Anyone watching for the ultimate American Smooth lesson?
Fred she ain't, let's see how she does Ginge.
Fred she ain't, let's see how she does Ginge.
Darcy Bussell dances Hollywood
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I've just got home and switched on...I saw a little bit where she visited the SCD studios and watched Harry & Aliona rehearse (Foxtrot I think) and then spoke to Aliona. Len is on talking too. 
I thought I had everything Fred, but I've never seen the dancing in the traffic sequence before.
Let's see Darcy copy the 50s films, such as Carousel and SBFSB. Those dancers were New York City Ballet trained, so like for like.
The music was wonderful, as were the Fred and Ginge clips.
Let's see Darcy copy the 50s films, such as Carousel and SBFSB. Those dancers were New York City Ballet trained, so like for like.
The music was wonderful, as were the Fred and Ginge clips.
Originally Posted by Mutter:
“Let's see Darcy copy the 50s films, such as Carousel and SBFSB. Those dancers were New York City Ballet trained, so like for like.
The music was wonderful, as were the Fred and Ginge clips.”
“Let's see Darcy copy the 50s films, such as Carousel and SBFSB. Those dancers were New York City Ballet trained, so like for like.
The music was wonderful, as were the Fred and Ginge clips.”
Darcey is 42 post knee operation.I learnt something tonight, that Cyd was short on dance stamina. Makes sense with her slim figure.
The programme shows Darcey preparing for 4 dances, but gives no indication if they will be performed in public.
I thought this program was relaxing, entertaining, and also quite fascinating.
A few of the things that stuck in my mind -
Fred Astaire's hold was very relaxed, his elbow often down by his side. I can imaging CRH giving him a score of 3. What was the famous quote - 'cant act, can dance a little'.
What stood out for me was FA's sense of rhythm, syncopation, and deliberately being slightly off the beat, and his entire body was taking part in that. He was very flexible.
An interesting contrast with Gene Kelly too, who was more of a calculating technician. What seemed a very relaxed performance - Singing in the Rain - was calculated down the the placing of each puddle.
I hadn't realised that the scores for many of those songs had been scraped, shortly after the movies had been made. So the original scores had to be painstakingly recreated from scrach for this program - a fascinating process.
The design of Darcy's flowing American Smooth dress was interesting. Bruce Oldfield wasn't really upto the mark. Could have used some help from the SCD dress department.
Len Goodman, and Moira Ross (I'd never seen her before), both saying how Fred Astaire's style was what SCD aspired to.
And perhaps the Continental should be introduced to SCD as an additional dance. Viewers of the program will know what I mean.
A few of the things that stuck in my mind -
Fred Astaire's hold was very relaxed, his elbow often down by his side. I can imaging CRH giving him a score of 3. What was the famous quote - 'cant act, can dance a little'.
What stood out for me was FA's sense of rhythm, syncopation, and deliberately being slightly off the beat, and his entire body was taking part in that. He was very flexible.
An interesting contrast with Gene Kelly too, who was more of a calculating technician. What seemed a very relaxed performance - Singing in the Rain - was calculated down the the placing of each puddle.
I hadn't realised that the scores for many of those songs had been scraped, shortly after the movies had been made. So the original scores had to be painstakingly recreated from scrach for this program - a fascinating process.
The design of Darcy's flowing American Smooth dress was interesting. Bruce Oldfield wasn't really upto the mark. Could have used some help from the SCD dress department.
Len Goodman, and Moira Ross (I'd never seen her before), both saying how Fred Astaire's style was what SCD aspired to.
And perhaps the Continental should be introduced to SCD as an additional dance. Viewers of the program will know what I mean.
Originally Posted by martyboy:
“I thought this program was relaxing, entertaining, and also quite fascinating.
A few of the things that stuck in my mind -
Fred Astaire's hold was very relaxed, his elbow often down by his side. I can imaging CRH giving him a score of 3. What was the famous quote - 'cant act, can dance a little'.
What stood out for me was FA's sense of rhythm, syncopation, and deliberately being slightly off the beat, and his entire body was taking part in that. He was very flexible.
An interesting contrast with Gene Kelly too, who was more of a calculating technician. What seemed a very relaxed performance - Singing in the Rain - was calculated down the the placing of each puddle.
I hadn't realised that the scores for many of those songs had been scraped, shortly after the movies had been made. So the original scores had to be painstakingly recreated from scrach for this program - a fascinating process.
The design of Darcy's flowing American Smooth dress was interesting. Bruce Oldfield wasn't really upto the mark. Could have used some help from the SCD dress department.
Len Goodman, and Moira Ross (I'd never seen her before), both saying how Fred Astaire's style was what SCD aspired to.
And perhaps the Continental should be introduced to SCD as an additional dance. Viewers of the program will know what I mean.”
“I thought this program was relaxing, entertaining, and also quite fascinating.
A few of the things that stuck in my mind -
Fred Astaire's hold was very relaxed, his elbow often down by his side. I can imaging CRH giving him a score of 3. What was the famous quote - 'cant act, can dance a little'.
What stood out for me was FA's sense of rhythm, syncopation, and deliberately being slightly off the beat, and his entire body was taking part in that. He was very flexible.
An interesting contrast with Gene Kelly too, who was more of a calculating technician. What seemed a very relaxed performance - Singing in the Rain - was calculated down the the placing of each puddle.
I hadn't realised that the scores for many of those songs had been scraped, shortly after the movies had been made. So the original scores had to be painstakingly recreated from scrach for this program - a fascinating process.
The design of Darcy's flowing American Smooth dress was interesting. Bruce Oldfield wasn't really upto the mark. Could have used some help from the SCD dress department.
Len Goodman, and Moira Ross (I'd never seen her before), both saying how Fred Astaire's style was what SCD aspired to.
And perhaps the Continental should be introduced to SCD as an additional dance. Viewers of the program will know what I mean.
”
I'm not sure I'd want to see the likes of Ann Widdecombe kissing Anton du Beke - or anyone come to that!
But Chelsee and Pasha kissing would have given me a thrill. 
This was a far more appealing show than the Christmas SCD.
At 42, Darcy showed she could still cut it.
First sighting for me, of Moira Ross.
She appeared to me as a sort of female John Prescott.
At 42, Darcy showed she could still cut it.
First sighting for me, of Moira Ross.
She appeared to me as a sort of female John Prescott.
really enjoyed it, was shocked to learn all the music scores had been destroyed. Love to see her involved with strictly again as guest judge!
Originally Posted by rifleman:
“really enjoyed it, was shocked to learn all the music scores had been destroyed. Love to see her involved with strictly again as guest judge!”
“really enjoyed it, was shocked to learn all the music scores had been destroyed. Love to see her involved with strictly again as guest judge!”
For those who did not watch it (2nd chance on BBC4 7pm Friday), an entire roomful of MGM music orchestral arrangements was taken away as landfill. Right or wrong Hollywood was part of world culture. These arrangements were laboriously rebuilt by reverse engineering, writing down each note heard as played by every instrument in a 60-piece orchestra.
For those who want a good horror scare, watch Moira Ross.
National treasure Darcey was virtually booed in this forum because on her debut as judge she was kind and polite to the celebs.
I adore Darcey Bussell and am now going to watch her Holllywood programme on iplayer because I couldn't watch it yesterday.
Two weeks to learn and present those iconic dances is an impossibility. I think she was brave. Still quite balletic (can't change decades of learning just like that *snaps finger*). So for that alone, I applaud her.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. She is amazing.
Shame the BBC left off the MBE title on Marcus and Karen Hilton's names on the credits. And also shame Aliona was the one giving Darcey ballroom tips..
Shame the BBC left off the MBE title on Marcus and Karen Hilton's names on the credits. And also shame Aliona was the one giving Darcey ballroom tips..
Like Darcey, Cyd Charisse had terrific ballet background. It is a recurring legitimate debate whether ballerinas can truly unlearn years or decades of ballet to dance ballroom and latin with different feeling as well as movement.
In Darcey's jive with Ian on Strictly I did see some ballet shapes which she was unconsciously making. I would not be in the least surprised if the incomparable Darcey makes a beautiful transition. The programme was full of good humour despite serious hard work for Darcey, bringing to mind what * Becca * and Elizabethjo said, that the very best are down to earth and kind to speak to.
In Darcey's jive with Ian on Strictly I did see some ballet shapes which she was unconsciously making. I would not be in the least surprised if the incomparable Darcey makes a beautiful transition. The programme was full of good humour despite serious hard work for Darcey, bringing to mind what * Becca * and Elizabethjo said, that the very best are down to earth and kind to speak to.
I sometimes watch Darcey's balletic jive with Ian Waite, on youtube. I loved it and Ian looked like the cat who had caught the canary! Dancing with Darcey Bussell was a dream come true for him (wish he hadn't been axed from Strictly).
Darcey is lovely. She is a normal, down to earth person, she changed the face of the Royal Ballet, for the better. Very into pilates, which she teaches.
Darcey is lovely. She is a normal, down to earth person, she changed the face of the Royal Ballet, for the better. Very into pilates, which she teaches.
Love Darcy Bussell. She was fabulous in ballet and I saw her dance several times at Covent Garden. She was sublime.
What I really like about her is her sense of humour and her very down to earth personality. I loathed the way that some of the SCD rampant fans slated her appearance on SCD last year, but then realised that on forums you get all types...they can't help themselves.
This daft idea that 'ballerinas' can't dance jazz or Latin or any other form of dance is just plain ignorance. If anything we learn other dance forms faster than anyone else and have better posture too. And yes, we still retain elements of our training and carry them forward into other dances but frankly, it's no bad thing.
Cyd Charisse is living proof that when it comes to jazz we can cut it - and Argentine tango. Some of the world's best Argentine female pros are ex ballet dancers.
What I really like about her is her sense of humour and her very down to earth personality. I loathed the way that some of the SCD rampant fans slated her appearance on SCD last year, but then realised that on forums you get all types...they can't help themselves.
This daft idea that 'ballerinas' can't dance jazz or Latin or any other form of dance is just plain ignorance. If anything we learn other dance forms faster than anyone else and have better posture too. And yes, we still retain elements of our training and carry them forward into other dances but frankly, it's no bad thing.
Cyd Charisse is living proof that when it comes to jazz we can cut it - and Argentine tango. Some of the world's best Argentine female pros are ex ballet dancers.
Originally Posted by AntoniaA:
“I sometimes watch Darcey's balletic jive with Ian Waite, on youtube. I loved it and Ian looked like the cat who had caught the canary! Dancing with Darcey Bussell was a dream come true for him (wish he hadn't been axed from Strictly).
Darcey is lovely. She is a normal, down to earth person, she changed the face of the Royal Ballet, for the better. Very into pilates, which she teaches.”
“I sometimes watch Darcey's balletic jive with Ian Waite, on youtube. I loved it and Ian looked like the cat who had caught the canary! Dancing with Darcey Bussell was a dream come true for him (wish he hadn't been axed from Strictly).
Darcey is lovely. She is a normal, down to earth person, she changed the face of the Royal Ballet, for the better. Very into pilates, which she teaches.”
What she said
Originally Posted by sofakat:
“This daft idea that 'ballerinas' can't dance jazz or Latin or any other form of dance is just plain ignorance.”
“This daft idea that 'ballerinas' can't dance jazz or Latin or any other form of dance is just plain ignorance.”
I would imagine the transition from ballet to Latin or the reverse is probably one of the hardest to ever make, and I strongly doubt that anybody could do it perfectly. The reason being that the energy you use in each style is in a completely different place, and the way you use the floor in each style is totally different too. It's completely different worlds, you can't even compare them. I remember Hanna Karttunen said that when she began to dance en pointe, she found it impossible at first because of her years of Latin and she found that she had to change and adapt everything she had ever learned in the past in order to actually be able to do it at all. And for sure, she was far from the perfect ballerina.
Originally Posted by * Becca *:
“I would imagine the transition from ballet to Latin or the reverse is probably one of the hardest to ever make, and I strongly doubt that anybody could do it perfectly. The reason being that the energy you use in each style is in a completely different place, and the way you use the floor in each style is totally different too. It's completely different worlds, you can't even compare them. I remember Hanna Karttunen said that when she began to dance en pointe, she found it impossible at first because of her years of Latin and she found that she had to change and adapt everything she had ever learned in the past in order to actually be able to do it at all. And for sure, she was far from the perfect ballerina.”
“I would imagine the transition from ballet to Latin or the reverse is probably one of the hardest to ever make, and I strongly doubt that anybody could do it perfectly. The reason being that the energy you use in each style is in a completely different place, and the way you use the floor in each style is totally different too. It's completely different worlds, you can't even compare them. I remember Hanna Karttunen said that when she began to dance en pointe, she found it impossible at first because of her years of Latin and she found that she had to change and adapt everything she had ever learned in the past in order to actually be able to do it at all. And for sure, she was far from the perfect ballerina.”
You make a very good point Becca in that I cannot imagine anyone who is a Latin dancer/ballroom person trying to manage point work at a later stage in their career. We start so young in ballet (I started at 6) and it takes years of training to build the right muscles, stamina strength and agility required in ballet. You cannot learn it later in life.
However, I did make the transition the other way around. I began with ballet, moved on to flamenco, then American ballroom - which included mambo, west & east coast swing as well as American smooth - and finally to what I call real Latin, (as opposed to ballroom stuff which bears no resemblance to the real thing) dancing Calli Salsa and then Cuban salsa. I now dance Argentine Tango. It is not impossible. You need determination and good teachers, preferably native dancers who also teach. It's all about mindset and ability. If you can't make the transition it means you aren't working hard enough, or that you simply do not have the ability in the first place.
I know nothing about social Ballroom and Latin dances, Salsa, Argentine Tango and so on. I'm referring only to competitive International style Latin in my above post - Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso, Jive - I feel highly doubtful that anybody could make that transition and I'm yet to ever see it happen.
Most people who are professional dancers (maybe not ballet cos I don't know any ballet dancers) do classes in more than one type of dance.
Most people start with ballet/ jazz/ tap or modern as children, then move on and specialise in something. The people who dance in music videos and for pop stars still do classes in several different forms.
Maybe ballet dancers can only train in ballet whereas 'commercial' dancers have to train in lots of things?
Most people start with ballet/ jazz/ tap or modern as children, then move on and specialise in something. The people who dance in music videos and for pop stars still do classes in several different forms.
Maybe ballet dancers can only train in ballet whereas 'commercial' dancers have to train in lots of things?
Taking classes in ballet and flamenco is a very common part of training for Latin dancers, but just because you take a few classes here and there doesn't make you a competent ballerina - it's just training to aid your specialist discipline. It would be pretty much unheard of to achieve a highly competitive / professional standard in both styles.
Originally Posted by kochspostulates:
“I just meant, do professional ballet dancers do classes in other things? (other than pilates)”
“I just meant, do professional ballet dancers do classes in other things? (other than pilates)”
No, unless a role calls for it. The normal routine is class every day without fail, rehearsals, Pilates, some weight training, massages and then more classes. It's fairly relentless. Depends very much on where you are in the ballet world and what stage you are at.
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