don robert asked:


It is said that dance is one of the oldest art forms known to man, and that it not only hones the body, but it improves the mind as well.  Being a rather vigorous form of movement, dancing is typically ideal for keeping the body toned, and is now even used as a means to lose excess and unwanted body weight.  Many people find this quite preferable to actually sweating out the unwanted pounds exercising in the gym, since dancing also produces the same euphoric feeling in people as working out.  Dancing, whereas once restricted to game shows, parties, and other social events, has even become an international competition where representatives of different countries can present their national pride on the dance floor, and the two most common types used for competition are ballroom dancing and hip hop dancing, a dance form that the Philippine All Stars singularly excels in.

The Philippine All Stars also present a unique example to other members of their generation, since it is not often that youths of their age get to represent their countries in a venue that the entire world gets to see.  Also quite unique is the fact that the Philippine All Stars is made up solely of a group of friends who were already together as a group even before they went to the competition, rather than just forming a group to participate in the international hip hop dance competition.  The group was able to represent the Philippines and ear the country additional fame by winning the World Gold title in the 2006 International Hip Hop Open in Italy, the first ever Asian country to do so.  The group also did the same in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Los Angeles, California.  2008 also saw the group doing their brand of on-stage magic in Las Vegas, Nevada, bagging the Gold in the World Hip Hop Dance Championships.

Other than national pride, the Philippine All Stars also seek to elevate the common notion often placed on dancers and dance groups, namely that of being second rate performers, by proving that what they do is only achieved by hard work, determination, team work, and true talent, something that is far from being second rate at all.  Prominence never left the group after their hugely successful foray into the dancing limelight, as they had numerous appearances in various venues, events, and TV shows following their wins on the international stage.  The Philippine All Stars were also largely successful in becoming positive role models for an untold number of aspiring youths all over Asia, inspiring numerous groups to actually try their mettle at forming an equally talented dance group and join popular dance competitions.



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Susan Bigmore asked:


One of the things that tend to stick in cruisers’ minds is the onboard entertainment. Gone are the days of second-rate entertainers and the same old shows. Today, a lot of effort is put in to organising entertainment on cruise ships and the entertainers could well be stars of the future. Who remembers Jane McDonald appearing on the documentary The Cruise? Also, Claire Sweeney, who appeared in Brookside, started off her career singing on cruise ships. You could also be wowed by stars from the present and past – I was pleased to see that Kelly Monteith (the American equivalent of Dave Allen) is going strong and can be seen on some Royal Caribbean cruises.

Inspired by my recent trip to see Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, I decided to find out more about the entertainment onboard having heard so much about it. Royal Caribbean prides itself on its entertainment programme. You could be forgiven for thinking you’re actually in the West End rather than in the Coral Theatre onboard Jewel of the Seas. Shows include “From West End to Broadway” featuring musical numbers from Cole Porter to Les Miserable, “City of Dreams” with music from artists such as Elton John and Celine Dion, and “Tango Buenos Aires” starring Argentine dancers and musicians. Shows are put on twice each night to tie in with the two dinner sittings, so you won’t miss out, and are not repeated during the cruise – just the thing for theatre lovers.

As well as being wowed in the Coral Theatre onboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, you can take part in numerous activities throughout the day, including gaming lessons (perfect for trying to make your fortune in the casino), game shows and piano lessons.

I went behind the scenes to ask Bobby Brown, the Cruise Director on Jewel of the Seas, a few questions about the entertainment onboard the ship. Born in Scotland, Bobby started his entertainment career at a very young 5 years old, competing in ballroom dancing competitions around the world. In 1998 he moved to London where he met his wife and together they competed professionally in ballroom dancing, reaching the rank of 19th in the world (a future dancer on Strictly Come Dancing perhaps). Bobby first started working in the cruise industry when he joined Sun Line Cruises in 1993 before moving to Royal Caribbean in 1995.

How long have you been in charge of entertainment on Jewel of the Seas?

Since November 2006, but I have been with Royal Caribbean International since 1995, when I started as cruise activities staff on Legend of the Seas. I moved to assistant cruise director in 1996 on Majesty of the Seas and was then promoted to Cruise Director in 1997. I have served on Legend of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas.

How far ahead do you plan the entertainment itinerary?

Guest entertainers can be booked as much as one year in advance, although we do have changes in the entertainment schedule sometimes just days before the start of the cruise. Guest activities are finalized only days before a cruise starts as we keep up to date with the final figures for guest demographics.

What is your favourite part of being in charge of entertainment?

Seeing smiles on the guests’ faces and hearing their comments about how much they enjoyed the entertainer.

Which show has been your favourite so far?

Ben Vereen (US star of stage and TV), Gordy Brown (singer impersonator who is big in Las Vegas) and Scott Record (US singing comedy impressionist).

Who is the most famous person you have had onboard providing entertainment?

Ben Vereen.

Inside Cruise: For those of you haven’t heard of Ben Vereen, he started his career in Broadway during the 1960s and has also appeared on TV (including Star Trek: The Next Generation and Grey’s Anatomy) and in films (including Funny Lady and All That Jazz).

Who would you like to have as part of the entertainment?

Scott Record, an incredible act. His show is unbelievable and I have seen him get a standing ovation in the first 10 minutes of his show. He is the only act I know that sings New York, New York as if it was skipping on an old juke box!

How many entertainment staff are onboard?

In all there are 71 onboard made up of 4 singers, 8 dancers, 25 musicians,11 technicians, 10 youth staff, 2 sports staff and 11 activities staff.

Phew! With such a range of quality entertainers and acts onboard you’ll be hard pushed to be bored on Jewel of the Seas.



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Jamien Taylor asked:


om dancing is the great way to lose your weight and get you in shape. However, you need to take some extra effort to learn how to dance ballroom dances. There are countless benefits of ballroom dancing including social interactive, friendship, exercises and etc. You will find out the most effective ways to learn ballroom dancing easily.

The first way, which you can try, is to watch ballroom dancing DVDs. Thanks to the media; ballroom dancing has become more and more popular in the last ten years. The most popular way to learn ballroom dance is via the instructional DVDs. So, try one, if you want to be able to set your own goals and learn at your own speed.

The second way is to use the Internet to your advantage. In this technological age, the Internet is a vast storehouse for information on everything, including how to learn ballroom dancing. Internet video courses are a great source, especially if you’re on a tight budget or you have a busy schedule.

The third way, which you may enjoy, is to go to a dance studio. However, learning from the professional dancers is the most effective way to improve your skill faster. The professionals at the dance studio can help you with any problems you may be having.

Fourth, you could try learning ballroom dancing through a college or university program. Many colleges offer such programs. An added benefit is that they give you college credits in physical education. Why not do something fun wile getting some college credit? It’s also a good way to learn because the courses are usually cheap. Actually, sometimes they are free.

A final option for you to consider, when it comes to ways to learn ballroom dancing, is to find yourself a dancing partner. If you have a friend or a family member who is interested, that would be great. However, even if you don’t, many people in dance classes are also alone. Think of partner up one of them. It’s a great way to help each other stay motivated.

There are many ways, as you can see. You should pick a method that works best for you. That means considering your free time, schedule and budget, of course. It also means choosing a method that you feel most comfortable with. So, if you want to learn ballroom dancing, do a little research and make the most of your ballroom dancing experience.

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Rafael Corney asked:


by Rafael Corney, dating coach

No surprise, given the popularity of shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, but dancing has become one of the hottest hobbies and sports – yes, sports – in the world today!!

Would you believe that a non-profit organization called USA DANCE is an affiliate member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and is recognized by both the USOC and the International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) as the National Governing Body of DanceSport in the United States? (DanceSport is the competitive version of ballroom dancing.)

What does this have to do with you?

My dating friend, whether lady or gent, you need to get your booty out there on that dance floor and kick up those heels, because dancing is where it’s at for today’s dynamic duos.

The benefits of dancing are amazing both for you as an individual as well as in your coupling efforts.

Let’s look at a few of them:

General Benefits

First, ballroom dancing gives you an enhanced appreciation of music and its rhythms. It will help your sense of balance, and promote more fluid movement in your walking and running.

You’ll make new types of relationships with others. Dancing with a partner in harmony gives you a more open, understanding, responsive, and supportive relationship both with your partner as well as with others. Overall, your outlook on life will become more positive.

Physical Benefits

Dancing is a great body conditioner, even if you can only manage to do it once a week. But if you can dance two or three times a week, you’ll increase your stamina, you’re your heart stronger, strengthen your legs, and generally tone your body. And as mentioned above, you’ll become more balanced, fluid, and flexible.

Mental Benefits

Mentally, dancing serves as a wonderful stress relief. A pressure-cooker day melts away when the evening eases you into the arms of your dance partner. Sleep that night is sound and sweet.

Becoming a competent dancer also provides an excellent learning experience in discipline, goal setting, planning, achievement, assuredness, self-confidence and pride in your abilities. These favorable attributes transfer into all other areas of your life as well. The payoff can be significant!

A third benefit involves that old saying “use it or lose it.”

Learning and remembering the many steps and movements required of the various dances provide a significant mental challenge and a constant stimulant to the brain. Surely this is why avid dancers usually remain mentally alert, regardless of age.

Social Benefits

A good dancer is a definite plus to social occasions — especially you men. If a man takes the time to become a skilled and confident, but not overly forceful leader, his presence is appreciated by every lady in the room. A good dancer does not need to be handsome to be popular. Similarly, a lady who is a good dancer radiates grace and charm, regardless of whether she is a physical beauty.

In both your business and professional life, you’ll be amazed at how your ability to dance affects your popularity and attractiveness to people of both sexes. And these days, with dancing as popular as it is, it is almost essential to be able to dance well in order to truly function at many social occasions.

When adults become involved with ballroom dancing they meet many new people who have a similar interest and develop lasting friendships with many of them. Many dancers say that ballroom dancing adds an entirely new and very beneficial dimension to their life.

In sum? Learn to dance: it is a valuable skill that will enhance your life in every way.



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Natalie Beck asked:


Are you tired of feeling as if you have two left feet when you are dancing with your significant other or friends? Or are you too afraid to dance because you are afraid that you will look silly or uncoordinated? There is a simple way to get over these feelings. You can take dance lessons and learn any type of dancing that you want, including ballroom dancing, line dancing, and more. These dance lessons can give you the confidence that you need to get out there and boogie with your friends or your spouse or significant other.

Can anyone learn to dance with dance lessons? Yes, they can. Depending upon how much time and effort you put into the dance lessons, you can come out having a working knowledge of dancing, so that you can dance in public with some confidence and flair. These lessons can give your skills some help and can make you look less conspicuous in social situations where dancing is included. You want to get the most from your dance lesson time, so that you will get the results that you are looking for. How do you get the most from your time spent taking dance lessons?

-Determine what your goal is. What is your goal from the dance lessons that you are taking? Do you want to just be more comfortable dancing in public or do you want to learn a particular dance inside and out for a special occasion like a wedding or other event? Either way, you want to discuss these goals with your instructor, so that they understand what your goals are and can help you achieve them.

-Be prepared to take direction. Listen to the directions of your instructor and carefully follow through with their hints and tips. If you have issues with control, you will want to leave these issues at home for your dance lessons. You want to allow the instructor to teach you to allow you to meet your goal.

-Practice, practice, practice. As with anything, it is important that you practice the skills that your instructor teaches you between lessons. Practicing your dancing can give you the additional push that you need to meet your dance goals. Even with dancing, practicing can help you to make the dancing a habit, so that you don’t have to think about it. This will make your dancing more natural and easy.

-Don’t skip lessons. Regular lessons will build on each other to help you meet your dance goals. If there is too much time between the lessons, your instructor may have to repeat topics that you learned in earlier lessons, because they will not build upon each other as designed. By taking regular lessons and practicing the skills that you learn between the lessons, you can get much better results and meet your dancing goal much sooner.

Dance lessons can give you self-confidence in your dance skills and in social situations. By setting a dance goal, listening to your instructor, practicing, and taking regular lessons, you can get learn how to dance for that special occasion or just for fun.



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Derek Both asked:


There are various different reasons why people put on a pair of ice skates as there are many different varieties of skating. The list is pretty much endless of every category there is so it is nearly impossible to cover all of them at once. However, certain types are more popular and more well known than others.

Figure skating has become more and more popular over recent decades thanks to ice skates becoming more advanced. Whereas before people were limited in their movements because of the way ice skates were made, nowadays skaters are able to perform all sorts of fancy movements.

In figure skating alone there are several different categories such as singles, pairs, ice dance and synchronised skating. Single skating is the most popular form of figure skating because new ice skates have enabled people to perform jumps, spins and dances to music. The sport has come a long way since it first began as people only used to do it for pleasure whereas now there are competitions held all over the world every year.

Pair ice skating is probably the most interesting and exciting form of skating to watch because more complex moves can be performed such as lifts. Again, many people enter competitions into pair ice skating every year.

If you are looking for fun and thrills when you put your ice skates on then ice dancing is definitely the way to get this. It is best described as ballroom dancing on ice as skaters dance waltzes, foxtrots and any other kind of dance that you can think of. Not only is this a fun way of getting some exercise, it is a true challenge that will make you feel great once you have mastered the art.

Although you don’t see or hear much about synchronised swimming, it is one of the more popular forms of figure skating. It is conducted by a team of skaters which usually ranges from 12 to 20 people and they perform routines in unison to music. If you manage to find somewhere that shows this type of skating it is a great form of entertainment and is guaranteed to inspire you to dig out your ice skates.

There are so many different kinds of ice skating that there is one to suit everyone. Whether you are young, old, beginner, advanced, athletic or not, you are bound to find a style that suits you.



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Davidson asked:


I would consider myself a regular on free dating sites in Canada. Dating sites are one of the most interesting things that have been invented in the dating industry. First-off they’re free, you get to meet and date lots of interesting guys from across Canada. If I really think about it, I wouldn’t have much a of a social life were it not for free dating sites in Canada! At 28, I work as a sales manager in a confectionary store. I have a passion for ballroom dancing and theatre. Though I dated some nice guys during my university career it’s fair to say that men I meet on free dating sites in Canada are more interesting.

A year ago near Christmas, I was browsing through some profiles of men on free dating sites in Canada. I stumbled upon one man, Pierce’s profile. I don’t know what it was that made his profile so special, but he was handsome, and had a muscular body. Anyways, I left Pierce a message in hopes he would want to chat a bit, and sure enough, within ten minutes, he replied.

As we chatted, a strange connection developed between the two of us, Pierce had many funny jokes and was very courteous, it didn’t feel like this was our first time chatting, we became comfortable with each other very quickly. Before we know it, more than four hours had passed on the free dating site in Canada.

For next two months, we met regularly and chatted. Eventually we realized it might be smart to post profiles on a few other free dating sites in Canada, incase one site went down for a while, sort of as a type of free dating site insurance.

One day while chatting on different free dating sites in Canada, Pierce revealed to me that he was falling in love with a woman with that he talks to frequently for his business. Before I could respond, he clarified that he had never even met her; it was only through phone calls and messaging that he was able to talk to her. I was disappointed as I felt that Pierce and I were really connecting, I was curious to find out who this woman that he spoke so highly of was, so I asked him casually about the woman. Pierce sensed my insecurity. He told that he would have a chance to interact with a food chain store manager, this peaked my curiosity. When Pierce told me the company name, I nearly fell out of my seat. It was my company! Unknowingly to me, Pierce had been the representative I had been dealing with, and until we met each other on the free online dating site in Canada, neither of us was the wiser.

Joe and I have been going strong for over a year and we are thankful to free dating sites in Canada for introducing us to each other.



ballroom dancing

Susan Bigmore asked:


One of the things that tend to stick in cruisers’ minds is the onboard entertainment. Gone are the days of second-rate entertainers and the same old shows. Today, a lot of effort is put in to organising entertainment on cruise ships and the entertainers could well be stars of the future. Who remembers Jane McDonald appearing on the documentary The Cruise? Also, Claire Sweeney, who appeared in Brookside, started off her career singing on cruise ships. You could also be wowed by stars from the present and past – I was pleased to see that Kelly Monteith (the American equivalent of Dave Allen) is going strong and can be seen on some Royal Caribbean cruises.

Inspired by my recent trip to see Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, I decided to find out more about the entertainment onboard having heard so much about it. Royal Caribbean prides itself on its entertainment programme. You could be forgiven for thinking you’re actually in the West End rather than in the Coral Theatre onboard Jewel of the Seas. Shows include “From West End to Broadway” featuring musical numbers from Cole Porter to Les Miserable, “City of Dreams” with music from artists such as Elton John and Celine Dion, and “Tango Buenos Aires” starring Argentine dancers and musicians. Shows are put on twice each night to tie in with the two dinner sittings, so you won’t miss out, and are not repeated during the cruise – just the thing for theatre lovers.

As well as being wowed in the Coral Theatre onboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, you can take part in numerous activities throughout the day, including gaming lessons (perfect for trying to make your fortune in the casino), game shows and piano lessons.

I went behind the scenes to ask Bobby Brown, the Cruise Director on Jewel of the Seas, a few questions about the entertainment onboard the ship. Born in Scotland, Bobby started his entertainment career at a very young 5 years old, competing in ballroom dancing competitions around the world. In 1998 he moved to London where he met his wife and together they competed professionally in ballroom dancing, reaching the rank of 19th in the world (a future dancer on Strictly Come Dancing perhaps). Bobby first started working in the cruise industry when he joined Sun Line Cruises in 1993 before moving to Royal Caribbean in 1995.

How long have you been in charge of entertainment on Jewel of the Seas?

Since November 2006, but I have been with Royal Caribbean International since 1995, when I started as cruise activities staff on Legend of the Seas. I moved to assistant cruise director in 1996 on Majesty of the Seas and was then promoted to Cruise Director in 1997. I have served on Legend of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas.

How far ahead do you plan the entertainment itinerary?

Guest entertainers can be booked as much as one year in advance, although we do have changes in the entertainment schedule sometimes just days before the start of the cruise. Guest activities are finalized only days before a cruise starts as we keep up to date with the final figures for guest demographics.

What is your favourite part of being in charge of entertainment?

Seeing smiles on the guests’ faces and hearing their comments about how much they enjoyed the entertainer.

Which show has been your favourite so far?

Ben Vereen (US star of stage and TV), Gordy Brown (singer impersonator who is big in Las Vegas) and Scott Record (US singing comedy impressionist).

Who is the most famous person you have had onboard providing entertainment?

Ben Vereen.

Inside Cruise: For those of you haven’t heard of Ben Vereen, he started his career in Broadway during the 1960s and has also appeared on TV (including Star Trek: The Next Generation and Grey’s Anatomy) and in films (including Funny Lady and All That Jazz).

Who would you like to have as part of the entertainment?

Scott Record, an incredible act. His show is unbelievable and I have seen him get a standing ovation in the first 10 minutes of his show. He is the only act I know that sings New York, New York as if it was skipping on an old juke box!

How many entertainment staff are onboard?

In all there are 71 onboard made up of 4 singers, 8 dancers, 25 musicians,11 technicians, 10 youth staff, 2 sports staff and 11 activities staff.

Phew! With such a range of quality entertainers and acts onboard you’ll be hard pushed to be bored on Jewel of the Seas.



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