Last night's routines were fierce and fun to watch. Congrats to ALL of the groups as they gave it their best shot. Four teams, comprised of some of Salsa's best dancers, put their creative juices at work for the past month to try to win the big purse of $5k and bragging rights for the next year at the Mayan (or until the Vegas World Salsa Championships).
Team 1- Score: 107:
"Mambo Magic" lead by Jose and Samantha, both Mayan Amateur champions from respective years, put together a routine with a great deal of potential. Yes, potential. Had the routine been executed properly they may have stood a chance against the rest of the teams. They had a majority of faults (I.e. timing, synchronization, and execution). Nevertheless, they definitely had the right concepts, just could not put it together well enough.
Team 2- Score: 130:
"Ritmo Y Sabor" lead by this year's Mayan Professional, Abel Pena, was comprised of Zulmara, Martin, Troy, and a couple of fairly new additions to the Salsa scene, 2 ladies that have been dancing less than 2 year (amazing to have come so far in such a short time). This routine was well put together and probably the most difficult of them all. Again, all the components for a winning routine was present, except for one... Synchronization/Timing. Martin, paired with Zulmara, both had trouble with the travel spins for Zulmara. She was taken off line towards the stairs at the front of the stage. Also, Liz really projected her nerves by dancing tentatively, at best. Although she did execute everything, she did not shine and hit her marks as sharply as she did for the Mayan Couples competition earlier this year. Abel, also make some time to show his appreciation for his father, by having his dad and Danny, his cousin I believe, do an opening dual mambo routine (fun stuff). Abel did incorporate a lot ideas that I'm sure the rest of the group suggested, which is ESSENTIAL in creating a routine for a group of people. Those ideas came together nicely, but again, with proper execution, would have stolen the show. In a competition where there would ONLY be one winner, they seriously gave the other 2 teams to come, a run for their money.
Team 3- Score: 132:
Team "N R G" comprised to the FAMOUS Crisitian and Rodrigo was one had me very curious as the was these 2 would come up with. The collaboration also brought in a 3rd couple, with obvious Latin Ballroom background. The intro was great, with the 3rd couple doing a Paso Doble piece. Cristian and Rodrigo then followed with a dual footwork piece, which was synchronized well. But all that was no match for the ladies TRIPLE THREAT footwork! Talk about letting it all hang out! All three ladies seemed to have trouble with their dresses riding up. Although, this may have been frowned upon anywhere else, at the Mayan, it was LOVED! The ladies really knew what they were doing when it came to that portion. The rest of the routine was pretty streamlined. No major breaks, just flowing dance transitions, which was good, if this were a Broadway show. I'd say at about the half way point the routine starting feeling a little stagnant. Frankly, I was disappointed that neither Cristian nor Rodrigo could come up with something at that point to bring that routine back to life. Again, this had the potential to be a great routine. Whatever the case may be, as to why, I am almost positive it was due to the "Salsa" ability of the Latin Ballroom Couple. They were tenative and really dependant on the other 2 couples to guide them through the routine. This was really evident when the couple starting falling behind in the timing because of the cue waiting. Had they at that point transitioned into something that that couple was strong in, then maybe they would have resurrected the energy. Overall, this was one of the funnest routines of all groups, and had this been a Broadway dance type audience, then they would have devoured it, with all of its story based choreography.
Team 4- Score: 135:
"Sin City Salseros" nailed everything! I mean talk about winning a competition with sheer and nearly flawless dancing. This was the only team to rely souly on Salsa. No sound effects or transitions to any other type of dance. 100% salsa. And the technicality? Wow! They hit just about every mark and every count. This routine wasn't anything new for this tea. They have been doing this routine for the past year at congress and other venues, but it had not paid off more so than it did last night. Their "patented" Cane Routine is one that incorporates difficult transitions and even tougher partnering ability, since just about all of the partnering is done by the couples holding onto canes, even during the stunts. The other groups had to have known that the Sin City Salseros are all about timing and flawlessness going into last night. And when the previous 3 teams could not execute, the door and championship was left wide open to the Sin City Salseros. All they had to do was do what they had been doing all year long. The best part about this routine is the ENERGY level amongst the whole team. From beginning to end, they do not lose a drop. Again, the potential was obviously there for this team, and they did not let it go.
Now, I must admit, I was surprised at the results. I had given the win to the "Sin City Salseros", but I had to consider the venue and all of its history to always surprise people with RESULTS. Like I told the leader of the group (Oscar, I think), "Don't be surprised if you get robbed". He and our very own SWer, La Shorty, knew it as well, since they fell victim to the Mayan earlier this at the Couples competition. So they did the only thing they could do...wait. I thought, because of what happened earlier this year at the Mayan, the winning spot would be given to "Ritmo Y Salsa". Abel has been riding this wave of championship ever since last year's World Salsa Championship. When I spoke to one of the team members and to how they think they did, I was glad to hear , "We'll need a miracle". At least I am glad to know that they also saw what the rest of us saw. In the end, the right team was given the trophy and purse. Now, all the remains is the question of, what teams will be in Vegas in December for the World Championships?
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