Has anyone heard of the so-called 'ballroom dance revival' they reckon is happening in Australia? It seems to be the latest craze here to learn ballroom dancing. We have the movie "Shall We Dance" that has just come out, but we also have a show on TV called "Dancing with the Stars" which is proving very popular and getting a lot of people more interested in dance.

It's interesting to see all the new people this is generating for the studio I go to, but I wonder how long they will keep it up??

Hi Aussie Dancer,

There was a movie, "Strictly Ballroom" some years ago from down under. What was the long term effect of that movie drawing people to the ballroom dancing?

"Shall We Dance" has just came out to the movie theatre, so the effect won't be immediately know.

You mentioned the TV show "Dancing with the Stars" which is proving very popular and getting a lot of people more interested in ballroom dancing over there. That's good that TV is giving ballroom dancing the much needed exposure... It is like the Poker rooms across U.S. were once a dying breed, have became ever so popular now a days since TV aired the world series poker games on ESPN.

I hope the TV media will produce something like "Dancing with the Stars" here in the U.S.

Hey Aussie Dancer

I used to dance many moons ago (and I'm only 26)when Ballroom was not as well publicized as it is now. I think many will agree that ballroom has inadvertantly come into the spotlight by way of the more popular salsa dancing and th fact that celebs like J-lo and other have brought features of latin dance into the spotlight.

As for the "revival" lasting - I don't think so. Any kind of dance requires a dedication above and beyond the motivation it takes to go to a pub drinking. To be quite honest I think the ballroom craze came about from a rumour some dumb male started - that it is a great place to meet girls!!! So really I think it will fade out probably by the end of next year........which is sad considering how hard it is to find a decent dance partner.

Anyway - My question to you is - what on earth is going on with some of these new steps and dances??

I watched the Dancesport Champs on Tv last year and it looked more like a bunch of acrobats than latin dances............tell me please where has all this come from???

I agree. The revival in Aussie Ballroom dancing only comes about when some film maker produces a film with a ballroom theme. No credit can be given at all to the people who should be working their butts of, it is in their own best interest to promote dancing. By the way the show now being televised is a copy of the one currently in its second series in the UK. Thanks here to channel 7. I will add a bit more here. I think that in Latin the standard of our top International Dancers is superb. I have a tape of an International Competition, all at that time the Worlds best. This was 1986. It doesn't compare in any dance to the way it is being danced today. The Rumba was , well I call it, it oozed for want of a better word. Rather sickly compared to today.

Thank you.........someone who finally understands - I remeber watching Jason Gilkison and Peta Roby perform floorshows - the passion and fire was amazing - even todays performers can't compare.

The floorshows at last years dancesport looked so comical - It's way over the top - the guy had a really strange expression on his face and the woman looked so orange with what I can only assume is fake tan (no one can look like that naturally)

And another thing I have noticed is that foot placement doesn't seem to be as important nowadays - as the theatrics of a performance. Modern Standard seems the worst style - I can't beleve some of these people are even called professional. My dance instructor would have a fit if I had performed as these couples did.

I'm sorry - but there doesn't seem to be a ot of heart in it anymore - it more competition and show than the love of the dance........so sad :(

Of course the performers wear fake tan, guys and girls. Even your news readers wear make up, without they would look as if they belong on a slab in the morgue.
As for the displays by Paul Killick and Hannn Kirtinen last December in Melbourne. I believe their Rumba was the finest I can ever remember seeing. They danced to the tune. "Till you came into my life". Sung by Colm Wilkinson. I've put that bit in because there have been many enquiries from people wanting to know the singer and the song here in Ausralia. The show is of course "Jekyl and Hyde".