Ballroom with a "Twist"

Evan Lysacek has parlayed his Dancing with the Stars clout into a part-time hosting gig for Louis van Amstel's new road production Ballroom with a Twist. Other hosts will include Mario Lopez, Sabrina Bryan, Gilles Marini, and fellow figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.

The show is described as an extravagant evening of entertainment for the entire family, highlighted by stunning costumes, magnificent music (to be provided by former American Idol contestants) and breathtaking performances. "The costumes are pretty much what you see on Dancing With the Stars," says van Amstel. "They're young, they're hot, they're in the best shape of their lives."

Interested? The show may be coming to a city near you!

July 14: 2010 Clayton Opera House, Clayton, NY, USA
July 16: Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY, USA
July 17: Hershey Theatre, Hershey, PA, USA
July 23: River Rock Casino, Richmond, BC, Canada
Aug 12: Casino Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS, Canada
August 14: Motor City Casino, Detroit, MI, USA
October 1 & 2, 12: Southern Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, AB, Canada
October 13: Northern Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, AB, Canada
October 14: TCU Place Sid Buckwold Theatre, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
October 15: Evraz Place, Regina, SK, Canada
October 17: Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
October 18: Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, ON, Canada
October 19: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON, Canada

Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster and Ticketmaster.ca

Evan Can Dance...but not as good as Nicole

So Evan pulled it together and got himself to the Finale of Dancing With the Stars. He followed in the footsteps of Apollo and Kristi and made his pitch for the Mirror Ball Trophy.

Trouble is I think his pitch was a bit weak. :-(

He was the lowest scorer coming out of Monday's Dance and I thought he was toast at that point. On Tuesday he managed to sneak past Erin and Maks who finished 3rd (wamp wamp) and get himself to the final dance.

That is where he really got pounced on. Evan did a nice Quick Step for one final set of judges scores, but Nicole came out and killed a jive. She danced to "Proud Mary" and I think she was channeling Tina Turner. It was ridic!

So when the final judgement came, it was a surprise to no one that Nicole won the Mirror Ball Trophy...and honestly...she deserved it. I could give a hoot rather all her dances where 'proper' dances...she was the funnest to watch.

But, and I may open an old can of worms here, this competition showed what is absolutely amazing about Evan Lysacek. Does he have the most natural talent, no. Does he have the most engaging personality, no. But was he willing to work the hardest to overcome his disadvantages...yep! That's the thing about Evan. He may not be the best but he will out work anyone in his quest to get to the top. He did it at the Olympics and he almost did it here.

Now if we can just get Michelle Kwan on Dancing with the Stars...

Evan Can Dance

It's crunch time. The past two weeks on Dancing with the Stars has resulted in an all out brawl and tonight we find out who makes the finals...and who goes home.

Last week Evan was off his game a little with iffy dances, one of which was an awkward futuristic Cha Cha.

But this week in the semi-finals he came out fast and furious with two amazing dances. First a foxtrot that was full of spunk (almost bordering on too much but not quite going over the line!). Bruno called him "High as Kite" he was so happy.

Next came Evan's best dance ever when he went all Twiglight on us and did a vampire inspired Paso that was magnificent. Each of the celebrities had to do a solo in the routine and Evan's was amazing! He grabbed Anna's dress and used it in a cape and then did these cool leaps and stuff...I was impressed!

I liked both dances so much I've posted them both below!

Last week Neicy didn't make it through and who will it be tonight. The finals are so close! Can Evan hang on?

Evan Can Dance

Dancing with the Stars infuruiated me this week...but more on that in a bit.

First let's talk about Evan who killed it this week. I mean it was something! I don't think he is the best dancer...but I think he has the best work ethic of anyone on the show. And hard work, as can be seen by his success on this show and his Olympic Gold Medal, can get you pretty far. He may not be outdancing Nicole...but he's out working her.

I had to take a cold shower after that Tango...it was steamy, sexy, seductive, sensual...how many "S" words can I come up with to describe it? And how about that score...season's first perfect 30. Not to shabby eh?

The group Cha-Cha was interesting. I hated that Evan was on Team Madonna because the song "Holiday" sucked in comparison to Lady GaGa's "Telephone."

What infuriated me was the vote! C'mon America! We need to keep the best around and I hate it when two of the best are up for elimination. Erin and Pam? What! How about Niecy Not or Chad Osoneedstobedoneo!?!?!

Pam, who was totally one of my faves, got the ole boot. It sucked so bad because she deserves to be there. Poop!

Well, at least Evan dances on!

Evan Can Dance

Fall from Grace?

I will again explain to all that I am ballroom dumb. I don't have a clue what about what makes what a great dance if it isn't on ice. I just watch and go..."Oh I loved it!" or "That was kind of lame." I'm more concerned with being entertained than I am about heel-leads.

Apparently Evan didn't do a correct Samba and the judges nailed him a bit for it. Something about bounce, rise and fall, and 'party atmosphere.'

Well, correct Samaba or not, I loved it. The booty shake was especially impressive! His swing dance was less impressive and it showed as he didn't make it far in that portion of the competition.

Sadly, Evan fell from his lofty position near the top of the leaderboard into middlish ground with several other teams. Then he had to sweat it out until the very end of the show as he and Anna where the very last team to be granted safety before they revealed the bottom two.

Jake, The Bachelor was sent packing. His ballroom stumbles (it was like every week he was tripping up on his feet!) finally caught up with him. But I give him credit...I did like the 'Risky Business' bit without the pants (devilish grin).

Evan Can Dance

Admittedly, I was slightly afraid for Evan this week knowing he would be dancing the Rhumba this week on Dancing with the Stars. Hip action....eeek!

But I was pleasantly surprised when he managed to almost look like he was feeling the groove. Hip Action...I give a B+! The song Evan and Anna got was the best ever!

The judges were right, his upper body is the best in the competition. I'm telling you it's those huge limbs (I''d love to see Michael Phelps and Evan Lysacek stand back-to-back, extend their arms, and see who has the longer wingspan [deleted off topic thought]...Phelps by a finger?).

His lower body, well, like I said...B+. The judges were impressed, Carrie Ann just wants Evan to connect the fluidity of his upper body with his lower body. Solid scores, but he slipped from the top spot back down to number two behind Nicole who delivered a fierce (fierce I say!) Tango.

Evan is still breezing by, easily safe. But c'mon America...stop sippin' on the Pamela Anderson haterade...bottom two again! Thankfully she didn't go home...that honor went to Kate Gosselin...finally.

Evan Can Dance

I'm on a mission...to get my hands on a nifty Team Evanna Bracelet!

So how does one obtain such highly esteemed merchandise? THEY TWEET!

Here's the skinny, tonight between 6:30p and 8:30p EST, Tweet #TeamEvanna with Evan Lysacek's voting info. His voting info is: Call 1-800-868-3406, text VOTE to 3406 (AT&T only) or visit http://ow.ly/1xAm4

If you can make that fit into a tweet one of these bracelets could be yours! Each tweet you send becomes an entry for one of these bracelets.

I'll certainly be attempting to get one, so if you need a tweet example (twexample?) you can follow my lead @skating102

Evan Can Dance

Evan continues his reign atop the leaderboard, winning the top spot for the second week in a row for his Tango. He's really pulling this off Kristi Yamaguchi style! In fact, Kristi was in the audience giving him a stamp of approval with a hearty round of applause.

All the competitors received two sets of scores for performance and technique, Evan garnering 52 out of 60 points. Bruno commented on Evan's performance, "Strong. Powerful with a hint of catlike arrogance." Carrie Ann said "Perfect blend of artistry and technique."

But...isn't there always a but...

While Evan is producing technical, solid, judge impressing programs...he is still lacking a natural spark and connection with the audience...sound familiar?

This week, while he produced the best dance, it wasn't necessarily the crowd favorite. I think that Pamela Anderson took that prize with an elegant and sophisticated Rumba. It wasn't technically the best, but it had soul. If Evan can figure out how to not only dance the best but sell it the best, he'll for sure to be the one to beat!

But what Evan did was more than enough to keep him and Anna safe. In the end, it was soap star Aiden Turner that bit the dust after several weeks of sub par performances.

Evan Can Dance

It just seems fitting that this post should follow the previous post...the irony of it all...

Anywho, Evan Lysacek vaulted himself into first place amongst all the celebrities on Dancing With the Stars, despite two broken toes. His Quick Step set to the music of "Chicago" was well received by the judges. They are still picking on him about his feet. I guess going from skating to dancing is a tricky transition.

Even though Evan was the top point grabber, I still think he was outshined by Nicole Scherzinger who delivered a fierce Quick Step to music from the musical "Anything Goes." However, Derek broke the rules and went with a fun and playful routine chock full of choreography instead of a traditional Quick Step, which soured Len's grapes and caused the lower score.

Broken toes aside, Evan and Anna were picked to do the encore dance during last nights elimination episode. Anna and Evan were safe and it was Kate Gosslein and Buzz Aldrin that found themselves in the bottom two.

In the end, Buzz Aldrin was given his marching orders and sent home.

Evan Can Dance

He really can dance!

After the first elimination, he still there and he wasn't even a victim of the bottom two. That pleasure went to Pamela Anderson and Shannon Doherty with Shannon being the one eventual given the boot.

But back to Evan, his first dance the Viennese Waltz was technical sound but lacked a little character. You got the sense he was nervous. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said "You aren't just skating by us...you need to make a connection with us."

Well connect he did when he came out the next week with Jive. It was fun, fast, chock full of character...exactly what the judges asked for. He was also one of just a few of the Celebrities that managed to have a week without drama. He in fact returned to Illinois (represent!) and visit his hometown. Frank Carroll was in the audience cheering Evan on as he delivered a fantastic Jive.

Now the only thing they are picking on Evan about is his feet. "Point the feet, point the feet, point the feet" said judge Bruno Tonioli. He'll need to improve if he wants to catch clear front runner Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.

I also weighed in for Figure Skaters Online...you can check it out here.

Evan Can Dance

Kristi Yamaguchi's Dancing with the Stars spot on this blog was called "Kristi Can Dance."

Now that Evan Lysacek attempts to follow in Kristi's footsteps, I tried to think of a clever name for the spot. On Twitter one person suggested "Evan Ly-sa-step." Not exactly what I was looking for. I tried to think of some clever way of combing Evan with dancing and spray tan but couldn't be witty enough.

So, like Kristi, it will be Evan Can Dance...I just don't know if he actually can. I'm hoping he and Anna Trebunskaya can burn it up Kristi style...hoping.

The new season of Dancing with the Stars premieres tonight at 8/7c...tune in.