Online Dance Trends Newsletter

Over 14,000 entries!
It really is no surprise with the increase of interest in ballroom dancing that the Ohio Star Ball has hit a new all time record of over 14,000 entries. Being one of the Master of Ceremonies and judging this event is quite challenging, but very rewarding too. Everyone from the Pro/Am competitors to the Pros and the Amateurs are at the top of their game so there really is never a boring moment on the dance floor. What has been a real boost for all of the competitions I have attended throughout the year is the number of spectators. Every event has experienced an explosion of first time attendees wanting to see a ballroom dance competition live and in person. Studio owners are scrambling to find instructors to teach the enormous amount of new students wanting to learn the salsa, hustle and other ballroom dances that they have recently seen on television and movies. America finally wants to learn to ballroom dance, which brings me to my question of the week...

Dancesport Athlete or Ballroom Dancer?
A few years back, when it wasn't cool, our industry decided to give ballroom a more up-to- date, athletic name, and so the word "dancesport" was exchanged for "ballroom dancing". You have to admit, it does sound cooler to say you are a dancesport athlete vs. a ballroom dancer, at least it did awhile back. Now we have a new dilemma! Ballroom dancing has become so popular that the label "dancesport" doesn't seem to have the same appeal anymore. As a professional in our industry, it was always awkward when someone would ask me what I do for a living. It was the question I dreaded the most when at a new social gathering such as a school function for my kids, meeting the new neighbors at a cookout and especially at the wedding functions my wife drags me to throughout the year. It would always start out the same way... "So, what do you do for a living?" "Well (I would say), it's kind of hard to explain." I would then explain that I am an official for dancesport competitions. Of course we all know what the next question is. "What is that?" Eventually, after several uncomfortable minutes, I would finally use the "B" word (Ballroom). "Ahhhh" they would say followed by "That's cool" or "That's interesting". Nine times out of ten the woman would say with gushing enthusiasm, "I always wanted to learn how to do that". The man, with a giant question mark over his head, would ask "You really make money at that?" That question always cracked me up but I understand where he is coming from.

Some advice for new teachers...
Most people think that work, well...should be work, and teaching ballroom dancing just doesn't sound like too painful of a job. It makes me think back to when I was 18 and a brand new instructor. My family thought I was nuts! Why would I give all of my time to the studio and come home with small paychecks that I could barely survive on. It was hard for them to see where I was going. It was easy to get discouraged by the pay, the long hours and my loved ones comments. Luckily, I had an aunt who gave me the best advice. She said "Danny, just keep doing what you love and don't think about the money. If you love what your doing it will never feel like work and you'll probably be very successful because you have a passion for it and naturally the money will come as a result." I preach this to my own children when we are discussing their future. Lets face it, we spend the majority of our lives working so one is fortunate when it can be something that they enjoy. My point is this, no matter what spin you put on it, it's "ballroom dancing". I think the media has accepted it, America has accepted it and maybe it's time we go back to "ballroom" and celebrate the fact that ballroom dancing is really cool!

NEXT COLUMN: I intended to write the above article on issues concerning the NDCA and the American Ballroom Company however, there have been some new developments and I want to be able to present the facts correctly. Look for late breaking news in the next edition of Dance Trends!

Dan Writes Back: Yeah your right, those were good old days. Here's to the future!

Hey Dan, Saw the newsletter and I have a suggestion for the next host of "Championship Ballroom Dancing? ? how about Nick, the winner of "So you think you can dance"? That show was great and really opened non-dancers? and dancers? eyes to looking beyond just their one genre.
Just a thought./Debbie

Dan Writes Back:
Well we know the man can dance but does he think he can host a dance show? Look below in the "Dancebriefs" section of trends to see who this years host is!

Jeffan Zimmerman/Lindon, Utah

Hi Dan,

Thanks for this wonderful Dance Trends Newsletter. I like being updated about the dance world. I think that is so cool! So, are they moving Dancing With The Stars to CBS from ABC? Do you know if it will be the same time and day? Thanks and best of luck,

Evelyn

Dan Writes Back:
Did I say CBS? Whoops! Dancing with the Stars was a huge hit for ABC. Here is some new scoop on next years season..

Jerry Rice on Dancing with the stars? NFL great Jerry Rice is rumored to be one of the contestants for next season's Dancing With The Stars. According to Fox 411, the former wide receiver's name was leaked along with celebs Robert Wagner, Lisa Rinna and Nick Lachey's younger brother, Drew Lachey. ABC has made no official announcement regarding the cast for next season, which is scheduled to premier January 5.

Here's The Question:
Do you think the word "Dancesport" is effective or should we go back to simply "Ballroom" to describe our sport?

The Last Survey's Results

The question was: Do you think the media is helping Dancesport?

►Anything that draws attention to Dance Sport is good at this stage of our beloved sports development. Now it is up to the studio chains and independents alike to formulate plans to capitalize and expand upon the current interest. I agree with you. The average person knows nothing and this exposure has gotten them excited.
Cindy Rae-Salt Lake City, Utah

►Hi Dan...no elaboration. I just think people are talking about it...they were channel surfing & caught a glimpse...Some got hooked! ("Some" is a start that will begin snowballing!) ps...I'm so glad Dance Trends is back. It's so much fun to get caught up on dance news thoughts with you!
me

►Dear Dan, I thought your October 13th Column was wonderful. I especially agree with your points about how the average TV viewer will watch, appreciate, and enjoy dancing differently than an experienced competitor will. In my opinion, the dancing on the various shows has been quite good for what it is. The dancers on "Dancing with the Stars" and "Ballroom Bootcamp" were complete beginners in "crash" courses. I've seen beginners with lots more time in the studio looking about the same or worse than what has been shown on TV. Besides, the real point here is that people are looking at and talking about ballroom dancing, and even dancesport. Now if we could only find a way to translate the television audience into audiences at competitions. The audience at Yankee Classic during the "Ballroom Bootcamp" taping was tiny. Also, Brian Nelson & Svetlana Kudimova were recently featured on the series "Airline," the ongoing documentary show about the people who run and the people who fly on Southwest Airlines. They were shown competing in Texas, and not only was the ballroom practically empty, but there were only three or four couples in their event. It was such a shame to see dancesport competition on a popular cable TV show and to notice that people don't actually come out to watch already existing competitions. Dancesport in America is at a point of having lots of opportunities and lots of challenges. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
Sincerely,
Laura La Gassa - San Francisco

►Dan, I agree with you that all the media attention is a good thing. I am a studio owner and all the average Joe's and Jane's out there are my future bread and butter. I have been in this business for 18+ years and all Championship dancing has done for my newcomer students was discourage them into thinking that they could never become great dancers. Even though the dancing on the current shows are at a very novice level to the trained dancer, I feel it is very realistic to the non-dancer and it is more likely to get their interest than a championship level of dancing. I can honestly say that my business has doubled since the start of Dancing with the Stars. So I hope the publicity continues and dancing continues to grow in popularity.
S.C.

►Volume, volume, volume - c'mon folks. Why, oh why would you think otherwise? Competitors have to come from a pool of people - the bigger the pool, the more opportunities.
Anonymous

►One of the most important effects of media coverage's of ballroom dancing is to prove that competitive ballroom dancing requires a lot of hard work, energy, and commitment; it is much more difficult than it looks.
Anonymous

►Our family-owned studio have never been busy until recently. People of all ages come inspired and encouraged to learn dancesport and ballroom. This is good, keeps them away from any trouble.
Evelyn, EZ Dancing Studio, Anaheim, California

►I am quite confident that the media is helping our sport. The biggest reason is that I have noticed a change in how people respond to the topic of ballroom dancing. I have been dancing for 6 years and prior to all of this media coverage, it was more common for people to become uncomfortable and change the subject when I spoke of my dancing. Now people are excited. Ballroom dancing is no longer unfamiliar. They ask my opinion about "who should have won," or where they can take lessons. I have also noticed that the medical profession (I am a nurse) now appreciates the athleticism required for dance and how it compares to other sports as a form of physical and mental fitness.
Anonymous

►I can't say it any better than you did above! The dance consciousness of American TV watchers is being raised, and that's helping our sport!
Anja- Livonia, Michigan

►It serves as an introduction, to get people's interest. Showing real amateurs progressing gives people an idea that they, too, could do it. However, if one of the shows doesn't soon review the real scoring standards and rules, the exposure of the sport may remain at this low level. It just needs to be presented as a goal to attain, a height to be reached.
Anonymous

►Ballroom has been largely invisible. Now everyone knows about it and that can't be bad. All sports have the problem of having the best and the worst of their particular activity out there and getting beginners to relate to the higher levels and no one being turned off by the lower grades.
Anonymous

►The media is bringing much needed attention of ballroom dancing to the general public. Many people who never thought they could are now thinking they might be able to dance. "Ballroom Boot Camp" is a very typical example.
Richard Benjamin- Alexandria VA -Studio One

►Before my daughter got into Dancesport, I thought it was strictly a sleazy world of low class types. However, now that we have been in it for a little over a year, I see that it's appeal is wide ranging, and lots of really decent people are in it. I think these shows are bringing that knowledge to the mainstream.
Anonymous

►So many people don't really understand all of the types of dances "Ballroom" includes. I think the fact it's on prime time TV and "stars" are getting involved, makes it a "cooler" thing in the public's eye.
J. Grover - Rexburg, ID

►If you are speaking of the current television programs such as "Dancing with the Stars" and "Ballroom Boot Camp" ABSOLUTELY! They have done a great job presenting the beauty, art and SPORT i.e.: training, conditioning and physical/emotional benefits of ballroom dance.
S. Wunderlich -Wisconsin

►For the first time, people are taken a good look what ballroom dancing is all about. Yes, I agree that most of our students like to see student exhibitions, rather instructors exhibition, because that makes it real for the student.
Anonymous

►Exposure is exposure... Before this year's media jolt (into the Ballroom World), we had very little if not NONE. If the media has inspired just one more person to take a deeper look into what we all love, than I think it IS helping, because at times I felt we needed all the help we could get before even thinking about becoming mainstream. Plus, the attention we are getting is nothing but positive! Who can argue with that?
Anonymous

►It gets my current students more excited about their dancing and brings new students to my classes.
Lou -Sacramento CA

►I believe the media is helping dancesport simply by giving the sport more exposure. Hopefully we will see more youth involvement with the movie Mad Hot Ballroom out there. I know my daughter got her ballroom interest back when she saw that movie!
Steve - St. Louis

►Hi Dan: Sure, I think the media is helping our sport. . . . In 1998 people were calling me and asking if I could teach them to dance like the dancers in the Gap-khakis Swing TV commercial; that's when my business began to boom - what fun!!!
Malia - Windsor, WI

►1--It brings ballroom to the public's attention, so more people might think about trying it.
2--It's making people with competitive/athletic leanings think of ballroom as a sport, which might be more of an incentive than just social dancing. As an owner of a small studio in Washington, we have seen a marked increase in the number of new students coming in for introductory specials, group classes, and even private lessons. When asked what made them want to start dancing, the response is usually "well, I was watching that program on TV..." Like most celebrities will tell you "any attention is good attention". The fact that our sport is being discussed in most households is fantastic! The more the better! My boss, and mentor, has been telling us for years how it is only going to get bigger and bigger especially when the media really gets behind it. I hope they keep it up!
Beth from Knoxville, TN.

►I completely agree that the media is helping to bring "dancing" to the forefront of people's attention. Everyone talks about what they watched on tv, around the water cooler the next day at work. Instead of crime investigations, they are now discussing dancing. Pretty soon everyone starts to admit that secretively they have all dreamed of dancing someday. When individuals actually verbalize that they want to dance and aren't shunned publicly for doing so, some might take the change to act on that dream and walk into a studio. Getting people to walk into the studio is the hardest part and if something, like media TV, is influencing the influx--I'm all for that! Keep the shows coming!
Rebekah in Antwerp, Ohio.

►Younger individuals are finding that dancing ballroom isn't just for their grandparents.
Anonymous

►Most people haven't had any idea of what Dancesport is. Now they have seen it, they are developing a positive opinion, a willingness to learn, and an interest in being spectators. It's a great thing!
-Donna Edelstein, Plymouth, Minnesota

►Almost any media coverage is good media coverage!! (Think Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding) The more you are in the news, the more "buzz", the better!!!
Anonymous

►I have had more people comment about Dancing with the Stars and asking my opinion about the show since they know I am a dancer. They don't know the quality of the dancing isn't the best. All they know is it is better than they could do. Personally, for the amount of time they had to learn each dance, I thought they did a great job. I'm glad the rematch came up with the right winner. The movies "Shall We Dance" and "Mad Hot Ballroom" have also been good for promoting ballroom.
Anonymous

►People see that ordinary people dance, not just professionals. I think they are also seeing that it's hard work. The exposure has been good and has peeked an interest for people who might not otherwise had any exposure to ballroom dancing. Even if they never step into a studio, they are interested in watching now.
Sue Franklin P.S. Glad to see the newsletter is back. :)

►Oh Yes! I truly believe the media is helping our business immensely. I now teach figure skating couples (who saw these programs) on how to do the things we do to help them on the ice, except for the falling. Plus, it helps them for our social parties. Congratulations to you Dan on your new newsletter.
Dale Pizzitola & Ann Zabinski Casa Di Danza Studio

I►t brings so much attention to dancing in general. It reminds people of their younger days, when they went dancing. How much fun it was. It also shows the styles of today...which make you wish you could & maybe you will learn. It's fun, healthy & a great stress release.
Anonymous

►Yes I think that thanks to the media, "LAZY BOY" people will no longer be afraid to try dancing. They see that dancing is great way to look and finally feel good about yourself. It's a wonderful sport. Plus is good for all the dance instructors, it brings more work.
Anonymous

Kosovich
Nicholas and Lena Kosovich announced their retirement at the Saturday evening session of the Ohio Star Ball. They gave the audience one last thrill with a farewell dance demonstration. They plan to officiate at future events as well as continue to make costuming for dancesport competitors and celebrities in other industries as well.

Abrashin
Andrei and Anastasia Abrashin announced their retirement on Friday evening at the Ohio Star Ball. They are current U.S. 9 dance champions and have won national titles in several styles including Theatre Arts. They also performed a final farewell number which was well received by the viewers.

● Marilou Henner will host this year's Championship Ballroom Dancing, which will air in February of 2006. Henner has an extensive dance background and was a lead role on the former TV show "Taxi".

The last time Barbara hit the dance floor she proved she had the talent to Tango, so she went back to Dance Times Square in New York City to see if she could take the heat of Salsa and Merengue . Then, with the help of dance instructors to the stars, Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith, BW hit the stage live to make her Salsa/Merengue dancing debut! The show aired live on Wednesday November16th.

The ABC-TV show "Dancing with the Stars" was the 6th highest rated show for the season. According to the Nielsen ratings. In addition, it was the No. 1 show for the summer. The Fox network show, "So You Think You Can Dance " from the creators of "American Idol" scored lower at 79 for the season. It still attracted 8 million viewers and was considered a pretty good turnout for the dog days of summer.

Cable Channel TLC launched its own 10 week series in October called "Ballroom Boot Camp". Each Episode stars three regular guys or gals who learn a dance routine and compete against their compatriots with professional dancers for partners.

Public television, WGBH, in Boston, which in 2001 canceled "Championship Ballroom Dancing after 20 years due to lack of funding will be bringing a new version back this winter . Called " American Ballroom Challenge", it will be a two part special featuring highlights from the Ohio Star Ball. It is scheduled to air on Feb. 1 and 8. (This may differ somewhat depending on your public TV station).

In 2005, "Mad Hot Ballroom" broke the top 100 grossing movies. This documentary features kids taking ballroom dance lessons in the New York city public schools.

The Top 49 dance films of all time was led by 1977’s Saturday night Fever’s " Mondo" which grossed 94 million, 'Flashdance' made 92 million, the remake of "Shall We Dance" made 54 million. (the Japanese original did 9.4 million in this country.) "Save the Last Dance" brought in 92 million.

1st place     Ben Ermis and Shalene Archer Ermis      Tennessee     1|1|1|1|
2nd place    David Weise and Valentina Weise           California       2|2|2|2|
3rd place     Hunter Johnson and Maria Johnson          California       3|3|3|3|
4th place     Mazen Hamza and Irina Sarukhanyan       Delaware       4|3|4|4|
5th place     Steve Dougherty and Eulia Baranovsky    Connecticut   6|5|5|5|
6th place     David Rosario and Olga Barashihina        New Jersey   5|6|6|6|

* American Smooth Showdance winner : Ben Ermis and Shalene Archer Ermis

1st place    Tony Dovolani and Elena Grinenko                  New York        1|1|1|1|1|
2nd place   Felipe Telona and Carolina Telona                  New Jersey     2|2|2|2|2|
3rd place    Jesse DeSoto and Jackie Josephs                 Illinois              3|4|4|3|4|
4th place    Gleb Makarov and May-Ling Hutchins             New Jersey     4|3|5|4|5|
5th place    Emanuel Pierre Antoine and Joanna Zacharewicz       New York         5|5|3|5|3|
6th place    Michael Neil and Danielle Wilson                     Florida             6|6|6|6|6|

* Amer. Rhythm Showdance winner: Emanuel Pierre Antoine and Joanna Zacharewicz

1st place    Erminio Stefano and Liene Apale                    New York         2|1|1|1|1|
2nd place   Igor Litvinov and Julia Ivleva                              New Jersey     1|2|2|2|2|
3rd place    Tomas Atkocevicius and Aira Bubnelyte        California         3|3|3|3|3|
4th place    Garry Gekhman and Rita Gekhman                 New Jersey     4|4|4|4|4|
5th place   Anton Koukareko and Lena Koukareko           Florida             5|5|6|5|6|
6th place    Eddie Stutts and Victoria Belova                     Texas               6|6|5|6|5|

1st place    Andre Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova            New Jersey     1|1|1|1|2|
2nd place   Max Kozhevnikov and Yulia Zagoruychenko    New Jersey     2|2|2|2|1|
3rd place    Andre Paramonov and Ms Natalie                   Canada            4|3|3|3|3|
4th place    Ilya Ifraimov and Nadia Goulina                         New Jersey     3|4|4|4|6|
5th place   Pavel Kovalev and Anna Garnis                         New York         5|5|5|6|4|
6th place   Delyan Terziev and Boriana Deltcheva              New York        6|6|6|5|5|


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