As I watch some videos of top level international standard competitiors and champions,they always seem to start their showdance routines with open "american" choreography.

My question is Why?. It is generally outdated american style choreography ( roll, 2, 3, check 2, 3, roll, 2, 3,) and bears very little resemblance to the quality of dancing they are able to perform in closed position.

So why bother? Is it really that impressive to the rest of the world? If so, then why isn't the rest of the world impressed with our top Smooth couples that are able to execute much more dynamic open work and blend it right into closed work. Creating a dance where the style of the open work is complimetary to the closed work and visa versa. As opposed to an 8 measure open intro transitioning poorly into closed and a 4 measure open ending with an open line to finish.

Why don't they just do some really great closed dancing and blow us away with that?

Dear Sarcastic-

I was talking about a worldwide merge...not a nice VW with Standard influence at a pro-am comp. The "American" styles are not likely to survive the international dance involvement of the US. As we come out of the dark ages of dance here, some things will have to change. Oh of course there will always be folks doing Bolero and American Rumba, East Coast Swing and the like. I just don't think they'll be done by serious competitors. Latin clearly dominates Rhythm as a style for a number of valid and logical (not just subjective) reasons. Standard however, may hold less of an advantage over smooth in some respects. I think you'll see the two combined somehow, though it may take another 25 years to happen.

Some of the dances you are talking about originated in the United States. ie Jive, Fox Trot where invinted in New York as well as cha cha. So they have an American influance by there birth. The word you are searching for is 'show'. It is much more entertaining to see a 'showdance' than someone just getting into a dance position and start dancing. The American style is influnanced by the Standard and vice versa. The world is expanding and like it or not things change. Obviously the Standard dancers like the American style because they are the ones borrowing from it.

Maybe it's because they like doing the open work, outdated as it is, and that's the only chance they get to do it. Maybe it's time that Smooth as a competitive form spreads outside of North America!

You're not the only one that has noticed!

We have the vague hope that Smooth and Standard may someday be melded into a single style...it would allow so much more variety both visually and physically. A more "well rounded" form if you will.

Certainly the two styles could learn much from one another. Each has it's own challenges and rewards...we try to teach our students a blended form with the fun of open work and the discipline of closed position. A mix of Smooth and Standard patterns.

This might help the "image" of Standard as well...much of the general public (and seasoned dancers too I've noticed) find that watching Standard is somewhat, well, boring. Unfortunately, considering the incredible skill the dancers exhibit...but true. Watch how the crowd thins at the Ohio Star Ball during the Pro Standard...Smooth holds an audience better...why not blend the two and make a style that has everything? Amazing closed partner work, great connection in open work, visual interest and excitement for the dancers involved!

We'll see...I know there are a lot of purists out there. It does seem however, that finally the USA is beginning to accept the rest of the world's dancing...There have been a few fragile steps away from our entreched and old fashioned all pro-am, all adult, big money franchise systems. Perhaps American Rhythm is on the way out? Latin is becoming predominant everywhere it seems, though slowly here in the midwest.

M

1st, I don't see how choreography can be 'outdated'. It can be silly, or poorly thought out, or poorly executed. But good choreography should be timeless - especially if it's going to be borrowed for another purpose.
Personally, I'd like to see a re-emergence of some of the classic smooth choregoraphy, compared to all the overshaping and static quasi-latin material that seems to dominate today.

2nd, I don't see why anything would need to change for someone to 'merge the styles'. There's nothing you are allowed to do in standard (other than quickstep) which you aren't allowed to do in smooth. So you are perfectly welcome to try to sell a very standard-influenced style of smooth to the judges - if they are open-minded they may buy it. That approch has certainly worked for me from time to time.

wel.. i dont know either but i guess its upto the person. ive never seen international dancers... i havent seen many really... can u really make up your own stuff!