Last night I danced a Samba with a lady who insisted that I need to follow the line of dance. In Samba? I asked myself. Man, I seriously don't think I could ever do that. I have been dancing Samba just like Cha-cha or Rumba that goes what ever the direction the steps prescribed. She claimed to be a member of the Imperial Society and she had just recently moved to U.S. from Australia. If so, I really don't have room to argue about it.

Please tell me if this is true that I need to start following line of dance in dancing Samba? Thanks !!

The way I learned it is that Samba is a travelling dance (like the Standard dances, or Paso Doble), and as such, must progress along the line of dance.

Oh, dear, I need to rethink my Samba routines. Thanks, Laura.

Did you get to see my son in SF open?

Oh hi, that's you!
And yes, I saw him at SF Open. Handsome boy, lovely dancer, excellent partner!

Hi Laura,

Thanks for the compliment about my son's partner and him.

That day he was supposed to fly to SF at 1:15pm but for a very rare occasion of heavy rain here that flooded the airport, his flight was delayed till 5pm. He got there just in time(ten minutes prior to the floor call) to put on the tailsuit and go right on to the floor. In the video tape, it showed that his hair was all messy like he had been sleeping on one side of his head. Anyway, guess who picked him up from the airport? .....His coach...what a nice guy he is.

I like the way judges did for final round of the open adult championship in the SF open the following day that the judges held the placement cards out after each individual couple's dances. I guess you were already on the way to China then?

Did you get to see Chinese people ballroom dancing on the street or in the park? I did, and I have pictures to prove.

tango2x2

I saw lots of people dancing in Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park. It was very interesting to see.

When will we get to see you son dance again out here?

Hi Laura,

At Tiantan not only I took pictures of them I also danced with them. I am not too shy that is for sure. hehheh. Believe or not, I even danced on top of the great wall... Did you take some pictures of Tiantan's dancing?

My son's next competition is USABDA nationals. Too bad that USABDA won't allow them to dance Open Am. 'cause his partner's age.

Hey, I just remembered that he had mentioned something about International Grand Ball which might be in SF? He is in LA practicing his heart out right now.

Keh

Hi Keh, yes, the International Grand Ball is in SF at the end of July -- same hotel that the SF Open was at.

I'm shy about taking pictures of people, so I didn't take any of the people dancing at Tiantan, but I'll remember it always.

Generally Chinese people are pretty shy, but to my surprise when I asked one of the ladies at Tiantan to dance, she quickly complied. After that taking pictures became quite natural.

A friend of mine just got back from very remote area of China. She said that ballroom dancing was observed in the public parks as well. No wonder Chinese ballroom dancers are starting to make some impressions in Blackpool now.

If you like to have the Tiantan dancing pictures, I will scan and send to your email address.

Keh

Yes, samba does travel. Watch some advanced dancers at socials or competitions and you'll see. Dancing just basic figures you probably won't travel much, but things like Samba Walks in PP, Bota Fogos Fwd/Back, and Voltas do travel and should move along LOD. I think as you get to higher level figures, you get more figures that travel (and probably larger distances) so it's important to make those move down LOD. Basically I'd say that if you're dancing mostly stationary figures, just stay towards the center of the floor when you do them and when you do dance a figure that moves, take it along LOD.