Which Dance This Week?

Hi Sid

Maybe it's tactics to get a hard dance out of the way before the real voting starts? Like you say, not the easiest of dances, particularly for the overdoses of arm-o-graphy we've had over the past few years.

What dance do you think Pixie's got?

Hi CD

I thought jive then thought it looked a bit pedestrian for a jive. Then again it IS early days. It looked a more theatrical clip than a typical jive routine. If it is a jive, I hope they put some more jive-ass meat on the bones over the coming week or I can see L en's favourite 'faffing abarrt' phrase coming in.

Thom's training VT is on the main Beeb site. Learning the waltz and not looking too shabby despite him saying it all went wrong.

First dances so far:

Frankie - Waltz
Judy - Waltz
Caroline - Cha-Cha-Cha
Pixie - Jive
Alison - ? Waltz

Greg - Cha-Cha-Cha
Mark - Cha-Cha-Cha
Scott - Cha-Cha-Cha
Jake - Waltz
Thom - Waltz

Didn't Susanna and Kevin do a jive on the first week last year? As I remember and as you would expect, it was not very technical and not a good idea in my book to be doing a dance like this on the first week - but then again I think a lot gets forgiven in the first few weeks if the dance is perceived as a 'hard'one and the performance packs a punch which I'm sure Pixie's will, so could be one of those strategic choices................Re Steve and O la - surely they wouldn't give someone a samba on the first week!!!!!!!!!!!!

B4p wrote:Hi CD

I thought jive then thought it looked a bit pedestrian for a jive. Then again it IS early days. It looked a more theatrical clip than a typical jive routine. If it is a jive, I hope they put some more jive-ass meat on the bones over the coming week or I can see L en's favourite 'faffing abarrt' phrase coming in.

Probably first day, can't do something TOO technical, I hope.

Thom looks good with his footwork, like he's quite precise. But his handsomeness is quite distracting.

The Ali-squared clip was good, she has that hip action going on. But I hope she will never ever utter the word "Glittah" ever again! EVER!!!

They look relaxed together, but please don't go down the Lisa Riley route... Phulease! *begging desperately*

Hi CD
Is Alison doing a jive? I thought I saw some New Yorkers but then thought is it a jive after all? Her enthusiasm is infectious. Alijaz seems a nice guy.

I guess my thoughts on Pixie's clip was great synchronicity with Trent and timing but when I think Jive, I think rock n roll, speed, kicks, flicks, hands in the air, feet going hell for leather. In fairness they might have just been working on a small section and at the mercy of whoever's editing.

Re Alison:

It is worth looking on Youtube at Amber Riley and Derek Hough on Dancing With The Stars. Amber is a large lady. They won but unlike Lisa, Amber learnt the dances and her feet move. They did a jive in the second week. The judges while applauding the performance and energy did say she was a bit flat-footed. I have to say that looks to be true but the speed was impressive.

Im going to root for Alison and Tim the first week! Im not struck re Greg or Pixie or Jackie so hopefully one of these trio will take the first walk

B4p wrote:Hi CD
Is Alison doing a jive? I thought I saw some New Yorkers but then thought is it a jive after all? Her enthusiasm is infectious. Alijaz seems a nice guy.

I guess my thoughts on Pixie's clip was great synchronicity with Trent and timing but when I think Jive, I think rock n roll, speed, kicks, flicks, hands in the air, feet going hell for leather. In fairness they might have just been working on a small section and at the mercy of whoever's editing.

Ali is definitely doing cha-cha. Maybe I'll like Alijaz more this series. Last series he was nice too. But maybe this year the pressure to be 'too competitive' is less and he'll let his personality show even more.

Pixie will be at at unfair disadvantage, as people (even the judges) will assume she could do much more. So I hope th pro will not let her off too easily, otherwise she'll be slated I think.

Simon and K.ristina's jive training clip up now. Gosh, they are both SO competitive. It's like Jason Donovan all over again, except Simon looks like he's not as 'bizarre' as Jason...

B4p wrote:Hi Sid

Maybe it's tactics to get a hard dance out of the way before the real voting starts? Like you say, not the easiest of dances, particularly for the overdoses of arm-o-graphy we've had over the past few years.

What dance do you think Pixie's got?

Soz B4, only just saw your message!

I still don't know how much (if any) say the pros have in the running order of their dances through the course of the series. If they do, then I'd probably get the Samba out the way early too!

P.ixie's got the Jive apparently. Was reading on DS from someone who seems to know about dance and according to them the Jive (whist quite fast and furious) isn't the hardest of dances to learn technique-wise so maybe a good one to start with. Didn't so Susanna & Kevin any harm (in fact their Jive went down a storm week one!).

There's been some talk about P.ixie's previous experience. I wonder if anyone knows her background?

Hi sid

I believe Pixie started Stage School at age 8, and was also a child actress, although at the moment her main thing seems to be singing.

Simon looks like he's also doing the jive.

Steve is doing ballroom. I thought I saw some lock steps and spins but I'm not a dancer. CD - any more info on Steve's dance?

Re: Suzanna and Kevin - yes their jive did go down a storm and being the first week the judges weren't too strict on the old 'kicks and flicks' requirements because they appeared to be so impressed that someone had tackled the dance at such an early stage and made a half decent job of what is often seen as a 'harder dance' - so yes, I think for someone who has shown an aptitude (which P ixie obviously has) and is experienced in putting on a good show it is an excellent strategic choice for that first week..........................................

First dances so far:

Frankie - Waltz
Judy - Waltz
Caroline - Cha-Cha-Cha
Pixie - Jive
Alison - Cha-Cha-Cha
Sunetra ?
Jennifer ?

Greg - Cha-Cha-Cha
Mark - Cha-Cha-Cha
Scott - Cha-Cha-Cha
Jake - Waltz
Thom - Waltz
Simon - Jive
Steve -
Tim ?

B4p wrote:Hi sid

I believe Pixie started Stage School at age 8, and was also a child actress, although at the moment her main thing seems to be singing.

Simon looks like he's also doing the jive.

Steve is doing ballroom. I thought I saw some lock steps and spins but I'm not a dancer. CD - any more info on Steve's dance?

Blimmin' O.la, doing all her usual pivots pivots and even more pivots again! It looks like waltz, but could very well be a foxtrot. But I suspect it's a waltz. But O.la, as we ALL know what she did with Chris Hollins, she had knee slides for latins, and pivots and pivots for ballroom. I am bored already before they even started their routine.

I know exactly where you are coming from CD - O la is O la and all her partners have to fit in with it - rather than her fitting to the partner!

Sunetra's training clip is up on the main Beeb site. ? a Waltz

I guessed at Tango, but I could be wrong!

It doesn't look like this dancing lark is going to come naturally to Sunetra, unfortunately, but it's very early days of course.

I so wish Steve had been paired with someone else. I also find O.la's choreography quite formulaic and I'm not convinced she'll get the best out of him and make him shine. But then, I think a lot of the better choreographers amongst the female pros have gone (Lilia, F.lavia, Anya, E.rin, Katya etc).

Dances and song choices now up on BBC website.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/posts/Week-One-Strictly-songs-revealed

Hope that works as a link. Some "Interesting" song choices there !

First weeks music and dances now confirmed on main Beeb site:

Alison and Aljaz -  Cha Cha to ‘I’m Every Woman’ by Chaka Khan.
Caroline and Pasha - Cha Cha to ‘Can You Feel It?’ by The Jacksons.
Mark and Karen - Cha Cha to ‘I’m Your Man’ by Wham!
Gregg and Aliona - Cha Cha to ‘Hot N Cold’ by Katy Perry.
Scott and Joanne - Cha Cha to ‘Rock DJ’ by Robbie Williams.
Tim and Natalie - Cha Cha to ‘Shop Around’ by Captain & Tennille.



Frankie and Kevin - Waltz to ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele.
Judy and An ton - Waltz to ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ by Wings.
Thom and Iveta - Waltz to ‘You Raise Me Up’ by Westlife.

Pixie and Trent - Jive to ‘Shake It Off’ by Taylor Swift.
Jennifer and Tristan - Jive to ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams.
Simon and Kristina - Jive to ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ by Little Richard.

Steve and O la - Tango to ‘Born To Be Wild’ by Steppenwolf.
Sunetra and Brendan - Tango – to “Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor Doctor)” by Robert Palmer.
Jake and Janette - Tango to ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears.

B4p wrote:Frankie and Kevin - Waltz to ‘Someone Like You’ by Adele.
Judy and An ton - Waltz to ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ by Wings.
Thom and Iveta - Waltz to ‘You Raise Me Up’ by Westlife.

Strange that Frankie's and Thom's waltes had song in 4/4 beat (i.e. foxtrot). Not the usual 3/4 waltz beat.

Just been listening to some of the tunes on youtube.

There seems to be quite a varied pace between the Cha-Cha choices. Not sure that Chaka Khan (though I love her) would strike me immediately as a Cha-Cha. My favourite tune out of this group would be The Jacksons. It has a strong beat, which I think beginners need to help keep them on track, particularly on their first outing in public.

None of the Waltz choices thrill me I'm afraid. The Scot's link with 'Mull of Kintyre' for Judy was toooooooo predictable, and the other two just aren't waltz stuff are they? Surely it must be harder for beginners to get and maintain the 1,2,3 rhythm on a 4/4 beat?

All 3 Jive tunes seem lively, upbeat and fun, but I'm expecting Simon to steal it with the Little Richard choice.

Tango's - well, not what I expected to see on week 1, but Jake might just be able to do 'Toxic' some justice. I don't rate the tango tune choices much. I prefer the more traditional Tango music for the drama, atmosphere and scene setting. Maybe I'm just not 'Street' enough, but then again, I couldn't imagine Fl avia & Vincent doing a Tango to 'Steppenwolf'.  Great to Mosh too but Tango? Naaaaaarh. Poor Steve

Hi Wallflower

Haven't looked at the website yet - but when I saw 'interesting' song choices - I thought 'Groan-here we go'

Although I am looking forward to it all finally starting!!

Just saw all the other posts about the song choices.................

Yes agree 'interesting' agree about the Tango choices - and agree B4P - poor Steve - on a number of levels!!!!

I thought they were being sensible about the 'first' dance choices this year - but I just don't think the Tango is right for week one. Also - what is it with SCD now that seems to be Tango= rock track - the trouble is that both of these tracks will I fear induce a 'stomp around the floor' because on week one it just isn't fair to expect a proper Tango technique which could be achieved with these tracks, later in the contest.

Just another observation - whenever I hear Pharrell Williams - 'Happy' I always have a cha-cha rhythm in my head not jive - but it is nevertheless a good choice because it is such an uplifting track which makes you want to dance!!!!