WHO TO CALL: Community Editor Andrew McCredie Entertainment Editor Layne Christensen 985-2131 (147) 985-2131 (118) BREAXING DOWN ballrcom warrants an overview of some of the most popular dances. The fol- lowing definitions have been com- piled from The Fred Astaire Dance * Book, by John Monte and available at North Vancouver City Library. FOXTROT: By far the most pop- ular of ballroom dances, this jovful, creative dance was adapted about 1912 from the stage routines of vaudeville dancer Harry Fox. It was the first dance that permitted part- ners to.hold each other closer than | at arm's length. Through the Roariig Twenties the dance emphasized individual expression. The Foxtrot has become the foun- dation for many of the social dances that followed, and is there- fore a good place for beginners to Start. ° . . WALTZ: This dance shocked society when it was first introduced _ in the early 19th century. A man __ dancing with his hand upon a lady’s “waist was though: to put that lady “in a’ conipromising: ‘position. The “Waltz had its beginnings ‘in the “country folk dances of Bavaria and ‘the cherished property of the focus ute it was S'U.S, in the 1840s. The Waltz iter or Lindy, this lively dance. Yoriginated in the Ainerican South. It “ig related to, the Charicston, Black | _Battom and Shag, Iialy 2 modi ; : ‘step, the swing has a dis- fee deing mene sd con ‘yenzs' ago, gis re eae lndian and Spatish cuitures as well. was. first introduced into the U.S. ‘early.'306 and is character- ized by:‘a sracoth, supple hip ‘step. ; + layne Christensen NORTH SHORE Baliroom’s Syivie Quenneville poses with her dance partner Dave Gatland. :| N. Shore joins dance craze BALLROOM IS back. By Layne Christensen Community Reporter Spurting on the ballroom-dance revival are film stars like Al Pacito and Amold Schwarzenegger. who have swept viewers off their feet with their sultry dance scenes in recent films (Scent of a Woman and True Lies, respec- tively). Home Improvement’s Tim Allen recently traded his tools for a twirl with Hollywood dance gicat Ann Miller. The segment in which the haplessly unceordinat- ed Tool Time host attempts the cha-cha aired last week. Even the International Olympic Committe: has grant- ed what it calls “dancesport™ provisional membership in the Clympic Games. Here on the North Shore, dance instructors like Sylvie Quenneville are keying into the wend. 2045 West Flat Ave. NORTH VANCOUVER L180 Marine Drive. Decorative Fabrics Wednesday, February 21, STORIES iit NEWS photo Pau! McGrath The Arthur Mu trained dancer has started up her own dance studio, North Shore Ballroom. Whiie Quenneville has clients in their 70s, the major- ity are in their 30s and 40s. Most are single and looking to hone their social skills as well as their dance steps. Couples aie also getting into the swing. To Quenneville. dancing can be a very effective form of marriage therapy. “Dancing is like a getaway.” she explains. “It’s a men- tal escape but it also brings people closer together.” Until she can find her own space, Quenneville is offer- ing private and group classes at Anne Macdonald Hall, next door to Presentation House, 333 Chesterfield in North Vancouver. The last Friday of every month she hosts an evening workshop and practice session at 1172 West [4th St. in North Vancouver, between 9 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. For more in- formation, phone 987-6456. 1996 — North Shore News ~ 13 READ IT... Watch for these titles on book- store or library shelves: How to Dance by Thomas Parson The Complete Book of Ballroom Dancing by Richard Stephenson Better Dancing by Lyndon Wainwright Dancing Till Dawn: A Century of Exhibition Ballroom Dance by Julie Malnig. WATCH IT... . Some video rental selections to sweep you off your feet: The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939), a biography of the famous dance duo, star- ring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Saturday Night Fever (1977), John Travolta kicks off the disco ballroom craze. That's Dancing (1985), Gene Kelly and Sammy. Davis Jr. co-. host . this: documentary _ on Hollywood musicals. “Strictly, Ballroom ( 1992), ‘a "hilarious ‘Australian: satire that sends. up the’ compesitive: ball-. pe ‘videos,’ 2vailable at’ We Vancouver Memorial: Library beginner or advanced versions.) |: Caich Darice Fever with Alan : Meyers ' vidéos, covet ig Ballroom or Swing, and Bop You. Can: Dance’ by, Regan i “Vicki: ‘The "four-part series’ ‘includes «tapes on “Nightclub: : Disco and Slow-dancing, Tango, : Waltz and Lambada. ' =_ — Layne Christensen BODY, MIND & SOUL... PHARMASAVE takes centre stage at the WELLNESS SHOW featuring new herbal and natural medicines and programs focusing on your canpkets well being. presented by ESPHARIAASAVE March 8, 9, 10, 1996 The Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre Ongoing COL-