Blackpool Dance Festival

due to the famous Blackpool Dance festival in England, the Studio will be closed from Mon, May 28th to Thursday, May 31st.
we are all looking forward to see you back on Friday, June 1st 2007.

Take care,

Babette

Friday Evening Practice Party - May 25th, 8:30

Practice sessions are an integral part of learning as much as your lessons!Nothing will get you to a comfortable social dance level more quickly than regular attendance at your practice sessions.This is the ideal place for you to test your new dance steps with various partners and situations that occur on the dance floor. you will have fun dancing and will gain new confidence.
We are looking forward to see you. You are very welcome to bring your friends!

Group Class, Friday May 25th 2007 - 7:45PM

Warren is going to teach Tango;
All levels; No Partner needed;

Dancing With The Stars, Season Finale

By Armando Martin, a former US International US Champion and the current National Dance Director for The Fred Astaire Dance Studio chain



Move over American Idol...Dancing With The Stars is here to give you a run for your money! Last night's competition was great but, tonight, the show is competing head to head with American Idol for an audience that - in my mind - would have a much better time watching the dancers than the singers.

I have been following both shows and I have to tell you that Dancing with the Stars has been the winner for me, with such interesting personalities as Laila Ali and Apolo Ono, who you have to tip your hat to for what they have accomplished in their own arenas and for the intensity and work ethic they bring to DWTS. Then you have Joey Fatone whose incredible likability and outgoing persona makes you can't wait to see what he's going to do next.

Simply put, there is a lot more meat to sink your teeth into with DWTS. Unfortunately, the winners of the dance competition will go back to their own lives, with the exception of Stacey Keibler who has done very well due to her appearance in the show, but the singers will go on to be Pop Stars and make millions of dollars.

So this judge's scores are: American Idol: 9; Dancing with the Stars: 10 - but maybe I am a little biased.

Tonight's first couple was Laila and Maks dancing the Paso Doble. She looked fantastic in her red dress, which complimented her body and her coloring. I found her performance very strong and focused with a very good interpretation of the fight that goes on in the Bull Ring. Her steps were strong and her footing was right on target.

I find that Laila does her best dancing when she is left on her own and has an opportunity to move her own body weight around the floor; when she gets in dance positions, she looks uncomfortable and tends to lose her posture and charisma.

Her free style was superb and very entertaining. I disagree with all three judges about her doing classic better than funky. This is a gorgeous lady who can look very classy when she wants, but who I believe to be more comfortable dancing to a good old Motown piece than to a Waltz any day. Good job! Again, the choreography left me wanting to see more - too simple and not very creative but not her fault. Total score after the Mambo: 85.

Next to take the floor tonight was Apolo and Julianne performing the Rumba. First of all - being a man - it was hard for me to watch Apolo at all. Julianne looked so fantastic in her custom, which I believe was Julianne imitating Christina Aguilera who was imitating Marilyn Monroe. Whatever the case - she was outstandingly beautiful and sensual.

I thought their Rumba was very impressive with lots of feeling and a great blend of choreography, technique, and romance. But the thing that I was the most impressed with was Apolo's partnering ability; he was the perfect partner supporting her and giving her all the room that she needed to shine like no one left in the competition can.

The Rumba also caused a bit of a fight between Len and Bruno. I must take Bruno's side on this one. I agreed with Bruno that their Rumba was very good, not too quick as Len said. I think that Len confused speed (which is a plus in dancing) with being too quick, which is not.

For their free style number, they performed a Hip-Hop that was even better than their Rumba. They did have some help choreographing this number but, wow what a number it was! Both Apolo and Julianne took to this number and this new tundra like they have been doing it forever. Great number, great energy, superb tricks and very very funky...by far the best dance of the night.

Apolo and Julianne are easily my winners for this season of Dancing with the Stars. Total Score after the Paso Doble: 88.

Last to dance tonight was Joey and Kym. Their first dance was the Cha-cha and it was not a good one. He really showed his size during this dance. I never thought that he looked big or slow even though he is not a small, thin dancer type but tonight he did. His footwork was sloppy and his movements very slow and heavy. The dance was full of tricks and not enough basics, which Len criticized him for, but I think had he put more real Cha-cha in it, it would have been worse.

In the free style part they chose a Disco number that received good comments from the judges, I think, because of Joey's exuberance and need to entertain at all times, but I thought the outfit made him look like a caricature of something out of the 70s. Besides the lifts, which they did very well, the rest of the dance was just OK. I think that Joey secured the third place in this competition with tonight's performance. Total score after the Tango: 86.

The finale proved the point that I made at the beginning of my article. I watched both the American Idol and Dancing with the Stars finales and the latter was much more entertaining and fun to watch.

All three couples performed one last dance on the final night. Apolo and Julianne danced their Paso Doble; Laila and Maks the Mambo; and Joey and Kym the Tango. All three couples were very good and showed why they were the finalists.

After all the scores were tabulated, Laila took home the Bronze and a lot of good memories and left us thinking what a beautiful and classy lady she is. Joey came in second place showing lots of class in defeat. We will never forget what a great entertainer and person he is. Apolo and Julianne became the new Dancing with the Stars winners and for the first time in the history of the show - the best dancers won the competition.

Now that the show is over the question is: What are we all going to do on Monday nights at 8 PM? I have an idea! We should all head over to our nearest Fred Astaire Dance Studio and learn to dance like a star!

Keep dancing everybody and have fun.

Armando Martin

2007 Astaire Awards Championships, July 24-29 2007

Showcase your dancing and make memories of a lifetime at the next Fred Astaire National Competition - the Astaire Awards Championships (AAC) held on July 24-29, 2007! This year’s AAC will be held in a new location - the full-service Westin Hotel in Chicago’s prestigious North Shore district. With dramatic professional shows, gala dinners, fun parties, social dancing interludes, top competitive heats, a world-class judging panel, and generous cash prizes awarded to top teachers and students, the AAC is a premier competition that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a newcomer or have competed before, you’ll be amazed at how this thrilling competition will challenge you!

Your time at the AAC will be well-spent. Summer in Chicago means non-stop events, from concerts and movies in the park to baseball games and street festivals. Explore Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, Wrigley Field, hundreds of restaurants, live music, and much more.

You’ll be staying and competing at the Westin Chicago North Shore. This newly opened hotel features luxurious guest rooms and suites, a fully-equipped business center, lounge, expansive fitness center, and indoor pool.



Talk to your dance instructor today about joining us at the AAC! Early Bird registration date is May 29th and Regular registration is June 12th.

Friday Evening Practice Party - May 18th, 8:30

Practice sessions are an integral part of learning as much as your lessons!Nothing will get you to a comfortable social dance level more quickly than regular attendance at your practice sessions.This is the ideal place for you to test your new dance steps with various partners and situations that occur on the dance floor. you will have fun dancing and will gain new confidence.
We are looking forward to see you. You are very welcome to bring your friends!

Group Class, Friday May 18th 2007 - 7:45PM

Warren is going to teach Rumba;
All levels; No Partner needed;

Directions to Ibis Country Club

The Mini Match is being held at the Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach. Ibis is off of Northlake Blvd. If you are taking 95 there is a Northlake exit and Ibis is about 7 miles to the West.
If you are taking the turnpike and have a Sunpass you can get off at the Bee Line Highway and go right off of the Turnpike, then left at Northlake which is the first light on the Bee Line. Ibis is about 2.5 miles on the left hand side of the road. (Second Red Light)

You can always go to Mapquest.com if you need to. The address is 8225 Ibis Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33412.

Once you get into Ibis, you will need to stop at the gate and tell them that you are here for the Fred Astaire Dance Competition. The Country Club is straight down that road on the left hand side. You can park at the lower right hand side of the Club. There is a little walkway right off the parking lot that takes you to a side door. From here you can take the elevator to the second floor. We are in the Osprey and Egret Ballroom.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Sundance Mini Match

Sundance Mini Match
May 19, 2007
Ibis Golf & Country Club
West Palm Beach, Florida

2:00 pm Registration
3:00 – 6:00 pm Mini Match – Egret & Osprey Ballroom
6:00 – 6:45 pm Cocktails – “Birdsnest Lounge”
6:45 – 9:00 pm Dinner, Dancing & Pro Show

Adjudicator – Richard LaValle
Master of Ceremonies – Armando Martin
Coordinator/Programs – Bonnie MacKenzie
Music – Derek Martin
Registration – Ariel Martin

True Hollywood Story: Dancing With The Stars!

Premiering Saturday, May 19th at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT, The E! True Hollywood Story takes you behind the competition that launched a thousand steps, topped Nielsen ratings, initiated a North American tour and introduced its own DVD line. This show will feature Dancing With The Stars' champions Kelly Monaco (Season 1), 98 Degrees’ Drew Lachey (Season 2), former NFL star Emmitt Smith (Season 3) and former contestants Jerry Springer, Mario Lopez and Evander Holyfield, Ian Ziering ("Beverly Hills 90210"), Heather Mills, Billy Ray Cyrus and Leeza Gibbons. So waltz on over to your TV set and don't miss the "true story" behind this award-winning show!

Fred Astaire Dance Studios Celebrate 60th Anniversary

LONGMEADOW, MA - January 19th 2007 - Fred Astaire Dance Studios proudly announce the celebration of its 60th anniversary this year. Founded in 1947 by legendary dancer Mr. Fred Astaire, Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Inc. is a well-known franchised dance studio chain with over 120 studios open throughout the country. Although Mr. Astaire retired from the business in 1953, the curriculum used today in all Fred Astaire Dance Studios is still based on the concepts that he perfected.

Upon opening, the original studio on Park Avenue in the heart of Manhattan was visited by a swarm of celebrities, including Vera Ellen, Red Buttons, Shirley Booth, and Alan Hale. Fred Astaire worked with many young teachers to establish the foundation of the famed Fred Astaire method of ballroom dance instruction. Many of these teachers went on to become executives in the Fred Astaire organization and experts in the dance industry.

“We are very proud,” says Jack Rothweiler, CEO and President, “of maintaining the highest standards of excellence for 60 years. With our National Dance Board, comprehensive training program, Conceptual Method of Teaching, and a unique Trophy style of learning, Fred Astaire Dance Studios offer the finest dance instruction in the country.”

Evolving from a social past-time into a darling of television, ballroom dancing has changed significantly since Fred Astaire’s time. With the advent of hit TV shows and movies like Dancing With The Stars, Mad Hot Ballroom, Take The Lead, and Shall We Dance, young people and couples are now interested in learning how to ballroom dance. Since its debut in 2005, Dancing With The Stars has attracted a young adult audience, ranking among the highest rated TV show with adults ages 18-49. Over 27.7 million viewers watched the last season’s finale. There is also a growing awareness of the general benefits that can be derived from dancing. Learning how to dance provides a fun way to exercise, improve coordination, relieve stress, and meet new people.

“We’ve had a 32% increase in our new student enrollments from 2005-2006,”
Mr. Rothweiler adds, “And 8 new studios are planning to open within the next
2 months. All this is a dramatic increase due to the newfound popularity of ballroom dancing no doubt coming from the immense exposure of this delightful art that is being embraced by millions and millions of new people. Although we’ve grown so much in the past 60 years, Fred Astaire’s grace, style, and elegance are still an integral part of every one of our studios.”

Fred Astaire Dance Studios offer all types of dance instruction through private, group, and practice lessons in all the social dances such as Swing, Fox Trot, Slow Dancing, Salsa, Tango, Waltz, Cha-Cha, Polka, Samba, and Mambo.

Group class today at 7:45; Practice Party today at 8:30

Don't forget it's Group and Party night today, Group Class will be taught by Warren and he will show Salsa. At 8:30 you have the opportunity to try out what you learned last week on the dance floor, we will have some refreshments, good music and lot's of fun.

See you later,

Babette

Dancing with the Stars review by Armando Martin; Fred Astaire National Dance Director

With the semifinals beginning next week, all the competitors put forward their best efforts last night on Dancing with the Stars, and what a night it was, it had all the ingredients of a good Soap Opera, controversy, drama, fun, bad dancing, great dancing, good looking sexy people and a very touching moment, when Leila performed for her father Muhammad Ali who looked on with pride and amazement in his eyes as she danced across the floor.
All the competitors had to dance two numbers tonight and you can tell by the quality of the dances that they are getting more comfortable with every week that goes by, the first couple tonight was.
Ian and Cheryl, Their first dance was the Fox-trot, contradictory to the judges opinions, I thought that Ian did a great job with this dance, his interpretation of the music he was given was right on cue, he was light and bouncy, looked great in his smooth suit and looked like he was having fun, I thought that the two 7's he received from the judges were undeserved.
Their second dance was the Rumba, in this dance his posture was not very good and for a guy who is as young and in shape as he is, it looks to me that his core is weak and does not support the connection between his upper body and his legs as well as it should, creating some week looking top and shoulder lines.
Next to take the floor was Joey and Kim, I was very surprised to see them in the bottom two this week, his Waltz was truly fantastic, he was soft, light and showed all the right characteristics of this dance, I was specially pleased with the way that he stayed in his side of the dance frame showing good control and an excellent ballroom silhouette through out the entire number, folks this is very hard to do.
Unfortunately for Joey his mambo was by far the worse number he has done the whole competition, the judges did not agree with my assessment on this one, but what I saw, was a lack of understanding about this dance from Kim, (who is Australian and is not familiar with the mambo) when choreographing it, again I must disagree with Len about his comment regarding Joey dancing on the two beat, because they never once during the dance, hit the right beat, in my opinion Joey faltered a bit when he started the dance and he never truly recovered.
Dancing the country Fox-trot this week was the self proclaimed hillbilly Billy Ray, for a guy who is a very good singer and can obviously put a lot of feeling and emotion when using his voice, but when it comes to dancing that feeling gets lost somewhere between his head and his feet, he basically just walked around somewhat to the beat of the music with no technique to speak of.
His mambo on the other hand, while still lacking any technical attributes, was a lot of fun to watch and reminded everyone what kept him in the competition this long, I think that Karina being a smart, choreographer let him do his own thing to the music and used that in their routines instead of actually trying to make him do things he did not do well.
Leila and Maks danced a beautiful soft Waltz tonight which she dedicated to her dad, as always Leila showed great balance and control through out her performance, unfortunately, for me the choreography lacked the beauty and risk factor that is so important at this stage of the competition, but to Laila's credit she did fantastic with what she was given.
Her jive also left me wanting more from her this week, she made good use of her boxing footwork during this dance with all the kicks, hops and flicks but her shoulders made her look a little heavy and her elbows must be closer to her body in order for her to look more centered and lighter, I also think that Randy, the costume designer for the show and a very talented guy, did not do her any favors with that black dress, in hindsight if she was wearing a dress that showed her outstanding physic a bit more, I would most likely not be talking about her elbows today.
What can one say about Apolo and Julieann other than, bravo!!!! First of all I have to give Julieann kudos for the incredible job that she is doing teaching this young man and choreographing his numbers, we must remember that she is only 18 years old and although being a very experience dancer, she has risen to a new level as a teacher and choreogrpher.
Apolo did a great job dancing a Tango to Swing music, something that I think the judges did not take under consideration when giving their critics, but who remembers that Tango after he danced the Paso Doble, in my mind that put him in a level all by himself in this competition, this young man has true talent and I think has a very real possibility at a second career as a professional Rhythm competitor when he retires from speed skating.
His foot work, feel, partnering abilities and incredible shapes made his Paso Doble the judges choice for the uncore performance for Wednesday night when he once again did not disapoint us.
It was nice to see Tony and Elena dancing on the Wednesday night show, keeping us well aware of what real dancing should look like.
I'll be back next week to share my thoughts about the first week of the semifinals.

Happy Dancing

Armando Martin

Showcase "Around the World" - September 21st 2007

We have started casting our End of Summer Showcase on September 21st 2007. This time we will take themes from different countries "Around the World".
4 Spots are already gone in our first week, so talk to your teacher about participating and available Solo Shownumbers.

Friday Evening Practice Party - May 11th, 8:30

Practice sessions are an integral part of learning as much as your lessons!Nothing will get you to a comfortable social dance level more quickly than regular attendance at your practice sessions.This is the ideal place for you to test your new dance steps with various partners and situations that occur on the dance floor. you will have fun dancing and will gain new confidence.
We are looking forward to see you.

Group Class, Friday May 11th 2007 - 7:45PM

Warren is going to teach Salsa;
All levels; No Partner needed;

Newcomers Mini Match - Ibis Country Club

On May 19th 2007 we are participating at the Regional Newcomer's Mini Match at Ibis Country Club in West Palm Beach.
We are looking forward to a fun day of dancing, in the afternoon (3:00PM) we start with the Newcomers competition; in the evening (7:00PM) we will all meet for a Dinner and Dance with a spectacular Professional Show by our top Fred Astaire Professional Dancers.

Welcome

Welcome to the new blogspot of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Jupiter, Florida. This way we will keep you updated with the latest news, discussions and tips;

See you soon,

Babette