cash packed in trunk boxes) in a security vault two years ago pending when the whole situation will be calm. However this security company does not have any knowledge of content of the deposit, because it was done in the guise that the trunk contains precious stones. But owing the great risk we run presently due to the new government of Laurent kabila initiative to freeze and recover all moneys supposedly misappropriated by the late president, we wish to relocate this fund in a
foreigner's name to avoid any trace. Now that no one knows about this money is our opportunity to remove the money and we are willing to offer you a certain amount of the money after the transaction for your assistance and co-operation. All I need from you is the assurance that you can handle the amount involved comfortably and that I can trust you with this arrangement. please send your reply to kevin_kabib@yahoo.com
Be rest assured that there is no risk involved since I have taken care of everything I want you to immediately inform me of your willingness in assisting and co-operating with us on my e-mail address so that I can send you full detail of this transaction and let us make arrangement for a meeting and discuss at length on how to transfer this funds. Also furnish me with your current e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers (private) for a personal contact with you.
Finally, I am trusting on your full understanding on this hope that there will be absolute confidentiality.
Waiting with interest, your response and hoping to develop good business relationship with you.
Yours truly,
KEVIN KABIBE Esq.
Ed
Neville, that's nothing, get this one. I thought I had 60 easy mil Rand in my bank...
Dear Friend,
My name is MR TIJANI USENI the eldest son of Rtd General JEREMAIAH. J. T. USENI who was the est. while Minister of the Federal Capital territory Abuja in the late General Sani Abacha's Regime of 1993-1998.
I am contacting you in a benevolent spirit; utmost confidence and trust to enable us provide a solution to a money transfer of $60M that is presently putting my entire family into great disarray. You may be quite surprised at my sudden contact to you but do not despair, I got your contact from a business site on the internet and following the information I gathered about you, I was convinced that you could be of assistance to me. So, decided to contact you at once due to the urgency required for us to immediately transfer the said funds out of the country.
During the time my father was in the government with the late General Sani Abacha as the head of state, they were both involved in several deals that yielded Billions of Dollars. The prominent amongst the deals was monies that emanated from funds set aside for the importation of Arms and Ammunitions to boost the Nigerian Defense, funds set to embark on an oversea campaign to counter the United States action to put a stop to the self succession bid of the Abacha's government to retain power, and monies set aside to rehabilitate the ailing Nigerian Petroleum Refineries and the National Electric Power Authority which supplies Electricity to the entire nation. If you are conversant with world news, you would understand better.
During this period my father was able to make some good money for himself and kept in his private bank accounts. The then head of state General Sani Abacha transferred his share of the money through a Lebanese businessman, Chagoury and a Jewish businessman, Mark Rissar to bank accounts overseas. Unfortunately, all the secrets were revealed by the investigation agencies set up by the successive governments and most of the Abacha's loots were traced and repatriated from the various accounts to the Federal Government Treasury.
Out of the money my father made, he left the sum of N50 Million (Fifty Million Naira) in the CBN escrow account for further transfer into a foreign account and a sum of $60M (Sixty Million Dollars) was kept in a Private security firm here in Nigeria. Through the confessions made by the Abacha's Family, the N50 Million was recovered by the investigating agency from the CBN escrow account. But were unable to discover the $60M, which he kept in the vaults. The reason is because no names were used to lodge in the funds.
Instead, he used PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (PIN) and declared the contents as Bearer Bonds and Treasury Bills. Also the firm issued him with a certificate of deposit of the consignments. Note that I have these information in my custody.
Right now, my father has been arrested and detained for interrogation. As the eldest son of my Father, I believe that I owe the entire family an obligation to ensure that the $60M is successfully transferred abroad for investment purposes. With the present situation, I cannot do it all by myself. It is based on this that I am making this contact with you. I have done a thorough homework and fine-tuned the best way to create you as the beneficiary to the funds and effect the transfer accordingly. Is rest assured that the modalities I have resolved to finalize the entire project guarantees our safety and the successful transfer of the funds. So, you will be absolutely right when you say that this project is risk free and viable. If you are capable and willing to assist, contact me at once via email or fax number 234-1-7587591 for more details.
Believe me, there is no one else we can trust again. All my fathers' friends have deserted us after exploiting us on the pretence of trying to help my father. As it is said, "it is at the time of problems that you know your true friends". So long as you keep everything to yourself, we would definitely have no problems. For your assistance, I am ready to give you as much as 20% of the total funds after transfer and invest a reasonable percentage into any viable business you may suggest.
Please, I need your assistance to make this happen and please; do not undermine it because it will also be a source of up liftment to you also. You have absolutely nothing to loose in assisting us instead, you have so much to gain.
Awaiting your urgent and positive response.
BEST REGARDS,
MR TIJANI USENI.
My reply:
HI Tijani, sounds fine to me. I'm always willing to help those in distress, provided it doesn't implicate me politically or legally.
Let me know the procedures and I'll take it from there.
Cheers, Jay
Just when I thought some kind soul would park R60 million into my bank account - pity. We now at least know that DanceInfo SA is fast becoming a universal language.

belly dance academy photo Hi Jay,
The black and white photo for my webpage didn't work, here's a coloured one. Hope it's OK!
Ed
It's OK, and looking great. We missed your kiddies Belly Dancing on TV. I think they shoved a sport's programme into that slot. Everybody, see Phyllis in action, click here

my current teacher always picks out what I am doing wrong Hello Jay
I've have been taking lessons in social dancing for about two years but I don't enjoy it any more. My main problem is that my current teacher always picks out what I am doing wrong. He never has an encouraging word for me. I'm thinking of doing competitive dancing now. How do I go about doing so? I'm from the Gauteng area.
Regards, Rienie
Ed
Rienie, the first thing you will need to do is phone around to find a competitive school near you. Here's a list you can try.
My advice is, stay social, but change your teacher. A good teacher, whether social or competitive will continuously strive to correct what needs work, and the moment he/she spots an improvement lets you know, but more than that, tells you why you are doing it better, why it's looking great, why you are now spinning with ease, etc. and the reason why you are doing it better is, he/she got you to comprehendo.
The secret of a good teacher is to downplay the undeveloped while honing in on how to get the undeveloped developed, and then give each other a pat on the back for the achievement. Rienie, the pat on the back represents a good rapport, understanding between pupil and teacher. When you've got that, you systematically by-pass the "hard line" approach your current teacher is dishing out. An impatient or over-critical teacher is a lousy teacher. It's someone who probably dances well but hasn't the ability or the teaching skills to impart that knowledge with finesseor ease.
To succeed in competitive, you need 2 indispensable properties, a numb crust and the iron will of a Spartan - it's a very hard-ball game. The learner''s entire grey matter, every fibre and total passion is projected in one direction only... tunnel vision... TO WIN. It's pure "do or die" stuff - zero fun, there is no time or space for finesse or squeamishness, but a good motivator always tries to balance the scale between crunching and encouraging. Ask any animal trainer.

Latin Look Studio, paces ahead of the others - brian Hey Jay
Just knew you would appreciate the recent Gauteng promos (24 Feb 2001). What do you think of Latin Look Studio, they're always on the move and a few paces ahead of the others?

Ballroom

# Couple Studio Age To

33 M. Schoeman & N. Swart The Latin Look Youth Gold

83 V. Jiyane & M. Tshukudo The Latin Look Junior Silver

229 M. Pietersen & G. Grootboom Copacabana Dance Academy Junior Silver

251 D. Appollis & J. Feris Ennerdale School Of Dancing Junior Novice

353 N. Msiza & Z. Ndlovu Progress Youth Silver

534 A. Van Beek & A. Bredenkamp The Latin Look Adult Silver

Latin

#	Couple	Studio	Age	To
83	V. Jiyane & M. Tshukudo	The Latin Look	Junior	Novice
126	V. Strauss & L. Bawden	Goosestep	Juvenile	Gold

Go well, and hey! your site is still the best.
Cheers, Brian
Ed
Brian, there's no disputing, you have the interest of DanceSport genuinely at heart, and Brian, I see, you know where the real action lies - DISA. Thanks for the info. Latin Look is TOPS, and we are not even getting paid for it.

tanz café zooms ahead with super events Dear Jay
Some more great happenings at Tanz - would you include some in the Dance Infoo SA.
Regards, Mareli (Tanz Cafe: 011 463-3128)
Ed
Mareli, the main purpose of having a page on my site is to UPDATE it as often as possible, and the sooner I can get new dance info on the net the better - my pleasure. Every time you update your page you give your studio wholesome exposure, but more than that, you're notifying dancers of all the exciting things you have organised for them to enjoy.
To see all the action at Tanz Cafe, click here.

In bronze, is she allowed to wear...? Jay
It is still me and the correct dresscode. My daughter is 11 years old and her partner 13 years. They will soon be going to their first latin comp. In bronze. is she allowed to wear a different colour skirt from her leotard or should the leotard and skirt be the same colour and material. Does she have to use lycra for the outfit or which other materials are acceptable for the outfit. Will they be competing in Junior section because of the boy's age and will she be allowed to wear the shoes which is just a bit higher that the honey-heel. Are any make-up allowed?
Thanks Maureen
Ed
Maureen, I'm glad it's still you and the correct dresscode, because the more questions we answer for the dancer the better others will understand, C. I've emailed your Q to Meryl Williams, the dresscode guru, so the moment I hear from her I'll add it to your letter. In the meantime, maybe someone else in-the-know will come to our rescue.
Maureen,
here's Meryl's answer to your question on dress code. When Avril replies send me a copy for my thousands of dance subscribers
"Please contact Avril Bennet (FEDANSA) Tel: (011) 916-3371 who can fill you in.
Regards
Meryl Williams"

found an answer to maureen's dresscode question Hi J
Found an answer to Maureen's dresscode question
Dress code regulations for 2001
A. It has come to our notice that more and more girls, and ladies, are wearing flesh colour panties. This is strictly not allowed!
B. We stressed no g-strings; if your full panties become a g-string while you are dancing, this is not allowed! We are receiving many complaints about girls' and ladies' buttocks being shown when skirts move up, would these dancers not be embarrassed if they could see themselves
C. Medal dresses must not have any see-through or lace material anywhere at all. Plain lycra, tri-lobal etc.
D. Two colours may be used for medal dresses, e.g. Pink leotard and black skirt or a floral leotard and plain skirt.
Problems A and B must be resolved by 1st May 2001.
Points C and B are of immediate effect.
Failure to comply will render competitors liable for disqualification.
Any queries may be addressed to Avril Bennett tel no. (011) 916-3371.
Joyce
Ed
Thanks for the help Joyce

Maureen's help:
Meryl,
Thanks for your advice, Avril's sent me FEDANSA's Dress Code info for 2001.
I annex hereto copy of the letter which she faxed to me.
I hope it will be of assistance to you and all the people like myself searching in the dark.
Thanks again for all your support and your wonderful website.
Maureen
Ed
Maureen, true, it is a wonderful website. Your letter forced me to visit my Dancer's Dictionary, and we needed to look no further, IT HAS ALL THE ANSWERS.

freestyle comp photos Hi Jay
There was a gentleman at the freestyle comp on Saturday the 3rd of March 2001, at Newlands, who took photos of some of the dancers... Where will I be able to view these photos ??
Many thanks
Rene Roos
Ed
Rene, try this link

need an opinion on group lessons vs. private lessons & social dancing Dear Jay
Here's my opinion of groups and social dancing from what I experienced at the various studios. For group lessons, everyone lines up with the gents and ladies in two rows, separating the sexes. Because the females usually out-number the males, some will allow ladies to be in the men's row doing their step. I am not sure whether that's a good idea or not. Some teachers teach the step-pattern and then ask the students to find a partner. Now this is when the chaos begins.
I like the Fred Astaire way, they make an effort to get all to dance with the person in front of them and switch partners. I myself enjoyed this way. But there are teachers who just let the students choose their partners. So the couples end up together and the singles don't know what to do. I think for beginners, this is frightening. But is it a good idea to make people dance with strangers? Is it a good idea to switch? Also, what are the pros and cons in letting the lady do the man's part in a group, when switching partners or not?
Then there are parties. In this case, I've seen parties where couples only dance with each other, and parties where everyone dances with everyone else. I liked the Arthur Murray way of doing this. There's always an announcer with a mike. They start off with two circle of different sexes. And you move around until they stop the music, then that's your partner. And they ensure that you switch partner between dances by pulling off some cheesy scheme. It's cheesy, but effective. Also, they pay their teachers to be there at the party.
Then there are studios I go to that don't require an announcer, people just switch partner by themselves. How they achieved that, I am not sure. It seems to be ingrained in the participant's head. But here, it's always the guy who asks the ladies. Don't see the other way around much, which is normal. Then there are parties where they don't change partners. They aren't doing anything different from the others, but the couples never switch. Maybe it's their format or how the seats are arranged. They all sit at round tables where, with the others, they put chairs facing the floor along one side of the wall in single file.
What are the advantages of taking group dance lessons as opposed to private lessons?
Jay, your opinion please, or what do other dancers feel.
P.S. that guy that said your site needs a dusting off hasn't a clue. Yours is the best. Keep up the great work.
Sandra

Ed
To "What are the advantages of taking group dance lessons as opposed to private lessons?" here's my definition as it appears in my "Dancer's Dictionary":
GROUP DANCE CLASSES: As the name implies, these are dance lessons where a number of pupils are taught at the same time by one or two teachers. The advantages of this kind of tuition are;

It is cheaper because the price for an hour's lesson is shared between the group.

Learning with a group of people is FUN and sociable.

Pupils get to practise with a variety of partners for the purpose of social leading and following

The drawbacks are;

The pupil has no say in what is taught, since the dances and techniques are scheduled beforehand by the tutor.

The tutor must adapt his/her rate of instruction to suit the average ability of the class. This often embarrasses slow learners, while delaying the fast ones.

Group classes are mainly offered in social dance schools, either as a course on its own, or as part of a package which includes private lessons and social functions.
PRIVATE LESSON is a dance lesson given to a single person or a couple by one teacher. Although, in many dance schools, there is usually more than one teacher teaching at the same time on the floor, the teacher concentrates on the individual or the couple.
The advantages of taking private lessons are that the pupil can choose the dance or dances that he/she/they want to learn and that the tutor is able to adapt his/her rate of instruction to suit the learner's ability.
The disadvantages are that it costs more per individual lesson (being private) and because there are more couples on the floor (each with a teacher), music has to be shared, but private is the faster way to go, it's more personalised.
Regarding the topic of groups and social dancing at studios, here are a few quick opinions I borrowed from discussions on the net:
To your Q, "But is it a good idea to make people dance with strangers? Is it a good idea to switch?"
Rob says;
"I think mixing partners should be strongly encouraged, both in group classes and at social dances.
It's all too easy to become used to your regular partner's habits and movements, and to unconsciously compensate for each other, or expect things to be led/followed in a particular way. My wife and I have both run into this in a number of dances. Dancing with other people, especially with a new pattern, will make you much more aware of how you lead (for men) and offers a range of leads you might encounter (for women)."

Jennifer
"I've heard from both sides on this, but my view is that this is a social sport, but not a forced social sport. People should be encouraged to dance with other people, but when I go to class or a party with my partner and I don't feel like dancing with anyone else (as I often don't, because I'm basically a snob), I don't want to be forced to do so. I always hear singles complaining about how the couples "only dance with each other", but you can't just expect people to want to dance with everyone in the room.
I think that people should choose their partner in class, but then the teacher should have people rotate so that everyone gets a chance to dance with everyone... but if a couple doesn't want to rotate, they are welcome to stay together.
As for parties, my studio usually has a couple of 'mixers' each night so that everyone participating gets a chance to dance with a bunch of other people. These are great because they promote the interaction between different people without forcing it on anyone that doesn't want to participate."
Jakes
"Yes, going to a dance social indicates readiness to socialize through dancing, i.e. to dance with different people. It is plain rude to cling to one partner. It's like inviting a bunch of friends over for dinner and then making conversation only to your husband the whole evening. I can think of at least two dance-etiquette texts that explicitly call clinging a bad etiquette (and none that condone it).
I always make it a point to dance with as many different partners as possible at a social. Today's beginners will not remain beginners forever. When they become good in six months or a year, I don't want them to remember me as a snob. Neither of us supposedly competent dancers would have gotten where we are today if all the good partners were snobbish enough not to dance with us when we were starting.
If I want to dance exclusively with my regular partner, I set up a practice session and dance with her to my heart's content. If I want to spend the whole night holding someone in my arms, I take them out on a boat cruise. But ballroom socials require their attendees to be, well, social. Otherwise, they quickly become the worst of drags."

ExpressG
"Okay, I should be off working so I only skimmed through this but I thought I'd offer my two cents.
I agree that people should rotate partners in group classes, although it doesn't bother me if a couple stays together. I just figure they're shy or working on something in particular together. I switch around often and enjoy checking out other people's styles of leading, etc. And I learn things I wouldn't learn just dancing with one person. But I do try to avoid dancing with the really short guys very often, because I'm tall it's indeed hard to avoid his family jewels.
When hubby and I go out ballroom dancing (we have different policies for different types of dancing) we dance together for the evening. This is date time for us, and that's how we spend it. Does that make us less entitled to use the floor than anyone else? I don't see why it should. If someone particularly asks one of us to do a dance, the person being asked always looks to the other of us, who says something to the effect of 'Why of course! Go ahead!'
One absolute policy I have for any social dance setting: If someone asks me to dance and I beg off because I'm tired or I don't want to do that dance, I ALWAYS SIT IT OUT, no matter who asks me later. Anything else is RUDE.
And, while hubby and I may be limited in practising competition routines on a crowded floor at a studio party, we can certainly work on our floorcraft.
I hardly think I'm being snobby about dancing with my sweetie when we're out for the evening. The way some people on this thread seem to think, maybe studio parties should be advertised as singles only!"
Robin
"This is an interesting topic. When I was single, I did the group class/rotation thing. That was fun. I also had a group of folks who went out together regularly to the clubs to practice and socialize.
Once we got married, my husband (whom I met at a studio) did not want to dance with anyone except me. He refuses to join in mixers unless I twist his arm. He doesn't want to dance with "social" dancers since our goal (now) is strictly to compete.
Since I worked for a studio and *had* to dance with everyone and make sure they had a good time, for me it is second nature to make sure that all the gentlemen have partners. DH gets a laugh out of that. He tells me "we paid to go dancing and here you are playing hostess... Maybe they should pay *you*..."
All beginner group classes I've taken had partner rotation, but all of the advanced classes have allowed for people who didn't want to rotate.
I agree with whoever said that studios should not force couples to split up so that the "single women" have a good time thereby leaving one half of the couple has to sit out. That is wrong.
As for whoever posed the question 'are you there to learn to dance or learn to dance together?', there are those who 'already know' how to dance in a social setting and want to learn how to dance *with* their partner.
Neither my husband nor I had a partner until we married. We both danced socially. Now we are ready to start competing."

Ruth
"One of the points which I didn't perhaps emphasize was that I was grateful, when I started dancing, that other people would come and ask me. You say that you and your other half will dance when asked. But I try to ask at least a few beginners as a way of paying back those people who looked out for me. We all had to start sometime and I know I would have been terrified of asking much more experienced dancers - so I imagine that the newer people feel the same way. Encouraging people to stay in the dance world is, surely, a good thing"
want freestyle/disco dance info Hallo Jay
Sorry about the caps last week in my letter - I did not know about the caps - thank you.
Also thank you for the information about the magazines - they are wonderful but are all about - latin american and ballroom dancing. I am a freestyle/disco dancer and I'm looking for more information about freestyle/disco dance (video's, magazines, fashion etc.).
I saw the letter from Pam Smith last week and it was wonderful to read more about freestyle dance. Most of the letters and information are about latin and ballroom dancing. But I would like to read more about freestyle/disco dance as well.
regards, marilize
Ed
Marilize, Freestyle dancing turns me on. I used to like you a lot, now I like you more than a lot, C. They definitely don't give Freestyle dancing the coverage it deserves. I mean there is so much variety in F/S, so much expression, it makes latin & ballroom look senile. There's Rock 'n Roll, Disco, Hip hop, Solo, Teams, Couples, Theatre Arts, etc. but more than that, the music is the NOW stuff. I know Freestyle is fast becoming a rave, and I also know why, it keeps up with the next generation. It's steps ahead of the rest. The rest settle into modes, whereas F/S moves with the times ever-adapting, ever-squeezing the new into the newer - I like. But F/S lacks marketing skills - they have a Cinderella fixation.
l searched for Freestyle sites, but they are more into music & art it seems. Try these;
UK Freestyle page: Freestyle
This one could possibly get you to what you want: Freestyle bulletin board

lady with passion needed for latin competitive dancing Dear Jay
How do you do? I am a fan who is enjoying your site very much. Now I need your help as I am looking for a DANCING PARTNER.
My name is Johannes Maema, aged 20. I'm 1.64m, I'm looking for a girl aged between 17-21 of the height 1.52 to 1.62m to do ADULT LATIN AMERICAN COMPETITIVE DANCING with. I dance with DAVE CAMPBELL in JOHANNESBURG (Zoo Lake). She must be passionate and experienced at BRONZE LEVEL. email Joe: jmaema@yahoo.com
Keep up the good work.
Joe
Ed
Joe, I've also put it in the "Partners" section. A phone # will also help.

back temper - friendship week Hi Jay
AN INTERESTING TALE:- READ TO THE LAST LINE
There once was a little dancer who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the back of the fence. Over the next few weeks the dancer learned to control his anger , the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive the nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, " You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say, "I'm sorry", the wound is still there. A verbal wound is just as bad as a physical one. Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open there hearts to us.
It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a friend even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you then you know you
have a circle of friends. HAPPY FRIENDSHIP WEEK TO YOU !!!! Now send this to every friend you have!!
Regards, Kin Scott (Zimbabwe)

about belly dancing on K.T.V Dear Jay
Here's the correction to the belly dancing on K.T.V - it will be on Sunday 4th of March - it has already been on, on Mon. 26th of Feb.
They scheduled it earlier and forgot to tell me. The time on Sunday is 8.50 am on Mnet.
regards, Phyllis
Ed
Thanks Phyllis, see the Academy of Belly dance webpage

#	Couple	Studio	Age	To
33	M. Schoeman & N. Swart	The Latin Look	Youth	Gold
83	V. Jiyane & M. Tshukudo	The Latin Look	Junior	Silver
229	M. Pietersen & G. Grootboom	Copacabana Dance Academy	Junior	Silver
251	D. Appollis & J. Feris	Ennerdale School Of Dancing	Junior	Novice
353	N. Msiza & Z. Ndlovu	Progress	Youth	Silver
534	A. Van Beek & A. Bredenkamp	The Latin Look	Adult	Silver