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Social Dancing Reviews
GOODNESS GRACIOUS GREAT BALLS OF ... ICE! - the Edelweiss Dance Club
WHAT A PARTY!! - Lydia's Winter Ball
Hennie’s Dance Club, great improvement... what a change - Hennie’s Dance Club
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? - the Millionaire’s Club
ACCOLADES FOR TANZ CAFE - Tanz Café
dance at the Roodepoort City Hall - Steve and Lorna Roodt.
the Dance Palace in Florida on a Saturday night
the best and the worst of social dancing
Where to go dancing

GOODNESS GRACIOUS GREAT BALLS OF ... ICE! Hi Jay
One of the most popular venues in the Jo’burg area for a Saturday night has been for a long time the Edelweiss Dance Club. This Club always tries to please with a variation of themes such a hat dance; a Valentine’s night; an Out of Africa theme where you are invited to dress up to suit the theme, an so on. It is quite amusing to see dancers in their khakis and veldskoene.  Dressing up to suit the theme is not essential, you can come as you are - but part of the fun is to dress up.

This past Saturday saw them hold a black tie/dinner dance. The two most amazing outfits were two gentlemen fully dressed in full Scottish regalia; kilts with sporrans and all. I have always wondered if they wear anything under those kilts. On such a cold night only the brave, bold and foolish would dare such a thing. The sporran, a large pouch made of skin with hair or fur, is worn in front of the kilt - they say it acts as a purse - I wonder?

The dinner consisted of a choice of either a beef pot roast or a chicken casserole. This was served with an assortment of salads and hot vegetables, finished off with ice cream or fresh cream. The only thing that marred the dinner was that it was served on cold plates. With the evening being chilly and the plates even colder the food soon became ice cold and unpalatable. This brings to mind some of our popular steak houses and so-called restaurants. Why do they give their patrons a flimsy single ply serviette, no better than a bit of cheap toilet paper when you just spent just under R100,00 for your meal? Makes one wonder.

As usual the music played by Roy was good and you soon start to warm up when you start dancing (ag, so, that’s the reason for the sporran - to keep you COOL). Besides the cold food the dance, as usual, went off well. Anyone wanting to dance to ballroom, Latin, romantic and rock music in the Jo’burg area on a Saturday night, then Edelweiss is recommended. Phone Ilse on 673-3550; Cell 082 256-3082.

DanceCRIT

WHAT A PARTY!! Hi Jay
We had the pleasure of attending Lydia's Winter Ball at the Roodepoort City Hall on the evening of Saturday 23rd June. The music was very good, strict tempo stuff, and was nicely spaced out with fast and slow dances being the order of the night. The DJ, Dieter, of  "Touch of Class Disco" really did an excellent job. The atmosphere was electric and everyone turned the Ball into a Party.

As you know I always look for the "Good and the Bad" on the social scene. For this dance it was ALL good - very hard to fault. It is a pity that Lyydia holds only three dances a year - with such success and the shortage of good dance venues in the Johannesburg area on a Saturday night, Lydia should think about holding more dances.

Incidentally, Lydia calls herself The Social Dance Club. She teaches all 10 dances at the Discovery Recreation Hall in the Florida, Roodepoort area, to groups at very reasonable rates. You can get hold of her on (011) 679-3723.

Come on Lydia, I know you will be reading this, let's have more Parties.

DanceCrit

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? - Social DanceCrit report Hi Jay
No, you’re not going to make money out of this one and it's not going to cost you a fortune either - but I am sure you will enjoy yourself. After hearing about the Millionaire’s Club we decided to go take a peek. The Club is situated on the Old Main Reef Road, Industria, Johannesburg (Motor City, opposite the cigarette factory just in case you run out). Bookings are made with Sayed on 083 395-2390.

The Club is licensed, has a coffee bar and a snack bar serving the most delicious samosas and chilli bites. The patrons are mainly Coloured with a small percentage of White couples. The parking is safe with a watchman in attendance. Dances are held every Saturday night from 8.30 and the dress is smart. The entrance fee is R25,00 per person and they stay open ‘till the early hours of the morning.

The dance floor is of ceramic tiles which are a bit heavy on the old legs.  This did not deter the dancers at all. I have never seen so many couples on the dance floor at one time without one collision the whole evening. I was amazed at the floor craft and was introduced to a new type of Samba - very much like a quickstep - but with a bounce. The dancing is energetic and very casual.

One can see, that although the dancers are not technically correct, they really are accomplished in what they do and are enjoying every moment.  It made me very envious when I have been dancing so “stiff and exact” for so long. As I mentioned in my previous article - PASSIONATE, SENSUAL AND TANTALIZING on the Tango Argentino - the most important aspect of any dance is to enjoy what you are doing at any level and to be relaxed at the same time.

The Millionaires Club have an eight piece live band going by the name of The Hot Shots. Although they are a bit on the loud side, this band has to be the best I’ve heard in many a year. The keyboard and sax players are outstanding. Their music has a jazzy flavour mixed with a tinkling of the Cape Coloured sound. They play the full range of Latin and Ballroom music.  The only complaint I have is that they play far too many sambas.

For an evening that is a bit different and a lot of fun I recommend you visit the Millionaires.

DanceCrit

Hennie’s Dance Club, great improvement - what a change Hi Jay
FEEDING TIME IS OVER.
Yes, we had another visit to Hennie’s Dance Club at the 7th Division Army Hall following Justine’s reply to my report on how the dancing came to a stop and the bright lights being switched on whilst everyone made for the food.

What a change, no more bright lights and everyone brought their own snacks and refreshments. Even the line dancing was nicely interspaced with “normal” dancing. The music was strict tempo with plenty of Ross Mitchell’s arrangements. The organisers really went out of their way to please ... the tables were tastefully laid with flowers. Chips, nuts and raisins were placed on all the tables.

I recommend this venue to the social dancer. The floor is large, good music and a nice vibe. There are a number of single folk there and the line dancing gives everyone an opportunity to meet and dance with each other.  Parking is very safe with the Army taking care of the security ... guns and all.

Hennie holds a dance on the first Saturday of every month and bookings can be made with Harold (011) 822-3589, Justine (011) 608-1170 (w) 640-5646 (h).  Cost: R25,00 per person.

Incidentally, some time ago the BBC Television ran a series of International dance competitions on their channel. The competitions were between various European countries under the title “Come Dancing.” Ross Mitchell’s orchestra were in attendance.

Happy Dancing.

DanceCrit

ACCOLADES FOR TANZ CAFE Hi Jay
Following my adverse report about Tanz Café in February this year under the heading “The Best and the Worst of
Social Dancing” I received reports that Tanz Café had a new chef and that the food had improved.

We decided to give them another look. The reports were true - the food has improved 100 per cent. We were welcomed by their new maitre d’hote, Eddie, with impeccable manners and a caring attitude. He attended to us as if we were royalty.

The one dish that really impressed me tremendously was their delicious Line Fish in a beer batter sauce, served with chips, roasted green pepper, peas.  etc. with a large side plate of fresh garden salad - makes my mouth water as I write this. My other guests were most happy with their food.

As always, the vibe was excellent with many of their students dancing the latest “rage” - Tango Argentino.
All in all our party had a wonderful time.

Well done Tanz! It’s heartwarming to see you really care for their customers and have gone out of your way to please your clientele.

DanceCrit

roving social dance reporter Hi Jay
We recently attended a dance at the Roodepoort City Hall held by Steve and Lorna Roodt. Steve and Lorna have been teaching Ballroom and Latin group classes in the evening at the City Hall for over 12 years.  They can be contacted on (011) 955-1301. Steve claims that he was once a national adjudicator for ballroom dancing.

Once a month they hold a dance at the City Hall for their present and past students. We have been attending his dances for quite some time hoping that his music would improve - but to no avail. The dance is held on the best floor which is huge and sprung, giving dancers much relief to their feet and muscles and lots of room to move about.

The music has to be the worst I have ever heard. Steve is the DJ and calls himself “Strict Tempo.” What a joke. As the music starts Steve interrupts it by announcing that it is a quickstep or a jive throwing the dancers out of their rhythm - he does this, I think, to inform his new students so that they know what to do. Invariably he gets it wrong - he announces that the dance is a foxtrot and it actually turns out to be a jive. This goes on all night which is most disturbing. My partner and I get up and start to jive to a “so-called foxtrot” and all his students go around the floor fox-trotting - what a sight - two people jiving and everyone fox-trotting. It is ridiculous not to say the least.

The selection of music comes out of the ark - Doris Day and such; and I challenge anyone to try doing a Viennese to “Bachelor Boy” by Cliff Richards ... you have to be an athlete of exceptional standard to keep up the pace.  The one song that really got to me was “Hot Diggity, etc.” - boy I thought that one was really put to rest (R.I.P.). And so it goes on - wrong announcements, interruptions and music that is out of Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard.

He has been approached by many people to do something about the music but he doesn't seem to listen - he actually thinks his music is the best. No wonder his attendance to his dances have been falling off with only his “novice” students attending. We always say we will never go again but we do just in the hope that he has changed. But good old Steve will carry on.  It is quite sad when there is a shortage of quality venues available.

Insofar as Steve and Lorna’s teaching is concerned it is very good at this and their prices for group classes are very competitive. They certainly fill a need for folk to start with the basics in dancing. They teach all 10 dances and are most accomplished in this.

If you want to be introduced to dancing then Steve and Lorna’s is a good place to start - and if you want to see how a dance can be ruined, then you know where to go.

PS - Jay, we went to an exciting dance club recently - I will tell you all about it soon.

Please add the attached e-mail addresses to your subscriber's list.

Bye the way, I will be sending you regular articles on the dance spots I attend.

Regards

DanceCrit

the best and the worst of social dancing Hi Jay
Will you kindly let me know where one can go ballroom and Latin dancing on Friday and Saturday nights in the Johannesburg area - quality dance places, that is.

I have been wanting, for some time, to moan about the quality of dance venues, so here it is.

I know of the following which may be of help to others who find themselves in the same predicament. Edelweiss Dance Club, Bedfordview, usually have a dance on the second and last Saturday of every month. The music is good with strict tempo ballroom Latin and jive music. A few line dances nicely inter-spaced with normal dancing. - Phone Ilse 673-3550. Cell: 082 256-3082..

Hennies has a dance on the first Saturday of every month at the 7th Army Division, Bedfordview, near to Eastgate. Dancers are expected (if they like) to bring a plate of food and this placed on a large table for a “bring and share” finger licking meal. It's very nice. The music is good, strict tempo ballroom, Latin, etc.

The problem with this club is that they stop the music for about 45 minutes, and switch on all the lights, while everyone gets into the food. Those who didn't bring anything have to sit around waiting for the music to start again. And when it does this is followed by about an hour of line dances and Old English style sequence dancing - with the majority of people sitting on the sidelines - again waiting for the music to start.

Many dance places and studios have line dances and from my experience everyone has their own choreography - and unless you know their specific stepss you are out of sync. One does not want to take away line dancing but it would be better for everyone if they inter-spaced them with normal dancing. For example, if one cannot Tango or Jive, you sit out, and one can probably dance the next one. If you like to talk a lot, instead of dancing a lot, then this is the place for you. - Phone Hennie 648-3127.

The Dance Palace on a Saturday night is a disaster for the serious ballroom/Latin dancer. The majority of dancers sokkie for every dance - rumbas, cha-chas, waltzes the whole lot. At about 10 pm they start playing heavy beat music and all the young folk stand in a big circle shaking and gyrating like a bunch of spastics. I believe they hold a social dance on Friday nights for their students and that this is strictly tempo music. We will try this out and let you know.

A group of us went to the Tanz Cafe. The vibe was good. The food was NOT good value for money ... we had a paella consisting of one small, small, piece of chicken which was half cooked, four slices of some type of sausage (1.5 cms in diameter and about half a centimetre thick), one small prawn and the rest was a small portion of watery pink rice and a few peas. Not even a side plate of a bread roll or a slice of bread. All this for R35,00 - you be the judge. We weren't told that there was going to be a cabaret that night and we were charged another R25,00 each for something none of us enjoyed.  The music, as expected, was very Latin which was enjoyed by our party. The floor is too small for any progressive dances. Tanz Cafe has a very nice cosy vibe about it. It’s worth a visit once every six months.

Brian and Meryl Schmidt - Dancealot Studios, Athlone Girls High, Observatory. The music is the best around  - strict tempo. Big sprung dance floor. Good standard of dancing. The only crit I can make here is that they don’t hold enough dances and that the studio’s international standard dancers don’t attend - do they think they are above mixing with social dancers. We would love to see them perform. I would suggest that they get on the floor with the plebs and maybe they can learn a few things - like floor craft.

Cha Cha Club, Harley Street, Randburg, Phone 787-0740. They hold a social dance every Friday night. Price is only R15,00 per person. The floor (vinyl tiles) was of medium size - not too bad - but very sticky. The music here leaves a lot to be desired. They played one waltz, one foxtrot, a few cha-chas and rumbas. The majority of dances were boogies. Most of the Latin music was not strict tempo. The people are very friendly. As with most social dance studios they too don’t teach floor craft and dance manners. My partner and I were doing the boogie and another couple came onto the floor right next to us. I got a heel in my ankle. Why can’t the studios teach their pupils how much space they need for their dance routine. Nevertheless, we had a good time.

One of the biggest problems, I find, is the music. It is not strict tempo music and also that DJ’s play one fast dance after another - not allowing the dancers to catch their breath - a good way to wear out the dancers.

Well, Jay, that's enough moaning for now. I am now making it my mission to moan, groan and praise whenever I get a chance.
Yours Truly

DanceMoan

Justine replies to "the best and the worst of social dancing" Dear Jay
I have just read the letter from “Dance Moan” with regards to quality dance venues. Thanks for the honesty.

I would like to update Dance Moan on a few changes at Hennie’s.

Food is no longer placed on a large table if you bring snacks, etc. It is for your own table, therefore, dancing no longer comes to a grinding halt at FEEDING TIME. (SOOO NO MORE BRIGHT LIGHTS)

Line dancing and sequence dancing is inter spaced with other dancing so no one needs to sit out for more than one dance at a time.

We have a large number of single people attending our dances and we find that the Line Dances and  Sequence dances that call for partner changes during the routine give people on their own a chance to mix easily. We won’t overdo them I promise.

We have a beautiful venue and we would like to keep our supporters happy.

Hennie is still in hospital after his accident so any queries should be sent to Harold  011 822 3589 or Justine  011 608 1170 w  or 011 640 5646h

Thank you for you brilliant site and all the effort and time you devote to dancing

Regards
Justine

Tanz Café replies to DanceMoan Dear Jay
Herewith some Tanz info for the magazine from Tanz Cafe.

Becoming comfortable with a computer screen magazine – as opposed to the secure feel of paper has been a not-too-easy adjustment to make. However, a determined effort is being made to get to grips with this media and the system. Tanz is now computer literate and ready to roll. Our new Email address is tanzcafe@worldonline.co.za, although mail sent to our old address (tanzcafe@hotmail.com) will also reach us.

I have read your readers’ letters with a concerned interest. On behalf of Tanz Café (and probably every other partner dance venue) I would like to assure dance lovers that we do strive to please all our customers all of the time. Complaints are taken seriously and addressed as a matter of urgency. Dance venues aim at a very small and specific market and the satisfaction of our customers is vital for our survival, let alone our success.

I would love to share some info about classes happening at Tanz this year.

Ever heard of Lindy Hop? Through the persistence of Oliver Meckler’s teaching, combined with his outstanding knowledge and ability to get people excited about the original swing styles, Lindy Hop has taken off at the Tanz Café this year. Oliver’s classes now bubble with enthusiasm as students discover the intricacies and fun of the Swings.

Owen Kroeger and Deon Borges’ Hip Hop classes have attracted mothers and ‘cool kids’ to the workout on Saturday mornings. Both these trainers have impressive track records with hip hop and freestyle dance forms, teaching with their characteristic exuberance and personality.

Hip and happening choreographer Didi Moses has recently moved up from Cape Town to stage a number of dance shows and captain the Acrobats Professional dance team. Tanz Café is proud to have her burn up the dance floor three times per week with her superfly spunky Jazz Funk classes.

Dance champion, Ryno van den Berg trains Latin American and Ballroom groups with a wicked sense of humour and vast knowledge of dance on Thursdays. His classes are followed by his super sixties party that rocks into the night. Whilst Ryno devotes his Thursdays to Tanz Café, the rest of his week is filled training students in Pretoria. Amazingly he still finds time to organise THE South African 2001 Latin American & Ballroom Dance Congress (21 and 22nd April) whilst also preparing for the next championships with his partner Sonja. Some people are unreal!

I particularly love Ryno’s slogan for the Congress ‘ Let us make dancing a team sport.’ Our wishes to Ryno and all involved in the congress – best of success!!

Charlotte of Jewels of the Nile, and her professional Belly Dance team, were the winners of the USA 2000 gold trophy for Belly Dance. Charlotte can be seen taking her students through the sensual but controlled movements of Belly. From absolute beginners and to the skilfully advanced, her students create a colourful sight for Tuesday night diners.

For those looking to tone and firm up there are five dance workout classes per week, popular amongst ladies of all ages. Using Latin and Tango movements as an exercise base, students are taken through a fun but intensive body conditioning and toning workout.

"The passion of Mareli Schroters’ teaching has spread all over the country and she is fast becoming South Africa’s leading Argentinean tango instructor as her teaching focuses on getting back to the bare essence of the dance." – FNB dance judge

An then, of course, there is the Argentinean Tango which, at the Tanz Café, is developing into a dance delicacy, drawing students of every nationality including the Argentineans.

As such the Café has become home to a national and international exchange of knowledge and styles, as well as a cosy meeting place for Tango lovers. Beginner's classes, Advanced and Open classes attract an exciting mix of professional and amateur dancers. Frances Kendall and her teaching team from Fred Astaire, Eastgate, are regular students at the Saturday open class and will soon be performing and teaching the Tango – spreading it to the East!

Tanz Café‘s mission statement is always our first priority.

‘At Tanz Café we aim to create an atmosphere of sheer enjoyment of dance no matter what level the dancer. Share the floor without barriers or a sense of competition and simply dance for the joy of it.’

To provide a comfort zone for competitors, professionals and hobby dancers to simply enjoy the beauty of dance, interact, and chill!

A special Farewell to Carol Phillips ex senior Ballroom Champion who recently married her dashing Frenchman, Bernard, whom she met at Tanz Café. They have settled in France but will be visiting SA regularly.

Carol with Christo and Julie performed their Theatre Adage Ballroom cabaret for our Romantic Valentines Dinner Dance. Not a dry eye in the house!

New kid on our block – Tanz Café welcomes Thomas, DJ and host for the venue. He is a young, hip, university student with a special passion for Tango and Latin American dance.

The entire Tanz team look forward to welcoming you.

Regards and best wishes for an inspired dance year!

Jay, thanks a million, hope to see you and Elsa soon again

Mareli

adapt or die on the social dance floor Hi Jay
Long time no write , as I have been quite busy with making music  and of course dancing. Once again, let me say it - your web site just gets better all the time Jay.

Having read “dancemoans”  very informative letter on social dance venues, Rienie and I have  been dancing together for 4 years now and in that time we have always been on  the lookout for and trying new dance venues, but alas, without much success, as most places are too small and the music generally caters for the masses, or they don’t last too long.  However, we have adopted the attitude of making the best of what is available at all the various venues i.e. when we go to a small venue, like Fred's dance club in Northcliff  on Friday nights for instance,( regarded as a singles club by most , but nothing wrong with that, as long as the music is acceptable), we get there early and do our various latin or ballroom steps when the floor is empty .If necessary,  we request the appropriate music from the DJ  i.e. we don’t wait for it to happen, we make it happen - for a while at least.

Once the floor fills up and the music is mostly commercial stuff, we accept the fact that others are also there to do there own thing and so we make do with dancing to smaller steps in a more confined space and without  arms protruding too much. Hell, something is better than nothing!  The same goes for the JHB Social Club at the Morningside Country Club every Saturday -we get there early and get in some quality dancing for a while and ask for the right music.

If it’s space we want, we still go to the Dance Palace in Florida on a Saturday night  on a regular basis.
Here, the DJ Noel, who has been there since day one , knows how to read the crowds by now and caters for all tastes. As there is always a mixed age group in attendance, the music has to again cater for the masses  i.e. modern pop and sokkie  and a waltz  thrown in regularly . Here again, if you request a tango or whatever, Noel is always obliging. Again I say, just make requests and you can do your stuff.

One thing we have learnt, is that if a piece of modern music is normally danced to with a boogie step for instance, you can sometimes ,repeat sometimes, do a cha-cha or even a mambo to the same song. Certain modern ballads can also produce a nice rhumba step. - What? mambo to Eiffel 65 or Britney Spears? - magic stuff !

The point I am trying to make here is that just because the music played at most dance venues today is generally top 20 stuff, does not mean that it’s not danceable to latin or ballroom standards. Experiment and you will be surprised .

One sad fact is that a place like the Dance Palace, which was originally marketed as a ballroom and latin venue, has to eventually go with the flow in order to survive and so become more commercial. That is because ballroom/latin dancers in general do not support their particular type of venues for too long - why, I’ll never understand, as soon enough, they complain that there is no where to dance ballroom/latin.

At the Dance Palace on a Friday night , after dance classes are completed (20H30), the music is mostly latin/ballroom, but the problem is that new students who are there, can sometimes be a bit of an obstacle on the floor, but hey, Rienie and I were once at that stage too (some dancers might think we still are!), so you just learn to accept it, or stay at home. Besides, it improves your navigational skills around the floor as well.  So whenever and wherever we can, we make the most of the majority of the various dance venues we have and just enjoy ourselves, despite the odds.  After all, life is too short .

Regards,
Wez