March 8th, 2010 by soullldiva

I read a couple of reviews of the Oscars performance last night, and I don’t agree with all of them. There are a bit of naysayers about the hosting, the dancing, the choice to honor John Hughes (as opposed to other Honorary awards recipients), having “NPH” sing for the opening, etc. etc.

I thought it was a good show. For gawd’s sake, people, it’s nearly four hours of awards and presentations! How is Mr. Adam Shankman (director of the Oscars show) going to please everybody, all the time? He’s not, so there.

I thought two hosts, especially such as Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin was a super idea. Hey guys, I loved Chris Rock even more and I’m sure they paid Shankman NOT to hire him again. His first choice was actually Sacha Baron Cohen–a revelation even beyond Chris Rock. But they pulled back on the idea, thinking that it would just be too much for most of the people in the room (much less the rest of the US, who are quite more conservative than us here in Hollywood) to handle. Darn.

But Steve and Alec did a great job. Steve’s quip about both himself and “Gabby” Sidibe’s first starring movie roles were as a “poor black child” made me roll. Too young to know what he’s talking about? Check out Steve Martin in The Jerk,it’s a comedy classic. This was still when Steve was a “wild and crazy guy.”

Now, I do get the protests about honoring John Hughes instead of one or more of the Honorary Awards recipients (lovely Lauren Bacall, bigger than life Roger Corman and outstanding cinematographer Gordon Willis). But, as a child of the 80’s, it was really great to look back at all his films and really know that he knew who I was as a teenager. He knew and was able to display it, with charm, humor, grace and humility, for those of us suffering from teenage-itis to share. He was a great filmmaker and I’m so sad that he had to depart too soon.

And then there’s Adam’s choice to have the John M. Chu’s Legion of Extraordinary Dancers perform to each of the movie score nominees. Popping and locking to the theme from a war movie??–was the protest I heard.

Look. I get it that it was a bit different than your usual fare. But doncha get it? Music–any and all music–inspires movement. And that can be any movement of any kind. So yes, music from a movie about the war in the middle east can inspire LXD to move. And that they did amazingly well. And actually, the piece to “The Hurt Locker” score was my favorite of all of them (and the stunts done for the “Avatar” score were crazy good). Face it, naysayers. Popping, locking, b-boying, breakdancing, hip-hop, krumping, freestyle. It’s all here to stay and they are ALL legitimate art forms.

Yea for Dance! And Yea for a great Oscars night!

February 5th, 2010 by soullldiva

I found this video while cruising one of the great SYTYCD sites out there (thanks SYTYCDism!).  Breakdancer Jonathan “Legacy” Perez, fabulous finalist from season 6 of SYTYCD has been busy busy busy exploring, dancing, and making videos of himself. If you find his page on YouTube there’s plenty of them to enjoy. But this one stood out to me, because of the opposite choices he makes. He’s a fast-paced B-Boy who is amazing at tricks, yet the video is mostly still shots of him in action, and closeups of his face (with those big eyes just looking). His usual music fare is of course quick and booming, that would lend itself to his moves. Yet the music he chooses is “Better Man” by James Morrison, a beautiful, soft and flowy lyrical song. Just check it out and see what I mean:

I wasn’t misled when I singled him out as a special dancer with a special heart. He had a revelation during his SYTYCD run, and it’s sticking with him. Keep going, Legacy!

January 27th, 2010 by soullldiva

…where there is some pretty darn great crew dancing going on. Now, I admit it, I’m not usually a stand up and cheer fan of this type of group dancing, I tend to prefer more contemporary-style dancing where more communication of emotion is involved. But that absolutely does not discount this type of high-energy, super complicated, tricky-tricks, high rhythm and syncopated dancing. It’s pretty amazing at times to watch, you just go “wow, how did they do that?” In addition, there’s the necessity for everyone to be completely in-synch with each other and look exactly the same. Also not something I’m a huge fan of (I like it when people dance and look like individuals). But then, that would defeat the idea of a “crew” right??? Of course. I’ve learned to love the synchronicity. ;o)

When the show first debuted on MTV, I loved the commercial for it, which showed a kind of a “melting pot” of dance: cloggers, ballerinas in toe shoes, break dancers, hip hoppers, etc. etc. I looked and looked for this video online and had no luck >o(. Oh well, onward!

Of course the most famous of the crews to come out of America’s Best Dance Crew is the Jabbawokees. You can’t turn on a dance show without seeing them. And rightly so, they are super skilled and really fun to watch.

The are so recognizable as a unit, as a team, the masks really contribute to that so all you are aware of is the movement, sometimes as one. They’re style is just really interesting, very almost laid-back, relaxed, easy going. But still full of energy. I also like this commercial for ABDC season 2 (right after they won). This is Jabbawokeez cranked up, dramatic and full of force:

I love the camera work on that bit as well, really added to their dance.

Another crew that’s made their name from ABDC is Quest Crew, they are super. Here’s their commercial for ABDC after they won:

Pretty snazzy, huh? Ok, that move where the guy flips in the air while two other guys pass above and below him? C-R-A-Z-Y. Nuts. Slammin! And I really dig the whole church theme. Didja see the pictures of the other crews in the stained glass?

OK and finally, a bunch o Girrrrlz won the competition last season, We are Heroes. And they give it as good as the guys do:

Was that enough hoppin’ videos for ya? Hope you had fun. Do you have any other ABDC faves? Let me know!

January 22nd, 2010 by soullldiva

It’s time to pick a hip hop number, and it’s also time for a group number. I really love group numbers, it’s the time when (even though it’s ONE MORE dance for the kids to learn), they can let loose, just be free and have fun. No pressure of critiques or phone calls. You really see them enjoy themselves.

Here’s the Season 4 Top 18 Group Hip Hop to Flo Rida’s “Elevator”. Choreographed by Shane Sparks. Just loooove the suits, don’t you? And the girls get to wear those cool zoot suit pants and corsets. This number is pretty stunning and slammin’ with lots of tricks, and just plain good ‘ol steps. Plus, you get the token bootie shake by all the girls. Priceless.

December 17th, 2009 by soullldiva

**SPOILER ALERT**

The night opened with a sexy Top 18 (why not 20?) super hot group dance choreographed by Kelley Abbey and set to “Scared of Me” by Freddie le Grand. My husband even walked by and was distracted by the stockings and garters. “Ooh, those are hot.” Add a red chair to any dance and I’m a happy girl.

Next come the start of the judges favorite dance picks of the season:

Lil’ C’s dance choice is Kevin, Legacy and Russell dancing a NappyTabs Hip-Hop to “Beggin” by Madcon. Even better the second time around, Russell ruled it (of course) and I really love that song.

Adam Shankman: Ellenore and Jakob dancing a Sonya Tayeh Contemporary piece to “Tore My Heart” by OONA & Dave Tweedie. Great choice and I remember him practically orgasming over it last time. This is just a great piece. Love the post at the ending.

Nigel Lythgoe: Derick K. Grant tap number with Philip, Peter and Bianca dancing to “Take the A Train” by Ella Fitzgerald. I love that three, let alone one tapper was in the top 20. Tapping is just a really great form of dance that is not appreciated enough in today’s dance world of extreme acrobatics and hip-hop. However, it doesn’t seem to translate to television the way other dance forms do. So sad.

Mary Murphy breaks the “rules” this time around, and instead of picking the Contemporary piece that Ryan and Ashleigh danced last night, she got them to choreograph a Jive routine themselves. She’d waited all season long to see them dance together and was disappointed they didn’t draw a ballroom style. Their Jive is definitely good, but not nearly as compelling as their contemporary piece from the night before.

Next, guest dancers the Groovaloos perform a street hip hop number. This is a fun, great piece and the breakdancing moves are stylin’!

Continuing with Judges’ Choice, Nigel picks the Dwight/Desmond Contemporary piece with Kathryn and Jakob set to the fabulous song “At This Moment.” Brilliant.

Tyce DiOrio picks the Bollywood number that Nathan and Mollee did wayyyy back when. Ah, the two kids back together. I think that this and their Can Can routine were their best things as a couple.

Then, unfortunately, is about a minute of confusion as quite a few things happened: Cat’s mic went on the fritz and we couldn’t hear anything, then three finalists came on the stage, and Cat is given a hand mic which she starts asking “where’s everybody else, ” and “what’s happening here?” Then we see Russell limp on under Ryan’s help, unexplainedly in pain and tears. He’s hurt his leg. Cat deftly assures him that they will get him help. Then, with pretty much no ceremony Ryan is named 6th runner up. They cut to his video package which really shows him off. I always really liked him, for his dancing and especially for how much he loves his wife (awwww).

After the commercial, Adam Lambert comes on and we don’t get an update on Russell. Adam really smokes, and I talk with my husband about his really hip look, which he dubs “Rockabilly/Metal and Billie Holiday mixed with Freddie Mercury.” I love my husband, he’s so with it.

The five finalists come back on stage, Russell on a stool. The 5th place dancer is named: Ashleigh. Her video package is super hot and I for one am glad she overcame her illness to get back into dance.

Next Shankers picks the Ellenore/Legacy Travis Wall Contemporary. I didn’t care much for this the first time around, but seeing it again in a new unit of time endears it to me more. Very innovative, and as Adam said, had risk, danger, chemistry out the butt. He predicts an Emmy award for Mr. Wall.

Ms. Debbie Allen picks the African Jazz piece choreographed by Sean Cheesman for Noelle and Russell. Because Russell is injured, they go to the tape of the dance. Too bad for Noelle, she doesn’t get to do this again. I really loved this piece when I saw it the first time (the Frog Dance, it’s called), and the bit where they clamp onto each other, Noelle’s head down between his legs and flip end over end over end was amazing. Love it.

The four remaining finalists are on stage and they announce the 4th runner up: Ellenore. Her video package just reminds me how original she is, very unusual and quirky dancer. The dance world needs more of her.

After the break, Lil’ C makes his next choice, one the dancers had to “wring themselves dry” for, a Tyce DiOrio Contemporary way back from “Meet the Top 20″ and Nathan, Jakob, Channing and Ariana. This piece is good and each dancer shines in it. But with the four dancers shooting across the stage constantly and jumping up on each other all the time I found it a little hard to focus on.

Next Mary picks the red hot Hip Hop NappyTabs choreographed for Kathryn and Russell from the previous night. Smokin, I mean really. This, of course, is from tape as well.

We’re back from the commercial break, and Mary J. Blige takes the stage, looking absolutely classy. She performs “I Am.” This was really good, but why do they need clips of her videos in the background is more than I know. Hate that screen. H-a-t-e. Got it Fox? Good.

There’s time for one more judge’s pick, and Nigel goes back to “Meet The Top 20″ show and Wade Robson’s piece to the fantastically fierce “Comanche” by the Rebels. This is my absolute favorite group number of the entire season, it just combines so many elements that I adore. Thank gawd they played it again. 60’s style dance, dancers having sound while they dance (“shi-kah!”), girls in satin skirts slit up to their coochies, guys dancing tough as nails, hot and loud sax (yes, I said SAX), clapping, snapping, dance fighting, posing. Do I need any more??????

Ah, pause for a moment. While I watch the screen. OMG. Kathryn is just named 3rd runner up! I really don’t believe it. I really thought she was going to take it. Oh!! Wow, this is a complete surprise for me. After her video package she’s crying and her voice does NOT go up, good girl!! She’s beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and I wish the best things for her.

Ok, recover after that moment.

After the break, Jennifer Lopez reclines in a large silver stiletto on stage. Pretty neat. She calls–SANTA! Very cute. And I love her rhinestone tights. She looks fab and dances great and is probably lip-synching. Who can blame her with all the dancing?

Now it’s time to get down to business. Jakob and Russell come on stage. Well, Russell with Jakob’s help, that is. A few words about the show, dance and America winning as well as the winner of the show. We get to see a video package for both Russell and Jakob. They are really great to look back at, and we get to see Jakob do that amazing jete another 5 more times. Pure Poetry.

The boys look happy and anxious as we come back, and Cat starts her patter. The envelope snaps open. America’s Favorite dancer IS: Russell Ferguson! And BOY is he happy and grateful (and shirtless). He thanks everyone  and says that he has dreamed of this since he was born (“I came out like–what!”).

Well he deserved it. And I picked the winner! Woo Hoo! Well, I know I said that Kathryn would probably get it, but I wished in my heart it was Russell. Yea for America, you voted well.

LONG LIVE DANCE!

Until season 7 of SYTYCD, I’ll be here continuing Dancemomma coverage of dance around the world. Goodnight.

(Images courtesy of FOX Television)