Dance-Dance Revolution-London

This article has nothing to do with the ‘Jumping here and jumping there’ Japanese game, famously known as DDR! This is about the Dance sequences which are the most sophisticated and beautiful dance sequences- Ballroom, which took various forms and styles as it moved geographically. Ballroom dancing can be seen in various styles like ‘Slow Waltz’, ‘Tango’, ‘Cha-Cha’, ‘Viennese Waltz’, ‘Quickstep’ etc. This form of dance is usually performed by a couple (generally a man and women) socially as well as competitively around the world.

 

The name ‘Ballroom Dance’ is derived from the word ‘ballare’ or ‘Ball’ which means ‘to dance’, but these days it is usually termed as the dance form in which there are two dancers (a couple) where there is a “leader” and one “follower” who are in physical contact with each other of their upper and lower parts of body. Both the leader and the follower need to know some technicalities and general sequences and patterns of the dance form, as most of the social dances are not choreographed, therefore to communicate the next step, the knowledge of the sequences becomes essential. While the dance is performed in a competition, the contestants are judged on the basis of their posture, frame, speed, timing, body alignment, usage of weight and grooming.

Ballroom dancing has many other dance forms like:

· Tango (ballroom)

Ballroom tango is little different from its original Tango dance form which originated in Argentina. Tango style is generally referred to the style where the couple takes small steps with rhythmic movements, but ballroom dance, which is originated from the Argentine Tango, is different and adjusted with the ballroom sequences. Ballroom tango has smooth rise and fall movements, besides ballroom dancing is more arrogant and hard style of dancing. This dance form is usually considered a powerful yet a smooth dance form.

· Waltz

It is one of the most popular dance forms of the ballroom dances; it is very stylish and very elegant. In the contemporary dance forms, waltz was referred as Viennese Waltz. It is such a dance form where the dancers rotate continuously either clockwise or anti clockwise, and combined with non rotary dance sequences, they change directions. It is one of the oldest ballroom dance forms. This dance form is performed in close position, and is faster in tempo as compared to the original waltz.

· Cha-Cha-Cha

For the Ballroom Cha Cha Cha, the music is steady and upbeat with energetic dance moves, Ballroom Cha Cha Cha is different from the original Cuban Cha Cha Cha, which is more sensual and has more complex sequences. In cha cha cha the footwork is different from other sequences, it is performed by putting a step forward and the transferring the weight later, since the weight is always on one foot at a time therefore the hip movements become prominent automatically to the side of the weighted leg. This dance form is free from any rise and fall, although the ballroom form has changed a bit but the basic moves of the Cuban one remains the same.

· Quickstep

Quickstep is a smooth dance form like other ballroom sequences, and as the name suggests it is really about Quick Steps! The couple takes back many steps long and small, with many rise and falls throughout the performance, whereas Foxtrot, another dance form considered similar to quickstep, has a technique which is a bit different from the latter. It has a dance sequence like slow-slow- quick- quick, there are many turns in this form of dance. Over the time, this dance form is divided in slow foxtrot and quick, where the quick one is termed as the Quickstep.

· Costume

Almost all ballroom dances have similar costumes, but change according to the social gathering or competition. The Females wear Ballroom gowns and since hands are always up therefore most of the gowns will have long flared sleeves which add to the beauty of the ballrooms postures, and men are dressed in fitted suits.

London is filled with dance schools teaching contemporary ballroom dance forms. Some of the famous dance schools are, Dance School L.A., Balads, Argentine Tango etc. Dance is to make you feel free, so just take some time out of your busy Bee life, and enjoy the sovereignty of dance.

London Ink Is Hot !!!

London Ink is a reality show about tattoos televised on the ‘Discovery Real time’ channel, featuring the hot and diligent hosts, Louis Molloy, Dan Gold, Phil Kyle and Nikole Lowe. This set of ink makers are in full demand amongst their celebrities’ clientele. London Ink is based on the lines of the successful series Miami Ink, where the celebrities are given tattoos designed and made by the hosts and the show made a lot of waves after its launch in last October!! The series revolves around a tattoo parlor run by Louis Molloy, Louis Molloy is the world’s leading tattoo artist, and famous for his stint with David & Victoria Beckham, by designing the famous “Guardian angel” for David. Louis started tattooing at the age of 14 and owns a parlor since he was 18. He has bagged the ‘Outstanding Artist Of The year Award’ Twice!!

The Bad Boy Dan gold is a specialist in Graffiti work. The 35 year old artist is a hard working professional, and was born in Denmark to a single mom. His stance towards his work clearly depicts the hard life sequences he had in his past life. Dan was a naughty child who used to fall into trouble often. He even made his own Tattoo machine and tried on his arm first, which later led to a bad swell up. Phil Kyle, the Lazy one on London Ink, caught the Tattoo bug at the age of four, when he met his neighbor covered with tattoos. He got his initial training in designing from an architect uncle in France, which built a concrete foundation to his profession. Next in line is Nikole Lowe is a kiwi tattoo artist. A complete party animal and is well-known for his signature Japanese flowers. She has a penchant for Boxing; even a dislocated shoulder hasn’t kept her away from her hobby.

The second series showed off some outstanding celebrities like dance-pop singer Sam Fox, Boy Zone, English model Jodie Marsh, Boxer Ricky Hatton, Bollywood actor Jordon Ali and portraitist Bob Tyrrell. Nikole was really excited to work on Ricky Hatton as she is into Boxing herself, he got two Boxing gloves made on his thigh. London ink’s episodes are full of life with happiness, laughter, passion, tension, pain, and all the emotions a human can experience. The hosts, at times, have to face celebrity tantrums and their indecisive nature. And as Louis Molloy states that those who want to have a tattoo really should ‘know’ what they want and it becomes really difficult if they leave everything on to them.

London Ink was launched with a huge bash and created a buzz amongst the London citizens; the promoters created exaggerated sculptures at various locations in London, like a giant man swimming in grass at tower hill, or a giant female trying to get inside a Photo boot to take her picture at a mall. Both of them were showcasing their tattoos.

Louis Molloy recently in his interview mentioned that he would love to try his hands on bond star Daniel Craig and Prince harry or Prince William. And jokingly stated that his job is better than that of a porn star!!! When asked about when would the next series slated to start, he casually replied that it all depends on the channel, but it is highly anticipated that the show will continue as it was roaring the charts in the second season.

‘Discovery Real time’ is a realistic television channel of the Discovery Network Europe. London Ink is the channels’ Star show. The other shows which are televised on the channel are ‘Don’t move, Improve’, ‘Wheelers- Dealers’, ‘Miami Ink’, ‘LA Ink’, ‘House Wreck Rescue’, ‘Go Fishing’ etc.

London Ink is highly demanded by its viewers for the third season. And is an immensely popular show amongst the Ink Lovers.