Italian TV Dance Show Ballando con le Stelle Returns With New Performances
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The popular Italian dance competition Ballando con le Stelle continued with a new episode full of energetic performances.
Actress Elena Sofia Ricci appeared on the show as a special guest and performed an energetic paso doble, a fast and powerful dance that comes from Spain.
Two other participants, known as Fresi and Giorgio, transformed into the Blues Brothers for their performance, recreating the style of the famous movie characters who wear black suits, sunglasses and hats.
Veteran actress Ornella Muti also featured in the episode, dancing a rumba, a slow and romantic dance style, with her professional dance partner Pasquale La Rocca.
Elena Sofia Ricci's appearance was in the role known in Italian as 'ballerina per una notte', which means she danced for just one night without being a regular competitor on the show.
Ballando con le Stelle is known for inviting famous actors, singers and public figures to compete in weekly dance challenges. A panel of judges evaluates each performance and gives scores based on technique and style.
The show continues to attract wide attention in Italy, thanks to its mix of celebrity guests, creative costumes and themed performances inspired by films and music.
Vocabulary7 words
- Ballando con le Stelle
- a popular Italian TV dance competition
- Elena Sofia Ricci
- a well-known Italian actress
- paso doble
- a fast, powerful dance from Spain
- Blues Brothers
- two famous characters from a classic movie
- rumba
- a slow, romantic style of dance
- ballerina per una notte
- a guest who performs just one time
- judges
- people who give scores to performances
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A special guest dancing for one night 2. Rumba 3. The Blues Brothers
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The popular Italian dance competition _____ con le Stelle continued with a new episode.
Actress Elena Sofia _____ appeared on the show as a special guest.
She performed an energetic _____, a fast and powerful dance from Spain.
Two other participants, Fresi and _____, transformed into the Blues Brothers.
They recreated the style of the famous movie characters who wear black _____.
Veteran actress Ornella _____ also featured in the episode.
She danced a _____ with her professional dance partner.
Elena Sofia Ricci's appearance was in the role called '_____ per una notte'.
A panel of _____ evaluates each performance and gives scores.
The show continues to attract wide _____ in Italy.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think celebrities like Elena Sofia Ricci enjoy appearing as guests on dance shows?
- What makes the paso doble different from the rumba?
- Do you think dressing up as famous movie characters adds to the entertainment of a dance show? Why or why not?
- Have you ever watched a dance competition show? What did you enjoy about it?
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