Ballroom with a Twist
– a new spin on an old step!
Nov 4 09 review from exploreIL
Tilles turns into a 'Ballroom With a Twist'
November 4, 2009 By STEVE PARKS steve.parks@newsday.com
So you think you can dance? (Oh, wait, that's another show.) If you check out "Ballroom With a Twist," the national-tour spinoff of "Dancing With the Stars," which pirouettes into Tilles Center Friday night, your answer will likely be: Not so much.
Louis van Amstel, a four-time "Dancing With the Stars" pro, brings ballroom to the stage as he directs and choreographs an ensemble of lithe dancers showing off their moves and looks.
On "Dancing With the Stars," van Amstel has partnered with celebrities Priscilla Presley, Lisa Rinna, Monique Coleman and, this season, Kelly Osbourne. Kelly and Louis advanced Wednesday night to week 8 of "DWTS." Here's what to expect in van Amstel's latest project.
EXTRAVAGANCE Or at least the show should look extravagant. "The costumes are pretty much what you see on 'Dancing With the Stars,' " van Amstel says. Translation: colorful, flashy and, for the women, barely there. "They're young, they're hot, they're in the best shape of their lives," the dance master says of his cast, including Long Island native Dan Markos, who studied voice with Mariah Carey's mom, Patricia, and Allison Holker, of "So You Think You Can Dance," Fox's rival to "DWTS."
DANCE MOVES Besides his current TV gig, van Amstel, former Latin and show dance world champion, has turned to choreography and coaching. Among his proteges: Dmitry Chaplin, top 10 finalist on season 2 of "So You Think You Can Dance." Van Amstel knows how to get people to move but wants to move the audience. "What I want people to take home with them is that they're being touched," he says, "that they're being moved by something beautiful."
SO WHAT'S THE TWIST? "Ballroom" is not a competition; no dancers will be eliminated. "We have musicals" - Broadway-style dance numbers - "we have classical, we have authentic music and pop," van Amstel says. "It's all ballroom dancing. But we're actually going to go to a little bit of hip-hop. . . . We have a little surprise for the audience. But I'm not going to tell you."
What "Ballroom With a Twist," directed by Louis van Amstel of "Dancing With the Stars"
Kristie Yamaguchi interview about her run on Dancing with the Stars.
Ballroom with a Twist is a brilliant new dance production directed and choreographed by Dancing With the Stars own, Emmy nominated, Louis van Amstel. Louis brings the same passion, expertise and excitement to Ballroom with a Twist as he exhibited on television with his celebrity partners, Priscilla Presley, Lisa Rinna, and Monique Coleman and as the choreographer of the live Dancing With the Stars tour.
Radio interview with Drew Lachey.
This ground-breaking show, starring a rotating roster of celebrity hosts and fabulous young dancers from So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With the Stars and High School Musical, pushes the boundaries of ballroom dance, infusing it with the energy and intensity of the latest "hip-hop" styles.
Ballroom with a Twist is an extravagant evening of entertainment for the entire family, highlighted by stunning costumes, magnificent music and breathtaking performances.
Louis van Amstel
Emmy nominated choreographer, international world champion and consummate professional, Louis has devoted his life towards perfecting his craft. Louis first began his Dancesport career, training in a theatre school where he gained a background in ballet, tap, and jazz while simultaneously engaging in rigorous competitions. Upon graduating, Louis attended the University of the Arts in Amsterdam to enhance his skills in the classical dances and theory.
Training under life-long dance/acting coach, friend and mentor Dr. Ruud Vermeij, Louis is a student of Laban choreology, and is well versed in human movement dynamics.
During his competitive ballroom Dancesport career, Louis has amassed a staggering number of accolades including:
- 7 Time Dutch National Amateur Champion
- European Amateur Latin Champion (’95)
- World Amateur Latin Champion (’94, ’95)
- Grand Slam Professional Latin Champion (’95)
- World Professional Showdance Champion (’96)
- Professional World Latin Finalist (’96)
Upon immigrating to the United States, Louis became the U.S. National Latin Champion in 2000 and founded VanDance, LLC. Through VanDance, Louis created Latin Fusion; a feature production on Broadway at City Center in New York City. The success of Latin Fusion was quickly followed up with a second creative effort in 2004, Latin Revolution.
Louis is constantly sought out for independent performances and maintains a busy instructional calendar. Louis has coached master classes for championship competitors and has served as a creative consultant to ice dance couples.
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Louis has been in the world of Dancesport for nearly two decades now. During that time, Louis has made numerous television appearances such as winning the National Talent competition in 1992 and 1993 which was televised on channel RTL4 in Europe. Louis has also recently appeared in guest roles on several hit TV shows most notably The Suite Life With Zack and Cody (Alexander the Great) and All My Children (Himself).
Most prominently, Louis has been featured prominently in seasons 1-3 of Dancing with the Stars; a show that has that has become a pop culture phenomenon in both the US and abroad. His success led Louis to serve as creative director, choreographer, and performer in the Dancing with the Stars Touring Show which has performed in cities across the US and Canada.
Constantly active, Louis is currently engaged in several concurrent projects including the formation of his new dance company Visionworx Dance, promoting physical fitness through dance, as well as choreographing a full scale production for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines which is slated to debut on one of the company’s flagship ocean liners.
To this day, Louis continues to feed off the passion for his craft and remains one of the prominent revolutionary proponents in the art of Dancesport and pop culture today