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"Dancing with Stars" Season 7
marigold:
Dancing With The Stars Dances: Paso Doble
Fast Facts:
The Paso Doble on the competition floor should create a Spanish Bull Fighting atmosphere. The Paso Doble is the dance for the Man, which allows him to fill the "Space" with strong three-dimensional shapes and movements danced with "Pride and Dignity."
The woman's role varies depending on the intepretation of the dance. The woman can take the role of the matador's cape, the bull or even the matador at different times within the dance.
Characteristics of the Paso Doble are the "Marching" flavor given to the steps and the cape movements creating the required tension between both dancers.
It is one of the only dances that is danced only in the ballroom world.
It is one of the most dramatic of the dances.
Distinctive moves:
Look out for chassez cape - the man using the woman as the cape to bring her around.
Apel - this is when the man stamps his foot - this should be very strong. The man would stamp his foot as if he was trying to attract the bull's attention (the bull often gets distracted by the crowd in a bull fight).
There are strong Flamenco influences in the dance where the use of castanets is simulated.
The arpel is a commencement of a movement with the stamping of the feet where the man and woman walk in separate directions.
marigold:
Dancing With The Stars Dances: Quickstep
Fast Facts:
During the 1920s, many bands played the Foxtrot too fast and some couples couldn't keep up. Over time, a faster version was born, absorbing extra elements of ragtime such as the Charleston. This led to the creation of what we today call the Quickstep.
This is a light, bright, twinkling and happy dance with tricky footwork. Quite sporty in its delivery as it is very springy and fast paced.
The basic feel is slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick. The majority of the slow should be taken on the heel; the majority of the quick should be taken on the toe.
Distinctive moves:
The characteristic motion of a quickstep is an up-and-down swing motion. This rise-and-fall motion must be done at a fast pace.
It is important to move powerfully and positively across the floor while remaining light on the feet.
Two bodies moving in the speed of the quickstep require first of all a high level of synchronization and understanding about leg tension and use of the ankles. During execution of the "tricksteps," both dancers need the same tension of feet and legs.
There needs to be lots of work on the balls of the feet and lots of spring from the feet.
To achieve the right musical interpretation, the timing of the "Slows" should be slightly extended to force a sharp action in the ankles in the "Quicks."
Look out for the facial expressions. They are not compulsory but help to capture the essence of the dance.
Also watch out for Runs - quick little repetitive movements/steps.
Floorcraft is required in this dance more than in the others.
marigold:
Dancing With The Stars Dances: Rumba
Fast Facts:
A dance that tells the story of love and eroticism between a man and a woman
The Rumba relies on the age-old premise of the lady trying to conquer the gentleman by means of her womanly charms. Incorporating all the elements of teasing and withdrawal, it is considered the most sensual of the Latin dances.
Distinctive moves:
The Rumba should portray romance and therefore have good interplay between the dancers.
In this dance the emphasis is on the body. Hip actions are produced by controlled transfer of weight from foot to foot.
Look out for figure-eight hip rolls - this is a hip roll where the hips alternate in a forward movement.
There are lots of slow stylish body shapes in the Rumba.
When it comes to the footwork, look for a straightening of legs, and swiveling action in the feet.
The walks should be strong and direct.
The body never stops changing its shape.
No heel leads - the dancers must not walk on the heels of their feet; they are on the balls of feet only.
Look out for the Cucaracha step - rock to the right or the left, then replace and close.
Look out for the Fan position - the woman goes on the man's left side at arms length and at 90 degrees to the man.
marigold:
Dancing With The Stars Dances: Samba
Fast Facts:
The Samba is an all-out party dance with origins from Brazil's Rio Carnival. It is made up of many different South American dances incorporated into one. It is very rhythmical with lots of hip action.
Walking Samba steps and side steps are the basic components of this dance. The major characteristic of the Samba is the vertical bounce action. Steps are taken using the ball of the foot. The accomplished dancer is made to look effortless and carefree with knee action, body sway and "pendulum motion."
Distinctive moves:
The Basic step is a Volta (a crossing action in front of the body, where you step across with the bounce). You will see a bouncing action predominantly through the knees.
Look out for the Samba roll a rolling movement from the waist up. The upper body circles as you create a six-step turning group.
Many Sambas have a move called a Botafogo, which is a traveling walk with a change of direction from left to right or right to left.
There should be lots of outstretched arms.
The samba has a distinctive climax, it ends with throwing of heads back and arms splayed out to side.
There should be a good balance of moving steps and stationary steps.
marigold:
Dancing With The Stars Dances: Tango
Fast Facts:
The gauchos (cowboys) of Argentina wore chaps that hardened from the foam and sweat of the horse's body, causing them to walk with flexed knees. Of a night they would go to crowded night clubs and ask ladies of the night to dance but since the gaucho hadn't showered, the lady would dance in the crook of the man's right arm, holding her head back. Her right hand was held low on his left hip, close to his pocket, looking for a payment for dancing with him.
No rise and fall in the steps. This should be a very level, flat dance. The legs are therefore always slightly flexed (i.e. the knees should be slightly bent at all times).
Distinctive moves:
The Tango is a very emotional dance and this should be conveyed.
Must see lots of clipped movements.
The action must always be staccato.
Look out for sharp head turning and stops.
The hold is different in the tango. The man's left arm is more towards head level. The general hold is far more compact and the couple are much tighter together.
Walks - Should be done with the heels leading.
Rock turns - the dancers should rock while turning.
Look out for the Links - these are the sharp movements in-between the walks (the head turns from the girl). These are also known as staccato movements.
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