The Impact of Vernon and Irene Castle By Brigitt Mayer-Karakis
Vernon and Irene Castle were the first big international exponents of “modern dancing.” They were instrumental in launching the ballroom dance “craze” of the 1920s, taught private lessons and appeared at fashionable parties.
Timothy Palmer 1934 competition and demonstrations
This 1934 film clip from London shows Timmy (Timothy) Palmer wearing no. 34 during a dance competition and also giving two studio demonstrations (wearing moustache) with second partner being (blond) Edna Deane his...
Victor Silvester, the father of strict tempo music By Brigitt Mayer-Karakis
Victor Silvester was instrumental in the development of British social ballroom dancing on many levels. He was one of the first recorded World champions, developing the strict tempo music that helped dancers at...
PJ Richardson, administrative master By Brigitt Mayer-Karakis
Philip Richardson, popularly known as P.J., was responsible for giving British ballroom dancing its administrative foundation, without which it would not have gained and sustained its pole position for so many decades. Lyndon...
Elsa Wells (Bakstansky) and The International By Brigitt Mayer-Karakis
The goddess of dance – beautiful, elegant, regal, warm and generous,and a lady with immense energy; this is how her contemporaries described Elsa Wells. She “gave birth” to one of England’s largest championships which has been running since 1953, The International at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
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