The Dance Hall, Part 4: To Helsinki & Back -- Seeking Rhumba Magic ...

[sap5]

My initial impression--and I've only watched it once--is that it is too busy. I do think streamlining would give it stronger highlights. And I do expect the top dances to evolve throughout the season.

I'd like to see Scott in a more simple shirt before I start streamlining choreography. I think the costume change alone would make a big impact.

 

[Maddie Sparks]

I love VM's vision for their SD. It's bold and dynamic. In a season of latin dances where programs tend to look the same, they stand out (for better or worse).

Anyway, if you want a more "traditional" latin dance from VM with Scott in a (boring) simple, black outfit, they've already done at least 3 for your viewing pleasure: 2011/12 SD, 2010/11 FD and 2007 Worlds CD.

 

[supergirl573]

Weird question, but does anyone know how I can find videos from the Original Dance at 2006 Jr. Worlds?

 

[nuge]

Debuting at Coupe de Nice for Italy will be Carolina Moscheni & Andrea Fabbri - they are coached by Team Barbara Fusar-Poli: https://www.skatingskillsandcomponentcamp.com/our-teams

Is he any relation to Marco Fabbri?

 

[maya1985]

Is he any relation to Marco Fabbri?

it's his brother

 

[clairecloutier]

I love VM's vision for their SD. It's bold and dynamic. In a season of latin dances where programs tend to look the same, they stand out (for better or worse).

Totally agree!! I love this dance from V/M. I've already watched it like 6 times (not something I typically do with dance programs!).

 

[sap5]

I wouldn't mind seeing Scott wear that see thru cheetah mesh Tessa's got going on. The question is, should he wear that just as a shirt, or should his pants be made of that material as well?

 

[bbkenn]

I find it really interesting that many people think V&M's SD is too busy, over the top, dramatic when, in my opinion, it is an example of quintessential ballroom dancing that I see on PBS. When they do the rhumba, and other "latin" dances I've seen way more extravagant and revealing costumes; dramatic pauses for effect and the movement of the hips on the part of both male and female dancers, and the posture is exquisite. They seem "way over the top" at times but it is so exciting and effective. So, when I watch V&M's SD, I see all of those same elements in their dance. It embodies that ballroom style.

 

[forthewin]

P/C's SD just doesn't feel Latin. The pop music and their choreography don't match at all. In contrast V/M also choose rocked-up music, but their movement fits the music and screams Latin. I think now I understand why ballroom Latin always goes over the top, because it's so easy to lose the Latin flavor with pop songs.

 

[AquaLady]

Love Stepanova/Bukin's performance today! I'm definitely not a fan of Chandelier, but they really worked it! Energy on 100! What a debut!

 

[ninalovesskating]

I CANNOT deal with P/C's SD. As a fan of Ed Sheeran, I'm pretty pissed. They butchered his songs!!! I mean they slowed down Shape of You. They slowed it down. Skating skills to the drain. He's doing all the work. Absolutely didn't feel like a program worth of 78.09. But hey, I love her costume...

S/B shocked me. I thought this rhythm wouldn't work to their favor but they made it work!!! I could not believe the music choice at first!!! I was like...is this for real??? A little bit too posey at times but I loved their youthful energy. Chemistry has also improved

Great debut for Sara and Kirill!!! LOVE the music choice!!! And her dress is dang fine. They earned a fantastic 56.44 compared to Smart/Diaz's debut score of 48.15! Spanish Fed, take note!

 

[allezfred]

Papadakis/Cizeron had THE SEX!

 

[ninalovesskating]

Papadakis/Cizeron had THE SEX!

I've never read something more outrageous than this. I CAN'T.

 

[Isabelle.G]

For me, as a non-fan of latin dances, P/C performed one of the best short dances they have ever done. The choreo is superb; the music choice, well, not the best one for my liking, but they seem confident and happy with the program and that is what is important.
And this new short dance screams especially one thing, more important than anything, they improved a lot in this discipline, so it will be interesting to see it developing during the season.

 

[snoopy]

I think the music and choreography matched for P/C and it felt Latin to me. And it was technically awesome. Maybe the best SD they've ever done. But I did not feel THE SEX. At all.

From the music maybe but not from them.

 

[chapis]

Great debut for Sara and Kirill!!! LOVE the music choice!!! And her dress is dang fine. They earned a fantastic 56.44 compared to Smart/Diaz's debut score of 48.15! Spanish Fed, take note!

I don´t know, Sara seemed a little uncomfortable, and again problems with twizzles, someone have a link to protocols?

 

[allezfred]

I've never read something more outrageous than this. I CAN'T.

You need to get out more.

 

[topaz]

P/C's SD just doesn't feel Latin. The pop music and their choreography don't match at all. In contrast V/M also choose rocked-up music, but their movement fits the music and screams Latin. I think now I understand why ballroom Latin always goes over the top, because it's so easy to lose the Latin flavor with pop songs.

Both teams SD lack latin flavor. However, Guilliuame body movement far exceeds Scott's. I thought the Living Out Loud(ed sheeran) showed a good rhumba rhythm.

I liked the costumes alot and thought the rhumba pattern and step sequences were very good.

 

[marbri]

Interesting because I was surprised to find myself thinking Gabby was the stronger of the two. Found Guillaume too stiff, I think his natural posture isn't favourable for this style of SD. But early days )

 

[GreenGan]

Coomes/Buckland still have my favourite SD of the season. But this SD by P/C.. Well you wanted something different ? You have it now. If you don't like it, well can't blame you.

The music is interesting. I don't really like the different music cuts and the Shape of you slowed down (to respect the rule) is a bit underwhelming, even though the acceleration at the end of the pattern looked great.
On the other hand, the performance and execution was great. They really had fun, and I love the choreography. It's a great basis for a Latin SD, can't wait to see them refine it throughout the season. The whole things looked very modern.

 

[princeton123]

P/C's Latin movement and hip action is pretty terrible. But we all kind of expected that.

 

[Isabelle.G]

P/C's Latin movement and hip action is pretty terrible. But we all kind of expected that.

With all due respect, if you expected that, why did you watch it?

 

[princeton123]

With all due respect, if you expected that, why did you watch it?

Because I'm an ice dance fan and programs can be watched by people other than mindless ubers?

 

[maya1985]

Because I'm an ice dance fan

Of course...but you hate P/C so ...

 

[princeton123]

Of course...but you hate P/C so ...

Ya'll need to stop interpreting every mild criticism of P/C as "hate".

 

[Isabelle.G]

Because I'm an ice dance fan and programs can be watched by people other than mindless ubers?

Of course, they can. I just understood from your previous comment that you like other teams much more than the French one, so I was confused why to watch or even write in a rather unfavourably way about someone I do not mind if I do not see very often? It is just my curiosity and a feeling that if someone wrote sth similar about Tessa&Scott or Maya&Alex for example, he would be, and rightly so, criticised at least. Feel free to write whatever you want, I only think the politeness rules should apply to everybody, that is all.

 

[Miloune]

P/C's Latin movement and hip action is pretty terrible. But we all kind of expected that.

 

[tabby cat]

Interesting because I was surprised to find myself thinking Gabby was the stronger of the two. Found Guillaume too stiff, I think his natural posture isn't favourable for this style of SD. But early days )

That's interesting because I thought the same thing. Gabby looked like she was really into it and Guillaume not so much. Can see that Latin isn't his favourite. Still quite an improvement on last years SD. I can see a revamp of the middle section though, wasn't quite working for me, dragged on a bit. But like you said "early days”.

 

[princeton123]

Of course, they can. I just understood from your previous comment that you like other teams much more than the French one, so I was confused why to watch or even write in a rather unfavourably way about someone I do not mind if I do not see very often? It is just my curiosity and a feeling that if someone wrote sth similar about Tessa&Scott or Maya&Alex for example, he would be, and rightly so, criticised at least. Feel free to write whatever you want, I only think the politeness rules should apply to everybody, that is all.

Because....it's a forum? And discussing figure skating is.....what we do?

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

 

[sap5]

I really wish P/C didn't start with the slowed down beat. I don't like slowed down beats in general, but with Shape Of You in particular, the exciting thing about that song is the speed of the beat. Slowing it down at the very beginning before the pattern has even started makes it look like there's a problem with the audio. Why not start out fast and then slow it down when the pattern begins?