Dance flick stomps its rivals

LOS ANGELES - The dance flick "Stomp the Yard" was a step ahead of the competition at the box office, debuting as the No. 1 weekend movie with $22 million.
Starring Columbus Short as a raw but talented dancer at the center of a step competition between rival college fraternities, the Sony Screen Gems movie knocked off 20th Century Fox's "Night at the Museum," which had been the top film for three straight weekends.
"Night at the Museum" slipped to second place with $17.1 million, raising its total to $185.8 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The weekend's other new movies had ho-hum debuts. Universal's "Alpha Dog," featuring Emile Hirsch and Justin Timberlake in a tale of drugs, kidnapping and murder, opened at No. 7.
Disney's "Primeval" premiered at No. 8 with $6 million.
Expanding to nationwide release after a limited run in December to qualify for the Academy Awards, "Arthur and the Invisibles," a live-action and animated family film from the Weinstein Co. and MGM, was No. 9 with $4.3 million.
Strong turnout by black movie-goers - who accounted for nearly two-thirds of the audience, according to Sony - pushed "Stomp the Yard" over the top. The movie followed in the footsteps of other black-themed films that debuted at No. 1 over previous Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekends, including "Glory Road" last year.
"Sony picked a great weekend to release the film," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers.
"The urban audience wields a lot of clout at the box office. If you put a film in the marketplace that has that built-in appeal to that audience, look at the numbers. The numbers speak for themselves."

BOX OFFICE TOP 10
1. "Stomp the Yard," $22 million.
2. "Night at the Museum," $17.1 million.
3. "The Pursuit of Happyness," $9.1 million.
4. "Dreamgirls," $8.1 million.
5. "Freedom Writers," $7.1 million.
6. "Children of Men," $6.4 million.
7. "Alpha Dog," $6.1 million.
8. "Primeval," $6 million.
9. "Arthur and the Invisibles," $4.3 million.
10. "The Good Shepherd," $3.9 million.

Guest Teacher Mikey on Thursday 11th January at Dartford

Mikey's back! Come along to our Dartford venue to enjoy a fun intermediate class with the cheekiest teacher in the UK. Mikey always enjoys teaching for Dance Riviera as he reckons we're the club with the most fun people in it!

Beginners Class is at 8pm and Mikey's on at 9pm. Tell and bring your friends.

Beginner Plus Available Places - Sunday 14th January

Come along to our Beginners Plus Workshop on Sunday 14th January. It's not just for purely beginners, if you're someone that wants to master the beginner moves, add style and learn to freestyle with confidence then this is the workshop for you.

Jill & Pete will be teaching the workshop and giving lots of one-to-one attention to help you increase your confidence. It's a great afternoon and you'll make friends as well as learn how to dance better.

Ring Nicky on 020 8692 3821 to book your place. Men will be given priority as we need to even up the numbers.

Herne Bay Closed this Thursday 11th January

Please tell any friends who aren't on our email system that Herne Bay is closed for one night only this Thursday 11th January due to a prior booking in the hall.

Thanks, Nicky

'Strictly Dancing Doctor'

This article has been written and published by our very own Broadstairs Dance Coach - Joe.
Have a read and pass on the benefits to your friends!
Tracy x

'Strictly Dancing Doctor '
GPs to prescribe dance ... said the headline (Times Dec 6th 2006). Well, we are used to signing the exercise prescriptions for selected groups to attend the local gym, so why not do the same for dance classes?
There is good published evidence that dancing improves cardiovascular and mental health and that it can also help in weight loss. The biggest drawback to us implementing this policy will be our own attitudes to dance.
Embarrassment is a huge obstacle for anyone contemplating dancing as a pastime. My first dance experience was at primary school when I was selected for the country dancing team. Coming from a family of six brothers I came in for some ribbing and taunts of ‘sissy!’ This I could cope with. My main concern was how to avoid dancing with Celia who had hand warts.
Later in life I did some Morris dancing. Again embarrassment might have inhibited me especially as the dancing was often on my patch and patients were highly delighted to see their doctor oddly attired and flourishing hankies or sticks. Morris dancing can be very healthy exercise but there is a culture of beer drinking that goes with it and rather cancels out some of the health benefits. Injuries from careless stick clashing are also a regular occurrence and I have on one occasion sutured the head of a fellow dancer, and sent in the claim form for ‘immediate and necessary treatment’!
About twenty years ago I took up Ballroom and Latin classes. This was in the days before Strictly Come Dancing had raised the profile of dancing to its present level. People thought of this as rather sedate and only for the elderly. Not so. An evening of quickstep, tango and ballroom jive can be every bit as vigorous as any gym based aerobics session. We often encountered teenagers and young adults training for dance competitions and realized this was a pastime for all ages.
In the last 8 years I have spent more and more time, often two or three evenings a week doing modern jive. Classes exist in most towns or cities marketed under various brand names; Ceroc, Leroc and my current favourite Smooth Jive with Dance Riviera.These classes attract large numbers of dancers of all ages. The reason they are popular is because on the very first night you will have learnt enough to effectively dance. The emphasis is less on accurate footwork and progress from beginner to intermediate is rapid taking only six weeks. There is almost continuous dancing in the freestyle sections of the evening in which you will dance with many partners of varying experience. There is a rule that anyone may approach anyone else for a dance and it is rude to say no. So shy men don’t have to make all the running, and no lady needs to be a wallflower. I have now been appointed a dance coach by the jive organisation I currently attend. A dance coach instructs beginners in the twenty or so beginners moves, gets in free and gets a tea-shirt with ‘Dance Coach’ embellished on it!
What is evident is that everyone jiving is having a very happy time judging by the smiles and chatter that goes on. Dancing continues outside the classes as weekend dances and parties arranged by ordinary members are a regular feature. Some people take their hobby further by entering national competitions in exotic venues like Blackpool or Brighton. I thought about it but the only category that seemed to fit was ‘the old gits’ category for the over forties! I decided to defer my entry for this year.
So what have been the benefits to me as a non-golf playing doctor? I have had regular evening and weekend exercise in a form that is interesting and enjoyable. I have very strong legs and arms: my lung function is excellent; I have a positive attitude to work and can counter stress by dancing it out of my system. Apparently, spatial functioning and coordination improve through dancing. There are also studies showing that it delays or prevents the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
At parties and reunions I have a social skill that takes me away from the bar and the buffet. It is a well known fact in the dancing world that it is unwise to drink and jive. As a life style change I have no hesitation in recommending dancing to everyone, both colleagues and patients.

Are you more David Brent than Strictly Come Dancing? Blame your mother

Can't work out why you suddenly lose all co-ordination when you hit the dancefloor? Well, at last there is some good news. It's not your fault - blame your mother.Academics have discovered that men's ability to dance is dictated by what happens in the womb, specifically the amount of testosterone to which they are exposed. A team of British and German psychologists have found out that a man's expertise (or lack of it) is predetermined by levels of prenatal hormonal exposure.
Their findings will be welcomed by legions of men who know that their dancing style owes more to David Brent's crazed 'Flashdance fused with MC Hammer' routine in The Office than cricketer Mark Ramprakash's polished performance that won last week's Strictly Come Dancing
New research by Bernhard Fink of the University of Goettingen in Germany and colleagues, including John Manning from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, shows that the key indicator is the respective lengths of men's index finger and their ring finger - what scientists call the 2D:4D ratio.
According to tests they conducted, the lower a man's 2D:4D ratio, the more testosterone he will have been exposed to before being born and thus the better dancer he will be - and also the more likely to attract female admiration. Men with a high 2D:4D ratio, however, are likely to lumbered with the social handicap of chronic inability to dance.
The psychologists filmed 52 male students dancing and selected the 12 who had the highest and lowest 2D:4D ratios. After blurring the footage to obscure their height and body shape, they asked 104 female undergraduates to rate their efforts. Those with the lowest 2D:4D ratios got the highest marks for 'attractiveness', 'dominance' and 'masculinity'.
But mothers should not take all the blame for their sons' talent in this department, said Fink, as the full effects of 'foetal programming' - the influence of hormones on unborn children - are not yet known.

Jim x

B&Q 'dance routines' criticised

B&Q said dancing is not part of its formal recruitment policy, but Unions have criticised retailer B&Q for asking job candidates if they wanted to dance before being interviewed. Applicants for jobs as van drivers at B&Q's Norwich store were asked if they wanted to dance and pull funny faces.
Several jobseekers danced to the Jackson Five tune Blame It On The Boogie and were photographed by bosses.
B&Q said the dance was meant as a "light-hearted" exercise before the interviews began and said nobody had been forced to participate.
But unions said the practice was "bizarre" and called on the home improvement retailer to stop it immediately.
'Nonsense'
It seems to reduce jobs our members do to some kind of joke
Ed Blissett, GMB union
One of those involved said he had found the experience "humiliating and embarrassing".
"We had to copy this bloke, one of the managers," Rodney Southern told the BBC.
"At no point was I told if you don't want to do it you don't have to do it. We were told we had to do it."
One union official called on B&Q to "stop this nonsense", saying it was demeaning for all involved.
"This is utterly bizarre," said the GMB's Ed Blissett.
"It seems to reduce jobs our members do to some kind of joke."
Relaxation
B&Q said the practice was not part of its formal recruitment policy but added that store managers had been encouraged to ensure candidates were "relaxed" before being interviewed.
"We made it clear to all of the candidates that they did not have to take part if they did not feel comfortable and that it would not influence the recruitment process at all," it said in a statement.
"The vast majority of interviewees said that it was a relaxed way to get the interview session under way."

I would love to see their faces if they had asked any of us to dance...... I think we would have blown them away..hehehehe

Jim x

Crayford Closed for 2 weeks, go to Gravesend and get an EXTRA LOYALTY CARD STAMP!

Gravesend is only 13 miles from Crayford, so come along to the Gravesend Rugby Club, off Milton Road, DA12 2TL. Click here for map.

Swanley is Closed tonight - Monday 1st January

Just a reminder to let you know that Swanley is CLOSED Monday 1st January. Please let everyone know who might think of going. It's open the following week.

Hope you all had a wonderful new year. Wishing you all the best for 2007.

Nicky

'So you think you can Dance'

I haven't seen the first series of this show, and of course nothing can compete with Strictly Come Dancing' , but I've seen it advertised and it might be worth checking out ...even if it's only once. The second series, hosted by Cat Deely, starts this Sunday at 7pm on Living TV.
Here's the 'blurb on it:
'So You Think You Can Dance'
Cat Deeley hosts this second series of the US reality show in which dancers compete to be the next big thing. The three couples with the lowest audience votes from the last episode have to dance solo for the judges. Two dancers are eliminated. With a guest appearance from Natasha Bedingfield.

Will have a look and keep you posted...
Tracy x

TONIGHT! Bring your leftover chocolates and cakes for Dartford

Bring along your left over chocolates and cakes for tonight's Dartford celebration to share with everyone. We all know it's too tempting to leave them at home to nibble over the next few days!

We look forward to seeing you at Dartford tonight. We'll be dressing up as opposed to being casual and we hope you'll all make the effort too.

7 pounds on the door (no Riviera Rewards or Loyalty Card stamps or freebies).

Jim, Nicky & Tracy

Happy Feet Review

A while ago Jim mentioned a must see film that would be hitting our cinemas from the US in December. Well, I went to see it last night and I have to say that it doesn't disappoint! It has all the comedy, drama, and excitement of a good 'kid's film but with the added bonus of some fantastic music and gives a whole new meaning the 'penguin move!'
A definite hit for adults and children alike.
Tracy x

Crayford Closed til 17th January

For those who need to be told! Crayford is closed until Wednesday 17th January. They're redoing the floor. We have only just been told about it so apologies for the late announcement.

Please tell your friends who go to Crayford as we'd hate for anyone to have a wasted journey.

Thanks, Nicky

History repeating itself

Mark and Matt are perfecting their favourite dances.

Our two sportsmen are back in the training room - and it's a case of a little bit of history repeating, as both of them are presenting their favourite routines in the final.

From powerhouse scrum half to elegant ballroom dancer in one big transformation. Can Matt Dawson make it? Lilia hopes so (and so do I!)

Will the Surrey cricketing captain be this season's Darren Gough? Karen hopes so.
Mark has been a terrific dancer since he started and he acts the part but Matt has come on so well since his very forgettable start! Its a sports final so who will be first pass the finishing line?
Remember vote for your favourite - at least 10p from your call goes to Children in Need so its worth the call - and also if your favourite doesn't win then it could be your fault!!!

Aye good point. It's for charity, which is worth a ring. Does this mean I have to ring twice to cancel out Christines vote..... lol

Christine (VOTE FOR MATT) xxx

Jim (VOTE FOR MARK) xxx hehehe

Stuck for ideas for Christmas Presents...

How about Dance Riviera gift vouchers for the friends and family who 'have everything!'.
Gift vouchers can be purchased easily - just contact Nicky on: 0208 692 3821.
Available from 7 pounds upwards.

It's the Christmas Event of the year!

Everyone's talking about our Winter Wonderland Christmas Party at Herne Bay Thursday 21st December. Tickets have almost gone so if you need one it's best to get your tickets at Deal, Dartford, Crayford or Gravesend this week - or if you can't get there, ring Nicky on 020 8692 3821 to reserve your ticket for the door.

It's going to be an amazing night with 2 DJs, fun lesson with Jim & Nicky, dancing til midnight, a Dancing Raffle! and free buffet.

Make sure you dress to impress with the code being Christmas colours of Red, Green and White.

We know it's going to be the event of the year so we look forward to seeing you all there.

Jim, Nicky & Tracy

Dartford Tonight instead of Thursday

Don't forget it's Dartford tonight instead of Thursday. ALSO, come tonight and get TWO loyalty card stamps instead of one! That's saving you 7 pounds.

We're back at Dartford on Thursday 28th December for our Pre-New Year Party. Flyer.

See ya tonight. Nicky

Bye Bye Baby

And then there were two. And two boys at that.

Despite a fab performance, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton was booted off Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night by the public. Which leaves rugby player Matt Dawson and cricketer Mark Ramprakash to battle it out in the final next weekend. Emma and her partner Darren had been early favourites with the bookies - as Emma always seemed to impress the judges. "It's been the most amazing time of my life. Darren has been so wonderful," said Emma. Darren was also full of praise for his partner: "She's been amazingly committed, giving 100% to every training session."

But it appears the viewing public weren't so over-awed by the pop star's efforts as the weeks went!
So who will be a Matt the Rugby player or Mark the Cricketer?? I am sure you all know where my vote lays!!! Mark acts out every dance but Matt has improved so much!!

Christine "Slightly biased towards hunky rugby players" Scally x

Vote for Mark

OK, it goes without saying that Emma should be in the final, but she isn't, so who do you vote for?

For me the decision is about who emotes and feels the dance and gives the most entertaing performance. Mark, for me, has done this every week and is my favourite to win.

It is unfortunate that the competition is a bit of a personality contest, but that is unavoidable and occurs in most events large and small.

So, who are you voting for?

Jim x

Vote for Matt!

Matt Dawson - A couple of weeks ago Matt Dawson danced in exactly the same way that most men would dance if they knew that everyone they'd ever met was watching on TV; shame-faced and self-conscious. However, the hiring of a drama coach has helped Matt Dawson immensely - now Matt has unleashed his inner Travolta without fear of all the p***-taking he's still going to get for dressing up in a sparkly blouse and twirling around for 90 second periods anyway. And thanks to this, Matt Dawson is now in the top three Strictly Come Dancing contestants, with his routine to What A Wonderful World finally pushing Matt Dawson in the direction of his 394th consecutive reality TV victory. And the Strictly Come Dancing judges loved him: "If you continue like this, you deserve a place in the final," they said. SCORE: 37 - Strictly Come Dancing betting odds - 4/1

Christine
x

Mum & Dad win a dance competition!!

Proud daughter moment! My Mum & Dad (Val & John to the rest of you :-) went to a work Xmas party on Saturday night and after dragging my Dad up, they won a prize for the best dancers - a box of Ferrero Rocher :-) Well done Ma & Pa!

Nicky

Back to the Changing Rooms for Carol!

It seems that a heap of praise and a top three placing on the scoreboard is no guarantee in Strictly Come Dancing. And that's exactly what Carol Smillie found out. The one-time Changing Rooms presenter was voted off the competition by viewers, despite some of her best dancing yet.
The five remaining couple danced two dances this week! Firstly Ballroom and then Latin!
First up were Carol and Matthew dancing the Viennese Waltz to Breakaway. After a graceful performance the pair went to face the judges and despite the odd criticism (Arlene described Carol as "a little bit like a science teacher", their reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Len described Carol as a "great big red swan" due to her beautiful red gown, whilst Bruno said "the lady has surpassed herself tonight". Carol was hoping to beat their previous highest score of 30 and she wasn't disappointed. [Craig: 8, Arlene: 8, Len: 9, Bruno: 9 = 34]
Next up were Matt and Lilia, performing the Quickstep to Walking On Sunshine. Once again, the judges had a few minor criticisms with Craig accusing Matt of occasionally being pigeon-toed, but generally the response was good. [Craig: 8, Arlene: 8, Len: 9, Bruno: 9 = 34]
The third couple to perform was Emma and Darren, they danced the Waltz to The Way We were. Craig kicked off the judges' comments by saying he was "absolutely mesmerised". Arlene criticised Emma's balance to boos from the audience but Bruno topped off the comments by described the performance as "the perfect example of the story of dance." [Craig: 9, Arlene: 8, Len: 10, Bruno: 10 = 37]
Mark and Karen were next with the Foxtrot. They danced to California Dreaming but unfortunately their performance turned out to be a bit of a nightmare. Len told the pair he was "bitterly disappointed" by their performance with Bruno complaining that Mark's footwork was "all over the place". [Craig: 7, Arlene: 7, Len: 7, Bruno: 7 = 28] The music was all wrong - I have never heard "California Dreaming" at such a strange tempo!!
The last couple to take to the floor were Louisa and Vincent who performed the Viennese Waltz. Louisa wore a stunning silver gown but did the performance sparkle for the judges? Well it certainly did for Bruno who said: "It's like watching a darling little debutante." However, there simply wasn't enough Viennese in this Waltz for Arlene and Len, Arlene even suggested she thought that Vincent had let Louisa down with his choreography. [Craig: 7, Arlene: 7, Len: 7, Bruno: 7 = 33] Louisa was daunted by having to learn two dances this week - the Viennese Waltz and the Cha Cha Cha. The former is supposed to be elegant, while the latter is cheeky. Two dances and two very different styles - but still not much material to wear! Bruce said she has the skimpiest waltz outfit ever!!!
With the Ballroom behind them it was time for each of the couples to dance a Latin piece with Carol and Matthew first up with the Samba. After a disappointing reaction from Arlene to their Viennese Waltz, her response to the Samba couldn't have been more different. "At long last you know what your hips are for!" she exclaimed. The other judges were equally impressed with Bruno stating, "finally the lady's a tramp". [Craig: 7, Arlene: 9, Len: 9, Bruno: 9 = 34]
Matt and Lilia were next to perform, their Latin piece was the Rumba. Unfortunately the judges were unimpressed. Bruno described the performance as "the seduction that never happened", whilst Craig felt it didn't have enough flow. Arlene stated plainly, " I really disliked it". [Craig: 6, Arlene: 6, Len: 8, Bruno: 7 = 27] Lilia was reported during training to have said "Come on move your hips... wake them up... there are some in there" whilst training for the Rumba. Wake the judges up too - his ballroom was better than Louisa's but his marks were lower!!! Wear less next week Matt!!!
Emma and Darren's Latin piece was the Paso Doble. Stunned by the performance, Arlene enthused: "this went from the bull ring, to the ballroom, to the bedroom". Craig said the performance gave him goose bumps, whilst Bruno praised the couple saying: "That was grand opera on the dance floor. [Craig: 9, Arlene: 9, Len: 9, Bruno: 10 = 37]. Two dances in one week was a factor that is worrying Emma. But Darren has a secret tactic to put Emma in the Paso frame of mind. "My philosophy is to annoy Emma in the Waltz so that she's so annoyed she takes the aggression out on me in the Paso," he explained. This worked because their Waltz was beautiful - then Emma came up looking very annoyed for the Paso Doble!!!! WOW!
Next, Mark and Karen were hoping to impress the judges with their Samba after a disappointing Ballroom performance. Fortunately for them the judges loved it, with Arlene exclaiming: "The swinging, swirling, swivelling hips are back!" [Craig: 9, Arlene: 9, Len: 9, Bruno: 9 = 36] Yes but they didn't have the WOW factor that Emma and Darren had!
Finally, Louisa and Vincent performed the Cha Cha Cha to Rescue Me. Not that anyone needed rescuing here. Bruno described the performance as "bootylicious", whilst Craig said, "That has to be the cutest Cha Cha Cha we've ever had." [Craig: 9, Arlene: 9, Len: 9, Bruno: 9 = 36]
The show ended with Emma and Darren at the top of the leaderboard, and Matt and Lilia at the bottom.
"It Must Be Love" was performed by Madness and Erin Boag and Anton Du Beke (just like Dance Riviera) showed that dancers can dance to all sorts of music. Then it was time to announce the tenth couple to leave the competition.
Firstly, Tess and Bruce announced which of the couples had definitely made it through to dance another week - and in no particular order, the first couple through was Louisa and Vincent, followed by Matt and Lilia, then Mark and Karen. This left Carol and Matthew and Emma and Darren in the bottom two. Sadly, despite receiving their best scores (and comments) of the series from the judges, Carol and Matthew became the next couple to hang up their dancing shoes. Judges Len Goodman and Arlene Phillips congratulated Carol's two performances, with Len telling her she was "like a great big red swan gliding across the water". But before she hung her up jiving shoes, Carol - who's reportedly lost half a stone from training for the show - found time to thank her dancing partner, Matthew Cutler: ""He's absolutely brilliant - number one in my heart, apart from my husband obviously."

I cant understand why Emma and Darren were in the final two again!!! Come on people - make sure you vote for your favourites!

VOTE FOR MATT - a rugby player, masterchef winning cook, rugby player, dancer, rugby player! Ok so I am biased!!!

Christine

Petition for Strictly Come Dancing on DVD!

If you're like us and want to see those beautiful routines from Strictly Come Dancing on DVDs then sign this petition to get the BBC to make it so.

http://www.petitiononline.com/SCD16116/petition.html

Thanks, Nicky

Style Workshop and Freestyle this Sunday (3rd Dec)

Jim & Nicky will be teaching a Style workshop this coming Sunday 3rd December from 1pm - 2.30pm. This is aimed at intermediates who want to look extra special on the dance floor. This will be followed by a 2½ hour freestyle session. Although if you just want to freestyle, that's ok too, just turn up after 2.30pm and pay 5 pounds.

Tickets for the workshop and freestyle are just 10 pounds and available from all venues.

If you can't get to a venue this week, ring Nicky on 020 8692 3821 to book your ticket.

Six of the Best become the Famous Five!

Former Emmerdale and Bad Girls star Claire King was voted off Strictly Come Dancing last night but left the show with her head held high. She and her 'bad boy' dancing partner Brendan Cole scored the lowest number of points in the series' eighth show, notching up just 25 points out of a possible 40.Her samba struggled to impress the judges, who had mixed reactions. While Arlene Phillips described it as a "samba from Southsea" and Craig Revel Horwood condemned her effort as "clumsy, limp and lacklustre," Bruno Tonioli said it "made me laugh" and Len Goodman said the couple had done a "blooming good job". Sadly for Claire and Brendan, however, the public thought otherwise and she was voted off the show. "I'd like to thank Brendan for at least attempting to teach me to dance," she said. [If tabloid rumours are anything to go by, dancing is not the only thing Brendan has been teaching the Bad Girls star. These reports are Strictly unconfirmed, it should be noted.][??]A relieved Carol Smillie and her dancing partner, Matthew Cutler, received the second-lowest number of votes and will be trying to get their heads off the Strictly block next week. It seems there are now three main contenders still in the running for the show's ultimate prize. Eastenders Louisa Lytton and former Spice Girl Emma Bunton scored 34 points out of 40 while it was ex-England cricketer Mark Ramprakash who took the lead, scoring 36 points for his "fantastic" Viennese waltz.

Thanks Christine, for this blog!

Why are Cricketers such good dancers?

Here's a great article about getting sportsmen into dancing!

Click here for the article.

Pass this on to those men who say they're going to come dancing and then don't turn up!!

Happy Feet

I mentioned this film a while back, but it's noe on release in the USA.

We should be seeing it soon, but if you want to know more go here

Jim x

Strictly Come Dancing - The Seventh Show Result

Peter and Erin were knocked out of the competition this week.
Seven couples danced for their Strictly lives this week, dancing a dance new to them, but not new to the viewers this series. But who would be dancing through to week eight?
The tension high, Bruce and Tess announced - in no particular order - the couples who would definitely be back next week: Matt and Lilia, Carol and Matthew, Louisa and Vincent, Claire and Brendan, and Mark and Karen, leaving Emma and Darren and Peter and Erin in the bottom two.

Shelagh's News!!!

Hiya all - I arrived back in Gozo on Mon night - completely worn out from both Camber and Warmwell weekenders!! I had an excellent time and soon got my dancing feet back on!! The weekends are so different, you cant really compare but Warmwell, with the live bands and laid back atmosphere, was just the perfect warm up to Camber which was full on partying. Big hugs and kisses to everyone I caught up with, it was lovely to see you all and catch up with your news.

As some of you may know, Pete and I have just bought a bar called Bo Jangles over here in Gozo so we are here to stay for the next couple of years at least - we are very excited although neither of us has had any bar experience - still I am sure we will have fun learning!!!! The bar is shut at the moment, having some refurbishments carried out (hopefully a little dance floor going in!!!!) but we should be opening mid February when the season starts. Our year off has nearly finished but we still have time to fit in a trip to South Africa over Xmas for 5 weeks - then it will be time to settle back down to working life - albeit in the sunshine and warmth of Gozo.

Take care everyone and enjoy the run up to Christmas - keep in touch, lots of love Shelagh xxx

Anyone fancy being in a TV commercial - ladies only!

A chance at stardom for Britains dancing queens
Are you ready to rumba?
Are you happy to hip-hop?
Are you willing to waltz?
Are you a fanatic for flamenco?
Are you sexy at salsa?
Are you the queen of the dance floor?
Are you aged 20-70 years old?

Then get your dancing shoes on. This could be your shot at world stardom.A major international concern is about to cast for an all-dancing (Yes, literally) commercial which will be shown all round the world. And it is searching the UK for its stars. The no expense spared film will be shot by one of the most sought-after directors in the world and the project is being cast Mark Summers whose clients include Madonna, George Michael and Elton John. So glitter is the game. It doesnt matter if you are fat or thin, tall or short, old or young. What does matter is that you have that certain sparkle, that sprinkling of stardust – and you want to shake your booty in front of the cameras. If you are that woman – or you know someone who is then come down to our open days.

Please email to confirm any that you are coming Mark@castingdirector.co.uk

London Casting:

Thursday 16th November 3pm - 8pm

Friday 17th November 10am - 6pm

Mark Summers Casting, 137 Freston Road, London W10 6TH

The Boring Bits......

• Applicants should be between 20 and 70.
• Shape or size is not important.
• You must be free to film the week of the 11th Dec 06
• Please note that you must not have featured previously in any major TV or print advertising campaign
• We are not looking to cast professional performers
• A substantial fee will be paid to the successful applicants
• As we are casting a skin care commercial all women must also bring swimwear to the casting

I may go along if anyone fancies joining me, let me know!

Nicky

Camilla's Strictly bawlroom

WEEPING Camilla Dallerup locked herself in her dressing room after getting the boot from Strictly Come Dancing. The ballroom dance champion, 32, refused to come out for an HOUR after the BBC1 show.
Her partner, ex-Corrie mechanic Ray Fearon almost broke down too following their eviction. Judges had tipped wooden Peter Schmeichel and partner Erin Boag to go.
A show source said: “Camilla was really devastated.”
The dancer refused to go to the after-show drinks. She later changed her mind but stayed for just 45 minutes.

Clem teaching Beginners at Gravesend this week

Our new beginners teacher Clem will be teaching down at Gravesend this week (15th Nov) so come down and support him. Gravesend is a lovely venue with a great bunch of people with lots of new people joining so there's plenty of people to dance with.

Jim & Nicky will be doing the intermediate class, so ladies if you fancy a dance with the lovely Jim, you know where he'll be this week :-)

See you there.

Nicky

Competition - Whose Nose is it?

Competition time!! Can you guess which Dance Coach this is? Next time you're at one of our venues, grab one of our dance coaches and get their side profile :-)

Winner gets a Riviera Reward!

Nicky

Congratulations - New Teacher

A very well done to our very own Clem becoming a new teacher for Dance Riviera.

Clem taught on Tuesday and went down a storm.

He has a natural charm and is very keen for people of all abilities to get the moves whilst having fun. He'll fit right in then!

Nicky - I was incredibly proud of Clem on Tuesday night, he's a real natural teacher. He'll be teaching beginners at all our venues, so watch out for him at your local.

Well done mate, Jim.

Happy Birthday Nicky

It's Nicky's birthday today (can't say her age), so I'm sure you will all join me in wishing her many happy returns for the day.

Jim xxx

Dominic & Laura's "Stags & Hens" Pictures are up!

Dominic & Laura had a fantastic night! Dominic very kindly demo'd with me for beginners even though he had no idea I was going to drag him up - he did brilliantly, well done! Laura was completely in her element with Pete for the intermediates doing some sexy dirty dancing moves (well, she's allowed on her hen night eh :-)

Everyone made such an effort to dress up, Dom & Laura were really made up by everyone's kindness.

Congratulations guys, we're looking forward to the wedding on the 11th.

Pictures are up - click here. If you have any you'd like on the website please send them to info@danceriviera.com

Nicky x

Party Weekender

Our favourite weekender is upon us yet again. If your down there this weekend make sure you save us a seat at the left hand side of the stage hehehe.

Nicky & I will be teaching on the Saturday morning (early start) and helping out where possible with Darren the organiser. We count ourselves lucky to know such a great guy!

If you ever fancy dipping your toe into the weekender then this is the one to start with.
Lots of fun and very friendly!

Cya there,

Jim x

WEEPY LOU FOXTROTS OFF

EASTENDERS babe Louisa Lytton fled the Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals in tears AGAIN yesterday.
The teen beauty cracked under pressure in the crucial final dress rehearsal for last night's live show.
She told shocked partner Vincent Simone: "I can't do this. I'm no good at it and I'm going to make a fool of myself. It's too much to remember."
Louisa, 17, broke down in tears while struggling to master the foxtrot - just as she did two weeks ago after fluffing rehearsals for the quickstep.
An insider revealed: "She prefers the Latin styles and scored full marks last week. But it made her even more worried that she'll let Vincent down with her ballroom routine.
"Louisa's the youngest contestant by far and can't cope with the pressure. She is hard on herself and doesn't think she's as good as her main rivals like Emma Bunton, who has much more dancing experience."
Sexiest
But Louisa - voted Sexiest Female as gangster Johnny Allen's daughter Ruby at this year's Soap Awards - is joint favourite with ex- Spice Girl Emma to scoop the Strictly Come Dancing crown. A triumph would ease the disappointment of being axed from EastEnders - her last appearance in the soap will be next month.
Our source added: "Everybody's expecting big things from her and it's a huge burden.
"During dress rehearsals her friends and family aren't even able to support her as the producers need contestants to be focused in the final hours before the show.
"Vincent has been supportive though and it's thanks to him that she hasn't just given it all up.
"Her confidence needs building and she'll soon be in full swing."

Stag & Hen Celebration for Dominic & Laura this Thursday at Dartford

Dominic & Laura are getting married in a few weeks time and to celebrate their marriage, we're doing a special "Stags & Hens" night THIS THURSDAY 2nd November at Dartford.

They met at Dance Riviera 2 and a half years ago and have been loved up since! Even if you don't know them, it'll be a cracking party atmosphere with cake and nibbles.

Ladies if you can wear something pink and guys something black it'll make Dom & Laura's night.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

I'm starting to like him...

As you know I'm not a huge fan of Brendan, but Saturday saw him launch into the Judges for not scoring the contestants consistently. Arlene took the brunt of the abuse and she reacted by marking Brendan's & Claire's score down considerably.

Here's the scores

Votes: Craig: 7, Arlene: 4, Len: 6, Bruno: 7 = 24

As you can plainly see Arlene is voting with her heart and not her eyes!

Unfortunately, we see this in our small world of dancing when there are competitions, which is the big reason why I prefer not to compete. Seeing it on TV. and this blatant is just very wrong.
I'm hoping that words will be said to the judges to get their act together and not make this personal.

Time will tell.

I'd love to know what Brendan had to say about this. Anyone know where he comments if at all?
Here's a list of all the scores and their difference in scoring:

Votes: Craig: 8, Arlene: 7, Len: 7, Bruno: 8 Difference = 2
Votes: Craig: 7, Arlene: 7, Len: 7, Bruno: 7 Difference = 0
Votes: Craig: 5, Arlene: 5, Len: 7, Bruno: 7 Difference = 2
Votes: Craig: 8, Arlene: 9, Len: 9, Bruno: 9 Difference = 1
Votes: Craig: 6, Arlene: 7, Len: 8, Bruno: 8 Difference = 2
Votes: Craig: 5, Arlene: 6, Len: 8, Bruno: 7 Difference = 3
Votes: Craig: 2, Arlene: 5, Len: 6, Bruno: 6 Difference = 4
Votes: Craig: 7, Arlene: 5, Len: 6, Bruno: 8 Difference = 3
Votes: Craig: 7, Arlene: 8, Len: 7, Bruno: 8 Difference = 1
Votes: Craig: 7, Arlene: 4, Len: 6, Bruno: 7 Difference = 3

Jim x

Strictly Results

Which couple left the ballroom for good?
With feelings running high amongst the contestants, the stage was set for a tense and dramatic results show. Brendan's earlier outburst hadn't won him any friends on the panel, with both Arlene and Len naming him as the one who should be leaving.
In no particular order, the couples safe this week were announced: Ray and Camilla, Emma and Darren, Mark and Karen, Louisa and Vincent, Carol and Matthew, Matt and Lilia, Peter and Erin (to Peter's massive relief), and Claire and Brendan.
So who'd be dancing another week? The public had had their say, and it was Georgina and James who were waving goodbye to Strictly. Georgina didn't let the disappointment get to her. "I've had the best time of my life... and I think I'll carry on dancing," she said. And James had warm words for his partner, saying that "Even the judges would agree she transformed herself from a non-dancer to a dancer."
On next week's show we'll see the nine remaining couples performing a stately Viennese Waltz, or a sizzling Salsa. Don't miss it!

Halloween Pictures are up!

What a fantastic night, thank you to everyone that came and especially those that dressed up. The effort is much appreciated and really adds to the atmosphere of the night. Alan French had a wonderful birthday, especially having been sung Happy Birthday to a la Marilyn Monroe style and had a wonderful birthday cake and errrm, special birthday blow up present :-)

DJ Steve Strong played a great music set keeping the floor full all night with some special "spooky" tracks.

Don't forget next week is "Stags & Hens" special for Dominic & Laura who are getting married next month.

If you have any photos from the ball, please send them to info@danceriviera.com so I can put them on the website. Cheers.

Click here for the Halloween Photos

Something for the Ladies

There you go Ladies a very sexy man!

Halloween Ball this Thursday

More info here

As most of you know about 90% of people dress up for our events, so don't be scared to give it a go if you haven't done it before.

Go here for the gallery from the last ball

Halloween Party This Thursday - Something for the Boyz

This is the regulation costume for women, but I think the skirt is too long!

Jim x

Pole dance set to be taken off Tesco site

Supermarket giant Tesco agreed to remove a home pole-dancing set from its website yesterday.
The Peekaboo Pole Dancing kit includes an extendable pole, frilly garter, and DVD to demonstrate sexy dance moves.It also features fake money – dubbed Peekaboo Dance Dollars – to reward budding private dancers.The £49.97 kit was advertised on the Tesco Direct website in the toys and games section, in the sub-category arcade and gadgets.It was also listed in the sports and leisure section, in the sub-category fitness accessories.Tesco agreed to remove the product from the toy section of the site, but said it would remain on sale as a fitness accessory, although the product description invites users to "unleash the sex kitten inside".

Spoil sports!

Jx

Press views: Dirty Dancing

A stage version of the classic 1987 film Dirty Dancing has opened at the Aldwych Theatre in London.

Read some reviews here

Post your views in the comments...

Jxx

Let's Do The Chicken Noodle Soup Dance!

Seems like every generation has its own dance craze. Some have more than one.The Bump, The Bunny Hop, The Chicken Dance, Electric Slide, The Hustle, Macarena, The Mashed Potato, The Monkey, The Swim, The Twist, The Watusi, YMCA -- chances are pretty darn good you've done at least one of them.

More here

BAWL ROOM DANCING!

Strictly Come Dancing judges are so out of step

STRICTLY Come Dancing judges Arlene Phillips and Len Goodman seem desperate to tread on each other's toes in an amazing ballroom fall-out.
The pair - already well out of step behind the scenes - could hardly disguise the friction between them on screen last night.
Now producers of the hit BBC1 show hope it won't lead to one of them waltzing off in a huff.
Arlene, 62, criticised Casualty star Georgina Bouzova and dance partner James Jordan for their style.
But Len, 61, pulled a face and said: "Don't listen to what that nasty judge says - I thought you deserved better."
An insider told The People: "There's no love lost between them. Arlene thinks Len's opinions are outdated and that he's too old-school for the show. They have both been around for years and are about the same age but Arlene thinks she has moved with the times while Len is stuck in the past."
The simmering feud first came out in the open last week. Arlene gave her verdict on the performance of Bad Girls star Claire King when Len said scathingly: "That was like the sermon on the Mount."
As the camera panned away many viewers may have missed Arlene snapping back: "What did you say that for?"
The source said: "Both are determined to make a mark with their witty opinions. Arlene was furious when Len tried to spoil her views on Claire with his put-down. Backstage Arlene and Len have been bickering but it was the first time their rivalry spilled over during a broadcast. Now things have hit crisis point."
Claire was partnered by Love Island contestant Brendan Cole in the routine that triggered the judges' clash.
The source added: "A bit of tension is great for viewing figures. But the last thing bosses need is one of the judges storming out."

Cool!

Jim x

WTF

Seriously why the hell did Spoony get knocked out of SCD this weekend?

It was the turn of Spoony and Ola turn to leave the show.
The time had come for Tess to name the couple leaving the competition this week, but first Bruce and Tess announced the couples who had definitely won through, leaving Spoony and Ola and Georgina and James left standing - the couples with the lowest overall scores.
But finally Tess announced that Spoony and Ola would be leaving the dance floor.

Seems like there's some strange voting going on...

Jxx

Minted

After a brief 3 hours sleep I managed to get the pictures up on the website.

Go here

Jim x

Jim & Nicky on TV next week!!

Stop the press!! Jim & Nicky plus a few other modern jivers will be dancing on ITV1's programme The Mint on Wednesday 18th October at Midnight til 1.15am on Thursday, so it's a late one (hey that's what Sky Plus or video recorders were invented for :-)

We have no idea what the format is going to be or whether we'll look really cool or......not so cool! but either way it's a great way of getting the Dance Riviera name out there if we can.

Please watch and tell your friends too!

Game Tip

A few people have mentioned they could do with some help on this game, so here's an example of how I did one of the levels...

I worked out my route then as the dance squares appeared I placed them where they needed to go - not in order. Any dance squares I didn't need I placed at the bottom on squares that were not needed - not shown in this example.

Good Luck,

Jim x

Kerry & Nigel enter Britroc Competition on Saturday

Our very own Gravesend Dance Coaches Nigel & Kerry will be entering this Saturday's Britroc competition down in Brighton. They'll be entering the Open and Advanced sections, so wish them luck! Fly the Dance Riviera flag guys and make us proud.

Jim, Nicky & Tracy and the crew x

Last week for Advanced Smooth Jive Classes til the New Year

This Thursday 12th October is the last date for this time's Advanced Smooth Jive classes. They have been extremely popular from the start and we're gearing up ready for next year's workshops. If you'd like to come to our last session, please ring Nicky on 020 8692 3821 to put your name down - first come, first served.

Also, Jim & Nicky will be teaching at Dartford every week til at least the New Year, so we hope to see some of you there for some great dances :-)

J&N

Dilema

Introducing: Claire King and Brendan Cole

She's Gorgeous!

He's an arrogant *!!!*@#!

Do I cheer them on or boo them....

Hmmm

Jim x

Win Tickets to SCD

They are running a competition for tickets...

Post the answers here for each question, so we can all enter.

Go here

Monday's Question: Nicholas Owen suffered from a lack of what in training for Strictly?

Tuesday's Question: Name the dancer that judge Craig Revell Horwood says has a 5/10 chance of winning the series?

Strictly Come Dancing Game!

I found this great dancing game today and I managed (with luck) to complete it.

Can you do the same?

Go here

Jim x

I've added a couple of tips in the comments of this post for those that are struggling.

Charity Dance Experience at Gravsend on Saturday 7th October

We're having a Charity (Breast Cancer Research) Dance Experience this Saturday at St George's Shopping Centre, Bath Road, Gravesend outside Marks & Spencers (covered area) between 12noon - 2pm.

We need dancers to help promote Dance Riviera by obviously dancing :-), handing out flyers and collecting money for charity.

It's great fun, you get to show off your dancing skills, socialise and meet other dancers and give something back to the hobby that you love.

We'll give you a FREE entry ticket as a thank you for helping to support this event.

We hope to see you there and wear black & white!

Click here for flyer

We're in the paper!

Click on the article to read it full size!

Fantastic article (organised by our Broadstairs Dance Coach Joe) by author Jane Wenham-Jones who tried us out the other week.

If you've got any friends who are thinking of coming, send them to this article!

Blues Workshop

I'd just like to comment on how impressed I was by the level of dancing this Sunday with the Blues Workshop that Nicky and I taught.

You were all very good and really got into the mood and style of the dance.

Tip: As we mentioned you don't need to dance Blues style to only slow music as it fits in very well with normal pace music too.

Well done all,

Jim x

Gozo News

Hiya all, how are you all doing? We have just had a huge family reunion over here - my twin sister Claire and her little boy called Tai flew over from South Africa to spend a week with us and the rest of our family from the UK also arrived for the week too - it was chaotic at times but so lovely to see everyone again - it has been 9 months since we last got everyone together so there was lots of catching up to do.

Autumn has not arrived here just yet - we are still having lots of warm sunny days - the kids are back at school now and have settled in really well with all their new friends - my dad's boat is finally ready to sail (we even had a bottle of Moet and donuts on board last week to celebrate!).

I am starting my countdown til Warmwell now - only 4 weeks to go - cant believe how quickly this year is going - I fly home on the 2nd November so will hopefully get to Dartford that night for Laura and Dominic's special hen/stag night and hope to see you all there.

Well thats all for now folks, have a lovely week and keep in touch - lots of love Shelagh xxx