The penultimate show of the series already?! Where did that time go? So this week the celebs do 2 dances each & my opinions of those were:
Joe & Katya - American Smooth
Great routine, smooth & controlled. Brilliant lifts too. Just needs to watch his left shoulder as it rises on occasions.
My score - 9
Alexandra & Gorka - Viennese Waltz
Needs to pull away from him more. Ideally her chest should not be on his & she was boob to boob with him. Her right arm was also too straight for most of the in-hold section. Good rotation & arms out of hold were nice.
My score - 8
Mollie & AJ - Samba
She was wrong footed at one point. Her core was too weak so looked like she was getting thrown around a lot. Needed more control.
My score - 7
Gemma & Aljaz - Rumba
Very good leg actions & nice hips. Nicely romantic. Just needed more pressure into the floor to aid the control.
My score - 9
Debbie & Giovanni - Jive
I must have been watching a different dance! Her flicks were too loose & lacked retraction. She looked like she was struggling to keep up with the routine. Her chasses were too flat footed & she had no jive rock action.
My score - 6
Joe & Katya - Argentine Tango
Awful music but great routine. Stunning lifts & control. Major shame about the balance issues.
My score - 9 (would have been 10 but for the balance issue)
Alexandra & Gorka - Salsa
Fast & full of content. Got a feeling she made an error & stepped back instead of forward at one point? Maybe it's just me but I felt there was a lack of correct hip action in a lot of it.
My score - 9
Mollie & AJ - Waltz
Light & romantic. Nice timing. Shame about the error. I disagreed with Shirley & felt she needed to soften her standing leg in her pivots to help with the rotation.
My score - 8
Gemma & Aljaz - Tango
Sharp & strong. All of her kicks & flicks were exactly the same height as Aljaz. Agree with Craig regarding the position of her left hand, it needed to face down to the foor & have her fingers together.
My score - 9
Debbie & Giovanni - Foxtrot
She made an error near the stage & had to correct herself to get onto the right foot. No toe release on her basic steps. At times her left wrist was 'broken' & created what I call a swans neck. Nicely fluid though.
My score - 8
My bottom 2 this week - Mollie & Debbie
Will be interesting to see who will be in the dance off as (from memory) only Joe & Gemma have not been in the dance-off yet?
Until then,
keeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Saturday 9 December 2017
Sunday 26 November 2017
Week 10
Hi all, here we are at week 10, only 4 weeks to go and it's all over for another year!
So what did you all think of the Paso Doblethon? I liked the idea but unfortunately the camera editing makes it hard to see anything. I personally think it would have been better to have a single camera shot of the whole floor.
Anyway, onto the performances:
Joe & Katya - Quickstep
Fast, energetic & light. Great body contact & footwork too. He just got a little hunched in his frame at times & his right hand was a little splayed on her back. Good effort as no errors in a fast & full routine.
My score - 9
Alexandra & Gorka - Rumba
Not very charismatic, not enough connection between them for me. She needed more pressure through the floor & more control to allow for more hip action. Her leg actions were also not strong enough, too many unlocked knees for me. In Rumba, when you are standing on a supporting leg it pretty much needs to be locked straight & hers weren't.
My score - 7
Gemma & Aljaz - Samba
Good bounce action. Good characterisation & story telling. Needed more hip action & body isolation in places & her free arm was a bit unfocused at times.
My score - 8
Molly & AJ - Quickstep
Nice & light. There was a bit of tension in her top line & face at times. Good body contact but her poise was a bit too upright during some of the faster sections.
My score - 8
Davood & Nadiya - Waltz
Needed to get his elbows up - they were a bit weak & his head was too central - should have been looking more towards his left hand. He also needed more sway. Elegant & romantic though. Very good footwork & control. Nice to see him in a proper tail suit.
My score - 8
Debbie & Giovanni - Argentine Tango
Wow, that was stunning. Like her or not, I think we all have to admit that she danced that really well. Exceptional leg lines & control. Great, sharp actions. Just needed to hold her top line in some of the lifts.
My score - 9
Susan & Kevin - American Smooth
Sweet & entertaining. Not much technique & lots of gapping. Needed much more drive & swing in the foxtrot sections.
My score - 6
The Paso Doblethon (is that how you spell it?!?!)
I watched the performances 3 times to try to get an idea of scoring it, then I watched the judges placings. My placings from 1t -7th were:
1st - Alexandra & Gorka
2nd - Joe & Katya
3rd - Debbie & Giovanni
4th - Gemma & Aljaz
5th - Davood & Nadiya
6th - Mollie & AJ
7th - Susan & Kevin
So the only one I disagreed on with the judges was Gemma & Davood. That's what judging is all about though - people & judges have different opinions as they are looking for slightly different things.
So my bottom 2 this week (not including the paso doblethon) - Susan & Alexandra. I doubt Alexandra will be in the bottom two. I am also concerned that Susan won't be in the bottom 2 and if Debbie is there again she will b saved & we will lose a good dancer too early. Having said that, we have that most series so why should this be any different?!
My blog next week may not be published until Monday I'm afraid as I'm in Blackpool scrutineering at a competition all Saturday & Sunday. If I get a chance I will try to publish it but there may not be an opportunity to do so until I get back home on Monday - sorry!
Until then,
keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
So what did you all think of the Paso Doblethon? I liked the idea but unfortunately the camera editing makes it hard to see anything. I personally think it would have been better to have a single camera shot of the whole floor.
Anyway, onto the performances:
Joe & Katya - Quickstep
Fast, energetic & light. Great body contact & footwork too. He just got a little hunched in his frame at times & his right hand was a little splayed on her back. Good effort as no errors in a fast & full routine.
My score - 9
Alexandra & Gorka - Rumba
Not very charismatic, not enough connection between them for me. She needed more pressure through the floor & more control to allow for more hip action. Her leg actions were also not strong enough, too many unlocked knees for me. In Rumba, when you are standing on a supporting leg it pretty much needs to be locked straight & hers weren't.
My score - 7
Gemma & Aljaz - Samba
Good bounce action. Good characterisation & story telling. Needed more hip action & body isolation in places & her free arm was a bit unfocused at times.
My score - 8
Molly & AJ - Quickstep
Nice & light. There was a bit of tension in her top line & face at times. Good body contact but her poise was a bit too upright during some of the faster sections.
My score - 8
Davood & Nadiya - Waltz
Needed to get his elbows up - they were a bit weak & his head was too central - should have been looking more towards his left hand. He also needed more sway. Elegant & romantic though. Very good footwork & control. Nice to see him in a proper tail suit.
My score - 8
Debbie & Giovanni - Argentine Tango
Wow, that was stunning. Like her or not, I think we all have to admit that she danced that really well. Exceptional leg lines & control. Great, sharp actions. Just needed to hold her top line in some of the lifts.
My score - 9
Susan & Kevin - American Smooth
Sweet & entertaining. Not much technique & lots of gapping. Needed much more drive & swing in the foxtrot sections.
My score - 6
The Paso Doblethon (is that how you spell it?!?!)
I watched the performances 3 times to try to get an idea of scoring it, then I watched the judges placings. My placings from 1t -7th were:
1st - Alexandra & Gorka
2nd - Joe & Katya
3rd - Debbie & Giovanni
4th - Gemma & Aljaz
5th - Davood & Nadiya
6th - Mollie & AJ
7th - Susan & Kevin
So the only one I disagreed on with the judges was Gemma & Davood. That's what judging is all about though - people & judges have different opinions as they are looking for slightly different things.
So my bottom 2 this week (not including the paso doblethon) - Susan & Alexandra. I doubt Alexandra will be in the bottom two. I am also concerned that Susan won't be in the bottom 2 and if Debbie is there again she will b saved & we will lose a good dancer too early. Having said that, we have that most series so why should this be any different?!
My blog next week may not be published until Monday I'm afraid as I'm in Blackpool scrutineering at a competition all Saturday & Sunday. If I get a chance I will try to publish it but there may not be an opportunity to do so until I get back home on Monday - sorry!
Until then,
keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Sunday 19 November 2017
Week 9 - Blackpool!
So this week we were once again in the home of Ballroom - Blackpool Tower! This place is magical, if you're a dancing fan & have never been, put it on your bucket list. Even if you can't dance, just go to watch the dancers & take in the atmosphere!
This week:
Mollie & AJ - Charleston
Very modern twist on this dance. Good swivels but one side was better than the other for me. Not much basic actions to judge but the lifts were good & it was well performed.
My score - 8
Susan & Kevin - Paso Doble
Much as I love her, there was no shaping, not enough aggression or attack. Lots of walking about without the proper styling of Paso walks. Good flamenco section without music though.
My score - 5
Debbie & Giovanni - Samba
I think she has plateaued now & we have seen the best she is going to get, which I currently don't think is good enough to win it. This week there was no body isolation, not enough hip actions, no fluidity & not enough bounce. Her podium work also needed to be bigger actions too.I'm afraid I didn't see what the judges saw.
My score - 6
Jonnie & Oti - Tango
Good frame & good timing. Needed more stride at times. Good focus throughout. The judges seem to forget that he only has one complete leg & that to get the power he needs to use his glutes more. This means that he needs to shift his pelvis back a fraction to facilitate his dancing. It's not something that he can change - unlike sickled feet which can be rectified!
My score - 8
Gemma & Aljaz - American Smooth
Nice musicality & nice arms. Her footwork on her reverse wave was wrong so she didn't have the necessary drive through the figure (and they danced it twice!). She also didn't have any toe pick-up on her backward basic steps which is a fundamental part of the basic for ladies. A bit of gapping too. However it was graceful, she had a nice poise & her lines & ifts were good.
My score - 8
Davood & Nadiya - Paso Doble
I'll be honest, I had to watch it twice as the first time I didn't get my eyes off of his torso! Great timing, shaping & leading. Powerful performance. Occasional lines could have been just a fraction stronger.
My score - 8
Alexandra & Gorka - Qickstep
Good performance. Toes still turned in which is starting to annoy me now! Some gapping in places & she lost her oise in some of the faster sections & stood up too straight.
My score - 8
Joe & Katya - Salsa
Great energy & well maintained. Looked confident & in charge throughout. Good lifts & armography. Held his own in the solo sections with the other dancers too Just needed a little more hip rotation in a few places.
My score - 9
My bottom 2 this week - Debbie & Susan
I'm afraid my blog may be late again next week as I'm in London at 42nd Street to celebrate my step-dad's 80th Birthday!
Until then,
keeeeep dancing!!
Lloyd x
This week:
Mollie & AJ - Charleston
Very modern twist on this dance. Good swivels but one side was better than the other for me. Not much basic actions to judge but the lifts were good & it was well performed.
My score - 8
Susan & Kevin - Paso Doble
Much as I love her, there was no shaping, not enough aggression or attack. Lots of walking about without the proper styling of Paso walks. Good flamenco section without music though.
My score - 5
Debbie & Giovanni - Samba
I think she has plateaued now & we have seen the best she is going to get, which I currently don't think is good enough to win it. This week there was no body isolation, not enough hip actions, no fluidity & not enough bounce. Her podium work also needed to be bigger actions too.I'm afraid I didn't see what the judges saw.
My score - 6
Jonnie & Oti - Tango
Good frame & good timing. Needed more stride at times. Good focus throughout. The judges seem to forget that he only has one complete leg & that to get the power he needs to use his glutes more. This means that he needs to shift his pelvis back a fraction to facilitate his dancing. It's not something that he can change - unlike sickled feet which can be rectified!
My score - 8
Gemma & Aljaz - American Smooth
Nice musicality & nice arms. Her footwork on her reverse wave was wrong so she didn't have the necessary drive through the figure (and they danced it twice!). She also didn't have any toe pick-up on her backward basic steps which is a fundamental part of the basic for ladies. A bit of gapping too. However it was graceful, she had a nice poise & her lines & ifts were good.
My score - 8
Davood & Nadiya - Paso Doble
I'll be honest, I had to watch it twice as the first time I didn't get my eyes off of his torso! Great timing, shaping & leading. Powerful performance. Occasional lines could have been just a fraction stronger.
My score - 8
Alexandra & Gorka - Qickstep
Good performance. Toes still turned in which is starting to annoy me now! Some gapping in places & she lost her oise in some of the faster sections & stood up too straight.
My score - 8
Joe & Katya - Salsa
Great energy & well maintained. Looked confident & in charge throughout. Good lifts & armography. Held his own in the solo sections with the other dancers too Just needed a little more hip rotation in a few places.
My score - 9
My bottom 2 this week - Debbie & Susan
I'm afraid my blog may be late again next week as I'm in London at 42nd Street to celebrate my step-dad's 80th Birthday!
Until then,
keeeeep dancing!!
Lloyd x
Saturday 11 November 2017
Week 8
So, just for the record - if I had been a judge last week & watched those 2 dances in the dance-off, I would have saved Mollie too. Based on that dance alone (as per the rules of the dance-off) Aston was by far the weakest dancer & didn't deserve to be saved. I don't think Janette's choreography helped as it was far too rough for such a graceful dance.
Anyway, let's move on to this week's performances:
Susan & Kevin - Tango
Dramatic performance. Some heel leads missed but she did stay down in her knees. No errors in the routine either. Her left hand collapsed a few times & went a bit weak on his arm & she needs to pull her top line back to enhance further.
My score - 6
Jo & Katya - Rumba
Not a bad attempt. A notoriously difficult dance for a man. Good fluidity in hi arms & good attempt at hip actions. Very well lead but a bit on the spot for me, needed to move a bit more. He missed some to turn outs too.
My score - 8
Ruth & Anton - Foxtrot
I get the feeling he's not trying very hard & given up teaching. That was a cheaters dance. It was basically one continuous weave so managed to avoid the control steps & technique of a proper foxtrot. No timing changes, no chance to do proper foot work, heel turns, etc. No lines, just quick after quick after quick. Not impressed - don't be lazy Anton, you're supposed to be a ballroom dancer & teacher so teach it & dance it!
My score - 4
Davood & Nadiya - Charleston
Light, fast, great swivels, great lifts, great timing & good performance. The only thing I didn't like was when he tried to dance the basic swivel actions with her on his back, looked a bit clumpy.
My score - 9
Gemma & Aljaz - Viennese Waltz
Light & fluffy with good footwork. Good rotations & pivots. Just needs to pull back top line more & soften the rise & fall. Didn't help that the music was awful & not proper Viennese Waltz timing.
My score - 8
Alexandra & Gorka - Argentine Tango
No surprise the first AT was given to her! Liked the way they danced down onto the floor from the balcony. Great performance, great lifts. When she was doing the gaucho's either side of him she had her backside stuck out a bit too far for my liking.
My score - 9
Mollie & AJ - Paso Doble
Well performed with good timing. Shapings a bit weak in places & arms needed to be a bit stronger at times too. Powerful performance though.
My score - 8
Jonnie & Oti - Foxtrot
Very romantic. Not bad footwork and good leading. Needed more drive & stride. The jacket made his shoulders looked hunched & he really does need to get his pelvis forward more.
My score - 6
Debbie & Giovanni - Salsa
Some balance issues & routine seemed to go a bit awry at one point & they lost focus for a bit. Very brave lifts but didn't like the dismount from the plank spin. Needed to be a bit 'rougher' round the edges, was a bit too upright for me.
My score - 8
so my bottom 2 this week - Ruth & Jonnie (but after last week I fully expect Mollie to be there as a mark of disapproval from some fans of Aston)
Until next week,
keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Anyway, let's move on to this week's performances:
Susan & Kevin - Tango
Dramatic performance. Some heel leads missed but she did stay down in her knees. No errors in the routine either. Her left hand collapsed a few times & went a bit weak on his arm & she needs to pull her top line back to enhance further.
My score - 6
Jo & Katya - Rumba
Not a bad attempt. A notoriously difficult dance for a man. Good fluidity in hi arms & good attempt at hip actions. Very well lead but a bit on the spot for me, needed to move a bit more. He missed some to turn outs too.
My score - 8
Ruth & Anton - Foxtrot
I get the feeling he's not trying very hard & given up teaching. That was a cheaters dance. It was basically one continuous weave so managed to avoid the control steps & technique of a proper foxtrot. No timing changes, no chance to do proper foot work, heel turns, etc. No lines, just quick after quick after quick. Not impressed - don't be lazy Anton, you're supposed to be a ballroom dancer & teacher so teach it & dance it!
My score - 4
Davood & Nadiya - Charleston
Light, fast, great swivels, great lifts, great timing & good performance. The only thing I didn't like was when he tried to dance the basic swivel actions with her on his back, looked a bit clumpy.
My score - 9
Gemma & Aljaz - Viennese Waltz
Light & fluffy with good footwork. Good rotations & pivots. Just needs to pull back top line more & soften the rise & fall. Didn't help that the music was awful & not proper Viennese Waltz timing.
My score - 8
Alexandra & Gorka - Argentine Tango
No surprise the first AT was given to her! Liked the way they danced down onto the floor from the balcony. Great performance, great lifts. When she was doing the gaucho's either side of him she had her backside stuck out a bit too far for my liking.
My score - 9
Mollie & AJ - Paso Doble
Well performed with good timing. Shapings a bit weak in places & arms needed to be a bit stronger at times too. Powerful performance though.
My score - 8
Jonnie & Oti - Foxtrot
Very romantic. Not bad footwork and good leading. Needed more drive & stride. The jacket made his shoulders looked hunched & he really does need to get his pelvis forward more.
My score - 6
Debbie & Giovanni - Salsa
Some balance issues & routine seemed to go a bit awry at one point & they lost focus for a bit. Very brave lifts but didn't like the dismount from the plank spin. Needed to be a bit 'rougher' round the edges, was a bit too upright for me.
My score - 8
so my bottom 2 this week - Ruth & Jonnie (but after last week I fully expect Mollie to be there as a mark of disapproval from some fans of Aston)
Until next week,
keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Saturday 4 November 2017
Week 7
This week felt a lot better than last week with regards to the overall energy & performances for me, do you all agree? I sometimes wonder whether themed weeks are as good as people expect them to be - they seem to miss something.
The performances this week
Alexandra & Gorka - Cha Cha Cha
Good energy & arms, knee & leg actions very good for most of it but her supporting foot was turned in at certain points. Needed more pressure into the floor to aid hip actions in places.
My score - 8 (I spotted errors so couldn't give a 10, maybe I was watching something differently to the judges?!)
Mollie & AJ - Foxtrot
Quite nice fow & grace, good poise. She missed some footwork - some heel leads missed & when a lady dances backwards in this dance there is something called No Foot Rise, which means she stays down in her feet but rises through her knees & body: she didn't achieve the NFR is places. Elegant but a shame about the stumble.
My score - 7
Jo & Katya - Charleston
His best yet. Great energy, great lifts & great swivels. I did spot one timing error when he was near the judges table which was the only error I could see.
My score - 9
Gemma & Aljaz - Salsa
Good energy but wasn't that keen on some of the lifts. Her hips were lateral rather than rotating as she needed to be a bit more down into the floor & 'earthy'.
My score - 7
Aston & Janette - Viennese Waltz
Not good. Nowhere near soft enough & too much rise & fall. His fleckerl had heel leads in it somehow. No sway on naturals & not enough drive. He was better out of hold
My score - 6
Ruth & Anton - Paso Doble
A typical Anton latin dance - not much content due to his lack of ability & going for the comedic routine. This could have been a good dance for her if she had a better partner. Enjoyable to watch, good timing & good stalking kicks.
My score - 6
Debbie & Giovanni
I spotted a few heel leads missed. However she kept away from rise & fall (which is good). Good staccato & nic head movements. Good content too
My score - 9
Jonnie & Oti
Good timing & confident lifts. Needed more hip action but had a good body rhythm. Good armography.
My score - 8
Susan & Kevin
Great timing & she didn't run out of steam. Good content & her flicks had a good pumping action. Light & fast
My score - 8
Davood & Nadiya
What a dance! Incredible lifts, great footwork, great timing & excellent performance. He just needed a little more drive from his standing foot in the foxtrot sections.
My score - 9
My bottom 2 this week - Ruth & Aston
Until next week,
keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
The performances this week
Alexandra & Gorka - Cha Cha Cha
Good energy & arms, knee & leg actions very good for most of it but her supporting foot was turned in at certain points. Needed more pressure into the floor to aid hip actions in places.
My score - 8 (I spotted errors so couldn't give a 10, maybe I was watching something differently to the judges?!)
Mollie & AJ - Foxtrot
Quite nice fow & grace, good poise. She missed some footwork - some heel leads missed & when a lady dances backwards in this dance there is something called No Foot Rise, which means she stays down in her feet but rises through her knees & body: she didn't achieve the NFR is places. Elegant but a shame about the stumble.
My score - 7
Jo & Katya - Charleston
His best yet. Great energy, great lifts & great swivels. I did spot one timing error when he was near the judges table which was the only error I could see.
My score - 9
Gemma & Aljaz - Salsa
Good energy but wasn't that keen on some of the lifts. Her hips were lateral rather than rotating as she needed to be a bit more down into the floor & 'earthy'.
My score - 7
Aston & Janette - Viennese Waltz
Not good. Nowhere near soft enough & too much rise & fall. His fleckerl had heel leads in it somehow. No sway on naturals & not enough drive. He was better out of hold
My score - 6
Ruth & Anton - Paso Doble
A typical Anton latin dance - not much content due to his lack of ability & going for the comedic routine. This could have been a good dance for her if she had a better partner. Enjoyable to watch, good timing & good stalking kicks.
My score - 6
Debbie & Giovanni
I spotted a few heel leads missed. However she kept away from rise & fall (which is good). Good staccato & nic head movements. Good content too
My score - 9
Jonnie & Oti
Good timing & confident lifts. Needed more hip action but had a good body rhythm. Good armography.
My score - 8
Susan & Kevin
Great timing & she didn't run out of steam. Good content & her flicks had a good pumping action. Light & fast
My score - 8
Davood & Nadiya
What a dance! Incredible lifts, great footwork, great timing & excellent performance. He just needed a little more drive from his standing foot in the foxtrot sections.
My score - 9
My bottom 2 this week - Ruth & Aston
Until next week,
keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Sunday 29 October 2017
Halloween Week
So this week I had the luck to be there in person after winning tickets in the ballot for the first time ever. It ended up being a long day. Queued from 5am to get tickets validated & then went back for 3.15pm. Went into the studio at 5 and left again at just after 11.
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about my day. Suffice to say that I'm really glad that I've been and experienced it & we actually had quite good seats but I doubt I would apply to go again.
The performances:
Jonnie & Oti
Good timing & leading. A bit stompy in places but lots of content which he managed to keep up with. Needs to watch free arm at times.
My score - 6
Ruth & Anton
A few errors which were a shame but at least she kept going. She needs to sort her frame out, too hunched & to close to Anton. She needs to pull her shoulder blades together & get her head back.
My score - 5
Simon & Karen
Too much table work at the beginning. His fleckerl was ok but went out of time. No stride, very stiff & stilted, no grace. Might have got a bit better with more training but still not sure it would have been tons better.
My score - 4
Gemma & Aljaz
Good energy with nice sharp flicks. Good leg actions, just a shame she forgot the routine in a couple of tiny places. Still my one to watch.
My score - 8
Joe & Katya
Good glide & stride, good timing. Just needs to get up on his toes more. Good frame in pivot & spins.
My score - 8
Mollie & AJ
Good timing & synchronicity with AJ. Good attempt at latin cross actions but needs to watch her knee actions, some were straight when they should be bent & vice versa. Good checked forward walk actions in places but didn't like the syncopated zig zag section.
My score - 8
Alexandra & Gorka
I'm afraid I didn't see what the judges saw. For me it wasn't her best. She did almost no heel leads ~(a must for Tango) & she lost control on her contr check. She also made a couple of errors. Committed & powerful though but I think it was one of her worst dances.
My score - 7
Davood & Nadiya
Very atmospheric. Good timing & performance. Fluid with some hip movements. Expressive & he supported her well. Not his fault that there was little basic rumba.
My score - 7
Susan & Kevin
Good footwork. I know the judges mention lots of errors but I only saw one tiny one in all of that content. Still fun to watch & I really liked the storyline.
My score - 7
Debbie & Giovanni
Great energy, great swivels. Shame about the Round The World lift going a bit sticky & the last lift looked a bit dodgy too. Good arms though & great charleston characterisation.
My score - 9
Aston & Janette
Great power & he lead it well. Better feet (not so pigeon toed). Great shapings & liked the solo bit & leap. Just didn't like his chasse action on his chasse capes.
My score - 9
My bottom 2 - Simon & Ruth
until next week
keeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about my day. Suffice to say that I'm really glad that I've been and experienced it & we actually had quite good seats but I doubt I would apply to go again.
The performances:
Jonnie & Oti
Good timing & leading. A bit stompy in places but lots of content which he managed to keep up with. Needs to watch free arm at times.
My score - 6
Ruth & Anton
A few errors which were a shame but at least she kept going. She needs to sort her frame out, too hunched & to close to Anton. She needs to pull her shoulder blades together & get her head back.
My score - 5
Simon & Karen
Too much table work at the beginning. His fleckerl was ok but went out of time. No stride, very stiff & stilted, no grace. Might have got a bit better with more training but still not sure it would have been tons better.
My score - 4
Gemma & Aljaz
Good energy with nice sharp flicks. Good leg actions, just a shame she forgot the routine in a couple of tiny places. Still my one to watch.
My score - 8
Joe & Katya
Good glide & stride, good timing. Just needs to get up on his toes more. Good frame in pivot & spins.
My score - 8
Mollie & AJ
Good timing & synchronicity with AJ. Good attempt at latin cross actions but needs to watch her knee actions, some were straight when they should be bent & vice versa. Good checked forward walk actions in places but didn't like the syncopated zig zag section.
My score - 8
Alexandra & Gorka
I'm afraid I didn't see what the judges saw. For me it wasn't her best. She did almost no heel leads ~(a must for Tango) & she lost control on her contr check. She also made a couple of errors. Committed & powerful though but I think it was one of her worst dances.
My score - 7
Davood & Nadiya
Very atmospheric. Good timing & performance. Fluid with some hip movements. Expressive & he supported her well. Not his fault that there was little basic rumba.
My score - 7
Susan & Kevin
Good footwork. I know the judges mention lots of errors but I only saw one tiny one in all of that content. Still fun to watch & I really liked the storyline.
My score - 7
Debbie & Giovanni
Great energy, great swivels. Shame about the Round The World lift going a bit sticky & the last lift looked a bit dodgy too. Good arms though & great charleston characterisation.
My score - 9
Aston & Janette
Great power & he lead it well. Better feet (not so pigeon toed). Great shapings & liked the solo bit & leap. Just didn't like his chasse action on his chasse capes.
My score - 9
My bottom 2 - Simon & Ruth
until next week
keeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Saturday 21 October 2017
Week 5
A week without Bruno. Was he missed? I, for one, didn't miss him & felt it was much more sedate & controlled (apart from when Craig did his impersonation, which was hysterical!)
The performances:
Davood & Nadiya - Jive
A bit heavy in his body, his shoulders were helping him bounce instead of his ankles & knees. Flicks & kicks not bad but he needs to control his free arm, it can get a bit erratic.
My score - 7
Molly & AJ - Viennese Waltz
Good upper body but too much faffing at the start. Her reverse fleckerl had too many backward crosses in it, There are 6 counts in a fleckerl (which is usually danced twice, so a total of 12) she crossed on every other count instead of just count 2 and 8. Her natural fleckerl was correct though. Footwork was quite nice through most of it.
My score - 8
Simon & Karen - Charleston
Couple of timing errors at the start but the rest got better. Good fun to watch but no swivels. Lots of content & he seemed to cope with most of it.
My score - 6
Debbie & Giovanni
I know a lot of people aren't warming to her but you can't deny that was a nicely danced Rumba. Elegant, great leg & hip actions & good flexibility. This is a hard dance to master & she did a pretty good job of it. Shame about the balance issue on her last set of walks away from him (caused by her foot not being under the hip but crossing over slightly).
My score - 9
Brian & Amy - Jive
Heavy footed, & sloppy kicks. He got tired half way through. He was stepping instead of dancing chasses at some points. Good content though & no errors.
My score - 5
Susan & Kevin - Cha Cha Cha
She may not be the best dancer but I love watching her. She's always great fun. Her feet were a bit too off the floor for this dance & she lacked hip actions but a great performance as ever.
My score - 6
Aston & Janette - Waltz
Very romantic. Poise a bit off & too far forward at times. Needed to be a bit more fluid in places. Good stride & frame though.
My score - 8
Ruth & Anton - Samba
Very clever Anton, parody something & you can get away with your own lack of ability! It was all voltas & botafogos (& not much else!). She did have a good bounce action & it was good fun. She was on the wrong foot for one section of botafogos.
My score - 6
Gemma & Aljaz - Foxtrot
Very pretty. Held her frame well during all of the spins. Good flow but I disagree with Darcy about her head line, I thought it was fine. She aso did the correct footwork on her reverse wave which is tricky for all ladies to master. Just lacked rise & fall 7 she needed to hold some of her quicks a bit longer.
My score - 8
Joe & Katya - Paso Doble
So where did that come from?! He was on a par with Alexandra's Paso tonight. Very commanding, great shaping & good leads. Great knee work too as that is tricky if your weight isn't controlled properly. Very impressive Paso.
My score - 9
Alexandra & Gorka - Samba
Quite good but needed to finish some o her lines more cleanly. Great isolation & quite raunchy in places! I hate to be proved right but I said on my weekly BBC Radio Kent slot this morning that her weakness was her pigeon toes & finally all the judges mentioned it!
My score - 8
Jonnie & Oti - Quickstep
Light & fast. Confident performance with good travel across the floor. Just needs to keep his pelvis forwards more at times.
My score 8
My bottom 2 - Brian & Ruth (for her mistakes)
Next week my blog will be late again I'm afraid but I have a good excuse - I'll be in the Strictly audience!
until then,
keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
The performances:
Davood & Nadiya - Jive
A bit heavy in his body, his shoulders were helping him bounce instead of his ankles & knees. Flicks & kicks not bad but he needs to control his free arm, it can get a bit erratic.
My score - 7
Molly & AJ - Viennese Waltz
Good upper body but too much faffing at the start. Her reverse fleckerl had too many backward crosses in it, There are 6 counts in a fleckerl (which is usually danced twice, so a total of 12) she crossed on every other count instead of just count 2 and 8. Her natural fleckerl was correct though. Footwork was quite nice through most of it.
My score - 8
Simon & Karen - Charleston
Couple of timing errors at the start but the rest got better. Good fun to watch but no swivels. Lots of content & he seemed to cope with most of it.
My score - 6
Debbie & Giovanni
I know a lot of people aren't warming to her but you can't deny that was a nicely danced Rumba. Elegant, great leg & hip actions & good flexibility. This is a hard dance to master & she did a pretty good job of it. Shame about the balance issue on her last set of walks away from him (caused by her foot not being under the hip but crossing over slightly).
My score - 9
Brian & Amy - Jive
Heavy footed, & sloppy kicks. He got tired half way through. He was stepping instead of dancing chasses at some points. Good content though & no errors.
My score - 5
Susan & Kevin - Cha Cha Cha
She may not be the best dancer but I love watching her. She's always great fun. Her feet were a bit too off the floor for this dance & she lacked hip actions but a great performance as ever.
My score - 6
Aston & Janette - Waltz
Very romantic. Poise a bit off & too far forward at times. Needed to be a bit more fluid in places. Good stride & frame though.
My score - 8
Ruth & Anton - Samba
Very clever Anton, parody something & you can get away with your own lack of ability! It was all voltas & botafogos (& not much else!). She did have a good bounce action & it was good fun. She was on the wrong foot for one section of botafogos.
My score - 6
Gemma & Aljaz - Foxtrot
Very pretty. Held her frame well during all of the spins. Good flow but I disagree with Darcy about her head line, I thought it was fine. She aso did the correct footwork on her reverse wave which is tricky for all ladies to master. Just lacked rise & fall 7 she needed to hold some of her quicks a bit longer.
My score - 8
Joe & Katya - Paso Doble
So where did that come from?! He was on a par with Alexandra's Paso tonight. Very commanding, great shaping & good leads. Great knee work too as that is tricky if your weight isn't controlled properly. Very impressive Paso.
My score - 9
Alexandra & Gorka - Samba
Quite good but needed to finish some o her lines more cleanly. Great isolation & quite raunchy in places! I hate to be proved right but I said on my weekly BBC Radio Kent slot this morning that her weakness was her pigeon toes & finally all the judges mentioned it!
My score - 8
Jonnie & Oti - Quickstep
Light & fast. Confident performance with good travel across the floor. Just needs to keep his pelvis forwards more at times.
My score 8
My bottom 2 - Brian & Ruth (for her mistakes)
Next week my blog will be late again I'm afraid but I have a good excuse - I'll be in the Strictly audience!
until then,
keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
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