Sequence dancing on QM2 transatlantic?

[Cassandra14]

Just wondering if there are sequence dance sessions on QM2 transatlantic?

I returned recently from a WC sector on Queen Victoria and there was an hour most evenings in Hemispheres at 7.30...

 

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[Slow Foxtrot]

Just wondering if there are sequence dance sessions on QM2 transatlantic?

I returned recently from a WC sector on Queen Victoria and there was an hour most evenings in Hemispheres at 7.30...

 

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We were on the first two sectors of the Queen Victoria world cruise and they had occasional sequence dance sessions in the Queens Ballroom. The floor in Hemispheres is pathetically small and not really suitable for sequence dancing.

Last time we were on Queen Mary there were occasional sequence dances in the Queens Ballroom. Obviously, ships departing from the UK have more chance of featuring some sequence dances as it is a predominantly British thing. However, in other parts of the world (apart from Australia) sequence is not usually danced.

Dance-wise, sequence is only a bit of fun, as ballroom dancing is the number one thing, and rightly so.

[fantasy51]

Dance-wise, sequence is only a bit of fun, as ballroom dancing is the number one thing, and rightly so.

 

Sequence dancing, if done properly, can be quite serious dancing. There are a couple of sequence dances that are also in the old-time exam syllabus, and there is a lot of precision involved in dancing that. The problem is that most sequence dancing is learnt by a form of 'Chinese whispers' and is nowhere near the original.

 

I gather that the best way to learn dancing is to start with old-time, as that requires a lot of precision and will really set you up for the technique required for good ballroom dancing.

[Slow Foxtrot]

Sequence dancing, if done properly, can be quite serious dancing........

I gather that the best way to learn dancing is to start with old-time, as that requires a lot of precision and will really set you up for the technique required for good ballroom dancing.

 

Yes, good sequence dancing can be quite serious but the reality is that the majority of sequence dancers are elderly and only a small proportion of them have the ballroom training to do justice to correct sequence dancing. That is an indisputable fact. Never the less, it is great exercise, beneficial to good health and enhances the dancers' social life.

 

Old Time Dancing (at its best) certainly requires good balance and precision but for anyone wishing to take up ballroom-dancing they should enrol at a genuine ballroom-dancing school. The two types of dancing have markedly different techniques and, sad to say, the opportunities for Old Time Dancing in the UK are very few and far between.

[Bell Boy]

To answer the OP's question 'Yes' almost every other evening from 7.45 to 8.30pm ( this will ensure those dining in the MDR time to attend)

 

If you enjoy Sequence dancing, do make this known to the 'Social Host/ess the first evening onboard . He/She will arranged the evenings printed in the daily programme.

[Dancer Bob]

Foxy, would you say G32 is completely unsatisfactory for sequence dancing, with that pillar in the way?

I believe there might be some issues with scheduling in the Queens Room, making sure the QRO plays their required number of hours, plus working around receptions on a TA.

Edited June 12, 2016 by Dancer Bob

[Slow Foxtrot]

Foxy, would you say G32 is completely unsatisfactory for sequence dancing, with that pillar in the way?

 

Fact is Bob that when on the Queen Mary we never took much notice of G32 nightclub. As ballroom enthusiasts we always stayed in the Queens Room. As mentioned, sequence dancing requires an unobstructed dance-floor of at least a reasonable size and if G32 doesn't fit this description then it would be a very poor substitute for the Queens Room.

[Bell Boy]

Foxy, would you say G32 is completely unsatisfactory for sequence dancing, with that pillar in the way?

I believe there might be some issues with scheduling in the Queens Room, making sure the QRO plays their required number of hours, plus working around receptions on a TA.

 

 

The G32 would never ever be used for the early evening sequence dancing programme.

 

The procedure ; 45 minutes of 'Sequence dancing only', is usually arranged up to 'three evening' per voyage or cruise of seven days. On QM2 this will only take place in the Queens Room from 7.45 to 8.30pm. Providing there are enough couples to make it worth while for the Social Host/ess and a member of the production team to take care of the taped music. ( subject to the Ballroom not being used for the various cocktail parties/events)

 

The Queens Room Orchestra (across the fleet) begin their first set at 8.30pm. Prior to this, pre recorded Ballroom/ Latin music is available most evening (often in the daily programme each evening from 7.45 to 8.30pm)

 

When the QRO take their 15/20 mins break ( around 11pm) occasionally the Social Host may invite the Sequence dancers to take to floor for one or two sets, much to the delight of our American cousins who are often complimentary ;)

[fantasy51]

 

The Queens Room Orchestra (across the fleet) begin their first set at 8.30pm. Prior to this, pre recorded Ballroom/ Latin music is available most evening (often in the daily programme each evening from 7.45 to 8.30pm)

 

Have things changed? Last time I was on QV (last August), the QRO started at 9.15. At that point we had dancing from 7.45 until 8.30, then 9.15 until midnight.

[Bell Boy]

I'm looking through my back dated copies of the Daily Programme from three separate trips I took in 2015 ( 2 on QM2 and 1 on Q Vic ) On several of the evenings both on QM & Vic the QRO started at 8.45pm with the exception of when the venue was used for the three cocktail receptions.

 

I notice from my back dated copies that QRO started their set at 9.15 whenever there was a Themed evening ( e.g. 175 Ball, Black/white Ball etc )

[fantasy51]

Thanks Bell Boy. That's very interesting to hear how things change from voyage to voyage. I've had at least 6 cruises on QV and have not known the QRO to start before 9.15. We've always had recorded music in that 8.30 time slot.

[Cassandra14]

The G32 would never ever be used for the early evening sequence dancing programme.

 

The procedure ; 45 minutes of 'Sequence dancing only', is usually arranged up to 'three evening' per voyage or cruise of seven days. On QM2 this will only take place in the Queens Room from 7.45 to 8.30pm. Providing there are enough couples to make it worth while for the Social Host/ess and a member of the production team to take care of the taped music. ( subject to the Ballroom not being used for the various cocktail parties/events)

 

The Queens Room Orchestra (across the fleet) begin their first set at 8.30pm. Prior to this, pre recorded Ballroom/ Latin music is available most evening (often in the daily programme each evening from 7.45 to 8.30pm)

 

When the QRO take their 15/20 mins break ( around 11pm) occasionally the Social Host may invite the Sequence dancers to take to floor for one or two sets, much to the delight of our American cousins who are often complimentary ;)

Thank you Bell boy and everyone else for your replies to my original question.

As I am a solo lady.,for me it also depends upon whether any of the Dance hosts can sequence dance....

 

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[Dancer Bob]

Talk to the Social Hostess as soon as you can, go to all the Singles parties. Stay flexible with dining times.

But it's not too hopeful. The hosts are provided by an American agency, I was told by a lady who was on QM2 at Christmas three of the six couldn't even keep time with the music.

Edited June 14, 2016 by Dancer Bob

[Bell Boy]

Talk to the Social Hostess as soon as you can, go to all the Singles parties. Stay flexible with dining times.

But it's not too hopeful. The hosts are provided by an American agency, I was told by a lady who was on QM2 at Christmas three of the six couldn't even keep time with the music.

 

Not all of them are provided by an American agencies Bob, there are also many from the UK who are provided by a company called 'Dance Afloat' ( Ipswich Suffolk)

 

Agree, not many of them have an interest in Sequence dance, however, there are often other single ladies who will partner another lady for the Sequence session.

[fantasy51]

I have found quite a few American Dance Hosts who have been interested to learn the sequence dancing, and will look for knowledgeable ladies to dance it with them, in order to teach them. Unfortunately I have also heard a couple of regular couples complaining about this and saying that it is stated clearly in the Daily Programme that the sequence dancing is not a teaching session. I found this to be a frustrating attitude. After all, I learnt my first sequence dancing from British hosts who were prepared to lead me in the steps.

[Marisawrite]

Obviously, ships departing from the UK have more chance of featuring some sequence dances as it is a predominantly British thing. However, in other parts of the world (apart from Australia) sequence is not usually danced.

 

I'm surprised to hear they do sequence dancing on Australian cruises. Is that because a lot of passengers are British?

 

Australia has its own version of sequence dancing called New Vogue. It's far more popular among ballroom dancers than sequence dancing is in the UK - most social ballroom dancers will know the 15 standard New Vogue dances and they are taught with the same attention to technique that ballroom dancing is.

 

In fact it's one of the things I miss, living in the UK. The Australian habit of interspersing the occasional New Vogue dance between "serious" ballroom dances is a nice way to socialise with other dancers and gives the brain a rest while keeping the feet moving!

[Slow Foxtrot]

I'm surprised to hear they do sequence dancing on Australian cruises. Is that because a lot of passengers are British?

 

Australia has its own version of sequence dancing called New Vogue. It's far more popular among ballroom dancers than sequence dancing is in the UK - most social ballroom dancers will know the 15 standard New Vogue dances and they are taught with the same attention to technique that ballroom dancing is.

 

In fact it's one of the things I miss, living in the UK. The Australian habit of interspersing the occasional New Vogue dance between "serious" ballroom dances is a nice way to socialise with other dancers and gives the brain a rest while keeping the feet moving!

 

The last time we visited Australia on a P & O World Cruise they did feature some sequence dancing in the nightly programme. Cunard certainly feature sequence dancing on their vessels that sail from the UK but not sure if this is still done when they get 'down under'.

 

As you know, your Australian 'New Vogue' is simply a different name for sequence dancing. We have dancing friends in Brisbane and I must agree that Australian dancers do seem to take sequence dancing more seriously than most of the Brits. And that's all for the better.

 

However, I'm not sure now that you are living in the UK why you should miss the Australian habit of interspersing the occasional sequence dances between ballroom dances. We dance in many parts of the UK and this format is used at most of the social dances we attend. And it is standard practise at the famous Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

 

Certainly agree that all dancing is a great way to socialise and, as you say, a little sequence dancing does give the brain a rest between the serious business of correct ballroom dancing.

[Marisawrite]

As you know, your Australian 'New Vogue' is simply a different name for sequence dancing.

Not quite. The New Vogue dancing is the same style as sequence dancing (a short routine of steps repeated, done in a circle), but the standard New Vogue dances were choreographed in Australia and are unknown in the UK.

 

In recent years, there's a handful of sequence dances which are sometimes included, but the great majority are the Australian ones.

 

However the major difference is how it's taught. In the UK, I was surprised to find that there are separate sequence dance schools and clubs, and that they don't focus on the established popular dances. UK sequence dancers seem to want to constantly learn new dances, and new ones are being invented all the time. Some dancers have learned hundreds of dances.

 

In Australia, you won't find any school that is dedicated to New Vogue, and if you go to a class at a ballroom dancing school, you'll learn the 15 competition New Vogue dances and maybe a couple of Sequence ones. Once you've got those under your belt, you will very rarely learn any more - you might attend repeat classes to refine your technique, but that's all. You won't find anyone who does New Vogue who is not a ballroom dancer first.

Edited June 14, 2016 by Marisawrite

[Slow Foxtrot]

Not quite. The New Vogue dancing is the same style as sequence dancing (a short routine of steps repeated, done in a circle), but the standard New Vogue dances were choreographed in Australia and are unknown in the UK.

 

In recent years, there's a handful of sequence dances which are sometimes included, but the great majority are the Australian ones.

 

However the major difference is how it's taught. In the UK, I was surprised to find that there are separate sequence dance schools and clubs, and that they don't focus on the established popular dances. UK sequence dancers seem to want to constantly learn new dances, and new ones are being invented all the time. Some dancers have learned hundreds of dances.

 

In Australia, you won't find any school that is dedicated to New Vogue, and if you go to a class at a ballroom dancing school, you'll learn the 15 competition New Vogue dances and maybe a couple of Sequence ones. Once you've got those under your belt, you will very rarely learn any more - you might attend repeat classes to refine your technique, but that's all. You won't find anyone who does New Vogue who is not a ballroom dancer first.

 

That's interesting because the vast majority of sequence dancers in this country are not competent ballroom dancers. They are generally elderly

and seem to dance for the social aspects. Nothing wrong with that. And yes, some of them know scores of sequence dances (in a fashion) and it always amazes me how some of these old couples remember them all.

 

In our experience, most keen ballroom dancers in the UK probably know about fifteen to twenty of the popular UK sequence dances and that is all they need. As a rule of thumb, if it's not danced at Blackpool then you don't need it. There are always things to learn in the ballroom and latin sectors so the priority lies there, not in new sequence dances.

 

I suppose that, technically, any dance performed by couples in a fixed sequence is a sequence dance. Where the dance is choreographed is irrelevent. Even our Old Time dances are a form of sequence dancing.

As a dancer I do like the Australian idea of taking sequence dancing seriously. That's not always the case in the UK but that's the way it is.

[Marisawrite]

That's interesting because the vast majority of sequence dancers in this country are not competent ballroom dancers. They are generally elderly

and seem to dance for the social aspects....

 

I suppose that, technically, any dance performed by couples in a fixed sequence is a sequence dance. Where the dance is choreographed is irrelevent.

 

Yes, your observation of sequence dance in the UK matches mine. On arrival in the UK, we planned to learn the standard sequence dances and almost booked on a sequence dance holiday with that in mind - but we then found out that the holiday involved learning newly choreographed dances, not the standard competition dances. Apparently studio owners are creating new dances constantly and for many sequence dancers, the focus is learning a new dance every week, not perfecting "old" ones, which is another reason for the lack of focus on technique.

 

I agree that technically, any dance performed in a sequence could be called sequence dancing, but if you ever visit Australia, please don't call New Vogue sequence dancing - you are likely to be shot at dawn. You have been warned!

Edited June 15, 2016 by Marisawrite

[Dancer Bob]

Oops, forgot I've seen ladies dancing together. Don't know if they were teachers, what do fantasy and Cassandra say- easy to switch roles or have to start from beginning? I've been impressed with calibre of sequence dancers on Cunard, not on P&O.

Very interesting about Danceafloat, especially they demand hosts be able to dance. Maybe Sixth Star has lost the contract? I checked them out years ago, all they wanted was an audition video- very worried about appearance but the total dancing requested was "some patterns". I'm not surprised partners who can actually dance complain so bitterly.

[Cassandra14]

Oops, forgot I've seen ladies dancing together. Don't know if they were teachers, what do fantasy and Cassandra say- easy to switch roles or have to start from beginning? I've been impressed with calibre of sequence dancers on Cunard, not on P&O.

Very interesting about Danceafloat, especially they demand hosts be able to dance. Maybe Sixth Star has lost the contract? I checked them out years ago, all they wanted was an audition video- very worried about appearance but the total dancing requested was "some patterns". I'm not surprised partners who can actually dance complain so bitterly.

No, Dancer Bob.....I would much rather dance with a man!😉

 

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[Colin_Cameron]

Very interesting about Danceafloat, ... Maybe Sixth Star has lost the contract?

 

Whatever happened to Lauretta Blake? Didn't she used to be the #1 supplier of dance hosts?

 

Thinking about it, it must have been about 20 years ago:eek:

 

Colin.

Edited June 16, 2016 by Colin_Cameron

[fantasy51]

Dancer Bob, like Cassandra I would much rather dance with a man. I spent my teenage years taking the man's part. (If a 2nd year dancer wanted to attend a beginners class they could do so for free if prepared to dance the man's part.) I have done some sequence dances with other ladies occasionally on board ship, and it is better than sitting out, but it is not the same.

 

As for difficulty level, if you dance the man's part often enough it is relatively easy to work it out for another dance as long as you have a competent female partner. You get into the pattern of translating the steps from female to male.

[fantasy51]

I agree that technically, any dance performed in a sequence could be called sequence dancing, but if you ever visit Australia, please don't call New Vogue sequence dancing - you are likely to be shot at dawn. You have been warned!

 

Hi Vic and Dorothy. I grew up in Melbourne and learnt what we called 'Old Time' dances. In 1981 I gained my silver sash medal. Shortly after that I changed dance schools and suddenly found it was called 'New Vogue', even though some of the dances were the same. I gained my Gold Star in 1987 before giving up dancing so I could concentrate on further studies.

 

In 1991 I moved to the UK and did not dance again until a Cunard cruise in November 2012. I was hooked. I tried the Argentine Tango the next year and then a couple of years ago I found a wonderful dance teacher who is teaching me how to follow his lead instead of actually dancing a set routine for medal tests. He has also taught me some sequence dances for cruises (and I found that dancing them correctly is very different from dancing them Cunard style, where so many people seem to have learnt steps and technique through 'Chinese whispers'). However, just for fun I thought I would like to learn an Old Time dance, just to be challenged a little more. He started me on the Gainsborough Glide. I was amazed when he started talking about 3rd position and 5th position. Evidently UK Old Time dancing has even more technique and discipline than did New Vogue in the 1980s and what we Australians used to call Old Time. Even the circular waltz is completely different from anything I have learnt, and I have to be aware of getting my feet into 3rd and 5th position at the appropriate times.

 

My question, then, is about current New Vogue in Australia. Is it as strict as UK Old Time, or is it more what it used to be when I learnt?

 

If you are interested, here is a video I found on youtube showing the Gainsborough Glide. It is not perfect but it is the best I can find.