The New Dancing with the Stars 2009 Dances
Okay well it seems as if there is some controversy over the new dances that are being added to the mix this year. So I decided to try and get some more information for those of us who aren’t familiar with these particular dances. The only one of these that falls into the list of “traditional” ballroom dance is the Bolero and it is in the American Rhythm category.
Let’s start with the Charleston. It was developed in the early 1920’s and it turns out that the Lindy Hop was developed from the Charleston. It can be danced in a partnership, in a group, or as a solo. Check out this website with instructions for the steps from the 20‘s. Also take a look at this dance with Lucille Ball and Ginger Rogers.
Next, let’s take a look at the Bolero. Originally from Spain, this is the only traditional ballroom dance. Wikipedia mentions that this dance is different from the other American Rhythm dances because it requires Cuban motion, the rise and fall of the waltz, as well as the contra body movement of the tango. The videos that I found on Youtube reminded me of the Rumba. What do you think?
Okay next on our list is the Lambada, the “Forbidden Dance.” From Brazil, a couple of the forerunners of this dance are the salsa and the merengue. It is very fast-paced. Everything that I’ve seen makes it look like this will be definitely be one of the sexiest, hottest dances of the season. There are some instructional videos on Youtube that you should check out but I wanted you to see a dance.
The last of the new dances is the two step. Now there are a few kinds of two step,
nightclub, country, and ballroom. To me these all of these seem a lot alike and remind me of the Foxtrot. This video is of Lacey’s father Buddy teaching the nightclub two step. I thought it would be fun to see where she got her moves
Okay so now that we know a little more about these dances let’s talk about them. Can the pros handle these? Well, I have a feeling Lacey will be able to do the two step since her father developed it. Now the question is will that give her an unfair advantage? I personally don’t think so. All of these dances contain steps and movements that are familiar to other dances used in previous seasons. The Charleston contains elements of the quickstep and may be a “kiss of death” dance like the quickstep seems to be. The Lambada may be too spicy to get votes from some people but may be a very memorable dance that draws a ton of votes…we’ll have to see. The others are a lot like other dances and that might be a vote killer too. If a couple does a Rumba one week and a Bolero the next…people might not vote thinking ‘this isn’t new, I just saw this.’
Now, I know that most of you are not looking forward to these new dances but now that we know a little more would you choose to keep any of them? I’m excited for the “Forbidden Dance” myself. I have to wonder though, will any of the older dances be replaced by the new ones? I loved all the dances from last season and don’t want to see them go-especially the Paso. In the end, I think that maybe these dances were added because there are SO MANY couples this season. Hate the added dances or love ‘em but it’s gonna be a great season. It’s time to get those dancing shoes on!
As a dancer, I should inform you the reason that Bolero looks like rumba is that because it’s a cousin of the dance. They both have the same roots in African rhythms.
Charleston is absolutely pointless to have on the show by itself as it’s done in other dances such Quickstep, Jive, and East Coast swing. Absolutely pointless
UM… Yes it does give Lacey and unfair advantage. My guess is she’s been doing Nightclub two step a whole lot longer than anybody so yes it does give her an unfair advantage.
Also Nightclub two step is different than country two step in that country is basically the Foxtrot but done to country music and done more in a line.
I’m so annoyed they keep adding these social dances. Social dances for the most part (except for swing) aren’t competed on their own. I’m fine with Bolero because it’s actual competed in Ballroom…
What’s next Bucatta (A Mexican social dance)? Seriously ABC needs to quit it…
i’m done with new dances , i hope that they do like in seson 7 ,one week for the new dances and two couples for dance.
Katrina,
It was likely that Lacey was doing Night Club 2-step in the womb. Well, her mom and dad were doing it while she was in the womb.
Although I think it’s worth mentioning that it’s always been somewhat unfair. The latin versus standard trained dancers always had a competitive advantage over the dancers from the other styles. It won’t be that big of an advantage from the viewers point of view.
Lacey is not strong in standard dances. She still does heel leads so I guess it just evens out. But they tried that in season 7 with west coast swing and it was bad. If they have charleston, they should ditch jive.
Amen Katrina!!! No more new dances!!
I’m honestly a bit afraid to see the couples attempt bolero this season…there is a reason it is the last dance one is taught when learning all the American Rhythm dances (cha cha, rumba, east coast swing, mambo, & bolero) – it’s HARD! And Tabitha & Katrina got it right – it’s best described as a very slow rumba, with the rise & fall and “sweeping” feel of the waltz. It’s absolutely gorgeous when done correctly – and excrutiating to watch when done poorly. I’m not so sure it’s something the celebs can handle…
…and I echo Katrina’s sentiments about the Charleston. It’s rarely danced alone, as its steps are often incorporated into other routines. And it’s really far too similar to Lindy/jive/jitterbug/quickstep for an untrained eye to really discern a difference…I think it’s just going to be a bit redundant for viewers this season.
I will not lie – I know next to nothing about the lambada (other than the fact that it was a campy movie from the early 90s, haha). But judging from the video, it looks kinda like a mix of salsa, samba, and some grinding…could be fun to watch. But since it’s not a traditional ballroom dance, I’m not sure the pros will have the background to create a truly dynamic routine.
And now a question: has it been specified exactly what kind of “two-step” the couples will be dancing on the show? Although I’m not sure either will yield great results. Nightclub two-step was designed for crowded dancefloors, and was meant to be an easy way to partner dance to contemporary music. Hence, it’s rather basic, and doesn’t really move around the floor too much. Country two-step is the opposite – it’s meant to move around the room, and is quite fast, incorporating quite a few spins and turns. I still shudder when I think of Mark & Kherington’s botched country two-step on season 4 of SYTYCD (I think it’s worth noting that they didn’t resurrect that genre of dance this season!) So it’s an interesting dichotomy between the two: slow & easy versus fast & hard. It’ll be interesting to see what the pros come up with, whichever way they end up going 🙂
You know, the success, or hot-ness factor, of some of these dances will depend heavily on who is dancing them, even if they do it very imperfectly. To see a couple that is as beautiful as Derek and Joanna do something like the Lambada? Wow. Tom Delay and Cheryl? :::cringe::: Please. No. It will certainly be fun to watch.
To answer Courtney’s question, as far as I know they have not specified which two step it will be. I’m sort of leaning towards ballroom two step which (according to one website I found) was developed from the nightclub two step.
IF YOU WANT TO WATCH A REAL BOLERO…. CHECK TONY AND ELENA’S BOLERO
I like the Bolero, I think it will beautiful if perfomed properly! I found this couple on youtube dancing the Bolero.-Love their performance, love the song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjDpshDbRJk
Also, I’m a little nervous about the Lambada dance, though it if done right it will definitely be a memorable dance!-LOL
I will be delighted to see Derek and Joanna to the lambada the song that was use in the clipping on youtube with the Brazilian wow , you could just imaging to see that song mix with soca beat for the dancers i can’t wait lol
I will be delighted to see Derek and Joanna do the lambada the song that was use in the clipping on youtube with the Brazilian wow , you could just imaging to see that song mix with soca beat for the dancers i can’t wait lol
I love Lacey, but yes I think she has an unfair advantage. You all remember her and her brother Benji’s dance to Brad Paisley in season 7? I’m pretty sure that was a version if not completely a two-step dance.
thank you for that lambada zouk clip. i had a vague idea of lambada and have been less than impressed. it reminds me of old josephine baker routines.
the video you picked had a more evolved version, the lambada zouk, or lambazouk, or just zook, and i love it. the swooping weaving steps and rhythm are hypnotic. i went through a number of clips and, good as they were, few men matched the fluidity of max, aka alessando max.
here is a descripyion of zouk, which it turns out is now danced enthusiastically in many parts of the world…
As Lambada music faded away, dancers adapted their Lambada movements for the newer and more popular Zouk music. Over time they became more connected to the idiosyncrasies of the new musical style: the sounds of the music encourage the body to respond in smooth wave-like movements and so new moves evolved new shapes and combinations. The emphasis shifted from fast moving hips to a more flowing all-over body movement, along with new styling and image. And gone are the provincial “white fisherman and sandals” costuming associated with Lambada to be replaced by a more sophisticated urban look.
Zouk is all about the groove. Stylized and elegant. It is smooth romantic and hypnotic with long fluent wave like movements as two bodies intertwine moving as one.
Zouk music is mellow and beautiful with an irresistible dance beat and a strong base line rhythm.
Zouk dancing is characterized by a long step across beats one and two and then a step on beats three and four.