Pure So You Think You Can Dance Canada

Mia Michaels Journey

Mandy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:40:38 +0000

When Mia Michaels left SYTYCD USA people were in shock. The amazing and talented, Emmy Award winning choreographer made the official announcement in October 2009 and since then has made some changes to her world, inlcuding her shaved head.

CTV reports:

The Emmy Award-winning choreographer knew something wasn’t sitting right while she was working on the U.S. version of So You Think You Can Dance, yet she fought that feeling for two years before making the decision to leave the show.

Working on So You Think You Can Dance Canada’s Finale piece was Michaels’ first piece of choreography after leaving the show’s U.S. counterpart and she used all of her conflicted energy and transformed it into something dark, dramatic and beautiful.

The piece, created for Season 2’s Top 10 dancers was created in a dark and pivotal time in Michaels’ personal and professional career. “I was at a point of making massive changes to every area of my life — in my personal life, with my family, (my mom’s dealing with an illness), in my career and then my back injury changed my entire awareness of myself. I realized how much I wanted to really take it all into my own hands.”

She left SYTYCD USA, hired new management and shaved off all her hair.

“I loved my hair, but I couldn’t get it off fast enough,” she says about shaving her platinum ‘do right before appearing on the Top 8 show in Toronto. “I just needed to get it off and start fresh.”

What’s up next?

She has changed everything about her life, dealing with a back injury that led to no feeling in her leg, so intense physical therapy to try and recover. Though she lefft SYTYCD USA she has been working hard personally and professionally with 3 projects in her grasp. Besides telelvision work she is doing a project that explores her journey for a number of dances she choreographed, looking at the stories behind them, the emotion that helped create them.

“It’s totally confirmation that I made the right decision because I wouldn’t be able to do these three shows and work on the U.S. show. And,” she smiles, “it doesn’t conflict with me being part of the Canadian version, which is awesome.”

Though American audiences were devastated by the news of Michaels leaving the U.S. show, Canadians will be seeing plenty more of Michaels.

“I love Canada. I love the show up here. Everyone’s just so wonderful,” she enthuses, promising to be back for Season 3 of SYTYCDC.

“Canada is such a good place for me,” she says. “It reminds me of a time when I found the strength to continue and made difficult decisions and started rebuilding my life. It reminds me of being surrounded by people who offer nothing but love and support.”

[Source]

So You Think You Can Dance Canada – Top 18 Getting to Know You… I love the little clips they show before a routine....

Jean Marc Carries Olympic Torch

Mandy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:29:17 +0000

CTV reports:

One of Jean Marc Genereux’s dreams came true on December 8th as he joined the 12,000 torchbearers and carried the Olympic flame in his home province of Quebec.

“When you do anything at the level that these athletes do it, you need to have that fire within you. The flame I got to carry represents that fire,” he says.

“I love that I was part of this human chain,” Jean Marc enthuses. “I just love the Olympics! It is so wonderful to push the physical body and celebrate the achievements of people regardless of anything other than their skills.”

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SYTYCD Canada Calendar

Mandy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:25:46 +0000

Across Canada your favourite dancers are appearing…..

Jan. 23-24
Vancouver, B.C.: iDance Convention
Sheraton Vancouver Guilford

Faculty includes: Tara-Jean Popowich, Vincent Desjardins, Kim Gingras with Brandon Bryant and Evan Kasprzak from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Jan. 23-24
Regina, Sask.: iDance Convention
Delta Regina

Faculty includes: Jayme Rae Dailey, Austin Di Iulio, Natalli Reznik, Cody Bonnell and Amy Gardner

Jan. 30-31
Montreal: iDance Convention
Cowne Plaza Hotel Airport

Faculty includes: Tara-Jean Popowich, Vincent Desjardins, Jayme Rae Dailey, Arassay Reyes with Alex Wong from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Jan. 30-31
Edmonton: iDance Convention
Radisson Edmonton South

Faculty includes: Kim Gingras, Natalli Reznik, Francis Lafrenière with Brandon Bryant and Evan Kasprzak from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Feb. 4
Belleville, Ont.: Habitat for Humanity PhilanthroPARTY, a fundraiser for Haiti
The Empire Theatre and Centre for the Performing Arts
Performances by Cody Bonnell and Melanie Mah

Feb. 5-7
Calgary: Calgary International Salsa Conference
Hyatt Regency Calgary

Workshop with Tara-Jean Popowich

Feb. 6-7
Montreal: Raise the Bar 6 dance convention
Faculty includes: Luther Brown and Kim Gingras (with Blueprint dance company)

Feb. 6-7
Winnipeg: iDance Convention
Faculty includes: Tara-Jean Popowich, Vincent Desjardins, Jayme Rae Dailey, Natalli Reznik and Brandon Bryant from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Feb. 13-14
Calgary: iDance Convention

Faculty includes: Tara-Jean Popowich, Vincent Desjardins, Jayme Rae Dailey, Miles Faber and Brandon Bryant from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Feb. 27-28
Barrie, Ont.: DARK Danse presents “Just the Beginning”
Faculty includes: Miles Faber and Jenna-Lynn Higgins

All events are subject to change.

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Mary Murphy’s Blog on Vancouver Auditions

Mandy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:27:07 +0000

Mary Murphy

The day started out slow, but things rapidly picked up and there have been some amazing dancers and guys doing things I haven’t seen before, which is very exciting because I’ve travelled the world with So You Think You Can Dance.

I’ve seen six seasons in the U.S., we’re into the third here in Canada and I’ve seen four in Australia and three in Scandinavia, so when I say there’s something new that I haven’t seen before, it’s really exciting for me!

[source]

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So You Think You Can Dance Canada Auditions in Vancouver

Mandy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:53:12 +0000

I had glorious plans to go down early and see who I could talk to and meet at the Vancouver auditions.

Those glorious plans, however, failed. After moving December 1st, [and now a week later still living out of boxes] I just didn’t have the time or motivation to go down that early in the cold…

though I did harass Blake McGrath on twitter and follow the judges tweets to live vicariously through them while they were in my city. I don’t know if I could have been entirely nice to Leah Miller – I just want to tell her how I loathe her…

I really hope to see some Vancouverites make it onto the show… it’s always nice to have some locals to root for…

I think this may be Menina Fortunato’s (who I went to highschool with) sister Sante who auditioned last year (and I think should have made it – maybe this year?)

How many hopefuls recieved a boarding pass? Can’t wait to see the show!

And who will survive Blake Bootcamp?

CTV’s Lindsay Zier-Vogel wrote this:

Aerials out of pirouettes, countless turns, a stage full of flips, explosive jumps and crazy isolations — the solos are full of wild tricks this season and Vancouver hopefuls have brought their A-game, pulling out the most dynamic moves they have.

“It’s Season 3 so we’re really looking for something new and fresh,” judge and audition choreographer Blake McGrath says.

So how are the dancers preparing themselves for such mind-blowing moves?

“I’m a Pilates instructor, so I’m always working on my core,” Vancouver dancer Rachel Wainwright, 29, says. She’s most excited about the turns in her solo — a string of chainé turns, into a pirouette, followed by an attitude turn.

“You really have to focus on pulling up and staying centred and grounded,” she explains.

And having a strong core isn’t just for the more contemporary side of dance. Judge Luther Brown insists b-boys need tons of core strength for his favourite move, head spins.

“I think stalls are overplayed, but I always get mesmerized when someone does crazy headspins!” he says.

Spinning on your head sounds crazy to many of us, but Luther breaks it down: “It’s all about the balance and you’ve got to be able to control your body.

“Your core has to be on fire — it’ll take a whole bunch of sit ups,” he insists.

Isolations

Vancouver hip-hopper Alvin Arfieza, 20, is most proud of the isolations in his solo. “It looks like I’m taking an object and passing it through my body,” he explains, and demonstrates this popping movement.

Arfieza insists it takes hours and hours of concentrated practice to be able to move each muscle separately. “I work in front of a mirror first, and then without the mirror so I know what it feels like,” he explains.

He’s included a lot of isolations in his solo because he likes the rhythmic quality of the movement along with the control it takes to move so specifically.

“It’s like telling a story with your body,” he explains, hoping the judges will appreciate the entertainment value of his moves.

Jean Marc’s reverse rolls

Judge Jean Marc Genereux says the hardest move he ever did when he was competing as a ballroom dancer was reverse rolls in a samba, a movement that has the dancers traveling and covering the stage, while rotating the upper body in large, complete circles.

“The samba is crazy fast so it takes connectivity with your partner. You need to be exactly in synch,” he says, adding humbly that he and his partner and wife, France Mousseau were known for their reverse rolls.

“You have to make sure your frame is amazingly strong and that you’re holding each others’ backs,” he explains. “That frame has to be operational because if it’s not, it’ll be a catastrophe. It’s a lot about dynamics.”

Letting go of the fear factor

Contemporary dancer Moses Layco, 24, admits he doesn’t have any fear when it comes to dancing. He’s a self-taught tumbler and loves filling his solos with as many acrobatic tricks as he can.

“I tend to flip a lot when I panic,” he laughs. To keep himself in tumbling shape, he drives out to North Vancouver to the gymnastics gym.

He can’t wait to show the judging panel his most fabulous trick: “I do a pirouette, at least three turns, but hopefully four, and then I extend my leg and go right into the aerial (hands-free cartwheel).”

Calgary’s Louise Hradsky, 23, says she too is fearless on stage. “I’m an aerial circus artist, so I don’t mind being up high and falling really quickly. I love stunts!”

So what’s the most challenging trick in her solo? “I do a double turn into a jump, but instead of landing the jump on my feet, I land all the way on the ground. It adds a little bit of drama,” she says.

But how do you fall and not hurt yourself? “I think there’s always a risk of hurting yourself,” Hradsky says, admitting that she is currently sporting a huge bruise on her left elbow.

“But if you have good body awareness and a strong centre, then you have control of your limbs and you can be exactly where you need to be.”

She believes the best training for dancing is dancing — especially ballet class. “But I also do a lot of non-dancing to keep myself in shape.”

She heads to the gym often and runs a 10 kilometre route along the sea wall five days a week. “I’ve done a couple of half-marathons too,” she says. “I find the cardio and endurance always helps — I don’t ever get tired on stage!”

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Following Blake McGrath’s twitter while in Vancouver

Mandy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:56:05 +0000

Blake McGrath Tweeted while he was in Vancouver and posed pretty with the Vancouver Olympic Mascots.

Also from his tweets we learn:

Spandy Andy returns

Blake Boot Camp Vancouver went from about 2-8pm

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were watching Blake Bootcamp (Zac Efron recently wrapped his movie The Death & Life of Charlie St. Cloud here and Vanessa Hudgens is filming Sucker Punch

He went to local vancouver church while in town

He went to the gym a few times while in Vancouver

He also went for a massage

He, Mary and Luther went for dinner Saturday Night

So even though I didn’t make it out to see him or the rest of the SYTYCD Crew, I felt like I lived vicariously through Blake and his tweets. I am KICKING myself now for missing Mary Murphy, Luther Brown and Blake McGrath…. in my own city… gah!

I can’t wait for SYTYCD Canada Season 3 and hope to see some Vancouverites in the Top 20.

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Tre Armstrong blogs on So You Think You Can Dance Canada Auditions

Mandy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:28:14 +0000

Tre Armstrong

So far, Vancouver has been the best city for returns — the comebacks. The dancers who are determined to make it into this season’s Top 20.

I like that because they’ve all gotten stronger, but it does make our job as judges more difficult!

And for Montreal

The energy has really picked up over the course of the day. The first couple of groups seemed really nervous, but as soon as they got going, the nervous energy floated away. The b-boys are always good for that — they’re so easy going in Montreal.

I’m really looking for uniqueness in this city — I want to see the next Dario, that totally different look.

I must say, the ballroom is out of this world!

[source]

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So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 1 winner and finalist Nico & Natalli dance with Janet Jackson on AMA’s

Mandy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:29:57 +0000

The quality on television was not great to start the American Music Awards, I thought it was just my t.v. but seems it was everyone. Anyhow, here is a video from youtube of the opening act to the AMA’s. Janet Jackson did great but two of her dancers, who we all know and love, stood out to me most… Nico & Natalli. Lot’s of close-up’s and close-to-Janet moves… love it!

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SYTYCD attends New Moon Premier

Mandy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:11:25 +0000

This is like my two loves uniting.

I am a huge Twilight Saga Fan. I blog frequently as Malicious Mandy about everything Twilight and the past few weeks have been amazing because it was the release of Twilight Sage New Moon, which was filmed locally here in vancouver (I actually saw live sets and met most of the cast!!)

Anyways, Mary Murphy was at the New Moon L.A. Premier and even did an interview with screenplay writer Melissa Rosenberg.

Also, from SYTYCD Canada Blake McGrath and Tre Armstrong attended a premier and CTV posted some awesome photos.

Billy Burke & Justin Chon (both star in the movie)

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So You Think You Can Dance Canada’s host Leah Miller wins Gemini Award

Mandy — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:49:32 +0000

CTV REPORTS:

The 24th Annual Gemini Awards were presented in a glitzy event held in Calgary [ November 16th ]weekend and Leah Miller, host of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, beat out Canadian Idol’s Season 6 winner Theo Tams and 2009 Juno Award host comedian Russell Peters to receive the Gemini Award for best performance or host in a variety program.

The Gemini Awards honour the best in Canadian television as determined by members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and other industry professionals.

Earlier in October, So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 1 won a Gemini for Best Music, Variety Program or Series. In 2008, Miller received the Viewers’ Choice Gemini Award for Hottest Canadian Female.

What?

Well, this was shocking news. I am not a fan of Leah Miller and I am quite surprised she beat out Russell Peters who is hilarious and even Theo Tams, who is adorably charming.

I find Leah to be so condescending. SYTYCD Canada as a whole is a super show so in that sense it doesn’t surprise me that it’s host would win, but I can’t help but think it is more the success of the show overall than anything particular about Leah Miller.

That’s just my opinion, what do you think?

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