April 13th, 2010 by soullldiva

This week on Dancing With the Stars, it’s “Double Score Showdown”–one score will be for technique and the other for overall dance performance (they also must do three specific moves). The dances this week are the sexy Rumba and passionate Tango. The Rumba can be hard if you don’t have chemistry with your partner, the Tango, too. But since the tango is more force, precision and passion and less pure sex (the Rumba is of course called “The bedroom dance”), usually there is less difficulty with that.

Let’s get started!

Erin and Maks are up first with the Tango. Erin is stressed because Len picked on her footwork, even though she’s very graceful. That, and she’s having severe back pain. I feel for her, and she’s going to push through it and dance. I wasn’t completely thrilled with the dance, which looked just fine but seemed to have no spark (interesting for a couple who I believe is now dating). She gets points from Len for the content, but still needs to handle the footwork. She still has the “deathgrip” on Maks according to Carrie. Too much thinking on the dance floor can be dangerous. To her credit, we learn in the fishtank that her heel got caught in the strap of her other shoe. Near miss!
Tech Scores: 6-6-6
Performance Scores: 7-7-7

Evan and Anna are next with the Tango as well. Immediately as the dance starts you see real passion here, real dynamics. I love the bit with Anna in the chair at the beginning. They’ve got it together and this is an amazing Tango, and technically super good. Evan and Anna are a winning pair.
Tech Scores: 9-8-9
Performance Scores: 9-8-9

Ok, Niecy (whose name I’ve been spelling wrong, sorry!) and Louis are up and I’m already tearing. Louis tells Niecy that the Rumba is also a spiritual dance–this I was not aware of, although it could make complete sense. Louis wants to dedicate it to Niecy and have her dance out her feelings for her brother, who died 17 years ago. This woman is full of emotion and I so hope she can put it right into the dance. The technique will take care of itself.

I just love this woman. She put all that emotion into the dance and even though she was really dancing for her brother, it really read so well as a sensual, celebratory dance of love and life with Louis. True emotional connection. Unfortunately, the judges really didn’t like it and were pretty hard on her. And I can always tell it’s so hard on the stars when they bare all and get no love from the judges. It’s tough. But to hell with them!
Tech Scores: 6-6-6
Performance Scores: 6-6-6

Aiden and Edyta are up next with a Rumba, and Edyta really wants to be felt up every time in rehearsal (sorry, my tee hee moment). The Rumba is all about feeling up, baby. I am so distracted by Edyta’s strategically placed bits of tinfoil for a dress that I can barely pay attention to their dance. It seems like they danced well and he was more comfortable, but he was very stiff in his shoulders. Bruno said he had the “Blue Steel” down, but there was no flow to the dance. Sigh.
Tech Scores: 5-5-5
Performance Scores: 6-6-6

Best Tom Bergeron Moment: “Would you guys like a candy bar or some orange juice to get the blood sugar levels back up?” Referring to the judges harsh scores during the evening. Thanks for the levity, Tom!

Derek and Nicole are up next and after their rule-breaking Quickstep last week we’ll see how they do on their Rumba. Can she quell her giggles during the dance of love? Once again, I am distracted by costumes. Why is she wearing an ill-fitting toga? Thank gawd Derek’s shirt is closed. Wow, great display of technique and dance ability and absolutely sexy. Mixed bag with the judges on comments, but better on the scores.
Tech Scores: 9-8-8
Performance Scores: 8-8-9

Jake and Chelsie are up next with the Tango, and for someone with as much trouble as he has in rehearsals, he usually looks pretty good. Very sharp, great attack, looked confident and they looked good moving together. Wow, up and down the stairs! That was a super move. They really looked damn good, even with some slight stumbling.
Tech Scores: 6-7-6
Performance Scores: 7-6-6

And now we come to Kate and Tony. And Tony looks…tired. Her world is just too big for this show. But good for Tony to try to get her to put it into the dance and just work and stop getting upset. She’s lamenting that she’s the most inexperienced and she has big self-doubt. I feel ya lady.

Their tango is just fine, but seems to be very on automatic and careful and stiff. And she still clomps a bit. A measurable improvement from the Paso Doble last week. The judges are positive that she is improving, and this is her best dance so far. She says she’s beginning to have fun and she wants to stay and do more. Hmmmm…..
Tech Scores: 4-5-5
Performance Scores: 6-6-6

Chad and Cheryl. Chad, oh Chad. I’ve never seen a guy be so full of himself yet be super charismatic. And I love him. And he gave Cheryl a ring?? Is that thing real? Their Rumba is very hot, even though he seemed to drag and throw her around the floor pretty hard (was that just me?). The judges loved it and praised his fluidity and improvement on posture. Well done to them.
Tech Scores: 7-6-8
Performance Scores: 8-7-8

Are Pam and Damien always last? What’s up with that? They’re doing the Rumba and she’s warned by Len to not be raunchy, a comment that I find unwarranted, because I have not found anything raunchy about any of her dances so far. Pam is my new underdog, she could go far.

You know what I realized, I really don’t like the costumes they do for the girls for the Rumba. They just don’t drape like clothing. It’s like half a sheet going down their bodies. Very unflattering on even the most flattering bodies. Ugh. Well, onward.

Damien and Pam are really truly lovely in the best Rumba of the night, just enough sex and sultryness, and even love thrown in. Technique was great and smooth. The song choice was really great for this (“I Can’t Make You Love Me”), as it helped tone the “come hither” down a bit and make it something more refined.
Tech Scores: 7-8-8
Performance Scores: 8-7-9

Wow, such a tough night for most of our dancing couples. Looks like Nicole/Derek and Evan/Anna came out on top, with many of the others dropping well below them. And what was up with the judges tonight? Take a happy pill, folks. Who will be eliminated tomorrow night? Tune in and find out!

April 6th, 2010 by soullldiva

Tonight on Dancing With the Stars, the judges submitted a NEW challenge to the stars and their pros: Telling a Story! This is so up my alley I can barely contain myself. Dance as a Story is MY BAG.

Whew! Let’s start the show.

Ooh! We get examples of the Waltz, the Paso Doble and the Quickstep from our beautiful pros, what the stars should aspire to do. And THERE’S Lacey Schwimmer! So fantastic to see her on the DWTS floor.

First up is Evan and Anna, doing the Quickstep to the “Hot Honey Rag” from Chicago. OMG the Quickstep is really a super, super hard dance and Evan did wonderfully. I didn’t see a tremendous story except in the very beginning. The lady kept the man waiting. But then they just danced. Ok, not an A+ in my book, but really great on the dancing! OH, and just to add to that: THEN we find out in the fishtank that Evan has two broken toes. Cripes boy, what a pro! Judges’ scores: 9-8-8

Before we go to commercial, they give us previews of what’s to come in the rehearsal rooms: stress stress stress, drama drama drama, tears tears tears. Looks like we’re in for it, folks!

Next is Buzz Aldrin, who is hangin’ in there and promoting the space program, by gum! They have a story that could really be a tear-jerker; a daughter greeting her father back from war. Ashly his pro is so really sweet to him and just keeps him on the right track. He did a great job and he looked good. The judges try to be as kind as possible, but he knows that he’s not really that great and it’s all good. Judge’s scores: 5-4-4

Jake and Chelsie are up after the break, and they’re doing the Quickstep to “Walk Like an Egyptian”. What? Ok, gotta see if this can work. And there is stress in the rehearsal room. Frustration! Put it into the dance, folks. Seems like the frustration paid off, they do very well. Lots of props, too, which I thought they weren’t supposed to use. Anyway, they are super fast across the floor and the performance and storytelling is good. The judges pick at his frame and legs, which are a bit soft. Judges’ scores: 7-7-7

Nicey and Louis are next and they choose a story that is close to both of them (if I’m not mistaken, Louis is gay), a interracial couple falling in love in the 60′s, a time when in some places it was actually still illegal. This is a different side to Nicey, and very genuine and sweet. It affected her to put herself in the place of the role she was playing. ACTING! BRILLIANT! Louis did a fantastic job on choreography, and her ivory dress with the various panels really brought the most out of it during the spins. I felt that she was very graceful, even in the face of a stumble at the beginning. Their song was a world class duet from Billy Preston and Syreeta (“With You I’m Born Again”) and really added to the story. The judges really love Nicey, but were picky about the stumble and her technique, which she needs to work on. I disagreed with Carrie Ann that the story was confusing, and it didn’t have a happy ending. But that wasn’t the point of the story. I felt Nicey’s intoxication with a love that fills her heart, but the danger of knowing how society will react and possibly retaliate. She was super vulnerable, and Louis, too. This is first-rate dance as a story. Judges’ scores: 7-7-7

Mr. Ochocinco and Cheryl are next with the fiery Paso Doble, set to this fantastic song sung by Antonio Bandaras in the beginning of the movie “Desperado” (love it). Chad does pretty darn well with it (even after the rehearsal drama). Very powerful and dynamic. He really focused on Cheryl and wanted the girl. Great comeback from last week! Judges’ scores: 7-6-7

Miss Pam and Damien are next. They were the surprise in the bottom two last week, since she was such a crowd-pleaser. This week they’re back with the Paso Doble–their story is of a woman and the bull-fighter. She loves him, but she hates what he does as an animal activist (they are very cruel to the bulls in bullfighting). She looked fabulous and did a great job telling the story. She’s not just a blonde bombshell, that’s not all she can do. The routing seemed at times a little sloppy, but I think that was just her passion. She did great. Judges’ scores: 7-7-7 (lots of 21s tonight)

Aiden and Edyta are next and we see that even though he had a comeback last week, he was super nervous and actually vomited backstage (thanks ABC for blurring the gross stuff out). They are doing the Quickstep tonight and things are lighter for the two of them as they celebrate his birthday and his wife and beautiful 7 month old girl come in with cake (Edyta eats cake?). Their dance is pretty good, but I realize that I completely missed what their story was supposed to be. Len says that he was a bit careful, and I didn’t see that, but I did see his shoulders way up by his ears. I’m sure he’s nervous as hell, with a stomach to match. Judges’ scores: 7-6-7

Erin and Maks are next with a Waltz telling a story of trust: Erin has to dance over half of their waltz while BLINDFOLDED. It was pointed out to me by a reader that Erin actually does have prior dance experience, so I’m not looking at her in quite the same way this week, but she really is graceful. I thought it was a really beautifully done by both of them. Judges’ scores: 8-7-8

Kate and Tony are next with a Paso Doble done to “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga, a song that speaks directly to Kate, because they follow her wherever she goes. Kate can’t seem to connect with Tony for the passion and anger, and he calls in an acting coach. She sees a lot of emotion that is bottled up inside, and it needs to come out. Do we really want Kate Gosselin letting all her emotions out? Hmmm…During the dance she comes at Tony with intention and anger, but she steps around the floor like she has clogs on her feet. Not a lot of grace. Tons better than last week, though. Carrie Ann said it was “odd”. Judges’ scores: 5-5-5

Nicole and Derek have the Quickstep and their story is two sailors slacking off to “Anything Goes”. Nicole freaks out a little at the difficulty of the dance, she’s scared. The dance is A-MA-ZING. Really first rate. And I love that this wasn’t Nicole’s “Pussy Cat Doll” card. It was completely opposite of what she is used to doing. Super cute and technically hard as hell. And…not a Quickstep, according to the judges. Too bad. But true. Loved it. Judges’ scores: 8-6-9

And who will be the surprise elimination this week? Tune in tonight to ABC and find out! (then be like me and watch LOST, because you just can’t get enough suspense) ;o)

February 11th, 2010 by soullldiva

MOMO, a writer colleague of mine on the So You Think You Can Dance Social found this gem and I couldn’t help but pass it on.

Soul Train used to be some strange show to me that used to come on after all the cartoons were over on Saturday morning/early afternoon. Strange and…intriguing…as the intro started with that psychedelic cartoon of a train running on the tracks (and turning into the “Soul Train” logo), and the voice calling out “It’s the Sooooooooooul Train!”

I would watch young people in outrageous clothing shake their hips and wave their arms. It was odd to me and not odd. I can’t explain it. All I know is that years later I would learn to sing by attempting to imitate Aretha Franklin (not truly succeeding but not unsuccessful either, as I am from Kansas and severely Caucasian), I would be fronting my own 8 piece soul/R&B/Blues band and singing the very song in this video (Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady” is one of the best soul songs out there). Oh, and also shaking my hips (pretty nicely, I might add). If I ever scan in the pictures and convert the VHS tape to DVD I’ll show it to you sometime. Me, in leopard skin pants!

Soul Train is a jewel of American culture, created in 1965 on a UHF channel in Chicago, and Don Cornelius (and his fab hexagon spectacles) pretty much invented the line dance–and I don’t mean country dancing. I mean everyone lines up in two lines facing each other, then take turns in twos going down the row and struttin’ your stuff. Plus they had amazing soul acts on the show: The O Jays, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Tower of Power and Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Anyway, enough nostalgic-ness, enjoy the video!

February 10th, 2010 by soullldiva

When I found the video I posted yesterday, I had no idea what it was an actual excerpt of. I did a bit more digging and found out that Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan was actually a ballet choreographed by Frederick Ashton (Founder Choreographer of The Royal Ballet in London). He saw Isadora perform himself when he was on holiday with his family. He was only 17 years old. She made such an impression on him (even at 44 and admittedly past her prime) that he knew he was witnessing something special and went back again and again to see her.

He carried his memories of Isadora with him until 1976 when he created Five Waltzes for the Rambert Dance Company and starred ballerina Lynn Seymour.

Since then it has been recreated in the 80′s and in 2004. I found an introduction to the first video, with interviews of Lynn Seymour as she rehearses the latest ballerina to recreate her role, Tamara Rojo. She speaks a lot about what Frederick saw in Isadora Duncan and what inspired both him and her. Really a lovely clip. Enjoy!

February 9th, 2010 by soullldiva

I found this fantastic video of an Isador Duncan style-dance and thought it would go perfectly with this luscious quote of hers:

“Every movement that can be danced on the seashore
without being in harmony with the rhythm of the waves,
every movement that can be danced in the forest
without being in harmony with the swaying of the branches,
every movement that one can dance… in the sunshine,
in the open country, without being in harmony with the life
and the solitude of the landscape – every such movement is false,
in that it is out of tune in the midst of nature’s harmonious lines.
That is why the dancer should above all else choose movements
that express the strength, health, nobility, ease and serenity of living things.”
Isadora Duncan

I love the idea that to dance is to be in harmony with the land, the sea, the air and the fabric of life around us. Dance is living and dance is life.

Isn’t Tamara Rojo gorgeous? Just look at the expression on her face, her joy, her FEET!! More on her later…