A competition is held for 10 year olds in New York City
which covers the whole town.

The film follows the training of the dancers and the
competition. Think of a cross between Spellbound and
Strictly Ballroom.

What you see in the film is this group of kids gaining
poise, confidence and style-- things which, in an ideal
world, would be a part of everyone's upbringing. For myself,
it made me sad that I never had such an experience. But
the film is fast-moving and joyful. You can see the fun the
dance teachers are having in this activity.

This film shows everything rather than telling it. That's
what a good film does.

The film is available at libraries just about everywhere.

I've seen most if not all of the Astaire films and the tv shows
"An Evening With..." as well (one is which my other fave, Ken Nordine
was one of the guests.)

Dance music and performance pieces choreographed by Hermes Pan
are two different things. Astaire worked in the popular medium
but it is hardly the vernacular. There's style and grace of Astaire
(something I've aspired to but never came close too-- who could?)
and the athleticism of Gene Kelly. But there's this other
guy (not Ann Miller) who was _really_ athletic and I cannot
think of his name, he does one routine-- I should say did --
where he was in a gymnasium setting, was doing something on a trapeze,
took his landing flat and broke his back. It's startling
because I believe the scene remains in the picture which I've
only seen once.

But no, ballroom dancing, swing and polka are not about watching,
they are about participation even if it's just tapping your feet
to the beat.

One of the few films I've ever walked out on was "All That Jazz",
the self-referential pic by and about Bob Fosse.

As I'm thinking about this, Bobby Van stands out as one of the
smoothest leading man dancers. That's the Bobby Van who
wrote "Route 66" and sold to Nat King Cole to perform.

Wait. Bobby Troupe the pianist wrote "Route 66."

Women dancers are more tricky to pick for moves because
the man is usually the show-stopper. Can you name a few?

Which reminds me that I have to look up some bio on
Mussett Vander, one of the evil aliens on Stargate SG1 (season 5).