You have your facts slightly in error on the Whisk ?.. it was first DANCED in Alexs studio.. but not by him.. it was developed by Carl Bryant .

Not unusual to have several claimants to an original idea .

Hi Terence,
I can understand that there can be several claimants to the naming of a figure. I can't challenge, Alex, with him no longer being with us.

I first got to know about the Whisk when he wrote an article about how the Whisk came about, which was published in the 'Ballroom Dancing Times'. At that time Carl Bryant was still alive.

I met up with Alex, that year, when he was booked for an adjudication for the East Coast Championships, which was held each year in The Spa Ballroom, Bridlington. Of course, I mentioned his article about the Whisk and the name Carl Bryant was never mentioned.

If Carl, had been drinking when he danced the Whisk, it could have been a development which he called, 'The Fallaway Whisk'.

I have noticed in the book, 'Latin-American Dancing', by the late Frank Borrows B.Sc. that a figure called, 'Mambo Whisks' is written. Whether this term was taken from the ballroom whisk I don't know. Regards.

To Whoever. Alex Moore was a Blues Dancer. This was a dance that went out of fashion. As far as i can figure out Alex never competed in Modern Ballroom Dancing. He did make finals in Blues. The style required very good balance and was very slow . After a few years it faded into obscurity. My friend who goes back to those early days tells me that the Whisk in the Foxtrot was a no no. Chasses also.

Is his story kind of like how Laure Haille (SP, sorry) was a WCS dancer who wrote a Ballroom syllabus? Curious. The partner thinks More/Scrivener are two prophets. It's cute, he totes his binder around to lessons, has a rosary made of supadance heelcaps, etc...

The "waters" do get muddy from time to time...

As to Whisks in Mambo ( not used that much anymore ... more so in some colombian style Salsa )).. they are adapted from the basic in Cumbia( those are syncopated ) they are also often described as 5th position breaks in Amer. style rhythm dances

When writting about those early days of Modern Ballroom Dancing it might be worth reading the Foreword by Philip. J. S. Richardson ( he was a truely a big noise in those early days ) This is what he wrote when asked to write the Foreward to Alex Moore's Technique Book. Mr Alex Moore's name is so well known in the dance world today. My first recollection of him is with his sister in the big Blues Competition when for three years the World Championships were held in London. I seem to remember that he was generally close up in the Professional sector
He is a staunch believer in the Moden Technique AS LAID DOWN BY THE LEADING AUTHORITIES.
Then 14 years later the same person wrote in another edition of the book.
He has now had very great experience indeed. So can we read between those lines.

Can you tell me any more about Carl Bryant. He was my Great Uncle (bother of my Grandfather). What was his wife's name? I understand he wrote a book on ballroom dancing. And had a dance studio in surbiton.

As far as I can tell, nobody (now) knows why a Twinkle is called that. (I tried to find out several years ago, at the request of a professional instructor. And I failed.) But I could be wrong. Does anyone have some information?