Season 23, Weeks 6 & 7
#latinnight
Due to an insanely busy 10 days for the first time ever I am doing a combined week blog (Latin/Era Weeks) as I was also covering the new Bon Jovi album and listening party and the New Kids on the Block cruise last week. I will be back to my weekly blogs next week.
First up Latin night with Mr Worldwide Pit Bull as guest judge. I am sure the ballroom will be on FIRE tonight. Second up is Era’s Week with Len Goodman returning!
Ryan Lochte & Cheryl Burke
Latin Dance: Salsa
Era’s Dance: 90’s Rumba
Ryan and Cheryl’s Salsa was creatively interesting. Ryan still seems a bit stiff in his movements but, absolutely trying hard each week. I really liked the neon portion and they seemed to have fun with the dance overall. I thought their Rumba was good, Ryan does make strides each week. I do think he still needs to have a breakout week to stay in the competition.
Terra Jole’ & Sasha Farber
Latin Dance: Paso Doble
Era’s Dance: 30’s Foxtrot
Terra continues to amaze me, she does so well every week and is just one heck of a performer. I thought they did a good job. I was not fully understanding the judge’s comments on this one. It’s not easy for everyone to do either the super serious or the super fun dances but, there were no major errors. I truly route for Terra each week, what she has shown the world is just tremendous and she should always be proud of what she has done. I loved their foxtrot, it was beautiful and full of amazing content.
Amber Rose & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Latin Dance: Cha Cha
The package showed some difficulties in training. I do agree with what Maks said I think Amber had a lot more in her to show the DWTS world. I will say as someone that has been taking dance lessons I have always found the Cha Cha to be very hard and frustrating to learn so I get that part of it. I thought they did well tonight and I was very sad to hear that they went home on Latin night because I think Amber was so close to hitting her stride on the show.
Sharna Burgess & James Hinchcliffe
Latin Dance: Rumba
Era’s Dance: 40’s Jitterbug
James and Sharna are just too cute, the Latin package cracked me up. I thought their rumba was absolutely beautiful and I still absolutely think they will be in the finals this year. Definitely one of my favorites to watch each week. Sharna had injured her knee before they performed the Jitterbug. They had another fabulous performance they never cease to amaze each week.
Derek Hough & Marilu Henner 
#TeamHennergy
Latin Dance: Cha Cha
Era’s Dance: 20’s Charleston
Marilu is hitting her stride and it’s great to see it. I think they had to come up with a way to have great communication. Their dance this week was really good, it’s great to see Marilu having fun with the show. I thought their Charleston was good, very much in character, a lot of fun to watch and overall
Jana Kramer & Gleb Savchenko
Latin Dance: Argentine Tango
Era’s Dance: 70’s Samba
I completely do not understand how Jana and Gleb have been in jeopardy. They are doing so well. Their Argentine Tango was so incredibly hot and filled with great content and that water scene at the end there just are no words beyond HOT. Well-deserved perfect scores on Latin night! I also thought their Samba was really good. Jana is another one that has made great strides every single week.
Artem Chigvintsev and Maureen McCormick
Latin Dance: Samba
Era’s Dance: 80’s Tango
I thought their Samba was ok, she has been one that did improve week over week and you could tell was always trying her best. They had a lot of content which the judges always like. I thought their tango was good and they should be very proud of their journey this season. I was sorry to see them go tonight but, Maureen and Artem should be proud of the growth that occurred this season.
Lindsay Arnold & Calvin Johnson Jr
Latin Dance: Argentine Tango
Era’s Dance: 50’s Jive
They have quickly become one of my favorites this season and I think they should be in final 4. Calvin has such a great personality and Lindsay is doing a great job and highlighting it. Their lifts are out of this world crazy good and how they blend them in with the content truly is one of the things that sets them apart. Their Jive was also really good. Lindsay is truly setting herself apart as one of the top female pro’s in choreography. They work together so well and Calvin has grown a ton.
Laurie Hernandez & Val Chmerkovskiy
Latin Dance: Salsa
Era’s Dance: 1960’s Quickstep
Val and Laurie crushed that Salsa, so crazy good! Her light continues to shine so bright on the dance floor. Val is handling all the dances in such a tasteful age appropriate way and they are so good. I loved the Prom theme that Val chose and it was cute how they went about putting the dance together. I thought their quickstep was fabulous! High energy, a lot of content and perfectly told the story.
Team Dances:
#teampast: Sharna/James, Calvin/Lindsay, Artem/Maureen & Ryan/Cheryl: I absolutely loved their dance, it was stunningly beautiful. I loved the choreography.
#teamfuture: Laurie/Val, Marilu/Derek, Terra/Sasha & Jana/Gleb: I really liked the creativity behind this dance as well. I did feel bad for Terra in the package. I know that nobody meant to make Terra feel bad but, it’s always sad to see someone feeling emotions like that.
#teampast won in the judge’s scores but, both teams should be pleased with their performance.
The one other comment I have is I truly hope everyone votes for the stars dance and not just for the Pro because there have been a few people in the bottom 2 that absolutely did not belong in the bottom 2. It’s important to the integrity and fun of the show.
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Until next time,
XOXO
Heathe