Sorry to hear that. Maurizio improved a great deal when he started dancing with Andra, who I think is a joy to watch. He became less OTT with facial expressions for a start.

I certainly wish Andra every success with a new partner.

Think I read on FB timeline that she is dancing with her fiance or other half, at least...

Pleased to see this thread back! I'm a newbie dancer so hoping to learn something, if only tips on underwear and fake tan

Welcome
Please ask away. There probably isn't anything much you can ask that someone on here doesn't know the answer to ! Hope you are enjoying your dancing.

Yes, the announcement was very emotional! In his letter he said that she will be continuing with her fiance.

Chacacio - lovely to have you here!

I'm loving it! 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

She's going to be dancing with Nino Langella, her fiancee (who's current partner is/was Anna Melnikova, but they haven't competed with each other for a while).

I was also at the Internationals last night and it was very emotional when Maurizio said farewell! Such a special competition. Was also disappointed that Arunas and Katusha did not dance - does anyone know why? I assume they were injured. Was happy to see Victor and Anastasia win their first International though. (And of course delighted with 4th for Troels and Ina!)

On a more strictly related note - Laura, Giovanni and Gorka were there (as were Chloe and AJ), and Ian and Lilia were judging, Karen Hardy I believe was one of the emcees. I chatted briefly to Laura, she was really lovely but I have to say seemed a little down - perhaps daunted by the competition or it could have been to do with the bottom 2 result last week. Hope she can come back fighting!!

didn't Anna Melnikova dance with Kevin many moons ago?

Yes she did Bendy, in the Amateur ranks.

I too love Troels and Ina, having followed them through the Amateur ranks, glad to see them do so well now in the Pro ranks. Very pleased for Victor and Ana too as I am a big fan of their dancing. Look forward to seeing them at the Pro Worlds in November.

Re Laura, yes I hope it was just that she was feeling a little daunted by the competition, will have opened their eyes for sure.

Yes she did. I remember watching the Kremlin Cup on Eurosport, amd Anna and Kevin did the cabaret. They were amateurs then, and both very young. I'm not sure if Kevin partnered Anna straight after split with Jo - might be wrong.


[Whoops, just noticed Jennifer has already answered

I saw Aljaz, Giovanni and Janette there too, afterwards.

I love Troels and Ina too... I really couldn't take my eyes off them.

Hello does anyone know of any good YouTube channels or websites that have good videos of dance steps, Tutorial type things? I'm currently stuck between being finding the beginners class far too easy yet I got rather confused and lost in the next class up so instead of taking the easy route I've decided to swot up!

There's this http://ballroomdancers.com/Dances/
There is also https://www.ballroomgenie.com but most you have to pay for.
Or you could just google the steps on Youtube.

Or you could buy the technique book for the dance you are learning, but they don't come cheap.

I can understand you getting confused in the next class up. It has hsppened to all of us in the past! You could always take the odd private lesson to catch up if it is financially viable to do thst.

I would definitely recommend private lessons where you can learn properly.
I have found over the years, that often what you see is an optical illusion, when watching a DVD or clip on youtube of a dance competition for example. Best to learn properly, one on one, if you can so technique etc can be properly explained and demonstrated.
To start with, anyway

There are one or two really good dvds though. Simply the Best (Marcus and Karen Hilton) is very good for ballroom as it goes down to minute detail. It is quite expensive (I did buy a couple of volumes) but there are copies on Youtube. But I agree with Jennifer that nothing beats private lessons, even if you just have one or two as a booster to your group classes.

Did anyone go to the London Ball? I didn't but gather John Wood and Anne Gleave danced together. Anne must be one of my favourite ballroom dancers ever (I think I prefer her to Karen H). I keep meaning to do the London Ball but never get round to it (and have some personal restrictions at the moment anyway).

Anne is absolutely exquisite, a beautiful elegant Ballroom dancer. I was fortunate enough to see them dance, this same routine ( I assume - Fox) at the recent Freedom to Dance comp. They had a standing ovation of course for a long time.
I agree, Anne is/was one of my favourite ladies too. DSI were filming at the London Ball so you may find the comp somewhere, perhaps on their TV site ? I've yet to watch. Also think Mirko and Lily Cashin were due to dance in a pro Am comp/ or dem, not sure which.

How long have you been dancing and what dances are you learning at the moment ?

I think they also did a Tango this time, Jennifer. John Wood coaches at a school I used to go to and so maybe they'll post something.

Hey, Lily Cashin has got to be a very luck lady to do a pro am with Mirko! (Where's the jealous green smiley?)

Sounds fab, don't think John & Anne were ever beaten at Tango. Love them both.

Yes Lily is very lucky indeed, mind you she told me that Mirko is a very hard task master - just as I would have expected of course. She sometimes has lessons before 7.00am , thats keen! Mind you, I would be too in her circumstances!

Where does he coach from now ?, used to have lessons with him when he was at Cheam.

Saw Mirko dance with Lily last year - a tango. Fabulous.
Saw him dance at comps in UK with both Alessia and Edita - just amazing and so exciting to watch.

He was at Dance Lab Putney a couple of years ago. Not sure if he is still there. (One of my dance teachers used to have lessons with him at Cheam before then.)

Yes, I agree about Mirko! I would get up before 7 to have lessons with him!

I can't really afford private lessons at the moment but I'm hoping It'll be something I can do at some point!! I can use extra practice space at uni for a few hours too.

I've been dancing ballroom & Latin for a few months and salsa for over a year. Doing waltz, quickstep, cha cha, jive and samba at the moment. I have provisionally been partnered up but I'm not sure we're at the same level, I feel like I have to hold back a bit so he can keep up, but there is a shortage of men! I'm going to give it a go for a few weeks and see what happens .

I always hear people refer to "kicks and flicks" in a jive.

Can anybody tell me what is meant by a "flick" as opposed to a "kick"? (I'm sorry if this has already been asked and answered on this thread - I didn't have time to look back through 49 pages)