Waltz, Rumba, Samba & Tango, Cha Cha & Jive in East London

Posted in Ballet & Dance Schools, Teachers | Education & Training | Lifestyle

If you have ever watched Strictly Come Dancing or Dancing With The Stars you will understand the phenomenon that is Ballroom and Latin American Dancing. Once the domain of highly trained dancers, today it has become one of reality televisions favourite shows, attracting a wide range of well known personalities and celebrities including politicians, television presenters, actors and sports men and women as well as millions of avid viewers.

These reality TV shows have awakened the public to the fact that ballroom dancing is beautiful and in terms of desirability, very current. Anyone who has an interest can learn how to glide beautifully across the dance floor in an elegant Viennese Waltz or heat up the room with a steamy hot Paso Doble – no prior experience necessary. All that is needed is a love of movement, a willingness to learn something new and… ample lashings of self discipline. As the old adage goes, the more you practice, the better you become, it just takes will and determination … and you will never look back.

Local Senior Ballroom Pair – Ben Niehaus and Belinda Smith competing.

A local senior dance pair who have never looked back are Ben Niehaus and Belinda Smith, who have been dancing together for the past 2 1/2 years. Their love of ballroom dancing and their determination to be the best they can be, saw them travelling back and forth between East London and Port Elizabeth to both practice and compete – unaware of any facilities available locally here in East London.

The impracticality of the situation was relieved when they took part in a local ballroom dancing competition held in East London, where they were crowned the winners in the Senior Competition. As the only white dance pair to enter the competition, both Ben and Belinda said they were overwhelmed and humbled when they received thunderous applause when taking to the floor for their dance. Their welcome was so warm that both Belinda and Ben claim it was one of the most moving experiences of their lives.

It was here that they met local Latin American & Ballroom instructor and owner of the Rise & Shine Dance Club, Mzi Sididi, who teaches ballroom dancing classes at Walter Sisulu University in addition to running classes at two different venues in East London; Turnbull Hall in Patterson Street and Park Ridge Club in Parkside. An Adult Ballroom Champ, Mzi is only one level below being a Professional Ballroom Dancer and has competed nationally at the Regional Champs, Inter Provincial Champs, SA Champs and World Trials.

He is passionate about ballroom dancing and loves teaching all levels including junior, youth, adult and seniors. His face lights up as he explains how the sport teaches the young children life skills including cleanliness, discipline and how to speak to adults. His free classes in disadvantaged communities such as Parkside means that the children who come to his classes learn discipline and goal setting and their dancing achievements helps build their self-confidence – even when their home circumstances are less than ideal.

Ben and Belinda were thrilled to find out that Mzi offered dance classes across all groups right here in East London and the senior dance pair have happily joined the Rise & Shine Dance Club where they practice under the guidance and tutoring of Mzi. They are so happy with the venue and the warm people that they have taken it upon themselves to help Mzi achieve one of his ambitions, to have a rainbow representation of ballroom dancers in East London, who will one day represent East London and the Eastern Cape nationally and internationally in ballroom competitions.

Chin up, chest out, put your best foot forward. – Fred Astair

They plan to introduce Ballroom Dancing to schools in and around East London and the dance couple along with Mzi and some of the students are happy to do demonstrations at schools who show an interest in finding out more about the sport. At R250 for 2 x 1 hour weekly sessions for children (R300 for adults), this is an affordable extra mural, and is a wonderful alternative for the children who are not interested in the standard school sporting curriculum. If there are sufficient students interested at a school, Mzi is happy to offer the classes at the school.

And for the Parkside class that is so close to Mzi’s heart, it is his hope that the public can help with donations of leotards, T-shirts, white shirts, black pants and old school shoes so that his young stars of tomorrow can dress up and feel smart when they perform. If you would like to donate, please contact Mzi Sididi on 082 534 7879 or consider dropping off your items at Niehaus McMahon Attorneys in Western Avenue, or at The Stationery and Branding Shop on Devereux Avenue in Vincent.

So if you know of a school who may be interested in giving ballroom dancing a try, or are an avid fan of ballroom dancing reality shows and have always dreamed of giving it a go, why not contact Mzi to find out what he can offer you. He also offers private classes by appointment. Who knows, we will hopefully soon see some East London Latin American and Ballroom dance pairs burning up the dance floor on the national and international stage. Ben has also agreed to take calls on his cell (082 569 8751) to answer to those wanting to begin dancing themselves.