Routines

Routines are a fun way to get to know some of your fellow dancers whilst all learning the same choreography to a particular song. Each year routines are taught in May and June to be performed at the annual winter ball, as part of the floorshow entertainment. The audience for our annual ball is usually between 350 - 450. Routines are also taught for performances at other events during the year.

"ADF" Routine performed at the 2010 Winter Ball

Ball Routines

For the 'Bling' Winter Ball this year there are four routines being taught. From Beginner Plus to Advanced level. No matter how much experience you have as a dancer there's a routine that will be great for you. Everyone will tell you that learning a routine is a great way to improve your dancing. The four routines are:

'Firework' - Beginner Plus - Choreographed by Donna Brotherson & Mark Harding

'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend' - Intermediate Level - Choreographed by Tem Smith

'Just the Way You Are' - Intermediate Plus - Choreographed by Bill & Tania Hannan, and Susan & Colin Titmuss

'Set Fire to the Rain' - Advanced Level - Choreographed by Clinton Glasgow & Simone Harding; Nadia Russell & Brad Pickford; Shauna Dark & Francis Burgess

For some people a routine will be their first opportunity to perform in public and in front of a crowd! Further opportunities usually arise during the year where the routines can be performed again, so there's scope for further performances.

Routine Survival Guide

Routines are a fun way to get to know some of your fellow dancers and improve your dancing. But there can be some unexpected challenges you should be aware of.

• Choose your level wisely. If you'd like some advice, email or call Mark. He has choreographed and taught countless routines and is sure to be able to advise you. Consider whether you're ready to learn a sequence of moves that can last 3 to 4 minutes. Understand what the particular routine's choreography involves. If it involves multiple spins, dips, lifts etc that you are not confident doing don't be afraid to sign up for a routine at a lower level and progress to a higher challenge next time. Doing a routine is as much about improving your dancing as it is about having fun. Doing a slightly easier routine can help to reinforce good dance technique in a way that a harder routine may not.
• Are you prepared to commit the time required for rehearsals? Are you ready to spend additional time practising with your partner between rehearsals? Does your partner have the same expectation and commitment? Discuss it with them.
• A lot of dancers find that their life partners are not the best choice of dance partner for routines. Others say the opposite. All we ask is that you think about it.
• Choosing a partner is important. If you don't have anyone in mind, we may be able to help you. Complete our partner request form and we'll see what we can do. It's no guarantee, you should ask around, try different venues and see if you can find a partner who matches you on the dance floor. Remember though, having ulterior motives for asking someone to learn a routine with you is rarely a good idea.
• No matter what you're learning everyone has a different ways of learning. If you have signed up for a routine with a new partner, take some time to understand how they learn. Think about how you give them feedback. If you're unsure how to give feedback to your partner, ask your routine teacher.

If you've decided not to learn a routine this year come along to the Winter Ball and see them performed. It's a great night's entertainment. And who knows, you might decide to give it a go next year.