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)

October 16th, 2009 by soullldiva

Evan and Ryan (right)

It’s the last elimination round in Vegas for So You Think You Can Dance season 6 and the talent is lining up. I was sad to learn that tap dancer Ryan (brother to Evan, finalist last season) was cut, and earlier than last year. You just wanna put on tap shoes of your own when he starts hoofing it, he will be missed this season. I hope he tries again.

Next up was the group challenge, where they were divided up into groups of 5 and given a random piece of music. They had overnight to choreograph a piece.  The very first group up (with favorite Russell Ferguson) was probably the most notable. They drew a Broadway selection and did a just fantastic combo that melded the best of B’way jazz and street-like moves. Nigel Lithgoe absolutely loved it, and so did I.

Mia Michaels

After that was the (da-da-dummmm) Mia Michaels round.  Before the break, they played snips of quite a few dancers saying how scared they were.  I thought to myself “What?  You get to dance with Mia Michaels and you’re scared????” But then I remembered, I’m not a pro dancer, and I’m not in Vegas with them. ;o)

Here’s the ultimate Mia Michaels dance quote: “Do not give me empty steps.” This she stated to the dancers on stage, knees knocking. And she’s right. Mia is of course known for flat out not liking people who do this and just cutting them. She tells dancers all the time that she cuts, and she likes to cut.  This is a woman who means business.

This year, however, she injected a bit of love to her dancers, with a pep talk beforehand, and a meditation/prayer. What is this? A kinder, gentler Mia Michaels?  Wow!

She was not kinder with her choreography, and I noted how much more difficult this year’s combo was than last.

A B-Boy contestant, Legacy, caught the eye of Mia and the other judges who were blown away by his street interpretation of the steps. He really got the flow and communication of the piece and was able to fill those steps like Mia wanted. Legacy was tremendously moved after his Mia experience, and was visibly emotional as he said she “changed something inside of me.”  He told Mia “Your movement means something and you made me a better dancer.” I LOVE it when dancers really get it about dance. Legacy felt he came out of his comfort zone (which is always a dangerous place for a dancer to be) and moved on to the next round.

Mia, unfortunately, will not be back to So You Think You Can Dance after this round, and her choreography will sorely be missed.

Judges Tyce DiOrio (left), Mary Murphy, Nygel Lithgoe

Next was the Broadway round with Tyce DiOrio.  The girls got “There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” from Sweet Charity and the boys did a selection from Movin’ Out (for more see my post on Twyla Tharpe). I love it when men dance together, all the macho comes out (and sometimes shirts come off, as with ballroom dancer favorite Matthew Hauer). There’s just something exciting and invigorating about a bunch of men doing a really strong piece with lots of jumps and moves where they leap up and down on their knees. Yum.

After the Broadway round, 38 dancers were left and from that will be the Top 20 for season 6.  Break a leg to them all!