Info

Letters & DanceTalk - February 2002

1. the problem isn't the judging system, it's the judges - 2002 winter olympics  - dan
2. does size in a partnership count - topical
3. DanceSport Comp results - 9 February 2002
4. DanceWell Studio Exam photos - 9 February 2002
5. Need a partner - Minette
6. looking for a partner - frans
7. LINDY HOP FACTORY has its first Lindy Hop - Swing Dance Comp in South Africa - oliver
8. DanceWell Studio Exam Results -9 February 2002
9. the SAADTA is not answering their phone.... could you help - eksteen
10. 4th complaint about the incorrect marking of the 2001 National Championship - concerned and astounded
11. I am from Malta (Europe) - diana
12. 6 April we are having a dinner dance in Zim - ken scott
13. Argentinean Tango community vibrant and growing in Cape Town - mareli
14. R3000 ballroom dress, with feathers, for R350 - elize
15. watch your back - techno talk

Competitors aren't allowed to question a judge's reason for placing them low without a rap, which definitely points to a guilty conscience on the judge's part. This Pair's Figure Skating incident brought the real thing to the fore and it's not an exaggeration of what dancers feel either. What pleases me, and I'm sure many dancers are happy about it too, is that the ice skating authorities did something positive about it. But would they have taken action had the spectators not shown their utter disgust and fury, or if the couple involved was South African.

Jay, what are your thoughts on this issue?

Regards, Dan de Vaal

Ed
"Judging Controversies" that's new??!!

I think it is the best thing that could have happened to expose the bias that exists in sports where the outcome is solely dependent and decided on the opinion and taste of other earthlings belonging to that sport. How many times haven't we heard dancers say, when asked about their chances in a comp, "it depends on who the judges are?" That statement alone is a very sad commentary on the unfairness of this "opinion deciding system". The margin-of-error is too wide, even when each judge is trying his/her best to give a just and accurate assessment.

I think the whole system is utterly unfair, particularly towards judges. The system doesn't allow the judge much latitude for fairness. No matter what the outcome, there will always be that element of doubt in the beholder's mind. The only two sports I can think of now, which use the human factor to exclusively decide their results, are DanceSport and Ice Skating. A sprinter, jumper, thrower, swimmer, footballer, frog leaper, tennis player all get placed according to his/her personal performance and ability, not what the judges decide. Cricket and Rugby are gradually removing the human factor from their systems by using a electronic 3rd umpire for making crucial decisions, and todate, it has solved many discrepancies which could have unfairly lost or won a team the series.

So Dan, that's what I think, but spare a thought for our poor judges who are subjected and terrorised by a marking scheme that is riddled with bias even before they begin - no matter how fair they try to be. Unfair judges compound the problem. They reveal the detailed flaws in the system. The Olympic Committee is also against the DanceSport marking system, this being their main concern for the 2008 games.

Rumour has it that the original markings of the Youth Championship Latin section have gone missing.  Is this the way DanceSport is allowing things to go?  As a matter of interest, it would be nice to know the ruling on what happens to the markings after the scrutineer has recorded it.  This is not the first time an incident like this has happened.  It is unfair to the other couples dancing in the section and it is a shame that this kind of matter is just being ignored.

Dancers start preparing for the South African Nationals at the beginning of the year already.  Think of how much money these people invest in dancing and just because of a scrutineer that cannot obey a couple of simple instructions, everything goes down the drain.  Makes you wonder:  is this person here to do his job (which should be to scrutineer) or kill the sport.  Judges can’t be controlled but the scrutineer can.  It’s very hard to be creative but so easy to be destructive.  As the saying goes:  once corrupt, always corrupt.

Concerned and astounded.

Ed
C & A, Ryno v/d Berg called the comp in question the "Bosveld Circus" for which he was severely rapped by the officials. And you know why? He bravely, or is it stupidly, autographed his letter. You and your relative competitor, like the other three who stayed anonymous are wise and very safe from the viscous claws of the powers that be. Here are the other gripes:

• Ryno's "Bosveld Circus"
• Who selected the judges? and how fair was the panel ?!!!! - concerned
• WHAT??? Anthony Krotz and Kim Corker did not win the SA's??? - confused
• dancers were promised open markings for the finalists, but time constraints cancelled that - WP dancer

Looking for: A male partner in the Gold Latin and Novice Ballroom
sections
Or a Novice / pre-champ Ballroom partner.

History: I have been dancing Latin American and Ballroom for two years. Started competitive L/A and Ballroom in August 2001 with great success in, especially Ballroom competitions. Looking for a dedicated male partner to achieve great success with on Novice/ Pre-champ and ultimately Championship level.

It is for all levels, but mainly geared for beginners - and to make the newcomers more confident we can arrange some introductory lessons or , even better,  join us for lessons at the TANZCAFE in Brynston on Tuesday 7:45 pm.

For more information call Oliver on 082-9007101 or email on swingprofessor@lindyhopfactory.com.

Have a look a the programme here under - it is lot of fun - and we hope to see many ' new' Swing Dancers there.

Your 'Swingprofessor' Oliver

Date:  Fri 12 April 2002 – Sun 14 April 2002
Teachers:   International Dancers – to be finalised

Itinerary
Friday 12th April:

At 9pm we will be offering a Gumboot Dance Class by one of our guest teachers.  Gum Boot dancing originated on the Gold mines in Southern Africa and has now being elevated to the status of a national dance.  The rhythms are black and the feet are stamping and tapping to the beat of the drums.

Due to late arrivals, dinner is for your own account – please let us know whether you will be having dinner at the hotel on Friday evening so that we can make reservations.

Make sure to equip yourself with a pair of Gum Boots or let us know should you need us to supply you with a pair.

After the lessons we will have a Swing Dance Party.
Saturday 13th April:

A Bush Breakfast will be served at 8am to allow you to sleep in a little and give those exhausted muscles a rest.  Classes will start at 9am.

In between classes, you can choose to do the sauna, pool, game drive or some horse riding – please let us know what takes your fancy in order to make the necessary arrangements.  We will also have a masseur on standby for massage.

Saturday Afternoon Sundowner Cruise

We will depart at 3.00pm from the hotel and transfer to Lake Longmere close to White River for a Canoeing Sundowner Cruise. Three people are in each raft, two being the drivers and one being the wine steward. Wine and snacks are provided for the duration of the trip. The afternoon should conclude at about 6.00pm.

The African Bush Hop Party starts at 8pm.  The dress code is “On Safari”.  After a typical African Safari Dinner, our African Bush Hop DJ – the Swing Professor, will keep your feet tapping until the early hours of the morning!

* ABH – African Bush Hop

Sunday 14th April:

The day will start off early with healthy breakfast.  The day will be spent with our teachers exploring more exciting Swing routines.  See our ‘ABH’ Timetable for more details of the dance workshop times.

Sunday Afternoon will be spent Quad Biking

You will depart after lunch for Hazyview, one of the most picturesque areas of Mpumalanga.  You will meet at our quad venue for an afternoon of quad-fun. We should be completed by 5.00pm for your return back home.
Children

Bring along the kids and we will keep them busy - entertainment will be finalised once we have numbers.
Cost:  R1 650 per person sharing

Includes all meals, transport, dancing, accommodation and activities as indicated in itinerary.  Does not include optional activities at Aventura i.e. horse riding, game drives etc.  Does not include beverages, phone calls, laundry or any other personal expenses. Prices are based on shared accommodation –

Booking:

Yes we would love to join you on the African Bush Hop –

Name: ……………………………………………….

Number of people:…………………………………

Tel No:……………………………………………….

Ages of children:…………………………………..

For more information contact Oliver on his cell on 082-9007101 or email him at swingprofessor@lindyhopfactory.com

Eksteen de Waal

Ed
Hi Eksteen, here are the only contact numbers I have for Marinda Botha: (041 )360 8338/(041) 486 2241 (Fax) / 082 570  0354 and Kevin Juul (041) 81 8288 / (041) 4534997. Hope it helps

I have been dancing competitively for about 3 years now.  I am EXTREMELY dedicated.  I am looking for somebody that is PASSIONATE about their dancing, and will do ANYTHING to be no 1!  My goal is to become world 10 Dance Champs and nothing less will do!!  Dancing RULES my life.  So if you can not stop yourself moving to the music, contact me IMMEDIATELY!!!

Thanks, Diana

Ed
The Rand to the $ at present is R11,65 a $, so one dance would cost you $3.35. A guess at the postage would be +- $13. The steps begin with the basics to very attractive advanced patterns.