Hello America! This week is going to be a major one on "Dancing With The Stars", as four new dances are introduced. We have the Charleston, the Bolero, the Lambada and the Texas Two-Step. I am here to tell you a little about each one and who will be dancing what.

 First up is the Bolero, which will be taken on by Natalie and Alec and Michael and Anna D.

What is the Bolero, you ask?  According to abc.com, it comes from the same Afro-Cuban roots as the Rumba and also is said to have originated from Cuban or Spanish folk dances. It has the character of love and romance, slow romantic movements and 4/4 timing.  It is frequently called the Cuban Dance of Love and is the slowest of the Latin dances.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

•    The first step is typically taken on the first beat, held during the second beat with two more steps falling on beats three and four.  (abc.com)

•    The basic step of bolero is a long, sweeping step to the side on the slow beat, followed by a rock step forward or backward, on the quick-quick beats. (abc.com)

•    During the slow step, there is an extension and lift of the body.

•    Cross body leads

•    Open breaks

•    Underarm turns

•    Fifth position breaks

•    Crossover breaks.

Next we have the Charleston, which will be danced by Melissa and Mark, Kelly and Louis and Donny and Kym. 

This flapper style dance has 4/4 timing and outward heel kicks with an up and down movement. This is achieved by bending and straightening the knees in time to the music.  This dance was most popular in the 1920s.

This dance is also known for it’s comedic movements, in which dancers can put a little bit of themselves into the dance.

WHAT ELSE TO LOOK FOR:

•    Twisty feet

•    turned in knees and toes

•    weight shifting from leg to leg

•    kicks and arm and leg movements to the front and side.

VARIOUS PARTNER STYLES THE SHOW MAY BE LOOKING FOR: (abc.com)

•    Jockey Position – A position in which both the dancers face the line of dance while remaining in contact with each other.

•    Side by Side – Here the person leading the dance has his arm at the other dancer’s lower back and the other dancer’s arm at the leads shoulder.

•    Tandem – One partner stands in the front of another and they do the same leg steps just like the way we cycle in tandem.

Third is the Lambada. Aaron and Karina, Joanna and Derek and Mya and Dmitry will be attempting this Forbidden Dance. 

This dance originated in Brazil in the 1980s and incorporates dances such as the Forro, the Samba and the Maxixe. The rhythm comes from the Amazon and the Bahians originated the steps.  The dance is sexy, energetic and sensual, while also remaining graceful and intimate.

MORE FACTS:

•    one-two-three beat

•    a slow-quick-quick rhythm on the first third and fourth beat of the bar

•    rhythmic upper and lower body movements

•    danced in the balls of the feet in a grinding motion (emphasizes hip movement)

Finally, The Two Step will be danced by Louie and Chelsie, Mark and Lacey and Chuck and Anna T. 

Originally a marching dance, it wasn’t until the 1980s that teachers in Texas modified it for mass instruction.  The original, which began in the 1890s by John Phillip Sousa, was known for its patriotism and military pride.

FACTS AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR: (abc.com)
•    Sassy and fun loving dance

•    4/4 timing

•    2 quicks, 2 slows over 6 beats of music

•    An open position with the lead’s right hand on the follower’s left shoulder

•     A closed position with no space between the partners

•     A closed overhand position in which the lead wraps their left forearm over the follower’s right forearm and clasps their hand with the palm against the back of the follower’s hand.

•    Intricate, entwined movements

•    Multiple spins and turns done by the lady with the man turning in tandem.

That is all for now folks, tune into Dancing with the Stars Monday at 8/7c on ABC where all the action is! Goodnight!