The Week of the Waltz

Posted on October 7, 2014

In a bid to get Britain waltzing, former Strictly Come Dancing stars Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone will be joining forces with superstar violinist André Rieu (all pictured) to launch the Week of the Waltz.

As Dance Today readers will know, learning to waltz has a positive effect on both your physical and psychological condition. Not only does dancing burn calories, it increases circulation, decreases blood pressure as well as reducing stress – releasing endorphins, which lighten your mood. It is the perfect way to help the nation through dark winter evenings, and the pressures of everyday life.

From November 1 to 9, waltz parties will be held across the country by members of the public who apply to take part (details below). Each host will be sent a complete Waltz Party Box, which includes everything they need for such an event – decorations, food, drink, music and, most important, the special “How To Waltz” DVD instructions from Vincent and Flavia, with words of encouragement from André as well.

Flavia Cacace says: “The waltz is THE original ballroom dance. The feeling you get when moving around the dancefloor with a partner – be it stranger or loved one – is hard to top! Good for your heart in more ways than one, the health benefits are reason alone to give it a go and, unlike many forms of exercise, it is a joy. Old, young, male, female – this is something everyone can try. Those three simple, repetitive steps take a moment to learn, but before long you’ll be mesmerised and won’t ever want to stop!”

Vincent and Flavia’s stage show Dance ‘Til Dawn is at the Aldwych Theatre WC2, from October 23 until January 3, 2015. Their triple DVD box set School of Dance is available to buy now from Amazon.

Rieu, the world’s best-selling classical musician, is also evangelistic about the waltz. His is the only classical concert in which the audience are encouraged to get up and dance in the aisles – in fact this is the most authentic way to enjoy his music.

In December, Rieu brings his Johann Strauss Orchestra back to the UK for an extensive arena tour, and for those who cannot attend, his spectacular 10th Anniversary 2014 Maastricht Concert will be shown once again, due to overwhelming demand, on 180 cinemas screens across the UK and Ireland on November 2 and 3.

However, the Week of the Waltz is free – and is just the starting point. Strictly has proved that traditional ballroom dancing has captured the imagination of the public. The next step is doing it themselves…

André Rieu’s Week of the Waltz parties will run all week from November 1 to 9. Click here for more information.

Nicola Rayner

Nicola Rayner was editor of Dance Today from 2010 to 2015. She has written for a number of publications including The Guardian, The Independent and Time Out Buenos Aires, where she cut her teeth as a dance journalist working on the tango section. Today she continues to dance everything from ballroom to breakdance, with varying degrees of success. Her debut novel, The Girl Before You, was published last year in paperback, ebook and audiobook.