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Old 26-11-2005, 22:43
xadie
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Hi,

I loved watching the demo of the American Smooth tonight - it really reminded me of an old-school black-and-white movie show dance, like something Fred and Ginger would have done. Can any of the dancers on here shed some light on what the American Smooth is, the history of it and points to look out for etc? I've never heard of it before, so I'd love to learn more!

This can be like our Len Masterclass!
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Old 26-11-2005, 22:47
Cat123
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Anton & Erin and Darren & Lilia's performance was amazingly gorgeous. Beautiful! I can't wait for next week!
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:23
dancedreamer
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It was like the strangest mix of kinda ballroom steps and Latin steps........I loved it!

I thought two perfect couples performed it and it was so smooth and graceful!
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:26
LinoleicAcid
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It was beautiful. And Erin's dress was sublime.

I want to be able to do that! (With Anton as my partner, naturally )
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:28
xadie
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I loved the men's suits as well - interesting to see a totally different style. Double breasted, and more like a day suit, I would have said?
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:30
Cat123
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The lads looked HOT in their suits!!! It was great as well to see Darren & Lilia dance ballroom together!
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:34
claire2281
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It was just magical...Like being transported into a perfect 40's musical.
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:37
pipie
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it was very good, a bit like a fast waltz with the partners seperate for most of the dance
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:41
Cat123
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It was a weird dance, not seen anything similar before! It's amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing though, I want a go!!!!!!

Lovely performance. Made me feel warm and fuzzy.
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:46
EyesOFire50
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I think I found something that may help explain the differences...


American Smooth versus International Standard

Although American style smooth and international style standard (formerly `modern') are taught very differently, the styles are very similar. The most obvious difference is that int'l standard includes quickstep, which is not part of American smooth. The other major difference is that int'l style permits figures in closed position only, while American style allows open positions and even solo actions. Beyond that, the main differences between the two styles are in emphasis rather than result.

American Rhythm versus International Latin (or Latin American)

Compared to smooth/standard, rhythm/Latin has relatively little overlap. While each category has cha cha, rumba and a swing dance, int'l has samba and paso doble, while American has bolero -- another, slower rumba dance -- and mambo. The rumba dances are dissimilar, even in their basic counts, with steps on counts 1, 3, 4 for American and 2, 3, 4 for int'l. Most importantly, the hip motion differs: in American style, one steps onto a bent leg; in int'l style, onto a straight leg. [Henry Neeman]

More detail

It is believed that a lot of the Smooth closed figures are just toned-down versions of similar Standard figures. Likewise a lot of the Smooth closed figure timings are simplified from the more varied and complex timings of Standard figures. This was supposedly done to allow social dancers to pick up American Smooth more easily; after all, two people unfamiliar with each other would have a much easier time dancing together if the allowed moves and timings were restricted.

While Waltz, Foxtrot, and Tango have both Smooth and Standard versions, Quick Step remains a Standard-only dance. Because International dancers ofter refer to Foxtrot as the "Slow Foxtrot," it leads one to think that Quick Step is the "Quick Foxtrot." However, Quick Step is really a dance of itself, with aspects of both Foxtrot and Waltz along with other dances. Sometimes one hears of an American Quick Step, but officially there is no such animal right now.

If you are learning social dancing, you are mostly likely doing American Smooth. In American Foxtrot (and Waltz), Bronze figures are mostly closing ones (feet collect) while Silver figures are continuity passing ones (feet pass). A lot of these terms can be found in the glossary at www.ballroomdancers.com. In general, the closing figures use SSQQ timing whereas the passing figures use SQQ timing. Note however that lot of figures don't follow this basic rule, such as the Bronze box steps and Silver open box steps both having SQQ timing and the Bronze rock steps or grapevine steps having QQQQ timing, but most American dancers tend to think of the SSQQ and SQQ as a differentiator between Bronze and Silver. International Foxtrot is not divided this way between Bronze and Silver, since timing is more attached to the figures, and a sequence such as SQQ QQS SSS is common; so goes Quick Step

"Smooth" is the American version of standard. We include every dance except the Quickstep. In competition, the main difference between Smooth and Standard is that in Smooth open work, you may make use of the various open positions found in latin dancing, or even break apart altogether and do side-by-side or interactive stuff. It's similar to Int'l showdancing, but without the lifts.

Way back many moons ago, they were very different. They developed in different environments, and for different reasons. But each year they grow a little closer until now, as you say, the distinctions are mostly technical. It has caused many of us recently to start questioning the American style, asking, "Why are doing this? What is it about American style that makes it unique and worthwhile?"

For the smooth dancers, this introspection has proven very beneficial (in my opinion), because for the last 3 to 4 years, we have been trying to move it in a different direction which makes it more unique. Thanks to the contributions of the likes of David Hamilton, Olga Foropanova, Toni Redpath, and Nicholas Kosovich (to name a few), American Smooth is much more than just International Standard with occasional open moves. It now has a totally unique look and feel which is anything but Standard, even if its roots and basic technique are Standard.

taken from http://www.eijkhout.net/rad/dance_sp...-ballroom.html

Hope this helps....

Cheers!
EyesOFire50
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Old 26-11-2005, 23:54
xadie
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Wow, now I get it! Thanks for that great post, EyesOfFire! So American Smooth is really a set of dances, not just one, including most of the international standard dances we've seen on SCD. Presumably, then, the contestants will be able to do a freestyle within the limits of the set of dances, using steps from any of the dances they choose. That will be so much fun to watch! I always love the freestyle section of the final, as it gives the dancers so much leeway in their choreography. Oh, I cannot wait to see Mr Du Beke's interpretation of this!

Unless, of course, it's going to be another group dance, in which case we'll get less individuality but still fabulous moves. I just love seeing new dances, I fell in love with the Lindyhop when I saw it on SDF, and I can't wait for our lot to do the Jitterbug! Roll on next week!
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Old 27-11-2005, 00:00
Cat123
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Erm, most of that didn't make sense to me but thanks for posting!!!!!! I think I understand a bit better.....
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Old 27-11-2005, 00:01
Elanor
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Originally Posted by xadie
I fell in love with the Lindyhop when I saw it on SDF, and I can't wait for our lot to do the Jitterbug! Roll on next week!
That was what made me take up dancing earlier this year. It looked so much fun for the dancers. For me, I like to dance for my enjoyment. I don't care what it looks like from outside.
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Old 27-11-2005, 09:17
easygoingremi
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are all the couples doing this dance bext week? if so, it will make comparison easier than previous weeks.
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Old 27-11-2005, 12:02
TeresaAL
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Anton and Erin were pure class! marvellous
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Old 27-11-2005, 14:06
Sosia
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Lindy Hop's great fun - I did it in a workshop many years ago.

But now I want to do the American Smooth - with Anton, naturally! It's my new favourite dance.
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Old 27-11-2005, 15:00
janemarie
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Now that I have seen the American Smooth I am really looking forward to next week's show. Anton looked gorgeous and I can just see that he will really push Patsy into doing such a great performance. As for that jitterbug that will be another matter.
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Old 27-11-2005, 15:12
Cat123
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The boys looked very sexy in their suits didn't they?!

It was lovely to see the 2 couples perform together. I've read they were good friends before the competition, and I seem to remember reading somewhere Darren saying he got involved in the show through Erin.

*watches again*
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Old 27-11-2005, 15:20
bewest
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yes, they are friends, and have done cabaret in various locations together. Darren and Anton do some good interaction with the audience together too. It was lovely to see darren and lilia do ballroom, they hardly ever do that together, but darren used to compete in ballroom as a junior, before he met Lilia 8 years ago, and they specialised in ballroom.

As an after thought they both have links on their websites to each other, and on A and Es it say "our good friends D and L"
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Old 27-11-2005, 15:35
Shappy
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To me, "American Smooth" sounds like a lovely creamy cocktail served in the bars of Manhattan.
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Old 27-11-2005, 15:38
xadie
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Tee-hee, Shappy, it makes me think of peanut butter! I can't get that idea out of my head whenever I think about it!
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Old 27-11-2005, 15:48
Cat123
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I was watching one of my S2 tapes yesterday! When Anton and Darren were on ITT with Arlene!!

A Viewer asked who she thought was the best dancer.
Arlene: "I call Anton the master, but this Darren is pretty hot too."
Anton: "But short."
Claudia: "Don't bring up the height thing!"
Darren: "That's why I do Latin, mate!"

hehe!
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Old 28-11-2005, 16:30
Becksaroo
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Originally Posted by Cat123
I was watching one of my S2 tapes yesterday! When Anton and Darren were on ITT with Arlene!!

A Viewer asked who she thought was the best dancer.
Arlene: "I call Anton the master, but this Darren is pretty hot too."
Anton: "But short."
Claudia: "Don't bring up the height thing!"
Darren: "That's why I do Latin, mate!"

hehe!

he he he.. I like it!
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Old 29-11-2005, 14:12
scentoftheroses
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I loved the American Smooth dance on Saturday! I'd never heard of it before, but it just took my breath away! I love that kind of music, so naturally take to dances like that and the foxtrot and quickstep that are usually danced to that style of music. I just loved the performance! I've watched it a couple of times since and it leaves me kind of floating around the house! I can't wait to see the group doing it on Saturday! *dances in anticipation*
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Old 29-11-2005, 15:25
Cat123
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I look forward to seeing the rehersals more than the performance!!!!! There's always muchos giggling!
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