Ballroom dancers for more than twenty years, the Bivonas have traveled extensively while honing their dancing skills and meeting fellow dancers. Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona provides detailed accounts of their experiences in Argentina, Paris, Hawaii, Italy, the Catskill Mountains of New York, the Caribbean, and South Florida, as well as other destinations. This account not only includes dancing details, but also shares the history and flavor of the exciting locales they have visited.

Augmented with photographs, Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona also includes background information on the art of ballroom dancing, a few dance lessons, biographies of select dancers who have performed on the television show Dancing with the Stars, current ballroom dancing philosophy, and information about the intellectual benefits gained from dancing.

The Temptation to Tango: Journeys of Intimacy and Desire is divided into four parts: "The Lure", "The Reality", "The Challenge" and "The Reward". First, we explore tango's romantic allure, mysterious origins, and exotic dark side. The first short story is about a Catholic priest whose hidden life of tango is exposed. Next, we focus on why tango is so hard to learn; the stresses on the body and inner-world of emotion. We investigate the cultural issues around dominance and submission. Six more short stories tell tales of couples and singles who take-on the tango with very different goals and results. Even after mastery of the dance, challenges abound: the tango scene and how to fit into it, the intimacy factor and how far to take it, and the impact on established relationships. What one can get from persevering along the arduous tango trail is sensual and emotional fulfillment, rewards frequently lacking in our society.

Ballroom dancers for more than twenty years, the Bivonas have traveled extensively while honing their dancing skills and meeting fellow dancers. Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona provides detailed accounts of their experiences in Argentina, Paris, Hawaii, Italy, the Catskill Mountains of New York, the Caribbean, and South Florida, as well as other destinations. This account not only includes dancing details, but also shares the history and flavor of the exciting locales they have visited.

Augmented with photographs, Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona also includes background information on the art of ballroom dancing, a few dance lessons, biographies of select dancers who have performed on the television show Dancing with the Stars, current ballroom dancing philosophy, and information about the intellectual benefits gained from dancing.

Ballroom dancers for more than twenty years, the Bivonas have traveled extensively while honing their dancing skills and meeting fellow dancers. Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona provides detailed accounts of their experiences in Argentina, Paris, Hawaii, Italy, the Catskill Mountains of New York, the Caribbean, and South Florida, as well as other destinations. This account not only includes dancing details, but also shares the history and flavor of the exciting locales they have visited.

Augmented with photographs, Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona also includes background information on the art of ballroom dancing, a few dance lessons, biographies of select dancers who have performed on the television show Dancing with the Stars, current ballroom dancing philosophy, and information about the intellectual benefits gained from dancing.

The previous three booklets were produced in order to assist the beginner and reduce the time spent taking notes during workshops. This book replaces and expands those booklets, drawing attention to some of the many aspects of dance which are very often ignored in the modern day workshop. The use of a simple tabulation enables the taps and rhythms to be analysed and the building blocks to be recognised, abbreviated, and assembled into traditional music patterns and phrasing. All of the tap schedules are shown as musical rhythms at the end of each chapter when required.

The book contains chapters detailing two solo's; one is a pedestal clog dance and the other a simple step dance into which clog steps may be put and everyone is encouraged to develop a stage further. More importantly, the book details the entire repertoire of Samuel Bell, a past champion clog dancer, together with a short history of his life and details of the North Country competitions in the thirties. Finally, there is a more recent record of a simple duet which is suitable for all ages that does not require great athletic ability. The book is not presented as a complete work on clog dancing, but is an attempt to show in detail some of the steps and rhythms in music and tabulation format, with a few points above their performance.

The main emphasis is to improve performance, in particular the understanding of timings and the rapport that is required between the dancer, audience, and the musician. It is essentially a guide to be used by dancers, if so inspired to try the dances and impose their own personalitites upon them.

With its thoughtful, light-hearted insights and simple physical exercises this book will help you achieve the coveted "balance" that affects every aspect of your life. Discover how this 100-year-old dance can lead you to a more balanced life.

Even if you can't dance.