Random questions about Latin dance

[dansa]

I know these questions might seem a bit odd, but im kinda new to Latin and very eager to learn alot of things, so if you guys could help me answering these questions i would really appreciate since i dont manage to google it... thanks.

1. Why do (proffessional/amateur) couples normally split? There are so many great couples and it just dosent make sense why they split, like karina ans slavik for example! Is it cause they fight or cause its better for their development to have many partners?

2. Is it a must that the dancingcouple in a competition has to smile and make "faces" (hehe dunno how to explain) to the judges and audience? Im saying like wouldnt a dancecouple be more passionate if they had just eyes for eachother during their dancing so to say?

3. Is it a must to have the hair slick and geled for ladies during competition and have it in a bun? I undertand the hair cannot be lose, but is it a must for that slicknes.
whats the actual rules for the hair?

4. Is it a must for the lady to have fake nails/long nails?

5. Why is the majority of dancers russian or from other eastern europe?

Thanks for your replies

 

[chica latina]

1. Why do (proffessional/amateur) couples normally split?
I went to the Slavik & Karina last show (after announcing the end of their partnership). It was very emotional for them and everyone there. He said they had too many differenced and too much fighting was not healthy for the relationship. So I guess in some cases that may be the reason.

2. Is it a must that the dancingcouple in a competition has to smile and make "faces" (hehe dunno how to explain) to the judges and audience?
I beleive our face should express what our body is doing, but not fake it or rehearsed or overly done. When I compete sometimes I get very excited about the people watching/cheering and I am a sinner of not paying as much attention to my partner as I should. I am working to keep my eyes just on him...

3. Is it a must to have the hair slick and geled for ladies during competition and have it in a bun?
In the US if you have short hair is very common to have it loose. I think the bun idea is to show the neckline and have a clean look// but I dont think you get penalized for doing something else if you do it right.

4. Is it a must for the lady to have fake nails/long nails?
I would say yes. Shows that you got prepared/ready.. Is like tanning/make-up. Presentation points.

 

[nucat78]

Why is the majority of dancers russian or from other eastern europe?

I personally believe it's because the EE culture puts much more emphasis on dance from early childhood on. In my town, young girls are doing soccer, martial arts, girl scouts, and swimming with maybe a bit of ballet here and there.

I also think it might be teaching styles. EE teachers have a reputation of being tough and directed wholly toward whatever they're coaching. And actually that appeals to me more than a nice guy approach - I need to be hit with a pool noodle now and then.

 

[dansa]

yeah probably you are right, wanted to hear your opinion.
Im half russian and my mum did the typical russian cliché and "force" me to dance ballet when i was a kid.
i think its some kind of russian trend, i know alot of mums that sort of put their children in danceclasses or gymnastics in an early age.

im thanking god for that today but back then i was swearing about it! LOL

 

[suburbaknght]

5. Why is the majority of dancers russian or from other eastern europe?

Ballroom dance was a state-sponsored activity in the Soviet Union. As a result they trained a lot of top dancers and coaches, many of whom later left for the United States.

 

[cornutt]

1. Why do (proffessional/amateur) couples normally split? There are so many great couples and it just dosent make sense why they split, like karina ans slavik for example! Is it cause they fight or cause its better for their development to have many partners?

There are probably as many reasons as there are couples, but I'm guessing that the top three are: (a) they aren't progressing; (b) one partner gets an offer to pair with a more accomplished partner; or (c) one partner wants to retire from competition and the other doesn't.

2. Is it a must that the dancingcouple in a competition has to smile and make "faces" (hehe dunno how to explain) to the judges and audience? Im saying like wouldnt a dancecouple be more passionate if they had just eyes for eachother during their dancing so to say?

There are a couple of reasons. First, it's necessary for the dancers to interact with the audience to at least some extent; if they are only looking at each other, that doesn't necessarily come across to the audience. Second, there are a lot of dance positions where the partners have to maintain a head position that precludes their looking directly at each other. And actors know not to look out of the corners of their eyes -- it looks icky to the audience.

3. Is it a must to have the hair slick and geled for ladies during competition and have it in a bun? I undertand the hair cannot be lose, but is it a must for that slicknes.
whats the actual rules for the hair?

As far as I know, there aren't any actual rules for hair in high-level competition. The slick hair thing is one of those fads that will come and go, as are the various styles of eye makeup. Latin dancers often want to do things to make themselves look dramatic and eye-catching to the judges, and sometimes they go a bit over the cliff. As for the bun, you're right; the hair needs to be up so it doesn't interfere with the man's right hand position. (Or hit the man in the face when the lady spins. )

4. Is it a must for the lady to have fake nails/long nails?

I'll let one of the ladies here answer that.

5. Why is the majority of dancers russian or from other eastern europe?

Good question. Part of it is probably just sheer numbers; if you add up the population of Russia and the Eastern Europe countries, that's a significant percentage of the developed world's population. I think it's fair to say that dancing holds more cultural importance in Russia than in some other parts of the world, and that goes in particular for competitive dancing. Most Americans think of dancing only in a social context, and find the concept of competitive dancing rather odd.