It’s kinda a bummer that a bunch of So You Think You Can Dance videos got taken down. I realize that Fox owns the show, so they get to do what they wish with them. Oh well.
This one from my favorites list is still standing, however, so I get to write about it. I swear, Cat Deely and the Judges couldn’t say “cheeky” enough while talking about this dance. From season 5, Evan and Randi performing a Mia Michaels contemporary to “Koop Island Blues”.
This is a decidedly lighter side of Mia, and I love that as much as her darker side. I’ve always adored mismatched couples, and that’s exactly what you see the first moment in the dance, especially with Randi wearing those stilletto platforms (those come off eventually) and towering a half a foot over Evan. You can just see this slightly dorky guy who can’t believe his luck to get this curvy, sexy bubbly girl on his arm. And of course, the focus of his admiration happens to be her behind.
Mia uses clever and cute choreography to illustrate this admiration and tongue-in-cheek”iness” abounds.
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!
“I was born into the studio and all I really know is dance.” Travis Wall
And know it well he does! He didn’t win the So You Think You Can Dance title when he was a competitor on the show (he came in second to Benji Schwimmer), but who cares? Travis is now a permanent fixture on SYTYCD as a choreographer. Can’t get much better than that, huh?
He started in season 5 with Jeanine and Jason’s Contemporary number to Jason Mratz’s “If It Kills Me” (known as the locket dance), a really gorgeous dance full of dynamic, passion and a little bit of craziness.
A really, really, fine debut for the show and absolutely goes on my “Best of the Best” list. He went on in season 5 to choreograph the top 8 in a Jazz number to “Let it Rock” by Kevin Rudolph.
In season 6 he continued contributing with contemporary numbers for Ellenore and Ryan, Ellenore and Legacy, and Ashleigh and Ryan. But the one dance that I felt was forgotten too quickly was with Bianca and Victor very early on. Most likely because the dancers were among the first to be eliminated for the show. But their dance to “Wasted Time” by (goooorgeous) Me’Shell Ndegeocello worked very well, even for a tapper and ballet dancer. They have this very sensual moment where he holds her near the end and she body rolls against him so subtlety. They took time in the moments and I noticed.
Well done by all. Thanks for some great dancing, Travis!
Last week we learned that the famed Mr. Adam Shankman (judge on So You Think You Can Dance and director/choreographer of Hairspray) would be holding auditions for dancers in the 82nd Annual Academy Awards Telecast. A story by Sandy Cohen was published on the ABC Entertainment website and gave a really nice, personal recount from three dancer’s point of view. Pictures were also published of Adam with Travis Wall next to him, and Adam dancing with the auditioners. Really great to see him in action! You can read the full story here. Enjoy!
Producer and choreographer Adam Shankman, center, watches a dancer perform during open dance auditions for the 82nd Academy Awards Telecast in Burbank, Calif. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) (AP)
Producer and choreographer Adam Shankman, center, demonstrates a dance move during open dance auditions for the 82nd Academy Awards Telecast in Burbank, Calif. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) (AP)
…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!
