Emotion Charged Dance on Dancing With The Stars

[LorraineC]

This isn’t your typical dance review.  I won’t be describing a type of dance, dance moves or dance technique.  I won’t even mention the glitzy costumes.  What I will be describing is what makes a dance memorable - emotion.

Have you ever experienced the chills after someone tells you a story?  Something in the story or the relating of the story grabs you in such a way that your whole body reacts â€" goosebumps, chills, hair rising on the back of your neck.

The same can be said for watching a dance performance that tells a story.  When the dancer or dancers are totally committed and give a performance that comes from somewhere deep inside, the result leaves the audience with chills. 

Such was the case this week on “Dancing With The Stars”, a dance competition that airs on ABC-TV, Monday’s at 8pm.  If you’ve never seen it, this is the 14th season of the wildly popular show that pairs a professional dancer with a celebrity.  Each week they perform a choreographed dance that receives scores from the 3 judge panel, and votes from the viewers.  The next day, on the results show, the couple with the lowest combined score is eliminated.  The last show crowns a winner who gets to take home the mirror ball trophy (think disco ball on a stand.)

This week, the 3rd week of the season, the celebrities picked a year in their life that was significant.  A song that displayed the emotion of the time was selected and a dance was choreographed by the pro.  Of the 11 performances, one stood out and seemed to touch just about everyone in the ballroom and those of us watching at home.

Donald Driver is a pro football player for the GreenBay packers.  He exudes charm and charisma and has a smile that could melt an iceberg.  He’s 6’ tall and about 200 pounds.  Last year, he lost his best friend to cancer. Donald was there when his friend took his last breath â€" in fact his friend died in his arms.  Recounting the story Monday night, Donald was teary-eyed as he remembered his friend â€" reminding all of us that you never know what life has in store, to cherish every moment and live life to the fullest. Donald dedicated the dance to his friend, and showed every one watching that he intends to take his own advice. 

They danced a rumba to the orchestra’s version of Mariah Carey’s “One Sweet Day”.  The mist covered dance floor and bright white spotlight on his partner at the end added to the emotion of a man remembering and honoring his friend.

http://www.youtube.com/v/QZB_D9wWeWY

It wasn’t the best technically danced rumba, but the emotion that emanated from Donald and his partner, Peta, could be felt throughout the ballroom and across the airwaves.  Len Goodman, the often-cranky head judge, said he never expected “a hunky dunky football guy to dance with such emotion.”  Dance has a way of surprising its participants and spectators. You don't have to be technically correct with your feet to move somebody with your heart.

There are lots of opportunities around Jacksonville to watch magic happen, or even create your own.  I'll be posting "Stepping Out in Jacksonville", so check back to find dance events coming to town, as well as places you can go to get out on the floor yourself.   

[coredumped]

Welcome LorraineC! Looking forward the "Stepping Out in Jacksonville" posts, they'll make for huge points with the lady

[LorraineC]

Please let me know if there is a certain kind of dance you are interested in and I'll do my best to let you know where to find it!

[BridgeTroll]

Donald Driver is one of the "good guys".