Dancing enthusiasts will be pleased to see that the elegant art of Ballroom dancing is being featured in more films, theater, and television.
Ballroom Confidential--a modest-budget 2013 documentary features Caleb Young, who started a dance school called Absolutely Ballroom following the events of 9/11. The film, directed by Brian Lilla, focuses on the students of the school who are mostly elderly widows. The film is touching and underscores the renewed zest for life that ballroom dancing gives the students. Click here to order the DVD from the official website.
Strictly Ballroom: The Musical--March 25, 2014, this theater version of the film will debut in Sydney, Australia. The plot is basically the same as the film. An rebel dancer pairs up with a beginning dancer. Dancing from the heart, they wow the crowds and eventually the judges of the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix. Many people might assume the musical will just be the movie with a bit more dancing. However, director Baz Luhrmann, who also directed the original movie, promises the musical will "confound" audiences being "both familiar and completely surprising and ambitious."
The play's opening got hundreds of people dancing. In fact, along with the 30 professional dance pairs, 1,200 other people also danced the Samba. This event claimed the world's record for the most people dancing the Samba at once.
Musical Chairs--The focus of this film is wheelchair dancing which is new to the United States, although it's well-known around the world. The film is directed by Susan Seidman. The movie features a couple that were badly injured in an accident. Through ballroom dancing they find renewed enthusiasm and purpose for life. Producer Janet Carrus is a longtime supporter of charities supporting the disabled. She is also an avid fan of ballroom dancing.
Dancing With the Stars--the hit show has just released their cast for season 18.
Amy Purdy (actress, Paraolympic snowboarder, and co-founder of Adaptive Action Sports) will team up with Derek Hough.
Billy Dee Williams (actor, singer, writer) will dance with Emma Slater.
Candace Cameron Bure (star of Full House) will pair with Mark Balla.
Charlie White (Olympic figure skater) will dance with Sharna Burgess.
Sean Avery (Canadian ice hockey player) will work with Ukrainian dancer Karina Smirnoff.
Meryl Davis (partner of Charlie White) will show of her skills with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a Ukrainian dancer.
NeNe Leakes (featured in the Real Housewives of Atlanta) will dance with Tony Dovolani, trainer of Jennifer Lopez.
Drew Carey (host of the Price is Right) will pair with Cheryl Burke, the first female professional dancer to win DWTS.
James Maslow (Big Time Rush singer) will work with Peta Murgatroyd.
Diana Nyad (who holds the world record for long-distance swimming) will show off her athleticism with Henry Byalikov.
Danica McKellar (from the sitcom the Wonder Years) will pair with Valentin Chmerkovskiy.
Cody Simpson (Australian pop singer) will dance with Witney Carson.
These films and television shows highlight the beauty and excitement of ballroom dance. Through media exposure, ballroom dance is promoted and gains in popularity. If you are interested in learning more about ballroom dancing, contact us.