Friday, July 9, 2010
We’re not going to waste any words trying to sugar coat it (not that we even could sugar coat this kind of news anyway): Alex Wong’s injury has officially eliminated him from Season 7 of SYTYCD. The dancer who gave up his slot at Miami City Ballet for his second chance to go for the title of America’s Favorite Dancer, fell short of his dreams yet again. Before we cry ourselves through our workday, let’s take a look at the moments worth smiling about from last night’s results show.
Early on in last night’s episode it dawned on us, if Alex was in fact too injured to compete this season what would be the need for a results show at all? There would be no competitors joining him in the bottom three, no dancers desperately dancing for their lives, no need for the judges to convene, or for the audience to stay for the entire hour of programing. We’re sure that while the Billy and Ashley were relieved to be safe this week, that they were ticked off for having to go through the whole dog and pony show not knowing all the while that their actions were of no consequence.
Moving on to 2010 Emmy Nominee Mia Michael’s opening routine to Sting’s “When We Dance” or as we’ve named this routine “Touched By An Angel”. SYTYCD really went all out on the fog machines with this one. All-Star Ade clearly had the easist job in this routine. They could have thrown Alex up there with crutches to do it, but that would have been a bit on the nose seeing as he’ll be dancing in heaven now (metaphoically speaking) since he got the axe tonight due to his injury.
In addition, to a smokin’ recreation by Anya and Pasha of their SYTYCD audition routine (which made Lauren’s Cha Cha from Wednesday night look lukewarm at best), we watched “96,000″ performed by the cast of In The Heights, and saw our All-Stars perform duing Natasha Bedingfield’s “Touch”. We know Natasha is buds with Cat, but she really needs to lay off the bronzer. Her face looked about as gold as the sneakers the All-Stars were dancing in—who are we kidding we could barely focus on her. Our eyes were on the All-Stars smashing routine (we’re guessing that it was choreographed by Tabitha D’uomo since the cameras cut to her after the routine).
Why even touch on Ashley and Billy’s solo routines? They both danced their hearts out for nothing but the for the producers need to fill the show’s hour slot. The real high victories of the night were for Robert and AdeChike who finally made it out of the bottom three. AdeChike even got an apology from Mia Michaels (very similar to Jerry Orbach in Dirty Dancing’s “When I’m wrong I say I’m wrong.”) And while being in the bottom three wouldn’t have made a difference for Robert and AdeChike, we’re sure mentally it was still a triumph that the audiences are finally warming to them.
That’s all for this week. We’re off to do the same thing Alex Wong is doing right now: sticking pins in a voodoo doll of choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan’s likeness.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
If there ever was a reason to watch this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, this is it. Janet Jackson will reportedly perform a tribute to her late brother at Sunday’s show.
According to TMZ, Ms. Jackson has been rehearsing for a Michael Jackson tribute to air live on the VMAs this Sunday, September 13, at 9 p.m. EST.
The youngest Jackson’s homage to her big brother is being choreographed in part by Frank Gatson Jr. (Beyoncé) and Travis Payne (Michael Jackson) and is said to feature 20 backup dancers.
Some rehearsals have lasted as long as 15 hours a day, reveals Kriyss Grant, one of the dancers involved. “There won’t be a dry eye in the house,” he says.
Other performers set to take the stage at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall include Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Pink.
Wade Robson posted the following message on his MySpace bulletin yesterday, which read:
WADE ROBSON, MIA MICHAELS, BRIAN FRIEDMAN, CRIS JUDD, TRAVIS PAYNE, TINA LANDON, DAVE SCOTT, TYCE DIORIO, JERRY SLAUGHTER, LAURIE ANN GIBSON & GIL DULDULAO ARE PERFORMING WITH JANET JACKSON ON THE MTV VMA AWARDS ON SEPTEMBER 13TH IN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
D.I.M Exclusive: Randy Jackson's America's Best Dance Crew Back for Season 4
0 comments Posted by J.R. Taylor at 1:31 AM
America's Best Dance Crew is coming back to MTV for a fourth season, Didntinviteme confirms.
Casting calls will begin on June 6 in Los Angeles before heading to Chicago, Orlando and New York City, where producers hope to find the nine crews ready to take the title away from current champs Quest Crew.
"I am excited about season four and looking forward to seeing all of the amazingly hot talent out there," executive producer Randy Jackson tells Didntinviteme. "Every season just keeps getting better."
In March, L.A.-based Quest Crew beat out the all-female Beat Freaks to win the title of America's Best Dance Crew. Quest's leader Hok, 24, who also achieved fame on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance, told Didntinviteme his win felt like "seeing a dream."
Season three also had the first clogging crew on the show. That, judge Lil' Mama told Didntinviteme, should encourage everyone to try out. "They have definitely set a bar for our new season," she says. "But basically, for cloggers to come out for the first time, it's gonna inspire other cloggers and tap dancers to want to come out and actually take it up a notch."
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Who's your favorite Danielle or Bianca? Both these ladies are not playing!!! *Side-note* This is just a friendly competition so NO HATER COMMENTS!!!!
Bianca
Danielle
The internationally renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) turned 50 years old this year. Last week, the troupe opened its annual month-long run at New York City Center with a star-studded fete attended by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Tiki Barber, Al Roker and Andre Leon Talley.
"Dance speaks to everyone.... And when Alvin Ailey spoke of the human spirit through dance, people listened – with their hearts and with their minds," Winfrey, a longtime supporter of the company, said.
She's not the only one heralding the company's efforts; New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg proclaimed Dec. 4 "Alvin Ailey Day" in New York and the state's Governor David A. Paterson honored the company, while the United States Congress has considers it "the nation's cultural ambassador to the world."
It has been a long and storied journey since their humble beginnings at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, breaking ground as an innovative marvel in modern dance mixing African expression, ballet and live contemporary music.
And 50 years later, the troupe is showing no signs of slowing down.
Judith Jamison, Ailey's protégé and successor, has plans to move on as the company's Artistic Director in 2011, but the show must go on.
A variety of 36 ballets, including world premieres, new productions, special anniversary programs, and live music celebrations are on tap for the new season.
In celebration of this golden anniversary, a special documentary film -- produced and directed by Amanda Rogers and Stephen Mann -- chronicling the jubilant journey of Mr. Ailey – who died 19 years ago – and the many dancers and choreographers who came along the way is being screened as a prologue before select performances for the City Center run.
Other highlights include:
-- The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis is set to accompany six performances of Mr. Ailey's own choreography to the repertoire of late music maestro Duke Ellington.
--'Go in Grace,' a new work by company dancer Hope Boykin, will be accompanied by the Grammy Award winning female a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock live onstage. The 30-minute ballet chronicles the familial path of a middle class couple and the rearing of their son and their daughter – narrated through the all natural sound and song of community elders.
-- Live music accompaniment during eight performances of the troupe's most seminal work, 'Revelations,' which is a tour-de-force paying homage to the roots of southern black culture juxtaposed with soul stirring gospel standards and negro spirituals.
Alvin Ailey's holiday season run at the City Center serves as the official season opener for the company, which will continue over the next year with International and U.S. performances in 50 cities.
And the elaborate celebration of dance has extended into commemorative merchandise, including Hallmark Ailey greeting cards, the Ailey/Celebration Calendar, the Ailey Barbie Doll, the Ailey Movado Museum Time Piece, and 'A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student,' a children's book by Valerie Gladstone and Jose Ivey.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Who would've ever thought starring in a Disney Broadway musical could be so life threatening?
Unfortunately that was the case for 51-year old actor-singer Adrian Bailey, who severely injured himself during a May 10 matinee performance of 'The Little Mermaid.'
Bailey fell through a trap door on the deck of a suspended boat prior to the start of the performance, which lead the actor to suffer from fractured wrists, a broken back, a shattered pelvis, a fractured sternum, several fractured ribs and a fractured foot.
All of this for Ariel?
Following the accident, a court petition was filed on May 14 with the Manhattan Supreme Court. Now the singing actor is filing a lawsuit against Disney.
Dancers we can all learn from this, I'm sure you have all been in a show and never really thought of the dangers that can occur. Remember to be careful, be aware, and cautious. Prayers going out for a speedy recovery, and a huge settlement!!! Sayit!!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
MUSIC VIDEO MEETING: Aug 28th !!
**BIG NEWS REGARDING MUSIC VIDEOS**
Music videos may gain their much awaited union status! AFTRA is set to begin negotiations for a new music video agreement on September 24th & 25th, 2008.
You Are Invited to attend the
AFTRA Music Video Meeting
to talk about the terms of a new AFTRA Music Video Agreement.
*Thursday, August 28th, 2008
*6:30 p.m.
*AFTRA Los Angeles First Floor Boardroom
Located at 5757 Wilshire
It is time for Los Angeles dancers who work in music videos
to come together and support the negotiation for a new AFTRA Music Video Agreement.
Please make plans to attend this important meeting.
(AFTRA senior staff and LA Dancer Agents will also attend)
This is very important for the dance community!!!! Please everybody must go to this meeting if your in town. Unfortunately I will be out of town, but Strongly support this alliance and meeting. Everybody talks about Change, Change, Change. This is your opportunity no make the change. If you don't attend please don't complain with the outcome of it. Thanks Galen!!!!!
MUSIC VIDEO MEETING: Aug 28th !!
**BIG NEWS REGARDING MUSIC VIDEOS**
Music videos may gain their much awaited union status! AFTRA is set to begin negotiations for a new music video agreement on September 24th & 25th, 2008.
You Are Invited to attend the
AFTRA Music Video Meeting
to talk about the terms of a new AFTRA Music Video Agreement.
*Thursday, August 28th, 2008
*6:30 p.m.
*AFTRA Los Angeles First Floor Boardroom
Located at 5757 Wilshire
It is time for Los Angeles dancers who work in music videos
to come together and support the negotiation for a new AFTRA Music Video Agreement.
Please make plans to attend this important meeting.
(AFTRA senior staff and LA Dancer Agents will also attend)
