Well folks, it's that time again. THAT'S RIGHT! It's #MusicMonday (For the twitterverse)... and it is the day of another debut for Dancing with the Stars. This time around ABC has collected twelve "Stars" for U.S. Season 11. Pure DWTS has leaked some music for tonight's "Dancing with the Stars Red Carpet Premiere" (With an assist from TMZ). These songs are listed below.
ABC has added some charity to the show... READ MORE
Well folks, it's that time again. THAT'S RIGHT! It's #MusicMonday (For the twitterverse)... and it is the day of another debut for Dancing with the Stars. This time around ABC has collected twelve "Stars" for U.S. Season 11. Pure DWTS has leaked some music for tonight's "Dancing with the Stars Red Carpet Premiere" (With an assist from TMZ). These songs are listed below.
ABC has added some charity to the show. Well done. What they are doing is capitalizing on the team names that seem to show up each season. Every team was asked to create a team name, so T-Shirts could be made. Many of the couples reached out via Facebook and/or Twitter for ideas. So they all have names this year, big deal? Yes, it is. All procedes from the sales of these shirts are going to the "Stand Up to Cancer" program.
This is where the end of cancer begins: when we unite in one unstoppable movement and Stand Up To Cancer.
So, again, I say kudos to ABC. You got this one right. Well done. If you would like to order a shirt and support SU2C (And your favorite team/s) visit the ABC Store.
Now if you're like me, you really wonder sometimes what they (The producers) were thinking when they selected music! That's right the producers select the songs sometimes because they think it fits a certain "Star." Then they turn it over to their well-seasoned Musical Director, Harold Wheeler. In an interview with the NY Post he was quoted, "When the producers license the material, they do it according to what's available and at what price. That's why sometimes we get an odd version: It was probably cheaper [Laughs]. But then, I can be more me in the arrangement." Now I haven't heard the arrangements yet, but the songs below do actually fit the dances. A couple of the Cha-Cha's are a bit modern/contemporary versus Latin but they work.
Enjoy the listings and we'll find out tonight what works and what doesn't! Here they are in order by team name.
Ballin' (Bristol Palin & Mark Ballas)
DANCE: Cha-Cha
SONG: “Mama Told Me Not to Come” by Three Dog Night
Bolt Tower (Michael Bolton & Chelsie Hightower)
DANCE: Viennese Waltz
SONG: “Life After You” by Daughtry
Bran DMC (Brandy & Maksim Chmerkovskiy)
DANCE: Viennese Waltz
SONG: “Cry Me Out” by Pixie Lott
DanceHoff (David Hasselhoff & Kym Johnson)
DANCE: Cha-Cha
SONG: “Sexbomb” by Tom Jones (feat. Mousse T)
Florky (Florence Henderson & Corky Ballas)
DANCE: Cha-Cha
SONG: “Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me” by Shirley Bassey
Fox-C (Rick Fox & Cheryl Burke)
DANCE: Viennese Waltz
SONG: “Crazy” by Aerosmith
Jenougher (Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough)
DANCE: Viennese Waltz
SONG: “These Arms of Mine” by Otis Redding
KURTanna (Kurt Warner & Anna Trebunskaya)
DANCE: Viennese Waltz
SONG: “This Ain’t a Love Song” by Bon Jovi
Schmurgles (Kyle Massey & Lacey Schwimmer)
DANCE: Cha-Cha
SONG: “My First Kiss” by 3OH!3 (feat. Ke$ha)
Sitchoff (Mike Sorrentino & Karina Smirnoff)
DANCE: Cha-Cha
SONG: “Break Your Heart” by Taio Cruz (feat. Ludacris)
TorinA (Audrina Patridge & Tony Dovolani)
DANCE: Cha-Cha
SONG: “California Gurls” by Katy Perry (feat. Snoop Dogg)
van Cho (Margaret Cho & Louis van Amstel)
DANCE: Viennese Waltz
SONG: “We are the Champions” by Queen
Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 6 Keys to Perfect Posture
Ever wonder what separates good and great dancers? If you ask a competition judge or scrutineer, they will reply with one of two answers. This entry will break down one of these skills. The two attributes most often examined are footwork and posture. Yes, the headline did give it away!
Now, it's time for a breakdown...
We're going to work from the bottom (Literally) up. The following list was devised when I was training to be a certified dance instructor. I knew that if I could create a one word list or association, it would be easier to remember. Personally, I cannot take credit for the first five on the list. The presentation may be unique to me, but that's all.
1 - Tuck
OK, it's time to tuck tail! That's right, tuck tail. We're talking tailbone here. Point it at your toes, or just think about tucking it under your spine.
2 - Suck
Now that you've tucked your tail let's run to the beach for part two. Fine, don't run. Picture yourself in a swim suit at the beach. Did subconsciencely flex your abs? Or puff up your chest? The image you are trying to portray is a thinner one and that's great! The second step is that simple. Suck in your belly, or pull your navel to your spine.
3 - Up
The imagery continues... Alright, you're a puppet (But not Pinnochio). The strings lift you "Up!" So straighten up and dance right. Familiar with Pilates? Pilates streches, movements and positions are structured to lengthen your body. Dancers want to create lines as long as possible, thus lengthening their core and limbs. Some coaches will describe this as opposing forces pulling your tailbone down and head/neck up. What it all comes down to is that your body looks and functions best when your "Spine is in line."
4 - Down
Still with me? Good. Here's the oxymoron. We want our torso stretched up, but our shoulders DOWN. This creates the appearance of a longer neck. The simplest way to find this position is to clasp your hands behind your back. Now press them downward to the floor (No ladies, this isn't for cheap thrills). Take notice as to were your shoulders are in relation your ribs and ears. So if you haven't already release your hands and let your arms simply hang without lifting your shoulders. Your shoulders should move slightly forward to a more natural position. That's it.
5 - Back
Continuing up, there's not much left. Take notice to your actions now. Stand up straight. What did you do? Did you do any of the first four keys? Most people don't. Generally we puff up our chest and lift our head or look up. If you walk in to just about any dance studio, you will here someone encouraging another to keep their head up or not look down. That's great advice! I'd like to offer it up a little defferent now.
Most people (Instructors included) look down at their feet when learning new steps or patterns. Why? This creates BAD HABITS! Your posture is definitely lacking and you could really be sending the wrong message to your partner. Think about it. What would you think if your partner was looking down "At their feet" while dancing with you? Ah hem. I bet your ego would get a pretty good boost or you would feel gross and objectified. Let's not go there. We can avoid the embarrassment by keeping our "Neck back" instead of head up. Your head should already be lifed from the puppet strings, so now all we have to do is move it back a little. Think about a collared shirt and try to touch the back collar with your neck. This will again keep your "Spine in line."
6 - Breathe
Let's review; tuck, suck, up... do it right now! Tuck. Suck. Up. Down. Back. Totally relaxed, right? I didn't think so. Most people are extremely stiff at this point and holding their breath on top of it! Relax. I mean it. That's the last step. Get into your "Perfect posture" again; tuck, suck, up, down, back. Now I want you to deflate like an air mattress or inflatable raft (But keep your spine in line). Were you able to hold on to your "Perfect posture?" If not, try it again. When successful, take a few steps or try moving through a dance pattern. If you can truly relax, you will be amazed at how easy it is to feel your partner's movements too!
Congratulations, you made it. For most people to achieve this "Perfect posture" in their dancing, they have to apply it in "Regular" life. Here are a couple more tips that may help you do just that.
Next time you get in your car to drive wait a minute and make a couple of adjustments first. While sitting in the driver's seat, assume your "Perfect posture." Tuck. Suck. Up. Down. Back. Breathe. Now while still in that position, reset your mirrors. If you do this you will constantly be reminded whenever you are driving your vehicle!
Have a computer at work or spend time at one when you're home? If you answered yes, try this. Take a seat as you normally do to "Compute." No take your "Perfect posture." Again; tuck, suck, up, down, back and breathe. Identify the height of your eyes when looking straight forward from this position. Now simply move your monitor to your line-of-sight.
Hopefully these keys help you to refine your posture (And confidence) if nothing else. Let me know if your dancing feels different (Preferably better). I'm pretty sure it will!
If you have any further questions link up with me on one of the following sites:
Judson has received over 100 million hits for his comedic routine (Posted Thursday, April 6, 2006)! Over 500,000 of them ranked the video and he's averaging over 4.5 stars (Out of five). View it below or jump to his original YouTube posting, Evolution of Dance. Almost three years after the original post, Judson has released a sophomore bid for the EVOLUTION OF YOU; Evolution of Dance 2!
Monday, September 20, 2010 - DWTS 11 #MusicMonday
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