Info

Letters & DanceTalk - November 2001 - Letters: Oct 01

1. sandy, charlotte replies to "belly dancing in pretoria"
2. Michael-David & Mandy-Lynne win 2001 Rock 'n Roll & Hustle Titles at the SA Freestyle Champs - sharon s
3. Dutch Open 2001 – a big success "South African’s, Victor de Silva and Claire Edwards took 1st place" - felix
4. Cape dressmakers please - cas
5. delighted to find your wonderful site - canada
6. freestyle news - battle of the giants as at the 1 dec - pam smith
7. the secret of the jive - topical
8. DanceWell Studio Top20 Exhibitions / Exam Results / Photos - 17 Nov 01 Social
9. dance video tapes removed - thabo
10. International syllabus video tapes - alida
11. Latest comp results & Promotional points - SA DanceSport
12. belly dancing video tapes - no belly dancing in Pretoria - sandy
13. preparing for competitions - topical
14. alan's reply to "IDSF competitions" roy's question - alan
15. will there be any IDSF competitions held in South Africa next year? - roy
16. who is "dancer WP" ? - wp
17. belly dance and Greek dance teachers in Pretoria - sandy
18. Freestyle comp this Saturday 17 Nov at Esslen Park - rene
19. a social dance place - valerie
20. no western cape comp results because scrutineer's daughter disappoints - dancer WP
21. Fred Astaire dancers leave bodies lying around on crowded floor - Mad about dancing
22. Belly Dance Show in aid of the S.P.C.A. - phyllis
23. Scala Dance Studio add ballet and contemporary classes to their teaching - julene
24. ego in dancing - the physician
25. are video tapes a helpful tool in learning to dance? - topical
26. past SA ballroom and latin champions - remember them?
27. floorcraft in social and competitive dancing - are you a floor hog?
28. student of mine needs videos on International Ballroom technique - meryl
29. South Africa couple Grant Mandon & Viveca Peterson excel at Amateur World Championships - latino
30. fan to hockey stick - topical
31. comp results: gold cup SADTA - durban / SA rising star freestyle championships
32. NotablyUnique... the largest ballroom and Latin suppliers - dale & edward
33. details and photos of latin dresses for sale - sharon
34. raw deal with SAs and Michael & Beata dance in action - latino
35. thanx for Alan's answer to my Q - rgp
36. Alan Sasnovski replies to date for the South African National Championships - alan

no western cape comp results because scrutineer's daughter disappoints Hi Jay
Just to mention something I have noticed, it might just be my imagination, but could it be the disappointment of the Western Cape scrutineer's daughter's result that affects his eagerness to publish our results on the net.  I wonder...  All the other provinces are up to date except WP.

Regards, Dancer WP

Ed
DanceSport Gauteng, care two hoots about the Cape region and their results. Arthur Isaacs used to promptly send me the Cape results for Internet publication. I'd doll it up for the world to see, and DanceSport Gauteng would link my Cape-result page to theirs, i.e. until I added my DanceInfo SA banner to the Cape page, and PRESTO! that took care of that... the SADS's puerile menagerie.

So WP, you must be dead right about the "Scrutineer's daughter", it is definitely not your imagination, these dudes are ruthless in their pettiness, and thank goodness you arrived incognito, because had you not, they would have feathered and
tarred you and all your friends with lemon cream and peppers - the wonderful world of DanceSport SA.


Michael-David & Mandy-Lynne retain 2000 Rock 'n Roll & Hustle Titles at the SA Freestyle Champs Dear Jay
Just a short note to add to your Website:
My elder two children Michael-David and Mandy-Lynne successfully defended their 2000 Rock 'n Roll & Hustle Titles at the SA Freestyle Champs held at Esselen Park on 17-11-2001.  This was also the last Freestyle Comp that they danced - so retired on a high note (winning thesse 2 sections 2 years in a row), it was a very emotional day for us as each time they took the floor in their various sections we realized it would be the last time they would be dancing. They are now going to concentrate strictly on their Latin American dancing - which they neglected very much this year - as they decided to go all out in their Freestyle.

This past Friday (23-11-2001) they did their Blue Ribband Exam in Latin American and both achieved Honours in each dance (Samba, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive), so now have completed all their Latin and Freestyle Exams. Alan & I are very proud of them indeed. As Michael-David was a very late starter to dancing - he was almost 16 when he started - and in 5 years they have achieved so much - to reach Championship in everything theey have danced - Latin American and Freestyle dancing.

Regards, Sharon Sasnovski

Ed
Firstly Sharon, thanks for dropping the exciting dance news, and congrats to Michael, David, Mandy and Lynne... a mega achievement. From all us DanceInfoers I say, "everything of the best to them in their Latin venture" ... Dancing is TOPS.


Dutch Open 2001 – a big success "South African’s, Victor de Silva and Claire Edwards took 1st place" Jay
A last minute air ticket to Holland made it possible for Martin Moroder and Ziona van der Merwe to participate at the Dans’ 2001. We arrived in Assen, in a cold and rainy environment, on Wednesday 7th November.

Thursday 8th November: 1st day of competition: 4 pm Youth Latin Championship started for Martin and Ziona already on a bad note. After consulting a doctor we rushed to the competition.

1st round: only 58 couples in 3 heats with 3 youth couples representing South Africa. Martin and Ziona, Marcel and Hayley went straight into the 3rd round. Eric and Angelyn had to re-dance, but unfortunately didn’t make it any further.

Seeing Martin and Ziona dancing the 1st round I realized that they wouldn’t get far. The will to excel was there, but the body declined. Martin and Ziona dropped out in the 3rd round as foreseen (22 call-backs, 23 needed), but Marcel and Hayley made it to the 4th round.

Final result: Martin and Ziona 25th.
Before midnight the Professional South American Showdance was held. Ryno and Sonja did very well in this section. They were place 5th overall. We left early to get a good night's rest, seeing that the important Adult Championships were still to come.

Friday 9th November: Adult Rising Star Latin Championships started at 2 pm. 90 entries from 19 countries. This section was danced in 6 heats. In the 1st round Martin and Ziona danced fitter than the previous day. I could see immediately that Ziona felt much better. No more stomach pains. After performing all five dances I expected them to reach the 2nd round, but instead Martin and Ziona were placed directly in the top 36, with 26 call-backs. Marcel and Hayley, Eric and Angelyn had to re-dance and believe it or not, both had the same amount of call-backs, namely 13, which was insufficient to qualify for the next round. Martin and Ziona danced the 3rd round and were placed 32nd overall.

Saturday 10th November: World Open Amateur Latin Championships 10 am. 129 couples in 7 qualifying heats. The 3 South African couples danced 1st and 2nd round. Eric and Angelyn unfortunately didn’t make it to the 3rd round. They were placed 111th overall.

At 7 pm, 40 Professional Latin couples took the floor in 2 heats. Grant and Tebogo excelled in their performance. They deserved to be finalists, missing the final by one single mark and taking 7th place. What an achievement!

Later that night 3 Professional couples participated at the World Open Exhibition Championship. South African’s, Victor de Silva and Claire Edwards took 1st place.

Sunday 11th November : World Open Amateur Latin Championship 3rd round. 96 couples were recalled. Marcel and Hayley were placed 95th whilst Martin and Ziona took 75th place.

Absolutely astonishing was the fact that 3 out of 9 international judges placed Martin and Ziona in the top 48. All they needed was 8 more call-backs. We were very pleased with these results, especially the well-run competition and above all the amount of friends we made. We enjoyed the after parties to a great extent.

We realized that to compete overseas you have to look at specific aspects of your dancing. It proved once again that Martin and Ziona are ready for next year to challenge the Adult Latin section within the top 48. We now know what to work on and we are very confident that they will do well internationally.

Regards, Felix Moroder

Ed
Felix, thanks for the exciting dance news, and well done to all our dancers - good luck for the next one.


Cape dressmakers please Hi J
I am looking for ballroom gown dressmakers in Cape Town, who can give me an email address or phone nr. ?

Thanks, C. Mazurel,
Netherlands

Ed
Cape dancers who can help, email Cas : casmazurel@zonnet.nl

Cas, email Arthur Isaacs artvan@mweb.co.za he must have a name or two for you.


delighted to find your wonderful site Hi Jay
I was delighted to find your wonderful site today.

On your page please would you kindly consider adding a link to the site at http://www.danceway.com, recently voted one of the best news source of performing arts in the world. We are happy to exchange links with other dance related sites.

Name: DanceWay
URL : http://www.danceway.com or http://metrotraining.bc.ca/natagar/danceway/links/frameset.html
Country: Canada

Nata

Ed
Recently voted one of the best news source of performing arts in the world, makes it an honour to have you linked to our site, and if you have dance news from your part of the globe, I'd gladly spread it.


dance video tapes removed Hi Jay,
Kindly remove the ad of my dance video tapes on your web site, because I dont have stock any more.Thank you for allowing me to advertise on your site.

Best Regards, Thabo Phiri


a social dance place Jay
Die Dansplek is Bethford View.  Hulle het elke 1ste en middel Saterdag 'n dans.  Die Rooster: 24 Nov, 8 December, 22 December.  Die vrou wat alles reel is Ilse Maree Tel: (011) 6733550 / 0822563082.  Ek sal die 8ste oop hou.

Valerie Niebuhr


International syllabus Hi Jay-Jay
Please quote on the following:

International syllabus
Bronze & Silver:  Paso Doble, Samba
Silver syllabus  :  Rumba Cha Cha, Jive

Also advise whether there are any "Question & Answer"  books available in preparing for Teachers Exams (Ballroom / Latin)

Regards

Alida Rudman

Ed
7 dances @ R39 a dance = R273 minus one free R39 = 234, plus two 3-hour video tapes @ R34 each (R68) = R302 plus postage +- R30 Total = R332

re "Q & A", these tapes cover the technique in detail.


belly dance and Greek dance teachers in Pretoria Hi Jay
Do you perhaps know of any belly dance and Greek dance teachers in Pretoria?

Regards, Sandy

Ed
Yes, Mostapha in Duncan Street, Hatfield - Tel : 012 342 3855. I have have had sevveral inquiries for Belly Dancing, it's becoming popular as a form of exercise for all age groups.


belly dance video tapes - no belly dancing in Pretoria Hi Jay
I phoned Mostapha but he doesn't do it any more!

Regards, Sandy

Ed
Sandy, an alternative is, purchase Phyllis's professionally done Belly Dance video tapes, Here's her webpage for details


sandy, charlotte replies to "belly dancing in pretoria"

hi Jay - Mostapha says he will be training belly again from January - religious holidays until then!
regards
c

see Charlotte's Belly Dance page


will there be any IDSF competitions held in South Africa next year Hi Jay
I wanted to know if you could perhaps find out if there'll be any IDSF competitions held in South Africa next year.

Ccccc Yaaaa, Roy !!!

Ed
Long time no hear from, how's the Mother City, and your new partnership going?

I've emailed your Q to Alan Sasnovski (very helpful fellow and the right person to asked) but in case I get no reply, email Alan @ a_sasnovski@sames.co.za and let us all have the answer.


alan's reply to "IDSF competitions" roy's question Hi Jay,
I see that someone has already posted this question on the sadancesport webpage. Please email Roy to see the reply. A formal answer has been requested from Allan Hammond. In the meanwhile there are some very valid comments posted in reply by the webmaster.

Regards, Alan.


who is "dancer WP" ? Hi J
Could it be possible to perhaps receive the real name of "dancer WP" who wrote about the "Scrutineer's daughter" ?

Regards, WP

Ed
Not a chance. Dancer WP, who sent the legit gripe, knows too well you ain't allowed to say anything derogatory about the establishment without being blackballed for life - it's called anti-tranparency, C... so WP, live with that. It's oppressively cruel I know.


Freestyle comp this Saturday 17 Nov at Esslen Park Hi Jay,
Have you got the programme for Freestyle comp this Saturday 17 Nov at Esslen Park ??

Many thanks, Rene

Ed
No, but Pam Smith who runs the show can. Here are Pam's contact details:
e-address - pamsmith@mweb.co.za Phone # 011-664 7441


SA couple Grant Mandon & Viveca Peterson excel at Amatuer World Championships Hello Jay
Just wanted to say congratulations to Grant Mandon & Viveca Peterson who represented South Africa at the Amateur World Championships that was held on the 3rd November, they were placed 30th over all beating the current South African champions who were placed 32nd. Well done !!!

Regards, Latino

PS: you can get the results at "The world dance plaza".

Ed
Thanks for the input - great achievement


Fred Astaire dancers leave bodies lying around on the floor Hi Jay
Friday 2 November I attended Sylvia's DanceClub social at the Lion's Club in Pretoria, and as per usual I thoroughly enjoyed myself; great music, people, atmosphere, etc. What I like most of this event is that it truly brings many of the social dance schools together, and this time even a small band of Fred Astaire members joined in. Although they came in few numbers, the FA dancers really made their presence known by battering around the floor without any respect for the other couples. It is very obvious that Fred Astaire don't include floorcraft in their curriculum, but I must say I was quite impressed with their style and dancing.

This time Sylvia organised two cabarets from the Dance Well studio, both Argentine Tangos and super entertainment. The one that blew my mind was Breton and Sharon's show, they make an excellent pair.

Last but not least, Jay, you're a star with the best website.

Mad about dancing

Ed
Thanks for sharing your dance news & views, and for the praise.

Sylvia's set-up is a perfect occasion for dancers who prefer to do more than just the One-Step, and the happy news is that I have only heard compliments for what Sylvia does - a pleasure to have her on my site. Her next social dance is Friday 30 November at the Lion's Club.

Re Fred Astaire's floorcraft showing, here's a link to an article in my Dancers' Dictionary page which every social dancer should read with an open, considerate, conscientious mind: ETIQUETTE IN FLOORCRAFT


student of mine needs videos on International Ballroom technique Jay, Hi
A student of mine needs videos on International Ballroom technique.  Do you have any??

Also can you let me have a list of videos that you do have which may be of interest.

Many thanks, Meryl Williams

Ed
Meryl, the only Ballroom and Latin technique workshop tape I have is the one my staff use to gain teaching knowledge. The Ballroom/Standard section is presented by the ex-professional World Ballroom champions Michael and Vicky Barr. This section deals in detail with the use of "hold and posture" to produce the correct "outline". They also include "foot and leg" action, etc.

The Latin part on the tape is done by an English couple Keith Todd and Karen Alexis. They study, in detail, the "Rumba walks forward and back", "Latin hip movement", arm styles, etc. They also cover the style, character and technique pertaining to Jive, Cha-Cha, Samba, Paso Doble. We, and many rural coaches, have benefited enormously from both sections.

Here's a link that takes you to an article about the instructors on the videos that I've got:
http://www.dancesport.uk.com/tid-bits/issue055.htm

And here's my list of instructional video tapes: http://www.oocities.org/danceinfosa/disavideot.html

Sorry, nothing new in stock at present. Ordering has become outrageously expensive with the R/$ exchange rate these days.