January 2008

January is traditionally the month for fresh starts and new beginnings, and in this issue we have exclusive interviews with two couples who’ll be embracing this in very different ways during 2008. In the run-up to the UK Open Championships this month, Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry talk about their new partnership, which marks a welcome return to competition for Hazel; while Paul Richardson and Olga Rodionova tell us about their recent retirement and subsequent plans for the future. If you’re in need of some inspiration for the year ahead, take a look at the New Year’s resolutions of some of the top names in dance on page 20. I’m going to take a leaf out of Erin Boag’s book and try to learn a new style this year, and if you’re looking for a class, the listings section beginning on page 65 is a useful starting point. Remember, if you run classes or events and would like to promote them, these listings are free of charge. Lastly, what better time for us to launch our brand new website, where you’ll find top picks from the magazine each month as well as exclusive online content, news, competitions, and much more. Enjoy!
Katie Gregory

In this month's issue    

6 News
From Move It 2008 to the new Dancers’ Health Scheme
9 Letters
Tell us what you think!
10 DanceScene
The British National Dance Championships; The 2007 World Professional Ballroom Championships;
New Year... new resolution; BDF page
24 A new chapter
Alison Gallagher-Hughes talks to Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry about their new partnership
30 The “Strictly” effect
Rachelle Stretch asks how “Strictly Come Dancing” has affected competitive dance
35 Take your partners
Katie Gregory takes part in a ballroom and Latin class with a difference courtesy of Simply Dancing Partners
40 Just like coming home
Alison Gallagher-Hughes talks to Latin champions Paul Richardson and Olga Rodionova about their retirement

45 From the floor to the field
Crispin Andrews finds out about the role of dance within mainstream sport, focusing on the Maori haka
48 Dynamic balance
The three principles: Benoit Drolet offers ways to improve movement quality
53 Review
Julie Burns saw Viva La Diva at The Lowry, Salford
55 DVD reviews
Katie Gregory tests dance fitness DVDs Latinatone, Strictly Come Dancersize and DanceXtreme
56 Sequence section:
Diary dates for 2008 by Helen Blackburn
58 Redcliffe Foxtrot by Ray Fenton-Storey and Lissia Giles
60 Times Square Tango by Graham and Avril Watkins
62 Variations:
A simple sparkler in Foxtrot by Steven Verrall

63 A simple sparkler in Samba by Pamela McGill
64 Competition diary
Dates for January
65 Listings
Dance around the UK
74 The last dance
A delightful evening in 40 years ago this month and The Ball-Room Guide

Exclusive online content
Embracing tango
Troop at the Purcell Room
53rd Anniversary Ball

On the cover: a scene from the World Championships, November 2007 at Blackpool showing Evgeny Kazmirchuk and Julia Spesivtseva in the foreground. Photograph by Derek Drury.