I hear Warner Leisure Hotels are running Strictly Come Dancing breaks next year with some of the Judges, celebs and dancers.... has anyone heard anything?

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Following the sad death of Dirty Dancing's Patrick Swayze, we simply had to pay our own tribute at Dancefriend by putting up a clip of the famous "Time of My Life' dance. I would love to know what everyone's memories are of the first time they saw Dirty Dancing and how it inspired your love of dancing. Try and watch it without shedding a tear.

Click Here to watch.

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Two of the most popular shows on TV have gone to head to head as they battle against each other in the prime time Saturday night slot. Do you prefer the cringe worthy attempts at singing on X Factor or the fox-trot and a bit of celebrity gossip on a Saturday night? I'm torn between the two!

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A wedding video uploaded to YouTube only last week has received six million hits already, taking the usually mediocre wedding video posts to an all time high!
Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz energetically danced their way to the alter with the help of their entourage of bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers etc. Swinging their hips and strutting their stuff down aisle to Chris Brown's 2008 song, Forever, the group entertained the suprised guests before saying their vows.

Click Here to watch the hilarious video.

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On the 25th of June Michael Jackson collapsed at his rented mansion in Los Angeles. Jackson went into cardiac arrest and suffered a heart attack. He was known world-wide and will be missed greatly.
As a child Michael was part of ‘The Jackson 5’, a popular family music group from Gary, Indiana. Michael was the seventh of nine children. His father was the key motivation for The Jackson 5. Michael has credited his father’s strict discipline as playing a large part in his success.
Michael’s distinctive musical sound influenced many hip hop, pop and R&B artists across several generations. He was a successful singer-song writer, record producer, musical arranger, dancer, choreographer, author, businessman and most importantly, a father. Michael married twice and had three children, this caused further controversy that damaged his public image. Jackson supported 39 charities, of which he donated and raised millions of dollars for.

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Dancefriend is very shocked and upset to hear reports that Eithne Walls, 29, a former member of the Riverdance troupe, was on board the doomed Air France plane.

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This year's festival will take place on the 4th & 5th July 2009.

The London Youth Dance Day is a much loved fixture on the youth dance calendar. With a carousel of open air performances animating the area surrounding the Mayor's Office, this is a not to be missed event for audience and performers alike.

More than forty youth dance companies from London and beyond come together each day to produce this back to back programme of uplifting dance performances. From contemporary to bhangra, cheerleading to street dance and circus to ballet there is sure to be something to set your feet tapping! Punctuated by mini performance demos by professional companies and artists the London Youth Dance Day is a rare chance to experience the energy and vibe created by dance in the open air.

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This coming March the UK’s biggest dancing exhibition brings together every style of dance under one roof for three fantastic days. At MOVE IT 2009 you can watch 100 live performances, take your pick of 250 dance classes from every genre and meet up to 160 dance suppliers. Lose those inhibitions and bring those dancing shoes, this is one show not to be missed and here are some good reasons why!

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So, did you all enjoy this weekends installment of Strictly as much as we did? We hope so.
And if , by chance, you missed it, have a quick read of our DanceFriend analysis...

This week it was the boys turn again to perform a solo dance and first off the blocks was our all time FAVE, Austin and of course his lovely lady partner, Erin. They performed a high energy Jive routine to 'You Can't Stop the Beat' from the musical Hairspray and it went down really really well with the judges, "He did it like a master," said Bruno. Even sour-faced Craig agreed, saying "That was absolutely brilliant." "You have set the standard for Strictly series six" added Arlene. And the best bit of all, while we were waiting for the judges scores TEss managed to get Austin to show us his muscles.... Rarrrrr!
Scores: Craig 8, Arlene 8, Len 9, Bruno 9. Total 34.

Next to perform were Mark and his partner Hayley who performed a less than inspiring Tango to Tanguera by Sexteto Mayor. The judges were nice and aid that they were getting better but Len and Craig both said that the opening of the choreography was a bit 'mincey' ( maybe he had been taking camp lesson s from TOM!) Arlene thought that Mark needed more charisma. "You do have the ability to dance" she said, "but Hayley, get this man to an acting coach!"
Scores: Craig 5, Arlene 5, Len 7, Bruno 7. Total 24.

Then Gary & Karen took their turn to jive it up with a piece performed to Lipstick, Powder and Paint by Shakin' Stevens. ANd overall it got a very poor response from the judges who criticized everything from the footwork, to the flatness of the overall performance.
Scores: Craig 3, Arlene 4, Len 6, Bruno 5. Total 18.

Next it was our second favorites John and Kristina who performed a very nice Tango to Tony Bennett's Boulevard of Broken Dreams. While the perfromance was solid, the judges felt it lacked attitutde and that Johns was " far too nice for the dance'.
Scores: Craig 3, Arlene 6, Len 6, Bruno 7. Total 22.

After a quick break for the DanceFriend team, (we were so excited we had to go for a breath of fresh air to calm down,) we were back just in time to catch Andrew & Ola's Tango who performed to Bang Tango's version of Twentieth Century Boy. While overall it wasn't bad it was the head-banging ( at 1 minute 37) that caught our eye, and the judges too! What was that all about he looked like he was trying to do the funky chicken!
Scores: Craig 4, Arlene 6, Len 7, Bruno 5. Total 22.

Next in line were the slightly smug Tom & Camilla, (who if you ask us, know they are good and can't stop smiling about it), who danced a sensuous Jive to Sam Sparro's Black and Gold. The dance was good but Toms hands still lack and line and seem to look a bit floppy and 'spare' in places! But the judges loved it and scored the: Craig 7, Arlene 8, Len 9, Bruno 9. Total 33.

And last but not least were, Don & Lilia who danced a Tango to Whatever Lola Wants by Gotan Project.ANd credit to them it was a passionate and dramatic dance. Bruno said he'd been able to "feel the menace, feel the drama". "That was a fantastic routine", agreed Craig, with Arlene describing it as "Masterful."
Scores: Craig 7, Arlene 7, Len 8, Bruno 8. Total 30.

Then came the turn of the girls to perform a great group performance. Obviously Rachel's performance was good but we also really liked Christina. SHe really threw herself into it and it showed- she looked FAB!

After all that fun it was time for a break but as soon as we could say "Strictly is the best TV show ever", it was time for Sunday's results show and surprise surprise, it was MArk and Gary in the dance off.

And Mark did look 100 times better than in his first round, where as Gary, bless him, really did try, but just looked uncomfortable and stiff – bit like a good dad dance! And the judges agreed, making Gary Rhodes the third celebrity to be eliminated for this season of Strictly Come Dancing.

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