Jurij and Jogoda Turn Professional

Jurij Batagelj and Jagoda Strukelj, the winners of the 2011 UK Open and Blackpool Dance Festival in the Amateur Latin category have decided to turn professional. Winning Blackpool this year was a great accomplishment for the couple and they have decided to move on to the professional realm. The Slovenian couple will be making their first professional appearance at the 2012 UK Championship.

I cannot help but wonder if this has anything to do with their alignment with the WDC versus the IDSF. But best of luck to the both of them!



Image courtesy of Danceportinfo.net

Nino and Kristina Defeat Zoran and Tatsiana

Could this be a sign of things to come? Earlier this month, at the WDSF Grand Slam in Chengdu, China, Aniello Langella and Kristina Moshenskaya defeated Zoran Plohl and Tatsiana Lahvinoch. With a lead of five points, Nino and Kristina were in first place. Martino Zanibellato and Michelle Abildtrup followed in third place. It will be interesting to see where Andrei Zaitsev and his partner Anna Kuzminstkaya place within the finals, and how the Zoran and Tatsiana react to the result. I say rise above it all and let the dancing speak for itself.

6 Ways to Dance Your Cha Cha

When watching all of the finalists in the European IDSF dance final, I was struck by how each couple had a distinct style within the cha cha. Each one of them has their own set of positive traits and flavour. As a female dancer, I almost always tend to look at the girls. I love how grounded Anna is in her dancing, Kyrtyna's aggressiveness and Tatsiana's precision. Take a look at the videos and see what strikes your fancy.

Gotta Love the Italians

I discovered the Italians this week. In addition to the beautiful Italian sites, great designers, delicious food, cute boys and soccer – Italy has produced great dancers as well. Maurizio Vescovo naturally comes to mind, but let's not forget the amateur couples. Some of the ones I have discovered (or been introduced to) are Gabriele Goffredo and his then partner, sister Antonia Goffredo; and Nino Langella and Kristina Moshenskaya. Their speed, rhythm and precision is amazing. Even more reason to love anything Italian.

Check them out in action: