Justin Locke is a Boston-based critic who will be reviewing "Dancing With The Stars" each night the show is broadcast.

May 22, 2007

Well, it took two hours to get around to it, but they finally announced the winner, and the winner, or I guess the winners, are Apolo and Julianne. Hooray for them.

OK, I will admit, I have had some issues with Apolo's footwork and I really enjoyed Joey and Kym's routines. But I have no hard feelings. Looking back on it, Joey came into this with a considerable head start– he had a fair amount of dance and general showbiz experience. Of course, that's a long way from ballroom dancing, but it's still an advantage.

Apolo, on the other hand, started fairly cold and really did make the longer journey. Not that I mean to give any pity points. He earned this trophy. He put a lot into this and gave us all some great performances. Congrats to Joey and Kym and Laila and Maks and all the other contestants too for all they put into this.

I did feel a little twinge of regret when Paulina came out for her cotillion. Too bad she never really had a chance. I still don't understand how she got voted off first. Oh well.

OK, the show's over, and there's not much else to say, except . . . if you enjoyed the show (and I assume that if you're reading this, you did), and you have not done so already, why not give a thought to getting off the sidelines and getting in the game yourself? Dancing is one of the most fun things you can do– It's excellent exercise, also a great social activity and wonderful stress relief.

Don't know where to start? Well try this: Ask yourself what kind of music you like? If you like up-tempo swing music, lindy hop is for you. Like blues/chacha/ contemporary pop? Try West Coast Swing. Country? Two step is great fun. Disco music? You want to learn hustle. And if you like salsa music, you've got endless choices. And of course there's the whole spectrum of ballroom.

A quick google of "dance lessons" in your town will yield a list of instructors and probably a whole underground of dance events every night of the week that you never knew existed. If you're single, this beats the bar scene by a mile, and beginner classes are cheap– usually $10 a week for a six-week beginner course. You probably won't need a partner. And some dance events have free lessons the hour before they start.

Speaking solely to the guys out there, yeah, I know, dancing is sissy stuff. I understand, really. I spend every Saturday night in a deep state of unmanly shame as I float across the dance floor with one beautiful woman after another in my arms. Come on guys, take a chance, get over that paranoia, and give it a try. Look at it this way: there is no better way to meet women. And the ladies love the guy who knows how to lead. Once you get good at it, it doesn't matter how old you are or what you look like, either. It's magic.

To anyone who found my reviews abrasive or offensive, well, my deepest apologies, even though it was all intentional and I would do it again if I had the chance.

See you on the dance floor.

Justin Locke is the author of "Real Men Don't Rehearse," an amusing inside look at the usually hidden and secret world of professional orchestras.

For more information, please visit Justin Locke's site.