The Dance Hall 9: Bring the Bling or No Beijing 2021-2022

[marbri]

I very much liked Hurtado & Khaliavin's RD.

Don't know what was up with his shirt, but her attitude was fabulous & he tried.

It reminded me of one of those shoulder holsters cops wear under suits to conceal their weapon.

I don't know if that makes any sense in the context of their RD (which I found to be meh).

 

[sap5]

H/K: Loved the music; hated the interpretation. There wasn’t any hip hop flavor in the program at all. Looking “fierce” and doing a couple of “street-type” poses doesn’t equal hip hop.

 

[Colonel Green]

Fabbri & Ayer had the same music and a better program, in my opinion.

 

[Dobre]

I did not find a copy of Fabbri & Ayer's program on youtube. Is there a working link in the video thread? (I'm afraid to look in there right now because I don't want to learn the results from any of the other disciplines that I haven't watched yet).

There wasn’t any hip hop flavor in the program at all.

You don't think so? I thought it was one of only a few programs I've seen that did have a solid attempt at the right flavor. (And I was pretty surprised because this is not Zhulin's thing).

Early in the season yet. I expect to see more. It is really hard to appreciate the musical interpretation in these early events with echoing music in the arena. Will be fun to see how much more on many of these programs will feel with professional cameras & sound. But for an opening CS, this one was absolutely packed & I really enjoyed the RDs today.

 

[Colonel Green]

I did not find a copy of Fabbri & Ayer's program on youtube. Is there a working link in the video thread?

 

[Dobre]

Thank you. I definitely like H&K's program better, but there's no reason to compare these two teams as they are at completely different stages of their career. I'm glad F&A have the chance to compete here. It's fun to see all these young teams: Demougeot & Le Mercier, Taschlerova & Taschler, Fabbri & Ayer, Cesanek & Yehorov.

 

[barbarafan]

Fabbri & Ayer had the same music and a better program, in my opinion.

They also did much better twizzles than Sara. Alicia had a little slip on the last twizzle. Sara staggered all over & yet look at the marks for that element.

 

[taz'smum]

The RD music combinations at the Russian Test skates were beyond interesting. I LOVE Z/G’s RD, but not I’m not so sure about the khakis costumes.

In the Test skates it is traditional to wear practice gear or casual clothing.
Z/G will have proper costumes for the competitions.

 

[Ka3sha]

I really liked H/K’s program and the way they presented it at Moscow Open Championship two weeks ago (link was posted here as well). In comparison, something was definitely lacking in Lombardia.

 

[angi]

I think S/K just made life easier for P/C, their FD is a mess.

 

[Bigbird]

I think S/K just made life easier for P/C, their FD is a mess.

I think his back is seriously hurting. It looks like Vika was dragging him through the program.

 

[angi]

I think his back is seriously hurting. It looks like Vika was dragging him through the program.

It's possible, they have two months until they are debuting at NHK, hopefully they can improve things because right now the choreography and execution are very messy.

 

[Bigbird]

It's possible, they have two months until they are debuting at NHK, hopefully they can improve things because right now the choreography and execution are very messy.

It is a safe rehashing of all their previous FDs with an Irish twist in the end? I thought it would be something more for an Olympic year...but yeah, they will polish.

 

[sap5]

You don't think so? I thought it was one of only a few programs I've seen that did have a solid attempt at the right flavor. (And I was pretty surprised because this is not Zhulin's thing).

Early in the season yet. I expect to see more. It is really hard to appreciate the musical interpretation in these early events with echoing music in the arena. Will be fun to see how much more on many of these programs will feel with professional cameras & sound. But for an opening CS, this one was absolutely packed & I really enjoyed the RDs today.

I don’t. Hip hop originated as a way to give a voice to a historically voiceless people (African Americans). So for me, when one dances to hip hop, it’s critically important to embody the soul, the feeling, the attitude of the music.

If a team picks “Partition” for the Midnight Blues, I expect to see a pattern that is burning. Otherwise why pick that song? This team has zero chemistry. I get that it’s early days, but if H/K can go from zero to the chemistry needed for Partition in a single season, I will be amazed.

 

[Cayuse]

Olympic Russian Coaches' Poker Competition: Morozov starts off with Schharazad complete with Elena and Nikita's iconic swan lift. Shpilband counters with the 2018 winner Moulan Rouge, Zhulin raises the ante with his usual "ace in the hole" Vivaldi (slow version), around the table we get Romeo and Juliet (always an Olympic contender) and then Rain in Her Black Eyes and finally Zhulin calls with a violin version of Rach 2 (and surprisingly doesn't add Vivaldi to the end of it). Tiff and Jon beat them all with a repeat of their Bollywood RD!

 

[Bigbird]

Olympic Russian Coaches' Poker Competition: Morozov starts off with Schharazad complete with Elena and Nikita's iconic swan lift. Shpilband counters with the 2018 winner Moulan Rouge, Zhulin raises the ante with his usual "ace in the hole" Vivaldi (slow version), around the table we get Romeo and Juliet (always an Olympic contender) and then Rain in Her Black Eyes and finally Zhulin calls with a violin version of Rach 2 (and surprisingly doesn't add Vivaldi to the end of it). Tiff and Jon beat them all with a repeat of their Bollywood RD!

No Zhulin had a dream that he should add on the Irish jig to the end of Rach it's a nod to the Great Riverdance from Bourne and Partner. This has the makings for great reality TV. Averbuch needs to ditch ice age and the Buzova's of this world and just do reality TV. This is hilarious. ROTFL.

 

[Andrea82]

Lombardia panel was very "European".

The Taschler siblings confirmed their raise also in the FD. Their PCS were at same level of the Finns (who got a solid score too, a new PB).

Italy may even change the team for Nebelhorn at this point. But for them and Hungary doesn't look too good to be in top 4 in 2 weeks.

I believe Garabedian/Proulx Senecal were entered at US Classic International next week. If they had not withdrawn, it will be interesting to see if they confirm the Lake Placid good score.

 

[Karen-W]

Lombardia panel was very "European".

The Taschler siblings confirmed their raise also in the FD. Their PCS were at same level of the Finns (who got a solid score too, a new PB).

Italy may even change the team for Nebelhorn at this point. But for them and Hungary doesn't look too good to be in top 4 in 2 weeks.

I believe Garabedian/Proulx Senecal are entered at US Classic International next week. It will be interesting to see if they confirm the Lake Placid good score.

I fully expect Italy to switch out Moscheni/Fioretti for Portesi Peroni/Chrastecky. PP/C beat M/F by 5 places and 12.5 points today. Nebelhorn isn't just about the scores but about the placement as well since there are Olympic spots on the line.

 

[Bigbird]

How could they spoil perfectly good music with that hackneyed FD for H/K? Do all the dancers have to do that step sequence coming towards the judges? Now I understand the Irish Jig insertion for S/K, I'm just...speechless.

Car/Pom look very sad. Very, very sad. Why all these laboured lifts?

Edit: Why such a low score for G/F? These judges are getting on my last nerve.

 

[angi]

Car/Pom look very sad. Very, very sad. Why all these laboured lifts?

I thought they mostly looked good, the lifts are labored but they always were and they are trying new things so they need time. This is their season to experiment, the stakes are non-existent for them.

 

[Andrea82]

I suppose the illegal element deduction for Fabbri/Ayer is another chapter of the "coaching team didn't reread the rule book and national technical specialists were a bit asleep this summer" saga.

I guess the issue is

e) lifting partner swinging the lifted partner around without the assistance of hand(s)/arm(s) and the lifted partner holds only with legs/feet around the lifting partner’s neck;

 

[Bigbird]

I suppose the illegal element deduction for Fabbri/Ayer is another chapter of the "coaching team didn't reread the rule book and national technical specialists were a bit asleep this summer" saga.

I guess the issue is

e) lifting partner swinging the lifted partner around without the assistance of hand(s)/arm(s) and the lifted partner holds only with legs/feet around the lifting partner’s neck;

There are just too many convoluted rules. Too many.

 

[Dobre]

On Carreira & Ponomarenko, I thought the FD was a nice step. It's a move toward maturity, and the upbeat ending allows them to use their fun side & should get the crowd should there be a crowd.

I didn't think they pulled off the characters in the RD.


On Fournier-Beaudry & Sorensen, I thought the FD music had a nice build to it, right up until the end when both it & the movement across the ice died. The low lift with the backwards-looking spin was nice. (Think I will like this program. Would like them to improve the ending). I have no thoughts on the RD.


On Taschlerova & Taschler, well I think they have improved their power, which is a plus. However, if they are going to score this well, then I also have to point out that the bent knees/lack of extension/and sometimes ugly positions need work. Hop to it.

Preferred H&K's RD to their FD, the former of which I already raved about above, the latter of which feels like it needs more work.


On Guignard & Fabbri, well the FD at this stage is clearly polished & was in a league of its own here. On the RD, I'm fine with the Michael Jackson for them but not at all fine with the 400-piece mashup. Anyway, it was a lot and they looked glad to get through it.

Lots of slow, elegant, not-so-memorable FDs on the way toward reaching the final flight. We can do better, people. There is this thing called versatility, and I need more of it.

I don't think it matters which #2 team Italy sends to Nebelhorn.

 

[litenkyckling]

Finlandia Trophy Ice Dance field: P/C, S/B, C/B, F/G, L/L, S/D, H/K, C/P...

Alexa, play Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo

 

[Bigbird]

Finlandia Trophy Ice Dance field: P/C, S/B, C/B, F/G, L/L, S/D, H/K, C/P...

Alexa, play Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo

Now this is a line up.

 

[ostile17]

Sorry, deleted

 

[muffinplus]

I FF'd the Russian Test Skates FD, most of the programs were tacky and horrible warhorse selections with zero creativity.

 

[Karen-W]

I don't care how much people want to hate on Fear/Gibson for their lack of technique, I suspect, based on the music/FD reveals of 4 of the top 8 teams so far, they're going to be very popular again simply because they aren't skating to lyrical snot/emo but instead have picked music that is familiar to most audiences. They really do have an innate sense of how to appeal to the masses instead of pretending they're on some sort of grand artistic mission or simply pandering to what the judges have rewarded in the past.

 

[sap5]

I don't care how much people want to hate on Fear/Gibson for their lack of technique, I suspect, based on the music/FD reveals of 4 of the top 8 teams so far, they're going to be very popular again simply because they aren't skating to lyrical snot/emo but instead have picked music that is familiar to most audiences. They really do have an innate sense of how to appeal to the masses instead of pretending they're on some sort of grand artistic mission or simply pandering to what the judges have rewarded in the past.

F/G aren't gunning for the top of the podium, so okay technique is fine. If I were them, I'd 100% focus on flashy, appealing packaging, because I'd want the attention, social media/tiktok reposts, luxury sponsorships, and invitations to Dancing on Ice/DWTS.

 

[thvu]

I think too that the proposed and defunct "entertainment bonus" is now just unofficial. It's worth a few PCS points and some fractions of GOE. Judges will reward you for not boring them.