Ballroom
Ballroom is not one dance but a number of different dances. Recently, some people have started designating waltz, foxtrot, quickstep and sometimes tango as 'ballroom' and separating out swing and latin dances. If you go to a ballroom dance, you will find most of these dances - waltz, foxtrot, tango, triple step east coast swing, rumba, cha cha and mambo/salsa.
Many dances also include the quickstep, Viennese waltz, hustle, west coast swing, single step swing, jive and the merengue. Some ballroom dances also include the argentine tango. The polka and paso doble are rarely seen.
Latin dances almost always include the salsa/mambo as well as some of the following - rumba, cha cha, merengue, bachata and cumbia.
There are two styles of ballroom dance, American and International. Most dance teachers offer American style; only a few teach International. International style is used primarily for competition and, in Rhode Island, can be found at Dancin Feelin (group and private) and for private lessons only at Jeff Allen Dance and Heritage Ballet.
Swing
There are many many different kind of swing dance. In Rhode Island, you can easily find east coast triple and single step swing, west coast swing and lindy.
If you are a new dancer and would like to learn swing, start with triple or single step. These two are the easiest to learn. Once you have them under your belt, you will find learning the other swing dances much easier.
Swing dances obviously focus on swing, but they do play the other occassional other dance. Some will play Argentine tango, some Latin, some waltz. Very rarely a ballroom dance will play a jive, but no swing dance will specifically play jive music.
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DANCE VACATIONS
Dance Cruises
HUSTLE, SALSA, WEST COAST SWING CRUISE
7 Day Dance Cruise Vacation
 | | The spacious ballroom aboard Costa Cruise Line's 5 Star Magica |
March 18 - 25, 2007
Costa Cruise Lines
Departs from Ft Lauderdale
Destinations: San Juan, St Thomas, Casa de Campos, & Grand Turks
Contact: Randylyn Masse' DancingRhodey@gmail.com
Website: http://dancingrhodey.tripod.com
Website: www.HustleCruise.com
March 18 - 25, 2007
Sunday, 3pm to Sunday 8am
Join RI Hustle dancer Randylyn Masse on a fabulous dance cruise to the Caribbean aboard Costa Cruise Line's 5 Star Magica-
boasting the largest, most gorgeous ballroom dance floors afloat.
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Hustle, Salsa and WCS Workshops plus dancing, dancing, dancing!
Cruise Rates Start at $690 per person, inside cabin (+ $210 taxes)
Upgraded Categories: $840 oceanview & $1090 balcony (p/p + taxes)
($50 off inside & $100 off outside cabins, if you book more than 120 days in advance)
Optional Dance Package - $175 - sold for $60 includes 2 CD's, dance bag, 20 workshops, entrance fees for Jack & Jill contests, and all the socials for dance guests only.
To reserve your cabin, call Norm at Sunburst Travel (954-431-7771). Please tell him that Randylyn Masse' is your Group Leader. Let Randylyn know at DancingRhodey@gmail.com if are interested or have booked.
14 social dancing sessions with more than 20 dance workshops (optional)
4 complimentary theme cocktail receptions (including a TOGA party)
Professional demonstrations
poolside dancing
dance mixers with real dance hosts
theme parties & music by 4 top DJs
Pro-Ams competitions for Gold, Silver, and Bronze level dancers
An all-star dance and music staff with a mixed-music format and individual Hustle,
Swing & Salsa parties to accommodate all dance styles and levels!
posted 03Sep06
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DANCE ABOARD DANCE CRUISES
Ballroom and Latin
Dance Aboard
3015 Saint Andrews Drive
Duluth, GA. 30096
Phone: 770-814-2185
Mobile: 770-883-6251
Email: info@danceaboard.com
Website: http://www.danceaboard.com
Enjoy a vacation where you can do what you really love. Dance your nights away! Take classes during the day plus swim, sightsee or any number of other exciting activities. Four cruises scheduled for 2006. Dance teachers and hosts will be on the dance floor so no one will sit out the evening!
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Overseas
BLACKPOOL DANCE FESTIVAL
Blackpool, England
May 26 - June 3, 2007
Huron Valley Travel
Reservations & Questions: Heather at Huron Valley Travel 800-392-6689 or
heather@huronvalleytravel.com
Website: http://www.huronvalleytravel.com/tours/blackpool.html
Join Huron Valley Travel on their newest world-class event to the most respected Ballroom and Latin Dance Competition in the world!
Superb hotel accommodations, excellent tickets for five days at the Dance Festival (including the Professional Latin, Exhibition, and Professional Ballroom competitions), guided city orientation tour, English High Tea, many wonderful dinners, a private group dance lesson with a renowned ballroom instructor from Blackpool, time for personal dancing in the glorious Winter Gardens Ballroom, an optional organized tour to Liverpool re-living the Beatles, and all 8-days expertly escorted and organized.
The complete package is very reasonably priced at only $2,629 per person based on double occupancy (single add $317). If you do not need airfare a $400 credit will apply. Air taxes are additional. Travel Insurance is recommended and available through Huron Valley Travel. Space is limited so don't delay!
To reserve, call or email Heather at Huron Valley Travel heather@huronvalleytravel.com or 800-392-6689 with your $300 per person deposit.
posted 08Nov06
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Rhode Island Dance Vacations
NEWPORT VINTAGE DANCE WEEK
Vintage Dance
Portsmouth Abbey School
Newport, Rhode Island
Dates: August 6 through 12, 2007
(optional arrival date Sunday August 5)
Registration is open for 2007
Maining Address
PO Box 9
Nahant, Massachusetts 01908
Phone: 781-396-2870 (before 10pm eastern time, please)
E-mail:
Website: http://www.vintagedancers.org
The 20th Annual Newport Vintage Dance Week will be held August 6 through 12, 2007 (optional arrival date Sunday August 5) at the seaside campus of the Portsmouth Abbey School in Newport, Rhode Island. Classes are offered in 19th and early 20th Century ballroom dancing.
Events include an 1860's ball at the Rotunda Ballroom at Newport's First Beach Carousel; an 1890's ball at the elegant Astors' Beechwood Mansion; a formal dinner and ragtime ball at the Glen Manor estate; and a turn of the century fancy dress (masquerade) ball.
Other social events will include formal teas, croquet games and Victorian amusements, tours of nearby historic Newport and a New England lobster feast. See more about this event at the Vintage Dancers website
last update 14Sep06
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New England Dance Vacations
BEANTOWN
Lindy Hop, Balboa, Big Apple, Shim Sham, Hustle, West Coast Swing, Charleston
Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts, USA
Date: June 21-27, 2007
Friday June 22 - Sunday June 24, 2007 Beantown Lindy Hop Mini-Camp 2007 with Northeast Lindy Hop Championships 2007
Thursday June 21 - Wednesday June 27 Beantown Lindy Hop Summer Camp 2007
(Plus several other date options in between)
Phone: 1-508-435-2363
E-mail: info@hoptothebeat.com
http://www.hoptothebeat.com/camp/
Beantown is an all-inclusive vacation for dancing with a phenomenal gathering of instructors, live bands, DJs and dancers from across the country and beyond! The package price includes everything — all camp classes, dances and activities as well as a choice of meals and private accommodation (although there are off-campus options).
Once settled on campus just shut off the stresses of the outside world, relax and get ready to enjoy immersing yourself in dance camp. Most people stay on campus, which is a great value and enhances the complete experience. Having meals on campus, with plentiful quality selections, is convenient and promotes camp bonding. The campus accommodation makes staying up late easy and short naps during the day possible!
There's a weekend long Mini-Camp (which hosts the Northeast Lindy Hop Championships) and the weeklong Beantown Lindy Hop Summer Camp. Many of the world's top lindy teachers teach at this event. If you are comfortable dancing east or west coast swing, you will be able to enjoy learning the lindy. See details at http://www.hoptothebeat.com/camp/.
2007 UPDATE
Beantown will be held on the beautiful Endicott College campus in Beverly, MA. and will have full schedules of lindy and balboa and many taster classes. For the first time Beantown will run a section on jazz dance (the original African & Indian based jazz dance, not the current musical theatre stuff).
Confirmed instructors (with many more to come) include Ryan Francois & Jenny Thomas, Sylvia Sykes & Nick Williams, Kenneth & Helena Norbelie and Peter Strom. For your dancing pleasure, there will be 2 nights with the fabulous Boilermaker Jazz Band and one with the hot new Beantown Swing Orchestra.
posted 05Sep06.updated 20Jan07
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RHODE ISLAND LINKS
BROWN BALLROOM DANCE CLUB
http://www.brown.edu/Students/Ballroom_Dance/
Brown University has a very active Ballroom Dance Club. They hold dance lessons, an occasional fund raising dance and a yearly competition (in the fall). This site is primarily for Brown students in the Dance Club.
BROWN UNIVERSITY SWING CLUB
http://students.brown.edu/swing/
Email: swing@brown.edu
Free swing classes open to the general public. The website aslso contains useful information about swing music and history.
FRIENDS OF BALLROOM DANCE
http://www.onaquidneck.com/fobd/
Skip Jones
253 East Main Rd
Portsmouth, RI 02871
Phone: 401-847-2980
Email: SkipFOBD@aol.com
Established in 1987 to promote social ballroom dancing and orchestras, FOBD holds dinner dances with live bands at a number of different venues in Newport. Director Skip Jones, makes sure the dance space is excellent and the food meets a high standard. You must be a member to attend and you may opt to attend the dance only. Membership is $20 per year to receive newsletters by regular mail or $15 to receive Newsletters by email. See here for FOBD dance schedule. See website for membership form.
QUICKSTARTBOOKS.COM
http://www.QuickstartBooks.com
Jeff Allen- long time RI dance teacher-writes the popular QuickStart to dancing books. His last book (number 5!) - The Idiot's Guide to Ballroom Dancing was published in April 2002. Jeff writes an excellent column for DanceUSA, and you can see some of them on Quickstart.com as well as reviews of his books and information about the lessons he offers.
SWINGIN 88'S
http://www.swingin88.com
The Swingin' 88's was formed to keep Swing alive in southern New England. They host a monthly dance at the Brightridge Club in East Providence, RI usually on the last Saturday of the month
Email: swingin88s@yahoo.com
USA DANCE - RHODE ISLAND
http://www.riusabda.org
The Rhode island branch of USA Dance formerly RI-USABDA. They promote ballroom dance and host dances, competitions and other local events. For membership information, go to the USA Dance website and click on 'links'. See USA Dances for their dance schedule.
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NATIONAL AND OUT OF STATE WEBSITES
BALLROOM DANCERS.COM
http://www.ballroomdancers.com
Tons of information for ballroom dancers including a large section of video clips (available in MediaPlayer and Quicktime) showing dance steps from both American and International style ballroom. They also sell a wide range of DVD's, videos's music and books.
COMMONWEALTH VINTAGE DANCERS
http://vintagedancers.org
E-mail: query@vintagedancers.org
PO Box 9
Nahant, Massachusetts 01908
Phone: 781-396-2870 (before 10pm eastern time, please)
The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers are dedicated to the preservation of social dances from the 19th and early 20th Centuries. The group researches and teaches the original steps as well as the history of the dances. In addition, they are interested in the clothes from the various time periods, and many of the members design and sew their own ball gowns. They are available to stage performances of these dances, and organize and run Grand Balls, Tea Dances, Garden
Parties and other period amusements. Several times a year the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers offer vintage dance events in RI. The 19th Annual Newport Vintage Dance Week (a week of dance lessons, parties, balls, and entertainment) will be held August 14-20, 2006.
CONNECTICUT SWING
http://www.gate.net/~htusa_ne/clubsri.htm
Connecticut Swing Dance Society is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to creating and serving a vibrant Connecticut swing community for dancers of all levels.
Also check out SWING MONKEY for Swing dance events all around new England.
DOCMA (Massachusetts)
http://www.docma.net
Dancers of Central Massachusetts was formed in mid-1998 by a group of avid ballroom dancers in Worcester, MA. DOCMA is a chapter of USA DANCE Inc. They hold social dances at least once a month at various locations in the Worcester vicinity. Dances include a free one hour dance lesson, cash raffle, mixer, refreshments, and dance hosts. In addition to the social dances, we have dance workshops in conjunction with our local dance studios for all levels of dancers.
Our outreach program puts on dance performances at local nursing homes.
HAVE TO DANCE
http://www.havetodance.com
Excellent Boston-based swing/hustle/argentine tango/tap dance etc. website which covers the aforementioned dances
(and to a lesser extent ballroom) throughout New England.
ROUND DANCING
http://members.isp01.net/hfsears/lessons/lead.html
Round Dancing is a form of social ballroom dancing in which the music is pre-choreographed, and the steps are announced by a 'cuer'. [In Rhode Island, round dancing can be found at most of the square dances.] This website has much to offer conventional ballroom dancers as well, such as a very informative and amusing essay on Lead and Follow http://members.isp01.net/hfsears/lessons/lead.html
SWINGWORLD.COM
http://www.swingworld.com
Skippy Blair's website. The dance goddess of us all, Skippy teaches ballroom, country and swing. She is the major reason that West Coast Swing became the phenomenon it has, hence the name of the website. Her thoughtful and technical way of looking at dance has resulted in a much better understanding of how to dance. Highly recommended - Skippy's ballroom dance articles. Teachers - check out the section on the Golden State Dance Teachers Association Certification.
USA DANCE (formerly USABDA)
http://www.usabda.org
The national webiste for USA Dance. Lots of information for people interested in ballroom dance. The website includes a sampling of articles from USABDA's Amateur Dancers Magazine. USABDA member are eligible for discounts to all kinds of dance merchandize. See http://www.usabda.org/home/special_directories/friends_of_usabda/index.cfm for details.
USA DANCE - Hartford
http://www.ballroomdancect.com
Front page announcements of upcoming dances, competitions and events. No charge to subscribe to their email list for event announcements.
USA DANCE - New London
http://www.usadancenewlondonct.com
Website for the New London branch of USA Dance. Active site includes schedule for their dances held at the East Lyme Community Center as well as other nearby dances. No charge to subscribe to their email list for event announcements.
WIKIPEDIA - GLOSSARY OF PARTNER DANCE TERMS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_partner_dance_terms
A good quick resource for definations of many ballroom and swing dance terms.
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MAGAZINES, PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS
DANCING USA
http://www.dancingusa.com
Dancing USA
200 New York Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Phone: 1-800-290-1307
Subscription: 1 Year (6 issues) $24.97
Dancing USA caters to social dancers of every ilk: Swing, Tango, Salsa, Latin, Standard, Smooth, Rhythm, Beginner, Intermediate, Pro-Am, Professional, and Teacher. The website includes some content from the magazine including technique articles. Rhode Island dance author and teacher Jeff Allen writes a column for Dancing USA.
Request a sample issue. Subscribe to the magazine. Sign up for a free E-Newsletter.
RHODE ISLAND DANCERS' FORUM
http://www.dancingusa.com
Rhode Island Dancers' Forum
Contact: Nettie Riley Nettieriley@yahoo.com
Subscription: $15.00 per year (6 issues)/USA Dance members - free
Rhode Island Dancers' Forum is a bi-monthly newsletter published by the RI Chapter of USA Dance, Inc. (formerly USABDA.) The newsletter contains news about ballroom dance activities in the state of Rhode Island including a calendar of upcoming dances, a regional competition schedule, college dance club information, and a dance directory of instruction, vendors and venues as well as paid advertisements. The publication is free to members of USA Dance and $15 per year (6 issues) for non-members.
Contact Nettieriley@yahoo.com to subscribe or for advertisement rates.
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DANCE WEAR & SHOES
BALLROOM & SOCIAL DANCE CLOTHES
Dance Shoes Online
http://www.danceshoesonline.com/Catalog/ballgown.html
This shop includes a full line of men and women's dance shoes (ballroom,swing,salsa,flamenco and other dance forms) plus dance apparel - Many gorgeous ballgowns laid out by color on one easy to use page! Fewer noteworthy Latin gowns, but there are some winners also laid out by color. Subscribe to their email list and get discount coupons. Gift certificates available.
Enchanted Boutique
http://stores.ebay.com/Enchanted-Boutique_Fabulous-Dance-Dresses_
Beautiful (non-competition) dance dresses at very good prices. Sizes tend to be in the small to medium range, but there are some larger sizes.
Randall Designs
http://randalldesigns.net/index1.html
If you are buying competition dance dresses, take a look at the stunning dresses on this website. You can buy brand new dresses. or lower the price by selecting from the used dresses. Designer Randall Christensen makes all the gowns for Ballroom Bootcamp and the spring 2006 season of Dancing With the Stars. You can also buy some of the dresses from the shows and movies from the website (Click on 'Specials' and from there go to 'Dresses 4 Sale' and 'Randall's Showroom').
SWING CLOTHES
DanceStore.com
http://www.dancestore.com
Classy swing clothes and shoes for men and women. High points are the two twirly swing skirts! Both skirts designed to twirl but not show your underwear! Website includes swing videos, dvd, and cds.
Swing Dance Shop
http://www.swingdanceshop.com/vinrep.html
Offers clothes by ReVamp, a LA company, that produces new authentic vintage-inspired clothing for both men and women. Each beautiful fabric and style combination is created in limited editions, made-to-order for you. The website includes a hugh array of other swing stuff - shoes, dvds, cds
Swing Skirts
http://swingdanceskirt.com
A gorgeous swingy swing skirt in many colors and sizes. Made in the United States.
SHOES
DanceStore.com
http://www.dancestore.com
Beautiful swing and non-formal dance shoes. Website includes swing clothes, videos, dvd, and cds. PS Before you choose a shoe, check out their sale page for the occasional great shoe buy.
Patterson's Back Bay DanceWear
http://www.backbaydancewear.com
Patterson's Back Bay Dancewear, located at 185 Cambridge St/Burlington,MA 01803, has a hugh selection at their store and and even larger selection on line.
Rhode Island stores some of which carry ballroom dance shoes.
Savoy Style Swing Dance Shop
http://www.swingdanceshop.com/swindanshoes.html
You want Bleyer's? They got Bleyer's (plus a mock-Bleyer dance sneaker). PS Before you choose a shoe, check out their bargain basement section for the occasional great shoe buy.
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DANCE FASHION HISTORY
Drastic DIY Fashions
http://runzwithscissors.net/gallery/Twenties-style
The website of dress designer, Miss Priss contains a section on Twenties style clothing, which includes 8 very good pictures of Irene Castle as well as a number of other dance-related graphics.
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DANCE HISTORY
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Social Dance
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/dihtml/diessay0.html
The Library of Congress has put together some great dance documentation including a history of European and U.S. social dance from the late middle ages through the early 1900's. First screen is a general overview - subsequent pages are more detailed.
Dance Instruction Manuals
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/dihtml/dihome.html
The Library of Congress online has a section devoted to Dance Instruction Manuals circa 1490 to 1920. To browse, click on the 'Complete Author/Title List' link.
Dance Videos
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/dihtml/divideos.html
Short video clips of historic dances in MPEG, QuickTime, and RealPlayer formats.
MUSIC
Historic American Sheet Music
http://www.riDance.com/tv.html
Historic American Sheet Music from the rare book, manuscript and special collections ibrary at Duke University.
Dances covered - Cakewalk, Foxtrot, Galop, Gavotte, Mazurka, Minuet, Polka Mazurka, Polka, Polonaise, Quadrille, Tango, Tarantella, Waltz.
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TELEVISION
riDance's TV PAGE
http://www.riDance.com/tv.html
Dancing with the Stars, Ballroom Bootcamp and other television website links.
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DANCE ON DVD
TWIRLTHEGIRL PRODUCTIONS
Rhode Island-based TwirlTheGirl Productions is TTG's DVD production arm. They have created a series of DVD's (with more in the works) which showcases many nationally known West Coast Swing teachers. Each professional teaches two of his or her best moves/techniques.
Latest Video! FOOTWORK & STYLING Volume 1
Price: $40.00
Instructors included in videos: Jennifer Lyons, Skippy Blair, Ben Morris, Melina Ramirez, Edwin Li, Terry Roseborough, Libbat Shaham, Doug Silton, Jesse Dickson, Tessa Cunningham, Chuck Brown, ChristoFUnk, Rich Lundin, Jim Minty, Myles Monroe, Patty Vo, Jay Byam
Presenting a wonderful collaborative project with some of the most innovative, artistic, professionals in the country! These are AMAZING ONE OF A KIND video series with not just one teacher but SIXTEEN fabulous top notch dance professionals in the country including the well known SKIPPY BLAIR!! Each DVD will have 2 clips of each instructor teaching you with almost 2 HOURS total of material to learn! You will gain 32 moves, fundamentals, techniques, and/or ideas to better your dancing! These are the only instructional DVD's that have ever hit the West Coast Swing market that include a group of instructors! These HOT DVD's are going fast and are catered towards ALL LEVELS OF DANCERS!
See the DVD Cover
$40 SOCIAL PATTERNS for West Coast Swing Volume 1
$40 CONNECTION & TECHNIQUE for West Coast Swing Volume 1
$40 NEW! FOOTWORK & STYLING for West Coast Swing Volume 1
1 DVD-$40
2 DVD'S-$75
Buy all THREE for only $110
GREAT GIFT IDEA! Looking for a perfect gift for that special dancer for their birthday or other occasions? These will make WONDERFUL gifts!
TO PURCHASE: Make checks payable to: TwirlTheGirlUSA and send to 34 Greenbrier Road West Warwick, RI 02893
Or email Jennifer Lyons at Jennifer@TwirlTheGirl.com or call 401-447-7015.
DVD's shipped immediately!
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