Generalising (there's bound to be a couple of exceptions somewhere!!!) American Smooth was not danced in the UK before Strictly. Anton and Erin were among the first to dance it in an open-air demonstration somewhere, and danced "American Smooth Quickstep...." which just proved UK's ignorance about Smooth. There is no such thing as AS quickstep, even though it was subsequently to be hacked on several series of Strictly. My American friends thought it was absolutely hilarious!

What they now dance on Strictly as Smooth, isn't really authentic; what they do is more stage dance as per Fred and Ginger. There's no lifts for a start.

But Smooth is taught in a few schools in the UK now; I think it's a Marmite style - people either love it or hate it!!!

I'm not keen on Smooth myself, authentic or otherwise, but I do like American Latin. While there's only 4 Smooth dances, there's about 10 Latin dances that all come under the umbrella of Rhythm. Cha Cha is slower, rumba is faster, there's various types of swing, bolero, etc etc.....

Thanks Kaycee! I have looked into smooth before (and I don't think I'm a huge fan) so knew a fair bit about it, but had never heard of it being danced in the UK before Ann mentioned doing it.

I also think some of the figures used in viennese waltz are very pretty such as the lady turning under the gentleman's arm (I don't know what it's called) but I prefer to keep in contact throughout the dance and to move as a unit rather than splitting into two all the time... I don't think AS is for me but I would give it a go! Always good to expand your dance horizons.

Hi Ellie, in competitive VW, the couple is in hold all the time, no turning under the arm for the lady......they do on SCD of course though!

I was referring to the american smooth version only. I dance international style only so well aware that it is not a step that we'd ever dance.

Oh I see !!
With regards to AS, I'm really not a fan at all, I can accept the AS based on Fox but not the other dances. I am glad it has not taken off here, as far as comps go - my opinion of course.

I'm having quite a lot of fun with my American Smooth tango (obviously the dance teacher partnering me knows AS although he doesn't specialise in it) and did wonder about going to some AS workshops I'd seen advertised. However I have been on cruises where dance clubs will dance nothing but AS and generally find the style of the original ballroom dance becomes diluted and each of the AS variants start to look the same.

I believe pro and pro/am rhythm and smooth events will take place at blackpool dance festival in 2017 - so... I guess time will tell.

I know they had a showcase this year, but not sure about next year. Its not in the 2017 syllabus - perhaps they will have showcase events again.?

This is what I had seen.

And also this.

Maybe they changed their minds since it doesnt appear in the syllabus or entry forms... and the site lists the first event as taking place on the 25th may. I suppose it shows they are at least thinking about it...

hi all glad to see this thread is still running can't believe another series is upon us and really looking forward to it this year - pleased about the new pros - can't believe Adrian Pritchard's son is now on the show - how the years fly !!

So looking forward to happy posting during the series - see you all soon

Yes, I'm looking forward to it too, sure to be another great season full of (hopefully) great dancing and debates !

I'm another who is really pleased to see this thread re-ignited. Not only is it great that so many aspects of ballroom and Latin can be discussed, but also that on the few occasions when we may not all totally agree with each other, we nevertheless manage to disagree pleasantly, without the vitriol that sometimes rears its ugly head on other threads ....... just saying!

Thanks, Jennifer, for starting this thread initially.

I'm glad that there are a few dance enthusiasts that enjoy talking dance. Its always interesting to hear other views and opinions, and to be able to discuss in a civil fashion. My wish, this season, is that SCD gets back to its basic roots which should be all about the dancing. I can live in hope !

Yes, thank you! This is the only place I like to discuss latin and ballroom on the internet.

Hello Bendy. Yes, I also enjoy the thread. Like kaycee, I think it is nice to be able to disagree in a civilised manner.

Like Jennifer I am hoping that this year, we get back to basics. It looks as if there will be some really great professional dancers on the show this year and so I don't see why not. Hopefully that will be helped by rather more suitable music than we've had at times in the past. I.e. not just in the right time signature and tempo, but in each dance's distinctive rhythm and phrasing.

Does anyone read the BDFI press releases? I know they have some serious points to make, but they are also rather entertaining. For example this one: http://www.bdfi.org/base-committee-meeting-june-2016/ It has some rather interesting comments about 'aromas' on the dancefloor and people with dirty or greenish tans (they wouldn't like halloween night on Strictly ). Also loved the following sentence: "Often people sitting in the front row seats being threatened by stationary lines which for some obscure reason could not be performed other than on top of some one sitting down?"

I like the way they get the point over in a humerous way. We have all seen the horrendous tanning, mainly from overseas couples in my opinion. I agree that some of the ladies look more green in colour - how on earth can they be pleased with that look, they must surely look in the mirror?

I hate seeing dirty shoes but see it quite often unfortunately, especially in ballroom. The ladies spend a fortune on their dresses and grooming, then spoil the beautiful look with ugly dirty and sometimes, worn out shoes.
Shoes are expensive but they must be clean (new?) to show off beautiful elegant footwork and to complete the groomed look.
I can remember years ago, going to see a dem by a top British amateur couple who then went on to be Pro world champions. They put on a fabulous show, were groomed to perfection but all I can remember seeing is her extremely dirty scuffed shoes....I was quite shocked!

I certainly agree with the comments about dancing right on top of the judges and audience, again something that you see often. Ballroom lines into the audience ( not actually of course) I feel are acceptable mainly but I don't like the latin couples who come right up to the edge of the audience and dance in their faces literally inches away.

Yes I agree with the majority of the points too. It always makes me laugh when I see adjudicators making a big point of looking past the couple that have placed themselves directly under their nose.

I do understand why the shoe thing happens though. Wearing in new shoes can affect performance and it can be risky before a comp. Obviously it depends on the make; some makes require less wearing in.

The press release in May is quite interesting too. http://www.bdfi.org/base-press-release/ It discusses what I think must be mainly WDSF fashions infiltrating competitions, including the ironing board position (hadn't heard of that), over use of syncopation and head rolls. I quite like some limited used of the latter in demos/showcases (very Edita), but I can see why they wouldn't be so desirable in competitions. Same for ironing board.

I'll have a read of this later, Ann, but suffice to say that I really do not like the ballroom style in WDSF competitions. Some of it is quite shocking and also the standard is way below that of WDC of course. A lot of the ballroom pro's are really anti this style of dancing and I'm sure that the top judges would not tolerate it in our comps. I have seen backdrops in ballroom that would not look out of place on a gymnastics floor, lines that would be more suitable in latin dances, paso or rumba...all in ballroom attire, quite awful. Way, way too busy for one thing.
The top Pro's and Amateurs manage to keep their dancing looking fresh and exciting without resorting to this style of dancing....thankfully.

The bulletins posted by Ann make very interesting reading, but I felt in someways sad as well. Most of the faults have been pointed out so many times over the past years, and yet still people take no notice.


Grooming - I remember taking part in the UKs rising stars some years back; there was an Italian dancer who was absolutely gorgeous, and a fabulous dancer. But her dress at the beginning of the first round was held together by 2 large safety pins (the sort mums used to use to fasten towelling nappies) her shoes were filthy and had holes in the soles ..... Her hair was a mess, and she had taken no trouble with her make up. She should have been thinking "final" but was out first round.

Cleanliness is something else that dancers shouldn't need to be told about. I remember one of our top judges complaining about a certain ballroom couple who, he said, made him heave when they went past - this was at Blackpool Open, and he questioned whether they the guy had ever had his tail suit cleaned.

Asthma among dancers is quite common, and I'm sure it is the mix of tanning agents, strong hair sprays and make up that causes it. Certainly since I've stopped competing my asthma has virtually disappeared, and I know others who've said the same.

Inappropriate "underwear" worn by Latin dancers was highlighted years ago, yet still we see dancers (I hate to say mostly from overseas) who's leotard sections are not made correctly and ride up - or down - during a dance. I was at a Sunday circuit comp once when a young lady was told to change into a "better fitting" dress of risk being disqualified - maybe they need to do this more at all comps, including the big ones.

Bad floorcraft; accidents can happen, we all know that, but sometimes it is so obviously deliberate, and perhaps they should introduce the equivalent of the yellow and red cards they have at football matches!!!! Also inappropriate choreography - Micheal and Joanne used to have a rumba where Jo did a very sharp fast back kick, which was dangerous on a crowded floor. It took a very brave judge at one of the major comps to mark them with a D! They got through of course, and someone warned them to leave out the kick ..... Jo was most upset! Having seen someone nearly kicked in the teeth when they were practising, I couldn't help but applaud that judge!

OMG! Didn't realise there was such a hygiene problem, kaycee. I once bought a second hand ballroom dress, unfortunately by post. I cannot remember how many times I had to wash it, particularly the leotard part. And it had fake tan smeared on it. I should have sent it back, but I really liked the style.

Ballroom etiquette makes Mark Cavendish look quite gentle and unassuming in the omnium!

I'm in two minds about WDSF dancing Jennifer. I really liked Mirko and Edita when they were dancing, but they were at the top. I agree that some of the dancing is OTT.

Yes I agree with you that Mirko has to be the exception, but of course he danced for years with the wonderful Alessia in WDC comps, same for Edita with Arunas. They really just dance the same as they ever did but with added flair. I do love Mirko, he is just so exciting to watch, expect the unexpected with him !
I recall seeing Edita, when she danced with Arunas, at Cheam where they were having lessons. She had no make up on and hair loose and curly ( tied back for her lesson) but she looked so very beautiful, these top dancers have such a wonderful aura. Lovely couple - have you seen the videos of them dancing when she was heavily pregnant? I'm a FB friend so got it on my timeline so don't know if they are accessible elsewhere,He starts off playing with the music and timing and its very clear that she has no idea what he is about to do, she followed him perfectly, it was amazing. I loved watching him in competition as you could see he never danced a routine as such . He danced with his heart to the music. Miss him on the comp scene.

Its a shame you were less than happy with the (inside of) your ballroom dress. With tan marks etc, I expect you can wash and wash it and although you know its clean, it never really feels it due to the marks. I have never ever had tan marks on my dresses, perhaps because I have never used the tans that wash off, perhaps this is why. I never understand why dancers use the instant tans - out of choice- when you are bound to sweat, and particularly in latin dancing, you see it smeared over theirs and their partners costumes. I know if you compete a lot over a few days it is hard to keep the tan going, and when it starts to come off, it looks awful so you do need to top it up with instant, but I would never use this product out of choice.

I'll see if I can find the video of Mirko and Edita. I agree with everything you said about their dancing, particularly Mirko. And I agree that Edita is just stunningly beautiful.

Tbh Jennifer the tan marks concerned me less. It was the ......er......aroma... from the body that bothered me!

OMG how awful

Maurizio and Andra retired as a professional couple last night. Maurizio will stop competing altogether, and Andra will carry on dancing with someone else.