Dance Articles

Dance Links from Australia and the World
312 direct links to articles and websites associated mainly with
Ballroom, Latin, Ceroc, Swing, Rock 'n' Roll and Hip Hop & Flamenco.
The links below have been carefully selected to inform and entertain.
This page contains one of the largest collection of direct and indirect dance and dance music links in Australia and is a work in progress.
Please enjoy.

INDEX
Salsa and Modern Jive- Sydney Salsa Congress - and a bit of history.
Ballet - Classical, Modern and Jazz
Ballroom
Cabaret, Theatre and TV
Capoeira
Dance Clubbing, Venues and Entertainment [Latin]
Dance Directories [Latin]
Dance Directories and Organisations [General]
Dance Education and Etiquette
Dance Events
Dance Events Management
Dance Humour
Dance Music
Dance Stories ranging from Fair Dinkum to Fantasy
Dance Studios / Venues - Sydney [mainly]
Feet and Footwear
Flamenco
Hip Hop / Funk
Modern Jive [also known as Ceroc]
Rock 'n' Roll
Samba
Salsa
Swing / Lindy Hop / Jitterbug
Tango

'Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions of Use'

Reflections on the Sydney Salsa Congress, January 2005.

I must admit I was pretty impressed by what I saw at the Salsa Congress. The venue at the Sydney Sports Centre was set up in 3 large sections. One had the biggest dance floor you have ever seen, allowing hundreds of people to Salsa with room to spare. The second was an amphitheatre for about 1000 with a large centre stage in front. The third was an similar size area for dance workshops.

The Saturday night performance I saw was awesome. First there were 10 performances by representatives from Australian dance studios leading up to exhibitions by Tropical Gem [Italy],
Alex Li & Chi Le [USA] and Cobo Bros [USA].

The general consensus was that the overall standard of Australian dancers was world class and vastly improved on last year. Special mention to Jaimie, Nestor and Co from LDA for their 'Magician' performance, which was awesome. It was all pretty impressive.

But I suppose the "Blow your Mind Award" from personal observations and reports in from dancers present over the three nights, would have to be given jointly to Al 'Liquid Silver" Espinoza / Edie 'the Salsa Freak' [L.A.] and 'Tropical Gem' [Italy]. There were few in the audience who will ever forget the multicoloured spiky hair, face make up and facial contortions of one of the female dancers from 'Tropical Gem'.

Read also what Edie, The Salsa FREAK had to say about the 2005 Congress.

'Salsa Fusion': The new Salsa?

In my lifetime I have never seen anything change, evolve and mature so fast as Perfomance Salsa.
This evolution over the last 2 years into an amazing creative fusion of salsa, jazz ballet, ballroom,
hip hop, acrobatics and showmanship has been really something to behold.

In Ballroom style Salsa, the moves tend to be more defined by guidelines set down by Tradition and Dance Organisations. "Street Latin" style Performance Salsa is less restricted by these "rules" leading to more experimentation and creativity.

Different styles of Salsa are now being taught under labels such as Cuban Salsa, Columbian Salsa, Dominican Republic Salsa, LA Salsa, New York Salsa, Puerto Rican Salsa, Shines, Casino, On1, On2 and Rueda.

The Hip Hop influence in particular is now all persuasive in many Salsa performances. No doubt being heavily influenced by TV video clips, all macho and sex, dominated by young nubile Black African Americans and Latin Americans strutting their stuff with great gusto in front of cameras. How can these images be resisted. The impact of these music videos [Where are the Caucasions?] and their influence on contemporary young culture cannot be underestimated.

Now a vibrant dance synergy blurs and blends dance moves from the different genres in a way rarely seen before.This free-style approach to dancing guarantees that Salsa will lead the way in dance innovation for years to come. And our Australian multi-ethnic dancers are there innovating with the best of them.

What I find so interesting is that this tremendous outpouring of energy and creativity emanating from today's youth, comes at a time when politically the Western world has become more conservative than at any time since the Second World War. This also at a time when the future is shaded by so many uncertainties.

Hip Hop / Salsa :
I am very interested in articles and links from those involved in dancing Hip Hop and Salsa blended
together. With your help, I would like to assist in promoting this fusion of dance styles.
Please phone or email me. Details at bottom of page.

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Dance History: From early "Swing" to 'Charleston' to "Modern Jive" and "Salsa".

Social dancing during the late 19th Century, till the 1880's was usually a more sedate affair than contempory social dancing is now for younger people. It consisted mostly of Waltzs, Polkas, Barn Dance and Virginia Reel, etc. Latin dancing also evolved during this time, appearing as early forms of Merengue, Tango and Samba.

The period between 1890 and 1915 must have been an extremely innovative time for dance everywhere.
The Timeline tracing the origins of different dances during this period, lists over 100 new dances or variations on older dances. That's four new dance variations each year !

It was probably the development of Jazz and Ragtime from the 1890's on, together with a vibrant NightClub scene in New Orleans, that encouraged the evolution of a more a younger and more individual style of partner dancing. One that revelled in a fast-changing repertoire of contemporary music.
Early Swing dancing was born.

But it was the Charleston emerging in the early 1900's and reaching a peak popularity in the 1920's, that really engaged those involved in modern young, energetic partner dancing in western countries.

This dance was said to have had its roots in the Branle, a French (Renaissance dance) that was well documented during the 15th century. This dance became established (worldwide) during the Ragtime-Jazz period. The series of steps are thought to have links with the African-Americans, who were living on a small island near Charleston, South Carolina. And some say it is from the Cape Verde Islands in Western Africa.
The Charleston (as we have seen it danced in movies from the 1920's) was performed as early as 1903 and made its way into Harlem stage productions by 1913.
The first to dance the Charleston dance on stage was Maude Russell, in a 1922 show called Liza. It wasn't to the James P. Johnson, Cecil Mack tune that we now know as "Charleston", which came a year later in a show called "Runnin' Wild". Here it was "introduced" by Elisabeth Welch, singing it while a chorus danced the dance.
The legendry Harlem dancer Florence Mills , was also one of the the earlier dancers to perform this dance on stage.

The Harlem Renaissance and the evolution of Swing
Swing dancing took the world by storm in the 1930's, reaching its peak in 1937, but the real birth of swing was in the 1920's, during the Harlem Renaissance.

"Between 1920-1930 an unprecedented outburst of creative activity among African-Americans occurred in all fields of art. This African-American cultural movement became known as "The New Negro Movement" and later as the Harlem Renaissance. Harlem attracted a prosperous and stylish black middle class from which sprang an extraordinary artistic centre. Like avant-garde movements in Europe, it embraced all art-forms, including music, dance, film, theatre and cabaret. Harlem nightlife, with its dance halls and jazz bands, featured prominently in the work of these artists. More than a literary movement and more than a social revolt against racism, the Harlem Renaissance exalted the unique culture of African-Americans and redefined African-American expression. African-Americans were encouraged to celebrate their heritage and to become "The New Negro," a term coined in 1925 by sociologist and critic Alain LeRoy Locke. One of the factors contributing to the rise of the Harlem Renaissance was the great migration of African-Americans to northern cities (such as New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.) between 1919 and 1926. In his influential book The New Negro (1925), Locke described the northward migration of blacks as "something like a spiritual emancipation." This was the birth place and home of Swing."
For more information on the Harlem Renaissance see Eyeconart , Unc.edu and Kenyon.edu

"Dirty Dancing" - The movie that put 'sex and sizzle' back into partner dancing.
During the 1930's and 1940's "Swing / Lindyhop / Jitterbug" dancing" took over from the "Charleston", which in turn evolved into 'Jive' and 'Rock n Roll' in the 1950's. The 1960's and 1970's saw partner dancing swish this way and that until 1987, when a movie called 'Dirty Dancing' was made. [Note: Go to the index on the LHS of the weblink and click on Dirty Dancing].

Set in 1963 and starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, 'Dirty Dancing" was instrumental in giving partner dancing a newer and more sexy image. Placed in a conservative east coast USA Country Club, the dance action shifts from cabaret style performance Mambo to a 1950's 'film noir' atmosphere in the servants quarters, where all the action is taking place. Dancing here consists of sultry partners grinding their hips together, with the women periodically arching their backs and swinging from side to side to slow sixties popular music.
The movie dance finale to Jennifer Warne's "The Time of my Life" has Swayze and Grey dancing to a composite choreograph of different dance styles, but more or less leading the way into contemporay Ceroc and Salsa.

Sexy and sultry it was, the image created was highly charged and it was time for change. And it was two existing forms of dance, Ceroc and Salsa that took up the challenge for the masses.
Young energetic partner dancers proceeded to choose their preferred dance style by music preference rather than on dance style:
Modern Jive - for Popular music
Salsa - for Latin music.

The last 20 years have seen many young potential 'Rock n Rollers' move to 'Ceroc' [or Modern Jive] in Europe, the UK and Australia with its sexier image, dancing mainly to current popular music.
Feedback I've had from dancers/instructors as at early 2005 seemed to indicate that while more than 90% of current Rock n Rollers at dance venues are over 35 years old, the opposite is true for Salsa, where over 90% of dancers are under 35 years old, although this is slowly changing with more older dancers now taking up Salsa. Ceroc seems to attract a more even cross-section of ages.

Mambo and Salsa - How Latino's in a Caucasian country changed music forever.
In the early 1900's in Havana, Cuba, the early versions of Mambo and Salsa were evolving, fuelled by an enthusiatic and broadening audience. This interest in Mambo and Salsa, for those that preferred a Latin beat, was further encouraged by the migration of Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans and other South Americans after the Second World War, into the southern states of the USA.

"Salsa is a Latin musical style that incorporates a variety of influences. Originating in Cuba and Puerto Rico and emerging from the musical climate of New York City in the 1950s, it has found popularity throughout the Americas and the other Caribbean islands, as well as in Europe and Japan. Salsa has its roots in Cuban popular and folkloric music and is enhanced by jazz textures. The name salsa, literally meaning "sauce," has been in use since the late 1960s, popularized by New York's Fania Records as a "catchy" marketing label. Salsa is often thought of as Latin essence, as the word "soul" has been a description for black American essence".

When Rock n Roll was at its peak, [since 1962], Modern Salsa, was already expanding north and south out of Cuba . The 'Dirty Dancing' movie probably made it more comfortable for 'Gringos' to take up Salsa after 1987.
For the first time a Latin popular dancing genre, Salsa, was taken up around the world by a large group of non-Spanish speaking younger people, as more or less a Latin replacement for Rock n Roll.
[Note: Probably the last time Latin dancing was influenced so much by the movies was when Rudolph Valentino was seen dancing the Tango in the 1920's.] Stage shows such as "Burn the Floor", "Chicago" and others further glamorised the Latin dance image.

It can then be seen that the major inflences on popular dance music over the last 120 years can be summed up in just a few words: Black African-Americans, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Columbia, New Orleans, Harlem [New York].
By the way, where are the Caucasians in TV music video clips?

Conclusion - There is no conclusion.
There can never ever be a conclusion to this fascinating story. As long as there are different cultures interacting with music and dance, the evolution of dance will go on forever. Enjoy.

Garry.
Dancing Shoes Australia

The complex evolution of Latin Dance from its Caribbean and African origins.
Latin Dance Types Link on LDA website for a snapshot of dance history.
Paul Clifford - two beautifully researched articles on the history of latin dance
Rebeca Mauleón - The interview with this San Francisco-based pianist/composer provides an interesting insite into the history of Latin music generally.
Mambofello.com desribes the migration of Mambo to New York from Cuba in the 1950's.
JustSalsa.com has a series of essays on the history of Mambo and Salsa music and dance.
Musicofpuertorico.com describes the history of music and dance in Puerto Rico.
"Zoot Suit" and "West Side Story" - These two highly successful stage musicals [and movies] highlighted some of the cultural differences and racial problems that Latino's experienced in the USA during the 1950's.
Both available on Video [and DVD?] - worth a watch.
"Caribbean Roundup" by Ray Allen - For those who enjoy a more scholarly approach this site looks at the Caribbean’s position as a wellspring of musical innovation and looks at a large number of books on different aspects of this subject.
Planetsalsa.com - This link has an article from Dr. Christopher Washburne who discusses the musical roots of Salsa back to Africa. For the music buffs rather than the dance enthusiests.
Salsa-merengue.co.uk - This series of seven articles written by Loo Yen Yeo covers the evolution and spread of Salsa around the world from the 1960's onward.

"History of Cuban Salsa" by Miami's Henry Herrera from SalsaRacing.com
"In Cuba during the early 20th century a rhythm known as "Son" originated from African rhythms. "Son" was the dance style preferred amongst the Cuban middle class, while others preferred a slower more refined style called "Danzón". These slower dances called "Danzon" and "Danzonete" gave Enrique Jorrin the idea of creating a more energetic dance style called "Cha-Cha-Cha", which started to allow dancers to move freely and with more flavor. The result of the Haitian influence and the rhythmic modifications on the Cuban son was a new rhythm called "Mambo" in the year 1938, created by the brothers Orestes Lopez and Ismael Lopez (Cachao). Later it was introduced by "Pérez Prado" in Tropicana, Havana, Cuba in 1943. Soon after, Mambo expanded and became well known around the world, until its popularity declined in the nineteen seventies due to the competition of other popular dance styles.

The different internal influences helped with the transformation of the music and the dances in Cuba, but also the external influences played an important role in the change due to the amount of tourists that used to visit the island. Rhythms like Swing, Fox Trot, Boogie Boogie and Rock & Roll were absorbed with such strength in Cuba, that their acrobatic techniques and turns were adopted and introduced by Cuban Dancers in their dances.

A new style called "Casino" was first introduced in the 1950's in the Casino Deportivo, and it was defined as dancing Salsa with the use of turns. The "Casino" was the origin of what we call "The Salsa Casino Rueda Style". Salsa Casino Rueda is a group dance with a minimum of two couples, but without any maximum limit. The couples stand in a circle and are constantly changing partners. Because of the loudness of the music, the caller, who chooses the name of the moves, uses hand signals to signify those moves. Starting the Rueda, the couples stand in a circle, men and woman stand opposite while the men's left hand holds the women's' right hand. Men face counter clock wise, the caller calls "Al medio" at this time, men and women are pointing in and out with their joined hands and continue until the next call. Salsa has become immensely popular all around the world with its hot rhythms enticing the body. For these reasons and more, the rhythms of Salsa are my favorite.

The influence of African Rhythms in Latin Dance music is unmistakable, not unlike the mixture of rhythms and warmth of the Caribbean. It's tropical beauty creates the basis for the dance known as "Casino". Salsa Racing is this: a latin explotion and the magical beauty of movement, the dance and the choreography of the "Rueda"."

The HipHop influence
"Reggaeton is a relatively new genre of dance music that has become popular around the world in the last decade. The name is derived from the reggae music of Jamaica which was then developed in Panama, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Colombia. Reggaeton has been heavily influenced by the urban hip-hop music craze in the United States.
The variety of musical influences on the development of reggaeton led one observer (James Farber of the NY Daily News) to call it a "cultural polyglot".
As is the case with hip-hop music in the United States, reggaeton appeals primarily to youths. In Puerto Rico, youths were inspired to create reggaeton, after hearing Panamanian artists performing raps in Spanish styled after Jamaican dance-hall raps, adding native bomba and salsa, rhythms."

Banghraton - I need information on this type of music/dance comb, can any of you oblige????

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DANCE LINKS

DanceNetwork.com.au
Your first choice for a reliable and comprehensive information source about dance in Australia.
Dancenetwork.com.au is your premier online dance resource. As both a comprehensive directory to the
dance world, and an online magazine with loads of interesting stories - you can find almost anything and everything related to dance on Dancenetwork.com.au!

Ballet - Classical, Modern and Jazz
Ausdance - The Australian Dance Council — Ausdance, is Australia's professional dance advocacy organisation for dancers, choreographers, directors and educators. Ausdance provides a dance information network through services based in national, state and territory offices.
BalletAlert.com
Ballet Alert! Online is devoted to classical and neoclassical ballet. On this site, you'll find information about dancers, companies, and ballets from around the world.
Dance in Australia - Australian government site with links to articles on the history of dance in Australia as well as to all the Australian Dance Companies.
Melbourne University - Classical and Modern Ballet dance Links
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Ballroom
BallroomDancing.com.au
Ballroom Instruction Manuals - Circa 1490 to 1920 - [Music Division, Library of Congress, USA]
CentralHome.com [USA] - History of 20 Ballroom / Latin types of dances. Incudes dance articles as well.
DanceSport Australia - Competition Ballroom Dancing
History of Latin Dance --- By Jeff Bettany (Saskatoon DanceSport Association)
Here he traces the history of Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive.
History of Modern Ballroom Dancing - Australian site.
Sapphire Swan Dance Directory.
Links to dance sites listed by style. Includes various styles of Ethnic dancing. Not as comprehensive as I would have thought, but will be useful to some people.
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Cabaret, Theatre and TV
Australian Theatre for Young People - is the nation's flagship youth theatre company. It offers one of
the world's largest theatre workshop programs for young people, creates outstanding productions, runs regional residencies across Australia and mounts groundbreaking national and international projects.
Dancing with the Stars [Channel 7] - Not to be taken to seriously, but all in the name of entertainment. Vote for your favourite personality. While you are at it vote for those dancers wearing Prodance shoes.
For example Dance professional Kym Johnson can be often seen wearing a pair of "Natoli".
DanceInsider.com - Reviews on dance productions from around the world.
Dance.net - Jobs for dancers, musicians, actors, singers, writers, directors, etc. listed by country of origin.
DanceOnline.com
Features, articles, dance news, reviews, photos, services, links from around the world. USA based.
Flamenco Crew - Corporate Functions and Theatre Productions, Sydney.
OncueOnline.com.au - Links to Performing Groups, Producers/Promoters, Venues, Ticketing Agencies, Government sites, International Performing Groups, Music Industry, Other sites.
Strictly Dancing [Channel 2] - Where the best dancers [64 couples] from different dance worlds are thrown together into a unique and challenging competition over 21 weeks.
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Ceroc - See link to Modern Jive

Dance Clubbing, Venues and Entertainment [Latin]
Adelaide Latin Dance Factor
Casa de la Salsa - Mainly nightclubBing in Sydney with lots of info on the different styles of latin dancing and music.
Club Havana - Each Friday night in Sydney, the only place to party and dance Salsa.
Copacabana Brazilian Entertainment Restaurant
Dwight "Chocolate" Escobar - is a Venezuelan DJ taking Afro Cuban sounds to the Sydney salsa scene.
El Beso Tango Bar - Level 2, 565 George St, CBD (in City of Sydney, RSL Bldg near Liverpool St)
Every Sunday 6pm – 11.30pm Tango classes from 6pm – 8pm (bookings essential) Milonga – 8pm – 11.30pm Cover $10 or when they have live music (once a month) $15 Infoline: 9386 4289
La Bomba.com.au - The Latin scene in Adelaide, South Australia
La Campana - In Sydney, a Spanish restaurant that evolves into a nightcub at 11.00pm.
La Cita [King Street Wharf] - Situated at the North Eastern end of Darling Harbour.
LatinLover.com.au - Bands, Venues, Classes and Studios, photos and interviews - mainly Melbourne.
Latino Grooves - Specialise in Street Latin Dance Classes and Latin events such as parties, festivals, music acts and dance shows.Adelaide only.
Latinos.com.au - Eating out, Club guide, Events and more.
Melbourne Salsa [Victoria]
Perth Salsa [Western Australia]
Phuze Cafe - [Newtown]
Q Bar - Sydney and Melbourne - Funk, Disco, Hip Hop, Pop, Rock, House music. Salsa every second Sunday.
Salsa on the Rocks with Club Havana at the Cruise Bar, West Circular Quay on Thursday nights.
Salsa Newcastle
SydneySalsaNet - Your ultimate guide to Salsa in Sydney. Free newsletter.
SydneySalsaScene
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Dance Media and Online Directories [Latin]
Events4singles.com - Australian Singles Events Listing Directory. Covers 12 major population centres.
Hola-HispanoAmerica.com - Spanish language news and online radio
JustSalsa.com - A Web Magazine Dedicated To Latin Music, Dance, and Culture.
LatinDanceDirectory.com - This website/directory is a free service to anyone who wishes to list their company and/or services [USA]
Latin Dance Online - is your guide to Latin Dance and Salsa in Australia
LatinNet.co.UK - Based in London, UK interested in creating and maintaining the largest independent directory in the world for Latin websites, venues, events and dance accessories
LatinVoice.com.au - Australia's No.1 Latin Website
Melbourne Tango Directory
SalsaMafia.com - Links to some of the best salsa sites from arround the world.
Salsa Newcastle - Dance schools, classes, workshops, venues and events for Newcastle and the Central Coast of NSW.
SalsaWeb.com - The World's Largest Online Salsa Magazine.
StreetDance Australia - Paul Clifford's broadbased info source on Latin dancing, gig guide, band reviews.
SydneySalsa.com.au - This site is FREE for Salsa organistations and Salsa schools to promote their events and classes to the Sydney Salsa community.
SydneyTango.com.au - What's on for Tango in Sydney. Calender. Forum.Photo gallery.
Tango Australia
Tango News Online - Online Tango news magazine.
Viva Magazine - A bi-monthly, A4 sized magazine, printed in full glossy colour paper and featuring articles on the Latino Lifestyle as experienced in Australia as well as around the world. Some online content.
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Dance Directories and Organisations [General]
Arts Access Australia - Mainly concerned with the development and effective promotion of policies and programs that ensure equal access to participation in arts and cultural activity for people with a disability and people who are disadvantaged.
Artslynx - Links to dance libraries available online, as well as dance and ballet resources on site..
AustraliaDancing.org
The Australia Dancing portal, hosted by the National Library of Australia, provides users with access to both current and historical information about dance in Australia. A directory of resources and links.
Australian Dance Links to Studios and Venues - Covers nearly all genres.
Australian Government Culture and Recreation Portal - Dance links
CriticalDance.com - Links across the world mainly classical and modern ballet / jazz.
Dance-Forums.com
DanceKool Street Dance Magazine [Hip Hop]
Dance Links for S.E.Queensland - [TheLocalTourist.com.au]
Dance.net - is an independent dance community on the web.They strive to offer dancers a unique fun & safe place on the Internet to learn about all dance forms and meet fellow students, dancers, instructors, coaches, choreographers, and studio owners.
DanceNetwork.com.au
Australia’s new home of dance on the Net!
Dancenetwork.com.au is your premier online dance resource. As both a comprehensive directory to the
dance world, and an online magazine with loads of interesting stories - you can find almost anything and everything related to dance on Dancenetwork.com.au!
DancePhoto.com.au - Comprehensive regional Dance Studio Directory for NSW.
DanceWeb [UK] - is an interactive directory for all UK dancing enthusiasts, and most dance styles.
HipHopWhere.com
State Library of New South Wales - Collection of major published source materials on the performing arts including dance acquired by the Library since the first half of the 19th century.
StreetSwing.com - A huge site with archives covering all aspects of dance history.
This site even has a Timeline tracing the origins of different dances right back to 1500B.C.
VoiceOfDance.com
Voice of Dance has been on the world wide web since 1996. Begun initially as a vehicle for dance enthusiasts to voice their opinions and thoughts about dance, it rapidly blossomed into a much broader resource, providing not just bulletin boards on which to post reviews and ideas or chats with dance celebrities, but also offering calendar listings for major dance companies around the world, quick review excerpts of dance performances from all over, as well as the latest news from the arts world.
Includes also dance e-postcards, an extensive image gallery, special multimedia presentations and global directory of over 25,000 dance-related companies and organizations. A large and extremely comprehensive site covering most dance genres.
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Dance Articles, Education and Etiquette

Dance Husbands and Dance Wives
What do you as a dancer do when your life partner does not share your interest in dance?
Your story on Dance Partner Relationships could win you a FREE pair of Prodance shoes.

"Dancers as Athletes"— by Dan Lehnberg
"From a sports medicine doctor's point of view, competition Ballroom dancing has become a sport and the competitors are now athletes. Elite dancers have reached higher levels of physical condition then ever before.
For most of you reading this article, this probably comes as no surprise......................"

After all that heavy dancing, learn about why ladies don't sweat, they just perspire
When humans are exposed to continuous high level exercise such as dancing in a warm to hot environment, the body attempts to balance heat production and heat loss. This is done by heat dissipation through increased sweating, and decreased heat conservation by dilating blood vessels in the skin [flushing].

Sweat contains relatively large amounts of minerals and electrolytes, and profuse sweating leads to significant losses of these elements. The main substance in sweat is sodium chloride, at a concentration between 0.2 gm/100 ml and 0.4 gm/100 ml. Sodium, potassium, and calcium also abound in sweat. The electrolytes sodium, potassium, and calcium are essential to neuromuscular excitability, secretory activity, and membrane permeability, among many other cellular functions. In addition, electrolytes are dominant factors in the control of fluid movement. The consequences of deficiencies in these electrolytes include dehydration, cramps, cardiac arrhythmia, tremors, and muscular weakness, among others.

Be warned that the continuous drinking of high sugar drinks can actually increase dehydration.
Maintenance of adequate carbohydrate intake is also recommended.

The highly regarded Australian Institute of Sport has sensible advice concerning the fluid requirements of players in a variety of sports.

Terryl Jones explains "How Can I Get More Out Of My Group Classes?"
1) Have an open mind.
2) Be in the right skill level.
3) Be on time.
4) During the class practice time, practice the pattern that is being taught.
5) Encourage your partners.
6) Come as often as possible.
7) Take privates.
8) Get as much practice as possible.
9) Wear proper dance shoes. Most fashion or casual shoes are inappropriate for dancing.
10) Have fun. If you are not enjoying yourself, you may be in the wrong class or dance studio.

Rachel Holland from the UK, in Dance Today!, Feb. 2004 writes about
"The Tricky Business of Finding a New Dance Partner"
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Dance Events
Australian Salsa Championships - October
2 days of intense competing with only the best of the best making it through to the night time finals
Australia’s finest Professional and Amateur Salsa & Rueda dancers judged by our international panel.
Australian Tango Festival - September / October
BritSalsaFest - UK Salsa Festival - February.
Ceroc International Dance Championships - Sydney, June, Clancy Auditorium, UNSW.
Club Maya Annual World Salsa Championships - October in Los Angeles, USA.
Congreso Internacional de Tango Argentino (C.I.T.A.) - Each March in Buenos Aires.
Dancexpo - August, Sports Centre, Sydney Olympic Park.
Fiesta @ Darling Harbour - Experience Fiesta, Australia’s largest, annual Latin American & Spanish event in Darling Harbour, Sydney. October, long weekend. FREE.
Jambalaya - is a 3-day, 4-night weekend of workshops, performances and parties Easter weekend, in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Latin Dance Corroboree - Southee Complex, Sydney Showground, Homebush. September.
Melbourne Latin Dance Festival - July.
Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® in September is a unique and exciting opportunity for schools to take part in a dance, drama and design spectacular where the students are the STARS. While the result is a professional event staged in some of Australia’s top venues,
The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® is about having fun while enjoying a 100% drug free experience.
Over 200 schools and 25,000 students compete in 40 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® shows across Australia annually. Teams as small as 10 or as large as 140 students from each school plan an eight minute performance incorporating a theme of their choice, set to contemporary commercially available music.
Salsa Dance Cruises - Sydney Harbour.
Salsa Rueda Congress of the Americas - Held in Miami, Florida in November.
Salsology - Salsa festival, Manchester, UK.
South American Festival - Each February, The Pavilion, Bondi Beach.
Spanish Film Festival - Annually Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, usually May.
Sydney Festival - See site link to Bacardi Latino Festival, Darling Harbour, January.
Sydney International Tango Festival - The first was in May, 2005.
Sydney Salsa Congress - From Friday 27th to Sunday 29th January, 2006.
UK Salsa Congress - September
Viva Magazine Latin Fiesta - June.
Wintersun.org.au - Australia's leading 50's & 60's Music and Nostalgia Festival featuring Hot Rods, Custom and Classic Cars, Dance Competitions, Street Parade, Rockabilly, Jive, Rock & Roll, Bands, Artists and Entertainers.
World Salsa Championships - Held in Las Vegas in December. 2005 was the first. Congratulations to Oliva and Luda from Latin Motion for winning the On "Two" Division. A first for Australian dancers.
World Tango Championships - Held in Buenos Aires from 9th to 16th October, 2005.
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Dance Event Management
AlbertTorresEvents
Ceroc and Modern Jive Dance Company
Dancesport.org.au - Ballroom competitions. Click on "Events". Listed by Australian State.
Hotbeat Productions - Latin American entertainment for corporate and private clients, Australia and Overseas.
La Bomba [Adelaide]
Mister Salsa - Producer of the Australian Salsa Championships
Nuroc Dance Company
Ritmo Latino - A Spectacular and Colourful Rio Carnival Extravaganza! [Hotbeat Productions]

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Dance Humour
Why is Salsa like Sex? [Courtesy of ToSalsa.com]
a] Your neighbours complain about the noise you and your partner make.
b] After you have done it with someone really good, you just have to tell all your friends.
c] You accidentally left one of your belongings at your partner's house.
d] There are "protection" rules, but no one seems to follow them.
e] It's best when you both are on the same beat.
f] You never forget the first one who taught you.
g] All the above.
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Dance Music
Stephen and Susan Brown explain how to build a collection of Argentinean Tango Music.
Beat Generation and the Sixties: A guide to web resources [Adelaide University Library]
Cubanisimoradio - Sydney Eastside Radio, 89.7 Every Thursday 9.00pm to midnight.
Dance Music Awards - Australia
Descarga.com - Online resource of tropical Afro-Latin music.
Dwight "Chocolate" Escobar - is a Venezuelan - Australian DJ.
Google Australian Web Directory of Bands and Artists
Latinos FM - Sydney 107.3 FM, Join Gabriella and Angelo each Saturday between 5pm and 7pm.
Latinstuff.com.au has CD's to buy from the Latin Grammy Winners of 2003.
Listen to Net Radio Station IUMA from Uruguay. At the heart of it all, IUMA is about letting the music speak for itself, and letting the artists speak directly to their fans. They are committed to the independent musician and believe this to be the future of music. A great looking site with music covering many genres.
MusicFront.com.au - Latin, Salsa and tango, music to buy.
Online Audio, Radio and Video Directory - Courtesy of Websearcher.com.au
Orquesta Tipica Tiempo de Tango - Tango Band extraordinaire [Sydney]. Email contact only.
See A Little Buenos Aires and SydneyTango.com.au for Gigs.
Radio Austral FM - broadcasting exclusively in Spanish, is the prime source of news,current affairs and entertainment of the very large Spanish speaking community of Australia.
In Sydney on 87.8 FM. & in 2 Private frequencies:151.8 MHz and in the173.375 MHz Frequency
RadioCubikNetwork - Online radio for Tango, Salsa, Bossa Brazil, Bop and Jazz.
SalsaPower.com has loads of reviews of contemporary Latin music CDs.
Swing Music Net Jazz music was America's first truly original contribution to the world art community. The period of the 1930s and 1940s was the only time in history when Jazz was the most popular form of American music. This was the Big Band Era and Swing music was king. Many of you who mostly mostly enjoy dancing to various types of Latin, Ballroom or Popular music, will still enjoy the classic sounds of the Swing Big Bands of the 1930s and 1940s. If you do, then you will love this site.
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Dance Stories ranging from Fair Dinkum to Fantasy
"The Salsa Safari" by Tricia Meikle [This page has links to other articles on Salsa as well]
There is magic afoot tonight, under the full moon, a million stars sparkling in the ink- black sky.
I'm making my way through the urban jungle to the site of my adventure tonight. A wild outpost in the heart of the megacity called a "salsa club".....................
This one is from SalsaUK and is called "It looks dangerous, could I get injured?"
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Dance Studios / Venues - Sydney [mainly]

Ballroom - Mixed
[Usually incorporates different styles of partner dance genres, ranging from
traditional Ballroom to different latin styles to Swing and Lindy Hop.
Mix of styles taught will vary from studio to studio].
Acerca Tu (About you)
Arthur Murray Dance Studio (Sydney, City Centre)
Arthur Murray Dance Studio (Crows Nest)
Arthur Murray - Victoria (Melbourne City, Wantirna)
Broadway Dance Studio
Byrnes Dance Image
Cheek to Cheek Dance Studio
City Tattersalls Dance Club
Dance Fitness International
Dance Latino
Danzon [Fred Astaire Dance Studio] - Canberra
FireFly Dance Club
Fred Astaire Dance Studio - Sydney
Greig's Dance Studio
Logan Dance Studio [Randwick]
Luv to Dance (North Shore Dance Studio)
Michael Madden Dance Studio - [Port MacQuarie]
Rat Race Dance Studio [Palmerston, NT]
Retro Dance
Trocadero Dance Studio
Belly Dancing
Hathor Dance Studio and Theatre
Hotbeat Productions
Capoeira
Bantus Capoeira [Perth]
Filhos da Bahia [Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne and Adelaide]
Group Capoeira Brasil [Sydney] - A wealth of information on history, music and tuition.
Hotbeat Productions
Latin Dance Australia
Porto da Barra Australia [Sydney] - Has a great links page to overseas websites.
Soul Capoeira [Adelaide]
Ceroc - See 'Modern Jive'

Evening / Community Colleges - Misc. Dance
Mosman Community College [Go to: Performing Arts > Dance]
Flamenco
Diana Reyes Flamenco
El Duende Flamenco
Los Carmonas Spanish Dancing Academy
Sangre Espanola Spanish Dance Studio
Tomas Flamenco
Hip Hop / Funk
Act Sing Dance
Australian Spirit Association
Ceroc and Modern Jive Dance Company
D2MG Hop Hop Society - Uni of NSW
Dance Central Dance Studio
DanceKool
Hotbeat Productions
Latin Dance Australia
Mango Dance Studio - Also Bollywood, Jazz.
Urban Dance Centre

Modern Jive [also known as Ceroc] and West Coast Swing.
Ceroc ACT [Gaby's Dance Studio]
Ceroc and Modern Jive Dance Company
Ceroc Australia Dance Company
Nuroc Dance Company
Le Step [Qld.]
Performing Arts - Misc Dance
Brent Street Studios

Rock 'n' Roll and Swing [see also listing under Swing]
Big Al's Rock 'n' Roll Dance Studio
C & M Dance Studio
Dance Beat

Salsa / Hip Hop Blends - Reggaeton, Banghraton, Phuze (Pop Latin Funk)
Buena Vista Dance
Cuban Dance Academy - [Melbourne]
Dance Central Dance Studio
Latino Grooves [Sydney and Adelaide]
Phuze Dance
Picante Latin Dance
Salsa - Rueda - Samba - Mamba - Lambada - Shines - Zouk - Cha Cha
Artista Famosa Salsa Classes
AusLatin Productions - Sydney - Hornsby and Castle Hill
Bomba Latina - Southern Sydney
Buena Vista Dance
Cuban Dance Academy - [Melbourne]
Club Marconi
Club Salsa
Hotbeat Productions
I Dance [Vic]
I Latin Dance
JKL Salsa
LADA - Latin American Dance Association - [Glebe]
Latin Adelaide
Latin Connection
Latin Dance Australia
Latin Explosion Dance Company
Latin Fusion
Latin Motion Dance Academy
Latin Rhythms Dance Academy - [Canberra]
Latino Fever School of Dance
Latino Grooves [Sydney and Adelaide]
Mambo Lounge
Mango Dance Studio
Moka Salsa Dance Company [Japan]
Modus Vivendi Salsa
Picante Latin Dance
Platinum Salsa
Rapture Salsa Dance Academy - [Perth]
Ruedisima Latin Dance Company
Salsa Australia Dance Co. [Melbourne]
Salsabor [ACT]
Salsa Nova
Salsa Republic
Salsa Suave
Salsa UK [United Kingdom]
Salsa Vibes Dance Company
Sela-Salsa [Cost Del Sol, Spain]
Strictly Salsa
Salsa Warriors
Terri Wilson [Dance Instructor]
Swing
Cheek to Cheek Dance Studio
Swing Patrol [Melbourne, Sydney and Regional areas]
Swingtime Australia - NSW

Tango
A Little Buenos Aires
Dance Tango
Che Tango
Club de Tango
Patio de Tango
Siempre Tango - [Adelaide
Tango Bahia - [Bay of Plenty, NZ]
Tango Entre Amigos
TangoPassion.net
Tango Social Club of Canberra - ANU
Tango Sydney Dance Studio
Tango Takes 2 - [Perth]
Tengo Tango [Canberra]
Tango Tinto
Tasmanian Club de Tango
Zanaboni Tango & Salsa - [Auckland, NZ]

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Feet and Footwear
Arthritis, Bunions and Gout - This collection of 123 web site links is a comprehensive and possibly unique resource for many types of information on inflammatory foot ailments such as Arthritis, Bunions, Gout, Joint Hypermobility, Fibromyalgia and associated problems. If dancers have any of these problems,
then dealing with them is of primary importance not only to their dancing, but to their good health.
"Ballroomboilergirl" elegantly tells of her fascination and obsession with dance shoes
Did someone say "shoes"?
Jen, you know me too well
I am probably (OK, I AM) guilty of overspending on shoes. I think I have seriously convinced myself that I need a large number of shoes in order to be a good dancer..............."
Dancing Shoes - The History of Footwear - [C. Kippen, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA]
The author attempts to outline the history of popular dance with reference to shoes and shoe design. Very comprehensive.
Footwear and Footcare for Dancers - A warning to all dancers: you have only one pair of feet on issue during your lifetime, so take good care of them if you wish to dance the light fantastic into your old age. Here's just a few things you may or may not be aware of with regards to choice of footwear and the care and health of your feet.
Gabriella Agoni's Column for Social Dancers - Advice for the incorrectly shod and ill-informed.
Terryl Jones and "Oh My Aching Feet!"
" Someone catches me quietly after class, they look around to see if anyone is within earshot, then they whisper the question almost guiltily. 'My feet hurt so bad, is there anything I can do? They look at me with pleading eyes. Should I buy a new pair of shoes? It is the shoes isn't it?' Well maybe it is and maybe it isn't.
Understanding what causes the feet to hurt helps you understand how to remedy the issue..............."
Prodance Dance Footwear - The only dance footwear in the world that gives a a manufacturer's warranty on Ladies' heels for the life of the shoe [conditions apply]. Available in up to 5 width fittings. Where are they made?
Australia of course. Available Sydney only at this stage. Come and be fitted. Recommended by most Dance Studios listed on this page.
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Flamenco
Andalucia.com - Famous for Flamenco as well as their horses. Links to Dance Artists and Productions, Guitarists, Singers, other sources for Dancers, Festivals.
CyberSpain.com - Offers you a huge journey through Spain, its culture, traditions and landscapes. In other words this country's Soul, which is the background to Flamenco.
Esflamenco.com - Is an online store of everything Flamenco [Madrid, Spain].
Flamenco Glossary of Terms - Courtesy of Flamenco.org
Flamenco Guitar Transcriptions Resource Index - An index of transcriptions/scores, sound files and other resources.
Flamenco Introduction by David Bos [Germany] - A resource of collected writings on the history and current world of flamenco music, plus articles from the Dutch flamenco magazine, "Aficionao."
Flamenco Online.com - This Melbourne site is about Flamenco guitars and music.
Flamenco WebRing - is a collection of web sites that centre on Flamenco. Quality content and appearance are keywords for all sites.
Flamenco-world.com - Guide to everything Flamenco.
The Flamenco Crew for Corporate and Theatre Productions in Australia. Headquarters Sydney.

Hip Hop
What is HipHop? by Kaylene Pomana Jones [ActSingDance] and courtesy of Dance Central.
Hip Hop is the term used to describe a culture that includes rapping, breakdancing and graffiti art. Originating in the low socioeconomic slums of South Bronx in the 1970’s, it provided the youth of the day an avenue to channel their angst and frustrations..........".
HipHop-Network.com
HipHop Show - TripleJ FM radio Australia
HipHop World.com
Honey DVD/CD Review by Kaylene Pomana Jones [ActSingDance] and courtesy of Dance Central.
Honey sets the pace with its pumping soundtrack and impressive hip hop and break moves. It’s less cheesy than “Flashdance”, sexier than “Dirty Dancing” with more choreographic spectrum than “Save The Last Dance” so it’s worth a look...........
Yahoo Directory on HipHop Culture
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Modern Jive [also known as Ceroc]
of Ceroc DanceHistory
Clare Bowman from Staffodshire in England explains Ceroc: A modern form of dance combining
the likes of swing, jive and salsa.
HowToJive.com [UK] - Sees itself representing Ceroc as a "jive-salsa fusion". History as well. Also has link to a very interesting Timeline from 1900 to the mid 1990's.
LeRoc.com - Another slant on the history of Ceroc.Plus links.
Scottish Jive - How Ceroc started from a Scottish perspective.
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Rock 'n' Roll
History-of-Rock.com - The Golden Decade 1954 - 1963
John Bulmer writes about "Devil Music: Race, Class, and Rock And Roll". He traces this amalgam of African Rhythms, Negro Spirituals and Blues right through to current pop.
This is a massive piece of work that really deserves an Academy Award.
Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
This Day in Rock & Roll History - [From Arrowfm.com]
VicRock.com.au - is a web directory promoting primarily the 50's and 60's Rock and Roll, Swing and Lindy Hop dance scene in Melbourne and country Victoria. Links to sites outside of Victoria.
World Rock'n'Roll Confederation
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Samba
WorldSamba.org
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Salsa
Interview with Angela Catterns on ABC 702 radio. Latin Dance Australia's Jaime Jesus explains what Salsa means to many dancers, and it's not what you eat with corn chips.
Read below excerpts from his interview. [Courtesy of Latin Dance Australia ]

"Salsa [as it is danced here and many other places] is a mixture of many different dance styles.
One of the great things about Salsa, is that it is a hot dance, it's a sexy dance, it's hot and
spicy and it's a dance for everyone. And that's exactly what Salsa is as a dance..........."

"We have students as young as 17 and as old as 72......... The great thing about it is, you go out to
these social clubs, to the social dance parties and you see people of all nationalities and of all ages.
One of the most amazing things I saw when I first went to my Salsa Club, was a 20 year old lady
dancing with a 70 year old man. You would never see that anywhere else. ............"

"All around the world, people are looking for something different.
They are looking out for something different than the traditional going to the pub and drinking.
They want a different way to interact with people now, and dancing is the perfect excuse.
This is one of the main reasons why dancing is becoming so popular."

"Salsa is easy to learn, if you are attending classes and start from the beginning..........
If you take the time and take the lessons, you can learn in no time."

"The good thing about Salsa is that there is a lot of moves you can learn. But one of the really great
things about Salsa is that it is heavily influenced by all the different styles of dance.
Like you can be dancing Salsa and you can add your Hip Hop, which is becoming very popular,
or you can add some of your own Jazz or Tap moves, or whatever it is that you do, or you may have
done before."

"You can add it all into your Salsa and give it your own interpretation. Give it your own style"

"Why and What is Salsa?" This page on Latin Motion's website provides some answers.
European Salsa Forum - Helps to read German.
SalsaRoots.com The heart and soul of Salsa dance history.
Sela-salsa.com - Discusses the evolution of Latin music and Cuban Salsa
World Salsa Federation
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Swing / Lindy Hop / Jitterbug
Diga Diga Doo - The Swing Dancing and Lindy Hop scene in Melbourne
SavoyStyle.com - Archives of early Lindy Hop.
SwingDanceUK - Answers the question: What is Lindy Hop ?
Swing Out Online - The Swing Dancing scene in Sydney with links to studios.
USA Swing Dance Network
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Tango
ABCTango.com - Concerns Tango culture, music and art.
History-of-Tango.com - Uncovers the fascinating and complex world of Tango.
Tejastango.com - A guide for the dancer beginning the journey of learning to dance Argentine tango.
Redmond Dance Studio [UK] - Very comprehensive history and info about the dance and the music.
ToDoTango.com - Tango Culture, Stories, Music and huge number of Links
ToTango.net - A comprehensive look at the history and culture of Tango
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FREE RECIPROCAL LINKS

Each Dance Organizationand/or Studio supporting Dancing Shoes Australia,
is entitled to FREE listing on this page of our website,
with a hotlink to your website.

Contact Shirley, Anh or Davidabout the extra benefits in being a
Registered Referrer and our offer of FREE footwear to you and your Dance Studio.*

It's not often you get something for nothing,
so take advantage of our offers.

*Conditions Apply.

I am always interested in new quality links, you may contact us:
This is whre our new shop is:

The Footwear Centre
Shop 1 / 170 Burwood Road
Burwood, NSW, 2134

Our new shop is right in the centre
of the main Burwood shopping centre.

Open normal trading hours
7 days a week.

Looking forward to meeting you
and your friends for a fitting.

Enjoy your dancing.

PLEASE CONTACT US
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES

Phone Shirley, Anh or David
on 02 8065 9324

E-mail: info@footwearcentre.com.au
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