Darcy Bussell dances Hollywood
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Originally Posted by leespartner2:
“Sofakat, a personal question, did you go to Arthur Murray by any chance for American ballroom? I "did" ballet from the age of 3 until I was 14, then ballroom at Uni for three/four years and then when I was working in London, I wnet to Arthur Murray which metamorphised into TD Dance studios. Once you have the dance bug and some basic training in whatever form, transition is easier. That being said, if someone has specialised and reached the very top in their style then it must be difficult to reach the same level in other genres which, I imagine, a lot of professionals would be striving for.”
“Sofakat, a personal question, did you go to Arthur Murray by any chance for American ballroom? I "did" ballet from the age of 3 until I was 14, then ballroom at Uni for three/four years and then when I was working in London, I wnet to Arthur Murray which metamorphised into TD Dance studios. Once you have the dance bug and some basic training in whatever form, transition is easier. That being said, if someone has specialised and reached the very top in their style then it must be difficult to reach the same level in other genres which, I imagine, a lot of professionals would be striving for.”
Yes, I was an Arthur Murray teacher. They trained me. Well spotted leespartner. I was trained by two of their NY teachers, both were brilliant. I fell in love with mambo and west coast swing 
Originally Posted by lovelylissa:
“I've found this thread really interesting to read. I'm a big fan of dancing in a lot of styles but have never had lessons myself other than doing routines in musicals or for college performing arts reviews. I've always toyed with learning how to tap dance, but was wondering after this programme whether 29 is too late an age to logically begin. I guess as long as I realise that I'll never be world class it's ok?
”
“I've found this thread really interesting to read. I'm a big fan of dancing in a lot of styles but have never had lessons myself other than doing routines in musicals or for college performing arts reviews. I've always toyed with learning how to tap dance, but was wondering after this programme whether 29 is too late an age to logically begin. I guess as long as I realise that I'll never be world class it's ok?
”
29 is not too late. I'm a great believer in dancing just because you love it
I had to learn tap for a show in London and had great fun doing it. I'll never be Fred Astaire but my dance training means I can pick things up very quickly. The more the merrier I reckon!
Originally Posted by Vivacious Lady:
“That is confroversial soulmate. The way Charisse's comments read, she appears to prefer Kelly to Astaire and I expect a lot of people would agree with her. I think Kelly's choreography would have been more suited to Charisse's ballet trained background. Personally I much prefer Astaire (so does my dance teacher).
So we all like and admire different styles. Sofakat loves lots of forms of dance but is not keen on competition latin and ballroom , Becca is a great fan of it, I also am although maybe Becca leaves me somewhat behind in that area. I have to admit that I am not overly keen on ballet sofakat. I can enjoy watching it, but not with any great passion and if I go to Covent Garden it would be more likely to be to watch and listen to opera! I guess the point I'm making is that it would be boring if we all liked and admired the same things. I do respect other people's preferences, but the bottom line is that what does it for some people doesn't work for others, and there isn't a right and wrong. Perhaps more cross over between the different genres would present more opportunities for innovation, but I agree that it doesn't really happen at the top of the professions. Dance styles evolve anyway, with ballroom and latin being very very different from Bill and Bobbie Irvine's day (why and how it came to be so different might be another subject for discussion I guess).”
“That is confroversial soulmate. The way Charisse's comments read, she appears to prefer Kelly to Astaire and I expect a lot of people would agree with her. I think Kelly's choreography would have been more suited to Charisse's ballet trained background. Personally I much prefer Astaire (so does my dance teacher).
So we all like and admire different styles. Sofakat loves lots of forms of dance but is not keen on competition latin and ballroom , Becca is a great fan of it, I also am although maybe Becca leaves me somewhat behind in that area.
I have to admit that I am not overly keen on ballet sofakat. I can enjoy watching it, but not with any great passion and if I go to Covent Garden it would be more likely to be to watch and listen to opera! I guess the point I'm making is that it would be boring if we all liked and admired the same things. I do respect other people's preferences, but the bottom line is that what does it for some people doesn't work for others, and there isn't a right and wrong. Perhaps more cross over between the different genres would present more opportunities for innovation, but I agree that it doesn't really happen at the top of the professions. Dance styles evolve anyway, with ballroom and latin being very very different from Bill and Bobbie Irvine's day (why and how it came to be so different might be another subject for discussion I guess).”
Not sure this discussion was ever about likes or dislikes, but more about making transitions between one dance form or another.
It may surprise you to learn also that I find watching ballet terminally boring! You wouldn't catch me dead at the Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty. I have no time at all for tutus and big sets. The only ballet I like is from Macmillan onwards, or Bejart danced by Guillem, or anything by Matthew Bourne. I too would rather watch opera at Covent Garden. I'd walk across hot coals to hear Renee Fleming!
Ballet for me is just about the training it gives you - which lasts forever. Personally I'd rather spend a night dancing Argentine tango or Cuban salsa or son.
And ballroom can be beautiful when danced by international professionals without the fake tan, the awful gurning and the weird dresses you get over here. It's British ballroom that I'm not wild about, not ballroom per se.
Originally Posted by * Becca *:
“Of course not, just in the same way that social Ballroom and Latin wouldn't appeal at all to a competitive dancer either. It would surprise me even more for social dancing to appeal to a ballerina, though!”
“Of course not, just in the same way that social Ballroom and Latin wouldn't appeal at all to a competitive dancer either. It would surprise me even more for social dancing to appeal to a ballerina, though!”
It wasn't 'social' dance in the way that you might think it was. I trained as a teacher with the USA organisation Arthur Murray - a very successful dance studio which taught dance all over the world. They included things like mambo and hustle alongside foxtrot, waltz and the usual ballroom stuff. All of my fellow teachers were trained dancers and some had done ballroom in the UK. They had to retrain but loved the variety of the stuff we taught.
Lovelylissa, it is never too late. I didn't start ballroom dancing until past your age (had done a bit of ballet and tap when I was very young), and I guess the main problem I have had has been in correcting poor posture/body alignment arising from bad physical habits which is why I've had to resort to Pilates, but it is possible to get to a reasonable standard at your age which would allow you to dance socially, or if you wanted to, compete.
Uh huh. Now I understand where you're coming from. I just got the wrong impression from your previous posts.
The problem is that breaking with tradition is quite difficult to do, but maybe that is an area where modern ballet has made more advances than ballroom. For example I do know a professional who doesn't wear fake tan when he competes but I would say that is very unusual as I think as there is probably a lot of pressure to conform.
I used to love tap dancing when I was younger, but haven't done it since I was about 11 because it doesn't get taught much nowadays (and it isn't much of a social skill when compared with other dances).
Originally Posted by sofakat:
“Not sure this discussion was ever about likes or dislikes, but more about making transitions between one dance form or another.
It may surprise you to learn also that I find watching ballet terminally boring! You wouldn't catch me dead at the Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty. I have no time at all for tutus and big sets. The only ballet I like is from Macmillan onwards, or Bejart danced by Guillem, or anything by Matthew Bourne. I too would rather watch opera at Covent Garden. I'd walk across hot coals to hear Renee Fleming!
Ballet for me is just about the training it gives you - which lasts forever. Personally I'd rather spend a night dancing Argentine tango or Cuban salsa or son.
And ballroom can be beautiful when danced by international professionals without the fake tan, the awful gurning and the weird dresses you get over here. It's British ballroom that I'm not wild about, not ballroom per se.”
“Not sure this discussion was ever about likes or dislikes, but more about making transitions between one dance form or another.
It may surprise you to learn also that I find watching ballet terminally boring! You wouldn't catch me dead at the Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty. I have no time at all for tutus and big sets. The only ballet I like is from Macmillan onwards, or Bejart danced by Guillem, or anything by Matthew Bourne. I too would rather watch opera at Covent Garden. I'd walk across hot coals to hear Renee Fleming!
Ballet for me is just about the training it gives you - which lasts forever. Personally I'd rather spend a night dancing Argentine tango or Cuban salsa or son.
And ballroom can be beautiful when danced by international professionals without the fake tan, the awful gurning and the weird dresses you get over here. It's British ballroom that I'm not wild about, not ballroom per se.”
Uh huh. Now I understand where you're coming from. I just got the wrong impression from your previous posts.
The problem is that breaking with tradition is quite difficult to do, but maybe that is an area where modern ballet has made more advances than ballroom. For example I do know a professional who doesn't wear fake tan when he competes but I would say that is very unusual as I think as there is probably a lot of pressure to conform.
I used to love tap dancing when I was younger, but haven't done it since I was about 11 because it doesn't get taught much nowadays (and it isn't much of a social skill when compared with other dances).
Originally Posted by Vivacious Lady:
“I used to love tap dancing when I was younger, but haven't done it since I was about 11 because it doesn't get taught much nowadays (and it isn't much of a social skill when compared with other dances).”
“I used to love tap dancing when I was younger, but haven't done it since I was about 11 because it doesn't get taught much nowadays (and it isn't much of a social skill when compared with other dances).”
What shoes are worn during tap dancing? What material on the bottom of the sole and heel? Is a special floor surface best for sound required by ultimate tap professionals?
These fast taps to rhythm, particularly heel taps, do they transmit jolts to the brain accepted as occupational hazard?
Originally Posted by sofakat:
“Not sure this discussion was ever about likes or dislikes, but more about making transitions between one dance form or another.
It may surprise you to learn also that I find watching ballet terminally boring! You wouldn't catch me dead at the Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty. I have no time at all for tutus and big sets. The only ballet I like is from Macmillan onwards, or Bejart danced by Guillem, or anything by Matthew Bourne. I too would rather watch opera at Covent Garden. I'd walk across hot coals to hear Renee Fleming!
Ballet for me is just about the training it gives you - which lasts forever. Personally I'd rather spend a night dancing Argentine tango or Cuban salsa or son.
And ballroom can be beautiful when danced by international professionals without the fake tan, the awful gurning and the weird dresses you get over here. It's British ballroom that I'm not wild about, not ballroom per se.”
“Not sure this discussion was ever about likes or dislikes, but more about making transitions between one dance form or another.
It may surprise you to learn also that I find watching ballet terminally boring! You wouldn't catch me dead at the Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty. I have no time at all for tutus and big sets. The only ballet I like is from Macmillan onwards, or Bejart danced by Guillem, or anything by Matthew Bourne. I too would rather watch opera at Covent Garden. I'd walk across hot coals to hear Renee Fleming!
Ballet for me is just about the training it gives you - which lasts forever. Personally I'd rather spend a night dancing Argentine tango or Cuban salsa or son.
And ballroom can be beautiful when danced by international professionals without the fake tan, the awful gurning and the weird dresses you get over here. It's British ballroom that I'm not wild about, not ballroom per se.”
I've tried lots of different beginner's classes as an adult. Most of them were ok as I have some dance background. However I could not do hip hop at all. Not even an absolute beginners class with 5 year olds in
. After years of being poked in the belly, being told to 'hold it in'
, that I was not pointing my feet enough or my extensions were not extended enough. I found that I could not do the relaxed, small sharp movements in hip hop, I was standing too upright and looked silly. Beginner's ballroom was much easier for some reason.Has anyone else found a particular type of dance to be really difficult?
Originally Posted by Vivacious Lady:
“Lovelylissa, it is never too late. I didn't start ballroom dancing until past your age (had done a bit of ballet and tap when I was very young), and I guess the main problem I have had has been in correcting poor posture/body alignment arising from bad physical habits which is why I've had to resort to Pilates, but it is possible to get to a reasonable standard at your age which would allow you to dance socially, or if you wanted to, compete.”
“Lovelylissa, it is never too late. I didn't start ballroom dancing until past your age (had done a bit of ballet and tap when I was very young), and I guess the main problem I have had has been in correcting poor posture/body alignment arising from bad physical habits which is why I've had to resort to Pilates, but it is possible to get to a reasonable standard at your age which would allow you to dance socially, or if you wanted to, compete.”
Brill! Thanks Vivacious Lady, that gives me a lot of hope!
Apart from the steps, tap is individual style, whereas ballet is all technique (and broken tarsals!), 2 very different things.
Originally Posted by kochspostulates:
“I've tried lots of different beginner's classes as an adult. Most of them were ok as I have some dance background. However I could not do hip hop at all. Not even an absolute beginners class with 5 year olds in.
After years of being poked in the belly, being told to 'hold it in', that I was not pointing my feet enough or my extensions were not extended enough. I found that I could not do the relaxed, small sharp movements in hip hop, I was standing too upright and looked silly. Beginner's ballroom was much easier for some reason.
Has anyone else found a particular type of dance to be really difficult?”
“I've tried lots of different beginner's classes as an adult. Most of them were ok as I have some dance background. However I could not do hip hop at all. Not even an absolute beginners class with 5 year olds in
. After years of being poked in the belly, being told to 'hold it in'
, that I was not pointing my feet enough or my extensions were not extended enough. I found that I could not do the relaxed, small sharp movements in hip hop, I was standing too upright and looked silly. Beginner's ballroom was much easier for some reason.Has anyone else found a particular type of dance to be really difficult?”
You're not the only one. Despite years of sodding training I cannot do hip hop to save my life - or streetdance. I just look ridiculous!
I can manage the real Cuban salsa and bachata and shake my ass with the best of them - but not in hip hop or raggaeton
I guess we all have our limits!
Originally Posted by lovelylissa:
“And the clip for today is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CYjE9Gv3A4
”
“And the clip for today is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CYjE9Gv3A4
”
Fabulous clip! Legs to die for. She was one the greatest female tap dancers ever!
Thanks for reminding us
I didn't realise there were other admirers of Ann Miller on this forum (thought I was a bit old fashioned in that respect).
I haven't worn tap shoes for years Soulmate and so can't tell you what people wear nowadays. They were flattish shoes with a bar that tied in the middle with a ribbon, with metal taps on the sole. I didn't do anything very advanced anyway. No effects on the brain as far as I am aware.
I haven't worn tap shoes for years Soulmate and so can't tell you what people wear nowadays. They were flattish shoes with a bar that tied in the middle with a ribbon, with metal taps on the sole. I didn't do anything very advanced anyway. No effects on the brain as far as I am aware.
This is on right now on BBC4 if anyone wants to catch it again - It started at 7 though, so missed the beginning!
Missed the early part last week, but saw the whole 90 minutes tonight. Adored it and adored Darcey.
Of the 4 numbers I liked Cheek to Cheek best, with Darcey outpointing Ginger I think. In the Girl Hunt she was up against Cyd Charisse, and nobody can compare with Cyd.
Which dance did you like best?
Of the 4 numbers I liked Cheek to Cheek best, with Darcey outpointing Ginger I think. In the Girl Hunt she was up against Cyd Charisse, and nobody can compare with Cyd.
Which dance did you like best?
Originally Posted by soulmate61:
“Missed the early part last week, but saw the whole 90 minutes tonight. Adored it and adored Darcey.
Of the 4 numbers I liked Cheek to Cheek best, with Darcey outpointing Ginger I think. In the Girl Hunt she was up against Cyd Charisse, and nobody can compare with Cyd.
Which dance did you like best?”
“Missed the early part last week, but saw the whole 90 minutes tonight. Adored it and adored Darcey.
Of the 4 numbers I liked Cheek to Cheek best, with Darcey outpointing Ginger I think. In the Girl Hunt she was up against Cyd Charisse, and nobody can compare with Cyd.
Which dance did you like best?”
I watched this tonight and I'm watching the Hooray For Hollywood Prom again with the John Wilson Orchestra, lovely.
But back to Darcey. It was 90 mins of excellence and very interesting to hear about the history of musicals and Fred & Gene. I love Gene but think for me Fred just edges it in dance style.
My favourite of the 4 dances Darcey performed was Cheek to Cheek complete with flying feathers even though her dress was shaken before hand within an inch of it's life.
Cheek to Cheek did it for me!!
Top Hat was excellent, and she made an excellent fist of it, after such a short time, BUT Fred made it look so effortless!
JJ
Top Hat was excellent, and she made an excellent fist of it, after such a short time, BUT Fred made it look so effortless!
JJ
no you expect to much of me i - love to bits how you describe it all- but the excetition of any of it is far beyond what a layman such as i could i ever hope to achieve
I caught up with this tonight and loved the programme.
I thought Darcy was fabulous and such a lovely person.
Loved all the shots of the old films with Fed and Ginger remember them well from my childhood.
I thought Darcy was fabulous and such a lovely person.
Loved all the shots of the old films with Fed and Ginger remember them well from my childhood.
Heaven,
I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak,
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.
Most romantic lyrics ever?
I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak,
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.
Most romantic lyrics ever?
I like Cheek to Cheek, but it's Night and Day for me. (Another that Astaire/Rogers danced to)
Night and day, why is it so?
That this longing for you follows wherever I go
In the roaring traffic's boom
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you day and night
Songwriter Cole Porter
(Quite like "All or Nothing at All" too by Arthur Altman lyrics by Jack Lawrence)
Night and day, why is it so?
That this longing for you follows wherever I go
In the roaring traffic's boom
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you day and night
Songwriter Cole Porter
(Quite like "All or Nothing at All" too by Arthur Altman lyrics by Jack Lawrence)
Originally Posted by soulmate61:
“What shoes are worn during tap dancing? What material on the bottom of the sole and heel? Is a special floor surface best for sound required by ultimate tap professionals?
These fast taps to rhythm, particularly heel taps, do they transmit jolts to the brain accepted as occupational hazard?”
“What shoes are worn during tap dancing? What material on the bottom of the sole and heel? Is a special floor surface best for sound required by ultimate tap professionals?
These fast taps to rhythm, particularly heel taps, do they transmit jolts to the brain accepted as occupational hazard?”
My tap shoes from 10 years ago were leather shoes with metal taps screwed into the toes and heels - there is a cheat, that if you loosen the screws you get better sounds!
Never noticed any jolts to my brain! But it might explain a few things...
Caught the repeat of Darcey's program, loved all the historic footage, and Darcey did a great job with the routines in such a short time. Loved the Sid Cherise routine, and the parellels with Michael Jackson.
Originally Posted by tangos_with_tim:
“My tap shoes from 10 years ago were leather shoes with metal taps screwed into the toes and heels - there is a cheat, that if you loosen the screws you get better sounds!
Never noticed any jolts to my brain! But it might explain a few things...
”
“My tap shoes from 10 years ago were leather shoes with metal taps screwed into the toes and heels - there is a cheat, that if you loosen the screws you get better sounds!
Never noticed any jolts to my brain! But it might explain a few things...
”
Thanks Mrs Tim.
They are out of fashion now, but there used to be street shoes made with hard heels. Walking forward on pavement with heel lead and forward momentum, the entire body weight would come down on the hard heel's trailing edge as it impacts unyielding concrete. Take my word for it, a jolt did come up the leg and spine, noticeable by the brain.
It looks like a tap shoe stud connects with the wooden floor, not concrete, without full body weight behind it. So no jolt, I believe you.
But what did mum think of her little girl tapping aluminium studs on her beautiful wooden floor?
Originally Posted by soulmate61:
“Thanks Mrs Tim.
They are out of fashion now, but there used to be street shoes made with hard heels. Walking forward on pavement with heel lead and forward momentum, the entire body weight would come down on the hard heel's trailing edge as it impacts unyielding concrete. Take my word for it, a jolt did come up the leg and spine, noticeable by the brain.
It looks like a tap shoe stud connects with the wooden floor, not concrete, without full body weight behind it. So no jolt, I believe you.
But what did mum think of her little girl tapping aluminium studs on her beautiful wooden floor?”
“Thanks Mrs Tim.
They are out of fashion now, but there used to be street shoes made with hard heels. Walking forward on pavement with heel lead and forward momentum, the entire body weight would come down on the hard heel's trailing edge as it impacts unyielding concrete. Take my word for it, a jolt did come up the leg and spine, noticeable by the brain.
It looks like a tap shoe stud connects with the wooden floor, not concrete, without full body weight behind it. So no jolt, I believe you.
But what did mum think of her little girl tapping aluminium studs on her beautiful wooden floor?
”
It was lino. And after a few holes appeared, I realised I had to take it easy practising at home!
The screws are sunk into the taps, so it is the tap that contacts the floor, not the screw. But no, I wouldn't fancy tapping on concrete!
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