Xtreme Salsa
04-24-2005, 03:14 PM
1st off, let me say that this years comeptition is the BEST that the Mayan has ever hosted. This year, the BEST of the BEST have decided to come out and compete for the $5,000 purse. Last night (4/23/05) was the Semi-final round, and believe me, it was the night that SEPERATED the BIG DOGS from the RUNTS. 13 couples were on the card last night and only 6 would Advance. Of the 13 couples, ALL of the BIG NAMES that you would ASSOCIATE with LA Style Salsa were present; Alex DaSilva, Cristian Oviedo, Rico Bravo, Liz Lira, Rony Medrano/Dinora, and Abel Pena. The thought of LA style salsa without any of these 7, means that you HAVE NO IDEA about SALSA.
With the exception of 1 couple, all the routines were very entertaining and well suited for the round. The first 2 couples had a bit of trouble with the lack of grip on the stage. Before the competition I was dancing where the couples would perform and it did feel slicker than usual. This problem was the most noticble in Alex DaSilva's routine. He gave his partner, Ruby Karen, a strong snap/open break in which she lost her footing, almost causing her to fall. They were a little unerved, but made a very strong recovery. Their routine was packed with stunts, poses, and acrobatics. Other than Alex DaSilva and his partner, everyone seemed to manage with the floor quite well. Before DaSilva, were Rony Medrano and his partner of 10 year, Dinora.
They had a very high energetic routine, which if memory serves me correct, they used most it from last year's competition. They began strong and finished strong. Dinora did her signature "God Spin", they were on the count, and their stunts were awesome. Liz Lira and her partner, Jose Valencia, followed DaSilva.
What more can be said about her routine other than, it was Vintage Liz Her partner lacks LA Style, due to, what I think is a strong Ball Room background. They did not have many partnering combos, but what they did have a lot of, was Liz's contortion stretches and poses. Her intro, a "Dirty Dancing" theme was a little on corney side, but they quickly switched. Her signature "Tornado" spin was sharp as usual, but with a twist. As she turned, her partner would throw in a turn of his own, adding diffculty. In the end Liz's routine was very sharp and clean. Next came Christian Oviedo and his partner Melissa.
They opened up with a Tango theme, which to me was very surprising due to the fact that it is very unlike Cristian. Nevertheless, it was done well. Also, Cristian like to throw in a stunt at the beginning of almost every routine of his. But last night, he decided to wait and throw it in later. Their transitions between songs were a little on the excessive side, but it worked for them. They had great energy and seem to have the most fun. About the only thing that I could say could be done better is his "Windmill". Although last night, that seemed to be the the most POPULAR move. Done the best by none other than DaSilva. Cristian and Melissa, I would say, had the the cleanest and sharpest routine of all. Up next was Rico Bravo.
This routine was the MOST CREATIVE of all. It was a parody on Alex DaSilva and Johnny Vazquez (If you don't know, FIND OUT!), which, are the two people that inspired him the most. Like Cristian, Rico was full of energy and chemistry. Although his timing wasn't all there, as far as On 1 is concerned, they pulled of a very AMUSING and HUMOROUS routine. I can't wait to see what they come up with for FINALS. Lastly, came Abel Pena and his partner Xiomara.
It took Abel a couple of years to find the right partner, but man,did he EVER? Xiomara, has great stage presence and compliments Abel Xtremely well. Timing was good, and so were their transitions between songs. I especially loved the use of the "Gasolina" drum-roll during their "Tornado". Although not as flashy and stunt filled like the others, it was more concentrated to the dance form, a lot of good combos. All in all a good performance.
Well, there you have it. The 6 couples that qualified to FINALS. As I said before, ALL but 1, of the routines were very much PROFESSIONAL CALIBER. The couple that claims to be professional, was the very same couple that attempted to compete at The Granda, in the AMATURE Category, a few weeks before, and still managed to not make the Semi-final round there. Last night they picked the slowest song imaginable and well, frankly put the crowd to sleep.
After being at both Qualifying and now Semis, I am XTREMELY eager to watch the FINALS. The 6 couples will most definately have to pull out all the STOPS if they want to be #1 and $5,000 richer. But if you ask me, here is MY PREDICTION:
1. Alex DaSilva/Ruby Karen
2. Rico Bravo/Diana
3. Cristian Oviedo/Melissa or Liz Lira/Jose Valencia
With the exception of 1 couple, all the routines were very entertaining and well suited for the round. The first 2 couples had a bit of trouble with the lack of grip on the stage. Before the competition I was dancing where the couples would perform and it did feel slicker than usual. This problem was the most noticble in Alex DaSilva's routine. He gave his partner, Ruby Karen, a strong snap/open break in which she lost her footing, almost causing her to fall. They were a little unerved, but made a very strong recovery. Their routine was packed with stunts, poses, and acrobatics. Other than Alex DaSilva and his partner, everyone seemed to manage with the floor quite well. Before DaSilva, were Rony Medrano and his partner of 10 year, Dinora.
They had a very high energetic routine, which if memory serves me correct, they used most it from last year's competition. They began strong and finished strong. Dinora did her signature "God Spin", they were on the count, and their stunts were awesome. Liz Lira and her partner, Jose Valencia, followed DaSilva.
What more can be said about her routine other than, it was Vintage Liz Her partner lacks LA Style, due to, what I think is a strong Ball Room background. They did not have many partnering combos, but what they did have a lot of, was Liz's contortion stretches and poses. Her intro, a "Dirty Dancing" theme was a little on corney side, but they quickly switched. Her signature "Tornado" spin was sharp as usual, but with a twist. As she turned, her partner would throw in a turn of his own, adding diffculty. In the end Liz's routine was very sharp and clean. Next came Christian Oviedo and his partner Melissa.
They opened up with a Tango theme, which to me was very surprising due to the fact that it is very unlike Cristian. Nevertheless, it was done well. Also, Cristian like to throw in a stunt at the beginning of almost every routine of his. But last night, he decided to wait and throw it in later. Their transitions between songs were a little on the excessive side, but it worked for them. They had great energy and seem to have the most fun. About the only thing that I could say could be done better is his "Windmill". Although last night, that seemed to be the the most POPULAR move. Done the best by none other than DaSilva. Cristian and Melissa, I would say, had the the cleanest and sharpest routine of all. Up next was Rico Bravo.
This routine was the MOST CREATIVE of all. It was a parody on Alex DaSilva and Johnny Vazquez (If you don't know, FIND OUT!), which, are the two people that inspired him the most. Like Cristian, Rico was full of energy and chemistry. Although his timing wasn't all there, as far as On 1 is concerned, they pulled of a very AMUSING and HUMOROUS routine. I can't wait to see what they come up with for FINALS. Lastly, came Abel Pena and his partner Xiomara.
It took Abel a couple of years to find the right partner, but man,did he EVER? Xiomara, has great stage presence and compliments Abel Xtremely well. Timing was good, and so were their transitions between songs. I especially loved the use of the "Gasolina" drum-roll during their "Tornado". Although not as flashy and stunt filled like the others, it was more concentrated to the dance form, a lot of good combos. All in all a good performance.
Well, there you have it. The 6 couples that qualified to FINALS. As I said before, ALL but 1, of the routines were very much PROFESSIONAL CALIBER. The couple that claims to be professional, was the very same couple that attempted to compete at The Granda, in the AMATURE Category, a few weeks before, and still managed to not make the Semi-final round there. Last night they picked the slowest song imaginable and well, frankly put the crowd to sleep.
After being at both Qualifying and now Semis, I am XTREMELY eager to watch the FINALS. The 6 couples will most definately have to pull out all the STOPS if they want to be #1 and $5,000 richer. But if you ask me, here is MY PREDICTION:
1. Alex DaSilva/Ruby Karen
2. Rico Bravo/Diana
3. Cristian Oviedo/Melissa or Liz Lira/Jose Valencia