Lately I have been speaking with a lady who competes in Australia. She as well did not understand our American smooth...

She explained to me New Vouge dance competition... Do you have this type of dance comp???... If so, I think this is similiar to our smooth, although not danced in a circle

I've never seen New Vogue but I think some of resembles Smooth in that the dancers get out of the Standard closed dance hold. However, I thought the New Vogue dances were all pre-choreographed, sort of like Sequence Dancing in the UK. Not sure though -- perhaps some expert can describe all the differences.

Yes, it is also my understanding that New Vouge is sequence dancing, but like you say not a standard closed dance hold.... Very interesting. Here is a link that shows the sequences if you have an interest. http://www.dancesport.org.au/

No, we don't have anything like new vogue or american smooth in Germany. For competitions there is only the international style of ballroom and latin.

From this website I could get an idea of what American smooth is like. I especially liked Jonathan's and Melissa's smooth waltz and would love to learn it myself; but we have no teachers for American smooth here :(

Marian

Marian, could you explain the system of the levels A-E? I understand the point system, but I was wondering what dances are danced in competition at each level and what syllabus is used. Thanks!

our levels are not E-A but D-S.

In both standard and latin competition dancers have to start at D-level.

D Latin:
cha cha, rumba, jive
D Standard:
waltz, tango, quickstep
C Latin:
as D + Samba
C Standard:
as D + Slow Foxtrot
B Latin:
as C + Paso doble
B Standard:
as C + Viennese Waltz
A Latin/ S Latin:
all five
A Standard/ S Standard:
all five

S is the highest amateur class. It's all international style.

We used to have an E level, which was before D, but this has been abolished years ago.

In the D level costumes are not allowed, dancers have to wear "normal" clothes. From C level dancers wear costumes.

We also have restrictions on figures and steps for D and C class.

Concerning the syllabus, I'm not sure whether we have something comparative...because I don't know what a syllabus actually is.

I'd like to see a competiton in America. Does anyone know if there is a competition between Aug 29 and Sep 4 in or near Los Angeles?

Marian

See this website....

http://www.embassyball.com/

Hi Marian! The syllabus is the steps allowed in each of the closed levels. Does this apply in your country? Thanks!

Hi juice,

Yes there is a syllabus for D and C level. As I said, we have restrictions on steps and figures in these classes. From the B level on there is no syllabus anymore.

Unfortunately many dancers contravene against these restrictions. But in the most cases this is not checked by anyone and the couples are not being punished.

Many couples here tend to try spectacular figures and poses but are unable to dance good basics at the same time, the syllabus is supposed to avoid this and to force the couples to learn and dance the basics in the lower comp classes. Those couples who don't abide the syllabus appear to be better dancers at comps, but if one looks twice at them it stikes that they actually have a bad technique and that they try to captivate the judges by spectactular figures. Sad to say that this often works.

What purpose does the syllabus have in America? I guess the same.
Do American couples stick more to the rules?

Marian

Marian. I am suprised to read what you say about comps in Germany. Germany produce's some of the worlds top dancers or at least they use to.