Archive for July, 2009

Every person begins to study dance for their own special reason.  It could be for improvement of coordination, to become a  professional dancer one day, or just for fun.

Here’s a list of top 10 things to look for in a studio.

1.  Family Friendly - When you walk into a dance studio, you should “feel the love”! Look for performance pictures of their students and/or bulletin boards of their events. The studio should be clean, the personnel should be friendly and professional.

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Wednesday 7/15 and Thursday 7/16

While watching SYTYCD on Wednesday, I was in Dance Nirvana!  The girl’s group number, the boys group number the solos and Travis Wall’s dance was the highlight of the evening.  Although, Nappytab’s hip hop was a close second. Dancing such has this hasn’t been seen on TV for years…if ever! These dancers are wonderful.  My only complaint is the fact that Melissa was featured, again!  She is a beautiful ballerina, alright already! Read the rest of this entry »

“Slow Me Down” Emmy Rossum – Choreography Francine LeRoy

WOW! – Not included in the 4 W’s.

WHO – Who was absolutely shocked that Evan & Randi were not in the bottom 3 couples? Me!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they were saved.  The must have a ton of fans.  Hey, I love shorties but cuties!! But, I have to admit that Evan needs to plow through and stretch his talents to the fullest to survive after this.

WHAT – What were they thinking giving Phillip and Jeanine that Russian Folk Dance? Yikes! Nigel even mentioned it.  I think there was regret about it.

WHEN – When Ade hit the stage for his solo, I didn’t expect that dance. It was incredible. He’s incredible.

WHERE – Where in the world did Melissa come up with the choreography for her dance?  It looked like a ballet class. Let’s do, 4 picques and 2 arabesque sautes, etc. She is an amazing dancer, but the solo…. not so much. On the other hand, the woman could bouree across the stage and look great!!  Raise your hand girls if you want a body like that!!!(My hand is up and waving all over the place)

HOW – How could you look at Phillip’s little sad face when he was eliminated and not put him in the tour? OMG, He was so adorable and his explanation at the end was heart-warming.  Bravo!! and Brava, Caitlin too!

The show on Wednesday evening, July 7th was outstanding. I have now watched it 3 times and have to fight myself from going back to watch the recording,  I am addicted.

Melissa and Ade were exciting in the disco and lovely in their waltz.  She is amazingly beautiful and sexy.  She is gorgeous just walking across the stage.

Kupono and Kayla blew me away with that Mia Michaels masterpiece.  I felt the judges didn’t swoon over Mia as they usually would.  Possibly a smack down to deal with what appears to be her growing ego. But, damn, if you can do it, it ain’t braggin’. And…Mia Michaels choreography, no let’s say storytelling is like watching “a life experience”.  I am not a huge Kupono fan, but I must say he is winning me over.  His acting skills sold the number.  Thier WSS dance by Dowling was criticized by the judges. Sure, it didn’t have the deep contractions and power it needed.  But where to put the blame.  I am in agreement on the fact that the intensity of the music requires choreography that fits the feel of WSS. Once again, Dowling misses the boat on explaining that to the dancers.  She told them a story about 2 kids meeting on the roof and dancing.  I thought they misunderstood the piece. Kayla’s costume also gave a “light-hearted” look to the dance.

Russian Folk Dancing?? What the Folk? Please!! The last time SYTYCD did this, it was 2 men doing a exciting cossack dance, not a little light folk dance.  And btw, I think some of those quick jump turns Jeanine did were incredible.  Jeanine in the Jive was Wow!! Phillip stepped up in that piece.  I mean let’s face it…he is not a trained dancer.  What a cutey!

Speaking of cuties…Randi & Evan. What a darling couple!  Being a huge Nappytab fan, they can do know wrong.  I loved “Halo”, another story to be told.  Randi was hot in the samba even though the energy level wasn’t as high as it could have been.  But, I really thought they were in trouble…big time.  I have loved Evan from the beginning, but he needs to “bring it”!!  It seems like he just doesn’t have the confidence to push to the next level.

Brandon and Janette, what can I say but, PERFECTION! They hit it out of the ballpark, homerun, blast-off. Nuff said!

WHO let the cat out of the bag. Mia!  You are only one of three judges. When it was revealed that Kupono & Karla would be in the bottom 3. You say…. “You know…. we cannot loose you guys.  You are a key part of the competition this season.”  Uhmmm…..nobody danced for their live yet! I wonder how you were going to vote.

WHAT is up with Mia this year? I am a huge fan, Mia!  But please….it’s on tape how you criticized Brandon.  Your comment during auditions was, “Everyone thinks you have talent and I just don’t see it? Then, this past week you come up with “When a teacher takes notice of a talent they’re the hardest on(that person)” This is very true….but, Mia, you DIDN’T see his talent in the beginning.  I really love your choreography BUT, Couldn’t you just say…I was WRONG!! I would have thought so much of you if you would have just said it. Repeat after me…..I was wrong about you Brandon, you have so much ability and potential!

WHEN I watch SYTYCD I do so because I can watch incredible dancers doing innovative, beautiful and exciting dances. I wish the cameras would hold still and let the TV audience see! This is especially aggravating in the group numbers.  The Napoleon and Tabitha number was ruined by the camera work. This past week, I didn’t get anything out of  Tyce’s number. Back in the 40’s, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire knew how to film a routine so that the lines of each movement were easily visible to the camera! Nigel you should realized that and give us a wide angle view.

WHERE did 6 ft. tall Dowling get off choreographing a piece that didn’t fit Randi and Evan at all? Randi and Evan put everything into that routine! But, the choreography made them look short for the 1st time since they have been on the show. It wasn’t their dancing. It was the piece itself. I find the judges to be very hard on Evan for no reason at all. It seems he is a target for elimination.

WHY did Vitolio & Karla get stuck with the quick step while Melissa and Ade get to do her specialty.  Even though Vitolio & Karla did an outstanding job with this style of dance…they were doomed.

HOW did a pointe routine get chosen in the first place.  I thought the dancers picked the type of dance to be performed out of a hat.  Is it fair to do a pointe number especially choreographed for Melissa? Sure, I loved seeing pointe on TV. But, I hope Phillip and Jeanine don’t get pointe this week.

Regarding Vitolio, of course he is a wonderful dancer! But, I feel that his attitude at times seemed a bit angry. I am not sure if this is truly his personality or if that is the way he come across on TV.  He was so tender with Asuka and he showed compassion. I felt his “dance for your life” solo was very good.  Compare him to Kupono, who is good, but just doesn’t have the Vitolio’s training. My opinion, he should have been the one cut this week. But now that he is paired up with Kayla, who is a judge favorite, he has a chance to hang in there.  Karla is also an amazing dancer. She worked very hard to bring each dance to life as she tackled it with energy and grace. Her moment with Jonathan in that contemporary dance – “Falling Slowly” was  extremely memorable. She brings it every week. The quick step that she and Vitolio did was terrific and the first time that the quick step was well recieved.  They really nailed it! All the girls are super so it is hard to decide which girl should leave.  But, the boys, I think Kupono should have been the one cut this week

I watch SYTYCD so I can watch incredible dancers doing innovative, beautiful and exciting dances. I wish the cameras would hold still and let us see the especially the group numbers.  The super number by Napolean and Tabitha was ruined by the camera work. I didn’t get anything out of  July 2nd group number. Back in the 40’s, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire knew how to film a routine so that the lines of each step was easily visable to the camera! Nigel you should realized that and give us a wide angle view.

Randi and Evan put everything into that routine! Why did 6 ft. tall Dowling choreograph a piece that didn’t fit them? It made them look short for the 1st time since we saw them. It wasn’t the dancing, it was the dance. The judges seem to be very hard on Evan.

What’s up with doing a pointe number especially choreographed for Melissa? Sure, I loved to see pointe on TV.  But, they don’t