As the teachers and celebrities prepare themselves for Latin Week on Dancing with the Stars, let's get aquainted with the each of the dances to see what kind of show they are facing in Week 5 of Season 23.
The Dancers: Maureen and Artem The Dance: Samba The Song: “Mas Que Nada” by Sergio Mendes featuring The Black Eyed Peas
Samba is also known as the Brazilian Waltz. It utilizes a consistent bouncing action, and is one of the most aerobically demanding dances. It features a wide array of hip actions - from pulses forward and back, to figure eight actions - a great Samba will highlight a Latin dancer's versatility, or expose any lack thereof.
Having performed the Salsa already will be a big help to Marueen and Artem this week. Starting immediately with a Samba would be like learning to drive on the freeways in Southern California. This week will present as big a challenge to Maureen as the first episode, but if she rises to that challenge - it will shed a new light on her trajectory on the show.
The Dancers: Calvin and Lindsay The Dance: Argentine Tango The Song: “Hotel California" by the Eagles
Argentine Tango is a steamy and seductive version of Tango built for the nightclubs, or "Milongas", of Argentina. Featuring a close embrace-like dance frame, the dance is characterized by swivels, or "ochos", leg flicks and flares. Technically speaking, the Argentine Tango is not an International Latin dance, but then again, Argentine Tango is hard to classify - so it's Latin enough.
So far, Calvin and Lindsay have formed quite the partnership. For everything that Lindsay has presented, Calvin has stepped up and continued to shine. The Argentine Tango will give Calvin a dance that is less challenging than the Jive, but will pose a new challenge he has yet to take on: The Smolder. So far, the bulk of Calvin and Lindsay's work can be labeled as "happy go lucky", but the Argentine Tango will require them to add some believable drama.
The Dancers: Jana and Gleb The Dance: Argentine Tango The Song: “Hands to Myself” by Selena Gomez
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Unlike Calvin and Lindsay, Jana and Gleb will have no problem creating the sexy and dramatic moments for this dance. They've taken a very Argentine Tango approach to each of their dances thus far, and this week will give them a chance to push the dance skill, since the subject matter is familiar territory.
The Dancers: Ryan and Cheryl The Dance: Salsa The Song: “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” by Celia Cruz
The Salsa is one of the most popular social dances over the last fifteen years. It is characterized by fast footwork, a variety of underarm turns, and latin hip motion. If an artist can find hundreds of ways to paint a flower, then a great salsa dancer is an artist for underarm turns.
Ryan and Cheryl have made consistent improvement. The work they did last week on the Most Memorable Year may have helped soften the hearts of the viewers to the Olympic controversy Ryan was wrapped up in. The Salsa is an athletic Latin dance, and Ryan is an athlete, but this dance requires more quick changes of direction and agility that isn't necessarily associated with swimming. That being said, many were expecting Ryan to be eliminated within the first two elimination episodes, so he seems to be betting with house money at this point.
The Dancers: Laurie and Val The Dance: Salsa The Song: “Light It Up” by Major Lazar featuring Nyla & Fuse ODG
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So we know that Laurie Hernandez is pretty good. OK, she's great. Hopefully the Most Memorable Year episode taught America that she's talented because she's an incredibly hard worker, and not just the beneficiary of the DNA lottery jackpot. Transitioning from one sport to another, however similar they may seem, is not an easy thing to do - even for an Olympian. Laurie has developed as a dancer each week because Val has pushed her, and while that approach may have shortcomings, it should show the underlying truth: Laurie Hernandez is winning because she's working for it. Oh yeah, and her Salsa should be awesome.
The Dancers: Marilu and Derek The Dance: Cha Cha The Song: “Echa Pa’lante” by Thalia
The Cha-Cha, or Cha Cha Cha, is the first of the five International Latin competitive dances. It is characterized by forward and backward rock steps, like the Mambo or Salsa, but with a chasse, or "Cha Cha Cha", in between. This dance features sharp transitions, plenty of hip motion, and plenty of ways to interpret the rhythm. Traveling movements typically feature a locking step, where the dancer advances with one foot, leaving the trailing foot tucked behind the heel. The fast movement and required agility can quickly expose any gaps in footwork, style, or technique, and that's why it is considered the first impression dance for competitive latin dancers.
Marilu and Derek have had a great, but sometimes bumpy, ride through this season. It probably doesn't help to have your sister on the judging panel not wanting to look like she's playing the favorite, but Marilu is a real performer. She's been able to put together a great body of work so far, and these next few episodes will show the payoff of that versatility. The Cha Cha will further remind us that she doesn't look at all like the elder stateswoman of this season. She looks youthful, vibrant, and athletic - and these are all synonymous with the Cha Cha.
The Dancers: Amber and Maks The Dance: Cha Cha The Song: “Bla Bla Bla Cha Cha Cha” by Petty Booka
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The agility required for this dance will, unfortunately, expose some of Amber's biggest struggles. Maks has done some of his best work this season, but not for the reasons you may imagine. He's doing the Dancing with the Stars version of campaign managing for a losing candidate, and he's utilized all the smoke and mirrors possible in his dance bag of tricks. This week, however, the stellar work of Maks the campaign manager may not be enough.
The Dancers: James and Sharna The Dance: Rumba The Song: “Need the Sun to Break” by James Bay
The Rumba is the preeminent slow dance in the International Latin dance program. Characterized by hip action, eye contact, and beautiful Rumba walks - this dance is the foundation for Latin technique in the faster Latin dances. Due to the slow tempo, a great Rumba dancer needs to utilize body actions in the feet, knees, hips, and torso to show consistent, controlled movement.
James and Sharna are beginning to edge their way into the second or third position as favorites to win the mirrorball trophy. With last week's Most Memorable Year episode, James Hinchcliffe shared his miraculous comeback story from a near fatal car crash, which will surely add to his already blossoming fan base. From a dance standpoint, this is the dance we've been waiting to see from James and Sharna. He's attacked the season so far, and this is the dance that is slow enough to reveal the layers of technique he has, or hasn't, been working on. We think it will reveal him as a real contender for the top spot.
The Dancers: Terra and Sasha The Dance: Paso Doblé The Song: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Santa Esmeralda
The Paso Doble is the most dramatic of all of the International Latin Dances. Based on the movements of Flamenco dancing, and the story of the Matador - the Paso Doble is characterized by lines that create volume, provocative arm styling, and sheer bravado.
Terra and Sasha have taken a consistent "inside-out" approach to their routines. Similar to a method actor starting with a "motivation" for a scene, Sasha has begun each week's dance by asking questions, drawing out the motivation, and constructing the routine based on his findings. What we've all found is that Terra is a great actress on the dance floor and has made a bold statement in the process to rewrite some of the typical dancer stereotypes. The drama of Paso Doble plays to their strengths, and the only possible liability is the volume of the movements... but that hasn't seemed to stop her so far.
Image Links:
Week 5 Dance Updates via Puredwts.com