Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing in the UK used to be seen as something rather unfashionable that old people might do. For the past five years though, the popularity of ballroom dancing has soared thanks to a reality TV show. 'Strictly Come Dancing' is one of the BBC's big TV shows. Millions of people tune in every Saturday night to watch the show which airs from September right up to Christmas.
In the show a number of professional ballroom dancers each partner up with a celebrity. Every week they have to learn a different ballroom dance and perform it live on TV on the Saturday night. Four judges, all of whom have a background in professional dance, give the celebrities scores and comments about their dances. It's then up to the public to call in and vote for their favourite couple. The two least favourite then have to dance again and the judges decide who stays in the competition and who leaves.
The show demonstrates how glamorous ballroom dancing is. The celebrities get to wear colourful dresses and sequined suits to dance in, and it looks like a lot of fun. The TV programme also shows what good exercise it can be to ballroom dance and what hard work is involved in learning the dances and performing them properly.
Dance schools around the country have seen a boost in the numbers of people wanting to learn how to dance. And it's not only older people who're interested. Lots of children and young people in their 20s are keen to learn.
The format for the show has been copied in lots of countries around the world. In America, the show is called 'Dancing with the Stars'.
So you can forget your usual exercise - why not learn a foxtrot, a tango or a jive or for the less energetic, a waltz perhaps. It's the trendy thing to do!
~News from BBC.
More and more people learn ballroom dancing,even children are interested in it.It is like to be a fashion exercise these days.And the news reminds me of a movie"Shall We Dance?”(中譯:來跳舞吧!)It talks about a man, Mr.Clark(acted by Richard Gere),who has a successful job and a perfect family but still felt that his life is not complete.As a result,he went to a dancing class trying to find some passion in his life.There,he met some friends,each of whom has his own reason to learn ballroom dancing.They even entered their names to participate in the dancing competition.Although they didn't win a price,their hardworking and passion let the assistant teacher(acted by Jennifer Lopez)burn the enthusiasm again to the dancing.And she decided to go back to the Blackpool where she failed last time fighting for her dream she desires her whole life.It is a good movie full of love,friendship,courage,and also humor.If you haven't watched the movie before,you should rent it when you are free.