December 16th, 2009 by soullldiva

Whew! What a night! Nine, count ‘em, nine dances: bam, bam, bam, bam! Very exciting and breathtaking, I could barely take it all in. For sure there was absolutely no bad dancing tonight, just a lot of shining, and some instances of brilliance. Shall I recount? Let’s get to it then.

With absolutely no pomp and circumstance at the intro, we went directly into an absolutely sizzling Samba from Ryan and Kathryn. They crackled like they did last week with their Cha Cha Cha, again with choreography from Jason Gilkison. Fantastic, exciting and dynamic with the slow lifts and arabesques in the intro that flowed right into the frenetic sexy gyrations for the main part of the dance. And the lift/throw of Kathryn over Ryan’s head to land on his back was completely jaw dropping. Bravo.

Next was Ellenore and Jakob with a Tyce DiOrio Broadway routine, a classic Fosse number “I Gotcha.” A classic, was classy and had a ton of class and style. Fosse choreography is a fave of mine just because Bob thumbed his nose at the dance establishment when he started as a dancer. He didn’t have perfect turnout, so he turned his toes IN. Ellenore’s style really matched this dance and she and Jakob oozed charisma, almost like a machine. It was quite mesmerizing to watch. This piece was hip and happening.

Ashleigh and Russell came next with a Sonya Tayeh Lyrical Jazz piece that was beautiful and flowy, with Russell playing a troubled man with his guardian angel Ashleigh helping guide him. I really liked this piece conceptually, because there was a great reverse flow with Ashleigh doing much of the catching/lifting/throwing/carrying as she attempted to help Russell. And Russell was also just stunning with his portrayal of anger and passionate frustration. There was a measure of Russell’s “style” thrown in to pique interest. Great story and excellently danced.

Ellenore and Ryan had what was my least favorite piece of the evening, a very odd yet facinating Jazz routine from Gary Stewart. This dance once again suited Ellenore’s style as it was quite robotic and quirky in it’s movements. I saw what the choreographer was trying to do with the interesting way the dancers would connect with their legs and arms into the next movement, but it was completely devoid of any emotion. A for effort!

Ashleigh and Jakob were up next with a really solid Fox Trot. Nothing extraordinary here, just really great fox trotting by both of them. It always seems like Jakob wouldn’t be able to be a good lifting partner, just because his body seems a tad slight, but he is always a really fine and strong partner for the girls. Looks can be deceiving, I guess. They both sparkled in this and looked like they had a lot of fun. Plus, any time you use a song with the singular voice of Eva Cassidy (unfortunately no longer with us) I’m happy as a clam.

Next was a fantastic Paso Doble from Jason Gilkinson for Ellenore and Russell. Ellenore had fire from the get go with her silohette against the red screen background (the one good use of that damn screen that I wanted them to just completely turn off this entire season), arching backwards and doing the Spanish hands. This was a great choice in music as well, from the Blood Diamond soundtrack. The two of them danced it fast and hard and were right there with each other for that push and pull the Paso calls for. The last moment was milked for every dramatic second as he landed over her on the ground. Solid work by both!

Then–Kathryn and Jakob practically stopped the show with their Contemporary number (choreographed by Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden of Complexions Dance fame). Their music was “At This Moment”, covered by Michael Buble. The beginning seemed to be reminiscent of a slow dance with all it’s continual swaying lifts in the beginning. Then it broke out of that and told a story of a frustrated and heart-wrenching relationship. The choreography was phenomenal and VERY physical. They had this great moment where they stopped and looked across the stage at each other, really made contact, then proceeded to fall to the ground on top of each other and roll across the floor. Emotion was translated directly into movement and I love to see that. Bravissimo.

Then came the dance I was waiting for: married couple Ashleigh and Ryan doing a Travis Wall Contemporary. I was glad they drew this, because it was a very special dance for them. It was pure love and pure loveliness. I mean really, you could see joy oozing from them from getting to dance together again after so many weeks of being paired with others. They danced the beautiful, flowy movements like they were alone in the studio together and had only eyes for each other, no distractions. Perfectly synchronous and completely in touch with each other. I don’t think I was paying particular attention to the choreography itself, which to me means that it was perfect because it simply conveyed the emotional, tender moment between these two. Sentimental sigh. Ok, I’m done with that, if you’re allergic to sugar ;o)

Russell and Kathryn were the last of the evening with a NappyTabs Hip-Hop number. All I can say is Russell f-in’ R-O-C-K-E-D!!! AND-and Kathryn was with him there every step of the way, giving it as fast and hard, down and dirty and street as he did (this is the girl who at the beginning would cry at the drop of a hat, her voice going up all way high and annoying? NO!). Russell was able to put the most of his Krumping style into the movement, and I’m sure Tabetha and Napoleon encouraged him in this, because it just made him shine like the sun. They were perfectly in synch with each other and kept eye contact the entire dance, and seemed to say to each other “woo hoo, SOOOO fun!” Really exceptional, probably the best NappyTabs number of the season, and a great way to end the night.

At the end, I perculated. I didn’t want to limit myself in voting, I thought the entire night was fantastic and everyone did amazing things and danced better than they ever had. I originally had thought that nine dances was overkill and the top 6 instead of top 4 kinda ruined things. Not so. I salivated for every dance and was exited at the dance after dance after dance way the show was presented. What a treat to get to just see so many different stylels of dance, choreographed by masters and danced by the next wave of stars. You don’t get that every day.

Last week I voted for everyone. But this week I said to myself, just off the cuff, which guy and which girl would you vote for? And my answer came fast and easy: Russell and Kathryn. And there you have it, my votes. And if you pinned me down to choose MY winner? Russell. I have a feeling though, from America. I think Kathryn McCormick is America’s Favorite Dancer. And she would absolutely deserve it.

Aside from my musings, who will win tonight? Who knows? You have to tune in and watch the 2 friggin’ hour, star-studded finale to find out. And I’ll be right there with ya.

(Images courtesy of FOX Television)

December 9th, 2009 by soullldiva

W-O-W, what an evening last night on So You Think You Can Dance!

The Top 8 were set to perform, and right off the bat I was super confused. Wait, what’s going on? Something’s wrong. Then I saw it: Ashleigh did not do her beginning solo. What had happened? Host Cat Deely took a few moments before calling Ashleigh to the stage, and she walked on with her arm in a sling. Oh, injury. How really, really sucky. Apparently she completely dislocated her shoulder that very day doing a dress rehearsal, and was not being cleared by the doctors to dance. And boy, did she want to dance. But she kept it together, and after the next break she came back on stage to give her 888 number, asking for votes. This is really a sad predicament for her. Can her performances and hard work from the past weeks keep her in this competition? I put her in my “long haul” list, and I really hope so. It will be very interesting to see how the results unfold tonight.

On with the night, Ryan and Kathryn were up first with a Dori Disco routine. This is another great pairing, with a fun and difficult routine (and the Discos are usually ball busters). Kathryn looked SO gorgeous in her skimpy halter dress (which, interestingly enough was Dori’s doing, I didn’t realize that the choreographers had a huge hand in the costuming, interesting!). Ryan looked…well, disco-y. They did excellent work together and looked like they were having a ball, especially Ryan. He’s such a great partner-ing partner. Kathryn kicked butt and did super well in this new style for her.

Next was Molle and Jakob with my favorite Viennese Waltz–EVER. I’m serious, here, this is a wonder to behold. Fresh, young, full of breath and life. Thank you choreographer Jason Gilkison!!! And thank you to Mollee and Jakob for dancing a picture of young love in springtime, with very intricate steps, fast and energetic (not your usual Viennese Waltz, I’m telling you). They had a beautiful connection, and looked beautiful, Jakob in his white pants/vest/shirt and Mollee in her white blouse and ankle-length sunny yellow pleated skirt, complete with a bow in the back. Fantastic, on all sides, and even though this was only the second of 8 dances, I am not afraid to say my favorite of the night!

Another potential power couple was next: Ellenore and Legacy. They got Travis Wall and a Contemporary number that I was SO excited to see from the rehearsal footage I could taste it. Travis had a concept of two killers that are married and want to kill each other at the dinner table. Very “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Unfortunately, for me this was a little to literal in the fight choreography and a bit one note. I saw a lot of hate and anger and not much lust/love, which it absolutely could have had (would have made for a better dynamic). They used a napkin for most of the dance and traded it back and forth during moves, which I thought was just distracting. And Ellenore’s dress was awful, just looked like two strips of fabric. OK! That said, they danced it extremely well, were very fearless with difficult moves and nearly impossible timing, and they did have a good connection.

Then came Russell and Ashleigh’s Shane Sparks Hip-Hop number. The rehearsal footage showed fantastic clips of Shane teaching Ashleigh how to shake her booty. Super funny! Looking back ( I watched it a couple times), this was probably the BEST Hip-Hop dance of the entire season, very “old school” as judge Nigel Lythgoe said. Russell just exploded off the stage with energy, enthusiasm and smiles. He shines like a star and does excellently. Unfortunately, his partner was so distracting because she was not nearly the caliber of dancer that Russell is (or Ashleigh for that matter). And I thought that was odd, considering she’s Shane’s assistant. Oh well.

Mollee’s solo is the only solo I’m going to mention in this post. And why? Because SHE ARRIVED. To the show, to her womanhood, to the party. I saw this girl for the first time this season with her solo to Alicia Keys’ “Heartburn”, which she also sang along to during her dance. Now, I will say that she had improved last week with Russell and was stunning in her Waltz with Jakob earlier in the night. But this is a dancer who made an entrance here, and I was riveted. She flirted, had fun, flipped and twirled and had me wrapped around her finger. Yeah, this is what dance is all about! Well done to her.

Whew. I get no downtime as Kathryn and Ryan are next with a Jason Gilkison Cha Cha Cha. I learn that Jason is responsible for Burn the Floor, currently on Broadway (where have I been?), no wonder he’s standing out for me. And know how I said his Viennese Waltz was the best I’ve ever seen? This Cha Cha Cha is the BEST Cha Cha Cha I’ve ever seen (enough Cha’s for ya?). Jason rocks the Casbah, baby, I’m in love. I was glued to the screen during this dance, it amazed me. Kathryn and Ryan had a hot chemistry and connection, flirt-y sultriness. Ryan looked so hot in his hat and suspenders, and Kathryn was SO sexy in her fishnets and feathers–great use of feathers, by the way, long straight ones as a skirt instead of the fluffy emu-type. Ryan and Kathryn attacked the choreography with great relish, which was syncopated so well with Joss Stone’s song “Put Your Hands On Me”, great choice. Can I have a cigarette, please? They climb on judge Mary Murphy’s Hot Tamale Train, which she has only done one or two times this season.

Mollee and Jakob once again wipe up the dance floor with a Joey Bowling Broadway number to “Easy Street” from Annie (excellent music choices for this show, that is one of my faves). They are lovely and amazing and cute and mischievous. Did I mention they danced amazingly? This style also suited them well, and Nigel encouraged Mollee to get over to Broadway, they were waiting for her. This looked easy and joyous for them. Brilliant.

Ellenore and Legacy were up once again with a Nappy Tabs Hip Hop dance about aliens. This was good fun, but not fantastic, like I was hoping. The choreography didn’t really push them to their limits of what they could do, although it started off well, with the backwards masks. Shame on Tabetha and Napoleon for not really challenging these two.

After Ryan’s solo, he interrupts Cat while she’s giving his number to give Ashleigh’s number. This is a man who loves his woman. I was touched. What a mensch.

Last is Russell (and Ashleigh’s) Bollywood. And Bollywood it was, with a bit of funk and soul injected from Russell. You could just see it in his movement. Bollywood is so relentless in it’s movements and hand/head/finger/foot positioning (we learn that a wrong hand position can offend in India), and Russell was right there the entire time, never looking tired, and always having that sparkling smile ready. The execution was superb, and judge Adam Shankman said that he radiated pure joy for the art of dance. I whole-heartedly agree. Bonus that Russell’s partner was up-to-speed with him, and when I saw the move that dislocated Ashleigh’s shoulder (leap and swing over the head and around to in front of his legs), my shoulder hurt a little, too.

Needless to say, I am very torn about the finale. They all deserve to be there, including Ashleigh. I want everyone to win. But then, it wouldn’t be a competition, would it? Well, I voted for everyone and put a few extra votes in for my favorites.  Who will be in the finale for season 6? Tune in tonight and find out!

(Images courtesy of FOX Television)

December 2nd, 2009 by soullldiva

The game changes once again on Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance: America votes and the bottom two dancers go home. No more “dancing for your life” for judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Adam Shankman. That’s it, bye-bye. Kinda sad, considering how hard these kids have worked to be where they are right now. BUT–the show must go on.

Tonight there were sure fire hits and clear misses. There were new partners teamed up, and everyone danced a solo. It was a fast-paced, jam-packed night.  We even learned more about the dancers’ families (always good for a little water in the eyes).

The first hit of the night was Noelle and Ryan’s Hip-Hop number, a clever, flirting-in-the-office scenario. It was cute and sexy, with a lot of great lifts and holds. I felt that Ryan committed to the movement a bit more than Noelle, although she did rather well, too. Overall just a solid piece from the two of them.

The first miss was Ashleigh and Legacy’s Contemporary number, created by Australian choreographer Garry Stewart. This was hard hard hard, and although they worked their butts off, it never quite left the ground. I’ve seen Garry’s company perform before, and this combat-style dance is just not my thing. I saw the potential in the movement, but unfortunately for Ashleigh and Legacy, they couldn’t quite fulfill it. Legacy’s handless headstand at the end rocked, however.

The next hit was Kathryn and Nathan’s Broadway number, which just sang. This was a pretty good pairing, with Kathryn completely shining like a diamond in this style (not a bit of the girlish dancing she got criticized for last time), and Nathan grew up a tad more. They worked well together, very smoothly, even though they could have had more of that “Broadway connection” as Shankman pointed out.

Ellenore and Jakob had a hit with their sweet Quickstep which started a little slow for me but the last quarter picked up immensely and was just lovely. Very good pairing and job well done on this difficult dance.

The surprise hit of the night was Mollee and Russell. Their first number was a Lyrical Jazz. These two really melded well andcomplimented each other.  Russell once again showed his talent for excelling at other dances and Mollee grew more womanly beside her new partner. The dance started off with a lot of holds and lifts but really took off after that, and had a fab move where they linked elbows and he pulled her to spin in the air across him.

Not decided on whether Noelle’s and Ryan’s Smooth Waltz was a hit or miss, as Waltz is just not my favorite, but Ryan sure knows how to waltz across the floor with power and grace. There were great lifts and spins at the end and they were sweet and elegant together.

Very unfortunately for Ashleigh and Legacy, their Hip-Hop was a miss as well. If I could have shook my finger at choreographer Dave Scott I would; how can you POSSIBLY waste Legacy’s talents in a friggin Hip-Hop number?!? And what’s with the cape?  Just weird and disastrous for what could have been a great piece.

Although they get an “A” for huge effort, Kathryn’s and Nathan’s Rumba was a miss for me as well, and simply because they did not connect on a romantic level. Good moments, but a tough one.

The official hit of the night was Ellenore and Jakob’s Sonya Tayeh Contemporary number that was full of power and passion. Their head to head walk across the stage sizzled; here was fantastic chemistry. Plus, their acting chops were really tested as well, and everything was believable. Ellenore and Jakob delivered like no one else. Fabulous!

The last dance of the evening was a hit: Russell and Mollee’s Jive. Super super fun fun from these two. Mollee grew up yet again, and Russell just continued to show his spirit of play as he danced. Strong flicks, fast kicks and a great song choice. How can you go wrong with “Land of 1000 Dances”? Never, I say. Their flirty chemistry was brought to life on stage and this turned out to be a really great pairing.

The solos of note for me were predictable, and…not.

1. Russell: strong precision of movement and personality at the same time. Humor and charm.

2. Kathryn: this girl glows. Beautiful and full of joy. She is now officially on my list from last week.

3. Nathan: surprise for me, but he was so touched and emotional about his family, his dancing and beautiful turns shone. Good Boy.

4. Legacy: great mix of B-Boy moves and feeling. Really awesome.

5. Jakob: probably technically the best dancer here. His joints just are not glued! Wonderful.

I’m on pins and needles. Who will not get enough votes tonight?  I hope you all voted for your favorites!!

(Images courtesy of FOX Television)

November 25th, 2009 by soullldiva

I’m sitting here watching the results show of So You Think You Can Dance and really looking.  Looking at these dancers. On the eve of ‘THE TOP 10″ who has it to make it? Who has real talent, and more than that, who has real heart? Because when it all comes down to it form me, Soullldiva, the Dancemomma, it is about heart. How big is it?  How much do they share of it? Watching the top 10 being revealed tonight (and of course, that ever popular carrot of the TOUR), this is what I’m contemplating.  Let’s see how this unfurls and if I am correct on any of my choices?

Ellenore. This girl is quirky, fun, beautiful and talented. Her emotional range is projected all over the place. From her lustful tango to a hip-hop where her swagger and bravado shows with humor, to her portrayal to a young, impressionable starlet, she has heart and she’s not afraid to show it.

Ryan. It will be interesting to see if my pull to Ryan continues without Ellenore.  But I now recall him immediately catching my eye when I saw him waiting, in agony, to see if his gorgeous wife was in the original top 20. Stunning. Such feeling and heart.  And he absolutely brings it to his dance, and his technical expertise seems to stretch beyond ballroom.

Legacy. I hope this gem can really step it up for his ballroom pieces, because he’ll need it for the long haul. This guy is nothing BUT heart, as he discovered how much more dancing could fulfill him as he performed Mia Michaels moves in Las Vegas. Beautiful. And he’s still experiencing it, seeing how emotional he got last night after his second dance. There is something so special and sensitive about this tough B-Boy. He’s an artist to the core and he’s just now realizing that he can live up to his potential and give so much more in his work. He’s absolutely doing it.

Russell. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this guy could walk across the stage and smile and I’d be riveted. He enjoys every single second of what he does and for me that’s what it’s all about. You have to love what you’re doing, right? And like Nigel, I’ve completely forgotten that he’s a Krumper–a dance style that can be quite harsh, but I totally get with it when he does it. Russell, like Legacy, needs to pull it out for his ballroom pieces, but he’s done pretty darn good with them so far.

Ashleigh. And this is not just because I’ve put my vote in for Ryan. This woman can hold her own. She’s able to very easily portray her love and attraction for her partner, which is an absolute must. And very interestingly, Ashleigh is someone who’s actual body portrays her emotion. The movement of her legs, curve of her arms.  I just get that from her. I dunno. I keep feeling like she has some secret that she’s slowly either letting out or letting go of, and this fires her passion.

Jakob. It will also be interesting to see if Jakob, as with Ryan, will hold my interest when he’s separated from Ashleigh. He has technical out the wazoo and can leap into any type of formation that a choreographer could want. But is the heart there? I watched him last night connect with his partner in their Cha Cha Cha. He absolutely luxuriated in Ashleigh, her body and her movement. But it had emotion, too.  Lust with heart, huh? It’s there and he’s got what it takes.

Those are the few that I have chosen to make it beyond the top 10.  Who will make it to the final performance?  Well…I’m not ready to  speculate on that short list, give me a couple of weeks ;o)

*SPOILER ALERT*

I’ve just watched  Karen be sent home, and I knew that was coming.  Hotness only goes so far, and it took her to the top 12.  As well, a very sad Victor was just eliminated. Neither of them were on my list, so we’ll see how long it can stand up as the dancers are whittled down.

Care to comment, object, offer your own opinion?  I welcome it!

(Images courtesy of FOX Television)

November 18th, 2009 by soullldiva

Whew! Well, after the fallout from Nigel Lythgoe’s tirade last week, the mood on the set of So You Think You Can Dance this week was decidedly subdued. Criticism was given quite a bit milder, and enthusiasm was not as big (geeze, Mary only yelled once the entire show). This was not to say that the dancing did not merit enthusiasm, however. This was a darn good night, with my favorite dance of the season so far.

Ashleigh and Jakob opened the night with a NappyTabs Hip-Hop number. The story was of a girl and her cheatin’ guy–and she finds out by looking at a text on his phone (how very of the times). I love that NappyTabs tells stories with their choreography. Before SYTYCD, I had never experienced Hip-Hop this way, and it was quite a revelation for me. Ashleigh and Jakob really came out fighting in this piece, they took hold of the story and told it with the movements, creating their relationship. They absolutely had the passion and the hurt, but I felt needed just a tad more love. After all, there’s no hurt if there was no love, right? Nigel predicted Jakob to go to the top 10, and told Ashleigh she has grown super-fast as a dancer on the show. Kudos all around.

Next were Karen and Kevin with a Spencer Liff Broadway ditty from Sweet Charity. This was an interesting combination of super-cuteness and super-hard choreography. Broadway is never an easy task, and doesn’t usually garner high praise from the judges. Karen and Kevin were cute together (a 180 from sizzling hotness the past few weeks), but the level of cuteness and humor needed to be far above what they gave on stage for the whole thing to work. Lots more *wink* would have worked for them.

Interestingly enough, Noelle and Russell drew Foxtrot once again out of the hat, with Eddie Simon choreographing. Wow, did Russell improve vastly from his Foxtrot a few weeks ago. But seriously, can Russell do no wrong? The two of them looked like they were having just the time of their lives up on stage, you could almost feel the joy through the tv. Their movements were smooth and effortless and were great to watch. Sheer elegance.

Channing and Victor got a Tyce DiOrio Jazz number where they got to portray “two curious, eclectic, blackbirds coming out to play,” as Tyce said. They used the Beatles’ “Blackbird” covered by Bobby McFerrin, which lent itself very well to the stacatto movements. They had good connection and synchronization and really popped in this dance. I could have even taken even more bird-like mannerisms. After all, if you’re going to portray an animal, you might as well go all the way, huh? Channing and Victor definitely seemed to enjoy them selves in this, there was a certain freedom that I’d never seen before in their dancing.

Kathryn and Legacy drew the “Paso Doble from Hell” (choreographer Tony Meredith’s words). This one was a lot of fun to watch. The Paso can very easily look silly and overdone, and this was not the case with Kathryn and Legacy. They committed to the story of the sea Admiral coming back to claim his angry, heartbroken woman. Whew! Much anger, passion, heat and fire. There could have been a little more precision, and Legacy’s shoulders were pretty tense (as were Kevin’s, it’s common with guy dancers), but overall it was really terrific.

Ellenore and Ryan performed my favorite dance of the night, and of the season so far, a Travis Wall Contemporary number. This told the story of a broken up couple who happens to bump into each other one day. She nursed a broken heart for along time and got over him, he suddenly realized he missed the boat with her. The moment they bumped into each other was truly exquisite, they really took their time and SAW each other, and reacted, it was a real moment. From there the connection strengthened and their performance was superb. Their movements were completely in tune with each other, and you felt their dilemma with the “I really love you but I can’t do this again” thing. They had a fearlessness when they danced with each other, and the lifts and leaps just seemed to happen with no effort. The dance closed brilliantly, bringing them back to the first moment where they bumped into each other, portraying the whole experience happening in a moment in their heads, and they went their separate ways. Genius.

Mollee and Nathan closed out the show with a LaurieAnn Gibson Pop Jazz routine. Loriann had them use an interesting technique of doing a lot of yelling while they danced, because sound unlocks the spirit. I liked this odd technique, sound is always good, and it also gets you to BREATHE, which dancers often forget to do (yeah, right?). Unfortunately, Mollee’s dress was truly awful and took me completely out of it to begin with, and then I just didn’t GET this dance at all. What was I missing? There was even one move where they looked like they were in a sexual position. But, they were big, coordinated, strong, and committed to the dance. Kudos. Not much connection with each other, however, and I really think that comes with just being too young and inexperienced in relationships. They are babies, after all. Talented babies.

Well! We wait with baited breath for elimination tonight. Will Kevin and Karen get sent home as Nigel predicts? Tune in and see!

(Images courtesy of FOX television)