Info

Letters - July 2001

1. Arthur Murray National Showcase Weekend at Gold Reef City - gk
2. Energetic teacher with good  choreographic skills needed - elize
3. Attention all social dance teachers - become a 60% studio shareholder as a teacher
4. western cape dancesoprt world trials championship results - 28 July 01 - arthur
5. Attention all social dance teachers - become 60% shareholder as a teacher
6. special on all black tights - debbie
7. Found a partner thanks - Mature male partner required for Marion - marion
8. body glitters, eyeshadows, lipsticks, hair pieces - marilize
9. KZN comp calendar updated - linda
10. stupid teacher - neville
11. attention all disco/freestyle dance fans - pam
12. South Africans, Martin Moroder & Ziona van der Merwe excel at the Italian Open 2001 - felix
13. latest and greatest events coming up at Tanz Café - elsa
14. BELLY DANCING - charlotte
15. difference between Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango - jack
16. thanks jay, found a partner - shelly
17. looking for a Latin American dance partner
18. GOODNESS GRACIOUS GREAT BALLS OF ... ICE! - dancecrit
19. like to thank you and dancecrit for mentioning our dance to the dance fans - lydia
20. competitive dancers are absolutely rude, uncouth and unrefined, it's disgusting - reinette
21. 2001 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP disco dance/hip hop/dance show/tap dance - pam
22. WHAT A PARTY!! - dancecrit

body glitters, eyeshadows, lipsticks, hair pieces Hello Jay,
Thanks again for your wonderful website! But I need your help again, I was scolling through your Dance Shop page, looking for some one that's selling dance "make-up" and accessories (body glitters, eyeshadows, lipsticks, hair pieces)  I am a Freestyle Dancer from the Freestate and here it is difficult to find all the nice stuff that the freestyle dancer in Jhb use to wear.

Could you please help me with a name of a shop or some one I can contact in Jhb.

Thank you, Marilize

Ed
Marilize, try this Dance Shop link, and remember, every time you ask for help you are helping other dancers.

Arthur Murray National Showcase Weekend at Gold Reef City Hi Jay
Arthur Murray National Showcase Weekend at Gold Reef City 3 to 5 August 2001

Free entry into exhibitions on Saturday afternoon Gold Reef City cover charge R55-00 non stop dance exhibitions from 11.30am to 4pm featuring exhibitions from all Arthur Murray Studios in South Africa.

GK

Energetic teacher with good  choreographic skills needed Hey Jay
I am looking for a teacher at the moment. Could you please place the following advert in your next newsletter.

Energetic teacher with good  choreographic skills needed. Must specialize in modern/jazz or hip-hop. Good knowledge of tap/ballet/ballroom/Latin/Irish/Line Dancing an asset. Must also be able to answer the phone and do basic admin. Phone Elize 805-1373 or fax CV to 315-1839 or e-mail info@dancing.co.za

Regards
Elize Krog
Principal
Midrand Academy of Dancing
AISTD - (Dip), ASS. SADTA

comp calendar updated Dear Jay,
Please could you update your dance calendar with the following changes:

28th July - ADTA Festival, ML Sultan, Durban
11th August - KZN Challenge, Edgewood College, Durban
25th August - Azalea Championships, UNP Sports Union, Pietermaritzburg
1st September - RDTA Imperial Championships, Edgewood College, Durban
15th September - Metro Championships, Durban City Hall

Many Thanks
Linda

Ed
Thanks for the changes. Done, check it out: Comp Calendar

BELLY DANCING Hi Jay
21st July - Rivonia - introductory workshop for beginners 11am to 1pm - Contact Charlotte 083 263 2913, or email to book your place - charlotte@bellydance.co.za

August - new intake for beginners - Fourways, Rosebank and Rivonia

Lotsa light and love

Charlotte

Ed
Thanks for the info. I've added it to your page as well; "Jewels of the Nile"

stupid teacher Hi Jay
Thought your readers would like this one.

A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses.

She started her class by saying, "Everyone who thinks they're stupid, stand up!" After a few seconds, Little Johnny stood up.

The teacher said, "Do you think you're stupid, Little Johnny?

Little Johnny replied, "No, ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself."

Regards, Neville

attenyion all disco/freestyle dance fans Hi Jay
Here's some great news for all disco/freestyle dance fans

ATTENTION
all disco/freestyle dance fans

a 1st for South Africa

DISCO DANCE &
FREESTYLE WORKSHOP

EUROPEAN STYLE

CONDUCTED BY
NIKOLETA DOJKIC

TRIPLE YUGOSLAVIAN
DISCO FREESTYLE CHAMPION

 Sunday 29 July 2:30pm - 4:30pm
 R60-00 per person

 PAM SMITH DANCE STUDIO
 1st Floor, 10 Terenure Ave, Kenmare,
 Krugersdorp

 BOOKING ESSENTIAL - LIMITED SPACE
 FIRST COME - FIRST SERVED
 (will move to larger venue, if necessary)

 Please book your place by fax to  (011) 664 7204
 Bookings close Thursday 26 July
 Supply name/s and contact telephone numbers

Regards, Pam Smith

Ed
Pam, thanks for the info. What we would really love to know, after the workshop, is what was discussed that could inspire dancers

South Africans, Martin Moroder & Ziona van der Merwe excel at the Italian Open 2001 Hi Jay
S.A. Stars at the Italian Open 2001 - Martin Moroder & Ziona v/d Merwe.

More than 5000 competitors from 32 nations, 39 foreign and 56 italian judges made this DanceSport Championship one of the most highly contested competitions in the world. On Sunday 24th June the 1st and 2nd round of the IDSF International Open Latin were danced. 269 entries from around the world with 16 top ranking couples e.g. Formica & Nikiforowa, Cocchi & Wilkinson, Di Filippo & Di Filippo, Krajcer & Lesar competed in 12 heats.

11 foreign judges were called onto the floor, followed by consecutive heats  consisting of approximately 20 couples per heat.

Martin and Ziona walked on that floor with such confidence, attitude and eagerness. They knew that as a Youth couple they had to pull out a magic formula to challenge some of the top Adult couples of the world. Their performance and dancing techniques were of such high standards even noticed by some of the renowned by-standing trainers.

Their choreography was blending in with the rest of the international competitors. Their aim was to reach the top 96.
At midnight on Sunday 106 couples were recalled. Martin and Ziona made it to the 3rd round. What a tremendous achievement!

On Monday 25th June 6 pm, the 3rd round started. Martin and Ziona both ready to give their best once again... with a final result: Place 75. Beating close to 200 Adult couples internationally says it all.

Well done!

Regards Felix

Ed
Felix, Great Dance News, A spectacular achievement for our South African couple Martin Moroder & Ziona van der Merwe. Our hearty congratulations to them both, and thanks for the info.

like to thank you and dancecrit for mentioning our dance to the dance fans Dear Jay
I would like to thank you for mentioning our dance to the dance fans and then I want to thank the dancecrit for his kind words. We did have a great party, we always do and now thanks to you i can keep you informed of our other happenings.

Unfortunately i am unable to arrange any extra dances this year as our disco is booked and we all agree that the music not the venue can make or break an event. I have been able to book the following dates at the Roodepoort City Hall for Grand Seasonal Balls

24 November 2001        Summer Ball
16 March 2002              Autumn Ball
29 June 2002                Winter Ball
21 September 2002       Spring Ball
30 November 2002        Summer Ball

I will issue invitations to all the dancers nearer the time and we can have a great party again. Tickets will be limited to ensure enough place to move on the dance floor. Thanks again for a great mag.

Regards, Lydia (social dance club)

Ed
It's a pleasure, and well done with the party. Thanks for responding to DanceCrit and for the dates of your forthcoming event.

thanks jay, found a partner Hi Jay
Thanks for my advertisment about a dance partner, I have found a dance parnter.

Thanks, Shelly

difference between Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango Hi Jay,
Awhile back, someone wrote to praise you about your Argentine Tango video tapes. What I want to know is what is the difference between Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango, because where I learn to dance they call the social tango the argentine tango, but I'm sure they have got it wrong, and hey Jay, I want to tell you that your website is by miles the most informative South African dance website. Thanks for all the information.

Regards, JacK

Ed
There are many differences between A. and B. Tango. The main features that set the two apart are; the approach and attitude to the dance, the music, the culture, etc. Argentine Tango in its true form is entirely improvised, there is no official curricula. It is an art form NOT a sport, danced to Tango music which is more melodic than strict time. There are as many styles as there are dancers, and many more differences, of which the steps are the least important.

Every dancer who has learnt both Tangos will tell you almost the same thing, "once you have achieved the impro, spontaneous stage in Argentine, it makes dancing any other Tango boring - Argentine is ADORABLE, passionate, indiividual, sensual, conversational, absolutely lead & follow". A favourite analogy (which I've mentioned before) describing the difference Tango styles, i. e. American Ballroom (social competitive). Argentine and International (English competitive), compares the three to a relationship. American Tango is like the courtship when everyone is on their best behaviour. Argentine Tango is similar to the passion during the marriage - the fire, the emotion, the fighting as well as the loving. International (English) Tango is when you're staying together for the sake of the kids.

Although the A Tango is very improvisational, it is not without structure. There are five main technical components, not steps in the strict Ballroom sense, but these movements combine into an infinite variety of patterns. Beyond the five basics, every thing else is decorative. The follower has so much more autonomy than in ballroom. Ballroom dancers want to learn patterns while traditional taught Tango doesn't lend itself to syllabus type patterns.

The posture & hold are very different from Ballroom and uncomfortable to many dancers trained in standard who find this stance unfathomable. Unlike the conventional posture of Ballroom Tango, the lady dances with her head turned to the right in closed position, the stance is not as open as the conventional hold where the head is turned to the left, it's almost a "hug" look. In A Tango, the feet are smoothly, sleekly slid across the floor toe first, whereas English Tango the feet are picked up slightly and placed into position. Both styles present level progression (no bobbing & bouncing) but English style is sharp and staccato while the Argentine smooth and silky. The A Tango comprises many fast, dramatic foot flicks, kicks, lunges, and stationary movements done with suave sophistication.

So Jack, if you can't whisper sweet nothings into your partner's left ear when holding her in dance position and they are teaching you to step forward heel first on slow counts and jerk with staccato action and the variations don't include kicking between your partner's feet and legs and they never use the word Ocho, then you are doing American social Tango, not A. Tell them Jack, it's B not A.