The Dancing Poetry Corner – Holly Jolly Finale Celebration
I preface my column with the hopes that you all had a Thanksgiving full of fun, food, fellowship, however and wherever your celebrations took you! My column is late due to much preparation, lots of family around, celebrating the many blessings of my life! It has been a blessing to be able to share my love of Dancing With The Stars with all of you through the compilations of written words. I hope you have enjoyed the hard work and attention to detail when preparing my work to share.
The lyrics to Celebration Time by Kool and the Gang came to mind as I watched the two night Dancing with The Stars Finale. A festival was taking place on the dance floor. An all out dancing celebration! The ballroom was shaking, was filled with rousing applause! Dance after dance filled our senses with pure delight! A sense of revelry, an atmosphere of conviviality was shared by the dancers! Friendships formed that will last, bonds were made to last forever. That spirit of camaraderie far eclipsed the Mirror Ball Trophy. The blinged out Mirror Ball was the prize, the bedazzled trophy was hoisted in celebration of a magnificent couple worthy to call it their own!
A genius idea was to take the second night of the Finale on location to The Grove. The Holiday atmosphere was on full resplendent display! The show seemed larger than its dancing life with the stage bedecked with a mammoth, sparkling Christmas tree and other visual delights! It certainly was a sprint between there and the studio, but through the genius of production it worked seamlessly!
I wish all viewers could watch the show as I do. For the sparkling entertainment that is brought forth by the hard work of everyone! Not just the dancers but the production teams, the makeup artists, the astounding musicality of Ray Chew, the band, the singers. For the spectacular pro numbers that grace our screens every show. For the entire cumulative experience! As you can tell, I love this show so much! It is a highlight twice a year of my life! I love writing my poetry and columns each week. To get a theme in my mind and run with that theme. How about it everyone! Let’s call it a:
Holly Jolly Finale Celebration!
The Monday, 11/23, Part One Finale Show opened with a rocking, white-tail, top-hat Meghan Trainor Extravaganza! Full of pep and energy, a fitting opening for the fabulous Finale! Also performing during the show was the trio of Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande, and Who is Fancy. Joined by male dancers, it was an adorable, full on cuteness, Boys Like You Revue!
Both Finale shows made extensive use of the Troupe and extra dancers brought on to enhance the productions. Many numbers utilized these dancers to their fullest.
Judges Redo – Foxtrot
The Hills
Carlos and Witney
With Assist from Bruno Tonoili
A heavenly, smoky, sensual dance, the way to treat a lady
Sexiest, beautiful lines, lovely arm stretches
Dynamic, exciting, commanding the stage
Judges Redo – Rumba
The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore
Alek and Lindsay
With Assist from Carrie Ann Inaba
With beauty, grace, elegance, heroic quality
With delicious determination, lovely lines
Presented partner with care, framed her beauty
Judges Redo – Jive
Runaway Baby
Nick and Sharna
With Assist from Julianne Hough
A ball of fire, speed of a bullet train, energy to burn
Sizzling steps, audience in a frenzy, a fever pitch
Feet of hot lava, as if Elvis and Ann Margret, Sharna a goddess
Judges Redo – Quickstep
Dr Bones
Bindi and Derek
With Assist from Carrie Ann Inaba and Troupe Assist
Feet like a silver streak, with a flavor of Broadway revue
Mistress of dance, class of her own, Energizer Bunny
Gem of execution, star of brilliant cut diamonds is born
Let Freedom Ring!
The all-important, game-changing, ever-popular freestyles were executed with fabulous flair! They were true to the intention of the dances! They are always a highlight of every season!
Carlos and Witney
WTE (Where They From)
With Troupe Assist, Paula, Alexa, and Hayes
Fabulous, fantastic, cheeky fun
Hippy, hoppy, happy hooray
Special depiction of family and friends
Going for the gold with heart and generosity
Alek and Lindsay
Marching On
With Troupe Assist and Obstacle Course Prop
Overcoming obstacles of life, like a precision drill team
Dynamic, unique choreography, powerful lifts of strength
Climbing a wall depicting surmounting hard times of life
Faith was translated into a fabulous dance
Nick and Sharna
Larger Than Life – Backstreet Boys
With Troupe Assist
Larger Than Life full on attack, explosion of dance
Spectacular lifts, giving all he had
Beats of a star re-energizing, dynamite production number
Incredible, freaking awesome, super-charged
Bindi and Derek
Footprints In The Sand
Stripped down, raw exposure of emotion
Exquisite, elegant, encompassing a will to overcome
Each movement to fullest potential, vulnerable, poignant
Left an imprint on hearts, pure, touched souls
Part One ended with the elimination of Carlos and Witney. Carlos departed with profuse thanks for his time on the show. And for his sincere appreciation of Witney and the entire wonderful experience.
The Tuesday, 11/24, Part Two Finale Show felt like a gift to the Dancing With The Stars viewers! An entry on a festive trolley led to a holly jolly spectacle of an opening! To the astounding choreography of the genius of Mandy Moore, it was lit up like the lights of the mammoth Christmas tree! Erin was in a glamorous gown as she gave her greetings
Special musical performers included Elle King. The extended talents of competitors Chaka Khan, Andy Grammar, and Nick Carter put on a vocal display. Competitors performed prior numbers some with new offerings. Everyone returned except Tamar. I wish her much love and prayers for her further recuperation. Of note was a hot, shirtless number with the men of the show, plus Carlos. Val and Emma performed a glorious, glamorous dance befitting of the holiday celebration! A trio of pros, ladies in festive green, lit up the stage!
The highlight of the two nights for me was Twas The Night Before The Finale, a spoof brilliant, absolutely sweet, and hilarious! Mrs Claus Paula, Santa Gary, and Elf Victor presented us with holly jolly fun! The cookie on top was that Victor the Elf wanted a pony! A delightful skit for sure!
The remaining three competing for the Mirror Ball worked diligently on preparing the final dances of the competition, fusion of two dance styles. The judges would render the final scores of Season 21.
Nick and Sharna
Salsa/Tango Fusion
Turn Up The Music
Nick left it all on the dance floor
Red hot, flashy, with passion
Spicing up the night
The real deal, ended on highest note
Alek and Lindsay
Rumba/Tango Fusion
A Sky Full of Stars
Hips coming alive, sky full of a bright future
Commendable achievements
Integrity of character and movement
Bindi and Derek
Cha Cha Cha/Argentine Tango Fusion
All The Way
Beacon of light and hope, a delight
Lit up ballroom with pure joy
A triumph for Bindi, a sensation
Season 21 ended with the crowning of the Mirror Ball Trophy winner. To the beats of the clock and to rousing cheers from the ballroom crowd, Bindi and Derek were declared the winners! Hoisted on top of fellow pros and competitors, Tom handed the Mirror Ball Trophy to the victors! To the congratulations from everyone, Season 21 came to a close, entered into the Dancing With The Stars History Books!
With a tear in my eyes, I bid the season adieu. Withdrawal had begun. Season 22 will return in all of its regal glory on March 21, 2016! Is it Spring yet!
I thank you for reading what I had to offer for Season 21. I will put on my Dancing With The Stars Writer’s Hat for Season 22.
I wish all of you A Very Merry Christmas! Jesus is The Reason for My Season!
I may be back with writings now and then between seasons. Until then:
See You Around The Dancing With The Stars Bend!
Written By Lois A Troutman, November 30, 2015