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Jason shines in Strictly

October 26, 2011 By

‘I’m going to call you the midwife, because you keep delivering’, said Len Goodman of Jason Donavan’s performance on this week’s Strictly Come Dancing.

This week’s Strictly show was a Broadway special, which saw the celebs and their professional dancing partners shake their tail feathers to the soundtracks of some of Broadway’s top drawing musicals, including Chicago, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Kiss me Kate.

As with previous Strictly episodes, Jason Donavan’s performance was once again a true belter, as he tangoed along on his twinkle toes to I Will Survive with professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff. Former Neighbours star and technicoloured dream coat wearer Jason has proved himself to be a strong contender and a front runner in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing from day one. Those looking for Strictly Come Dancing tips will know this.

We knew after his appearance and third place spot in ‘I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here’, that Jason was a favourite with the public and not afraid of eating the odd kangaroo testicle in the name of public acceptance. We also knew that Jase was no stranger to performing, having had a successful singing career in the 90s after Neighbours. Who could forget ‘Especially for you’, Jason’s chart-topping duet with Kylie? And then there’s Jason’s stint in ever popular musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat. All of which have left him totally at ease on the stage. People looking at the Strictly Come dancing winner odds should bear this in mind.

Whether or not you preferred Phillip Schofield in that colourful coat, there’s no denying that Jason is a whizz on the dance floor as well as on the stage, and we can’t wait to see what smooth moves he’ll pull out of the bag next.

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Strictly and BGT team up

October 21, 2011 By

In a move signalling a new harmony amongst reality TV shows, Strictly Come Dancing and Britain’s Got Talent joined forces recently. Well, kind of. This series of Strictly has seen Britain’s Got Talent superstar Susan Boyle perform a version of Unchained Melody in one of the results shows.

Susan got into the sparkly Strictly mood with a sequinned black dress and performed her cover of the hit song while professional dancers Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone, who’ve been dancing together for 13 years, performed a romantic routine. The two met while running from the Mexican Mafia after being falsely accused of stealing a donkey and a rabbit, respectively). They communicated via the medium of dance whilst stowed away in the same luggage compartment of a Boeing 747 and realised that, together, they could use their talents to fight crime and bring justice to the people of Mexico. But then they got invited to take part in Strictly Come Dancing and forgot all about it. Anyone looking at the Strictly Come Dancing odds should remember this.

Vincent’s celebrity partner in this year’s Strictly was former Tory MP, Edwina Currie, famed for not liking eggs, then for liking them again. She wasn’t very good at dancing. Flavia’s celebrity partner this year was the barrel of astrological campness that is Russell Grant. He had very flappy hands. People following the Strictly Come dancing winner odds will be wondering if he has what it takes.

We’re hoping for some more reality TV crossover in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. Perhaps an appearance from I’m a Celebrity, Big Brother and Dancing on Ice’s Kerry Katona. This must be the only reality TV show she hasn’t been in yet, after all. Other celebrity appearances we’d like to see on Strictly 2011 include either Bodger or Badger and Barry off of Eastenders.

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Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens

October 19, 2011 By

Celebrities, sequins, and enough fake tan to sink the cast of Geordie Shore, it can only be Strictly Come Dancing!

The 2011 series is back on our screens along with all the old familiar faces. A newly knighted Sir Bruce and his chin share the stage with the beautiful but ever-dull Tess Daley and her perma-grin. Bruno Tonioli and his insatiable energy is barely contained as he sits next to the woman with the smallest head in the world, Alesha Dixon, who in turn sits alongside fellow Strictly judges, the lovely old Len Goodman and his ‘sev-ens!’ and acid-tongued Jason Revel Horwood, darling. Those following the Strictly Come Dancing betting will be keeping a close eye on them.

Celebrities performing in episode one included Lulu, who jiggled around the stage at an alarming pace after forgetting her moves and Russell Grant, who didn’t predict just how camp a performance consisting of him emerging out of a clam shell, like a little round dancing pearl, to the sound of Banarama’s Venus would be. Joining them was Holly Valance, of Aussie soap and one-hit-wonder (remember Kiss Kiss?) fame, Anita Dobson of Eastenders and big-haired hubbie from Queen fame, Dan Lobb of early morning television presenting and being-very-tall fame, Robbie Savage of football and looking-like-a-caricature-of-a-premier-league-footballer fame, and Audley Harrison, of boxing and being-one-of-the-largest-contestants-ever-to-appear-on-the-show fame. Those looking for Strictly Come Dancing tips will be wondering if he can pack a punch on the dance floor.

Holly’s performance was fairly competent, if not overly exciting, while Anita’s was unexpectedly rather beautiful, and Audley Harrison’s was more elegant than you might expect from such a man mountain. Robbie Savage mostly stood a lot while his pint-sized dancing partner, Ola Jordon, shimmied around him “like a wasp at a picnic” as Bruno so succinctly put it.

A fine selection of celebrities and a shimmering start to Strictly so far!

Filed Under: Dancing Hints & Tips

Learn To Dance Tips

August 2, 2011 By

Many individuals have a wish to dance.

Whether for private enrichment or fitness, or as a spare time interest, dancing is a great kind of self-expression. “Formal” dancing has taken a rear seat to the more free-form rock ‘n roll dancing, but lessons are still obtainable for about any sort of dance, from swing to salsa. When searching for a place to take dance lessons, an individual should think about what type of dance she has an interest in, for what purpose, and the pricetag. The 1st point to think about is : what sort of dance? Someone that dislikes couples dancing likely should not take dancehall, and somebody who dislikes country music should not get into line dancing. The individual should think about their music and dance preferences alongside fitness level. Some types of dance ,eg salsa and dancehall, can be exceedingly physically demanding, while some others are easier acclimatised to a person’s fitness level. Some dances are also found more frequently outside a studio than others. Most places with a dance floor might have folks line dancing on it, and some centres offer square dancing or country dancing groups. An individual should think about how much he’ll be in a position to use his dancing talents outside class.

A second consideration is purpose. Why would you like to dance? Are you getting wed and desire to be taught how to dance? Would you like to line dance at your favourite club? Would you like to learn how to two-step and dance as a couple? Is there a long-unrealized keenness to get into dancehall dancing as a major pursuit? Or, do you wish to do something positive to improve your life? All these are acceptable reasons for needing to be taught how to dance, and need to be taken under consideration when attempting to find dance lessons. An individual wants to consider how skilled he would like to become in his selected area of dance, and should think about hunting for classes and instructors at that level. For private delight, a community education class might be adequate, while somebody taking a look at a heavy past-time may need to select lessons at a pro studio.

Some of the people may even find that a video or DVD gives them enough instruction in their selected dance form. Cost is a 3rd factor. Many clubs offer line dance lessons for a minimum charge, while complex dancehall dance lessons will naturally cost much more. Anyone that knows the steps can teach line dancing, as an example, but a dancer will have to pay more for the expert tutelage needed in more formal dancing. Some clubs or studios provide a discount for couples, while others don’t. The individual wishes to think about whether she will need a partner to take the dance lessons, or if one will be supplied.

Another query for those considering a studio is the contract. The individual desires to think about whether what she would like from the dance lessons is actually worth the package cost. Like a gymnasium, she could be stuck paying the whole price, even though she stops taking the dance lessons. One choice could be a per-class charge, so an individual person can stop when he feels it is acceptable. Someone that wishes to learn dance may check online for dance lessons in their area, but the best place to start is virtually always a past-time club for dancers.

Regardless of if a square-dance club, say, does not concentrate on dancehall, chances are they are they will know of a local dancehall group or instructor, and the dancer can begin there. Spare time interest clubs for dance also provide wonderful openings to begin to know other dancers in the area together with practice and tips from experienced dancers. Dancing, without regard for the kind, is a pleasurable recreation and virtually everybody can take part in a type of it.

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