Missing So You Think You Can Dance

So I mentioned in my last post that I am trying to get my DVR down in my "So You Think You Can Dance" folder. Currently it is 49 episodes, yup I got one more deleted. I mentioned that Season 6 was my least favorite. It made me start to think, if I had to rank the seasons of my favorite show, just HOW would I rank them. After much thought here is my opinion:

#7-Season 6. The standouts of this season to me were Jakob and Eleanor. This was also the first time a married couple was on the show (from Utah even!). At first I wasn't excited but I came to really love Ashleigh, she impressed me soo much and didn't make one wrong step on the show. I actually think she (or Jakob) should have won-but Russell the crumper is truly awesome in his own style (I just don't believe he should have won-sorry!).

#6-Season 1. 2005 this season started it all and I loved it. I was even able to buy this season on DVD on E-bay, not quite sure if that was legal, but it is too late now. The reason this season is #6 for me is that because the show was so new, the talent wasn't as great as it currently is. There were very few choreographers (I still loved it) but I am guessing the budget was quite small so there episodes that the same dance was used my different couples. I am thinking too that the costume budget was not very large, if it even existed at all. Lastly, because it was a new season, the show only came on once a week, so it lacks the "elimination" show and group performance that all the other seasons have. I am FOREVER in love with Blake, Nick, Melodie and Ashlee and I look for them STILL on any TV and movie dance number.

#5-Season 2. Hard to say this when my ultimate favorite contestant was on this season-Travis Wall. I did enjoy this season and how it blossomed in its sophomore year. I loved the new dances, the new choreographers, the improved talent and the group routines. ALSO my favorite all-time group routine was "Ramalama" by my all-time favorite choreographer Wade Robson. I was emotionally connected to this season and I was sooo angry when Alison (from Utah) was eliminated. I also am STILL quite angry that Benji won this season, it TOTALLY should have been Travis. They changed the tag-line this year too. It is no longer "America's Best Dancer" but "America's Favorite Dancer"..(because duh it WOULD have been Travis). There were some a-ma-zing dances this season and I believe the first Emmy win with the "bench routine".

#4 Season 3. The first female winner-Sabra (from Utah!) Utah has great dance talent, I am so proud of that. I loved the contestants this season. Lauren, Neil, Hok, Danny (Travis's black brother-no kidding!) Lacey (who went onto Dancing with the Stars), and OH DOMINIC another one of my favorites! Also a little known fact-One Republic's "Apologize" was debuted on this season and it became a HUGE hit. I loved that routine! I also loved Lacey and Kameron's Disco and the sweet hip-hop dance with Sabra and Dominic.

#3 Season 4. "4 real" as they always said. Lots of great new choreographers this season-Tabitha & Napoleon AND Sonja Tayek. SO many great routines. "American Boy" (although I am alone in this sentiment). "Bleeding Love" and the hip-hop military routine. Great dancers this season..I loved Joshua, Katie (my alltime favorite female dancer), Twitch, Mark (who is now a dancer for Lady Ga-Ga), Chelsea (from Utah who went onto Dancing with the Stars), and Karrington. This was the first season that I went to the tour. We had such a blast seeing all the dances in person. I have seen all the routines a gazillion times. My favorites never get old.

#2 Season 7. This was really super hard to decide. It was a little bit of a controversial season because they brought old favorites back as "All Stars" and each contestant traded styles and All-Stars every week. Some people didn't care for that-but I really thought it elevated each of the contestants. Also, I felt like it was the most "fair" because it judged JUST the one dancer not the combo. It was great to see my old favorites on the show again, the tour was so awesome. I believe that Kent and Lauren had a little romance and I LOVED their many kisses. There were only 11 contestants this season-and like I said I loved Lauren who won the show, I also loved Kent who had so much energy, enthusiasm, and talent-yet he was so humble (and um he SHOULD have won the show-sorry Lauren). I enjoyed Billy Bell as well. I am super glad that I have this season on my DVR-every episode is a treat that I snack on contstantly.

#1 Season 5. Like I said this was hard to decide...BUT I just LOVED this season. The last season before they moved onto the new set. I do miss the stair case very much! This season may also be sentimental because it also co-incides with the beginning of my most successful run at work as well, and I met my really good friend at this time, Beth. Good old 2009. SOO many great dances that begin my "49" episode collection!! I loved the group routine to "I know you want me". There was the best disco dance ever "Lovin is my Game", the "butt" dance, the "vampire" dance, the "Theives" (thanks Wade). Loved loved Mia's piece this year "Addiction"-BRILLIANCE! Loved Brandon, Ade, Jason, Jeanine, Jeanette, Kupono, Kayla (my 2nd favorite girl EVER!)-oh I adore her and SHE should have won SERIOUSLY! ALSO...this season marked Travis's FIRST choreographed piece-"The Necklace" I get chills EVERY time! I am glad Jason stuck around long enough to dance this one and I believe this is what helped Jeanine WIN...well that AND the fact that being paired with Phillip helped her get through to at least the half-way point. No one can forget the "Breast Cancer" routine either. It was hit after hit this season. There was also an added treat near the end "Top 3" girls and "Top 3" boys dances. We went to see the tour again and even though I was SUPER sick, Matt came with me and commented on how athletic these dancers were. It meant a lot to me that he was taking an interest in my dancing show. :)

I realize that I may be writing these things down JUST for me, but I have wanted to write these thoughts for sooo long. I don't journal anymore-so this is my chance. I may not be a dancer anymore, but now I live to watch dances. Perhaps I live THROUGH the dances. I can't wait for the summer and for the return of my passion. If someone understands dance-they understand me. Misty if you are reading, I hope that you give this show a chance, I know you HATE reality TV..but this is SOO different, SOO awesome, SOO special.

Semifinals Round 3

Okay I am SUPER happy to announce that TWITCH was chosen to move on from last week's show. WOO HOO!

Let me tell you about the 6 that danced this week:

*Dance Town Chaos...all male, been dancing together for 9 years. They were great tonight! They are athletic and sharp and strong. They got 3 stars and they were the judges picks to move on.

*Jill and Jacob...who were an early favorite of mine, however, tonight's performance was not as special to me as their first routine, the judges shared my sentiment. They did not seem to take any feedback very well and I believe that will hurt their votes.

* Roosevelt Anderson-I happened to like his performance this week much better than his orginal dance. The judges told him they wanted more "bone-breaking" and less gliding-but I like the gliding and was happy there was less "bone-breaking" (I don't care for it).

*Tap Sounds Underground. As I stated before, I am not a huge tap fan. Love dance but tap just does not do it for me-not sure why. And for me-I guess it is weird to have two tappers dance together, especially two dudes. Maybe I prefer one at a time. I mean these guys are great tappers and are talented...just my least favorite. Sorry.

*Shore Thing. Another multi-aged group. I loved their Zombie dance from earlier-but this "clown/nightmare/dream" was just not as special for me.

*Kendal Glover. She is truly amazing! Even Lauren commented with a "WOW" watching her dance. She dances like an 18 year old, not like the pre-teen that she is. I hope that America votes her through.

Next week should be interesting! I can't wait to see it.

On a side note. My favoritest show ever is "So You Think You Can Dance" and I have the last three seasons on the DVR. 50 episodes! Matt knows that I love it so he doesn't bug me too much about deleting them because I do watch them over and over. I try to trim it down, but I can't let them go. I am in the process of writing in my notebook the date and dance so that when I am in certain moods I can que up the favorites. I finished season 5 which I LOVED and am on to season 6...which was my least favorite. Seasons 5 and 7 have multiple dances per episodes that I love, but season 6 only has pretty much just one dance per episode that I like. It is killing me to save a whole 2 hour episode for just one dance, but oh well. Watching Season 6on Sunday is also responsible for getting that Imogen Heap song "Aha!" in my head this whole week!
See it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnREi2y_V10

It is by my favorite choreographer EVER, Wade Robson. Love it. Misty, watch it twice and let me know what you think. I don't know Imogen Heap but am tempted to listen to some of her music after the few pieces I have heard.

My all-time favorite Wade piece is from season two, check this out too! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPzcsdlOB7g

Let me know your thoughts!

Semi-Finals Week TWO

To start out with-I found out who moved on from last week's show..."Vibe"..good! I am glad. America voted in D'Angelo and Amanda...once again I am glad.

This week's show was shown, at least at my house, in it's entirety. It was a great show!

*First Up was Jalen-the young breaker, he was SOO adorable. I just love his energy and his positive attitude. He just made me smile the whole time.

*Dance In Flight-an older (meaning closer to MY age) couple doing what I would call ballroom with acrobatics. This was my first time seeing them-there were some awesome moments but also some low moments-like when the woman was almost dropped. The ex-dancer in me also couldn't help but notice how the lady's knees were bent a lot of the time when it shoulda been straight.

*Twitch-OH I loved it! SOOOOO gooood. CHILLS is all I can say. They were fast paced, precise. I loved the quirky movements. The judges loved them tooo!

*Dushaunt-reminds me of a young Usher. Very nice.

*Dax and Sarah-Lindy Hoppers. My first view of them and they were good. I was quite impressed with their synchronicity. Did anyone see this? I was a little distracted by her outfit, I just don't know what was up with the garter belt thingy visible under her dress.

*White Tree Fine Art-(I was still a little mad that they were the ones voted to this weeks show) BUT their routine this week was much better than last weeks and they did spotlight the hubby a little bit more which was nice.

OKAY...so this is the dissapointing part. This week I DID see the end of the show. The judges got to send one act through which in my opinion SHOULD have been TWITCH and with America's vote cute little Jalen would go through to the next round. UNFORTUNATELY my heart was broken a bit as White Tree Fine Art got sent through. This means that no way will Twitch and Jalen BOTH be able to go to the next round. Does anyone else share my sentiment?

*PS..Misty-I am not on hulu so I don't know if this show is on it....but some of the routines may be found on youtube.

Semifinals Week One (DARN DVR)

I was so excited to watch the Semifinals of "Live to Dance".

When I FINALLY got in my PJs, laid my clothes out for the next day, I got all comfy on the couch ready to watch..BUT...the President was speaking for nearly 30 minutes of the show!!! They showed the first half...BUT my DVR cut off the last half...BOO!

SO..here is what I did catch:

1) They announced the 18th act-"White Tree Fine Art"-shocker and a bit disspointment as it was my last place choice. Well-I am looking forward to seeing what they can do next week.

2) The first act was "The Vibe" TOTALLY awesome this week! They sure do make Utah proud-(unlike crazy Bachelor contestants-ugh!). Well they had awesome music, a great pace, they were creative, sharp, very polished. I loved it. They got three stars from the judges-woot woot!

3) "Jittin Genius". I have never heard of the style called "Jittin"...but I enjoyed it. The style seems very lightfooted and effortless, I appreciate that. He danced to "I can Transform ya" and that song just reminds me of "Russell" from "So You Think You Can Dance". But it was still good and he also got 4 stars. For some reason I seem to enjoy performances that have more than one person in them, just sayin'.

4) "Chi-Town's Finest Breakers". These kids are freakin' adorable and pretty darn talented-BUT in my opinion, they are a little out of their league. The littlest girl-"Precious Moments" was the cutest little thing ever..awww. BUT the judges only gave the group one star.

5) "Austen Acevedo". They finally gave us the background on this kid as he was really not shown at all the first episode. Okay you want to talk TALENT-this kid has it! He just started dancing a year ago! He practices in his garage all day and night. AMAZING...but his performance I felt was a little Jam packed-which came across a bit spastic. The judges didn't give him any stars-but I feel like ONE DAY he may just BE his own STAR.

6) "Bev and Hap". They just make me happy. They revealed on this episode that they are NOT dating contrary to my belief. Kinda made me a little sad-I wanted them to be a cute couple dancing away. They both are such in great shape! They did a tap routine to hip hop music. It was so cute! AND that is when my DVR stopped. BOO. I don't even know how many stars they got.

The judges will be sending ONE act on and America votes on the NEXT act. I don't even know who was chosen. I really hope it was the Vibe, I felt they deserved it.

Please share your opinions if you are reading this.

Until next time.

To Hype up the Top 18 who are still living to dance

Okay, Wednesday's episode of "Live to Dance" was, I believe, to hype up the next show on Wednesday January 12th....well, I guess that is what is to be expected on a new show.

It was sort of a recap of the show that aired on Tuesday, highlighting again most of the acts shown on that night.

So far the top 18 are:
The ones I spoke about last post,(which I will probably refer to parenthesis for ease of memory):
1-Vibe (the group from UT)
2-Jalen (cute kid with his dad)
3-Bev and Hap (cute old hipsters)
4-Shore Thing (Zombies young and older)
5-Jill and Jacob (teenagers in love with clashing styles)
6-Dushant (young hip-hopper)...(who I believe is better than....
7-Roosevelt (the bone breaker hip-hopper)
8-D'Angelo and Amanda (the AMAZING ballroomers)
9-Twitch (the one boy group-my fave so far)
10-Chi Town's Finest (cool family of 5 siblings)
11-Kendall Glover (the best 6th grade dancer I've ever seen)


Ones that I saw on the last episode but I didn't blog about
12-Tap Sounds Down Under (I am just NOT that into Tap)

Ones that I don't even remember seeing (that just doesn't seem fair, now does it?)
13-Dance In Flight (a couple-maybe ballroomers?)
14-Jittin' Genius (another hip-hopper-I think)
15-Dance Town Chaos (interesting mix of ball-room/fighting/gymnastics)
16-Austin Acevedo (This pre-teen boy was AMAZING! Why didn't they show him!)
17-Dax and Sarah (???)

Then they did this thing where for the Semi-Finals...they couldn't decide between 3 groups to get the last spot (dun, dun, dun)....So they are letting AMERICA vote to see who gets the last spot by getting to let them perform tonight:
Theatrix (whom I WANTED to see last time-but didn't get to see last time-they did a clever dance to Footloose-that might have been more creative than technical-but I did enjoy their "Tutting"
White Tree Fine Art (a ballet husband and wife-they were great together-and made great lines-even though I am not huge on ballet-the wife was a bit more technical than the hubby)
AND Inside the Box- (I really like this huge group-they were fast, creative, sharp, and very much synchronized!!)
**You can guess who I am pulling for!**

Didn't make it:
Solid gold
And who knows what happened to Supatrix? Eh...I hate when I have unanswered questions!

I am excited to see Wednesdays episode. A fellow co-worker at Discover Card has a niece that dances at "Vibe"...so it will be great to cheer along for the home team. I am never a big fan of the "audition" process, I like when the REAL competition starts. WOo hOo!

The Vibe:

Twitch:

Live to Dance (and to talk about it)!!

So, this is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Start a new blog to talk about DANCE. Anything and Everything DANCE....why?

#1) I love to give my opinions

#2) I have an English Degree and spent most of my college life WRITING.

#3) I love everything about dance-currently ALL of the dancing shows, and dance IN entertainment.



This is a way and a place to combine all the above. It was a New Years Resolution-so here I am!

I am not sure who may read this-it may just be for me...but I hope to start a dialogue.



Okay...so post #1 is about the new show "Live to Dance". I have always LOVED Paula Abdul and have been inspired by her dancing. In 6th grade I even did a lip-sync/dance with Amanda Harding to "Opposite's Attract". I was Scat Cat-it was great. I only wish we had it on video! ANYWAY-she was great on American Idol but I know that she used to be a Laker Girl and that dancing is a HUGE passion of hers (more so than singing-I believe). I even have a workout tape by her "Shut up and Dance"-I love it. SO, I was super excited to watch her new show.



The premise of the show sorta combines "So You Think You Can Dance"/"Americas Best Dance Crew"/"American Idol"/and "America's Got Talent". That being said, it is a bit different than most dance shows. The biggest thing for me is that there is no age limit. Most dance shows that I follow have young people who are aged 18-30. They have the usual 3 judges. Joining Abdul is Kimberly Wyatt-a Pussycat Doll and Travis Payne-a choreographer for Michael Jackson for over 15 years.

One thing that I enjoyed about this show, over other competition reality shows in the audition phase is that there was very minimal of the typical "clueless that they are horrible and way out of their league" acts! Bravo to that! Also-there was none of the "comments that are so rude that the contestants cry" business. Another Bravo! There was some nice, non-personal, critques that I found refreshing. I believe you can be honest and kind and it was great to see some of that. I look forward to seeing further rounds of this show. Here are some of my brief thoughts:

*Opening up with 8 year old Jalen and his dad almost made me cry. I love how the dad was trying to be so supportive. I love how the kid had no formal training yet was doing some pretty difficult B-Boy Tricks.

*You also have to applaud 83 year old Bev and 68 year old Hap. Those hipsters could really shake it. Bev had a fit little body. They made me smile..AND they got through to the next round.

*Jill and Jacob had a sweet little love story and a sweet little love story dance! I liked how their dance combined contemporary and hip-hop.

*Dushawnt was a great young hip-hopper as well.

*I wish they woulda showed more of the group "SupaTrix". There were some great acts that were passed along that they didn't show and I wished they would have. I know it is a 2 hour show-but darn it.

*Utah was well represented on the January 4th show with a team from Lindon UT. Utah is in a class of it's own in the dance world. I am always proud of that.

*I had a blast from the past with "Beyond Gold" made up of ex-Solid Gold dancers. I was such a fan as a kid, I wanted to be a Solid Gold Dancer when I was a kid. I had the rolling head-hair flip down perfect! They got passed along after a changed vote-although I agreed with the judges as they held back a little-I hope they bring it going forward.

*"Shore Thing" with a group of kids in varying ages had a Zombie theme. I loved it!

*C Bunny was a deaf girl who had some great moves, they didn't pass her on, but she was humble and appreciative and also inspiring.

*Roosevelt did a style of hip-hop called "bone breaking". It isn't my favorite style-I like to enjoy performances not cringe in pain. Suprising to me-they passed him on.

*"Chi-Town's Finest Breakers" showed a family of 5 kids, boys and girls. I adored them! I loved their breaking names...especially the youngest girl " B-Girl Precious Moments". Their story about struggling and sleeping in their cars was touching as well. I will be cheering them on for sure.

*My two favorites were #1 "Twitch". I was totally captivated by this group of girls and the solo man. It was amazing! Another favorite was (I think) 2 eleven year olds-D'Angelo and Amanda. They were also incredible ball-room dancers. To be THAT good THAT young is just unbelievable.

The next episode is this Wednesday at 7 pm on (in Utah) Channel 2.

Please leave a comment if you read this, I love the feedback!