Dance Episode 2

I was not impressed by most of the dancing on the show this time. Many of the dancers seemed too focused on the technical details and not as much on the presentation. I suppose that is typical for a contest like this were it must have sunk in that anyone can go at anytime. Here are my picks:

Top Three:
1) Donyelle/Benji = excellent technique and stage presence! I really appreciated Nigel's comment about Donyelle. She's bigger than the other female dancers, but her skill and comfort while dancing make her an inspiration to anyone grappling with body image issues.

2) Martha/Travis = they learned a new style (krumping) and went for it. They have such charisma on stage and great body control. I didn't particularly like the style, but I thought they did it well. They were my top pick last week and they weren't quite as good as Donyelle/Benji this week, IMHO. Travis is so cute!

3) Natalie/Musa = terrific chemistry and presence! They have had some technical problems due to their very different backgrounds, but all that falls away when you watch them dance together. Musa is a break dancer and is truly working his little bit of classical training.


Middle Three:
4) Jessica/Jamyz = good technique but boring to watch. I think they've done enough camera mugging to be safe this week.

5) Ashlee/Ben = they really committed to learning the jive, which was out of both of their comfort zones. I thought it was entertaining and technically better than expected. I agree with Nigel that they've greatly improved as a couple.

6) Alison/Ivan = there was something immensely boring about their routine and Mia thought it came from them not committing to it. I think that the choreography had more to do with it. Nevertheless, Ivan got to show off his hip hop prowess and Alison was at least convincing at it, so I think they are safe this week.



Bottom Three:
7) Heidi/Ryan = good try but no spark. I think they both worked hard on this number, but they didn't work together.

8) Joy/Dmitry = she didn't quite get the samba and he did his best to draw attention to himself to save the number. It didn't work for me.

9) Aleksandra/Jason = Alex is a cute white girl trying to do hip hop. Jason was ok, but it just didn't work.


I think that Joy and Ryan will be eliminated tonight. Joy - because I think that Mia is right and that she really isn't ready for this level of competition. Ryan - because despite his technique, I don't think he is as adaptable as Dmitry. IMHO, his waltz from last week was worse than Dmitri's hip hop, and his attitude toward his partner sucks.

Looking forward to the actual results tonight!

Midsummer Rite

I buried Dunkin's ashes under the enormous lilac in my backyard today. He was a loving fey kitty and I decided that a Midsummer burial would be the most satisfying way for me to commemorate him. I had thought that I might do it on the actual solstice or at midnight, but I wasn't ready then. I sat with his remains and remembered him. He'd been with me for 9 years and died in February. I miss him, but I am at peace with his passing.


And Sawyer, my new kitty, has managed to convince me that feeding a live cat his favorite wet food is a healing thing to do.