Dancing Around the World

The Original Dance
The second phase of the ice dance competition is an original dance. The ISU traditionally selects a rhythm for the season. The skaters then create their own dance to this set rhythm.

This season the ISU selected more of a theme of folk or country dance as opposed to a set rhythm of music style. This selection was intended for skaters to skate to music representing their country for the Olympics. Great idea, however, the ISU used folk music for the 2007-2008 season and most skaters used music from their country. Instead of rehashing the same music and creating a similar program, the teams have created some distinct dances for the season from around the world. This season has included some dance creations from regions that do not have a rich skating tradition such as Brasil, India and Australia.

The latter two have brought attention to the sport from those areas not as familiar with or competitive in ice dance.

Bollywood On Ice

Meryl Davis & Charlie White have won throughout the season with their Indian-themed dance. They also scored a viral hit with over 2,100,000 views of their OD on YouTube. One of their coaches, Marina Zoueva was inspired to create the program after coming across beautiful Indian scarves shopping in the spring. Davis & White loved the idea and went about consulting with an area Indian dancer and researching Indian dance moves. They modified original Indian clothes for their competitive outfits. Their research shows in this fun and authentic dance. It's like Bollywood on ice.



Aborigines Dances

While Davis & White have been praised for their Indian dance, Domnina & Shabalin of Russia have been questioned for choosing to portray an Aboriginal Dance. Their coach, Natalia Linichuk, has said the dance is not Australian and simply follows the ISU guidelines for "Aborigines Dances." However, Australian Aboriginal groups have decried the dance as offensive to the Aboriginal people of Australia.

Domnina & Shabalin have skated this program twice this season at Russian Nationals and Europeans. They skate in dark nude unitards with white designs similar to Australian Aboriginal art and eucalyptus leaves. (Is it the missing koala bear that makes this NOT Australian, Natalia?)

The controversy has ranged from their portrayal of a ceremonial dance to the dark tone of the nude in their outfits. Maxim was originally wearing dark makeup on this face at Russian Nationals as well. Others have remarked that the controversy stems from skating politics and trying to knock down Domnina & Shabalin before the Olympic event begins.

I think overall the program is not well skated, and they are clomping around the ice. They are both tall skaters and the tango theme last night really exhibited their strengths. They are crouched down in several moves in the program and it just doesn't fit them. In contrast to Davis & White, they weave Indian moves into pure skating and stroking on the ice. They glide in and out of every move and complete quick turns on their blades.

Either way, both dances have brought some attention to this event and it should be fascinating to compare these two dances. It's back to comparing apples to oranges, pears and bananas for the rest of the ice dancing event.