Ballroom

From the internationally acclaimed author of Wake comes a haunting story of love, insanity, and revolution set at the brink of the Great War. Yorkshire, England, 1911: After a moment of defiance at the factory where she has worked since she was a child, Ella Fay finds herself an unwilling patient at the Sharston Asylum. Ella knows she is not mad, but she might have to learn to play the game before she can make a true bid for freedom. John Mulligan is a chronic patient, frozen with grief since the death of his child, but when Ella runs towards him one morning in an attempt to escape the place where he has found refuge, everything changes. It is in the ornate ballroom at the centre of the asylum, where the male and female patients are allowed to gather every Friday evening to dance, that Ella and John begin a tentative, secret correspondence that will have shattering consequences, as love and the possibility of redemption are set against one ambitious doctor's eagerness to make his mark in the burgeoning field of eugenics, at all costs. Set over the heatwave summer of 1911, at a time when England was at the point of revolt, The Ballroom is a tale of unlikely love and dangerous obsession, of madness and sanity, and of who gets to decide which is which.

As Tatara and Chinatsu dance for the future of their partnership, they catch the attention of top competitor Masami Kugimiya. Watching them clash, memories of Kugimiya’s own journey from wide-eyed beginner to top-ranked talent force him to confront the sacrifices he’s made and the passion he’s lost in his fight to be the best. Now, everything comes down to the final round of the tournament, and both teams must rely on the styles that have brought them this far–whatever the consequences.

Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom is, like New York's CBGB's and Los Angeles's Whiskey a Go-Go, one of the most venerated rock clubs in the world; originally built in 1930, it's hosted a who's-who of music greats before they made it big: The Police, The Clash, Blondie, Talking Heads, Nirvana, New York Dolls, U2, and, more recently, Lady Gaga and the White Stripes. Filled with never-before-published photographs, posters, and paraphernalia, Live at the Commodore is a visceral, energetic portrait of one of the world's great rock venues. Aaron Chapman is a musician and journalist, and the author of Liquor, Lust, and the Law.

Competitive ballroom is much more than a style of dance. Rather, it is a continually evolving and increasingly global social and cultural arena: of fashion, performance, art, sport, gender and more. Ballroom explores the intersection of dance cultures, dress and the body. Presenting the author's experiences at an international range of dance events in Europe, the US and UK, as well as featuring the views of individual dancers, the book shows how dancing influences mind and body alike. For students of anthropology, dance, cultural and performance studies, Ballroom provides an ethnographic picture of how dancers and others live their lives both on and off the dance floor.

The Ballroom is a brutally frank memoir of what has become known as one of the most pivotal, fascinating and influential periods of Australian musical and cultural history. The story is illustrated with original flyers and candid photos, some never before seen or published.

This dynamic collection documents the rich and varied history of social dance and the multiple styles it has generated, while drawing on some of the most current forms of critical and theoretical inquiry. The essays cover different historical periods and styles; encompass regional influences from North and South America, Britain, Europe, and Africa; and emphasize a variety of methodological approaches, including ethnography, anthropology, gender studies, and critical race theory. While social dance is defined primarily as dance performed by the public in ballrooms, clubs, dance halls, and other meeting spots, contributors also examine social dance’s symbiotic relationship with popular, theatrical stage dance forms. Contributors are Elizabeth Aldrich, Barbara Cohen-Stratyner, Yvonne Daniel, Sherril Dodds, Lisa Doolittle, David F. García, Nadine George-Graves, Jurretta Jordan Heckscher, Constance Valis Hill, Karen W. Hubbard, Tim Lawrence, Julie Malnig, Carol Martin, Juliet McMains, Terry Monaghan, Halifu Osumare, Sally R. Sommer, May Gwin Waggoner, Tim Wall, and Christina Zanfagna.

Do you know your Botafago from your Volta Cross? Ever wondered how the Foxtrot got its name? Why is the Quick Step so quick? Which is easier, the standard Ballroom dances or the Latin ones? If you don't know the answer to most of these questions but fancy yourself as something of an armchair aficionado when it comes to Ballroom dancing, this book is for you. It will lead you into the wonderful world of Ballroom and teach you everything you need to know, without, if necessary, you even having to reach for your dancing shoes. As you'll soon discover, B is for Ballroom does exactly what the title suggests. Set out in an A to Z format it's the ultimate companion for anyone interested in Ballroom - whether you're nine years old or over ninety. It will teach you everything you need to know about this most beloved form of dance without you even having to take a class, break a leg or be dragged across the floor.

As the continued success of Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Come Dancing reveals, the appetite for ballroom remains insatiable around the world. Ballroom Dance and Glamour offers a fascinating window into the global phenomenon of competitive dance. Including vibrant photographs and commentary, this book showcases the extraordinary costumes, glamorous dancers and elegance of the sport. Based on years of research at international competitions, esteemed anthropologist, photographer and ballroom dancer Jonathan S. Marion provides a unique insight into this performance art, outlining the history and basics of ballroom and explaining its huge appeal today. Offering a visual journey into the world of dance, Ballroom Dance and Glamour illuminates the beauty, skill, intensity and passion of this sport. Written in a lively and accessible manner, Ballroom Dance and Glamour will delight all dancers, dance and fashion enthusiasts and anyone captivated by the skill and glamour of ballroom dance.