Dancing With the Stars: JR Martinez Salsa's and Cha Cha’s to Mixed Results

J.R. Martinez took to his Latin roots for his first finale dance Monday night on Dancing With the Stars.

Martinez, 28, and his dance partner Karina Smirnoff shook their hips to a salsa version of Kat DeLuna's upbeat breakout song "Whine Up."

The routine, done in freestyle form, had Martinez pulling elaborate twists and turns. Smirnoff even got to jump on Martinez's neck as he threw

her in the air like a rag doll.



“In the freestyle, Karina and I decided to do a salsa inspired routine because of the fact that I am Latin,” Martinez said.

“Karina wanted to do this lift were I hook my leg to her neck,” Martinez added. “She’s had surgery on her neck before and I just think it’s

too dangerous.”

Martinez went through with the dance, lifts and all, earning Martinez a perfect 30 (out of 30.)



“I have only one thing to say J.R. that’s the way to come back!” said judge Carie Ann Inaba overjoyed. “Those lifts were the sickest lifts

I’ve ever seen and Karina I am glad you are safe.”

Goodman was delighted with Martinez’s dance and the eye candy.

“Two things were revealed,” Goodman said. “Karina’s body and your talent…fantastic!”

Judge Bruno Tonioli told Martinez his dance was “a jungle, rival hypnotic experience.”

“You are exuberant,” Tonioli said. “What a comeback!”

Martinez's didn't have the same luck the second time around.

The army vet attempted to execute the Cha Cha, to Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud” (written by Gloria Estefan) but his ankle injury affected

his posture once again.

The judges gave him a total of 24 points (out of 30)

“The magic of J.R.,” said Inaba. “Everyone loves you! When people watch you dance they fall in love with your spirit.”

“However, your musicality was a bit off,” continued Inaba. “It’s like you were dancing ahead of the music.”

Goodman was not pleased.

“J.R. this wasn’t that good,” said Goodman followed by an echoes of boos from the audience in solidarity with Martinez.

“You were off… there were a lot of mistakes.”

Still, Goodman praised the Salvadoran actor for taking on the dance to begin with.

“I think it was brave that you did a lot of that dance.”

This puts Martinez second after underdog Rob Kardashian, who pleasantly surprised the judges and the audience by slamming his performance

earning him a perfect score twice.

Rooting him on was his famous, knockout sister Kim, who in recent weeks has been criticized for her ending her marriage to Nets basketball

player Kris Humphries just 72 days after saying 'I DO.'

Former talk show host Ricki Lake also managed get high scores for her dances (a 27 and a 30) making the decision for America that much harder

for who should win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy.

Source: Alexandra Gratereaux

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Posted in 2011 dancing with the stars , 2011 DWTS , cha cha , Dancing With the Stars , J.R. Martinez , JR Martinez , Latino J.R. Martinez , Salsa

Just dancing with my baby

THE music was on and her daughter was securely strapped in, so for Florencia Rodriguez, dancing with her newborn daughter was the next logical step.

Surprisingly, both mum and bub loved the result and Baby Salsa was born.

Baby Salsa is a low-impact form of exercise in which parents can learn the basic steps to popular dances and meet other families.

"I'm sure plenty of mums the world over dance with their babies, but we've made it into a formalised curriculum," Ms Rodriguez said.

Since that first experience Ms Rodriguez has gone on to hold a pilot program in Northcote.

The response was so overwhelming that she decided to relaunch the program in three new locations, including Glen Waverley.

Each session is 45 minutes long and participants learn steps to the salsa, cha cha and merengue.

"There's no bouncing or jumping or anything," Ms Rodriguez said. "They're easier steps. Everything's done a little bit slower."

Ms Rodriguez said babies were soothed by the gentle repetitive movements and would often fall asleep.

Source DANIEL TRAN

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Posted in cha cha , Florencia Rodriguez , Merengue , salsa classes , salsa dancing , salsa dancing babies , tiny steps

‘Dancing With the Stars’ recruiting talent

Dancing With the Stars planning committee meets at La Cabana to hash out the details of the upcoming fundraiser. In this picture (front row, left to right): Lisa Ledford, Richmond County Hospice Business Development Coordinator; Joan Beane; (back row) Lynn Clewis; Carolyne Ussery.
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The Dancing With the Stars committee has been meeting regularly since April, planning the next Richmond County Hospice fund raising extravaganza.

“Last year’s Dancing With the Stars was such an overwhelming success, we’re very excited about doing it again this year,” said Lisa Ledford, Richmond County Hospice Business Development Coordinator.

$15,000 was raised last year, and event organizers are hoping for another huge hit.

“All the money raised goes to patients and families being served by Richmond County Hospice,” said Ledford. “We are the only local, non-profit Hospice in the county.”

The committee is lining up “A Taste of Richmond,” spreads from several restaurants, to be served at the event. A wine tasting is also a possibility.

Tickets to attend the event are $60 per couple, or $35 for single tickets.

“We had a pretty packed house last year,” said Ledford. “People had so much fun they were asking us when the next one would be, as they were on their way out the door.”

This year’s event will be held on November 5, at Cole Auditorium.

There is no entree fee for dancers, but each team pledges to raise funds from sponsors.

Last years winners were Kimberly Harrington and Bruce Stanback, who did the Salsa to Pitbull’s song, “I Know You Want Me.”

“We had a fantastic time,” said Harrington. “I’m a big fan of the TV show, ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ so when I was approached to participate, I didn’t think twice. Bruce and I had one professional Salsa lesson and then created our own routine. It was thrilling to win the disco ball trophy, especially since it was for a good cause. My first experience with Hospice was with my stepfather in 1995. The concept of Hospice was new to us, but my family grew to appreciate the nature of the agency and developed close ties to the staff that have lingered through the years.”

A few of the contestants confirmed for this year are: Dr. Fred McQueen, and Layla Mabe - who are signed up to Tango; John and Sharon Hutchinson; Amy Simmons; and Susan Sellers.

“There are several more on the list who aren’t confirmed yet,” said Ledford. “And we are still recruiting!”

Any style of ballroom dancing is permitted in the contest. This includes dances like: Tango; Waltz; Rumba; Samba; Mambo; Foxtrot; and Cha Cha.

“Sharon Nichols, with Liberty Place, offers dance lessons to couples who want to participate,” Ledford said.

For more information on the event, contact Lisa Ledford at 910-997-4464.

Staff writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com

Source Kelli Easterling

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Posted in cha cha , Dancing With the Stars , dancing with the stars 2011 , dancing with the stars recruitment , Foxtrot , Mambo , Rumba , Samba , tango , Waltz

Beating Sickeness Without Medication

Certain types of dances such as tango, salsa, belly dance (belly dance) and some other dances are not only useful to burn calories, because this dance can make a person live longer and be free of certain diseases.

Dancing can be one of physical activity preferred by many people. Besides fun, dancing can also provide health benefits for the body.

There are health benefits derived from the following dance types:

1. Salsa dance can fight depression
Studies at the University of Derby in the year 2007 showed a person who learned salsa can help fight depression.

Researchers revealed that the dancing could trigger the release of happy hormones in the brain and help improve concentration and self-esteem. Also very good salsa also help lower back mobility.

2. Country dance can strengthen bones
Studies conducted Glasgow Caledonian University last year showed Scottish country dancing can help bone density. The style of this dance can give strength to the ankle, stability and balance.

3. Tango dance can improve the balance of the body
Researchers at Washington University found this dance can help improve balance and mobility of patients with Parkinson’s disease, namely progressive condition of a nervous breakdown.

The movement turned and walked backwards very relevant to people with the condition. Tango also help increase upper body strength.

4. Dance Foxtrot may delay dementia
Researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York tells the parents involved this dance may have a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and make the body fit that provides protection against disease.

5. Belly Dancing (belly dance) can increase sexual stamina
Belly dance can help strengthen the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles of women. This can help improve the sensitivity and orgasm during sex.

And reduce the problems of women such as bladder control, especially after childbirth. This dance is also a flat stomach, strengthen your arms and back muscles effectively.

6. Jive dance can prevent diabetes
Jive is one of the best cardiovascular exercises with a focus on the mobility of the foot, and this dance could make a person sweat.

It is known that sweating body will help you lose weight, thereby reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Source healthyandhappylife

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Posted in ballroom dancing , belly dancing , cha cha , Country dance , dance Foxtrot , dance salsa , global salsa events , jive dance , latin dance , salsa dance , salsacircuit , Tango dance

The Perk of Salsa Dancing

photo credited to meet up (dot) com

Why do I love salsa dance? Salsa remains such an enjoyable social activity. Whether it be the intensity and excitement that you feel when you are on the dance floor dancing the night away or when you have just danced an hour straight and now you are ready to hold that fabulous drink on your hand. It all comes down to one thing, you are there for the passion of the music, for the love of Salsa dancing and of course to step into a totally different world that lets you escape life for one night.  Salsa dancing contributes to a lot of different aspects. It is an excellent form of exercise for the mind, body and soul. It’s that rush of being on top of the world!

 According to BBC report, salsa is a good exercise because of its nippy tempo, with dancers burning 200 to 400 calories in a half-hour session. Whether you  choose to dance Bacchata, Merengue, Cha Cha, Cumbia, Tango, etc.,  dancing keeps your bones strong, helps people deal with their weight, and even helps to lower heart rate. Salsa has been proven to be a great form of exercise and is a great energy booster increasing endurance and stamina ,boosting weight loss, and helping the body release toxins naturally.

Did you know that through salsa dancing it can help you to cope with heartache, ease the pain of those who are experiencing divorce, cure boredom and above all give you that natural high. It also provides a safe and effective way to improve your mood and give you a greater sense of well being. In addition, dancing requires memorizing steps and working with a partner, both of which provide mental challenges that are vital for brain health.

So grab a friend or two and make those plans for Salsa dancing this weekend. Good luck and live the passion through Salsa!

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Posted in bacchata , cha cha , dance lessons , salsa circuit , salsa dance steps