Fortunately for those of us who have appreciated the joys of ballroom dancing over the years there is a current resurgence of interest in this most enjoyable and rewarding activity. Evidence this year's documentary and charming film, "Mad Hot Ballroom" a true tale of public schools throughout Manhattan and its boroughs where ballroom dancing is taught to students from primarily underprivileged families with the grand finale of a citywide competition to obtain a golden trophy awarded to the winning team ( school) for the year.

The dance lessons are wonderful to behold in the different schools.

The children's lives are actually changed in a most positive fashion through participating in this activity and the mastery they achieve by the time they compete is an inspiration to all of us. As one Principal says of a particular young man, this is a boy who couldn't focus and would certainly have wound up on the streets and possibly a criminal.

Of a little girl, another teacher comments that because of the dancing giving some meaning to her life she hasn't wound up in the Principal's office one time throughout the school year whereas she was there regularly in the past.

It is the dancing lessons themselves and the competition that is so wonderful to behold. All forms of ballroom dancing are taught from the Latin dances to the slow dances to swing. These kids really ROCK!

Even I learned some new enhancements watching this movie. Needless to say I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in ballroom dancing.

CAS

12/28/05