What constitutes s single perfect dance? I am a social dancer so my requirements will probably be less stringent then those of a competitive style dancer. The venues I attend are fairly large with 99% of dancers observing LOD and slow space-hoggers circumventable so other dancers will not interfere with my pleasure.

There is generally a band playing as opposed to an orchestra. Most of the bands consist of non-dancers who can't appreciate the importance a heavy downbeat in a waltz. So for a waltz, for instance, I have to hear ONE, two three, FOUR, five, six. As important as the rhythm is there still must be a special melody which captures the spirit of the dance. With some bands I will be lucky if they play anything that will make me catch the brass ring.

Now assuming I have great music, I will then need a great partner. I will have chosen a partner before each number begins. I will dance a certain percentage of dances with new people who are usually but not always beginners. Also the 9s and 10s are very popular so I will be dancing only about 30% of the time with one of them.

Now assuming I have great music and a super partner, now I need to have a dance that I am good at. I am good at only a small number of dances. So let's get back to the waltz. As I said, I am a social dancer. When everything is right, I can become one with the music. My steps are a fusion of basic waltz steps and swing moves in waltz time. Since my dance patterns are non-standard, I need a good follower who will respond perfectly on time to my moves. Fortunately, there are lot of good social dancers who can follow me. The last element is for my partner to join me in he music, i.e. to feel it too. I will know when she does and she will confirm it by the tone of her "thank you" after the dance.

Such things don't happen often, but often enough. I am interested in other peoples description of a perfect dance. For competitive dancers does getting all 10's guarantee to you a perfect dance was completed?