Dance-Pairs Chicago 2017 review [+video]
I watched another summer competition Dance-Pairs Chicago 2017, so I have something to discuss)
Igor Shpilband continues to upset me. Does his group even have a choreographer? Does he pay any attention to his other teams (besides Chock/Bates)? Ok, no interesting dances/choreo, but he has been always known as good technician, whose teams have solid elements and level. What has changed?
For example, let’s take a look at his two young teams.
Angelique Abachkina and Louis Thauron
video by Nora potatoholic youtube channel
Unfortunately, there’s no first part. I liked the step sequence and that’s all. Their latina doesn’t differ much from their last season’s blues.
video by Nora potatoholic youtube channel
First, I always wonder why young girls choose Malade for their programs? Maybe some of them don’t know the lyrics and their meaning? Well, Angelique is a native speaker……Second, what happened with Angelique posture? Her shoulders are already near her ears, where was choreographer and why he/she didn’t point it out? Third, the dance itself….it would have been nice and trendy dance…..5-7 years ago.
Alexandra Nazarova and Maxim Nikitin
video by Nora potatoholic youtube channel
Turn off the music and you will never guess that it was latina. As for pattern, it wasn’t impressive or accurate(
video by Nora potatoholic youtube channel
Well, at least this two have their own style, so their dance doesn’t look like compilation of old dances from Shpilband’s group. The guys are very creative, lots of interesting, new things but isn’t it a bit too much? So you simply can’t appreciate them all. Leave a couple, but make them memorable. That’s where the choreographer should have interfered and advise how to do better. The music cut is also not the best(
Who really surprised me were Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker in the short dance.
video by Nora potatoholic youtube channel
It was the first latina of the season that I actually liked! It’s a real latina. You don’t need to hear the music to unersdtand that. So many moves from ballroom latina and they are so well adapted for the ice and well executed by Kaitlyn and Jena-Luc. I can say for sure, these two are no strangers with ballroom classes. Very well choreographed dance! And they look very convincing. Both. But Jean-Luc is a real star of this dance. I re-watched this dance couple of times, I’m impressed. Very, very good!
Related topics: Alexandra Nazarova Maxim Nikitin, Angelique Abachkina Louis Thauron, ice dance, Kaitlin Hawayek Jean-Luc Baker
I love the way KH and JLB’s twizzles were perfectly timed to Fireball’s chorus. And yes, Jean Luc is a real charmer!
He managed to show ballroom moves on the ice and show them well. It looked like real dance, not some kind of parody that a lot of ice dancers showed us doing latina.
Here you can see how scary latina can be sometimes: http://fs-gossips.com/are-you-ready-for-latina/
I’m pretty certain that the 1st part of Abachkina/Thauron’s SD (the drum-based part) is the same music that Hubbell/Donohue will be using in their SD. Interesting.
Sorry for posting the comment twice – had some trouble posting, didn’t mean to do that.
Oh I’m afraid we’ll have a lot of the same music this season in the short dance.
I’m pretty certain that the 1st part of Abachkina/Thauron’s SD (the drum-based part) is the same music that Hubbel/Donohue will be using in their SD. Interesting.
Love H/B. Jean Luc is one of the most charismatic male skaters today.
Love Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker’s short dance!