I so enjoyed Mark and Karen's salsa. It had the feelgood factor of Jill's jive. Therapy for the soul and the first dance I've wanted to see again.

dito.........

I agree..Very hot dance for Karen and Mark, Brilliant music. Almost gave me that carribbean carnival feeling. Great performance by them both.

Yes, it had feelgood factor - but nowhere near as technically difficult as Jills jive.

Completely, they achieved the same feel, which is pretty special

That is exactly how it felt, mirrored the jive from the final of SCD 2 (what with jill's dress-shoe incident), and the way they danced second time round, made all forget the little mishap at the beginning

Here's changing allegience from Darren and Emma, to Karen and Mark (tbh she was my second fave anyway)

Is there something in cricketers???????

I keep watching it, gets better every time! I totally agree, the same energy, spark and sheer joy that Jills jive bought to me!

I want to learn the routine!

We haven't yet seen any of the men jive so far this series. Hope Mark and Karen still in when they do.

Dinosaur05 - you sound knowledgeable... Would it be possible to have a salsa as difficult as Jill's jive?

They were fantastic! WOW!

There certainly is.

It was certainly the most fun of the night!

Mark is just hot! Him and Karen get on so well and it shows on the dancefloor

Yes, it would erm...very easily...there is some very technical moves that require timing, positioning and practise in all styles of Salsa. Mark was doing Cuban Salsa and the style is great for getting the couple into knots and undoing them by going through each others arms to the point that you have to bring both legs through the hold.

But this isn't just footwork like it is in Jive it is the body movement and control. Also, Mark would be leading it and some of the moves you just have to 'feel' rather than 'do'. It is a little different obviously as Jill's Jive was excellent solo footwork which is difficult to get. Mark was doing very much the leading the woman and both gettinginvolved in the dance.

So, ahem, yes a Salsa routine could be as dificult as Jill's Jive but it would be as difficult for different reasons.

How did you rate them, Alfster? Curious to know - promise I won't jump on you if you're not 100% convinced by their salsa






(Well, not much..... )
Last edited by sarah-flute : 05-11-2006 at 14:12

So, Alfster, are you saying that Mark's Salsa was as difficult as Jill's Jive - or just that it could be? Either way, I was well-impressed and shall watch the repeat again this evening. Shall probably video it too as an antidote to the SAD when it kicks in this winter!

I've watched it back many times, and boy its feelgood factor is HUGE! Thats a great idea!

No, I am saying Salsa can be danced at a 'harder'/'higher level' than what Mark danced. i.e. it could have been as more complex and also Jill's Jive came later in the competition so she was more advanced in knowing what her body could do and could feel the moves better.

It is difficult to explain without sounding as though I am making light of either Jill or Mark. To say it's easier to pick up complicated solo footwork than complicated moves which you have to lead is a not wrong or right but there are different facets in learning both.

Had the Salsa been later on the series he might have been able to cope with more difficult moves as he would be more comfortable with dancing. It is a bit of apples and oranges of course.



They were great. Mark locked into the moves well second-time round (let's not get into was it the mic or not!).

The moves were involved enough the two of them connected as a couple, it was sexy and quick. Yes, it was the best Salsa of the night and I would say it showed what Salsa can be.

If I was to be critical his footwork could have been a bit better, however, Salsa footwork can be and should be loose but it becomes loose by knowing the basics so solidly that you can just forget about you feet and let them do what they want to. As it was a coregraphed routine his feet *possibly* should have been showing that he could do the basics a bit more solidly. I am being VERY Craig there though and you could argue his feet were fine because the style is loose!!!!

You can tell when people's footwork is just rubbish and I could not say that about Marks last night so they did deserve the high marks. Had they not restarted I think a 10 could have been on the cards.

Yes a Salsa could be as difficult as a jive. I thought they were very good and their enthusiasm lights up the room.
I just personally think no one has lived up to Jill yet!

Alfster -Jills jive was week 3 in the comp -earlier on than this! Just to let you knoe
Last edited by dinosaur05 : 05-11-2006 at 14:37

Thanks Alfster, that was really interesting and informative

Jills perfect 10s Jive was in the final - she got 35 in week 3.

She was exceptional, though, no question there!

I'd put it in one of the top 3 dances of the whole SCD series so far.

For a complete non dancer to produce that last night...


They were superb.

Not meaning to appear rude here Alfster but you appear to know your stuff....Are you a semi -pro/experienced dancer/judge?

Thank you for that Alfster! It's interesting that Phil Jackson also mentioned his footwork, so that is maybe something that he and Karen can look into.

Firstly, thanks for putting me right on Jill's Jive week number.

Secondly, I am an experienced dancer and geeky with it! I enjoy just dancing too much to start teaching and it also takes up quite a bit of time when you do get into it.

I have been doing Salsa for quite a few years along with dabbling in other Latin dances and Lindy Hop and analyse it all far too much.

All I will say that if anyone does get into dancing is never forget your basics and even if you have been doing it for a number of years go back to a beginners class to either help out or just do. You will be amazed at how much more you can feel the moves, what you are doing wrong and how you are controlling the moves rather than them controlling you.

I would recommend anyone to go and try dancing. You can see how passionate the celebs have become about it. I is also possible that you might go to a class and you do not get on with the dance or the teacher - if that is the case try a different place as it could be the teachers methods that do not suit you rather than the dance.

I'm hoping that a dance class will be starting in my town in January: fingers crossed.

I need to look into it - I am lucky enough to get on a cruise holiday each year - the same ship, and usually the same staff - mostly Italians and Brazilians...

they do salsa lessons, and I LOVE having a go while there - then I come back, and my butt gets on the sofa, and that's that!!

*makes a note to check for classes*