Who will win the Mirror Ball Trophy?

It's down to the final three dancers in this season's All-Star season of DWTS. All-Women have survived to dance another day.

Each of the the three gals performed their favorite dance number from this season and a Super Sized Freestyle.

Melissa and her partner, Tony, danced their samba that the judges called their break out dance this season and again it was met with high scores. Their contemporary freestyle was also scored highly but I didn't think it had as much emotion as the judges said it had and the choreography was a bit weak. Tony chose to use the contemporary style to show off Melissa's technique and softness after just performing an upbeat samba.

Kelly and her pro, Val, have been the center of much rumor this season over their close relationship. Neither one was talking about whether their romance is real or just for the cameras but... they certainly played it to the hilt during their steamy paso doble and later in their freestyle version of the famous final dance in the movie Dirty Dancing. Although I don't think Kelly is the strongest choice to win, she did herself proud with these two numbers.

Shawn and Derrick turned in two highly energetic and athletic (no surprise) dances. They chose to bring back the quickstep that the judges blasted them for rules breaking. Although Shawn questioned Derrick about keeping the routine the same, they still broke hold and kept the lifts and tricks that are a no-no in quickstep. Again the judges wagged less than perfect scores but the pair is hoping the fans will award them more kindness. For their freestyle, they brought out the Fantastic 5! Yes, the U.S. Olympic woman's gold medal gymnastic team were their back up dancers. No rule breaking here but what an advantage! It was certainly and All-Star Super Sized freestyle.

So, who should win? The former cheerleader become TV host, Melissa Rycroft, who is the only competitor who has NOT won a Mirrorball trophy? Soap star, Kelly Monaco, who has the least training but danced like a winner all while keeping the fans in suspense over rumors? Or Olympian, Shawn Johnson, who just wanted to regain her self worth by proving she's more than just a gymnast?

One more dance... the dreaded Insta-dance is the last showdown before the Mirrorball is awarded. A blind selection of music and 30-minutes to prepare is all each couple has left to prove they deserve to win. Who will you vote for?

2 Great Dance Spots for Saturday Night

Hi Dancers,

The two best dance opportunities in Sedona both happen on Saturday night, November 17th. So, pick one or the other or go to BOTH!

In the Hyatt Shops, La Cubanita's plays a whole host of danceable Latin tunes. Break out your salsa, mambo, cha-cha, meringue and rumba. Don't forget to have a bite to eat the menu is outstanding! www.soundbitesgrill.com

Further into Uptown at Canyon Breeze, dance to the Sammy Davis Band. These are some of Sedona's finest musicians and performers. They play a wide range of music including R&B, funk, rock, and beautiful ballads for slow dancing. You can dance freestyle, east and west coast swing, cha-cha, rumba, salsa, fox trot, nightclub 2-step and maybe even a waltz. Sammy may even teach you how to Wobble!
Check out this clip of Sammy...

All the live music begins a 8pm and both venues have poured concrete dance floors so... I suggest wearing a leather bottomed shoe. Leave your ballroom shoes at home. A leather sole will give you better turning ability on a cement surface. Cement will tear up the suede soles of your ballroom shoes and slow down your turns.

Remember, if you need lessons (group or private) give me a call 862-0118. See you on the dance floor!

Dana

Your Best Bet for Dancing this Saturday Night

In my humble opinion, the best spot for ballroom dancing this weekend is in Clarkdale on Saturday the 10th.

These are rare opportunities (only 5 each year) to dance to a great 15 piece big band playing the great music of the 30's and 40's.

So, grab your dancing shoes and head out to Clarkdale Memorial Hall at 19 North 9th Street. Be there at 6:30p and dance until 9:30p. It's $10.00 at the door and non-alcoholic drinks are for sale on site. Bring a snack, some friends, and family. It's perfect for all ages.

(photo by Bryan Chambers beflyer@msn.com)

I hope to see you on their big beautiful wood dance floor!

Dana

DANCING WITH OR WITHOUT A COSTUME ; )

Places to go dancing in the Verde Valley October 26th, 27th, & Halloween!

Friday the 26th: 

If you like boppin' to some Classic Pop music, Sound Bites Grille at the Hyatt Shops is the place to be. The band Rythmystic's takes the stage at 8pm. The dance floor is poured concrete so choose a leather bottomed shoe for dancing. Dance 'til you're hungry because the menu is awesome!

The Martini Bar in West Sedona has the Latin tunes of Eric Miller at 9pm. Wear a leather bottom shoe because the floor is carpeted. For more info call 282-9288.

Head over to the Sedona Community Center on Melody Lane for a West Coast Swing lesson with Joe & Adrienne at 7pm followed by a costume optional dance party. $8 per person for lesson and dance or $5 for the dance only. Contact Sam Mackey 928-274-7538 for more info.

Saturday the 27th:

The Dragonfly Lounge at Cliff Castle Casino has their annual Halloween party starting at 6:30pm. Grand prize for the costume contest is $1000! 

Rendevous Restaurant in Cottonwood is having a Halloween Dance Party with LIVE halloween themed music starting at 8pm.  Prizes for the scariest costume and the BEST DANCING! Best of all... there is NO COVER CHARGE!

Halloween Dances on Wednesday, October 31st:

Sound Bites Grille has a Halloween Dance Party from 8-11pm featuring Pocket Five Dance Band. Costume contest prizes and a guitar raffle! For more info call 928-282-2713 or try Soundbitesgrille.com

In West Sedona, the Martini Bar has the Oak Creek Band playing and a 60's theme for their Halloween party and costume contest. There is a cover charge call 282-9288 for more info.

The Ranch House Restaurant in Lake Montezuma is hosting a FREE Halloween Costume Ball from 7-11pm with 1/2 price appetizers, $2 beer & wine and prizes!
Contact them at 928-567-4492 or www.TheRanchHouseRestaurant.com

Need lessons before you got out dancing? Call Dana at 928-862-0118 for info on group and private lessons.

Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha!

Don't know how to Cha Cha Cha? Let us teach you.



Starting on November 1st at 7:30p our adult social/ballroom class will work on Cha Cha. Non-dancers, beginners, and intermediate dancers are all welcome.

 Call Dana at (928) 862-0118 or email for more info or to register ; )

Big Band, Big Sound, Big Night for Dancing

For 5 months each year the Clarkdale is the place to be for ballroom dancing. Last weekend, October 13th, kicked off the first of these dances featuring the Big Band sounds of Sentimental Journey, a 15- piece orchestra. Jeanie Carroll added her extraordinary vocals to several numbers and as the band played... the people danced. ( All photos courtesy of Bryan Chambers beflyer@msn.com) By night's end everyone went home happy including my husband and I who boogie woogied with the best of them.

If you'd like to join us next time, bring $10 to the Clark Memorial Clubhouse, 19 N. Ninth Street, Clarkdale, AZ. on any of the following Saturday nights: November 10th January 12th February 9th March 9th Dancing begins at 6:30 and ends at 930p. Hope to see you there!

Weekend Dancing in and around Sedona

Friday night: the 19th In Sedona, you can head over to the Sedona Community Center at Harmony Lane and Melody Lane in West Sedona and take a Salsa lesson from 7-8pm with Sam Mackey. Then stay for open dancing until 10pm. It's $8 per person for the night or just $5 if you're skipping the lesson and just coming for the social dance. Marketplace in the VOC has Rosemary Chavez & Jazz a la Mode starting at 6:30p. You can foxtrot, nightclub 2-step, west coast swing, or blues dance to Rosemary's sultry vocals. The floor is tile with deep grout lines so be prepared. Management will move table out of the way if you come out to dance. Also, the Ridge Club in the Prescott area has re-opened under the name of Thunder Ridge and presents dances every Wednesday and Friday evenings from 4-8p. They feature a $10 buffet, accompanied by live music. If you have questions, call the Zinks at 928-771-1493. And I hear that the the Valley View Restaurant in Camp Verde features the Hired Hands band which plays every Friday and Saturday night from 6-9p. They play music that's great for dancing and dinner is also served throughout the evening. Call 928-567-8528 for reservations. Saturday: the 20th Sound Bites Grille in the Hyatt shops will be filled with the Latin sounds of La Cubanitas. You can grab a bite to eat and work it off on the dance floor starting at 9p. Bring your Latin shoes and brush up on your rumba, cha-cha, samba, bolero, salsa, and cumbia. The rhythms are infectious! Clarkdale's 10-12 Lounge has Sammy Davis on stage beginning at 8p. I love Sammy! He's great entertainment and loves getting people to dance. There will be plenty of swing music, R&B, Motown and he'll grant your requests. : ) You might get him to teach you The Wobble too! On Sunday: the 21st you can head over to the Cottonwood American Legion from 2-5p to hear Happy Days. Lots of great music and fun with lead singer Charleah. Bring your dance shoes to swing, jitterbug, fox trot, rumba, cha-cha, waltz... you name it! That's where it's at this weekend. Remember, you can call me for private lessons (928) 862-0118 or to join our adult social/ballroom class on Thursday nights at 7:30p. It's cheap and I make it easy. See you out dancing, Dana