BALLROOM: LATIN AMERICAN DANCE COMPETITION - BARE ESSENTIALS - THOSE LOVELY LADIES OF LATIN DANCE

Reprinted from DANCE NEWS

Lady Latin American Dancers seem to be some of the lovliest ladies you will ever see. Now, why? They all seem to have lovely faces - is this sheer chance? Yes, of course they wear 'make up'. If they did not, on TV or from the floorside, or from your seat in a theatre, they would look very pale indeed under those lights. Nevertheless, they still all seem to have a basic beauty and bone structure on which to build! They are tanned, either from a spray or articficial or natural sun, and this is an essential aspect, because this style of dancing comes from a 'Hot' country. Their performance will seem far more authentic if they are 'sun-kissed'. And they are beautifully shaped - Latin dancing is remarkably good for the figure, which means that most dancers, if their appearance was not quite right to begin with, are able to improve as they progress. Ladies, is there a lesson to be learned here?

AND THOSE BRIEF COSTUMES!

It may be those delightful costumes which add to the appeal, the ones we see on the TV Programmes - yes, they are particularly skimpy - but then to a certain degree they have to be, there is a good reason for this. The costumes are specifically designed to attract the TV (particularly male?) audience, - men are not always so eager to watch 'Dancing!' - but in fact the original concept is very much to give scope for extremely active movement, and at the same time enhance and emphasise that movement.

THAT BASIC (BARE?) ESSENTIAL - THE BODY STOCKING

Usually when we think of Latin dancing, we think of the Rumba, the Cha cha, the Samba, and possibly the Mambo, first among other favourites, and this is where we see those tremendously attractive eye-catching costumes, many of them glittering under the bright lights. However, all designs for these outfits are based upon the - usually skin-toned - body stocking. Interestingly enough there is a system by which the body stocking is modelled, the dress material (stretch, sparkly, glitter,) attached over it - and then any absolutely 'unncessary' sections removed! Further loose sections, 'floaters', usually in a matching but more disaphanous material but perhaps also with glitter and sparkle, are then added with the purpose of emphasising various dancing movements - kicks, spins etc., swinging or floating out to reveal 'just a fraction more' and therefore allowing those kicks to look their highest, the splits and spins to show off their speed and control, all the while still retaining that essential elegance and charm.

TWO VERSIONS?

Latin dancing, the advanced styles anyway, is Competitive up to International World level, and is also definitely a 'Spectator Sport'. (For the last 15 years or so, together with Advanced Standard (Ballroom) Dancing, it has been included under the heading of 'Dancesport') The unique encompassing style of activity is moderately rare in any situation, apart from ballroom/Latin dancing. Cabarets, Floor Shows, Stage Shows, etc. are not only delightful entertainment in particular for social dancers, but can be really wonderful for anyone to watch. The most advanced are incredibly spectacular, inviting that awed 'How do they do that!' reaction from enthralled audiences. But all this is in addition to its being, in its simpler stages, a supremely pleasureable and popular Social Activity. It has been pointed out that in the U.K., there are more followers of Professional/Amateur/Social Ballroom and Latin Dancing there there are Football enthusiasts! After all, there are many superb dance genres, but very few where members of the audience can say, on a Social level, 'Why don't we try that ourselves!'

THE WORLD OF COMPETITION

While the 'Spectator'/Entertainment side is sparsely - but beautifully - dressed, as above, when it comes to the serious business of Competition, the ladies appear to remain, as it were, definitely dressed as ladies. In fact it would seem that in the competitive world, much of the 'brief costume' attraction is felt to be unnecessary - whatever these wonderfull 'Latin' ladies wear, at this level it is their dancing that is supremely spectacular, Their gowns are just that tiny bit more conservative, as if to remind us that they are dancing for the World, and it must never be forgotten that they are Professionals at the highest level, and as such will uphold the dignity and even classic character of any style of dancing.

FLAMENCO FOR FRILLS AND FLOUNCES!

But there is another stunning 'Latin look'. Think of those superb Flamenco style Paso Doble gowns, which may even be worn by young hopeful newcomers - and certainly by high grade Amateur and Professionals - and how much they add to mood and atmosphere! - but also by the more senior and highly experienced exponents. Age would appear to be absolutely immaterial here - sometimes 'shape' too - and all look delightful! These are mostly very colourful gowns (though black is popular) with low cut but usually quite conservative, tightly fitted bodices, and skirts the emphasis of which is on the rear! Cascades of frills and flounces and, for the more professional types, with added 'trains'. Professional or advanced Amateur experience is required in order to handle a 'train', especially with the additional weight of the frills!

MEN TOO!

The gentleman is required, as is usual in ballroom dancing but particulary in Latin, to 'show off', to 'present' his Lady. To lead her in moves which emphasise her elegance, her beauty, her underlying skill. In order to achieve this, he must appear elegant, impressive, and suitably dressed himself. Advanced work calls for Flamenco styles, - many requiring the addition of the Cape (usually heavier to handle than it looks!)

THAT INVALUABLE 'BODY' FOR GENTLEMEN TOO!

His outfit will certainly follow the ladies' lead in the use of a 'body' attached to top/shirt. The choreography of a stylish Paso would not be enhanced by a gentleman dancer whose shirttails float! This is an invaluable item for the gentleman's ballroom work also - those 'shirt-tails remain firmly in place regardless of energetic Quicksteps, athletic Foxtrots etc. with lifts and spins! And the tops can be designed to match those of his lady, stretch net, colour, glitter, sequins! And those close 'Matador' trousers! Very, very elegant!

THERE IT IS, AT THEIR FEET!

Those lovely Professional and Amateur Latin dancing Ladies - and of course their Partners - are a sight to remember, and for the Social dancer, an inspiration. Looking closely, they will say 'Oh, so that's how that step goes! Let's try!'

Which is how all dancing starts!