November 2000
latin eyessee me home please

1. no photos of Soweto, Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Free State couples / Carnival City here comes CT - roy
2. your tv review... spot on - Cccccc Yaaaaa
3. creating a Western Cape Dancesport website - roy/carl
4. former Pro LA Champs - Neville
5. style that makes one dancer look better than the rest - kevin
6. western cape dancers place 6th at the Bangkok Open Champs - roy
7. comp results from the Cape - marion
8. Ballroom and Latin related information - bev
9. I think FEDANSA has lost its way - Brian
10. WHY  DO THEY CALL THEIR SITE SA DANCESPORT? - roy
11. Meet South Africa's world champion Nicole Cutler & Matthew
12. South African judges have this tendency to be biased - carl
13. congratulations on an excellent and most informative dance site - Ralph
14. World Championships in Performing Arts in LA, SA Belly dancers walked the floor - charlotte
15. enormous amount of benefit to be derived from workshops - mareli
16. Free State farmer at the comp - Yvonne
17. I don't like Scrutiny3 for comp results - bev
18. proud once again - roy
19. can't get into the letters to read them - martin smith USA
20. gr8 dance website, it really kicks ass - pieter
21. competitive dancing is turning into a CIRCUS!!! - ryno
22. Irish Dance Studio in Bloemfontein - Melissa
23. thanks for the updates - sakkie
24. juvenile & junior have to wait till 1 am - dinkie
25. who is Samantha Viana dancing with at the moment ? - CT wants to know - roy
 

your tv review... spot on Hi  J
You are sooooo right about that review. One question I must ask you is ( & you have to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth ), what do you think about Selome's commenting on South African dancers ? I just have to know if she's being realistic about our dancers, especially about the boys putting the girls into LINES and the junior and youth latin dancers not knowing anything about facial expressions, etc. ( That's what she said  !! )

Cccccc Yaaaaa

Roy !!!!!

Ed
You want the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Well, I think poor Salome had no option but to be very discreet about what she uttered after the thunderous hullabaloo made (I think it was at the SA's last year) when our officials invited one of the UK announcers over to give her constructive crit. She did it with style, her commentary perfectly matched the action. When this girl said the couple looked a little overweight, they looked overweight, or needed to tidy up their footwork, they needed to tidy up their footwork, etc. I dittoed her every comment, but the rest of the country cried mournfully, saying she was outrageously rude. All she did was what she always does in the UK... pointed out what the couple's weaknesses were; what they need to work on and where their strengths lie. But we only want to hear the nice things... SA dancing will never improve that way. Roy, you see what you get from hearing the truth? shunnalitis, they'll never invite the UK flossy to South Africa again... SHE TELLS IT AS IT IS.

My impression of Salome's commentary is that it was her first attempt at addressing the nation, so I didn't think it fair to include her in my review. What's more, the camera moved around so fast, that what she said, didn't always gel with what I saw. For instance, the presenter asked Salome, "what do you think of the standard of this ballroom section?" Her reply, "It has improved tremendously". At that moment, the couple in full, clear view really didn't look as though they had improved at all. And in the section where I criticized the footwork in my review, Salome said their technique is very good.

As for "knowing nothing about facial expressions", I say, the less they know, the better they'll be. No smiling in the Tango. No growling or showing your fangs in the Paso. Look happy, and I don't mean "haaappy" in the Cha-Cha. Give us that, "come to me baby" smear in the Rumba, and when you're Jiving, jitterbug.

no photos of Soweto, Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Free State couples HI  J
Oh !! For I have seen the light !!!!! I find it sooooo amazing that, on the day I e-mailed you to say that there are no other pics of dancers other than the "Gautengeleng" couples, there are now an astonishing number of photos of western cape couples that were taken at the W.C Provincial Champs. But the point I still argue is that why do they have only photos of Gautengeleng and W.C couples ? Where are the other dancers of our lovely country ? What about couples from the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Free State, Soweto etc. ?? I'm sure that some of them have internet and are probably wondering" Why didn't they take photos at our provincial championship also ? Aren't we good enough or is it not good looking enough ? I hope to hear from your response soon.

Well tomorrow ( Thursday 30 November ) we'll be leaving at 12:00pm sharp for Carnival City. It's so sad that you are'nt going, I mean, It would of been kinda cool meeting the most famous promoter of dancesport in South Africa. Anyway, I think it's about a 20 hour drive ( by bus ) to the place. Most of the western cape buses are leaving at the same time. I think it's about 5 buses. The other dancers are flying down. The captain of our team ( the western province ) is Graig and Denia. I guess I'll have to go now,I need lots of sleep. I hope to hear from you again next week.

Oh, are you going to the SA ?

Cccccc Yaaaaa
Roy !!!

Ed
No Roy, I won't be at the SA's, they've barred me from all civilised, domesticated public places, but my army of waxlings will be carrying out an intensive recce of all the proceedings for post reportation.

Re your.... "Oh !! For I have seen the light !!!!!" on the Gauteng photo gallery scene, we call that instant response. What it emphasises is that these letters sure get action fast - the catalyst for cleaning up the joint and keeping order. I can relate many similar clean-up operations which were successfully and swiftly achieved thanks to DISA and its dreaded letters. So Roy, you are making a name for yourself - it pays to SAY YOUR SAY. First you got them to list the Cape dancers who achieved noteworthy rankings abroad. Then the Cape photos, and now you have the other provinces wondering what makes them motherless children. It won't be long before we see photos popping up of those neglected provinces in the rural areas... why do I keep seeing 2 donkeys, a cart and 4 pikkaniens?

DanceSport in South Africa is developing some very efficient, productive websites, and what I like is that they are doing everything they can to keep the dancer up to date with events - up to date being the key. The mere fact that they respond to what the dancer says is, in itself, great progress - consideration for the thoughts of those who pay to be part of their scene - a humility to the sport.

What they must definitely avoid is a main or central site for the country, or a one-site monopoly, that won't work, even if the bodies that control the works are National. They should keep it localised (DanceSport KZN/Gauteng/W Cape/E Cape/OFS/N Province). Like the newspapers do, except affiliate each site by linking it to the other for info. The Cape want their own site and they will only maintain it if it's their own, same with KZN, etc. That way it also gives it a special regional flavour and takes the load off a specific site.

On my Dance Website page I have set out the South African links the way it could be done. I've only included those sites that offer the dancer something. One or two of these sites are still under construction but the 4 that add meaning to the web are; DanceSport Gauteng, DanceSport KZN, dancesport.co.za and Neville's Dance Academy. Check these out.

To all the competitors who will be doing their nut at the SA's on the 2 Dec... BREAK A LEG.

Roy's ready for the SA's - Carnival City here comes CT from WP

Well tomorrow ( Thursday 30 November ) we'll be leaving at 12:00 pm sharp for Carnival City. It's so sad that you aren't going, I mean, It would of been kinda cool meeting the most famous promoter of dancesport in South Africa.

Anyway, I think it's about a 20-hour drive ( by bus ) to the place. Most of the western cape buses are leaving at the same time. I think there are about 5 buses. The other dancers are flying down. The captain of our team ( the western province ) is Graig and Denia. I guess I'll have to go now, I need lots of sleep. I hope to hear from you again next week.

What are your predictions for the SA ??

Cccccc Yaaaaa
Roy !!!

Ed
The last time I wished a dancer BREAK A LEG, that's exactly what she physically went and did, but what I actually mean is, don't break a leg, get to the finals and WIN. My predictions, Michael & Beata and the Cape Ballroom dancers.

former Pro LA Champs Hi Jay
Here are a few additions for your web-site info on former Pro LA Champs

1983 - 88 (Not sure of dates) Mark and Lilian Dooley (ask Lilian 083 263 8578)
1989 - 91 Craig Rivier and Amber Batty (Gauteng)
1992 - 93 Neville Matjie and Salome Sechele (North West)
1994 - 96 Tyrone Watkins and Salome Sechele (North West)
1997 - 98 Kagiso Ntseane and Tebogo Kgobokoe (North West)
1999 - Michael Wentink & Beata (Gauteng)

I will include you as a link in our website if you will do the same for me. My URL www.oocities.org/matjien - I am busy changing it, and the new one should be up and running by the end of the week.

Neville Matjie
F. BR./LA. ISTD, SANCBD
L. FS./ RR. ISTD

Ed
Neville, thanks a mil for emailing the names of some of our many unlisted champs - greatly appreciated, and very welcome in the interest of dance.

At present, I'm also compiling a library of all our past and present champs for my site and the records; similar to the one I've done for Nicole Cutler. The title is, "Meet South Africa's Dance Champions". Since you and Salome won in 1992, why don't you send me a profile of where and when you started dancing, who your trainers and partners were, which titles you won, etc., for the history books. And if you can throw in a photo or two, that always personalizes the profile perfectly... Neville, don't even think about it. You worked damned hard to achieve what you did, it belongs in the record books for past and future SA champs to read.

I've added the names you supplied to the Champs list, check it out. I've also emailed your letter to Lilian Dooley, waiting for her answer on the dates.

Re linking your URL address to DISA... it's on. To have you on my site, that's my privilege, not only for me as a sincere promoter of dance, but also for the convenience of the dancer.

Cheers Jay

Neville
Jay, I would love to do a profile on Salome and I.  I will be down in Jhb next week for the SA's and perhaps I could chat to you then.  I will in the mean time put something together and I do have a number of pics as well which I will scan and you can choose from them.

Thanx

creating a Western Cape Dancesport website HI  J
I just wanted to know if that was you dancing in the Amatuer Latin Champs section on Wednesdays ( 22 November ) Dancesport programme ? The one with the pony tail. Also, I saw that guy from SA Dancesport.com at the competition, I also got Carl there, we spoke about creating a Western Cape Dancesport website. I'll get back to you on that topic.

Cccccc Yaaaa
Roy !!!!

Ed
Roy, no it wasn't Jay on TV, that's Jason Kisogloo with the ponytail, my hair is spiked, but it was I who gave this review of that TV show, which I'm sure will cause a bit of a stir with weak.

The moment you and Carl get your Western Cape Dancesport website going, send me your link. Thanks to Neville of Natal, I now have a link for that area - that's what the web is all about - friendly LINKAGE, connection, information, sharing, co-operation.

Carl's webpage

HEY JAY, I TRIED MY HAND AT SOME WEB PAGE BUILDING...CHECK THIS OUT:

DanceSport W Cape

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK......

CIAO

regards :-)

Carl Jansen - Cape Town

Carl, I checked out your page, great start, and looks dandy. I've linked yours to mine as DanceSport W Cape. On it you have a Cape DanceSport link with nothing to show? I suggest you use your page as the Cape DanceSport site, and add the WC comp results, which you can get from Arthur Isaacs (his PCScrunineer2000 format is the best in DanceSport). You should also include forthcoming events and special achievements, promotional points, a photo gallery, but don't open a "letters" column that's taboo, unless you have love stories to tell.

While you're in the process of developing your page avoid heavy frames, etc., those that look very professional but take ages to download. They made a surfing-the-net survey in the States and discovered that if the average bod has to wait 8 seconds or more for a page to load its info, then he/she does the flit and never returns - I'm one of them bods.

Thanks for yours and Roy's interest in promoting DanceSport in your area and in South Africa.

dance style that makes one couple look better than the rest Hi Jay
I sometimes wonder while watching top dancers (ours and the best in the world) just what makes the one better than the rest. Particularly, those who get into the finals of the major competitions. When watching video recordings of couples like Donnie Burns and Gaynore Fairweather, Michael and Beata, Marcus and Karen dancing competitions, there is something that they have which the others haven't. Many of our dancers seem to dance technically very correct but don't possess the standout qualities to make them great.

On television the officials and top trainers talk about raising funds to get overseas coaches here. Why can't our trainers do it. In a letter written to you a few months ago Milton spoke about when he danced in the 50's. It's not that we have just started with Competitive Ballroom and Latin American in South Africa, we have being doing it since the 30's, according to your list of champions. Carl Jansen from Cape town also mentioned this in his letter this month; "there are a lot of professionals in this country who have never been overseas and don't even know the new routines or what is happening in the dance world. Sure the basics stay the same, but as with technology, everything changes and we need to keep updated."

But my question is, what is this special style?

Cheers

Kevin

Ed
The special style that distinguishes the top dancers from the rest is that "experienced look". It's a CHARISMA, and charisma is the exuding charm or 'juice' a couple project when performing a dance - as if totally seduced by the music, without inhibition. PANACHE is closely related to individual style and charisma; the special qualities that make one dancer stand out above another in movement, action, projection and presentation.

This charm to express the authentic character of the dance with a touch of individual feeling, and make it all look so easy, is developed and cultivated through diligent application of the proper techniques and many, many daunting, dedicated hours of practise. Style includes arm movements, body actions, leg and foot-lines, posture and hold, balance and control in full flight, individuality, or any co-ordinated movement danced well enough to depict the charm, panache and personality of the dance and the dancer.

There are many dancers who simply ooze charm and personality, but the two that have impressed me most, mainly because I've seen complete demos of them on video, are Michael & Beata and Marcus & Karen. Michael & Beata make it look so natural, so easy that you don't notice the technique. Their spins, speed and arm, leg and body movements are like one - a mirror image, and amid all the exotic, excitement of Latin dancing, there's a certain, pleasing softness about their style and facial expressions that I like.

One thing that did not impress me when I watched the recent World Cup Pro Latin Championships on video (the one that Brian Watson of South Africa won), is the facial expressions of the couples. I thought they had got rid of the jeering, sneering and harshly gibing facial expressions which often looks comically fierce.

Marcus & Karen's Ballroom is classical. Their length of movement has perfect control, line and harmony. Their footwork is impeccably neat and stylish throughout (Karen rolls her ankles incredibly). Their complete shape or silhouette during sways, lunges and kicks is never lost, regardless of how simple or complicated the figure is that they are dancing. With all that, their musical interpretation, i.e. the way they play with the beat and the melody of the music, with so much connection and control, is pure artistry in motion.

Although there are some very promising couples emerging in our country, both Ballroom and Latin, many of our very talented Latin dancers appear too mechanical. There's a technical harshness about their actions & movements that distracts and affect their natural style. When more of our Ballroom couples are able to maintain their complete shape & line with good length of stride during Promenade, Counter Promenades, Contra Checks, lunges, etc. all the way, then we'd have more of our dancers featuring closer to the top ten in the world.

To achieve this special quality of style, couples need to mature or develop into it from a young age, with the right coaching, and if we are thinking Olympics, now's the time to start. Olympics don't allow couples of different nationalities to compete, so while we're at it Kevin, let's keep it SA.

comp results from the Cape Hi J
The Western Cape Provincial was held on 18 November.  When will the results be available on your site? Please mail me.

Thanks

Marion

Ed
Click here: WC results you'll find it there.

Marion, to make things easy for you next time round do the following: click on this, my HomePage link. Once you are in it go to the top of your file page and click on "favourites". It will ask you "add to favourites?' and you say "Ja baas" then click on it. This way you save DanceInfo SA's homepage to your favourites' file, where it belongs. By doing this, you don't need to wait for my weekly updates to get to my site. Although you receive updates from me only once a week, I update my pages daily. Just think, once you have bookmarked DISA to your favourites, you can wake up anytime of the night, click on your favourites, then on DanceInfo SA and VALLA! you're in.

More and more people are getting to know how to surf the net, but any site that takes the above procedure for natural or talks about refreshing to the average clicker is living in muffin's land. So Marion, if you didn't know the secret of bookmarking to your favourites, you are definitely not alone, many who work with computers and email all day haven't a clue about browsing the net.

Should you not come right then email Arthur Isaacs as suggested in my letter to you on 20 Nov..

Ballroom and Latin related information Dear Sirs,
Please advise if this is the correct e-mail address for all Ballroom and Latin related information.  I'd like to know as soonest possible.

Thank you for your reply, and please forgive me if I'm on the wrong track.

Bev Coleman

Ed
Yes, and it is not only the most popular, but also contains the most dance information.

western cape dancers place 6th at the Bangkok Open Champs Hi  J
I just wanted to inform you that the results for the competition in which Grant and Viveca came sixth can be found at the IDSF website. The name of the competition is the Bangkok Open Champs. It was held in October. Sorry for the delay.

Ccccc Yaaa
Roy !!!!

Ed
Thanks Roy. With all this International experience gained, Grant and Viveca will definitely be a threat at the SA's

South African judges have this tendency to be biased Hi Jay
My name is CARL and I am a dancer in Cape Town. Firstly I would just like to know who Roy Pieterse (if he can tell me which studio he belongs to).  I have been dancing for 18 years and I am 23 years old now and I have been S.A. juvenile, junior and youth champion and have also represented S.A. at the World Champs in 1994.  I am very glad that you have such a wonderful site that people can say how they feel and let everyone know.

Just a little thought, Why don't you get someone in each Province to Act as a reporter and report back to you on what is happening there and then you won't just get feedback from one province. My brother lives in JHB, 'QUINTUS JANSEN' ... for the love of dancing he moved away from home and that just goes to show how dedicated people are in this country.

I think it is very sad that Dancers have to work so hard and in the end it doesn't really matter as most of the time it is just a "political" agenda of the judges. Let me put it this way, South African judges have this tendency to be biased towards other couples if they don't like the instructor. Now that is just wrong because we want dancing to become one of the biggest and best sports in this country, but if our own professionals cannot act accordingly, then what is the use of us fighting for dancing to become recognised??????

There are a lot of our professionals in this country who have never been overseas and don't even know the new routines or what is happening in the dance world. Sure the basics stay the same, but as with technology, everything changes and you need to keep updated.  Why don't they have workshops for our professionals, and maybe then it will help with the standard of our juvenile and junior dancers in the country. They are the future of dance!!!!!!!

I know it is going to take a lot of hard work and Patience for everything to come right.

Well, enough for now, will chat to you soon again..

ciao

regards

CARL JANSEN (Cape Town)

"Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching...,
Live each day as if it is your last day on earth!!!"

Ed
Carl, a great letter and I know you echo the sentiments of many dancers on the issue of biased judging. You see that Latin-eyed monster at the top of this page? that alien represents a biased judge. We need more dancers like you to stand up, speak out and be counted for what they believe is right and wrong. But, I'm afraid Carl, prejudice is what prevents that.

You say, "I am very glad that you have such a wonderful site that people can say how they feel and let everyone know." That is the exact reason why this site is a cut far above the rest. Most sites only offer SCHMALTZ, which to me is fine but too hypocritical. Ryno van den Berg summed it up very nicely in his letter when he said "some trainers have perfected the art of making u feel like a world champion, when in fact, u are not being judged like one" It's as if they don't want to tell him the truth, to either be tactful or reluctant to help. The truth strengthens the strong, but weakens the weak... ask any Russian coach.

Roy is a staunch CT dancer with a honest concern of other dancers in the Cape who achieve. I've sent you his email.

I'll contact Quintus about what you said, I have his email address.

WHY  DO THEY CALL THEIR SITE "SA DANCESPORT" ? Hi  J
I just want to know what you would say to the following question. I had a look at the DancesportSA website from your site, I must say that it's an all right website but WHY DO THEY CALL THEIR SITE "SA DANCESPORT" WHEN THERE'S SO MANY  PICTURES OF GAUTENG COUPLES ?????? WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER COUPLES IN SOUTH AFRICA ??? Aren't we suppose to upgrade the sport in the whole country and not only in ONE PROVINCE ?? I hope I'm not stressing on your head about the question. I just thought that if there's one person I can ask it's probably you. Well I hope to hear from you soon.

Ccccccc Yaaaaa

Roy !!!

Ed
I've got a lot to say, but before I start with the bad news, here's some ecstatic stuff; the visit count to DISA has leaped from 16,400 to over 19,000, and the letters did it almost single-handedly, and might I add, each hit was unique in character. The letter that fetched 1023 hits overnight, came from "Meet South Africa's world champion Nicole Cutler & Matthew". If you haven't seen it, check it out. I have conveyed my thanks to Nicole & Matthew for this wonder rush.

Yes Roy, there is probably only one person you can ask, if you want the truth, and it is never a stress on my head, it's A PLEASURE. It stresses me to say this, but these guys in DanceSport are only interested in their own esteem, not dancing, which makes them what I've said before, genuine phoney - the muffins of the sport. Each is trying to outdo the other for the limelight. Grab this for the laugh of the new millennium and the epitome of hogging things for their own interest, not for the helpful concern of the sport. It was extracted illegally off their site and sent to me, among other things, by a DISA visitor - I couldn't believe it;

Please Note:

Results published on this web page remain the property of the organiser and may not be extracted for the purpose of publishing on another web site, or in any other form of media, without the express permission of the SA DanceSport.

That is the optimum insult to DanceSport in South Africa on the net. I wonder what the International dance community think of it. As a South African dancer, I'm totally embarrassed. In all the years I've been surfing the net, I've never seen anything so absurd. The beauty of the net is its communal freedom to exchange info with those who enjoy a common interest; to share feelings, excitements, facts, victories, disappointments, misunderstandings, etc. It's called... WANT INFORMATION? interlink, it's FREE - ENJOY. The net is about visits, and visitors are looking for information, and they want to find it quick and easy, and extract it, if it's what they need. And if another site can help you help your visitor, then you just link and exchange.

It took me close on 5 years to compile my 300-page dancers' dictionary which occupies a large part of my site and is the only one of its kind on the web. It was done with the help of many keen and knowledgeable dancers and is continually being updated. Without my "express permission", many black dancers have printed the entire dictionary for their underdeveloped pupils - with my humble blessing. I've also put it on a stiffy for those who needed it. That's a compliment to my site, not a transgression of the copy right law.

The giant sites on the WWW pay you to generate visits for them, not disclaim you, and they know what they are doing. For instance, my link to dance websites has been visited over 500 times, which means, thanks to DanceInfo SA, other dance sites have been accessed, which wouldn't have been the case had I not linked them to mine - THAT'S GREAT for dancing. Should visitors prefer the new dance site because it gives them more links and more things to extract, then they will add it to their favourites and that's also great.

These guys from planet Zook really have a lot to learn, but if they keep copying the concepts and the layouts of DanceInfo SA, the leading dance site in South Africa, they can only do very well. Every time they copy the way DISA does it, that's a compliment to me. The one thing they should copy is my once-a-week updates, not bombard the dancer with every day desperate solicits. It then becomes junkmail and an irritant, and I'd wager that their site probably gets more visitors through DISA, than any other means, and that makes me happy for the dancer. Roy, that's how you found their site.

Talking about copying, they even pirated my spectator who had for +- 4 years been "loyally" sending me the Gauteng results with the names. They had to marauder her because their professional computer system Scrutiny3 ain't got the capability to issue the names of the couples in their results. You know? the system they used 2 pages for, to justify why it's so great, when only the people who developed it understands how it works. And the reason she dumped DISA for "greener pastures" is because they offered her, her own little web column with her own little name emblazoned in highlights, it's called schmaltzing on a grand scale - it's pathetic. My other suggestion is, they must stop playing with their toys now, and start concentrating on the big issues like making friends and working in harmony with the big boys on the net like DanceInfo SA, DanceScape, DanceVision.

Your Q:
Roy, I didn't get side-tracked, that's an agenda, they are not interested in you Cape couples, you are opposition to them, I'm opposition to them. Just the word opposition makes me cringe. Their big race is between them and themselves to see who can glorify their own end first. But Roy, because they have no initiative, they will now, that they have read this letter, like they have with so many of my other letters, take the cue and try form an alliance with the other Provinces. They are going to have to, because you're right, how can they claim to be "SA DanceSport" when they care sweet fanny annie about the rest of the country?

Did they ask all the other Provinces for permission to call themselves SA DanceSport? or is it "DanceSport SA?" we're all so confused, and the net is supposed to be easy to understand. But whatever the name is it's a misrepresentation.  But then again, they keep making curious claims. The gem of their phoney claims was when they had 2 visits on their sight and called themselves the Premier SA dance website, that one I won't forget for a long time. Roy, the rightful name of their site should be Jo'burg's DanceSport, and my free advice is that they stick to that area.

One of the most disturbing things about the competitive DanceSport scene is the hypocrisy. On TV they sit there like lords throwing ice-cream and candy at the public about the sweet stuff of the sport, but heaven help the couples who say anything controversial about unfair judging or whatever, it gets held against them on the floor by those in authority. So Roy, you and Carl from Cape Town who have spoken out against the establishment, both won't make it to the 1st round next time 'round. That's how rotten the DanceSport prejudice system is. Dancers aren't allowed to oppose the system without being scrunched, or it making me look like the big bad wolf of dancing for publishing it.

Disgruntled dancers come to me or phone/email me, and the first thing they say is, "this is off the record, please don't repeat it." then blurt out their unhappiness with things. And I'm not talking about those solicited "love letters" SADS or is it DSSA have on their site. The ones that go something like this; "Margie, what do you think of our wonderful site?", "I think your wonderful site is wonderful", "Margie, won't you please write and tell us how wonderful our wonderful site is?". These letters I get from dancers are the "real world" letters, they are STINKERS waiting in the pipeline to be launched. I try my best not to encourage them, but give me half a chance DanceSport and I'll blast you with them, and we're talking lawyer stuff, try me - I'm on the war path when we should be holding hands.

By being petty, the petty officials are making many of the genuine, hardworking, conscientious DanceSport authorities look like idiots in the eyes of the dance world. DS should be ever mindful of the fact that DISA is linked to every big-name dance site on the net and gets the most dancers visiting it in South Africa, and the numbers are increasing like wild fire. They should use their site wisely, don't get their titties in a tangle with me or have puerile muffins run it for them. Dancers visit my site for the success stories like Nicole & Matthew's letter, and even for the absurd letters like this one. They identify with them, because there are many dancers and parents who feel unhappy, but haven't the heart to complain because they know what will happen if they open their mouths.

The DanceSport authorities must remember that my site is for dancers in South Africa, be they Social, Freestyle, Modern, Competitive, Scottish, Spanish, Square dancing, etc. Competitive Ballroom and Latin is a very small part of dance, it just makes the loudest noise, which has become unstoppable, and the laughing stock of the dance scene. DISA has been instrumental in imparting dance info and serving the South Africa dancer faithfully on paper for many more years than most. This site has too much clout, too many LOYAL followers to be ignored. If the authorities have any horse sense at all, they would rather join hands with me, than oppose me, and the sooner they do that the better - get rid of the self-esteemed muffins, they're starting a war here without realising what the consequences will be.

I care little about who gets the dance news out first. My site was designed to make things convenient and easy for dancers to find. Those who use it regularly benefit, because it has all the important dance sites linked to it, but DISA is primarily a DANCE TALK site, i.e. letter action.

Roy, we are progressing. They have already heeded to your letter proud once again by adding the names of a few Gauteng dancers who have represented South Africa to their site. Let's see what this letter initiates, and while you're about it, help get the Cape closely connected.

FEDANSA has lost its way on the SA web Greetings Jay
I would believe that anyone holding a responsible position such as the webmaster or website controller of FEDANSA would know that no matter which dance site you are visiting, that site would offer the best links for related topics and information from other sites on the net as well. I personally think FEDANSA have lost its way somehow. Here is another one of their atrocious prohibitions;

"Please Note: Status Points information published on this web page remains the property of the FEDANSA and may not be extracted for the purpose of publishing on another web site, or in any other form of media, without the express permission of the FEDANSA and SA DanceSport."

As a dance sport enthusiast, I have taken the liberty of illegally extracting these points from their site and am offering it to your visitors who might not know of their location:

Ballroom Promotional Points
#    Couple                              Studio           Age         Promoted To
122 B. STEYN and S. JACOBS - GOOSESTEP - Juvenile - Novice
130 M. NEL and R. MAYTHAM - PAM SMITH DANCE STUDIO - Adult Champ
253 C. MOHAMED and C. BEUKES - ENNERDALE SCHOOL OF DANCING - Junior - Gold
254 S. SMITH and D. HILLMAN ENNERDALE SCHOOL OF DANCING - Junior - Silver
295 H. MAHATULA and T. MATLAPENG - BORN TO MOVE - Adult Silver
356 A. NDLOVU and C. McDONALD - TROPICANA - Junior - Novice
465 I. RAPOPODILE and P. SIGADLHA BORN TO MOVE - Youth - Silver
497 S. OOSTHUIZEN and V. MacKENZIE - NEW HEAVENLY CREATURES - Junior - Novice
501 C. AUGHT and T. HIEF - TANGO LATINO - Youth - Silver

Latin Promotional Points
#   Couple                                      Studio                                      Age      Promoted To
89 G. O'SULLIVAN and M. BOUWER - DIANA MOORE DANCE WORLD - Junior - Silver
115 A. DE JONGH and C. CROWIE - WESTBURY SCHOOL OF DANCING - Junior - Novice
311 K. WERNHART and J. BOTHA ELLEN DAVIDS - HEIDELBERG - Juvenile - Novice

If FEDANSA don't like my illegal extraction, Then I will ask my friend, who types these for her mom, to foward the names to you, she is very fast and efficient. This all seems such a rigmarole and so stupid.

FEDANSA should bear in mind that anything that is put on the net is exposed to the world of Dance Sport and that your site is connected with all the major dance sites in the world and all the search engine in South Africa.

This selfish ploy of theirs, which you pointed out so astutely in your reply to Roy's letter can only tarnish FEDANSA's image.

A few years back our children danced Freestyle and Latin but the politics was too much for us and them, so we took them out of it, but we still follow the dancing closely, thanks to your updates.

Regards

Brian

Ed
Behold the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks its neck out - thanks for sticking your neck out for the dancer, you're a man after my own heart. As the laugh of the day, I'll send yours and Roy's to DanceScape, DanceVision and Henry's Hotline. These gurus are going to have a gas drenching their breaches.

On half of DanceInfo SA I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating all the above couples on being promoted to a higher section, and Brian, you're a star.

top names like Bill and Bobby Irvine and Mr Burns judged Grand & Viveca Hi Jay
Here's some valuable feedback for your site:

Well done to Grand & Viveca, they were placed 6th (in the final)....

There were 49 couples competing and the top 3 couples were finalists in the recent World Champs and the 4th & 5th placed couples were semi-finalists. I feel that they deserve recognition for their achievement and I want to tell
then "WELL DONE"

There were 25 judges including some top names like Bill and Bobby Irvine and Mr Burns (donny)...

Chat soon again

ciao

regards :-) CARL JANSEN

Ed
I've heard many strange tales about some of the top overseas judges; you know, yawning over the couple, showing blatant disgust; you know, all the subtle pleasantries that inspire couples to great heights.

Carl, I'm sure many SA dancers would like to read about your road to winning comps and a few things about what it takes, and feels like to be a champ. Check Nicole Culter's page as an example.

Thanks for your correspondence, I appreciated it very much for the dancer.

At World Championships in Performing Arts in LA, SA Belly dancers walked the floor Hi there Jay
I have been so busy, I have not even had time to go into the site, but I do get the occasional call - great stuff!

Feedback re World Championships in Performing Arts held in LA, where the Jewels took part : SA walked the floor with trophies and medals in most areas!

We (the Jewels), were awarded a gold medal for each entry (2) and a trophy for one of them.  We had 90 seconds to peform each number and be judged by a panel of judges.  We got through to round 3 with both numbers, (the top 50/60 acts out of 2500), so we were happy.  The trophy was for overall category winner in Variety acts, in our age group.

If you would please update this info re the Jewels of the Nile site, we would appreciate it.

Regards

CHARLOTTE - 083 263 2913

Ed
And no-one was there to meet you at the Airport... takka, takka, takka South Africa. From DISA I say EXCELLENTO and it's on your site. Thanks for the info - greatly appreciated.

congratulations on an excellent and most informative dance site Dear Jay
First and foremost, congratulations on an excellent and most informative dance site.  May it go from strength to strength.

I would very much appreciate it if you could add my web site address to your Dance Studios page as I would like to advertise my new dance studio located in Sunninghill where I  teach all the Latin American and Ballroom dances and the fast-becoming popular Salon Style Argentinean Tango.  Please let me know what costs are involved in order to have my studio advertised on your page.  I have taken the liberty of adding your web site address to my page.

I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience,

Regards,

Ralph Kahn

Ed
Ralph, thanks for the compliment. My site is not only going from strength to strength, it's going from very strength to very, very strength and it's a PERSONAL thing for the dancer. I don't talk about "we" I talk personal pronoun "I". The buck stops with ME, so every time you see "I" it has a personal stamp, not a conceited gesture. Whenever I see WE in a site, I say "who are we?". All I know is many people do that against the wall in Jo'burg these days. DISA is also the most popular and most visited dance site in South Africa by far - you have come to the right place - welcome aboard.

If I link you to my site, that's free and a pleasure (for the dancer's convenience). If you are going to send updated messages through my site, you'll need a page on my site which costs R50 a year, and you can tell me how you want it designed (with your homepage link). I send weekly updates to the thousands of names of subscribers listed, so every update gives you good coverage. But Ralph, if you just want to be linked, that's OK with me - I do things for the dancer not for myself.

Sunninghill sounds intriguing, is it near SA?

gauteng juveniles & juniors have to wait till 1 am Hi there Jay
I have a serious concern today, and I hope there is a few others that agree with me.

It is not fair that the juvenile and junior novice and pre-champ couples should dance in the middle of the night and receive their prices at 01h15 on a Sunday morning.

That was the case again Saturday with the Gauteng Provincials. It works much better if they start early in the morning and finish the juveniles section off with a price giving, including the novice and championship couples.

Why can't all the competitions be that way... start early and finish every section off with a price giving and then start the next section. That way everybody comes at a specific time and knows when they will dance. No waiting
for hours and hours. A few competitions were run that way this year, and it was great.

LEAVE THE LATE NIGHTS FOR THE ADULTS !

How can we see to it that the young kids will always be taken into consideration... ???

Dinkie Scholtz

Ed
Doc, RIDICULOUS. I can't believe that those who have gained the experience of running and organising so many comps each year, can even do that once by mistake. You don't need to be a guru organiser to know THAT THE KIDS DANCE EARLY, horse sense tells you that. I hope the parents toyi-toyi to the Union Buildings the next time that happens.

who is Samantha Viana dancing with at the moment ? - CT wants to know Hi  J
I just have one or two questions for you. With who is Samantha Viana dancing at the moment ? & who is her partner dancing with ? Also, how is Quintas Jansen and his new partner getting along ? Well I hope to hear from you soon.

Cccccc Yaaaaa
Roy !!

Ed
I haven't a clue, but let's do some inter net fishing and hope we catch a Viana mystery. In the meantime, I'll send a few scouts out to find out.

Here's Pieter Pieterse's replay:

I saw that you wanted 2 know with whom Samanth Viana is dancing. Well she don't do dancing anymore and she ONLY wants to be a Gladiator Pom-Pom girl ( just  don't know why!!!!! ) Her old partner Ryan has a new partner but i don't know her name yet. But i will see them next week and i will mail it to you.

proud once again !!! Hi  J
I just thought I'd email to tell you the results of the 2000 Ten Dance Amateur Champs.  South African representatives Craig Messina and Denia Demonze were placed 28th at this competition. Hope to hear from you soon.

Cccc YAaaa
Roy !!!

Ed
Roy, we are also proud of their achievement, and proud of you for letting us know, thanks a span. Do the Western Cape have their own website? if so, could you let me have it - thanks again.
 

see no letters Hey Jay
You going to hear from me again. Can't get into the letters to read them.

Regards to everyone in South africa

Martin Smith USA

Ed
Martin, you owe us quite a few letters, but nice hearing from you again.

Trying to access any website from your mail system can be a problem at times, that side of Windows hasn't been perfected yet. The best way to avoid this is to save my homepage to your favourites, that's right, bookmark it. For the moment, try one of the previous links I sent you.

I bet, now that you are dancing and teaching in the States, you have never worked so hard in your lily licking life. South Africa misses your outspoken, contentious letters - not even on fireworks day (5 Nov.)

I don't like Scrutiny3 for comp results Hello Jay
It's not a nice day. I am a social dancer with two friends who compete, and I'm very stupid with computers. It's Monday 30 Oct. and I clicked on your comp result link as usual, but it keeps telling me to zip it. All I want to do is see the comp results like I used to do, click on the comp result link and it gets me there. We have never had the problem of getting the results from your site. Is this a new system, or has it something to do with that Scrutiny3?, because if it has, I don't like Scrutiny3 for comp results.

The other thing that has always worried me is how superior the competitive dancers think they are to the social dancers. When I mix with competition dancers, it's quite painful. If they are not critising their rivals, they are complaining about the judging or the system. There is so much jealousy, that dancing is not an enjoyment to them. It's cut-throat business even at the lower levels.

I enjoy reading the letters and I like the changes to your site. It is really coming on nicely.

Bev

Ed
Bev, DITTO, I too dislike Scrutiny3 for comp results. It's totally user-unfriendly, like most the internet sites that try to impress you with their professional look. On those sites, all you do is spend your valuable time and telephone bill LOOKING, but you find sweet fanny annie, or you give up before you find sweet fanny annie. I said this before, Big business in America call WWW the World Wide WAIT and say it's a necessary pain they can definitely do without.

Before I received your email, four of my regular visitors phoned me and said the same frustrated thing about the comp results. Experience has taught me that when one dancer phones out of desperation, then there are dozens who feel the same, and I had four phoning. What I personally dislike is that they show NO NAMES. That's tantamount to being in jail, your cloth # = your cell # - it's so impersonal and if you haven't got the comp programme with you, you are really in trouble. What I do like is that they show what the judges scored.

Here are two links, the UK's and ours. They not only give names to personalise the results, they also display as many photos as possible.

We have been using the computer to calculate our contest scores since 1990 and it's a very simple programme which does a very complicated job, chop-chop. In South Africa, there are 3 computer systems that I know of that get comp results out the way they should, and at this stage, Scrutiny3 is definitely not one of them. They are; the Freestyle's system which they have been using at comps for years, PCScrutineer2000 used in the Western Cape and our.

As for the superiority of the competitive dancer over the social dancer, dance-wise, they ARE more "superior", and the only thing that makes them so, is their wackier will to win. They eat, sleep, drink and dream WIN all the time - total devotees, dancing is their be-all-and-end-all. They spend everything they have, time and money, on their dancing, in the same way a young girl would do when she goes gaga over a guy - total intoxication. So Bev, it's madness, you're OK, just stay as sweet as you are - SOCIAL and SANE.

On the other side of superiority, there are dancers and non-dancers who dislike the Latin competitive style immensely. They say it looks too artificial, too mechanical, and Bev, don't ever venture to talk to indigenous Latino dancers about competitive Latin, they think it comes from planet Zook. Personally, I notice our African Latin dancers are bringing a lot of natural flair, body expressions and pure rhythms into their Latin dancing - a healthy, promising quality. "Superior" however, is relative. It's an attitude, a status which models, actors and top sports people tend to carry around with them as extra baggage.

There are thousands of social dancers who have the natural ability to excel at comps. We have even seen social dancers, who lacked natural talent, go on to do extremely well at comps. Social dancers are superior in others ways. Their level of fun and enjoyment is far superior. They superiorly out-number the competitive side by millions. They have more money and time to spend on other things like log rolling. Their low jealousy and stress horizontals are healthier and superior by mega strides. But at da end of da day, we all have the same intense interest & enthusiasm for the same thing... DANCING.

thanks for your updates Hi there,
First I must thank you for sending me your weekly update, that's kind of you and I enjoy reading all the articles sent in by dancers. I've tried getting the comp results off the net from that new link, without success. Too many things like uploading programmes, opening zip files and bulk downloads, not for me thank you. Glad you changed it to your old comp result link, it's much more friendlier. And thanks for the UK results.

Sakkie Viljoen

Ed
It's a pleasure.

gr8 dance website, it really  kicks ass Dear Jay
Thax's 4 a gr8 dance website it really kicks ass and it is one of the best in the world. Listen, can you plezzz put my e-mail address and name also on your database. I saw in a letter you told Lilian That the more e-mail address's you have the better.

Well i am Pieter Pieterse and my 2 teachers are Dave Campell and Beverly Hammond. I am in the section Adult Novice and i am 19 years of age ( will be 20 on the 24th of August 2001 ).

Hope 2 year from you soon

Regards.

Pieter Pieterse

P.S. I saw that you wanted 2 know with who Samanth Viana is dancing with. Well she don't do dancing anymore and she ONLY wants to be a Gladiator Pom-Pom girl ( just  don't know why!!!!! ) Her old partner Ryan has a new partner but i don't know her name yet. But i will see them next week and i will mail it to you.

Ed
"it really kicks ass". Pieter, although it's not my aim, ass kicking is one my inner most delights, which makes this site, as you say, "one of the best dance sites in the world." If I don't kick it, then the flock of sheep who are so easily manipulated and scrunched upon, will keep on willingly wonder to the slaughter house without foot 'n mouth. I'm thinking of changing the name of this page to "The Tabloid for AK letters only". One prime object this ass kicking technique has achieved, is to make the people in authority know that the people not in authority are free to write to Jay, and I won't hold back an inch.

Thanks for your info and e-address

Irish Dance Studio in Bloemfontein Hello
I have an Irish Dance Studio in Bloemfontein Free State. I would like to be added to your web page and I am also interested in participating in competitions.

Regards

Melissa

Ed
River dancing in the Free State, that can work. Thanks for letting us know about your dance studio. My aim is to promote all forms of dancing, and to enlighten the dancer.

To advertise your studio you need a page. I design your page for you and you change it according to your needs by letting me know what you want changed. For the maintenance of your page you pay R50 a year. You may update your page as often as you like. The idea is to update your info regularly, to promote what you specialise in.

Should you decide to subscribe, you pay the R50 into my account and email to confirm and construction begins.

My details are:
Bank: First National Bank
J.J. Helm
Branch: Sunnyside, Number 25-06-45
Account Number 510 6100 7775

As for competing, my site has many contacts, but competitive dancing is riddled with eternal problems. My advice is, stick to the Irish, that's fun.

Thanks for your interest and e-address.

competitive dancing is turning into a CIRCUS!!! Hi J
OK, as promised, here's the story of our recent trip to London... again. As usual, very windy, rainy and cold... and the same old situation, and believe me, when it is not going well with the training or the comps, then it becomes even more depressing.

This time around, we stayed with 3 German girls (absolutely stunning... nothing happened in case u want to know) and a kiwi who kept telling me that the All Blacks are going to crash the Boks when they meet again. You know what??? we became such good friend because I agreed with him. I mean, u should see this guy, he looks like Jonah Lomu. u would also agree with anything he said if u were in my shoes. My shoes on the other hand let me down terribly in one of the competitions though.

The training was very hard and the lessons very very good, except for some trainers who have perfected the art of making u feel like a world champion, when in fact, u are not being judged as one. At the end of the day, I believe there are really only a few trainers who can offer something. most are only there to play a political role. Some couples benefit from it, but most don't.

If u want to make it, u will have to have lessons with most of the big names and whether u are only getting 10 minutes out of a 45-min lesson or not, shut up and do it, it will only cost u R600. And one lesson won't do it for u. Yes indeed, u can waste an awful lot of money on trainers. A few are really good, but unfortunately, we all know what a political circus this is, so u have to flash your face around and get known. or else??? Our lessons with Denise Weavers were particularly fabulous and so was Richard Porter's lessons. It is a long process and u have to be patient, or you become a patient, as Jay always says.

Like I said, the accommodation was great and the practices were packed with couples from all over the world - a  phenomenal atmosphere!!! The comps did not really go that well for Sonja and I, but then again, we have never seen such politics in dancing. It was very bad this time, and many of the competitors complained. I will rather not go into that, because it is ugly, and it might just spoil my story. The brutal fact is, competitive dancing is turning into a CIRCUS!!! Good luck to those who will be competing at the 2008 Olympics. I for one can tell u now who the top 6 will be.

We made it to the 1/4 finals in the London champs, first round out in the Imperial, withdraw from the International Rising Star because of spasms in my back and shoulders plus a bit of flu and only 96 in the Open International. So as u can see, it was very tough and u know what, it is getting harder every year. We were obviously disappointed as we wanted to be in the final of the London and most importantly, 48th of the International... next time Hansie.

With all the traveling and practices and lessons between the comps, I cant tell u how little sleep we had, but what i can tell u, is that it is NOT NOT NOT very easy, it's a very hard life. It is expensive, and u are left by yourself. u only have your partner and your goals. Luckily for us, we have made a lot of friends, so it does help when us dancing friends get together for some coffee and just talk or skinner u know. That is what dancers are good at, hi ha ha. There are good days too; the odd days when we decided to take the day off and go to Covent Garden or Campden or Piccadilly Circus or even Green Park to play ball in the parks. Sonja will normally look for some materials or stones or whatever, while I spoilt myself with a few snickers, my favourite.

One day I invited Sonja to have some Indian curry with me. The last time we had curry at this particular place, it cost 5 pounds for a BIG meal. Now, our allowance is only 10 pounds a day for food. So we went, same meal, and we thought same price, but after I finished the curry (Sonja never ate) the chap tells me it is 13 pounds. and we had an awful practices that night. I felt so bad.

The best part waited for us at the end. Our tickets were upgraded from economy class to FIRST CLASS!!!!!  who said that dancers can't fly in style.

until next time

Ryno and Sonja

Ed
Although you say, "here's the story of our recent trip to London... AGAIN" you must remember that every competitive dancer dreams of competing abroad. AGAIN, tells us you have either won the Lotto or Mumma & Papa bear are stinking rich, or the two of you worked your butts off to raise funds for the trip. I'm very glad you landed up in the 1st class section on your return trip to sunny SA in that military Dakota - that's a triumph in coool STYLE.

I hear these top competitive dancers in the world are viciously vile at these practise sessions. They shout and swear and tear at each other like troopers, and even get violently physical, storming out ruffled and puffed - a classy sport we're in, but I won't mention names.

enormous amount of benefit to be derived from workshops Howdy Jay
Saturday’s Argentine Tango session with Mark Hoeben was another proof of the pudding that there is an enormous amount of benefit to be derived from workshops.

Mark, who hails from Cape Town, has studied the tango in Holland, England and France and is planning a trip to Buenos Aires early next year. His passion for the dance is positively infectious.

The workshop concentrated on the ‘feel’ of the Tango, more than technique or steps. He concentrated on the basic walk, the stance, the body ‘shape’ and the way in which one presents oneself to one’s dance partner. Indispensable knowledge for both beginners and more advanced dancers.

In a dance where rules were made to be broken, and followers occasionally presume to take the lead, successful leading and following is of major importance. Here Mark explained how to achieve that connection between partners and how it should be maintained throughout the dance.

Apart from teaching, Mark also dances, acts, choreographs and produces shows – hope he will find time to visit us again!

Regards

Mareli

Ed
Now that's called positive dance stuff. Thanks for the feedback Mareli

Free State farmer at the comp Hi Jay
Many thanks for the special update.

We met a Free State farmer at the comp. on Saturday who said he read Milton's letters with interest and was very interested in the past!

Thank you Jay for this introduction!

Love!!

Yvonne

Ed
Yvonne, we need a few more interesting letters of Milton's dancing past. Tell him to dig into memory lane and make another friend.