#301
Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:20pm
Despite some unevenness, this was the best night of competition. Several of these routines far superceded anything we have seen this season! (Lacey and Pasha’s hip hop, Lauren and Danny’s contemporary, and Sabra and Neil’s jazz)
Lacey & Pasha (hip hop): A terrific, character-based dance, and they both were fantastic. This may be one of my favorite routines of the season. (smooth waltz): I had hoped that they would pull one of the Latin dances (who wouldn’t want to see that?!?), but I thought that was beautiful. The lift over his back at the end was exquisite. Well done on the part of both dancers. Good catch on Nigel’s part about Lacey’s hand. (Solos): Pasha, of course, has the difficulty of being a ballroom dancer going it alone, but he certainly scores points for creativity. His use of the mannequin actually made me appreciate the cape from last week. It seems that he is doing his best to give normally uninteresting solos story and life and character. Lacey, with the same problem, while sexy, was a typical “ballroom dancer’s” solo.
Lauren & Danny (contemporary): Danny’s best performance of the season. Hands down. Passion and emotion and flawless technique. Where has that dancer been all season?!? He may have just saved himself. Lauren was every bit his equal. (“Disco’s no joke.”): For their sake, I wish they had danced this one first. It was good, but, compared to the contemporary routine, it was a bit of a let down. The death drop into the lift seemed a little shaky. (Solos): A much better solo effort from Lauren than we have seen before. My criticism for her is that her emotion and expression don’t match what is happening musically. Danny: I am glad they had the closeup on his face as he lay on the stage because I wasn’t sure what he was feeling or portraying. Then I saw the playfulness in his expression, and I smiled. It was very nice to see.
Sabra & Neil (jazz): Another character and story driven dance ... and another terrific performance. (Paso Doble): Um ... I needed to watch this twice because the sight of Neil in tight leather pants did something funny to me ... hee hee ... this was not my favorite number of the night, but I think it was the choreography. The Paso Doble is my favorite Latin dance, and I have seen better. I was worried at the beginning that Neil was overperforming, but they both danced it well. I am disappointed by the drop at the end. I wanted to see the smooth fall to the floor, but she got caught on his shoulder. (Solos): Sabra is such an exquisite, passionate, sensual dancer. As Nigel said, Sabra dances from her heart. That is why I have loved her from the beginning. Neil’s solo, while trick-filled, was a little boring for me.
Based on tonight’s performances alone, I don’t think I can choose who should go. I thought they were all well matched. However, since two people do have to go, I think I would send Lauren and Neil home. However, I will not be surprised at anything on Monday. (Why Monday?!?) In case you are wondering, my votes all went to Sabra. I still love that girl.
Lacey & Pasha (hip hop): A terrific, character-based dance, and they both were fantastic. This may be one of my favorite routines of the season. (smooth waltz): I had hoped that they would pull one of the Latin dances (who wouldn’t want to see that?!?), but I thought that was beautiful. The lift over his back at the end was exquisite. Well done on the part of both dancers. Good catch on Nigel’s part about Lacey’s hand. (Solos): Pasha, of course, has the difficulty of being a ballroom dancer going it alone, but he certainly scores points for creativity. His use of the mannequin actually made me appreciate the cape from last week. It seems that he is doing his best to give normally uninteresting solos story and life and character. Lacey, with the same problem, while sexy, was a typical “ballroom dancer’s” solo.
Lauren & Danny (contemporary): Danny’s best performance of the season. Hands down. Passion and emotion and flawless technique. Where has that dancer been all season?!? He may have just saved himself. Lauren was every bit his equal. (“Disco’s no joke.”): For their sake, I wish they had danced this one first. It was good, but, compared to the contemporary routine, it was a bit of a let down. The death drop into the lift seemed a little shaky. (Solos): A much better solo effort from Lauren than we have seen before. My criticism for her is that her emotion and expression don’t match what is happening musically. Danny: I am glad they had the closeup on his face as he lay on the stage because I wasn’t sure what he was feeling or portraying. Then I saw the playfulness in his expression, and I smiled. It was very nice to see.
Sabra & Neil (jazz): Another character and story driven dance ... and another terrific performance. (Paso Doble): Um ... I needed to watch this twice because the sight of Neil in tight leather pants did something funny to me ... hee hee ... this was not my favorite number of the night, but I think it was the choreography. The Paso Doble is my favorite Latin dance, and I have seen better. I was worried at the beginning that Neil was overperforming, but they both danced it well. I am disappointed by the drop at the end. I wanted to see the smooth fall to the floor, but she got caught on his shoulder. (Solos): Sabra is such an exquisite, passionate, sensual dancer. As Nigel said, Sabra dances from her heart. That is why I have loved her from the beginning. Neil’s solo, while trick-filled, was a little boring for me.
Based on tonight’s performances alone, I don’t think I can choose who should go. I thought they were all well matched. However, since two people do have to go, I think I would send Lauren and Neil home. However, I will not be surprised at anything on Monday. (Why Monday?!?) In case you are wondering, my votes all went to Sabra. I still love that girl.
"I am open, and I am willing,
For to be hopeless would seem so strange.
It dishonors those who go before us,
So lift me up to the light of change."
Holly Near
. So this decision isn't exactly fair I guess, but I think (key word *think*) that Pasha and Lauren may be going home this week. 
soo..)
