It’s going to be a show packed with amazing dance–and we get to see all our favorite pieces from the entire season as well! All that before we find out who is America’s favorite dancer on season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance. Let’s get movin’!

First off, let me say that I love Cat’s dress, it’s very ballerina-ish. And I always love her hair. Her stylist manages with extreme precision to style it in a way that it does not look styled, just like she pushed a brush through it after a couple hot rollers and went. Brilliant.

What we are treated to first is a completely amazing, whirlwind, entrancing number to “RA” by Nathan Lanier. This is very high-concept and stylized and just great dancing. The top 11 dancers and all the all-stars are in it, and nothing makes me happier than to see Alex skate out on a chair with wheels and do an incredible solo with only his hands and arms. Makes me tear up. I begin to think this is looking a lot like an LDX piece when it’s announced that Christopher Scott, from yes, the LDX choreographed it. A great beginning to the night.

There are SEVEN choreographers/judged shoved in behind the microphones:
Nigel Lythgoe (we get a montage of his hair, very funny–and I want to see him do the full dance with the kids!)
Mia Michael (we get a montage of her making up words and sayings, I didn’t realize she did that)
Adam Shankman (great montage of all his funny and rico suave faces)
Tyce DiOrio
Stacey Tookey (Emmy nominated, btw)
Kenny Ortega (lahhhve)
Mary Murphy (Mary’s back! Mary’s back!)

First up is the judge’s pick for their faves of the season. Kenny Ortega picks Tyce’s “Shoeless Joe” from Damn Yankees with Kent and Neil. Kenny thought that Tyce’s piece was a great homage to Fosse and the the thing that Kent needed at that monent in the competition to push him forward. I would agree with the great Ortega.

Nigel’s pick is Stacey Tookey’s number with Billy and Ade, “Mad World”. A real moment for Billy, and he left the following week. An exceptional piece of art, and I am torn between this one and Travis Wall’s piece with Kent and Neil as my favorite of the season. I’m sure we’ll see that one later.

First special guest tonight is Quest–which happens to contain all-star Dominic. How does Dominic land on his back like that and not rupture countless vertebrae? Love the music for this, combination of hip hop, disco, and old fashioned vaudeville. Great fun.

Mia’s favorite pick is AdeChike and Comfort with their lyrical hip hop NappyTabs number. Very interesting, as I would have pegged her to pick Travis’ piece. As I recall AdeChike got really emotional afterwards the first time. I do love this piece, I always love it when hip hop can successfully tell a full story. I like it when it just jams, too.

Next is not a pick, but Kent and Anya doing their Cha Cha Cha to “My First Kiss”. I have to say that Kent still pulls the faces, but he’s got it down to an art and a science now. He knows exactly when to pull them, what type and how much. Watch the cha cha again and see what I mean.

Tyce’s pick is another NappyTabs, the clown piece with Robert and Dominic. I can’t decide whether this is ultra cool or ultra scary with the clown makeup. Oh well.

We get a peek around the US at National Dance Day from July 31st. I love that there is a national day for dance and that dance is being recognized as a physical and athletic pursuit, one that you can do to not only express your artistic creativity, but to exercise your body and get into shape, Yea Dance!

Next is a Tap number featuring none other than judge and exec. producer Nigel Lythgoe. And he walks out on crunches claiming a season 7 curse. Suddenly there’s a seven year old on stage saying he wants to tap dance. Well let him tap dance! And he does. Boy he does. I guess no Nigel tapping (sniff).

The next tap routine by a duo of brothers was probably the most entertaining tap I’ve seen since Gregory Hines. Nice treat!

Nigel’s second favorite pick is Lauren and Pasha’s Argentine Tango to “Oblivion”. Oh, Pasha, you haunt my dreams in skin tight black tuxedo pants and patent leather shoes. This is really an outstanding Tango and I love it even more the second time around.

Adam’s pick for the season is Travis Wall’s “Fix You” with Allison and Robert.

OMG. Is that RUSSELL FERGUSON???? Where the hell has he been? Rehearsing with Lil C, I guess! And C really gives the stage up to him for practically their entire Krump. This is a good pairing, they compleiment each other well. I love getting a dose of Russell’s power and energy through the TV. Fab ending slamming down on one knee and jumping back up. Then they flash their abs. Cute.

Mary’s favorite number is Dominic and Jose doing their duet to the music from District 9. I hardly remember this piece. Oh, it’s because I missed it the first time! Love Jose and hate to say I really didn’t care for this one.

Next special guest is the winner of SYTYCD UK Charlie, dancing with Neil. Great lyrical jazz piece, not sure if it shows her uniqueness, but good all the same.

Robert, Lauren and Kent are called on stage right now, in their next costumes. Can we tell what they are dancing next? Yes. One will be eliminated now. Third place goes to: Robert. A disappointed “awww” escapes my throat. Robert is a fantastic dancer who only got better as the show went on, more able, diversified, emotional and available. Congrats to him.

Blue Steel, AKA Adam’s next pick is another NappyTabs number, who are dubbed the “MVP”s of the season (I would agree with that). Lauren and Twitch dance like no tomorrow to “My Chick Bad”. I just love this song because it talks about how bad-ass a gal is.

We get one more look back at my early pick for the winner season seven, Alex. They replay a recording of his Sonya Tayah piece with Allison to Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah”. I remember not quite liking this as much the first time around, but I have such nostalgia for Alex that I can see it in a new unit of time and it’s really a heart-wrenching piece. I heart Alex.

Stacey Tookey’s favorite for the season was the Dev Nakul Bollywood danced by Billy and Robert. A harem pants, arm waving, foot slapping great Bollywood piece, Dev’s best for the season and amazingly done by Robert and Billy.

Mia gets to pick last and she picks the only one left to pick: Travis Wall’s “How It Ends” with Kent and Neil. Real perfection in storytelling through dance, excellent from Travis and amazingly well done emotion and moment to moment from the boys. A great way to end the performances.

The group Black Gold performs their fab single “Shine” and it’s too bad they do it through a video montage. Although I like the clips, I think the band deserves the full time on screen.

Ok, what is this super duper huge surprise fabulous guest Cat has been hyping the entire show (and who we have to wait for the results through)? Ellen DeGeneres??? Doing Alex’s part with Twitch for “Outta Your Mind”? Whoa! Ok, I have to say that I LOVE this. It’s light, totally un-serious, adorable and really fun. Ellen is such a fan of dance and of SYTYCD and this was a real treat to have her dance for us, and that she tells America that you can dance and have fun even if you’re not schooled. Alex is obviously thrilled.

Last up, the crowning. Kent and Lauren both deserve the title, and for different reasons. Kent for discovering his artistic roots and his emotional value, and Lauren for her womanly power and willingness to put it all on the line. I have no favorite, I have grown to love them both.

And the winner is: Lauren. I am shocked, but absolutely not disappointed. SO well deserved! And Russell brings her Gatorade bottle with her picture out for her (she of course also gets the exclusive Gatorade contract as they are now acknowledging dance as a sport!)

That’s it for Season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance everyone! So glad you could make it through the season with me. I’ll be there for Season 8 next May!

Until then, I have more dance videos, dance quotes, and of course the upcoming season 11 of Dancing With the Stars, so come back for more!

P.S.: I WILL get the performance night music up asap tomorrow, I promise ;o)

It’s the first of two finale nights on Season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance, and while I regret Alex not being here with all my heart, I wish Kent, Lauren and Robert luck as we launch into the first night of the Top 3 Performances! Who will win America’s Favor? Let’s find out.

First up is All-Star Lauren and Kent with a Nakul Dev Mahajan Bollywood routine. Can Kent deliver the cheese? And the lightning-fast hand gestures? Oh most definitely. There could have been even more cheese in my opinion, but the dance moves were simply too fast to deliver it. I LOVED the bit where they clapped hands together while Kent was behind her. Great visually, and lots of fun. Judges loved it but did not have too much to say.

Next is Lauren with Twitch doing a political NappyTabs Hip Hop routine. I’m sure she can hold her own against Twitch, so I’m looking forward to this. The first moment with them smiling and shaking hands is funny and very accurate for dueling politicians. Their movements at the podium are super brilliant, I think, and Nappy Tabs has come up with a very cerebral Hip Hop number. Probably not a fave with those who love old school, but a great piece overall. And well danced! Lauren is praised for her strength and trustworthiness as a dancer with a choreographer’s steps. High praise from Mia Michaels. And I love Twitch, he was a cutie-pie with his shaved face and glasses.

Robert drew a Tyce Jazz number with All-Star Mark, and they do it to one of the best songs of the early 80′s, “Whip It” by Devo (I’m still a Mark Mothersbaugh fan, and he’s appeared with Devo very recently on one of my son’s favorite shows, “Yo! Gabba! Gabba!”). Kitschy, flashy, hand shaking, silly, hair-sprayed hair, jazzy fun. And I actually thought that Robert was better than Mark and stood out by a mile. For Mia, Robert is the most improved dancer on the show. Adam Shankman “threw up” with happiness that he danced for the joy and not for the competition (the things that come out of Adam’s mouth…).

Kent’s interview one-on-one with Cat was very cute and funny, just like him. They talked about the “faces” and we got to see a lot of them through a little tape. He does a hilarious bit for Cat where she asked him for happy and he gives her his happy face. Then she asks him for sad and he doesn’t change it. Very Kent.

Kent’s solo is pretty amazing technically and full of pauses within his leaps and jumps and throwing himself on the ground, but I found it very frenetic and desperate. Something he doesn’t really need. Super powerful dancer, though.

The contestants are now paired up with each other (how are they going to do that, is one person going to dance twice?), and Lauren and Robert are doing a Dee Caspary Contemporary. Prop Alert!! Looks like they are dancing with a pillow. Let’s see if they are overshadowed by their prop or are able to integrate it seamlessly. The golden lighting on them is beautiful. And I like the concept of them as a couple just trying to get home, and there are some moves with the pillow (like the last move, and the move where she threw the pillow to him and jumped to him) that are really fantastic. Well done to both of them. Judges love them. I have a feeling that there will not be much negative commenting tonight and I am intrigued by this.

Lauren is now paired up with Kent (I guess they’re all dancing with each other, so how many dances is that, I’m no math major) for a Mandy Moore Jazz number and they are playing the kooky weirdos that they really are and dancing to “Hip To Be Square”, which I always loved for the Tower of Power horns. Fun, simple, silly. And I could have used even more silliness, over the top would have been completely fine with me. Nothing super remarkable about this dance, didn’t seem to be enough of a challenge for both of them, which is echoed by Nigel Lythgoe.

Robert’s sit-down with Cat, he cites his favorite dance as the Travis Wall piece with Allison, which I will concur. He found the hardest thing to be all the ballroom stuff (which he did amazingly flawlessly, btw). His solo was a great mix of everything that got him on the show to begin with, and a nice cohesion with the music.

To now confuse me further, Kent is paired up with Allison for a Stacey Tookey contemporary about a couple having difficulty with maintaining their “perfect” relationship. This is such an interesting piece. You see the love, the hate, the manipulation, the desperation and the emotion from both of them. Emotion Kent, way to go, very real. In fact, he’s still affected into the judges’ interview and I am very moved by him. Mia tells him she loves him. When he tells Adam “you get so invested with the movement and the story, that the steps don’t even matter, ” Adam tells him he just became an artist. CAN I GET AN AMEN???!!! I am very impressed with this kid.

Last woman standing Lauren talks with Cat, and says her favorite dance was the prom dance with Kent. She had never shared and experience like that with someone on the stage before (and she’s not just talking about the very real kiss at the end). Her solo is the most satisfying of the night for me, from the Mary J. Blige music to the to the luxuriously sensual movement and declaration of her womanhood and her saying “I’m here and I want you.” was simply perfection. Bravo. I just also love that Lauren has an affinity for the classic soul. My kind of gal.

Robert is up next with Kathryn for a Spencer Liff Broadway routine to “Cool”. Ooh, I just love that song. It’s so interesting to see this concept for this song since it’s really the Jet’s gang song (and one of the most awesome pieces ever written/choreographed). But SOOOOOOO cooooool. Amazing choreography and amazingly danced (so well, Robert split his pants). Kathryn and Robert shine like neon pennies and Robert once again proves that he can pretty much do anything they throw at him.

Lauren gets to do a Cha Cha Cha with Pasha! Oooh, good, we get to see Pasha again. And coincidentally, the dance is about Lauren seeing Pasha and not being able to contain herself. Pasha shakes his hips like NO ONE can as usual. Lauren is hot and strong and does a damn impressive body roll (I know that’s an odd thing to pick out, but it stuck out to me). Plus, where she jumped with her knee on his shoulder and then he flipped her completely over then set her down so softly–that thing you know? Crazy amazing. Mia said that if she was still dancing, she would want to dance like Lauren. Whoa. I think Mia is making up for a whole season of some really harsh comments tonight.

The last dance of the night I something new, I believe. A “Malevos” dance, which means “gangster” dance, but Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionnuevo (yea! I get to say his name twice this season). The guys are in zoot suits and spats and black hats as they do this. And it’s not what I expect, as they hold each other’s shoulder’s a lot and do some tango like-looking steps. The one moment where Kent jumps up on Robert and then he flips him over was spectacular. Interesting and new, huh. Very powerful from the two of them. Apparently, this is the dance the men do together to practice their tango before they go do it with their women. Even more interesting!

Well that is it, let the voting commence! Who will be crowned America’s Favorite Dancer? We’ll be tuning in tomorrow night to find out!

Interesting performance show, I think we know who the three in the finale will be next week. We’ll find out tonight. Here’s the music for you!

Top Four: Broadway
Choreographer: Tyce DiOrio
Guys & Dolls (50th Anniversary Cast Recording): The Crapshooter’s Dance (I prefer to have music with lyrics for Broadway)
The Crapshooter’s Dance – Guys and Dolls (50th Anniversary Cast Recording)

Lauren and Pasha: Argentine Tango
Choreographer: Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionnuevo
Astor Piazzolla: Oblivion (slow and smokey)
Oblivion – Piazzolla en Suite

AdeChike and Lauren: African Jazz
Choreographer: Sean Cheesman
Ralph MacDonald: The Path (fun and tribal)
(not available on iTunes or Amazon as download)

Robert and Anya: Viennese Waltz
Choreographer: Jonathan Roberts
Anouk: Lost (pretty song to go with a pretty dance)
Lost – Hotel New York

Kent and Courtney: Disco
Choreographer: Doriana Sanchez
David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland: When Love Takes Over (usually Dori picks awesome, original disco music but not tonight for me)
When Love Takes Over (feat. Kelly Rowland) – When Love Takes Over (feat. Kelly Rowland) – Single

Lauren and Ade: Jazz
Choreographer: Sean Cheesman
Kosheen: Hide U (John Creamer & Stephanie K Remix)
Hide U – null

AdeChike and Kathryn: Contemporary
Choreographer: Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rohden
Melissa Etheridge: Fearless Love (adore Melissa)
Fearless Love – Fearless Love (Bonus Track Version)

Robert and Dominic: Hip Hop
Choreographer: Tabetha and Napoleon
Basement Jaxx feat. Kelis, Meleka & Chipmunk: Scars
Scars (feat. Kelis, Meleka & Chipmunk) – Scars (Bonus Track Version)

Kent and Neil: Contemporary
Choreographer: Travis Wall
DeVotchKa: How It Ends
How It Ends – How It Ends

SPOILER ALERT!

Tonight’s results show was of course extra special not only because not only did we get to see Desmond Richardson dance to The Rolling Stones, but Janelle Monae did a jaw-dropping live performance of “Tightrope”.
So! The finalists for Season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance are:

1. Lauren
2. Kent
3. Robert

Best of luck to AdeChike. I’m looking forward to an exciting Finale next Wednesday. I’ll be watching and blogging!

We’re here, the Top Four before the Finale to crown America’s Favorite Dancer! Let’s get started. Music Recap to follow this post, so if I don’t mention choreographers, don’t worry, I will!

All four start out in a Tyce DiOrio Broadway routine from Guys and Dolls. And they are excited to work with Tyce! This piece was decent, but nobody seemed to really shine in it. I also was constantly distracted by Lauren’s dress which looked like it was unbuttoned in the back, but I figured out it was just the design. This was a complete dud for me, unfortunately. I did like, however having all four of them perform together. Not much commenting from the judges on this one.

Lauren is up next with an Argentine Tango with Sexy Mr. Pasha. Argentine Tango is my favorite ballroom dance, so I’m anticipating this one. This dance is slow, so it’s deceptively simple (it is NOT, btw). It’s very smoldering, intricate, intense and long moments are taken. The one moment where lifts her up in a sweeping motion and her legs work a little dance was simply exquisite. Lauren does very well in this, I think, but I have to say Pasha is the eye catcher for me, just because he’s Pasha. He really gives on the dance floor.

We look back on where Lauren was before she started SYTYCD, and I didn’t realize she was SOOOOO young! I thought she was at least 23 or something. I give her even more props for growing up on the spot and being mature beyond her years.

AdeChike takes the stage next with All-Star Lauren for an Afro-Jazz number. I instantly love their outfits, that terra cotta color looks so great on them. The song is very interesting and tribal. Unfortunately, other than the beginning moments, this was a low-key dance for me as well, it wasn’t especially sparkly. AdeChike gets the note again to loosen up some more, especially in his back. I just remember his solo to “Woman’s Work” and I don’t agree with that note, but maybe he could let go some more. I didn’t see the celebration that Sean Cheesman’s piece needed here.

Robert gets to do the season’s first Viennese Waltz with Anya. And we get to see Dancing with the Stars’ Jonathan Roberts as a new choreographer! Yea! I love the dragging splits move. Once again, my opinion is that Robert actually LOOKS like a ballroom dancer. He also looks somehow older in this piece, more mature. I really liked this, the movement, the exciting moves that I’ve never seen, really pretty. They also had a great connection, very lovely. Judges marvel at the “straight arm” lift that he did and I realized how hard that was. Robert is good at ballroom!

Taking a look back at Robert, he really loves his mom and Step Dad. He also lives with Season 6′s Channing in North Hollywood and it’s fun to see them move all the furniture back and dance in their apartment.

Next, Kent gets a Dori Sanchez Disco with Courtney. Yea! I think there’s only been one disco routine this season and I’ve missed it dearly. Dori knows how to do it hard, hard, hard and fast, fast, fast, so I am anxious to see how Kent copes. There needs to be fun, party and hot moves for sure. I have to really admit that Kent is a good partner, very very strong for a smaller guy. This is a much slower Dori Disco than I’m used to and I’m wondering why! BUT–Kent’s super fast spin with Courtney across his shoulders is jaw-dropping. Crazyness! Kent’s comment about not being very big was cute. And Judge Nigel Lithgoe was right, there was no cheesiness from Kent in this dance. Amazing. Mia and Adam thinks it’s his worst performance.

Kent seems to not have changed at all since right before he came to the show, he’s still a ball of crazy energy. And a great dancer.

Lauren is paired with Ade to do a Sean Cheesman Jazz number, and she’s playing the part of a black widow. The lights are too bright again here, as they were for Sean’s first number. This is an interesting Jazz piece, I’ve never seen anything quite like it, mix of African and Jazz and Hip Hop. Lauren was incredible, though, and Ade’s lift of her from her upside down was mind-blowing. Could have used a smidge more sexual chemistry between her and Ade, as Tyce echoes. Nigel proclaims that Lauren will be in the finale. She gets extra points for dancing jazz in heels.

AdeChike and Kathryn are put into a Desmond and Dwight (Complexions) Contemporary piece. Desmond is AdeChike’s inspiration for becoming a dancer. This was a great piece that really showed their love for dance and their enjoyment of dancing together. Who wouldn’t love dancing with Kathryn McCormick? AdeChike is spanked again for not going to the limit of his abilities the whole time. The judges really want more more more from him. But it looks like unless America comes through, he won’t be in the finale.

As we look back on AdeChike, we see that it is not cool to be a male dancer when you come from Brooklyn. Glad he flourished and prospered and did not give up. He’s a doll and he deserves success.

Robert and Dominic pair up for a NappyTabs Hip Hop routine. They play two clowns in a circus who find out they’ve been fired, and it looks like this is a perfect opportunity for Dominic to cut it up and Robert to join. But this is also the “darker side” of clowning! This is super fun and I love the integration of clowns with hip hop, plus the balloon, very cool. Not super technical, but Robert does well. Judges love it and him. Mia loves the “Hip Hop Theater”. I love that term!

Last up, Kent joined Neil in a Travis Wall Contemporary. This is a story of friendship and betrayal. I adore male dances, so this should be good. I really, really loved this piece. It told such a story about friendship and love and what we can do to each other when the degree of love is so high that it can also be as equal the degree of hate. Very heart-wrenching and real and personal from these two dancers (and Travis). Excellent. Kent shows up with all heart and no cheese and inspires Mia to tears (wow). Kent is my late choice for the winner of season seven.

With that said! We move on to the elimination show tonight. Which dancer will NOT make it to the finale? Tune in tonight and find out!

I’m still not certain how the new format for season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance is going to sit with me. All I know is, I had a frickin’ BLAST watching the introduction show, where all the dancers are showcased with their respective “all-stars”. No pressure this time around, no cutting this week, it’s all fun and hard work and lots of sparkling. The only thing I will say about cutting 20 down to 11 is that 9 new dancers lost out on the chance to be on the show. But we won’t get less dancing, so I guess I am satisfied.

The show stared off with a gigantic, explosive bang with a Wade (thank you gawd) Robson dance: Teaparty and Croquet anyone? Only Wade can turn something stuffy into a hawt, cutting edge dance. On grass. To “Fame” by David Bowie. I watched it three times in a row. Love. It. Let’s treat ourselves again, shall we?

This is most likely the last chance that we will get to see the Top 11 dance without (or nearly) a care with phone numbers or judges’ thoughts. And a dancer who dances with the knowledge that nothing negative will be said about their performance on prime-time TV is something special to see, ya’ll. Free expression and excitement on a level that is causing me to salivate in my Venti Iced Green Tea with 1PCL.

Let’s get going. First up is Lauren and Kent, dancing a Travis Wall number with all-stars Mark and Kathryn. How do you even describe this? The costumes are complicated and rock with parasols and cravats–and don’t upstage the dancers. Fierceness and grandness with fire in their eyes. Travis tells us it’s set in the 20′s in Paris and about the dark and twisted souls who come out at night, celebrating the fall of an empire. Totally got it. And Mr. Wall is now my favorite new choreographer for this season. I have my stand-bys with Wade and Mia, but am looking forward to much more Travis.

Alexie (finally made it!!) and Melinda are up next doing a Tyce DiOrio jazz number with all-stars Allison and Lauren. Ooo, and it’s a Sweet Charity number. A little predictable for four girls (or West Side Story), but he girls are pure pleasure to watch, and the song is so character driven how could they not get that much into it? The only thing I miss is the live singing (but that would be a different show). LOVE the dresses. The red one shouldered one on Allison is my favorite. Love that Cat wants to come up and pose with them on the stage. And even though I thought there would be no negative notes, Nigel felt the need for the critique for Melinda, shame.

Jose, the lone B-Boy in the top 11 is next doing a TappyTabs number with Comfort, Twitch and Dominic. What a crew. I love the beginning, bedcuase it’s Jose vs. the three all-stars, like they want him out, and it also makes it easy for him to dance solo. Sweet booty shake by Comfort! And OH what a move putting the feet inside the hoodie and doing a backwards somersault to reveal his shirt–he’s part of the group, ya’ll. Very cool, high, energy, great  stunts. Fresh NappyTabs, baby.

Did I just hear the words Jason Gilkison? Oh yes, I did, and it’s coming up for all-stars Pasha and Anya and newbie ballroom hottie Cristina. Two girls, one guy and a big competition. Amazing lift and flip of Anya over Pasha’s shoulder. Jason does it again with an incredibly hot ballroom number that breaks the mold. I’m getting chills. You get that they BOTH really want the guy and are fighting for him. Loved that they stretched out the ending and the girls led him on then pushed him to the floor. Go girls. (and another critique again, Nigel? Ugh.)

Celebrated returnees Alex and Billy are next dancing a Mia Michaels piece with Ade (love him). Mia gets to talk about the piece beforehand, and speaks about time and the journey of life for a man, from childhood to the infirm age. Billy is the boy, Alex is the man and Ade is the elder. Beautiful lines, amazing extension and a huge amount of emotion laced right in. “This Bitter Earth” plays and these three men dance their lives out on stage, this is a truly gorgeous piece and not overdone in any way, IMO. Storytelling at it’s best. Thanks, Mia.

Adechike, Ashley and Robert are the last three doing a Sonya Tayeh number with all-stars Neil and Courtney. The costumes leave a bit to be desired, but I love the combination of a little hip hop and classic jazz moves. Sony a knows how to do that best. Just plain fun. And I love Sonya because she loves dancers and loves making them give all they have.

Next week the competition stars for REAL. I hope my nails can grow a little more!  I’ll be there watching.

Didja love it, didja hate it? The stage is still the infernal new stage, but no video projections. What do you think? Let me know!

“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)

**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)

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)

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)