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Lindsey Stirling dances her way to a perfect score on Dancing with the Stars
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Violinist Lindsey Stirling and dance pro Mark Ballas dance an Argentine tango with a sci-fi theme during "A Night at the Movies" theme night on "Dancing with the Stars" on Monday, Oct. 23. - photo by Morgan Jones
After last weeks foxtrot, Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas were applauded for ditching the quirky artistry for a week and opting for a classic elegance, but this week, the couples Argentine tango was nothing if not artistically quirky. And it paid off in a big way as the couple received their highest score of the season, a perfect 40 for 40.

The nights theme was movie night and Stirling and Ballas were given the sci-fi genre. With Ballas acting as a mad scientist trying to create his perfect dance partner, Stirling became the robotic result of his science experiment.

That was sexy and freaky and wonderful all at once, "Dancing with the Stars" host Tom Bergeron told the couple after their dance. Thats the best compliment Ive ever had, thank you, Stirling said.

It was so graphic and intense. I just wanted to say that Ive never seen such sharp edges look so elegant, so graceful, guest judge Shania Twain said.

The two received 10s across the board for the nights highest score and judge Bruno Tonioli called it the best dance of the season.

Stirling was asked following the dance about how she recovered from some difficulties in rehearsing for the dance.

Sometimes you have to work on something until the last minute, and in the eleventh hour, you may work and youre like, Its not coming, its not coming and then all of that hard work clicks and pays off finally in the last second, Stirling said.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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