Hello dancers!

I'm looking to get some new latin and ballroom shoes right now, and while I haven't found ballroom shoes I really like - I tried on some Bloch latin shoes earlier and they felt great. Has anyone got any comments about Bloch?

It's between those and sticking with a Ray Rose pair I have that are a bit tricky to get on and off - the only thing I don't like about the Ray Rose ones is the fastening as it's more like a ballroom shoe fastening, rather than the fake out buckle that hooks in on all the other latin shoes I've ever had. They support my feet really well and I get complimented on them a lot, but the ends of the straps have gone all "fluffy" and a really hard to do up properly.

I've had freed before but I'm not convinced they are the best ones for my feet. I know freed are well known and high quality, but I've had foot problems wearing 2.5 inch freed latin shoes, and felt fine in 3 inch ray rose shoes.

I've only ever worn a very low heeled pair of Bloch shoes for practice and I thought they were great. I really liked them.

For ballroom I moved from International to Ray Rose because everyone raved about them and the fact that they were so well balanced. The fastening on the Ray Rose shoe was a fake one but took me ages to put on unless I had it slightly loose, which I don't like because Ray Rose shoes are less firm and so it makes them less supportive. Ray Rose wear in more quickly but also wear out more quickly. I've gone back to International which are firmer but once worn in last ages. They just suit my feet. Also they come with a range of width and heel options (and now with some snazzy coloured soles or glittery instep - must try). I like their Latin shoes too.

I've heard Dance Naturals are really good and one of my dance teachers swears by Supadance.

Freed shoes don't suit me that well.

The problem about giving any advice regarding dance shoes is that everyone is different, and not all makes suit all. For example, while I've nothing against Supadance shoes, and loads of people swear by them, they simply don't fit my feet and are really uncomfortable. Similarly with Ray Rose - nothing wrong with the shoes, it's just me! My personal favourite for both comfort and endurability is DSI.

I agree with you about Supadance, my feet hate them, they are the most uncomfortable shoes for me. I have always worn Freed for Ballroom and International for Latin. As you say Kaycee, it really is an individual thing, shoes always need to be tried on.
I aways have loved Freed for my ballroom as( I have wider feet), I could send for a pair and know that I could wear them immediately for competition.

Are you in the London area ? If so, perhaps you could try somewhere like "duodance" at Dulwich, visit them ( or somewhere similar) where they have most of the leading brands and you can try them all on.

Ellie, with regards to the ends of the straps, I assume that you have trimmed them down to the length you want ? Just trim the ends and try putting some clear nail varnish over the ends, that may just do the job.? Im', sure I have done that in the past.

I haven't trimmed the latin ones down yet, no. I thought about trimming them then using fast drying clear nail polish but wasn't sure if it would work, so great to know that's the right thing to do! Thank you.

I agree Kaycee, about it being hard to give advice. What works for one doesn't work for another. I was more wondering about Bloch's reputation as I don't know anyone who uses their shoes and generally hear Freed, DSI, Supadance etc. Do they fall apart/wear out quickly etc?

I go into London on a semi regular basis as I live in the commuter belt. I have been looking for a shop like that! One of my best friends live very nearby there so will definitely have to visit next time I'm seeing her. All the shops round here are ballet focused with a couple of latin and ballroom shoes in the corner.

I would really like to find a brand that loves my feet and just be able to order that forever! I think if I can sort out the fastening on the ray rose ones I'll be laughing, but ballroom is a problem too. I have always worn freed and I do rate them, but I think there is something more suited to me out there. Getting to duo dance is definitely the way forward I think!

Its certainly worth a shot if you can get there. They have a website where you can also buy online, so you can have a look to see what brands they sell. I used to pop in, a few years back, when I used to have lessons in the area.

I have no need for any dance shoes - but you had me at 'glittery instep' and now feel it's something must have

International do them with glitter soles.

Oh heavens - they're fab

They are, tempted myself.......I already have a couple of red soled pairs ! They also do some fab latin shoes in Bianca crystal range, covered in rhinestones, love them and so comfy.

http://www.internationaldanceshoes.c...glitter-soles/

Wow!

I have a question about a dance from Series 7 - The very first dance of the Series.

The infamous lift/jump from Rav and Aliona's Tango.

I have found it difficult to find the definitions of lift versus jump in a way that defines the crossover between the two.
The best understanding I have of it is - If you can get there under your own steam - it's a jump. If you needed extra assistance to do it in terms of where your body got to, then it's a lift.

The other issue with it that I find interesting about this particular move is that it seems to involve a lot of the contact between the dancers as they are both moving from one position to another. eg. Aliona places her shin on Rav's thigh, and as part of Rav moving to the position he has to move to, he has to straighten his leg, which would be bound to create some movement of Aliona's shin. Meanwhile, like a high jumper, Aliona is straightening her bent leg and taking off with her jumping leg, which she then swings high into the air, a bit like a straddle high jumper.

So it seems to me to be very cleverly designed as a jump, but a very technical move for a Celeb doing his first ever dance as far as we know.

It's at 1:25 in this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lx38kc1veo

So my question is - where is the borderline between lift and jump in the Tango example? Also can you obtain any energy from your partner's movement to a new position through contact during that movement?

Aliona also included the move in her Christmas Special Salsa with Fabrice Muamba.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3g_WB3XE3s

I have to agree with you in as much as a lift will be assisted by the partner. As this is Ballroom Tango it should not have contained a lift, but it did. The "lift" in the example, is not actually that difficult, especially for a professional, assisted very slightly by Rav, but it has a high degree of effectiveness. In Ballroom, whatever groups are being danced, or even this "lift", the bodies must always be in contact, move seemlessly together, it has to at least look like lead and follow ( even if its not on SCD in most cases!).

Thanks, Jennifer_F.

So you are saying it is always a lift no matter how that move is done?

Its only my opinion of course, but using the clip as an example,I think that particular move is a lift as there is some rotation involved to get into the final split position.Undoubtedly Aliona is using her skills as a Pro to do most of the work, but certainly Rav is there to assist her. Hopefully others will add some comments.

Thanks. I had sort of assumed that it was a bit of extra effort from Rav, getting Aliona higher than she could have got without any deliberate assistance from Rav to get her higher, that changed it into a lift.
I thought maybe it was a known move, that was considered a jump if executed correctly in Ballroom or Latin competitions, as Aliona seemed to argue afterwards that it was a jump, and I assumed it was something she had used in competitions.

It certainly looks like Rav is preparing to and helping towards a bit more motion for Aliona.

Hi Fatskia, you actually would not be allowed to perform anything like this on the comp floor. Definitely not in Ballroom.....I have done plenty of high kick lines, then rotating over my partners leg into ronde for example ( in Tango as we have been discussing Tango_) but one foot is always on the floor,and body contact is maintained, and you have to be careful of how you perform these type of groups on a crowded floor as you don't want to injure anyone.

Thanks - that clears it up!

Yes, I agree. I'm practicing an American Smooth Tango showcase at the moment, with lots of kicks of the kind Jennifer describes above, and I so so want the red soles and glittery instep (you can buy them separately to stick on but the red suede sole would not be very practical unless you're a dancer. The glitter instep would work for non dancers I guess).


I just cut the straps. Haven't had any problems with fraying but then I don't have any shoes that I have to do up the conventional way like you do.

The Bloch shoes I have have worn well and the sole is very flexible. I've always thought of Bloch as more associated with ballet though.

Dancesport Uk website has a nice comparison of shoes e.g firmness, sole thickness, width.
Did you find a dance school Ellie?.

Bloch do have a huge range of ballet shoes, but they seem to have extended their BB & Lat range as well. Some of them look very nice, and very competitive prices.

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I never left in the end! I wanted to relocate for work to earn a bit more money and live in a new city and I ended up getting a promotion at my current job which was even better than the jobs I was applying for. Happy days all round as it meant I didn't have to leave my much loved dance school. Thank you for remembering and asking.

Do you dance American Smooth in the UK? Or just for a showcase?

Thanks. I might take a look.


Glad it turned out well. No, the American Smooth is just for a showcase, but I do know somwhere in London that teaches it and am thinking of going along to their workshops.
(My usual dance teacher hates it )