Dancing On Air

If you’ve received this Ezine in error or wish to remove your name from our list <sniff>, please find out how to unsubscribe at the end of this email.

Please note that I respect your privacy. Your email address will never be distributed. I guarantee your confidentiality - promise - they can string me up by my toes and force-feed me liver!

In This Issue

1. Welcome from Heather!
2. History of Ballroom/Latin Dancing - The Waltzes
3. Something to Make you Smile - "Top Ten Signs you Need to Relax More While Dancing"
4. Dance Quote of the Month
5. Poem, "Life on the Dance Floor"
6. Dance Puzzle
7. Sponsor Ads and Cool Sites
8. Subscription Info & the usual end-of-ezine stuff!

1. Welcome from Heather!

We have some gorgeous new dance designs and some new personalized cartoon designs on our website! You can see them at www.whimsies-online.com.

To subscribe to On A Whim... ezine also, please read all about it on On A Whim Subscription Page

Let me know what you think about Dancing On Air and if you have any suggestions for ballroom dance topics you'd like to see addressed; or you'd like to submit clean jokes, comical anecdotes, stress reliever ideas for dance competitions and/or shows, your most embarrassing and comical experiences (we'll laugh with you!), fun ideas, dance hints, how you started dancing, your news (any dance news, competitions, announcements), etc., I'd love to hear from you. Give me a shout at info@whimsies-online.com.

2. HISTORY OF BALLROOM/LATIN DANCING

All through time, dancing has been a way of expression for all forms of life. Various dances evolved throughout the years and for the next several issues, we will offer a history of each of the ballroom and latin dances.

The Viennese Waltz

A dance born in Vienna and in Austria, the Viennese Waltz was danced as early as in the seventeenth century. The waltz received much opposition due to the closeness of the dancing couple and was proclaimed to be indecent in magazines and newspapers such as the London Times in 1816 and The Belgravia Magazine in 1866. Despite all the criticism, the Viennese Waltz continued to gain popularity and by the end of the 18th century, Paris was reported to have hundreds of dance halls. (1) A German traveler to Paris in 1804 stated, "This love for the waltz...is quite new and has become one of the vulgar fashions since the war, like smoking". It was reported that the Viennese Waltz was first danced in the United States around 1834 and by mid- ninteenth century, it had become one of the most popular dances in America. Johann Strauss was one of the most famous composers during the 19th century who set the standard for the Waltz at about 50 to 60 beats per minute. The Viennese Waltz is danced with couples twirling continuously along the line of dance

(1) Richard M. Stephenson and Joseph Iaccarino, The Complete Book of Ballroom Dancing, Doubleday 1980

The Slow Waltz

Around the end of the 19th century, modifications of the Viennese Waltz led to a similar version of our Slow Waltz. This was partly due to the speed of the Viennese Waltz and the problems this presented to such couples who were struggling to keep up with the beat of the music. A slower waltz was devised with long gliding steps and fewer, slower turns, and a hesitation step was introduced. The Slow Waltz is danced at between 30 and 40 beats per minute with the dancing couple keeping an erect posture and demonstrating the characteristic rise and fall of the dance.

3. SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE!

"TOP TEN SIGNS YOU NEED TO RELAX MORE WHILE DANCING" by Heather Diodati

4. DANCE QUOTE OF THE MONTH

Dance is life at its most sensational moment - Josie Neglia

*****************************************************************

5. POEM: "LIFE ON THE DANCE FLOOR"

Thanks to Tim Chapman

When newly we start we head for the dance floor with all of our heart.

The dancing begins, but the night's just too short We simply can't get enough of this sport.

There's leading and following those subtle cues. We waltz 'round the dance floor not knowing whose thoughts are whose.

The music, the moves - all track of time we lose. Then the lights go up and we see life's hues.

Leading and following in life we proceed like a beautiful mare and a virtuous steed playing and prancing through all of the weeds.

Then life has its bumps like on the dance floor, when he's counting 3 when she's counting 4. A natural right turn avoids a collision and more.

Now what do we do to recover our place? Cast a little blame and complete our disgrace? Unkind words can put us out of the race.

No just a smile, a wink and "You did that one well! Let's go on from here."

6. DANCE PUZZLE

Can you solve the puzzle and find the secret word to download a special page? If you're stumped, just send me an email, but as I can see from where I'm sitting, you're a smart cookie and should have no problem solving this puzzle!!!
Download to Word (52 kB)

7. SPONSOR ADS AND COOL SITES

The first-ever Ballroom Dance Conference - Las Vegas - Nov. 4-6 2002: http://www.dance2002.com

*****************************************************************

Here's a site describing bolero dance steps: http://maxpages.com/bolero/home

*****************************************************************

Check out these Time Life specials on-line! Time Life

*****************************************************************

See BMG's special deals on the latest tunes: BMG

*****************************************************************

Looking for an unusual gift? Whimsies! personalized cartoon designs are available in a number of dance styles with more on the way. You can see them on http://www.whimsies-online.com

*****************************************************************

For swing dance styles and terminology, check out this site: http://www.triplestep.com/styles.htm

*****************************************************************

Looking for an unusual gift for your favorite computer buff? Come visit with us at http://www.petvirus.com

8. Subscription Info & the usual end-of-ezine stuff!

Dancing On Air is published monthly by Heather Diodati

(c) Copyright 2000-2004

Any articles are the property of the original author and can only be used with the author's permission.

********************

Visit our site: Whimsies! Personalized Cartoons and the adorable Pet Computer Virus at www.whimsies-online.com Shop on-line with us anytime! (clothes optional)

********************

To recommend this Ezine, or subscribe: How's about spreading this issue around. Encourage your friends to subscribe! If you're reading someone else's copy, why don't you subscribe right now for free? Please subscribe to Dancing On Air on our site: Dance Ezine Page

Don't forget to send in your suggestions so we can include you in Dancing On Air (see "Welcome from Heather")

Disclaimer: The ads in the Sponsor Ad Section are a service to subscribers and we do not specifically endorse these products or services.

To unsubscribe: To unsubscribe from Dancing On Air please go to:www.whimsies-online.com/danceezine.htm. If you're emailing us from another address other than the one you use to receive our ezine, please make sure you indicate the correct email address. We'll be sorry to see you go!

So...you publish an Ezine too? Would you like to swap ads? Just give me a shout at info@whimsies-online.com and tell me the name of your Ezine; whether it's weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, or ???; how many subscribers you have and the ad you'd like to have published in Dancing On Air