SERIOUSLY SOCIAL - BALLROOM STANDARD AND BALLROOM LATINO DANCE

SERIOUSLY SOCIAL

by

PAULA

There are many different aspects of Ballroom and Latin Dancing, but they can be roughly/definitely divided into 4 sections – Professional, Amateur, Social, and the most recently recognised category regarded by many engaged in the activity today as the most important: DanceSport. Sometimes referred to as a 'Performing Art', it is important that it continues to be regarded as a 'Social Activity' - in the U.K. for example, as a 'Performing Art' it would require the 'Performer' to hold Equity Membership.

DANCESPORT

The name DanceSport has become a matter of much conjecture. It was first utilised a few years ago at the time when the Dance Authorities decided that their activity should take part in the Olympic Games and required a suitable title under which to apply – other hopeful 'Entries' from around the world being so numerous that no firm dates for all applicants has yet been decided.

It is a fact that this dancing in the advanced forms can be astonishingly athletic, though it should always retain that grace and elegance so firmly related to the authentic style. In this last is the vital difference between the currently popular 'Street' styles, by many, many centuries the older, which are extremely clever and entertaining to watch, but are certainly not obliged or expected to incorporate that elegance and beauty so vital in the ballroom.

Oddly enough, it would seem that 'Street, a far more more acrobatic approach, should be the style to have been labelled 'DanceSport', although perhaps it is felt that this is already covered by 'Gymnastics'. Countries of the 'Eastern Bloc' – previously U.S.S.R. - excel here. With a traditional background of Ballet, their small children are started in this field at the earliest possible age, and this is a superb basis for transfer to ballroom and Latin two or three years later, according to their choice. This is a process which has ensured that current Ballroom/Latin Competition Winners' Lists are crammed with 'Eastern Bloc' names – though happily they are usually teamed with a 'Western Bloc' dancer.

DANCING FOR THE WORLD

However, those pairs who are dancing for World Titles usually tell us that they certainly incorporate a more 'Athletic' style into their routines if they feel this will enhance their performance. In this connection, definitely the most impressive category is 'Exhibition', which calls for Lifts, Balances, Poses, which sometimes appear to the onlooker to reach the realms of beautiful fantasy - those who have watched Exhibition World Champions, South Africa's wonderful Victor da Sousa and Hannah Kartunnen, will agree this.

IN THE U.K.

In the U.K., on the popular front is the awe-inspiring expertise of Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, World Argentine Tango and Showdance Champions, the Latin of Darren and Lilia Bennett, U.K. Champions, both couples closely associated with Dance Studios, and the ballroom of Anton du Beke and Erin Boag, Stars of the entertainment field. All, with their countless admirers and followers, inspire so many hopefuls to take up Dancing. Warren and Kristi Boyce, U.K. Ballroom Champions and World Finalists, and European World Champions, operate a famous Dance Studio with international influence, and have a small son, Glenn Richard, whose skill has brought him together with partner Lydia Hedges into the way of becoming European World Juvenile Champions and World Stars!

All relate well and successfully to that vital Social Scene.

BEING AN AMATEUR

To the purest, needless to say, Ballroom Dancing should always be beautiful and requires nothing other than its classic self to enthrall.

Amateur dancers follow in the steps of the Professionals - which many of them hope in due course to become. Like the Professionals, the Amateurs adhere to the same structure of Competitions, winning Titles etc. and if they manage to reach the realms of the highest, they will most probably become Professional, and continue to compete at that level.

GETTING REAL..... TEACHING

It is a fact that all this wonder must end sometime, and eventually those in the top rank must retire; at this point most of them if they have not already taken their qualifications and commenced this work at an earlier stage, will then turn to teaching. At the most superior levels, they will become Trainers, Coaches, instructing those who follow them in an endeavour to reach the heights.

However, even a World Champion should be 'qualified', to allow them to teach! Since it is possible for anyone (who possesses the ability) to train to be a teacher, without competing at any time except perhaps as a Medallist, that person may well be more of an expert at the actual teaching (on that indispensable paper, the Diploma, anyway!) than a World Champion. Instructing others requires specialised abilities which not every dancer, or sadly though rarely, even teacher, possesses - i.e. the ability to communicate and hopefully inspire, in addition to the ability to demonstrate!

An Amateur cannot teach – that is, they are not qualified to teach, and until they take the appropriate examinations, and become Professional, they should not. Though recently this point has come under discussion - with no definite conclusion reached at this time.

THE SOCIAL SCENE

There is no doubt that one of the most important aspects of ballroom dancing, both Standard and Latin, and possibly the most overlooked, are the Social Dancers, a point that is not always appreciated. They are the basis upon which the whole financial structure of 'Dancing as a Business', is built - although it must be said that in many instances this fact can be lost from sight in the thrill and excitement of the more exotic and some would say, more glamourous aspects, and the financial gain in publicity/monetary prizes. But if we compare this to theatre or film – and at this point we should – what matters is the audience! Of course it is the Social dancer who is the real audience, an advantage here, because with film or stage the audience just watches; with dancing they can - hopefully – participate themselves – or find themselves wanting to! Then they will require Teachers!

THE CLOSED CIRCLE

If Competing Dancers do not remain aware of this, they will eventually find themselves in the unfortunate position of dancing only 'for each other', a closed and limited circle of financial opportunity! 'Awards', accolades, celebrity, yes, always welcome, but this will be within that limited sphere. Where are the 'Rewards'? With no new 'audience' to be entertained and attracted, no 'Beginners' to encourage and teach in purely Social dancing! And one aspect of their life-work must surely be 'making a living'.

With few Social dancers to teach or to entertain, there is very little financial future – only the process of more Competitions, and Competitors watching Competitors and Dancers watching Dancers.

The circle must not be 'closed'; it must not be difficult to enter, and difficult to exit!

DEMO – DEMO - DEMO

Most top-line Ballroom/Latin dancers thoroughly enjoy their opportunties to demonstrate, to react to an 'unqualified' audience, the General Public! To entertain, and experience the 'feed-back' of applause – appreciating opinions other than those of their peers!

ANYONE CAN PLAY!

These occasions are the Showcase, the Shop Window, not only for themselves but for their lovely vocation. They inspire onlookers to say to themselves 'That looks fun - let's try it!' And happily enough - they can!

THE DANCE PROMOTER

This is the metier of the Dance Promoter, on all levels, and we look to their enthusiasm and expertise to establish or enlarge upon another - but 'open' - circle - enabling our Stars of Dance to demonstrate the world of Ballroom and Latin Dancing to an audience made up of the general public, helping to create that absolute necessity to both Promoter and Professional and Amateur Dancer - a successful Social Scene!

To enable each audience to 'try this out' for themselves – and maybe become devoted Social Dancers.

PARTICIPATING PARENTS

Professional Dancers usually start with enthusiastic parents – if not Professional or Amateur themselves, they would be Social dancers. Or they may be non-dancers who have seen ballroom dancing, and feel it would be of a distinct advantage to their children to be accomplished in this area. Many parents may be unable to dance themselves, and very regretful about this - though it should be emphasised that it is never too late to start! They do not want their children to attend functions, parties, weddings and other occasions, now or in later life, and find themselves the 'odd ones out'! Because this inability to take part does give a feeling of inadequacy to the child when their friends are out on the floor obviously greatly enjoying themselves – knowing exactly what to do and doing it well - able in fact to 'take it for granted'. This is an inadequacy which grows with age – and as time goes by the child feels more and more reluctant to 'try it'. Their peers are confident and competent – both in dealing with the dancing but also in dealing with each other – aware of the social skills necessary, and able to make use of them – a supreme advantage in life which will always be rewarding to them. They have been enabled to assimilate, not only the social skill of dancing, but the vital ability of 'self discipline'.

THAT INVALUABLE MEDALLIST SYSTEM

Usually upon attending Dancing School, the beginner, both adult and child, is offered the 'Medallist' System, and the majority of our best dancers have followed this. It is a system which enables the student to know exactly how much progress they are making – invaluable! They take a number of Lessons, and when the Instructor feels they are ready, the student will be 'examined', this by a Qualified Visiting Examiner.

Medal Tests are usually under the jurisdiction of the I.S.T.D., or the I.D.T.A. (there are other highly reputable organisations also) and will award results, from beginners to highly advanced to supreme awards.

Quite early on, Medallist Competitions are attended, with Dancing Schools bringing their pupils, from Juvenile to Senior, to compete. This is a distinct advantage, since it gives the students a chance to experience the excitement and challenge of a competition – excellent, because if they become highly accomplished, they may well decide to progress to Amateur status, and compete at that level.

As Amateur, they may in fact compete to 'World' Level. And it is usual for a couple who become 'World' Amateur Champions – a supreme achievement on its own – to then move on to Professional – and quite soon they will be seen taking part in 'World' Professional Championships.

THE REAL REWARD

As in many social/athletic/sports activities, winning Awards is wonderful. But every care must be taken that this does not become too insular......there is a whole World out there, full of people, men, women and children.......and Dancing is for the World.........so let's put it on offer!

Demo Tonight!