We hope this page will serve Ballroom Dancers everywhere as a Ballroom Dance Information Resource--Where to Dance, Ballroom Dance Camps, Tours, Cruises, Dance Movies, Ballroom Dance Books, Ballroom Dance Music and Bands, other Dance Information Resources, etc. If you have information that you'd like to see added to this page, please send us email: thkwon@aol.com. New items are added almost everyday---check back often.

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham Ballroom Dance Association (BBDA). . . is a local chapter of the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers (USABDA). It holds its monthly dance on third Sunday of each month except December at Vestavia Hills Senior Center from 2:00-5:30. For more information go to the web site or call (205) 853-0841.

JBY Ballroom Dance Club JBY Ballroom Dance Club holds its monthly dance on 2nd Thursday, each month, 7:30 pm-10:30 pm, at Cloud Room  (Elk's Lodge No. 79) located at 6815 Second Avenue South, Birmingham. Live band music is provided by Tradewinds, George Winter, or Classics. Dress code is semiformal except for May through November, when the dress code is casual but no jeans, shorts, halter tops, tube tops, caps, tennis shoes, or no-collar men's shirts, etc. are allowed. For information call Jean Morton at (205) 956-6946 or Murray Echols at (205) 591-2421. Reservations are not necessary unless you bring 8 or more.

Comer School.....Mondays, 1:00-3:00, (205) 956-6946. Vestavia Wald Park Lodge .....Mondays, 7:00-9:00                                Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30, (205) 956-6946. Metro Singles . . . .Second Saturdays, 8:00-12:00, Tradewinds Band, George Winter, Classics, Prime Time or After Midnight Band, (205) 798-2997. Pacesetter's Singles . . . 4th Saturdays, 8:00-11:30, Tradewinds, Classics, George Winter or Second Chance Band, (205) 733-9261 Birmingham Shaggers . . . McAnally's Pub (old Incahoots), Tuesdays, 7:00, casual, (205) 655-5555 Magic City Boppers, McAnally's Pub, Wednesdays at 7:00, (205) 655-5555 Elk's Lodge 79 . . .(205) 956-7122. Alabama Spurs & Jangle Country Western Dance. (205) 856-0313 Tuscaloosa Ballroom Dance Club . . . Usually 3rd Saturdays, 8:00-11:00, Classics, George Winter or Ed Jones Band. Eric Bolton (pres.) (205)391-9818, or Ray Pollard (v. p.) (205)556-4589. Tusacaloosa, Alabama The Dance Club, Huntsville. . .Skate Odyssey, Tuesdays, 7:30-10:15, call (256) 883 6107 or E-mail dancehsv@mindspring.com. Frank Tatom, Chairman. Huntsville, Alabama. Northeast Alabama Ballroom Dance Society, Rainbow City Community Center, usually 3rd Saturdays, 7:30-10:30, Tradewinds,  George Winter or Classics Band, 256-505-0955. Near Gadsden, Alabama.

The Argentine Tango Society of Atlanta (phone 404-373-0341)  Welcome Tangueros! We are a non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to learning and promoting authentic Argentine Tango as a social dance. Our activities include Tango classes throughout the year, special workshops with internationally known teachers and frequent Miliongas (tango parties).  More information in our web page: http://www.tango-atlanta.com/ttoc.htm

SHAGatlanta .....Marriott Perimeter Center. A Guide to Carolina Shag, Beach Bop, Jitterbug, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area.You've heard it said that before you get where you are going you have to go through Atlanta? It's true. The next time you go through Atlanta, stop and visit SHAGatlanta Better yet, make SHAGatlanta your destination and experience that famous Southern hospitality. If you're in the area, call the Club's Hot Line at 404-636-0355 weekdays from 5:30 p.m. to 3:30 pm. and twenty-four hours on weekend

Links to other places for ballroom dancing:

Huntsville, AL	Atlanta, GA
Orlando, FL	Miami Beach- Ft. Lauderdale Area
Nashville,TN	Austin, TX
New Jersey	Dallas,TX
Philadelphia	Houston, TX
Washington DC Area  (town)	Las Vegas, NV
Washington DC Area  (DCD)	Chicago Area
Denver, CO	Urbana-Champaign Area,IL
New York City	Ziggy's Place to Dance
Sacramento, CA	Sunnyvale,CA
Vancouver, Canada	Little Rock, Arkansas
Dance Me Tonight	Dace Columbus, Ohia
Tango from Miami to the World	Tango Rio, Atlanta Ga
Ballroom-Arkansas.com	DanceNet: Swing dancing in  the Boston area

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Dance Camps, Tours, or Cruise

Triangle Cruise & Travel, Inc.- We take great pleasure in specializing in Social, Studio, and Dance Champion Ballroom Dance Cruises. For the 2002 season we are offering: February 2, 7-day Caribbean cruise, 4-day singles cruise, Hawaii cruise, Fall 7-day Caribbean cruise, and a special cruise with Pierre Allaire and Mireille Veilleux. Please contact Betsy Hockaday at 1-866-487-4264 or betsy@tricruise.com. Our website address is www.ballroomdancecruise.com. Ballroom Cruise: Celebrity Infinity to the Southern Caribbean January 12-19, 2002, with a special reserved room for ballroom dances. For reservations and information, please call our travel ageny at 1-800-521-8124. Jennifer Caton, Director, Human Resources, AAA-Alabama, 2400 Acton Road, Birmingham, AL 35243. Phone 205-978-7056, Fax 205-978-7039, or email jcaton@aaaalabama.com Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Camps   Dance Camps offer something for everyone, whether one is just a beginner, a seasoned veteran, a youth, or an adult! Enjoy exceptional training and instruction in ballet, clogging, youth ballroom dance, adult ballroom dance, and modern and jazz dance from BYU's own dance department faculty and other outstanding professionals. Watch for our up-coming dance program updates and registration information. Click here for dance links. Bridge to the Tango Tour, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bridge to the Tango is a unique dance experience. An older generation of porteños, who danced at the height of the tango epoch, have reignited the passion for tango in Buenos Aires, they are passing the torch to a new generation of young dancers at the "milongas", the social dance halls. Cuban Salsa Carnival in Havana, a music & dance workshop will take place in Havana, Cuba. The dates of the workshop were established to meet the Havana's Carnival which will be held in Havana at the same time. It's an international workshop for people from all over the world, and of all ages. National Swing Dance Event Schedule. This is a listing of national swing dance events around the US and Canada organized by month. These are mostly national swing dance conventions plus some dance cruises (sounds like fun). Around the World Cruises / Steamboat Cruises...ballroom dancers without partners for men and women. Gentlemen Host Program. Private dance instruction available. Call Ira at 800-778-7953. Dancers at Sea . . .Dancers at Sea is a unique opportunity to share your Ballroom Dancing enthusiasm on a memorable cruise. Catering to both singles and couples our gracious hosts offer excellent instruction and unlimited dancing pleasure.Dance cruises on a variety of ships, daily dance instruction, 10 professional dance hosts, call Wendy Roberts at 1-614-527-0440 or fax at 1-614-451-9991. Ballroom Dance Cruises . . .Jackie and Jamie McVicar, International Ballroom Dance Champions, will host several special Ballroom Dance Cruises with Zoe's Cruises and Tours.  Jackie and Jamie are best known as the British and International Junior, Amateur and Professional Latin and Ballroom Dance Champions. They were the very popular Ballroom Dance Team with Sitmar/Princess Cruises for over 20 years.  Complimentary dance classes are offered, as well as a variety of onboard dance events for our passenger's. Argentine Tango . . . is a dance of passion, grace, speed and intricate steps. It is intensely individualistic and improvisational. Born around 1880 in the River Plate Region, tango is an exclusively urban phenomenon whose major development took place in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Lauretta Blake The Working Vacation, Inc.. . . is a cruise consulting company which operates as a specialized clearing house agency for qualified volunteers. Individuals provide added social programs and extended hospitality for the passengers. There is a nominal brokerage fee, however, many benefits of the cruise are included for their volunteer service aboard various cruise ships. call 815-485-8307 or Fax: 815-485-7142

 Ballroom Dance History  

Argentine Tango...Although it has come to epitomize the glamour and elegance of high society, with women in sleek glittering evening gowns and men in tux and tails, the tango originated in society's underbelly--the brothels of turn-of-the-century Argentina. Foxtrot . . . originated in the summer of 1914 by Vaudeville actor Harry Fox. Born Arthur Carringford in Pomona, California, in 1882, he adopted the stage name of "Fox" after his grandfather. Mambo . . . Can Mambo recapture the glory of its golden days? Can the flashy Cuban dance step find a new following in the 1990's? Swing . . . .The history of Swing dates back to the 1920's, where the black community, while dancing to contemporary Jazz music, discovered the Charleston and the Lindy Hop. Waltz . . .Colorful flowing ballgowns! Tails! Weddings! Beautiful music! Strong melodies! Waltz: from the old German word walzen to roll, turn, or to glide. Rumba  . . . .The word Rumba is a generic term, covering a variety of names (i.e., Son, Danzon, Guagira, Guaracha, Naningo), for a type of West Indian music or dancing. The exact meaning varies from island to island. Merengue . . .is the national dance of the Dominican Republic, and also to some extent, of Haiti, the neighbour sharing the island. Polka . . . .is defined as a vivacious couple dance of Bohemian origin in duple time was a basic pattern of hop-step-close-step; a lively Bohemian dance tune in 2/4 time. Western Dance . . . Dance, along with music, has always dynamically expressed the spirit and personality of every culture. Modern western dance is part of this global language and its roots run wide and deep. HISTORY OF MODERN BALLROOM DANCING . . .This article traces the history of the International Dancesport championship "Modern Standard Ballroom" dances: Viennese Waltz, Modern Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot, and Quickstep.   HISTORY OF LATIN-AMERICAN DANCING . . . .This article traces the history of the International Dancesport championship "Latin & American" Dances: Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Cha Cha, and Jive.

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Dance Movies and Broadway Shows

Dance with Me The film, "Dance with Me" (formerly entitled "Shut Up and Dance") featuring pop music star and actress Vanessa

Williams will be released this summer. Vanessa stars as "Ruby," a professional Latin dancer who wants to recapture her standing as a top international competitor. The movie will be produced by Mandalay Entertainment in conjunction with Sony Pictures and shot in Los Angeles, California. Randa Haines ("Children of a Lesser God") is the director. Liz Curtis and Ron Montez, 7 times US professional Latin Champions, are assisting with the choreography. In addition, Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin, 1995 US Professional Latin Champions, are teaching Vanessa how to dance; they will also appear as dancers in the final of a Las Vegas competition. Vanessa was a former Miss America who was dethroned because some of her soft pornographic photos (taken when she was a struggling model) were sold and published in Penthouse Magazine shortly after her coronation. It caused quite a scandal. And she recently co-starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Eraser to mixed reviews. However, she has continued to surprise her critics with successful accomplishments in feature films, television, broadway musical (Kiss of the Spiderwoman), and music recordings. Dancescape http://www.dancescape.com/info/whatsnew/index.html#DanceWithMe

Dance with me Columbia Pictures, Release Date: July 31, 1998 A handsome young Cuban named Rafael (Chayanne) arrives in Houston, and meets Ruby (Vanessa L. Williams), a determined dance instructor who is looking for a chance to reenter the ranks of professional dance with a new partner. They head for the World Open Dance Championships in Las Vegas, and there the romance between Rafael and Ruby finally blooms. Dance With Me also stars Kris Kristofferson and Joan Plowwright. Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Entertainment http://movieweb.com/movie/dancewme/index.html

The Tango Lesson...Written and directed by Sally Potter, the Tango Lesson is the story of a filmmaker (Sally Potter) who, dissatisfied with her latest screenplay, stumbles upon the tango and an Argentinian tango dancer (Pablo Veron) living in Paris. Fascinated by both, she places herself under Pablo's tutelage, striking a deal - if Pablo will make her a tango dancer, she will let him star in her next film. He accomplishes his side of the bargain when they perform in a show, but her attempt to make a film with Pablo in Buenos Aires exposes the complexities at the heart of the story---how do you follow when your instinct is to lead?

Shall We Dance...An audience favorite at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival, "Shall We Dance?" is both a comedy and a love story about a group of ordinary Japanese people and the ballroom dance lessons that bring them to life. The film was written and directed by Masayuki Suo, whose previous film, "Sumo Do, Sumo Don't", won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Film in 1992.

Foever Tango.....Did you all know that Forever Tango is still playing on Broadway? Well, it is--- at Walter Kerr Theatre. It has been since June, 1997. Before it came to Broadway it ran 92 weeks in San Francisco, and toured Italy, London, Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Boston, and Philadelphia. The show features a world-renowned, all-Argentine cast which brings an absolutely unique excitement and passion to the stage. The production traces, through music, dance, and dramatic vignettes, the Tango's colorful, often checkered history, from its beginnings in turn-of-the-century Buenos Aires bordellos to its acceptance into high society. Forever Tango features a cast of 26 performers including 14 brilliant, exceptionally adept dancers who tango in their own unique styles, offering variety and dramatic insights to the dance. Creator/director Luis Bravo says, "The tango is a feeling that you dance, and a story you tell in three minutes. It's passionate; it's melancholic. It's tender; it's violent. You dance it with somebody - but it is so internal, you dance it by yourself." "Further," asserts Bravo, "the tango represents more than just a dance - it is also a music, a culture, a way of life."

Out to Sea....The big screen's most popular comic duo, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, are back in the comedy OUT TO SEA. This time, they're mismatched brothers-in-law who wind up as dance hosts aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Their mission: to meet -- and hopefully fleece -- the bevy of wealthy women aboard ship.

Shall We Dance? 2004: An overworked Chicago accountant Richard Gere), tired of the boring routine that his life has become, sees a beautiful dance teacher (Jennifer Lopez) through a window and decides to start taking lessons from her in order to get to know her better, and as the joy of dancing enters his life, he discovers that it might just be the secret to saving his troubled marriage. As the accountant's skill as a dancer improves, he eventually signs up for the Chicago Crystal Ball Dance Competition. Will he win?

Shall We Dance? 1996...Remember when all Japanese movies were Samurai epics set in the 16th century? Well, times have changed. Now we've got "Shall We Dance"? This is a very charming comedy about the Japanese passion for ballroom dancing. It has a liberating effect on some goofy character, separating them from their inhibitions.

Saturday Night Fever..."Oscar-nominee John Travolta gives a sensual and intelligent performance as a local disco kingpin at the peak of his popularity. Once a week, after six full days of work in a Brooklyn paint store, Tony douses himself with Brut cologne, dons a floral bodyshirt, gabardine pants and platform shoes--and ritualistically prepares himself for "Saturday Night Fever."

SINGIN' AND DANCIN' IN THE RAIN...."When I came to Hollywood, no one knew how to film dance." In 1941, Gene Kelly went to Hollywood after starring on Broadway in the hit musical Pal Joey. In his first movie, For Me and My Gal, co-starring Judy Garland, he charmed audiences with his magnetism and athletic prowess. He went on to appear in over forty movies and directed five films including Hello Dolly starring Barbra Streisand.

Singin' in the Rain (1952), one of the most-loved and celebrated film musicals of all time from MGM, a charming and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

He Made Us Feel Like Dancing...The master is dead at 88, but his legacy of style, grace, elegance and wit will long endure. "I never broke down on closing night," Fred Astaire once recalled.

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Dance Music and Bands

Ballroom Dance Bands in Birmingham Area

Bill Turner You are the wind beneath our wings Homewood Seniors (Liz)

The Classics Band "a touch of class for your entertainment" The Classics Band is the natural choice to bring excitement to your next event: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings, Fundraising, Local dances, Conventions, Trade shows, Private parties, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Valentines Day, ...you name it, we'll be there to play for you.  Contact Jean Rogowski: Phone (205) 822-7464 Email: jrogowski@charter.net

The Tradewinds Band Since 1975 Plays at Concordia Club, Cloud Room, etc. (205) 640-6212 To see the photo click on the name: Stan (trumpet), Carol (keyboard and vocalist) and David (drum) Downey, and Robert (guitar)

The GEORGE WINTER BAND plays a wide selection of BALLROOM and VARIETY dance music, for any occasion. With a flexible price range, they play at JBY Ballroom, the Cloud Room, Concordia Club, Metro Singles, Pacesetters Singles, Tuscaloosa Ballroom, Montgomery Ballroom, and many other dance clubs. George H. Winter, (205)553-8288, e-mail gwinter8@juno.com

Joe Giattina Dance Orchestra . . . Our Dance Orchestra has been in Birmingham since 1978. Whenever a formal Dance Orchestra can put the finishing touch on your evening, we can provide the Best Swing Band entertainment for . . .

Edd Jones Orchestra . . . Plays at the Cloud Room.

MTWO Band . . . Music That'll Move Ya! Leader: Wolfgang Moritz (accordion and keyboard) and Mike Mitchell (drum). (256) 784-5375, email: bubblhed@juno.com

Babe & the Boomers . .  Leader: Ron Barbee (205) 655-8791, pger (205) 214-7516, email: kikinband@aol.com

Chuck King Band .... (205) 665-4795

Don Glasser . .  plays at The Club. 1 trumpet, 3 saxophones, 1 clarinet, 1 viola, 1 piano, 1 volcalist.

Jack Morgan Orchestra . . . plays at The Club from time to time. 1 trombone, 3 trumpets, 3 saxophone, 1 guitar, 1 drum, 1 piano.

Sentimental Journey Orchestra . . . a 18-piece orchestra based in Atlanta.

Dance Plus is a ballroom dance supply company that sells strict-time ballroom dance CDs from all over the world to dancers everywhere. We are a Canadian company with the majority of our customers living in North America. We have created this site to inform people about the variety of ballroom dance music that is available to suit every dancer's taste.

Ballroom Music....I have been teaching Ballroom Dancing and writing music since 1959. I am also musical editor for the USABDA magazine, which is read by thousands of dancers all over the world. HELMUT LICHT

John Skinner's Fabulous Band . . . John Skinner is a virtuoso trumpet player who has led successful bands in Northern California since 1961. He is a rare example of a band leader who actually loves to dance. His wife, Susan Skinner, the vocalist, dances, competitively. The 'Complete Ballroom Dance' was recorded live in one session with John Skinner's top professional musicians.

Dance Information Resource

• Henry's Dance Hotlist.... one of the most comprehensive source of information on dance. If it is about dance, you'll find it here, or it's not there!

• Ballroom Dancing on the Internet.......Collegiate dance clubs in the US.

• Dancescape..... your Internet Information Centre to the World of Competitive Ballroom Dancing & Dance Sport. Come Dance with us on the Internet . . .

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Ballroom Dance Books

Tango, the Dance, the Song, the Story, by Ken Haas (Thames and Hudson Ltd., London, 1995) . . . offers a fascinating in-depth study of the Argentine tango. It is a fabulous read.  everything you always wanted to know about the dance and its origins and then some. Dancing Till Dawn, A Century of Exhibition Ballroom Dance by Julie Malnig (New York University Press, New York, 1992) . . . explores the rich history of a popular dance form whose roots extend back to the first decade of the twentieth century. The Ballroom Dance Pack by Walter Laired (Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc., New York, 1994)....designed to make today's most entertaining pastime accessible to new enthusiasts, with its specially recorded compact disc, will enable you to take to the dance floor with confidence. Social Dance: Steps to Success by Judy Patterson Wright (Leisure Press, Champaign, IL, 1992) ....written by an accomplished dancer who has taught social dance at junior high, high school, and college level since 1971. Judy holds a PhD, and with her husband won the 1984 dance contest at the Midwest District Conference for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. The Official Guide to Ballroom Dancing by Allen Dow (Charwell Books, Inc., Secaucus, NJ, 1980).... authored by a teachers' teacher, is the next best thing to having your own personal dance instructor. Step-by step photographs and detailed explanations carefully lead to the reader through a complete repertoire of ballroom dances. The complete Book of Ballroom Dancing by Richard M Stephenson and Joseph Iaccarino (Doubleday & Co., Inc., Garden City, NJ, 1980)....an indispensable handbook that makes learning to dance fun as well as easy. It contains clear step-by-step instructions for today's most popular dances---including lindy, fox-trot, cha-cha, polka, hustle, and many more. Ballroom Dancebook for Teachers by Betty White (Noble Office Printing, New York, 1962) ...the most comprehensive book ever slanted directly at ballroom dance teachers. Miss White, a successful instructor of dancing ---for both adults and young people--- makes an outstanding contribution to the teaching field. Dancing Till Dawn : A Century of Exhibition Ballroom Dance by Julie Malnig , Paperback -174 pages Reprint edition (April 1995) New York Univ,  Price $18.50 This volume explores the rich history of exhibition ballroom dancing from its heyday in the 1910s to the present. Malnig's record of this intimate, theatrical genre of dance features male-female teams as performers in cabaret, vaudeville, musicals, and, later, film and television. Exhibition ballroom dancing is also examined as a cultural and social phenomenon that promotes new cultural standards. This first comprehensive study of a unique dance genre and entertainment form utilizes primary sources, including promotional materials and print reviews, and is illustrated with original photographs. Julie Malnig holds a Ph.D. in Performance Studies from New York University and teaches seminars on research and writing for a master's degree program at NYU's Gallatin Division. Let's Dance! : Learn to Swing, Jitterbug, Rumba, Tango, Line Dance, Lambada, Cha-Cha, Waltz, Two-Step, Foxtrot and Salsa With Style, Grace and Ease by Paul Bottomer,  Hardcover-256 pages (Nov 1998) Black Dog & Leventhal Pub Step-by-step lessons from the basics of the Foxtrot to the nuances of the Argentine Tango are presented in detailed description and over 1300 informative full-color photographs, illustrations and diagrams. Beginners and advanced dancers alike will find the lessons easy, fun and a novel way to spend time with new partners, add spice to mature relationships or find a new dance mate. Paul Bottomer and his wife and partner, Elaine, are world-renowned dance champions. They have been the World & European Supreme Champions in Argentine Tango four times and were grand finalists in the All-England Professional Ballroom Championships. Paul teaches and lectures internationally, appears on various television programs and at social dance conferences. Tango : The Dance, the Song, the Story by Simon Collier (Editor), Artemis Cooper, Maria Susana Azzi, ric Martin, Richard Martin (Contributor) Paperback-208 pages (September 1997) Price $20.97, Thames & Hudson Born in the slums of Buenos Aires in the last decade of the 19th century, the tango--the dance of love and death--has remained spectacularly alive for more than 100 years. What is the secret of the tango's unique emotional appeal? In this book, a group of experts explores its complex and fascinating history, showing how the tango developed into the quintessential expression of Argentine popular culture. 260 illustrations, 80 in color. Ballroom Dancing : The Romance, Rhythm and Style by John Lawrence Reynolds, Price: $20.97, Hardcover-192 pages (October 1998) Laurel Glen This is not a "How to" book - you'll find none of those left-foot/right-foot diagrams, joined by dottted lines, on its pages. Instead, you'll see over 100 color photos (most taken by me during visits to ballroom dancing competitions in Europe and North America) and discover an insight into the phenomenon of Ballroom Dancing - or, if you prefer, "DanceSport." I am not a competitive dancer - not even an especially good social dancer. But I was inspired, years ago, by the reply of Adlai Stevenson when asked how he planned to spend his retirement years. "I would like," Stevenson said, "to sit under a tree, drink wine, and watch people dance."

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