Claudia is often criticised for failing to show emotion or having an emotional connection to either AJ or the dance. For me, whilst this would be the icing on the cake, the quality of dance is always more important to me personally and the dance is always what I am looking at. Of course I understand many viewers want the whole package but for me its not that important, the quality of dance is.

My question is this. Do you think that its her many years of gymnastics training that has something to do with it ? If you watch gymnasts compete, they are completely in the zone, very very controlled with no emotion, it is only at the end when they allow themselves a smile. I recall that Louis Smith was criticised for the same thing ? if this is the case, it would be very hard indeed to show something in a performance ( when you are out of your comfort zone) that you have worked so hard for years to suppress for gymnastics competition. Just a thought.

It possibly is. I've never done gymnastics but there may be some people on the forum who have and can say how they deal with the competitive side of it. I think that recently she has been getting more into the performance side more.

Ha ha! This reminds me of my firsr QS medallist exam. I remember thinking 'My arms, my arms, what's happened to them?' My dance teacher, who was actually a bit smaller than me, was frantically pinning them down so they didn't go up an down when I demonstrated my version of sway!

Thanks for the reply Ann, but my question is based on what I see,,,ie no expression when they compete.. I do recall Louis Smith mentioning something along these lines when he was on Strictly.

Only the final to go now, however I believe there is a new dance show in the New Year although I don't know anything about it at all yet.

Hehe, see it all the time !!
Hard to cope with it when it is the male lead doing it, or trying to steer you into position! I can remember having some very heated "discussions" in the early days when my partner tried to "place me" where he wanted me to be. Oh no, I was not allowing that !!.....it took a long time to break that habit and learn how to use his body.To be fair, I think an awful lot of beginners do this and only after a long time of learning the correct way, it stops.

Me too. It's such a happy dance. I recently visited a medallist school that was having a party. There were a group of younger children who hadn't yet learnt any samba but the minute the music was on they were up and dancing. No technique (as we would know it) but thoroughly enjoying themselves, and without even realising it, their timing was spot on! That, to me, is what dance is about!

Was my dads favourite dance and when teaching the kids classes he used to call it the happy dance - as you say Kaycee doesnt matter about the tecnique people just seem to enjoy it for what it is - hate it being called the dance of doom on here

Another surprise today - there was jazz classes at the school today (cramming for show) and the boys who were there (they don't do ballroom and latin but like to watch scd ) all thought Ore's QS was cool from what our teacher told me they loved the concept the music and the leather costumes and thought it was visually great oh to get those boys to do ballroom

I thought it was a brilliant concept and perhaps the only style of QS that would have worked with the given music. It was a terrific piece of phrased choreography that worked so well with the music and there were highlights in certain parts that accented the music. I loved it, as you say, the costuming worked well too. I like different ideas, and as we were about to see 2 quicksteps, it was good that they were both different in style for us to enjoy. Hopefully those young boys will be persuaded that you can be cool and dance.

Although they like to watch SCD and the dancing was the first time they have ever thought a routine cool and edgy and yes the styling and routine made music work - agree too that it was good to see two good quicksteps in totally different ways

Have hesitated to comment on one standout issue but it is possible to see how Kevin gains multi votes from the non dancer public

But he must surely be the lowest level in ballroom skills of all the pro's
Body shape left side and at best proam composure in body framing throughout

The young lad with the gymnast showed a far better pro standard in comparison quicksteps

Kevin is a great ballroom dancer as junior he won both the national titles at ballroom and latin (dont forget he danced with Jo until he was 16) You see Kevin dancing (with exception of Frankie ) women of 40 not a young girl of 19 with strong core from gymnastics. AJ is good but would not say he is better at all

Does anyone know when we get to know what dances the couples are dancing in the final ? Do we know beforehand or on the day ?
From memory they dance a judges choice, their choice and a showdance?

Personally I wish they would not do a showdance, as rarely are they that. I always think they are an anti-climax in the final.

Not sure Jennifer but the mole on Saturday said that Ore has chosen Jive, Louise AT but did not tell us what Danny's was

Agree re showdance we rarely see a good one

Thanks Bendy.

I'm not surprised Ore is choosing jive. I thought maybe Louise would have chose her AS. I would have expected Danny to choose his Quickstep or Samba.

A third agreement - it was my favourite/best dance, and so much of that is down to the music. I just wish we had more authentic music for the Sambas on Strictly!

Given the dearth of good ballroom tangos this year on Strictly, I though I'd post a few I liked:
William and Alessandro's farewell tango: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEGn4LzxEr4
Victor and Anastasia: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMREPBFb3l0
Mirko and Alessia www.youtube.com/watch?v=m42F7Gs8LSE

lovely dances Ann - you got me reminiscing over the years I have watched so many comps and so many dancers but have a soft spot for this dancer who I have known since juvenile comps ( I am SO old) in these vids he is with for me, his best partner, my favourite dance of his was always foxtrot. My dad used to say his foxtrots were the best he had seen over the years and always called Andrew Mr Foxtrot

Andrew Sinkinson and Loraine Barry

Tango https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os4G3HfigbI
Foxtrot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9nOPUxjVrM

Lovely, lovely dances, thankl you Ann. Much appreciated.
We were very lucky to have tuition by William Pino & Alessandra when they attended a squad training session of ours in London. My word that was enjoyable. They were so small in height and stature, no wonder that they were so good at Tango and QS.

That first clip I found breathtaking, Ann!

Yes, I've certainly heard of Andrew, Bendy. My dance teacher is a great admirer of his dancing and so I've watched lots of his videos. There's one lecture where he describes and demonstrates how you need to be perfectly balanced between each step. He was a great dancer, and as for Loraine, I think she was wonderful. Great clips.

I'm so jealous. I think they were wonderful dancers, especially tango

I'm glad you enjoyed. It's my favourite clip too!

Experts opinion please on his AT.
Some said it was a poor AT others it was not can I have your, opinions please Ill understand if you do not wish the wrath of some people here and decline to answer, You see going back it might have been Claudia AT someone commentated on a thread here about 2 people using 1 pivot point views plz

I'm not sure any of the regular posters on this thread are expert enough, collaw. I have danced quite a lot of AT in the past (private lessons for a few years) but I wouldn't set myself up as an expert, You really need someone like An Thropologist who does some teaching (and who is also very fair and objective) to comment.

Please can you advise which dancer you mean...and Argentine Tango ?
If you do mean AT, I for one, cannot really comment, as I don't know too much about it. Sorry about that. But I don't think you'll have too many, if any, "having a go" in this thread.

I agree Ann, probably best to post in the NAT thread....or not.