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September 2000 l Exam Results l Winners' Photo Gallery
August 2000 l Exam Results l Winners' Photo Gallery
July 2000 l Exam Results l Photo Gallery of Winners
June 2000 l Exhibitions Results l Photo Gallery of Winners
May 2000 l Exam Results l Photo Gallery of Winners
March 2000 l Exhibitions Results
February 2000 l Exam Results
 
 
 
 
Exhibitions Function - 10 June 2000

Review
by Jay-Jay

See the rolling eyeballs of the dancer above? No! that wasn't how this function ran. It ran true to the traditional, efficient DanceWell style. No false starts. No inconvenient delays. Not a single exhibition exceeded the 2½ minute limit, "Pierre, can that be?" The video recordings were the best in years - close and clear, thanks to Gideon Stander, Brenton Watt and Sanelle van Straaten. The outfits dazzled colourfully and creatively, and except for one or two or three, all appeared well rehearsed and confident.

The Judging of the exhibitions pleased me most. It has so often happened that the judges' scores and what I see on video have a chalk and cheese contrast. This time, the marks of only three exhibitions discrept with mine, and the gaps were marginal. The first in question is Albertus Swanepoel's Mambo with Susanne. Their outfits and acting to their "Jailhouse Rock" theme impressed greatly and could easily have won those two sections, but the dancing part did not warrant a 999%. To earn 999%, an exhibition must be exceptional; gremlin-free from start to finish - totally.

The exhibition must include maximum variations for the category being performed, and the dancers must, through the expression of these variations, appear super-confident in technique, presentation, characterisation, musicality and style. If that does not happen, whether the couple are beginner or advanced, then 999% is a misrepresentation of the set criteria.

Albertus's demo lacked pattern variation, with the result, their overabundance of basics made it appear to go on far too long. Plus there were a few noticeable glitches. I give Albertus and Susanne 1st place for appropriate outfit (the ball 'n chain 'n warden stuff, rocked me wildly) and they also get 1st place for acting, "Sue, which drama school did you grace with your presence?"

Second on my list of discrepancies is Gayle Etsebeth's Fast Waltz. It almost deserved 999% but shouldn't have got it. Her exquisite, flowing, peach-coloured, full-length ballgown and feathers is what cavoontanced and dazzled the judges into adding that extra %. Gayle's dress deservedly won the outfit award, although there were hordes of excellent ensembles that could easily have snatched the title.

Dance-wise there were obvious falters, and the most glaring came at the end when the music said "tam tee tee dee dee, tam tam, tra la la dee" and they just went "da". When that happens at the end of a demo, then that's the  clear signal to the world somebody in the partnership was doing an alien on the world.

A truism: Both Albertus' and Gayle's demos were danced at the end of the function, so many would claim that this bears testimony to the gripe that the judges, after a long hard slog, are scrutineer-wary and lean more to the lenient side of allotting 999 when 995 should have sufficed.

Talking about faltering, here's an example of an exhibition which stumbled but still deserved the 999% it got… Elsa Lakic's Samba Muuuuah, and it's thanks to her partner who must be a Genie in a bottle. At one point in her show, where Elsa never erred during practice, in fact, the Genie in a bottle would take the cue from her. On this occasion, Elsa decided to go her own woolly way, and while she adopted this new approach, Genie furiously improvised his legs off without a soul detecting a murmur, or without them missing a note or beat of the music. The video also showed no signs of eithers fascinating footwork. It's called artist wizardry. You guys should try it some day, it's great fun.

The third on my list is Elaine Nel's classical German Waltz.On average, this one deserved 999% for measuring up to every attribute required of our exhibition standards, but failed to get it. When people like Jay-Jay tell a joke, you feel awkwardly on edge, waiting for when he is going to muff it. Then there are others who tell jokes, and the moment they utter the first word you feel totally at ease, en rapport and hang on every word that follows. Elaine's show snugs in with the latter category. The moment she made her first move you felt relaxed and stayed completely relaxed until the bowout. No-one could flaw her on presentation. Her radiant smile charmed the veritable bird out of a tree. She executed every intricate gold figure with consummate ease and classical aplomb. In open positions her arms and hands flowed elegantly and her posture and lines remained smart and precise throughout. On stage and on video it was one of the great standouts of the day.

The Other Top Videos exhibitions
Since the judges' assessments jive happily with what I saw on video, here's the list of the other exhibitions that stood out:

Susanne Kaluza - Pierre - Merengue
Sarah Lubbe - Pierre - Rumba
Dion & Gayle - Brenton - Argentine Tango
Liana Grobler - Jay-Jay - Softshoe
Caroline Poley - Pierre - Paso Doble
Ronel Grobler - Jay-Jay - Merengue
Daleen Spies - Brenton - Mambo
Hester M. Preston - Gideon - Bossa Nova
Dion & Gayle - Brenton - Argentine Tango
Johan Dippenaar - Michelle - Boogie

See Winners' Photo Gallery

Top Exhibitions
Top Females
1st Elsa Lakic - Jay-Jay - Samba 999
1st Brenda Carstens - Jay-Jay - Argentine Tango 999
1st Gayle Etsebeth - Pierre - Fast Waltz 999
2nd Susanne Kaluza - Pierre - Merengue 9985
Sarah Lubbe - Pierre - Rumba 9985
Elaine Nel - Jay-Jay - Waltz 9985
3rd Vicky Kemp - Pierre - Softshoe 998
Sanet Van Niekerk - Pierre - Mambo 998
Liana Grobler - Jay-Jay - Softshoe 998
4th Christine Pretorius - Pierre - Argentine Tango 9975
5th Fia Louw - Pierre - V.Waltz 997
Caroline Poley - Pierre - Paso Doble 997
Ronel Grobler - Jay-Jay - Merengue 997
Daleen Spies - Brenton - Mambo 997
Annalise Du Preez - Brenton - Bossa Nova 997
Hester M. Preston - Gideon - Bossa Nova 997
6th Wilmien Wepener - Pierre - Waltz 9965
Elmarie Donges - Pierre - Bossa Nova 996
Elizabeth Kruger - Pierre - Bolero 996
Carin V. Heerden - Gideon - Jive 996

Top Female Scholar
1st Gemma Redelinghuys / Jay-Jay - Jive 999
2nd Charnette Du Preez - Pierre - Paso D. 9985
Adelle Grove - Gideon - Tango 9985
3rd Deidre Thomas - Brenton - Cha-Cha 998
Jeandre' Short - Brenton - Merengue 998
4th Jessica Anne Lazenby - Pierre - Waltz 9975
Raquel Monteiro - Pierre - Sakkie 9975
Bianca Slabbert - Pierre - Waltz 9975
Qume' Bezuidenhout - Jay-Jay - Mambo 9975
Michelle Leita - Victor - Tango 9975
5th Chanel De Nysschen - Jay-Jay - V.Waltz 997
6th Alison Guzman - Pierre - Argentine Tango 9965
Amelia Visagie - Victor - Rumba 9965
 Fransi De Beer - Jay-Jay - Softshoe 996

Top Couples
1st Quintin/Salomé - Pierre - V.Waltz 999
2nd Dion & Gayle - Brenton - Argentine Tango 9985
3rd Jan/Rienie Heath - Jay-Jay  - Quickstep 998
4th Willie/Renette Cloete - Pierre - Waltz 9975

Top Males
1st Albertus Swanepoel - Susanne - Mambo 999
2nd Terry Marx - Bianka - Waltz 9985
3rd Paul De Beer - Michelle - Mambo 997
4th Carl V. Heerden - Michelle - Merengue 996
5th Gert-Jan Goudkamp - Michelle - Sakkie 9945

Top Male Scholar
1st Johan Dippenaar - Michelle - Boogie 9985

Top Juniors
1st Angelique De Almeida Matos - Pierre - Argentine Tango 999
1st Rudene Watt - Brenton - Tango 999
3rd Wayne De Jongh - Carin - Rumba 996

Top Golden Greats
1st Julie Van Zyl - Pierre - Samba 9985
1st Pat Redelinghuys - Jay-Jay - Quickstep 9985
1st Pat Murfin - Ursula - Bolero 9985
2nd Roma V.D.Reyden - Pierre - Rumba & Fast Waltz - 997
3rd Jo Reinhardt - Pierre - Waltz 9965

Best Acting Ability
1st Elsa Lakic - Jay-Jay - Samba
2nd Gert-Jan Goudkamp - Michelle - Sakkie
3rd Albertus Swanepoel - Susanne - Mambo
4th Susanne Kaluza - Pierre - Merengue
5th Adelle Grove - Gideon - Tango
6th Rudene Watt - Brenton - Tango
7th Ronel Grobler - Jay-Jay - Merengue
8th Quintin/Salomé - Pierre - V.Waltz

Top "Special Stage Effects"
1st Gert-Jan Goudkamp - Michelle - Sakkie
2nd Roma V.D.Reyden - Pierre - Rumba
3rd Jessica Anne Lazenby - Pierre - Waltz
4th Pat Murfin Ursula - Bolero

Most Entertaining Shows
1st Quintin/Salomé - Pierre - V.Waltz
2nd Elsa Lakic - Jay-Jay - Samba
3rd Raquel Monteiro - Pierre - Sakkie
4th Brenda Carstens - Jay-Jay - Argentine Tango
5th Susanne Kaluza - Pierre - Merengue
6th Pat Murfin - Ursula - Bolero
7th Dion & Gayle - Brenton - Argentine Tango
8th Gert-Jan Goudkamp - Michelle - Sakkie
9th Rudene Watt - Brenton - Tango
10th Albertus Swanepoel - Susanne - Mambo

Most Appropriate Outfits
1st Gayle Etsebeth - Pierre - Fast Waltz
2nd Elsa Lakic - Jay-Jay - Samba
3rd Vicky Kemp - Pierre - Softshoe
4th Roma V.D.Reyden - Pierre - Rumba
5th Susanne Kaluza - Pierre - Merengue
6th Adelle Grove - Gideon - Tango
7th Charnette Du Preez - Pierre - Paso D.
8th Fia Louw - Pierre - V.Waltz
9th Albertus Swanepoel - Susanne - Mambo
10th Angelique De Almeida Matos - Pierre - Argentine Tango

Most Improved Dancer
Daleen Spies - Brenton - Mambo

Best Recordings and Music Sound
Brenton Watt & Jay-Jay

Top Female and Male Trainers' Scores
Jay-Jay & Pierre van Niekerk (Male Trainers)
Susanne Kaluza (Female Trainer)

Qualify for the 2000 Top20 Contest
Elsa Lakic - Jay-Jay - Samba 999
Brenda Carstens - Jay-Jay - Argentine Tango 999
Gayle Etsebeth - Pierre - Fast Waltz 999
Gemma Redelinghuys / Jay-Jay - Jive 999
Quintin/Salomé - Pierre - V.Waltz 999
Albertus Swanepoel - Susanne - Mambo 999
Johan Dippenaar - Michelle - Boogie 9985
Angelique De Almeida Matos - Pierre - Argentine Tango 999
Rudene Watt - Brenton - Tango 999
Julie Van Zyl - Pierre - Samba 9985
Pat Redelinghuys - Jay-Jay - Quickstep 9985
Pat Murfin - Ursula - Bolero 9985

Greatly Appreciated
Below I list the friendly, energetic team that ensured the smooth
running of our function -  A BIG THANKS to all of you.

Adjudicating - Exhibitions: Elsie Otto
Adjudicating - Exhibitions: Juanita Kok
Adjudicating - Exhibitions: Zita Hattingh
Adjudicating - Best Acting & Stage Effects: Lynette Vermuelen
Adjudicating - Most Appropriate Outfits: Renier van Rooyen
Adjudicating - Most Entertaining: Gerhard Hattingh

Organising & Arranging the Beautiful Flowers: Ursula Baumann, Fia Louw
Sorting & organising the Shields: Jurika Harmse Michelle Loots
Door-duty Personnel: Bianka Wasley, Susanne Kaluza
Emcees: Operating the Music & Mike: Victor Roux, Ursula Baumann
Operating the Video: Gideon Stander, Brenton Watt, Sanelle v. Straaten
Computing and Collating the Scores: Una Brewis, Carin v. Heerden
Bar: Terry Marx
Photographer: Pat Murfin
Programme Printer and Collator: Carin van Heerden
Presenting the Flowers: Bianka Wasley, Gerhard Hattingh,
Lynette Vermuelen, Renier van Rooyen, Ursula Vermuelen
The Cleaners after the show: Bianka Wasley, Ursula Baumann,
Pat Murfin, Gideon Stander, Terry Marx


DanceWell-Studios
Exam Results - May 2000

Exhibitions
11 March 2000

Video Review
By Jay-Jay

Although technically, this function ran very smoothly, close to perfect in many ways, it lacked that certain something, or are we becoming too blasé? Or were there too many Boleros? Or are our basic exhibitions far too long? There were no unnecessary delays. Most appeared confident, showing as always, the same nervous excitement before going on stage. Much effort was taken to dress appropriately to look the part.

Fewer props and stage effects, but those that were used appeared striking on video. And the judges did a masterly job in evaluating the performances. Apart from a few minor differences between what the judges scored and what the video revealed, there wasn't much in it. All three judges had their percentage scale right and their descriptive comments told us that they watched everything.

Amazing, not one demo went over the two-and-a-half minute mark, it must be a first. On the subject of two-and-a-half minutes, my advice to those dancing for their silver shield is, avoid going longer than two minutes. Two-and-a-half minutes is our maximum limit mainly reserved for advanced extravaganzas. Other social schools allow one-and-a-half minutes max. At DanceWell we are privileged, but in practice, except for the gold category and up, it's better to stay under two.

This time it was very apparent that most were desperately trying to stretch the full time limit. The result, a boring repetition of basics used to fill the maximum time and that was the case with a number of shows. I'd say, between the beginners who dragged their exhibition out just to occupy the full time and the many Boleros, that's what lulled things a bit. Most of the exhibitions which excelled on the day were short, sweet and punchy. Long shows invariably lose the audience mentally and physically.

What the judges said
Zita Hattingh raved about all the trouble everyone went to to dress up. She said the outfits were exquisite and wouldn't want to know how much many of these cost. She felt, although everyone danced with much confidence for the little time they have to prepare, and that most played up to their partners, more audience projection is needed, a smile and eye contact and even a wink to the audience and judges will make such a big difference.  I asked Zita where did she find the time to write so much? which the dancers and teachers thoroughly enjoyed. "I kept the runners waiting", she sniggled

Juanita Kok too felt there was something missing, as if the teachers lacked their usual oomph but said the standard was good.

Elsie Otto thoroughly enjoyed the day and thought that the exhibitions were very polished and the clothes were outstanding.

Video Recordings
This time the recordings were a lot better than we've had for a long time. At the start of each function I focus the camera for close-up, full picture recordings and this time the majority were recorded that way by Gideon Stander, David Ahlschãger, Sanelle van Straaten, Brenton Watt. They also gave me more time to edit each pupil's personal recording by allowing for a full exit walk-off, but I still need more time when the dancers walk onto the stage. It was also good to see a few close-ups on makeup and dresses when the couple stood still, gazing lovingly into each others eyes. One operator couldn't keep the dancers in the middle of the screen and once the couple almost disappeared completely for a bar or two.

Whoever operated the camera at the end, failed to push the record button for Jo Reinhardt's demo, now Jo must redo hers at our next exhibition function.

Victor Roux, Ursula Baumann and  Elsa Lakic did a great job at the mike. A blessing was they didn't make the next session announcement before the exiting couple had disappeared completely off stage. This made things much easier for me when editing the videos.

A while back, we decided that if two couples tie for 1st then the couple that hadn't won before gets the trophy. If both have won before then the judges concur, but both couples must still be called up for public recognition. This was not done in two sections, the "Junior" and the "Couple". In the Juniors Danté van Niekerk and  Angelique de Almeida Matos won but only Danté was called up as winner, while Angelique received  a flower for 2nd place. In the Couple's session Derick Stokes and Jonada Anderson and Pieter de Bruin and Debbie Kortman tied for 1st but only Pieter & Debbie were called up for 1st and Derick & Jonada were announced as 2nd, my apologies.

 Now I know for sure that Roma van den Reyden does not read this magazine. After all I said last time about how long it took me to find her previous recording the previous time, Roma AGAIN had hers set way back to 1910 so I just skipped hers. The others who ignore the "Do Not Rewind tape" sticker and wasted my time are Bianca Slabbert, Willie & Renette, Jo Reinhardt, I thank you kindly but next time you're dead darlings, OK!

Here follows my top video exhibitions of the day. The ones that would have received maximum points from me as judge. To earn a maximum video score, the exhibition must create a special atmosphere.

To create that distinctive atmosphere the show must be completely devoid of error or indecision, the couple must look extremely confident - make me feel at ease, relaxed. Sound technique, choreography and musicality help to produce this special impression. The outfits, stage effects and showmanship always enhance the presentation - looking the perfect part. Individual interpretation and personality add to the charisma that creates this special atmosphere. Portraying the theme or character of the dance being danced, and looking as if they are enjoying their show is a must - if they enjoy it, others will enjoy it.

The names listed below measured up favourably to all the above criteria and I'm happy to see that the judges felt the same, because often my evaluations differ markedly from theirs… we're on the same track in the same blue train now:
Entrant Trainer Dance
Derick Stokes & Jonada Anderson Gideon Samba
Elsa Lakic Jay-Jay ArgentineTango
Derick Stokes Michelle Paso Doble
Elaine Nel Jay-Jay Samba
Lizinda Vlooh Pierre Cha-Cha
Pieter de Bruin & Debbie Kortman Jay-Jay Slow Foxtrot
Alison Guzman Pierre Paso Doble
As for the exquisite apparel, the following were my video outstanding pick-of-the-bunch:
Entrant Trainer Dance
Roma van den Reyden  Pierre BossaNova
Derick Stokes Michelle Paso Doble
Adelle Grove Gideon BossaNova
Bianca Slabbert Pierre Bolero
Danté van Niekerk Pierre Bolero
Ronel Grobler Jay-Jay Disco
Caroline Poley Pierre Waltz
Chanel de Nysschen Jay-Jay Merengue
Terry Marx Bianka 2-Step
Amelia Visagie Victor Sakkie
Pat Murfin Ursula PasoDoble
Vicky Kemp Pierre Bolero
Amelia Visagie Victor Cha-Cha

Results
Official Winners

  • Pieter De Bruin/Debbie Kortman - Slow Foxtrot - Jay-Jay - 999
  • Derick Stokes/Jonada Anderson - Samba - Gideon - 999
  • Elsa Lakic Argentine - Tango -Jay-Jay - 999
  • Jessica Anne Lazenby - Bolero - Pierre - 999
  • Pat Redelinghuys - Rumba - Jay-Jay - 999
  • Angelique De Almeida Matos - Paso Doble - Pierre - 9985
  • Danté van Niekerk Bolero  - Pierre  - 9985
  • Derick Stokes  - Paso Doble - Michelle - 999
  • Roma van den Reyden  - Most Appropiate Outfits  - Pierre
  • Adelle Grove  - Best Stage Effects  - Gideon
  • Bianca Slabbert  - Best Acting  - Pierre
  • Danté van Niekerk  - Most Entertaining Show- Pierre
  • Michelle Loots - Top Female Trainer(Exhibition Marks)
  • Jay-Jay - Top  Male  Trainer(Exhibition Marks)
    Top Couples
    1st Pieter de Bruin/Debbie Kortman - Slow Foxtrot - Jay-Jay - 999 /

    2nd Derick Stokes/Jonada Anderson - Samba - Gideon - 999
    Quintin Honeyborn & Salomé - Tango - Pierre - 9985

    3rd  Jan/Rienie Heath Paso Doble Jay-Jay  998 - Gayle Etsebeth/Dion Meiring - Waltz - Pierre - 998

    4th Willie/Renette Cloete - Cha-Cha - Sanelle - 9975

    5th Andrew/Karia Pretorius - Swing - Susanne - 995

    Top Females
    1st Elsa Lakic - Argentine Tango - Jay-Jay  - 999

    2nd Elaine Nel - Samba - Jay-Jay  - 9985 / Daleen Spies - Cha-Cha - Brenton - 9985 / Sanet van Niekerk - Tango Pierre  9985 / Sarah Lubbe - Mambo Pierre -
    9985 /  Susanne Kaluza - Slow Foxtrot - Pierre - 9985 /
    Lizinda Vlooh - Cha-Cha - Pierre - 9985

    3rd Caroline Poley - Waltz - Pierre - 998

    4th Vicky Kemp - Bolero - Pierre - 9975

    5th Liana Grobler - Cha-Cha - Jay-Jay - 997 / Fia Louw - Sakkie - Pierre - 997

    6th Ronel Grobler - Disco - Jay-Jay - 9965 / Christine Pretorius - Westcoast -
    Swing - Pierre - 9965

    Top Female Scholars
    1st Jessica Anne Lazenby - Bolero - Pierre - 999

    2nd Qume' Bezuidenhout - Bolero - Jay-Jay  - 998 / Chanel de Nysschen - Merengue - Jay-Jay - 998 / Alison Guzman - Paso Doble - Pierre - 998

    3rd Gemma Redelinghuys - Bolero - Jay-Jay - 9975 / Charnette du Preez - Waltz - Pierre - 9975 / Adelle Grove Bossa Nova - Gideon - 9975

    4th Elmie van Deventer - Mambo - Brenton - 997/ Raquel Monteiro - Tango - Pierre - 997

    5th Amelia Visagie - Sakkie - Victor - 9965 / Amelia Visagie - Cha-Cha - Victor - 9965 / Vanessa Viljoen - Swing - Gideon 9965 / Bianca Slabbert - Bolero - Pierre - 9965 / Michelle Clifton - Samba - Pierre - 9965

    6th Jeandre' Short - Swing - Brenton - 996 / Terry Rudman - Boogie - Brenton - 996
    / Linda Booysen - Waltz - Pierre - 996

    Top Golden Greats
    1st Pat Redelinghuys - Rumba - Jay-Jay - 999

    2nd Pat Murfin - Paso Doble - Ursula - 998

    3rd Roma  van den Reyden - Tango - Pierre - 997/ Roma van den Reyden - Bossa Nova - Pierre - 997 / Jo Reinhardt Mambo - Pierre - 997 / Julie van Zyl - Bolero - Pierre  - 997

    Top Juniors
    1st Angelique de Almeida Matos - Paso Doble - Pierre - 9985 / Dante' van Niekerk Bolero - Pierre - 9985

    2nd Rudene Watt - Softshoe - Brenton - 998 / Nariza Anderson - Cha-Cha - Brenton - 998 / Wayne de Jongh - 2-Step Sanelle 996

    Top Males
    Derick Stokes - Paso Doble - Michelle - 999
    Terry Marx - 2-Step - Bianka - 997 / Albertus Swanepoel - Rumba - Susanne - 997 Carl van Heerden - Boogie - Sanelle - 994

    Most Appropiate Outfits

    1. Roma van den Reyden Pierre
    2. Danté van Niekerk Pierre
    3. Caroline Poley Pierre
    4. Sanet Van Niekerk Pierre
    5. Derick Stokes/Jonada Anderson  Gideon
    6. Raquel Monteiro Pierre
    7. Chanel De Nysschen Jay-Jay
    8. Alison Guzman Pierre
    9. Amelia Visagie Victor
    10. Elmarie DÖnges  Pierre
    Best Stage Effects
    1. Adelle Grove Gideon
    2. Vicky Kemp Pierre
    3. Bianca Slabbert Pierre
    4. Caroline Poley Pierre
    5. Amelia Visagie Victor
    6. Roma van den Reyden Pierre
    7. Fia Louw Pierre
    8. Sanet Van Niekerk Pierre
    9. Susanne Kaluza Pierre
    10. Jo Reinhardt Pierre
    Best Acting Performance
    1. Bianca Slabbert - Pierre
    2. Vicky Kemp - Pierre
    3. Rudene Watt - Brenton
    4. Caroline Poley - Pierre
    5. Amelia Visagie - Victor
    6. Terry Marx - Bianka
    7. Pat Murfin - Ursula
    8. Willie/Renette Cloete - Sanelle
    9. Gayle Etsebeth/Dion Meiring  - Pierre
    10. Derick Stokes/Jonada Anderson - Gideon
    Most Entertaining Performance
    1. Danté van Niekerk - Pierre
    2. Quintin Honeyborn & Salomé - Pierre
    3. Caroline Poley - Pierre
    4. Vicky Kemp - Pierre
    5. Elmarie DÖnges - Pierre
    6. Lizinda Vlooh - Pierre
    7. Bianca Slabbert Pierre
    8. Pieter/Debbie De Bruin Kortman - Jay-Jay
    9. Victor Derick Stokes/Jonada Anderson - Gideon
    10. Sanet Van Niekerk - Pierre
      11. Greatly Appreciated
      Below I list the friendly, energetic team that ensured the smooth running
      of our function -  A BIG THANKS to all of you.
Adjudicating - Exhibitions: Elsie Otto
Adjudicating - Exhibitions: Juanita Kok
Adjudicating - Exhibitions: Zita Hattingh
Adjudicating - Most Appropriate Outfits: Gerhard Hattingh
Adjudicating - Best Acting & Stage Effects: Jurika Harmse
Adjudicating - Most Entertaining: John-Henry Bussey
Organising & Arranging the Beautiful Flowers: Ursula Baumann, Fia Louw
Sorting & organising the Shields: Michelle Loots
Door-duty Personnel: Bianka Wasley, Susanne Kaluza, Terry Marx
Emcees: Operating the Music & Mike: Victor Roux, Ursula Baumann, Elsa Lakic
Operating the Video: David Ahlschãger, Sanelle van Straaten, Gideon Stander, Brenton Watt
Computing and Collating the Scores: Una Brewis, Carin van Heerden
Bar: Bianka Wasley, Terry Marx
Photographer: Pat Murfin
Programme Printer and Collator: Carin van Heerden
Presenting the Flowers: Bianka Wasley, Gerhard Hattingh, Jurika Harmse, John-Henry Bussey
The Cleaners after the show: Bianka Wasley, Ursula Baumann, Pat Murfin, Victor Roux, Pierre van Niekerk, Gideon Stander, Terry Marx

Exam 5 February 2000
By Jay-Jay
Review
As promised after our judging system was brutally castigated in the January issue by a member, I arranged a get-together with our judges Elsie, Juanita, Arthur and Julie. This very cordial meeting took place on 3 February 2000. The main thrust was to sort out the cats from the canaries of that letter.
When I organised to meet with the examiners I asked each to write down all the things they thought could help improve matters from their point of view, and that I'd schlep our problems along. Here follows the main points discussed;
  1. the foremost complaint from the studio's side is that the examiners don't watch the couple being judged. The reason for this is that there is too little time to watch and write simultaneously. Now our examiner will be practising to look up and write in one move. Juanita said "but now nobody will be able to read what's written" I said, "that's another problem we've always had. When my pupil asks me 'what's that?' and we both can't read it, I say, 'great teacher'".
  2. whenever the examiner sees something that needs work, that particular element will be underlined on the report in the "correction" area to show why the pupil's mark had dropped. So, from now on, when 'position of head',  'rhythm', neatness of footwork, etc. is underlined, that's the reason for your mark being below 999%. If there is a love story to be told by the judge, then that will be jotted in the "Examiner's Special Notation" section.
  3. when we as teachers and pupils read the examiner's report, the remarks must tell us that the examiner watched most of what we danced, and the mark must also tally with the comment - high comments, high mark; low comments low mark. We all want to know why we got what we got.
  4. seriously discussed, was the question of one examiner's highest mark being much lower than the other examiners' average mark. This our pupils and teachers felt makes being marked by the low scoring judge a distinct disadvantage. A norm was set, and from the official outcome of the winners of this function things are looking up.
  5. the examiners all agreed that females dancing the ballroom "langarm" section in flannels is a definite no-no - a dress with a flair is a much better option. They also don't like scholars dancing their exams in modern monster shoes which hamper their spins or movement.
  6. I said, "although our exam system is held to encourage all to practise and progress, if an entrant dances out of time with the music, he/she must be drastically penalised. Likewise, couples who go completely wrong because of nervousness, poor preparation or whatever, should be told to redo that particular dance, otherwise, we may as well stay at home and sign our own diploma".
  7. the examiners' main complaint, which causes chaos, is when a teacher pushes an entrant into a section which he/she/they don't belong to, and here they singled out Pierre van Niekerk as the crude culprit. From now on a list will be made of teachers who cause this chaos.
The feedback of our first exam for the year 2000 revealed that the meeting held for DW judges on the 3rd of Feb appeared fruitful. Our examiners looked up all the time, their marks and remarks had a loving,  intimate relation, their placings were excellent and we could even read their comments.

This whole exercise proved one very important point; when officials stay underground with their problems, like the freestyle officials are doing - grinding their image into the ground, then everyone loses, not only the battle, but also the war. When officials put their pride in their pocket and arranged a friendly dialogue in a mature, professional way like we did "love is in the air", and dancing plus the dancer benefit.

Top Dancers of the day
        Entrant                                Dance    Trainer %

Results

Top Couples
1st Derick Stokes/Jonada Anderson Cha-Cha Gideon 999

Xmas Exhibitions

 4 December 99