The Battle of the Dance Dinner Show features world class Celtic, Flamenco, Bollywood, and Latin Baile dancers enhanced with rotating variety acts of magic, ventriloquism, and comedy. It’s a spectacular combination of color, light, and movement, and the international cast of professional dancers create astounding artistry. Mesmerized by hypnotic rhythms, stirring choreography, and stunning movements, we experienced exceptional entertainment, world-class performers, an intense dance competition, and a delicious dining experience. After seeing half a dozen dinner shows, my husband and I found our favorite with Battle of the Dance.
An amazing evening of live music and entertainment opened with a festive pre-show as we prepared to take our seats and begin our dining experience. The show began with a brief narration of an old legend. In 1588, hurricane winds blew the remnants of the Spanish Armada onto the western shores of Ireland, and by this strange chance joined their blood, their culture, and their passion for dance. The Spanish Flamenco passion and style combined with the Celtic dancers’ incredible rhythms and lightening speed footwork had us holding our breath in amazement.
The skit quickly morphed into the first large dance number; with two distinct styles, Latin and Irish, cultural touches and techniques were easily distinguished. The costumes were beautiful and the synchronicity with the dancers was perfection, which was particularly obvious with the large numbers that often had 20 people moving in unison on stage.
In a great change-of-pace, both styles were combined briefly to create something totally unexpected; Indian Bollywood dancing became a magical swirl of color and precision. It was a great opportunity to be exposed to all kinds of cultural and ethnic dance. We felt as if we were traveling about the globe, getting a glimpse of the different types of dance.
The final battle theme sequence displayed the principal dancers Javier Valverde Hidalgo, Elena Romero Rodriguez, Stehpanie Serwe, and Kyle Hatfield. Stephanie seemed weightless as she soared through the air and controlled each body part with precision and elegance. Elena moved so quickly that it seemed impossible to maintain precision, yet she did it with a smile on her face. Javier’s performance was the most strenuous of all and he too laughed at the thought of exhaustion. Of particular interest was Kyle Hatfield, the award-wining principal male Irish/Celtic dancer and a familiar name in Irish dance circles. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Kyle began dancing at the age of nine inspired by River Dance. His fancy, wild footwork was mesmerizing and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him; when he was on stage, no one else existed. He didn’t break a sweat during his elaborate battle with Spanish dancer Javier Hidalgo and he matched the grace of Stephanie Serwe. He was the ultimate gem of Battle of the Dance.
Battle of the Dance would be wonderful as just a dance show, but the food was very good and the dining room service efficient and speedy. With options for even picky eaters and appetizers, drinks, and dessert included, there were no complaints with the cuisine selection.
It was an extremely entertaining evening that won over the entire crowd; even young children were amazed at the footwork and skill of the dancers. Regardless of your love of dance, watching the movements and grace of these performers can be enjoyed and appreciated by all that attend.
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Another amazing experience, Lesley! Are you always traveling or do you actually rest sometimes? 🙂
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Rest? What does that mean? 😉
I figure that the 3rd trimester of pregnancy will be a time for rest so I’m doing everything that I can now before that tired, out-of-energy phase sets in.
Happy Holidays,
Lesley
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You are like me then, trying to experience as much as possible 🙂 Well, I have to admit that I am not as adventurous as you are! I hope that your 3rd trimester goes well! Happy Holidays as well from Belgium and soon from Denmark!
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Oooo I would have loved this! I love anything dance related, looks like an awesome show! Hope you’re feeling well and getting excited about the baby!
Big hugs cominatcha!
CIndy
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Thanks Cindy!
I’ve been feeling great and keeping busy with Christmas events.
Happy Holidays,
Lesley
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Leslie, those are beautiful shots; you made me feel like dancing. Latin rythms are my thing!
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You would have loved the Spanish dancers; they certainly knew how to move.
Happy Holidays,
Lesley
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Hi,
Looks like it was a fantastic show, and don’t you just love some of the costumes they wear for these shows. The food looks fabulous.
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Ooo yes! The costumes, the food, the music – multisensual feast!! Thanks for taking us along, Leslie.
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Love to go to shows like this. Great pictures, thank yuo so much for sharing. 🙂
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Beautiful! Hope to get to So. CA. next year – we are in N. CA which is a different planet! 😛
I love dinner theatre though – so may make a point to check this out – last dinner theatre I went to was when my kids were little and we went to Medieval Times! ROFL
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I love dance, this seems wonderful!
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Wow. This really sound like a fun time! Next time we are in CA we have to check it out!
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Looks like a fabulous night out!!! No reason to let the 3rd trimester slow you down… your baby will be a little adventurer like the 2 of you! 🙂
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Great pictures! It looks like a wonderful performance!
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Wow! Now this is my kind of show! I hope we can take our son to see this!
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The show most be a wonderful performance to attend.
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That looks absolutely lovely, you are an excellent photographer 🙂 Thank you for liking my posts!
XX Kathryn
http://lacoquettedumode.wordpress.com/
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Hey Lesley,
wonderful, colorful post. In one of the photos the artist were wearing Indian cloths. I am an Indian.
Please continue the good work.
Harish
http://arjungabriel.wordpress.com/
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This looks like it was an amazing show. I hope I am fortunate to travel and see things like this.
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I’m so jealous!!! That looks like such a wonderful evening. I’m always amazed at their quick foot work in River Dance.
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Merry Christmas 🙂
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Excuse me, but could I borrow your life for just a little while? It sounds like tremendous fun.
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What vibrant, fantastic pictures! Thanks for stopping by my blog– looking forward to checking yours out.
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That looks like fun : )
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Wow, looks like you had a ball… I quite like the idea of dine and be entertained… the two go so well together!
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Wow, I would LOVE to see those dancers they look sooo amazing!!!! (And great pics, by the way :))
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Good food and excellent dancing, what’s not to love about an evening like this! I loved looking at the photos of the dancers! I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to actually see them perform in the dance off! 🙂
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This whole show looks amazing. I am looking at the photos and wish I was there. Amazing.. thanks for sharing this with us
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Looks like a great and entertaining show!
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Wow, I wish I could experience this in person. I am part Irish (and very Celtic) plus I love to dance. This would be wonderful to enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
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Your pictures are simply beautiful. I like the angles, the colors, and the poses that you capture. When I first started reading blogs, I was more interested in words. Now, I find that I am drawn more to the pictures, where I can insert more of my own imagination! Your words are wonderful, too, and they enhance the photographs tenfold.
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You can never go wrong with dance.
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