So You Think You Can Dance – “Vegas Week” Call-back.

The show tonight was fast paced with many quick previews of the dancing. The format this year is for the contestants to dance various styles through each segment of each day 1 through day4 of the “call-back”. At beginning of tonight’s show only 77 dancers were left to continue on thought these 4 days. At the end of tonight’s show there were 38 dancers left and next weeks show will be when the Top 20 are chosen.

Tonight’s judges were Nigel, Mary, TY, Adam, Debbie, and Mia and they were busy.

Here are some of tonight’s highlights:

Day 1 of Call-back – Style Jazz.

Karen was in the first group and her husband was in the second group to perform. Karen made it through, but her husband was cut.

Molly from the Los Angeles Audits was in another group and made it through to the next session, but injured her ankle during the first routine. She went to the hospital.

Russell “The Crumper” made it through to the next session and amazed the judges because he has never had any forma training. (I am rooting for this dancer).

Day 2 of Call-back – Style Broadway.

This day began with 69 dancers left in the competition.

Russell “The Crumper” was in the first group and Nigel said, “You were wonderful, creative, and did a good job.” Russell made it through to the next session. (Yeah!)

Molly came back from the hospital to find her group had been rehearsing for two hours getting ready for the next routine. She joined in but found she could not perform some of the moves. The group modified the routine so Molly would only need to do a minimum of moves. They performed the routine in front of the judges. Mia did not like it and Nigel said, “I think you all were hiding behind your character.” Even with these comments the entire group made it to the next session.

Day 3 of Call-back – Style Contemporary (Mia routine)

Kevin one of the “Hip-Hop” style dancers received a comment, “Great technique, your amazing, and brilliant.” From Ty. Kevin moved on to the next session.

This is my highlight of tonight’s show:
“Legacy” the amazing “B-Boy” style dancer who was warned last week after “dancing for his life” that he had better step it up on other kinds of styles if he wanted to remain, Tonight he was nervous at the beginning and when he completed his performance hew was emotional stating to the judges, “I now know what you meant last week because tonight I have learned the meaning of the dance movement’s.” I could see this guy was moved and sobbing with I would guess some would call and “epiphany”. Know what? This is exactly what this show is about! “Bravo! Legacy!”. He moved on to the next level.

Day 4 of Call-back – Style Broadway (Ty routine)

The dance groups were broken up to “guys” and “girl” groups, The “girl” groups started first. One hundred dancers were now gone.

Pauline who last year almost made the “Top 20” performed and injured her ankle near the end of the group routine she was part of. She was sent to the hospital and when she returned she did not know if she moved on or not. Guess we will find out next week.

Bianca performed in a group and Nigel said, “Terrific!”. She moved on.

Ashley who has a husband that will be performing in a “guy” group later received a comment from Nigel when she complete her dance group routine. He said, “Tremendous! You have grown more than anyone this year.” She moved on.

This ended the “girl” group routines. Seventeen “girls” have moved on and will wait until next week for the Top 10 girls will be chosen and be part of the Top 20.

Ryan, Ashley’s husband made to the next session.

Dominic was injured last year and returned only to be “cut” this week.

When the “guys” groups completed their routines twenty one guys had made it through. In total there were now thirty eight dancers left.

All the dancers then performed solo’s. There was a very quick preview of several except for Billy Bell. They showed quite a bit of his routine and Adam was openly moved by what he was watching. I have to agree it was great and even on the “quick” previews, I could tell that the dancers this year are far above any dancer from previous seasons.

Final notes:
To the dancers that were “cut” so far this year I say. “Let nothing stand in your way as you continue your journey to complete your dream”.

I have nothing else to report tonight except don’t forget the “Dizzy Feet Foundation” for kids. Click here for more information.

Next week is the finals in “Vegas Week” to pick the Top 20.

So You Think You Can Dance Fall Season 6 – Auditions Salt Lake City UT

This was the sixth show for Season 6, which this year is running through the Fall Season considered prime time. Tonight is the last audition night and “Vegas Week” starts tomorrow night.

Tonight’s judges were Nigel, Mary and Mia.

Contestants in order of performance: (Not all the contestants that were awarded a “trip to Vegas” performed on this show.)

1] Bryan (Style -- “B-Boy”)
Nigel said, “Strong moves and that was one of the best Hip-Hop auditions tis season.” Mary said, “Great stuff and great spirit.” Mia said, “Awesome job, one of the strongest Hip-Hop routines.” I thought “Whoa! Great moves!” I liked it.
He was sent to choreography but left because he did not have any experience on other styles. He did try, but left and said he would be back next year when he gets training in other styles. ( hope he does return because he had some awesome hip-hop moves and looked to be an “original”.

2] Tristy (She was the passenger in 25 car accidents in three years)
Nigel asked, “Do you have any training?” She said, “Yes, three years.” Nigel looked surprised and said, “Someone is taking your money.” I also thought it was a weak routine and not structured.
The judge’s decision was a “NO”.

3] Hayley
Nigel said, “I like your attitude.” Mary said, “Wow! String, powerful and confident.” Mia said, “Awesome job.” I thought it was good. I like her moves and the routine was very good.
The judge’s decision was a “YES”.

Then there were five quick previews of dancers that all were sent to “Vegas Week”.

4] Ariana (Style – Burlesque)
Nigel said with a big smile on his face, “Fantastic!” Mary asked, “Did you think we wanted to see a strip-tease?” She said “Yes, why not?” Mia said, “Not much dancing.”
She was sent to choreography and at the end of the night the judge’s decision was “NO”.

5] Iveta She is from Lithuania and she danced ballroom with a partner.
Nigel said, “You are vivacious and danced brilliantly. That was a very special audition.” Mary said, “Wow, you are exquisite.” Mary then got “misty” because she was very impressed by the routine. Mia said, “You have over whelming talent. It was a privilege to watch.” I thought it was a fantastic audition. I thought it was the “BEST” Ballroom audition this season and one of the “BEST” auditions ever,
The judge’s decision was a “YES”. (No doubt here)

This ended day one and it was announced that 13 dancers were put through to “Vegas” from choreography.

6] Pascal (in the promo he said he becomes what ever song he is dancing)
Nigel said, “There was no dancing in that routine.” I thought it was a strange routine. There were not any dance moves and he just flopped around and shook.
The judge’s decision was a “NO”.

7] Ashley and Ryan (Married pair)
Nigel said, “Ryan was very good. Ashley was not real.” Mary said, “I loved the routine and Ryan was great. Ashely was a little fake.” Mia said, “Something was missing Ashley. Ryan did a vey good job. I thought it was agood routine, but oddly enough, I think the chemistry was missing.
They were both sent to choreography and at the end of the night the judge’s decision was “YES” on both dancers.

8] Leigh and Josh (This couple has only been together for two weeks)
Nigel said, “Good job both of you.” Mary and Mia agreed with Nigel. I though it was good.
Just then Leigh noticed she lost a toe nail and her toe began bleeding. Nigel called for a medic. When the medic was done Leigh received a judges decision of “YES”. Josh was sent to choreography and at the end of the night the judge’s decision was “NO”.

This ended tonight show and it was announced that 19 other dancers moved on to “Vegas” after their choreography session.

Tonight’s show notes:
Once again I liked the way the show was presented tonight. They did not show any embarrassing routines and then only the contestants that were going to Vegas were quickly shown. I think this made the show 100% more interesting than last years audition shows.

I have nothing else to report tonight except don’t forget the “Dizzy Feet Foundation” for kids. Click here for more information.

Tomorrow nights show starts the auditions “Vegas Week” when then the top twenty is chosen for the remainder of the season. The “promo’s” looked great. I am definitely excited. Mia made a comment in the promotional Vegas Week video, “This is going to blow season five away!”

So You Think You Can Dance Part One of the Final Performance

Wow, what a night. The show was broadcast from the Kodak Theater and the stage was awesome. The crowd seemed really “in to” what tonight’s Part one of the two part final.

The Top four all danced with each other and did a solo. It was non stop dancing from start to finish. I enjoyed every minute.

A promotional video of the auditions for season 6 was run and the dancing looked awesome. I am now looking forward to next season.

Couple Routines:

Jeanine and Evan danced a Hip-Hop Routine:
I thought it was a great routine and the dancing was very good. Adam said, “Great routine and congratulated both dancers for making the top 4.” Mary said, “Good partnership and Jeanine stood out and Evan held his own.” Nigel said, “Both did a good job.”

Brandon and Kayla danced a Broadway routine:
I thought Kayla really stood out in this routine. Adam said, “That was so good, it was heaven.” Then he said to Kayla, “Is there nothing you can’t do?” Mary said, “Terrific, Rock Stars, you guys always “bring it”.” Nigel said, “Superb, well done, and it was greatly entertaining.”

Kayla and Evan danced a Jive routine:
I thought they did a great job. Adam said, “I didn’t like it, but Evan did some great lifts.” Mary said, “Great routine, but Evan was not strong enough in his dancing. Kayla stole the spotlight.” Nigel said, “Loved it! Both Evan and Kayla “brought it” and it was very good.”

Jeanine and Brandon danced a Paso Doble’ routine:
I thought it was well danced, but I did not like the music. Adam said, “The flow of the dance was great. They both did the little things very well and carried it on throughout the entire routine.” Mary said, “It was just right and the intensity was awesome.” Nigel said, “Powerful dancing.”

Solo Routines:

Brandon:
I thought it was a powerful performance. Adam said, “Great routine, you’re a super athlete.” Mary said, “I have goose bumps and that Brandon was born to dance.” Nigel said, “Last weeks solo was great and this weeks solo wiped the others out.”

Jeanine:
I thought this was Jeanine’s best solo of the entire season. Adam said, “Are you kidding? It was awesome and you killed it.” Mary said, “You are peaking tonight and it was a good routine.” Nigel said, “Brave solo. You are in the final two in my book.”

Evan:
I really liked it. I do enjoy watching him dance. I don’t know what it is, but there is something special. Adam said, “Your dance style is great.” Mary said, “You are unique and you have a “new” energy that you bring to this show.” Nigel said, “You do bring something special to the show.” Nigel also said, “That he did not think Evan grew as much as he expected over this season.”

Kayla:
I thought it was very good. Adam said, “The solo did not show what she can really do, but looking at this entire season, he put Kayla in a group of dancers that he thought was the best ever,” Mary said, “You are gifted and I loved the solo. Nigel said, “She is and always has been fantastic.”

Special pair routines:

Kayla and Jeanine did a Mia Michael’s routine:
I thought this routine was one of the best routines of this season and that includes the dancing. Adam said, “Both were great and it was beautifully danced.” Mary said, “You guys laid your heart and soul out on the stage. It was great.” Nigel said, “I wanted the routine to go longer because the dancing was so strong.”

Evan and Brandon did a pop-jazz routine:
I really like the dancing of both contestants, but it seems the judges had a different opinion. Adam said, “Evan’s natural sweetness got in the way of his dancing because the routine was supposed to bring out the “meanness”.” Mary said, “Evan was too sweet for the routine.” Nigel said, “Evan’s work ethic is beyond approach, but his “choochie” face was not nasty enough. Brandon out danced him.”
My opinion about both of these guys is that Brandon is a powerful dancer, but Evan has his own way about him. Evan seems to “own” each dance. He adds a little something special to whatever routine he is dancing. I find Evan to be far more entertaining when he is dancing.

Final comments:

I haven’t picked anyone that I thought should win up to this point, but now here is my “two cents”. Looking at the entire season, and reading all my notes on the judge’s comments and my comments I have to pick Kayla as the one that should win this season. She has “brought it” on every performance. I could not find one negative comment about anyone of the routines she has performed this entire season. Granted Brandon is a powerful dancer, but not someone I would pay to see dance. Jeanine I agree is peaking tonight, but I think she has further to grow. Evan is a very close second to Kayla, I must say there is something special with Evan’s dancing, but looking at the entire season, Kayla is in my opinion the winner of this season. The one comment that seems to be repeated buy the judges is, “Is there nothing you can’t do Kayla?” That says it all.

I don’t know about you all out there in cyber-space, but nothing is going to stop me from watching tomorrow nights final show.

So You Think You Can Dance Week #5 Performance

Wow, another great night of dancing and all the couples danced two routines.
Overall, it looks like this is one great season.


Best of the Night:

Brandon and Janette’s 1st routine was the Argentine Tango. The audience and all the judges gave a standing ovation at the end of the routine. It was in Nigel’s words, “As close to perfection as he has even seen on the show.” Mary agreed and Tyson said, “Perfect execution and an unreal routine.” I also agree with everything said, “It was awesome.”
Their 2nd routine was Jazz. My take was “excellent and well delivered.” Nigel said, “Brilliant performance and very impressed.” Mary said, “Best “bam” fabulous and synchronized.” Tyson said, “It was a privilege to watch them and he was inspired by them…excellent.”

The other routines of the night (In the order danced):

Kupono and Kayla’s 1st routine was Contemporary. I thought this was the best contemporary routine I have seen in a long time. They danced it very well. Nigel said, “Absolutely superb.” Mary said, “Great performance.” Tyson said, “Felt the experience and great entertainment.”
Their 2nd routine was Broadway. I thought they did a good job and danced it well. Nigel said, “It needed more. There wasn’t any feeling.” Mary said, “Really good job.” Tyson said, “They danced it well.”

Ade and Melissa’s 1st routine was Disco. Once again I thought this was another great Disco performance. Brandon and Janette did one earlier this season and this one was right up there with that routine. Nigel said, “Really good job.” Mary said, “Great Job,” Tyson said, “Frigging great.”
Their 2nd routine was the Waltz. I thought it was beautifully danced. Nigel said, “It was beautifully danced.” Mary said, “Beautiful.” Tyson said, “Overall very well danced.

Jason and Caitlin’s 1st routine was the Fox Trot. Now I am not a big fan of the Fox Trot, but I thought they danced it very well. Nigel said, “Very good.” Mary said, “Tremendous. Excellent.” Tyson said, “They looked like stars. Great Job.”
Their 2nd routine was Jazz. I thought it was very good and well danced. Nigel said, “Very well danced, but need more chemistry.” Mary said, “Effortless performance.” Tyson said, “He thought they played it too safe but thought it was a job well done.”

Phillip and Jeanine’s 1st routine was a Russian Folk Dance. I thought the routine was a stinker, but the dancers did a good job with what they had. Nigel said, “He liked the dancing, not the routine.” Mary said, “Phillip was ok and Jeanine was very good.” Tyson said, “They danced it well.”
Their 2nd routine was The Jive (Ballroom). I thought it was very well done. Nigel said, “Terrific. Phillip was best for dancing out of his style and Jeanine was a top 10 dancer.” Mary said, “She loved it. Phillip surprised her and it was a good job.” Tyson said, “He loved it and it was fanfriggin terrific.”

Evan and Randi’s 1st routine was Hip-Hop. I liked it and thought it was good execution. Nigel said, “Very good routine and very good dancing.” Mary said, “Great job. Did not expect it.” Tyson said, “Even needed more but Randi did a good job.”
Their 2nd routine was the Samba. I thought it was a great dance and very sexy. Nigel said, “Not as hot as he would have liked.” Mary said, “It was a slow sizzle, fabulous, but not dynamic enough.” Tyson said, “It lacked strength.”

Also announced this week was that all the dancers would have new partners next week. Part of the “promo” to each routine this week was how each partner is going to miss the other after tonight. A comment made at the end of the show was that being split up as a couple is difficult for all. This also seemed to be the theme as each couple reflected how they were going to miss their partners after this week.

Nothing more to add tonight, except I think that this season is turning out to be the best overall season of SYTYCD.

So You Think You Can Dance Week 4 Performance

Tonight was another awesome “SYTYCD performance” night and it included a great “special announcement”, which I will get to after the dance schedule summary.
Also note Mia Michaels was a judge tonight and her critique of the dancers is something to pay attention to. Another Mia note is that she has changed her mind about Brandon. A few weeks back she said that she didn’t see his potential and could not grasp the great things other people were saying about him. This week she said that, basically, Brandon has made a believer out of her. She told Brandon that “Dance teachers are normally hard on the students with the most potential and that it’s a way of pushing them to greater heights.” (This brought Brandon to tears and it was a special moment.)

Best of the Night (in order of performed):

Brandon and Janette danced the Cha-Cha. Once again out of their element and they pulled it off. This couple is quickly becoming one of the best couples on the show this year. This weeks Cha-Cha was one of the best Cha-Cha routines ever danced of all the seasons. Last week they danced one of the best Hip-Hop routines this year and a few weeks ago they danced the best ever Disco routines.
Nigel said, “Best ever Cha-Cha routines”. Mary said, “Awesome.” Mia said, “Brilliant!”

Kupono and Kayla danced Contemporary. This couple only has been together for two weeks. Tonight was a Wow!”. Nigel said, “Fabulous”, Mary said, “Great chemistry”, and Mia said, “Great routine and amazing performance.”

Ade and Melissa danced Classical Ballet. This was the first time that a Classical Ballet routine was danced on SYTYCD. The these was Romeo and Juliet and they danced it beautifully. Nigel said, “Great!”, Mary said, “Loved it and great chemistry.”, and Mia said “Brilliant.” Mia also said, “I am happy to see Classical Ballet being introduced on this show.”

The other routines of the night:

Evan and Randi danced Broadway. I thought it was very well danced, but the judges gave it mixed reviews. Nigel said, “Even though he was some what disappointed in Evan’s performance, he still had the couple in the top 10.”, Mary said, “She enjoyed it.”, and Mia said, “They didn’t take the routine to a higher level.”

Jason and Caitlin danced the Jazz. It was a “strange” routine but I thought they danced it well. Nigel said, “Very well danced and then went on to say that Caitlin’s costume made her look like a dancing condom!”, Mary said, “So-so routine”, and Mia said, “Danced very well.”

Vitolio and Jeannine (New couple this week) danced “The dreaded Quick-Step.” I thought they danced it very good and it looked to me to be one of the best Quick-Step routines ever danced on SYTYCD. Nigel said, “Very good overall.”, Mary said, “they brought-it.”, and Mia said, “Good job, great routine, and wonderful.”

Phillip and Jeanine danced Hip-Hop. Since this is Phillip’s specialty he should have “nailed it” and he did. Now Janine, I thought was even better because she was out of her element and did a great job. She “hammered it.” Nigel said, “Tremendous”, Mary said, “Jeanine brought it and fabulous routine.”, Mia said, “She liked it.” This was probably a great pick for Phillip and will probably keep him another week, but wait till he gets another non-hip-hop and hopefully a Tango… (Make a believer out of me Phillip. I have you on the bottom of the “guy” list.)

The Great Announcement made tonight by Nigel!

Nigel announced tonight that a new foundation named “The Dizzy Feet Foundation” is being formed to help under-privileged children. Many people from SYTYCD and many other top stars are involved in its creation. For more details on the foundations web-site: <Click Here>.

This is what’s it’s all about! Bringing a opportunity to children so they can follow their dreams to dance, create a way to enjoy the dance, and even better, allow them to follow the path to their true potential.

There is nothing I can say to everyone at SYTYCD about this new foundation except “God bless everyone involved!”

American Idol Finals..

Who will be the next American Idol? I voted for Adam. My wife voted for Chris. My daughter went out with her friends to a movie, “17 Again” and did not vote. My 3 year old grand daughter was sleeping and I knew she liked Adam, so I voted for her.

Now my wife agrees that Adam is the best singer, but her reasoning is that Adam was so far advanced against the other contestants that he will be a super-star no matter what and she wants to give someone else a chance at stardom.

My reasoning is that, yes, Adam is in a “league of his own” and should get all the accolades that come with being on the show and winning.

I have Nothing to add until tomorrow nights final decision.