Welcome to Pure So You Think You Can Dance Canada

I have to tell you how thrilled I was to see Canadian Choreographers Maria Torres (an American but was on SYTYCD Canada show), Stacey Tookey, and newcomers Gustavo Vargas and Sean Cheesman, who have done some amazing stuff for the Canadian show. I will talk a bit about each of them this week, but let’s start with Sean Cheesman, how was he NOT on USA SYTYCD before now?

Sean Cheesman did an Afrojazz routine for Noelle & Russell which was amazing. Danced to “Frog Dance” -by Mickey Hart & Planet Drum, it was full of tricks and really showcased Sean  amazing choreography.

I am so glad to see him choreograph on SYTYCD as it has a wider audience than SYTYCD Canada. He is always one of my favourite judges and choreographers on SYTYCD Canada so I was very proud to see him have his moment on Season 6 of the USA show.

It really was one of the best routines of the night. For those of you who didn’t see it here you go..

What did you all think?

CTV posted all the details for audtions for Season 3 of SYTYCD Canada

Hopefuls from across the country will audition to see if they can follow in the footsteps of Canada’s two Favourite Dancers — Tara-Jean Popowich from Lethbridge, Alta. and Nico Archambault from Montreal, Que.

And on the judging panel for the first stop on So You Think You Can Dance Canada cross-country auditions are:

And as always, Blake McGrath will be choreographing for Blake Bootcamp. Toronto Auditions happened yesterday and more are coming up.

Montreal, Que.
Saturday, November 28
Palais des Congres, Viger Hall
201 Avenue Viger Ouest

Vancouver, B.C.
Saturday, December 5
The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
777 Homer Street
Registration starts at 8 a.m.

East Coast City
Venue and date to be announced.

Calgary, Alta.
Venue and date to be announced.

There are rules and forms and information you must read before you go here

I will try to pop by the Vancouver Auditions and get some clips for the site

And Then there were 8….

From this point on it will be even more difficult to say good-bye but at least we know they will all be on SYTYCDC Tour this winter

While my Power Rankings were not spot on – I did predict the most important part – - – who was going home

The opening dance routine by Stacey Tookey was pretty incredible and [maybe I am biased] but Melanie, Cody & Jayme Rae really stood out for me in the routine. The pairing was awesomely choreographed, though the group was not in sync and some were obviously stronger than others.

Leah Miller was annoying as ever though I enjoyed watching her fumble her words a bit and I could see that the hair in her eyes was annoying her but she was trying not to have to move it out of the way, thus blocking her face for a millisecond on screen.

Blake McGrath, who I adore, was there again and I have to say, as much as I love his bod – I do not dig the open shirt…. it’s a bit sloppy looking…

Leah’s introduction of Jean-Marc as the French Canadian Fabio made me literally laugh out loud!

Anyways, enough with my rants… here is what happened.

Girls

Amy – not safe (as I predicted)
Kim – safe
Tara-Jean – safe
Melanie – not safe (I disagree!)
Jayme Rae safe

Boys

Everett – safe (good!)
Cody – not safe (shocked me a bit)
Vincent – safe
Austin – not safe (as I predicted)
Emanuel – safe (Canada loves him!)

Solo’s

Amy- was fine but I knew she would be going home.

Melanie- was [if its possible] even more passionate and gave me goosebumps!

Cody- was more of a jazzy hip hop that i really enjoyed. The kid has charisma!

Austin – was amazing! I sensed he’d go home after being in the bottom before, I really think he cockiness in auditions gave him a bad rep early and he just couldn’t get in the votes, but he was AMAZING! I loved that he changed it up and tried something new. It wasn’t so floaty free, airy fairy… it was hard and fun and it was a great send-off.

Good-Bye

Amy & Austin went home, as I predicted

SYTYCD Top 10

I can’t believe that we are already down to half of the dancers.  This week we get to judge individually:

Vincent and Melanie
Paso Doble

I thought that this piece was great!  Part of the trouble with the Paso Doble is that something it can seem so serious and full of back story, instead this piece was like vampires dancing.  It was Hot! Hot! Hot!  the moves were really speedy but feet were pointed and their were super fast retractions.  And the lift??  Forget about it… Just amazing!

Cody and Amy
Stacey Tookey
Contemporary

Just beautiful.  This piece proves that you don’t need super huge tricks to show beautiful dancers.  Cody was incredible and step up- I think that this was the first time I’ve seen him as a ‘man’ dancer.  Especially coming out of hiphop.  Amy was good- but she didn’t shine that way that she really should have seeing as this was her discipline of dance. So far we are 2/2!

Emanuel and Tara-Jean
Tony and Melanie
Samba

I liked this piece.  I loved the music- I loved the feel of it.  Tara-Jean was great as was Emanuel however he needs to watch his face because it contorts or his tongue is out.  His feet are a little sloppy, but for Tara Jean seemed totally natural.  I liked it.  Emanuels hips need their own phone number- good gracious!

Everett and Kim
Jazz Fusion

This piece was great as well, however it didn’t really feel like anything new and that was disappointing to me.  But I did like the pairing of Kim and Everett a lot.  They really had to play a whole different person.  Blake just said that was the best performance of the night? And Tre said of the season??  Come on- that’s a little extreme.

Austin and Jayme Rae
Hiphop
ShoTyme

I really love Austin.  I think that he is by far the best male dancer and I also love Jayme Rae.  They are both no joke on hte floor.  I believe the piece as much as you possibly can.  But ShoTyme always seems to keep his dancers so far away from eachother.  That is getting old to me.

I think that that was the strongest show so far!

So my power rankings started off strong then faded with my predictions for Bottom 3 couples usually only being 1/3 accurate, though my predictions for who goes home have been pretty close throughout.

Tre, Jean-Marc, Luther and Blake were judges and we saw lot’s of familiar choreographers as well as some past contestents Natali Reznik and Francis Lafreniere who guest choreographed.

This Week things changed. Top 10 means new couples each week and solo’s from all for individual votes. I am going to talk briefly about the couples routines then go into power rankings by individual.

First of All – Couples Dances

This is in order of performance not ranking:

Vincent & Melanie
Pasa Doble with Natalie Resnik & Francis Lafreniere
“Conquest” – White Stripes

This was agressive and entertaining. Melanie showcased legs I didn’t know she had and that flip into Vincent’s arms was awesome.

Cody & Amy
Contemporary with Stacey Tookey
“Come Home” – One Republic

There was a lot of partnering and overall it was pretty and quite fluid. Cody out performed Amy and as the judges noted, she should have stood out given it is her area of dance!

Emanuel & Tara-Jean
Samba with Tony & Melanie
“Samba Vocalizado” -Luciano Perrone

This was fantastic. I really liked that Emanuel took the character on so well and they both shook their booties like there was no tomorrow. I was so scared my heart jumped when Emanuel charged at TJ to jump as she did a back bend… wow!

Everett & Kim
Jazz with Sean Cheeseman
“St. James Infirmary Blues” —The White Stripes

This was creepy and fun. I loved the use of the table and how Kim was “dead” it was really entertaining. I wasn’t a fan of Kim neccessarily and all of a sudden all the judges are soo ga-ga over her… but I am starting to see it more.

Jayme Rae & Austin
Hip Hop with ShoTyme
“Da Rockwilder” —Method Man & Redman

I think she hit harder than he did. Austin is such a beautiful fluid dancer I think this hard-hitting hip hop was a challenge for him. It was fun to watch though.

Power Rankings

Girls

Melanie
“The Fame” – Lady Gaga
This girl has energy, she almost had too much tonight if you ask me, but she was all over the place and performed well overall. I hope she is safe.

Jayme Rae
“Make me Over” – Keyshia Cole
This was fun, sexy, only she can pull off those silver spandex! I see so much passion and versatility in her. I worry she will be lower than my ranking, I love her but I feel like Canada doesn’t as much.

Tara-Jean
“Relief” – Chris Garneau
She has passion and she is quirky and fun. I like dhow she was flowing so beautifully then would have sudden jerky movements. The juxtaposition of her movements fit well to the music and I loved her shoulder movements.

Kim
“Kiss from a rose” – Seal
It didn’t stand out to me as anything spectacular. She was wearing a bikini top that I thought would fall off. I’d put her in the bottom though i don’t know if Canada will.

Amy
“Wanted” – Vanessa Carlton
It was pretty and cute. It didn’t stand out for me much. I predict she goes home.

Boys

Everett
“Everybody Dance” – Chic
Wow! This was entertaining. Tap is not typically that entertaining to me but he was fun and had great moves and energy. I know most may not put him in the top but he was my top solo for the men tonight…

Cody
“I need a girl” – P. Diddy
This kid can do no wrong in my book. He is so adorable and a pleasure to watch, especailly in his element. His moves were awesome and I enjoyed it. I would be surprised if he was in the bottom, though he has been before. Me and Canada disagree sometimes.

Emanuel
“Bridge” – Amon Tobin?
This guy is def. a figure skater. His foot work was stunning, his jumps and turns amazing and if I didn’t know any better I would have thought he WAS floating on an ice rink. Awesome Dance. Canada Loves him… likely safe.

Vincent
“Can you feel it” – Real2Real
Flawless, natural and upbeat. He moved his hips like no man I’ve seen and he just kills it everytime he is on stage. He was not an early fave for me but I love him now! I think he is safe.

Austin
“Always Midnight” – Pat Monahan
A beautiful solo as always (he has sure had his fair share of opportunities for solo’s this season!) He has such passion and moves so smoothly, it is hard to get ridof him after seeing his solo’s, but he has been bottom 3 before a few times and it’s crunch time. I predict he will go home.

Final Thoughts

Amy did not stand out for me amongst everyone else so I predict she will go home.

Austin has been in the bottom 3 many times and his couple performance was weak so I am predicting he will go home.

Natalie and Danny Lawn performing a West Coast Swing to Love Lockdown choreographed by Benji Schwimmer (with assistance from Donyelle Jones) week 4 of SYTYCD Canada season 2.

Last Week’s Power Rankings I predicted 1/3 of the Bottom 3 and one of the two going home.

This week I hope to be more accurate (Hey, the previous week I was 3/3)

Our judges this evening were Dan Karaty, Karen Kain, Tre Armstrong and Jean-Marc Genereux. Dan spoke about how SYTYCD Canada pushes the envelop and keeps getting sexier. Tomorrow Night Blake’s choreographed an “almost too sexy for tv” routine that I can’t wait to see.

1.Cody & Melanie
Hip Hop with Luther
“Turnin’ me on” – Keri Hilson ft. Lil Wayne

Yes, they are my favourite couple (though Jayme Rae & Daniel are creeping up a close second lately) but this routine by Luther was HOT! Cody didn’t have what I refer to as “Evan syndrome” (being too cute and innocent) he rocked it hard along with Melanie who was hard-hitting. They were convincing, they were in unison and they were sexy. Best routine of the night in my opinion.

2. Jayme Rae & Daniel
Disco with Melissa Williams
“Disco Inferno” -The Trammps

The lifts, the spins, the flips, the bounce, the outfits… it was hot. I don’t know what the heck Dan Karaty was watching but he was not watching these guys dance if he thinks they weren’t “there” When Jayme Rae did those splits in a lift then a spin and flip – holy guacamole – amazing! Disco is face-paced and fun and these guys did a fantastic job and entertained me.

3. Austin & Corynne
Hollywood Jazz with John Byrne
“Paparazzi” – Lady Gaga

I haven’t liked Austin since auditions but that guy can dance. I have liked Corynne since auditions and I am really glad these two are paired, they seem to really connect and I think they will stay out of the bottom 3 again this week. I didn’t like the gun part, it seemed corny but the falls and jumps and that KISS!?! wow!

4. Natalie & Danny
West Coast Swing with Benji Schwimmer
“Love Lock Down” – Kanye West

I have tried West Coast Swing and this to me was so unlike what I have tried (at a novice level obviously ha ha!) Benji is a genius. There were some amazing flips and complicated patterns but the air worked well together and performed beautifully. (Although I wasn’t a fan of the song – especially after kanye’s lil’ outburst at the VMA’s this past weekend!)

———————BOTTOM 3————————-

5. Tara-Jean & Everett
House with Sho Tyme
“When Love Takes Over” – David Guette

I don’t want to put these guys in the Bottom 3 but it’s a close call with Natalie & Danny / Tara-Jean & Everett. It was very fast, it was entertaining, it truly was body versus feet as Dan Karaty said. I enjoyed it but something about Benji’s routine made it stand out slightly above this one and so here we are with our Bottom 3 predictions.

6. Kim & Emanuel
Contemporary with Stacey Tookey
“To Build a Home” – Cinematic Orchestra
They seem defeated in the rehearsal clips. With bruises and injuries and struggling with the lifts. It felt like a real bummer just watching. Though they performed well, their outfits were boring, it was slow and seemed to just drag on for me. Near the end it pick ed up and they gave it some life but I just felt like it fell short.

7. Amy & Vincent
Cha Cha with Gustavo Vargas
“Rie y llora” – Celia Cruz

It was fun and sexy and cute but it didn’t stand out much compared to other routines this evening. it was quirky but just nothing spectacular in my opinion.

Assuming my Bottom 3 are correct (and it is so hard to tell at this point) I would predict that Amy & Vincent go home… ooh I dunno…. everyone deserve to be where they are on that stage… so sad to send people home each week.

Can’t wait for Blake’s routine tomorrow

While you can go view my Power Rankings Here I had a few things I wanted to get out of my system ASAP – Please feel free to comment on your own opinions and if you agree or disagree with me.

First, what is wrong with Mary Murphy’s Back? She needed help walking out on stage and also standing up during judging…. it was nice to have her as a guest, even if she gets on my nerves pretty quickly…

I loved the lil “get to know you” part before each routine.

And have much to say about the wardrobe tonight.

I am so excited with what they are bringing to this season. With Last Week’s MJ Tribute and tomorrow night’s Longinus Fernandas (Oscar Winner for Slumdog Millionaire) I am excited to see what else they bring to the table this season.

What was up with judges telling Cody he was lucky to have Melanie as a partner? um – Cody kicks butt too – they are fantastic together. And Tre’s whole “Mah is not blah” was cheesey!!! She must have had writers prepare that for her… ha! And then telling Cody he had swagger but not enough ghetto? Of course not – he is too adorable to have gangsta – like Evan on SYTYCD didn’t have “nasty” sheesh!

I was impressed with Emanuel’s performance with a broken finger. Although he did appear to step RIGHT ON poor Kim…. I wasn’t a fan of Emanuel before because I thought he was kind of cocky with his skating background, but he is pretty awesome… Austin, however, is still pretty cocky.

When they showed Blake grunt and act evil during the rehersals for Amy & Vincent’s routine I was pretty excited… not gonna lie…. Blake is damn sexy.

Loved that Francis and Natali were assistant choreographers for Tony & Melanie’s Paso Doble danced by Anthony and Corynne. Love when past dancers return in any capacity but especially to help new dancers.

Luther raised a great point tonight on taking Hip Hop seriously. I don’t think Jenna was NOT taking it seriously, but I do think Luther is correct, it is a complex style of dance and needs attention.

I really really like the sponsored by Tylenol Relief bit at the end where they show “Back Stage Relief” with the dancers right after their routine… it’s clever and it’s neat to see their reactions right after performing.

that’s it for now…. discuss away…

I always get nervous doing these power rankings, especially so early on when we haven’t seen enough of the dancers to really predict or forecast… however, I enjoy watching and will base my Power Rankings on what I saw, heard and felt about each couple’s routine.

1. Amy & Vincent
Contemporary with Blake McGrath
“When You Say My Name” – Mario Spinetti

I had goosebumps. Yes, I think Blake is a God. Yes, I am biased because of that. It was dark but this routine was beautifully choreographed and beautifully danced and it was memorable. People will vote for this!!! It was my favourite tonight!!!

2. Melanie M & Cody
Crump with Lil C
“Buck N Roll” – Tha J Squad

I love that Melanie is so versatile and even though I think Cody has the “Evan Syndrome” (Of being too cute to be “nasty” or “crump”) the two of them worked well together and they are both favourites of mine so I am thrilled they are paired together. They are likable and they rocked it so not only are they not bottom 3 I think they would be top 3 if they announced those results!

3. Emanuel & Kim
Theatre with Sean Cheeseman
“Maybe This Time” – Connie Fisher

I think Theatre can get too “Cheesey” with “Cheeseman” (heh heh!) but this was well done and the facial expressions and emotion was perfectly done. Emanuel (as someone noted in a previous comment) is very well-known in Canada for his figure skating, so I think people will continue to vote for him as he already has a huge fan-base.

4. Jayme & Daniel
Dance Hall with JaeBlaze
“So Fine” – Sean Paul

I don’t know this “Dance Hall” style, the choreo *seemed* simple (or maybe they just mastered it) but it was entertaining and I think people will vote for things that entertain them, especially when they aren’t dance instructors or specialists, bottom line is entertaining or not.. this was.

5. Tara-Jean & Everett
Salsa with Tony Meredith & Melanie LePatin
“Ana Pa’ Mi Tambor” – La Excelencia

I thought there were some awkward transitions but overall it was sexy and hot. She’s a looker and he is pretty adorable also. The routine was good enough to get calls I hope.

6. Danny & Natalie
Jazz with Melissa Williams
“Please Don’t Leave Me” – Pink

The boy underwear was distracting and awkward but the dancing was good. I am a huge fan of Natalie but tonight I felt she was a bit frantic, though her “character” was supposed to be a bit crazed… It was an average routine, with the exception of the spins which I loved.

——————- BOTTOM 3 PREDICTIONS ——————-

7. Nicholas & Jenna
Hip Hop with Show Tyme
“Blast Off” – P. Diddy & Fam

It wasn’t as hard-hitting as it could have been and though I agree he did a better job than she did, I think the judges were too rough on Jenna. This could bring in some sympathy votes on her behalf, but mostly I think it was an average performance with a mismatched couple who will be in the bottom 3.

8. Anthony & Corynne
Paso Doble with Tony & Melanie
“Fuego” – Bond

This seemed like difficult choreo and style for week 2. There was the fall, and though I don’t think it phased them enough to be a strike against them necessarily, I also don’t find Paso Doble very exciting typically… I have seen some very powerful routines that I enjoyed but this one was just average for me personally, not enough to make me want to vote sadly, I really do like Corynne (and her giggles)

9. Austin & Melanie B
Smooth Waltz with Danny Quillman
“Nights in White Satin” – Il Divo

I am not a ballroom expert, so when it comes to these routines I usually watch the feet unless something else is exceptionally interesting to captivate my attention. This routine didn’t have anything to captivate me and while watching their feet I noticed a lot of off-beat steps and awkward footing. It was pretty, but not entertaining for me. Add that they are a new couple because of being bottom 3 last week… I predict they will find themselves there once more this week. I am a bit biased, I don’t really like Austin, I mean he seems like a great dancer (his solo last week was fantastic) but his personality rubs me the wrong way ever since the group routines during audition finales… meh!

Feel free to comment what do you think?

It seems that whenever I watch the early episodes of choreographed episodes I always try and take them with a grain of salt because for the contestants being on the big stage with a full audience is more than an overwhelming experience.  Given that: here’s my break down of the first choreographed performances by the Top 20.

The first couple was Everett and Tara Jean.  Right off the bat they seemed like a good fit together.  I think that a comtemporary dancer and a tap dancer are an interesting match regardless of what they look like together.  Both genres demand a level of purety and an organic element the fact that they pulled the Jive was a challenge choreographed by Melissa Williams.  Not only are they the first couple to perform, then they pull one of the fastest dances! The Jive is a throw back to the days of Grease and all the other classic memories that the 1950s pulls out of you, Poodle Skirts and Saddle shoes galore.  But this was no such Jive.  Instead it was done to Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”, which naturaly gave it a dirty quality to the movement.  Two things that really stick out for me when watching dance are synchronity and speed.  I didn’t think that they were fast enough in some spots, but not by much mind you.  The transitions improved a lot as they went through the routine, I’d attribute that to nerves and getting comfortable with the stage and energy.  In the Jive, one of the standard movements are the retractions given that this wasn’t a classic jive performance- those retractions really should have been sharp and they weren’t consistent.  I think that these two will improve immensely in the next round.

The second couple was Vincent and Amy.  I loved how they looked together as it seemed like a natural fit.  With Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith’s guidance they chose the Samba – which seems to go 1 of 2 ways in watching it: if it works then it’s amazing and if not then it kind of falls flat.  I think that they did a great job especially given that within the first 30 seconds the lift didn’t quite “lift off”.  Amy’s face never let on that she missed it- which is way harder to do than the lift itself.  I know that could have so easily messed with the rest of her peformance but she didn’t let it get to her- that’s a great sign.  Despite missing the lift, Vincent did very well being a partner to Amy- he never seemed to waiver or second guess himself when it come to being there for her- that’s another great sign of a strong male lead.

The third couple are Cody and Melanie M.  They are little and so sweet looking together as a couple, although I do wonder how that will play out should they get the Paso Doble for example.  Because I wasn’t really convinced that their small frames would be powerful.  They pulled a Contempory piece that was choreographed by Stacey Tookey and I couldn’t have thought of a better combination. The judges kept talking about the heat between them, I must have missed that because I didn’t really see it.  One thing that you can always count on with Stacey Tookey is that her lifts and lift-combinations are always really orginal and always beautiful.  I love it when there is a lift that you never see coming and when they happen it almost seems like the dancers decided to attempt it at the last second.  While I wasn’t really convinced of their connection, I love Stacey Tookey and how she interprets music.  These 2 dancers will go very far in the competition.

Kim and Emanuel were up next.  When Emanuel was chosen for the Top 20- I started wondering which of the girls would be able to have chemistry and a connection with him given the fact that his recent experience is as a solo figure skater and that he is one of the bigger guys in the Top 20.  That being said, I think that Kim was a great choice for him.  They pulled HipHop as there style with choreographer of Sho-Tyme.  Kim was really good and was really hitting the beats, I feel like Emanuel could be amazing, especially in hip hop but he needs to find his stride and his swagger.  That’s one of the challenges for hip hop routines – it’s such a fine line between having it look uncomfortable and have that natural ’stank’ (for lack of better words).  I wanted Emanuel to get dirtier- because I think he has it in him.  The whole piece starting with the music was a retro, old-school piece.  They didn’t really travel the stage nor were there many tricks or lifts so that means that their tightness together had to be 100% and it was.  They both seemed very aware of each other especially seeing as they weren’t actually touching each other a lot so it seemed like a cohesive piece.  I’d love to see the 2 of them do the Waltz next.

Corrine and Anthony then followed on the heels of MC Hammer with a Vienesse Waltz.  The Vienesse Waltz is tough because I think that with this dance ‘grace’ is almost the 3rd partner in the performance.  This piece was romantic and effortless choreographed by Pierre Allaire .  Both Corrine and Anthony’s extension was amazing and consistent.  I believed the tenderness in this piece and I definately attribute that too their backgrounds in both ballet and ballroom.  The final lift was beautiful and lasted for exactly the right amount of time- I think that their performance seemed the most comfortable for the 2 dancers this far into the show.

I was excited about the next couple because during the auditions something about Natalie really stood out for me.  She’s dirty and raw and I love that in a dancer.  She was paired with Danny in another hip hop piece by Sho-Tyme.  The sync had to be right on in this piece and they accomplished that without making it look as hard as it actually is.  I just assumed when they picked hip hop that Danny would blend into the background unable to compete with Natalie- but I was wrong.  He had that natural swagger and a dirtyness to match Natalie.  It was a tiring piece to watch and in some places it seemed like their energy was waining a little but they always seemed to pick it up again just as quickly as they lost it.  I think that Sho-Tyme’s style is really interesting, hopefully it will grow on me because I’d still rather see a Little C performance over another Sho-Tyme.

For the 7th couple the audience needed to switch gears again because Jayme Rae and Daniel were performing an Afro-Jazz piece by Sean Cheesman.  Literally within the first 6 beats I wrote down the best piece of the night.  When Daniel lifted her up and she walked along the wall, it was such a simple effect and so beautiful. Afro-Jazz is usually really quick like watching a blur, but this piece really stood out as having organic moves while keeping the the main elements of Afro Jazz with the flexed hands and feet.  It was sexy, it was sensual and  it was really raw.  Dancers always try to show that they are dancing into the ground- Jayme Rae and Daniel were doing just that.  Everything about the piece was undeniably pure.

As if my head wasn’t spinning enough, we then went to the Disco with Nicolas and Jenna Lynn.  I will say up front that right behind the Quick Step, Disco scares me.  It’s so tough to pull it off and not come off disingenuous with the movements.  I can’t help but always expect to see the retro version of a disco complete with the sequins and huge sky scrapping lifts with the borderline cheesy moves.  Think John Travolta.  This piece by Melissa Williams was not invoking Mr Travolta- instead it was a more contemporary piece.  Part of me wants to say that I prefer the classics because a classic disco is hard enough on its own, but this was a different kind of disco entirely.  I’m really not sure if I liked it- in fact if I didn’t know that it was the disco I’m not convinced I could have guessed.  Nicolas and Jenna Lynn are incredibly strong dancers but they never managed to get into the pocket of the music- instead they were dancing on top of it.  I also found it distracting that Jenna Lynn wasn’t wearing heels and the Staying Alive throw back was frankly a little hard to swallow after the first part of the piece was so up-dated.

One of the reasons that I love the SYTYCD series is that they always attempt different genres of dance whether it be Bollywood, African, Russian Folk or Capoeira.  Some work on stage and some really don’t (sorry Russian Folk).  Capoeira is a hard thing to do.  Whether you interpret it as dance or as a martial art or even a combination it’s tough to pick up in a couple of rehearsals.  In fact when Capoeira was annouced before the commercials I wrote down, “I’m scared already…”.  Tatiana and Austin were the 2 dancers that had to master this hybrid of dance under the guidance of Paul Becker.  I initially thought that Tatiana would stand out for me, but it really was Austin that pulled it out.  His jumps were Grade A, toes pointed, excellent height while Tatianas role seemed to be more about the dancing part of the genre and Austin was the powerhouse martial artist.  I thought that the piece was really well executed and if I was splitting hairs then I guess I would say that I would have liked to see more of a combination of dance/martial arts in both performers.  But seriously for a limited amount of time to rehearse- it was a feat unto itself.

The final performance was choreographed by the classic couple Melanie and Tony: they were paired with Melanie B and Taylor in a Tango.  I love the Tango- it’s such a standard in Ballroom dance and done well it’s power can be overwhelming.  There is something classic about the Tango.  This one was a lovely blend of Argentine and American style and I thought that it was executed really well.  I was initially wondering about Taylor’s ability to be masculine enough but I clearly didn’t need to worry because he was all man in this piece, right down to the fact that he got kicked in the mouth and didn’t flinch throughout the rest of the performance.  I wasn’t convinced when Melanie B wasn’t in the typical Tango outfit- but her outfit only helped with the sexiness of the performance.  It was a sensual and raw performance that seemed really honest and real between the 2 dancers.

That’s it for Week 1.  It’s only going to get better!