Do you guys now about... [Archive]

LACHopeful

11-16-2006, 10:14 PM

Wheelchair Dancesport?
I'm a wheelchair Latin American dancer.
It's not popular in the US but very well known in Poland and all over Europe.

Wheelchair Ballroom/Latin dance require an AB partner and a Disabled partner.

iF you were given the opportunity to be the partner of a wheelchair ballroom dancers, would you take it?

delamusica

11-16-2006, 10:36 PM

I used to train with the organizers of the Colorado Star Ball - they were the first US competition to hold wheelchair dancesport events, and we had a couple of dancers at our studio who were doing it. It's really pretty cool - especially getting to watch a guy in a wheelchair socially dance and see that he was really leading - awesome.

It's hard to believe how musical it can be until you see it.

SyrU_dancer

11-16-2006, 10:40 PM

Videos anyone? Now I'm curious to see this in action.

delamusica

11-16-2006, 10:48 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfZx78pSxCo

This is open choreography - even so, you can recognize syllabus steps.

delamusica

11-16-2006, 10:53 PM

And here's a better example (shows both latin and standard and has more dancers):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ9NqyChCA0

I particularly like the waltz and rumba clips in this one.

LACHopeful

11-17-2006, 01:10 AM

Check this out!
http://www.wheelchairdancing.eu/
This has a lot of amazing photo's (some of my favorite) and a lot of really interesting and beautiful videos!

Maybe this can help me figure out the Tempi (I was trying to figure out which Tempo's I should use to practice for the upcoming competition..see my last post)

Maybe you can recommend some songs that go with the dances you see in the videos

Keelzorz

11-17-2006, 01:18 AM

Wow...I've seen still photos of it before, but watching the videos really explains the idea of the sport. Thanks, dela! I also see what you mean now, that watching the guys lead from their chairs is really amazing. The adaptation of latin to wheelchairs is impressive....never would I have thought wheelies could be used in samba, but they were!

SlowDancer

11-17-2006, 07:02 AM

Wow, these videos are really beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

I would definitely be open to the idea of partnering with a wheelchair dancer.

mamboqueen

11-17-2006, 07:22 AM

I saw some wheelchair dancers at a comp in NJ (and actually at the Empire State one year) and got goosebumps watching them.

LACHopeful

11-17-2006, 08:22 AM

mamboqueen

11-17-2006, 08:25 AM

Where will you be competing?

samina

11-17-2006, 08:39 AM

This guy and his partner,
http://www.danceplaza.com/gallery/Rob_Ronda/Wheelchair_Dance_Sport_IPC_World_Champ_2006/Day_2_Sunday/Sunday_211g.JPG
is absolutely incredible to watch! He's really accomplished in the sport, and moves beautifully!

He's also my dance partner for a competition coming up in 5 months.
It should be interesting and fun

Wow, LAC, good luck! Thanks for sharing these videos, guys -- I'd never seen anything like this before. Really amazing!

Samina

contracheck

11-17-2006, 09:58 AM

I saw some wheelchair dancers at a comp in NJ (and actually at the Empire State one year) and got goosebumps watching them.
I beleive that Sandy Fortuna regularly sponsors wheelchair dancing at her studio in S. Jersey and, I beleive, at Philadelphia Festival. There was a beautiful lady dancing with a man in wheelchair, and they regularly danced nothing less than Hustle. This is a nice Philadelphia Story.

alemana

11-17-2006, 10:18 AM

there was a nice article on this in the current DanceBeat.

LACHopeful

11-17-2006, 11:08 AM

Where will you be competing?
Holland
It's my first competition!
I'm pretty stoked but frightened that I might end up practicing the wrong things, I'm still fairly new to Dancesport.

LACHopeful

11-17-2006, 11:09 AM

I've heard of Sandy Fortuna, in fact my dance partner told me about her.
I still don't know about a lot of dance teams in the US, except for one in NY which I hear is massive.

mamboqueen

11-17-2006, 11:13 AM

Holland
It's my first competition!
I'm pretty stoked but frightened that I might end up practicing the wrong things, I'm still fairly new to Dancesport.

Excellent! Be sure to keep us posted. And if you have a videotape....please share. I think you're feeling the same way the rest of us when working toward a comp. Once you get through it, it'll get a little easier the next time.

LACHopeful

11-17-2006, 11:51 AM

I'm hoping so! I'm very excited to see the other competitors. I've seen so many videos but it just sounds so much more exciting to be a part of it!
It's good I'm ridiculously ambitious and don't like not exceeding my potential. It makes it easier for me to be motivated.
I went to Salsa last night and had a little fun and then I trained for a while.
I train very often, but my spot turns are stil very slow. I'm working on it though!

dancesportgirl21

11-17-2006, 01:53 PM

This guy and his partner,
http://www.danceplaza.com/gallery/Rob_Ronda/Wheelchair_Dance_Sport_IPC_World_Champ_2006/Day_2_Sunday/Sunday_211g.JPG
is absolutely incredible to watch! He's really accomplished in the sport, and moves beautifully!

He's also my dance partner for a competition coming up in 5 months.
It should be interesting and fun

They're Polish- right? OMG I LOVE this couple! I saw them perform this past summer and they were amazing! Great dancers and performers: http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=34059

LACHopeful

11-18-2006, 10:06 AM

Small world: )!

I read that article when he was here.
They are phenomenal.
They're also really amazing people