Dive into the world of dance with elegance and style as Learn To Dance studio in Burnham unveils its American Smooth course, commencing on Wednesday 10th April at 7pm. This exclusive dance course is designed for enthusiasts eager to infuse their Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese Waltz with the fluidity and classic charm reminiscent of the legendary Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Why Choose Our Learn American Smooth Course?

Sophisticated Techniques: Discover the secrets to seamlessly integrating sophisticated ‘Fred & Ginger’ style steps into your dancing repertoire. Our course focuses on elegance, posture, and the flowing movements that define American Smooth, ensuring you glide across the dance floor with grace.

Experienced Instructors: Our team of skilled instructors is passionate about dance and dedicated to providing personalised guidance. With years of experience, they will lead you through each step, ensuring your journey is both enjoyable and rewarding.

No Lifts, Pure Dance: While popular dance shows often showcase a variety of lifts, our course maintains a focus on the purity of dance. Learn to captivate with your feet firmly on the ground, mastering techniques that emphasize connection and fluidity without the need for lifts.

Learn American Smooth Course Details

• Start Date: Wednesday 10th April 2024
• Time: 7pm
• Location: Learn To Dance, Cherry Orchard Pavilion, Britwell Road, Burnham, SL1 8DL
• Duration: 6-week blocks (extension subject to class interest)
• Cost: £50 per person

Who Should Join?

Our Learn American Smooth course is ideally suited for dancers with experience in Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese Waltz. However, beginners with a keen interest are welcome to join the initial course to experience the magic of American Smooth. For those new to Waltz, consider instead starting with our Beginner Waltz course commencing Sunday 7th April. Find more details at our website here.

Reserve Your Learn American Smooth Spot Today

Embrace the opportunity to dance with the elegance of yesteryears’ cinema legends. With limited slots available, ensure your place in our Learn American Smooth course by registering today. Let us embark on a journey where every step tells a story, and every dance is a masterpiece.

You can use the below option to book for yourself. If you are reserving a space for another person please use our full booking system.

Elevate your dance experience with Learn To Dance’s American Smooth course. Visit our website or contact us for more information and registration. Let’s dance our way to elegance and sophistication together.

The post Learn American Smooth Course: starts Wednesday 10th April 2024 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

American Smooth refers to the American style of dancing the Ballroom dances. This tends to favour more of an exhibition style of dance. Partners often release out of hold and can often let go entirely.

We won’t be letting go in this particular routine, more using some American Smooth movements to keep our routine more compact.

The Dance – Foxtrot American Smooth

The Foxtrot is a swing dance and is synonymous with the American Smooth. Even the basics can cover a lot of ground so we’ve worked on introducing moves that you can practice in a confined space.

We’re going to have a mixture between traditional Foxtrot steps, and a few basic American Smooth steps.

We start with a Feather Step and a Hover Telemark to keep things compact.

Then we introduce the Hover Cross from (a Silver-level step) and our first American Smooth step a Left Foot Box Turn (essentially the reverse turn from the Waltz).

Finally we’ll put in a grapevine.

This sequence could be included in your regular Foxtrot at a corner for example.

The Music

The music we have used for this lesson is Lucky Day by Loving Caliber feat. G Curtis:

See our Foxtrot American Smooth video

Don’t forget, if you enjoyed this video please send it to your family and friends. Why not also check out our other online dance lessons.

About Learn To Dance

Learn To Dance is a Ballroom and Latin American Dance School based in Burnham, Buckinghamshire.

Whilst our studio may be closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we’re still trying to help all our students to keep dancing!

If you liked our Foxtrot American Smooth video you can check out our website, or follow us online, at:

Website: learndance.co.uk
Youtube: youtube.com/learndance
Facebook: facebook.com/learndance
Instagram: instagram.com/learndance
Twitter: twitter.com/learndance

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American Smooth refers to the American style of dancing the Ballroom dances. This tends to favour more of an exhibition style of dance. Partners often release out of hold and can often let go entirely.

The Dance – Viennese Waltz American Smooth

The Viennese Waltz is traditionally a rotational dance that moves around the outside of the floor.

Adding in elements of American Smooth though allows you to introduce some flair into the dance, and can often act as a breather too.

Just make sure you’re near the middle, or a corner, so that you aren’t hanging around when other dancers are coming hurtling towards you!

Our intention is to ease you in with a simplified (and more compact) version of the Reverse Turn, before trying an Open Break and an Underarm Turn to the Right. We’ll then be looking at the Explosion with a Fan Ending before adding in some Change of Places.

The Music

For our Viennese Waltz we are using a song by Loving Caliber feat. Mia Niles that we really like called Just One Kiss:

See our Viennese Waltz American Smooth video

Don’t forget, if you enjoyed our online Viennese Waltz American Smooth dance lesson video please send it to your family and friends. Why not also check out our other online dance lessons.

About Learn To Dance

Learn To Dance is a Ballroom and Latin American Dance School based in Burnham, Buckinghamshire.

Whilst our studio may be closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we’re still trying to help all our students to keep dancing!

If you liked our Viennese Waltz American Smooth video you can check out our website, or follow us online, at:

Website: learndance.co.uk
Youtube: youtube.com/learndance
Facebook: facebook.com/learndance
Instagram: instagram.com/learndance
Twitter: twitter.com/learndance

The post Viennese Waltz American Smooth introduction appeared first on Learn To Dance.

American Smooth refers to the American style of dancing the Ballroom dances. This tends to favour more of an exhibition style of dance. Partners often release out of hold and can often let go entirely.

The Dance – Tango American Smooth

Many people view the Tango as an agressive, staccato dance, featuring sharp head turns and quick changes of direction.

The American Smooth Tango takes elements of the Tango and adds in a more free-flowing feel.

Our intention is to ease you in with two simple American Smooth Tango steps: the eight count basic and the basic corte. Upon mastering this we will then introduce you to the more advanced cobra fans (which will take a bit more practice)!

You can also introduce the cobra fans into your regular Tango, assuming you have the space and time around you. The leader would just need to be preparing to step back with their left foot to initiate the movement.

We hope you enjoy today’s video and don’t forget to subscribe to be kept up-to-date with all our uploads.

The Music

In this video we use In A Gyroscope by T. Morri:

See our Tango American Smooth video

You can find our online video here, we hope you enjoy watching it.

About Learn To Dance

Learn To Dance is a Ballroom and Latin American Dance School based in Burnham, Buckinghamshire.

Whilst our studio may be closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we’re still trying to help all our students to keep dancing!

Don’t forget, if you enjoyed our online Tango American Smooth dance video please send it to your family and friends. Why not also check out our other online dance lessons.

You can check out our website, or follow us online, at:

Website: learndance.co.uk
Youtube: youtube.com/learndance
Facebook: facebook.com/learndance
Instagram: instagram.com/learndance
Twitter: twitter.com/learndance

The post Tango American Smooth introduction appeared first on Learn To Dance.

We’ll ease you in with just some basic Waltz steps, before showing our first American Smooth step – the 6 count underarm turn.

As well as covering a range of dances in upcoming videos, we will be adding more American Smooth steps to our other Ballroom dances over the next few months.

Hope you enjoy today’s Waltz American Smooth video and don’t forget to subscribe to be kept up-to-date with all our uploads.

What do you mean, Waltz American Smooth?

Waltz is a classic Ballroom Dance. The basic premise is that every three steps there will be a close of the feet, and you change the foot that you’re using for the next figure.

American Smooth was popularised in the UK on Strictly Come Dancing as full of lifts and spins. In actuality it refers to the American way of dancing the Ballroom dances. This tends to favour continually flowing steps, over a regular closing action and opening out away from your partner.

In our video today we do a left foot box step and practice rotating it. Then we introduce a 6 count underarm turn for the follower. They float under the leader’s arm before coming around to face them again.

Once you’ve mastered the turn it’s easy to apply your Waltz American Smooth to your standard Waltz. We plan to give you more steps as time goes by.

See the Video

About Learn To Dance

Learn To Dance is a Ballroom and Latin American Dance School based in Burnham, Buckinghamshire.

Whilst our studio may be closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we’re still trying to help all our students to keep dancing!

Don’t forget, if you enjoyed our online Waltz American Smooth dance video please send it to your family and friends. Why not also check out our other online dance lessons.

You can check out our website, or follow us online, at:

Website: learndance.co.uk
Youtube: youtube.com/learndance
Facebook: facebook.com/learndance
Instagram: instagram.com/learndance
Twitter: twitter.com/learndance

The post Waltz American Smooth, a basic introduction appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Enquiries with Burnham Parish Council revealed that the nearest AED (Automated External Defibrillator) would be at Burnham Park Hall, around a 5 minute drive from the studio.  Whilst AEDs have been shown to double the survival rate of someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, their effectiveness reduces by around 10% for every minute delay in their usage.

Given that our studio is based within football playing fields and is a hotspot for dog walkers and joggers, we felt the benefit of having an AED outside the studio could not be overlooked if it meant the difference between life or death for someone.

Burnham Parish Council offered to pay for the installation and hosting of the external cabinet if we were able to raise enough to cover the net cost of the equipment and cabinet of £1,366.25.

We looked at a variety of options for how we might raise the funds required, and eventually decided on a fun day of dance sessions on Monday 28th May.

Any excess funds raised would then be donated to the Check Heart Appeal, a fundraising page set up to raise money for C-R-Y (Cardiac Risk in the Young), a charity close to Antony & Emma’s heart.

In the morning we had an American Smooth workshop, a FitSteps taster and a lunchtime Tea Dance; whilst the afternoon saw ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, Bollywood and Charleston inspired workshops.

All of that did mean that Antony had to have at least 5 costume changes!

We received a number of donations, both before and after the day, from those that were unable to attend and we also held a raffle with a variety of prizes including a LearnToDance gift voucher and the top prize of a family photoshoot with Emma-Louise Walton Photography.

The raffle was closed and drawn a week later live on our Facebook Page, although we started to panic when a number of duplicate winners started being drawn (regardless of how much Antony shook and mixed up the tickets) but it evened out in the end!

https://www.facebook.com/learndance/videos/10160843462305221/

Between the fundraising day, raffle and donations LearnToDance raised a total of £1,855.63!

We instructed Burnham Parish Council to order the defibrillator and are pleased to announce that this has now been installed!

We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in the running/administration of the event, everyone that donated or attended the day, and Burnham Parish Council for their support.

Much appreciated,

Antony, Emma and the LearnToDance team

About LearnToDance

LearnToDance is a Ballroom and Latin American Dance School run by husband and wife team Antony & Emma-Louise Holeksa and has been running since 2006.  Classes for all levels and ages, and personal tuition, take place throughout the week, as well as dance breaks and private events.

In 2016 we moved into our own dedicated studio at the Cherry Orchard in Burnham and now offer sessions most days of the week.

About Check Heart Appeal

The post Defibrillator Fundraising Success! appeared first on Learn To Dance.

There are currently no planned Zumba classes to replace them, however Antony will be starting brand new FitSteps classes from Tuesday 4th February.

Our brand new FitSteps classes start from Tuesday 4th February at The Eton Wick Village Hall, Eton Wick Road, Eton Wick, SL4 6LT.

Created by Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, FitSteps® takes the very best of Ballroom and Latin, mixes it with the latest, proven ways to get fit FAST and deliver the most exciting, fun, fabulous fitness experience you’ve ever had.

These classes are a great way to learn and practice actual Ballroom and Latin American dance steps that wouldn’t look out of place on the floor of Strictly Come Dancing!  Add to that the fitness aspect and before you know it you’re getting fit whilst having fun.

Classes are £5 per session or 10 sessions for £45.

Tuesday 8.30pm-9.15pm
Wednesday 10am-10.45am

FitSteps Testimonials

You can sign up for our FitSteps classes using the following link Sign Me Up

The post Last Zumba Gold Class appeared first on Learn To Dance.

In This Issue

1. Brand New Afternoon Tea Dances START WEDNESDAY
2. New Online Booking System COMING SOON
3. Paso Doble to be dropped from regular schedule
4. Foxtrot Workshops & Social THIS FRIDAY
5. Beginner Samba Workshop THIS SUNDAY
6. Over 50s Tenpin Bowling
7. Introduction To Merengue Workshop
8. Sequence Dancing workshop
9. Quickstep Master Class – NOTE NEW TIME & PRICE
10. No evening class Wednesday 10th July
11. Bournemouth Dance Break LAST FEW SPACES
12. Next Exam Session & Inter-School Competition
13. Torquay Dance Break 2014
14. Private Lessons available.

You can see the newsletter in full online or check your inbox.

If you’re not on our email newsletter list you can sign up here.

Learn To Dance is a dance school run by husband and wife team Antony & Emma-Louise Holeksa. Based mainly in Eton Wick in Berkshire they provide classes, personal tuition, wedding dance lessons and events as well as social dances and dance holidays.

You can visit our website at want-to-dance.co.uk

The post Learn To Dance June Newsletter appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – American Smooth/Argentine Tango

American Smooth

A nice beginning and some good footwork in hold, though the first corner looks a bit awkward.

I don’t like her clicking her fingers during the separation section, I’d have preferred shaped fingers. They look to be ahead of the music into the second lift and so the entrance to it feels rushed.

Other than that I think it was a good routine and well performed, I’ll give them a 9.

Craig: 8 “Lovely heel turn…hand position above the head needs attention…needs shaping…ronde could have been held a little bit longer…I thought you danced it beautifully”
Darcey: 8 “Lovely quality all the way through the dance…sweet, clean footwork…I do just miss a little bit of sparkle…bit safe”
Len: 9 “The more I see you dance the more I like what I see…technique is improving…heel turns very clean, very crisp…I thought you did it fabulous”
Bruno: 9 “You carry on like this and your wish [to make the final] may come true…footwork was very very good…lots of flair in the lifts”

Total = 34

Argentine Tango

So Vincent’s signature dance, can Dani live up to the hype? They start with a setup before the music even starts, which is a risky but effective strategy.

It starts well but get’s a little bit shaky at points. Dani really needs to keep those shoulders down and lift her ribcage.

There’s some really intricate movements, though I can’t help feeling it may have been just that little bit too difficult for her at times.

A wonderful ending though and I’m going to give them another 9!

Craig: 9 “Vincent has taught you so well…one lift was a little bit bumpy…other than that spectacular”
Darcey: 9 “I so enjoyed your intensity, and your control…choreography, of course, is beautiful…I would have liked a little straighter, crisper leg”
Len: 10 “I love the start…no music…you captured the mood, you mastered the technique…for me you stole my heart, it was beautiful”
Bruno: 10 “You’ve become the lady of the night with the master of the Tango…so rich in content and structure…always clean, always accurate…a great achievement”

Total = 38

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Jive/Foxtrot

Jive

I can’t say I was that impressed with the training footage from the VT, but let’s hope that was early on in the week.

Well it looks like Louis’ personality is finally starting to come out, unfortunately it appears to be at the expense of his dancing.

The Jive basics seem stompy, whilst the side-by-side flick and kick section looked laboured. He’s out of sync with Flavia as they wave their hands around. The decision to include gymnastics, I assume the reason he’s wearing dance sneakers, is a pointless gimmick and I think his dancing would have looked much better if he’d been in actual shoes.

His Jive basic is all over the place, and he almost knocks over the prop lockers at the end. Quite possibly his worst dance I’m afraid, just a 7 from me.

Craig: 7 “Snaps soft and laid-back…feet are sickled…flat footed…laboured throughout…something seemed to go wrong”
Darcey: 8 “It’s a fun routine, style was great…you don’t have that strength in your kicks…expecting more”
Len: 8 “If your Foxtrot doesn’t come to a better standard, this didn’t cut it for me…too many two-beat Jives…lost speed…wasn’t enamoured with the kicks and flicks”
Bruno: 8 “Got the performance aspect really worked out…Jive kicks and flicks – there’s a big ‘but’ there…they were not as clean and sharp as they could have been…tiny issues with the timing”

Total = 31

Foxtrot

I really like this song, but I’ll be interested to see how the singer copes with the powerful sections!

The choreography works well with the choice of song, though I didn’t really see a change up for the chorus which I would have liked.

A few missed heel leads (especially in his three step) which affects his rise and fall, overall a safe dance, if a little messy. Better than his Jive, but we’ve seen better dances tonight. Foxtrot is a difficult dance but I’m only giving them an 8.

Craig: 9 “[mimes a thumb up movement – referring to the hand on Flavia’s back]…I really did love it…move round the floor with great authority and drive”
Darcey: 10 “Thank goodness, you’ve got it…travelling, the gliding, was seamless…grace, quality, you’ve got it”
Len: 9 “I found the rise and fall not too smooth, on occasion…you are the true sportsmen, you get knocked down in one dance and you come back stronger”
Bruno: 10 “The smooth operator with a twinkle in the eye…back on top where you belong”

Total = 38

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Tango/Rumba

Tango

It feels a bit too much like Paso Doble at the start, and I’m never a fan of a floor spin. Once they get in hold though it approves a lot, however there are a few moments where she looks off-balance.

The accents where Denise is kicking in time with the drum are performed marvelously, though I wish Denise would keep her chin up as otherwise her head position is great.

A steamy ending and a much better dance than we saw last week, I think I’ll give them a 9.

Craig: 9 “Off to a flying start with that floor spin…it did not stop there…sharp staccato heads…posture was absolutely brilliant…little bit of gapping on occasion…loved the routine”
Darcy: 10 “The attack you have is extraordinary…so clean…many kicks [little bit of a bent leg]”
Len: 10 “You’ve come out like the no-stress express…start was a bit Paso…once you got into hold, that was a PROPER Tango”
Bruno: 10 “That Tango was fantastic…build up to the end was sensational…it was fabulous”

Total = 39

Rumba

Another finalist contender, with another difficult dance to perform. Denise struggled in the Cha Cha, and the Rumba has very similar technique.

Denise really can act a part. I would like to see a better hip action during her opening outs but a nice extension in the first line/dip.

The problem Denise has in this routine is that her performance is actually overshadowing her dancing, in trying to portray the emotion she’s softened her core and so looks hunched over in a lot of the movements.

The emotion is there all the way through the dance, but I feel the technique was lacking at times. An 8 from me.

Craig: 9 “Absolutely fantastic storytelling…I just wanted to lift your dress up to see the hip action…seemed to come in and out of hip action”
Darcy: 9 “You have the most stunning arms…feeling right to your fingertips…it’s more of a romance than a passionate love story…beautiful feeling”
Len: 10 “For me the final wouldn’t be the proper final if you weren’t there”
Bruno: 10 “I was deeply moved by this Rumba…so effective, so beautiful, so well acted…wasn’t a moment in which you was not on it 100%”

Total = 38

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – American Smooth/Charleston

American Smooth

I’m sorry, but even on repeated viewings I still can’t see last week’s dance as perfect, it just felt too messy. Let’s hope for better this week.

There are still moments when Kimberley looks uncomfortable, especially at the start of the second lift and with her arm just flopping around. Some nice accents throughout the dance but there’s barely any actual Foxtrot in this routine – the rules are that there should be 30% in hold.

A nice performance but not really an American Smooth, more a show-dance, but I will give them an 8.

Craig: 9 “I would put that routine straight on stage in one of my shows…it was just great…chin was a little bit too far down [at one point]”
Darcey: 10 “I love this Kimberley…like a true film star…timing [is great]…I am well impressed”
Len: 9 “I got a bit hot under the collar…I would have liked a bit more of that dance to be in Ballroom hold…other than that I thought the rest of it was fantastic”
Bruno: 10 “It was an American sexbomb…the way you interpret the music is absolutely fantastic to see”

Total = 38

Charleston

It was all going so well, but the later third she just lacks a little swivel, the exit from the second-to-last lift is awkward, and there’s a slight stumble before the end.

However that’s really nit picking on what was a great performance, I’m going to give them a 9.

Craig: 10 “Fab-u-lous”
Darcey: 10 “Quirky, naughty, flapper…great interpretation”
Len: 10 “It was fun, it was frivolous…you were flying first class”
Bruno: 10 “Flying high…upside down…looking good from every angle…a feast for the eyes”

Total = 40, her performance was better than last week’s fusion, but I still don’t think it’s perfect I’m afraid – getting closer though! Hard to justify Denise’s 9 now though Craig if you ask me!

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Salsa/American Smooth

Salsa

Just when you’re wondering where Lisa & Robin are, and why we’re focusing on the judges table, they suddenly pop up from behind to use the judges heads as bongos.

Salsa could see a return to form for Lisa, with the fun party atmosphere, and a less strict technical requirement. Unfortunately it’s not long before the armography gets caught up, though they carry on perfectly. There’s a very strange movement with Robin dancing around the outside of a ‘whooping’ Lisa, and then the floor spin goes completely wrong (I suspect Robin released a little early) and the recovery involved Robin hoisting Lisa off the floor in a very ungainly fashion.

They get back into the dance but you can tell Lisa’s lost a bit of confidence. A fun trick lift at the end with Lisa flipping Robin but still not more than a 7 for me.

Craig: 7 “The floor spin did it for me darling [that’s all Craig can get out amidst a giggling fit]”
Darcey: 8 “It’s just fabulous, I love it…it’s true you’re missing a couple of isolations, those hips”
Len: 8 “You make me into a happy chappy…it is so much fun…technique is a little bit laboured”
Bruno: 8 “The embodiment of the good-time girl…what the hell with the Salsa…the crash landing and the remount, I thought I was going to explode…it’s pointless making a technical assessment”

Total = 31

American Smooth

An American Smooth Foxtrot, for a girl that hasn’t really mastered any of the technique, I think they’re going to need every audience vote as they won’t survive a bottom two against any of the other competitors I fear.

Lisa misses a step on the way down from the stage, and doesn’t appear to actually do her Jazz hands. Her first kick line is just a little ahead of the music.

A little stumble in their reverse wave but you can see Lisa really liven up in the build up to the crescendo. Unfortunately the Foxtrot elements just weren’t good enough. Their final 7 from me I think.

Craig: 8 “I love a ball-change kick…have to watch your free arm…occasional gapping…timing was out just ever so slightly…love, love, love what you’ve done”
Darcey: 8 “It does suit you…the next theatre musical star…you match each other so well…only in hold you raise the shoulders a little”
Len: 8 “When you kicked your leg up I think I saw your razzle-dazzle!…you’re not always the judges champion, you are the people’s champion”
Bruno: 8 “Plenty of Jazz and plenty of pizzazz…little bit of a stumble here and there”

Total = 32

So the leader board (my combined score in brackets) stands at:

1. 78 – Kimberley & Pasha [17]
2. 77 – Denise & James [17]
3. 72 – Dani & Vincent [18]
4. 69 – Louis & Flavia [15]
5. 63 – Lisa & Robin [14]

Lisa will be going home tomorrow I think, unless the audience really get voting. As for who could join them it’s going to be a tough call, it should really be Louis as he just can’t quite match the three ladies above him this week. Emma reckons Lisa will have the public vote and that the bottom two could be Louis & Denise. The results show is going to be a tense one this week!!!

The Results Show

The first couple into the final are:

Kimberley & Pasha

First couple in the dance off are Lisa & Robin, think that puts them out then I’m afraid!

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Kimberley’s 3 cartwheels
• Denise’s face during the Tango
• Vincent being given a lucky coin, then dropping it into the fountain and wishing to make the final
• Brucie washing himself in the fountain
• A variety of highlights from Len’s Len over the series

Also in the final is:

Louis & Flavia

That leaves Denise & James or Dani & Vincent as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Lisa & Robin in the dance off is Denise & James.

Lisa is definitely going home then!

So they’ll dance their highest scoring dance in this dance-off.

Lisa & Robin – American Smooth

Manages to pull off the stair dismount this time, though still lacks the jazz hands unfortunately. Her kicks are a bit too fierce all the way through though. Performs the dance much better than during the show, but I think they know they’re going home.

Denise & James – Tango

I think it’s improved, though a bit shakier in places, however it would be a travesty if Denise wasn’t in the final.

Judges Votes

Craig: Denise “Purely based on technique”
Darcey: Denise “Technically the one I’m going to save”
Len: Denise “I did agree”
Bruno: Denise “I have to go for the best dance”

Denise: 4
Lisa: 0

Going Home: Lisa Riley

Lisa: “It’s been the best time of my entire life…I’ve had the time of my life…Robin Windsor has been amazing…having me as a partner has been a big ask…I owe every inch of Strictly to Robin”

An emotional farewell, I will be sad to see Lisa go but I think the time was right.

The post Strictly Come Dancing 2012 – Week 11 appeared first on Learn To Dance.

We’ve seen professionals perform these type of dances at shows before, and I’ve choreographed and performed dance fusions before. These could be amazing, or a complete car crash…let’s hope for amazing!

Denise Van Outen & James Jordan – Jive/Quickstep

First up then with a Jive, into Quickstep, into Jive, into Quickstep, into Jive…phew I hope they survive!

A great song choice and Denise really does characterisation well. This is looking to be an excellent dance up until the second Quickstep section when Denise appears to slip at one point (we can see later that she’s ripped her dress, must have caught her heel). They recover well but Denise looks to have lost a bit of confidence. She also puts one too many spins in at the end, leaving James standing there with his arm out, and subsequently they miss the ending of the song.

Could have been an outstanding performance but lost a little shine after the slip. A shame but I think we can only give them an 8.

Craig: 8 “Jive part of it I thought was incredible…Quickstep could sometimes be a little bit smoother…elements fused beautifully…terrible shame you went wrong…did finish late at the end”
Darcy: 9 “Your strength is the Jive…little bit too much bounce in the Quickstep…fabulous to watch”
Len: 9 “I thought the Quickstep had go, and the Jive had show…a proper fusion…you didn’t quite manage [the change in techniques for the flicks]…was a little slip-up…I enjoyed it very much”
Bruno: 9 “Explosive Jive, morphing beautifully into a lively and cheerful Quickstep…except for that moment when you caught yourself…I thought it was incredible”

Total = 35

Lisa Riley & Robin Windsor – Tango/Cha Cha

Certainly a harder combination of dances than Denise & James’, I’d be interested to see how this goes. Robin’s obviously decided that he wants to be in the final and is now pushing her harder too.

Robin & Lisa have gone for a half and half split for their routine, starting with the Tango.

Not a bad start but the Tango seems a bit messy in places, the transition into Cha Cha looks a bit awkward with the first moves and Lisa makes a mistake halfway through and you can tell Lisa is making it up on the spot. They end with an awkward looking lift too.

I still think Lisa has reached her talent threshold and I can’t see her improving much more with only two more weeks left. Will need audience votes to keep her in from now until the final I fear. Another 7 I’m afraid.

Craig: 7 “Cha Cha Cha was better than your Tango…topline is failing you in your Tango…a little ahead, anticipating the steps…but I loved the two characters”
Darcey: 8 “For me I thought your Tango was the stronger one…topline had improved and shaping was better…needed more sharp and stronger legs [in the cha cha]”
Len: 7 “Your enthusiasm is infectious…always fun and always joyous…went wrong in the Cha Cha Cha, there was a terrible incident…all a bit too predictable”
Bruno: 8 “I love the way you expose yourself…glistening like a glitter ball under a searchlight…Cha Cha Cha suits you down to a ‘T’…Tango was better than your usual ballroom…Cha Cha was much stronger”

Total = 30

Nicky Byrne & Karen Hauer – Samba/American Smooth (Foxtrot)

A samba mixed with a Foxtrot…hmmm, this could be awful!

Oh great, a chair for a prop…Nicky looks like he almost falls over backwards at the start too. Awful frame in hold and his feet are leaving the floor on every pivot. A pointless and rubbish jump over the chair that really needed to be more emphasised to warrant it’s inclusion.

The best bit is the reverse wave into closed rocks though, quite a nice idea. No clue what the slide under the chair and shoulder shimmy was about though.

Overall I didn’t like it at all, his technique is awful and the combination of dances was suspect. I can’t work out whether to give them a 6 or 7 but I think Lisa’s dancing was better (albeit with a mistake) so I’m going to give them a 6.

Craig: 5 “You need a lot more bounce in the Samba…posture in the American Smooth part was dreadful…I suspect we’re going to be seeing that dance again”
Darcy: 7 “You started really well, you presented very well…all the changes were very neat…your shoulders do let you down…over-extend the arms in your Samba”
Len: 8 “To fuse these two dances together was the greatest challenge we’ve seen so far…I thought that Samba was terrific…your ballroom you never straighten your knees”
Bruno: 7 “A heroic effort…couldn’t be two dances more different…a lot of technical shortcomings…always give a 110% and I commend you for it”

Total = 27

Dani Harmer & Vincent Simone – Quickstep/Charleston

Quite possibly the laziest (and easiest) fusion, seeing as Quickstep naturally includes Charleston movements.

I really dislike the chicken head Charleston move, but that’s not their fault I just dislike it!

Can’t see that many heel leads but the transitions are really good, though the running spin looks like Dani is being flung round Vincent. A few moments that look a little shaky, and she misses the kicks between Vincents legs, but the best dance so far definitely.

I would have liked to have seen a more challenging fusion (I think probably the only easier fusion would be Rumba/Cha Cha) but the performance earns them a 9 from me.

Craig: 9 “Choreography has been absolutely brilliant…great job on that routine”
Darcey: 10 “That was extraordinary…you’ve got it made with those two dances because they’re both from the 1920s so they mould perfectly together…upped the technical ability…beautiful wave going round the floor in the Quickstep”
Len: 9 “Would have been more happier with your feet if I’d seen the occasional heel lead…having said that…I loved it, well done”
Bruno: 10 “Exuberant fusion frenzy…they’re really like two sides of the same coin…stylistically it was absolute perfection”

Total = 34

Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace – Tango/Rumba

Louis has to show emotion and passion in the Rumba, something we really haven’t seen from him this series.

I would still like to see Louis put some shaping into his fingers, when out of hold the fingers are splayed all over the place. The timing looks a bit suspect at times in the Rumba and the running drag back looks off balance.

Transition into Tango is clumsy and the Tango itself feels a bit too quick.

His performance is definitely improving but just an 8 for me.

Craig: 9 “You danced that with effortless dexterity…your thumb was up in the Tango”
Darcey: 9 “The emotion was perfect…it was expressive…Tango was crisp…one of your best”
Len: 9 “Two dances, each end of the dance spectrum, and you pulled it off great, well done”
Bruno: 10 “The build up from soft and sensual, to passionate and hot…the climax at the end…keep it up”

Total = 37

Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev – Cha Cha/Tango

So does that first move count as their one permitted lift? Seems a bit of pointless if it was.

Some good transitions, some not quite good ones. Kimberley has a tendency to fling her arms out behind her shoulders during the Cha Cha segments.

What’s this…a second lift?! That’ll lose them some marks, also the transition back into Cha Cha starts with a slip-up.

Promised a lot but didn’t deliver for me, Tango was good but the Cha Cha felt lacklustre, just a 7 I’m afraid.

Craig: 10 “That is dancing!”
Darcey: 10 “Wowee Kimberley…fabulous pout…suited you perfectly…I loved it”
Len: 10 “Well done [gives standing ovation]”
Bruno: 10 “Nicky[?] you started a nuclear fusion…surprise at every turn…Cha Cha sexy kitten to Tango’s mischievous mistress…the dance of the season so far [can’t say I agree even in the slightest there]”

I fear a perfect score here and I really don’t think it deserved it I’m afraid, certainly not the best dance of the season!

Total = 40

So the leader board (my score in brackets) stands at:

1. 40 – Kimberley & Pasha [7]
2. 38 – Dani & Vincent [9]
3. 37 – Louis & Flavia [8]
4. 35 – Denise & James [8]
5. 30 – Lisa & Robin [7]
6. 27 – Nicky & Karen [6]

Our first perfect score of the series, but one I really can’t agree with, the rest of the board is accurate though.

Nicky will be going home tomorrow I think, and Lisa will most likely join him in the bottom two, but it all depends on the audience votes now.

The Results Show

The first couples safe were as follows:

Kimberley & Pasha
Dani & Vincent

First couple in the dance off are Nicky & Karen

Talk with the Judges

Len’s Lens

• Darcey’s reaction to Craig’s 10 for Kimberley
• A look at one of Kimberley’s transitions from Cha Cha to Tango
• Louis’ Tango and then some of his Rumba
• Denise’s Jive flicks and then her Quickstep flicks getting caught in her dress
• Dani & Vincent’s dancing
• Lisa’s dress being ripped off

Next week they’ll be performing two dances in the Semi-Final

Other couples safe are:

Lisa & Robin

That leaves Denise & James or Louis & Flavia as the final couple in the bottom two. Joining Nicky & Karen in the dance off is Denise & James.

Nicky is definitely going home then!

Denise & James – Jive/Quickstep

Denise managed to avoid catching her dress this time, but a couple of slips at the end with still doing one extra spin. However I don’t think that’s going to prevent Nicky from being sent home.

Nicky & Karen – Tango/Samba

Nicky is actually dancing better but he still has an awful frame and it won’t be enough to save him.

Judges Votes

Craig: Denise “Denise & James”
Darcey: Denise “Both very strong performances”
Len: Denise “Denise & James”
Bruno: Denise “Both improved but the outstanding couple is Denise & James”

Denise: 4
Nicky: 0

Going Home: Nicky Byrne

Nicky: “It’s so much fun, it’s the biggest and best show in the world…every week, every day it’s just been incredible”

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