Welcome to Pure So You Think You Can Dance Canada

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!

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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:

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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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

This is always hard. I even feel some pressure to predict bottom 3 (though I tend to be fairly good at that – we shall see how I do this season…)

Predicting the Top 20 is difficult, I feel, because it isn’t always the “BEST DANCERS” but the ones who will make the “BEST SHOW”

In my opinion it is the Back Stories, Diversity or Flexibility of Dancing Styles, Likability and Dance Skills that all seem to be determining factors in the who makes Top 20.

That being said I am going to type out the 20 names I think may make top 20. I am going to use my own favourites, people who seemed to get a lot of airtime or proved to be shinging amongst others in auditions and/or finals.

I beg you to comment with your own predictions. List your 20…. then we will see Sunday Night who makes it in.

Mandy’s Top 20

Girls

Boys

Eek! There are some on there that I don’t want to make it but I feel might, and some NOT on there that I feel may – I also didn’t account for a good mix of styles…. But it is almost time for the Top 20 Reveal so I can’t sit on this much longer, pondering away….

What do you think?

Post your Prediction for Top 20 Now!!!

The show started with the previews and clips of the most exciting parts – to intice you to stick around for the full two hours… even if it sucks… luckily, it did not suck…. but the previews were definately a great teaser.

I hate hearing Leah’s name out loud… at least typing it I think LEE-AH but she has to be sure everyone knows she is “LAY-AH” even though it’s spelled plain old Leah… grrr…

Nico Archambault did a nice motivational speech before round one began.

Our Judges – Luther Brown, Tre Armstrong, Jean-Marc Genereux and Blake McGrath.

Round 1

Luther takes the group and they do a hip hop routine.

We quickly lose Tyler Miller, who quite frankly, belongs as a back-up dancer for Pussy Cat Dolls or Britney Spears, as is his life-long dream – - – he is not tough enough, even with his kitten growl.

Emanuel Sandhu, our figure skater, worked hard and Melanie Mah and Tatiana Parker killed it.

A lot of yes’s and A lot of no’s

Blake’s “no” comments were entertaining… everything about him entertains me though…

You could definately hear a trend in which dancers were mentioned and shown each round…. usually good indicaters of who will make Top 20 or who will have a good story but not make Top 20.

Looked at the Fashion (or lack-there-of) many dancers displayed… saw quite a few dancers bomb hip hop and be forced to dance for their lives.

I always love solo’s We got a closer look at Corynne Barron, Jeff Mortenson, Tiger Son, Andrew Chung, James Jones and more. (Apologies in advance for names being misspelled – sometimes LAY-AH saying them didn’t register correctly in my brain… it’s been trained to just tune her out)

Lot’s of unique styles on the show this year including Chinese Tea Dance, Celtic Dance, Acrobat Dance, Martial Arts Dance and some guy in a tarzan outfit…. ?

Round 2

Tre Armstrong steps in for some jazz that includes pairings.

I really liked the lil clip of different couples talking and joking with the camera very adorable.

Everett Smith spent so much time helping others he bombed during the judging and was sentenced to dancing for his life.

Emanuel the skater and Ariel Swan were paired together and he stayed, she didn’t – too sexy and burlesquey with not enough skills…

Once more lot’s of yes’s and lot’s of no’s it was tough to keep up with who was who and what was what…. one part i least like about auditions and finals.

I agreed with much of the judges decisions, I especially like when they disagree and then one of them gets to make final decision… those are the ones I like to watch because if one judge is the reason they stay then it means they see something great in the dancer and makes me want to watchand see what it is.

Round 3

Jean – Marc and Frances did an amazingly sexy dance (did you expect anything else?) and it was much of the same… yes/no/dance for your life.

I liked Blakes comment about how he thought the 2 dancers were sexy and he’d date either one of them. Also wasn’t surprised by Sean Fraser’s eye rolling and bad attitude… though Jean-Marc should have just ignored him instead of argue back.

Round 4

Blake’s choreography was stunning and not just because I am a total fan of his but because he works the dancers HARD and looks GREAT doing it

Loved Natalie Lyons getting BUCC – - – Where is Lil C when you need his expert opinion?

The Group Routines didn’t impress me much. The first one was horrible and then there were some great ones… usually this is my favourite part, but I wasn’t feeling it much tonight.

Shelaina Anderson is selfish and got the boot – sweet giggling lil girl gone.

Cody Bonell kept on after dancing for his life despite Tre saying he did not have to.

Natalie brought the bucc from start to finish and had Luther rooting for her and Jean-Marc saying she went from “50 cents to a full buck” oh Jean-Marc… always a comedian.

I was sad to see Sante Fortunato go home, especially because, as I mentioned last night I went to high school with her sister Menina.

Only one of the twins made it – Jayme Rae and after dancing for their lives we saw many dancers moving on and many going home.

Sunday the Top 20 will be chosen… before then I hope to post my predictions – I am not always good at that kind of early predicitions so feel free to comment your thoughts and we shall see how close we can get

CTV reports on the wardrobe / costume designer Lee Kinoshita-Bevington on set for SYTYCD Canada:

“My job is to make everyone on the show look great from a costume standpoint,” Kinoshita-Bevington says at the Edmonton auditions.

I find the behind the scenes (especially fashion) interesting, because it is often something overlooked at the audition stage, but really focused on during the season (especially when there are wardrove malfunctions)

“(For Leah) what we were trying to do with her on the audition tour was a sophisticated, modern, young look,” Kinoshita-Bevington says.

Yes, because her giant parka was oh.so.sophisticated….. wait-i told myself this would NOT be another rag on Leah blog… sorry.

“Leah’s very specific about what she’ll wear and she has a really, really good eye,” he says, confirming Leah’s love for towering heels: “Leah is a shoe fanatic!”

And that is how we ended up with the parka… Why am I not surprised that “Leah’s very specific about what she’ll wear” hmmm…

The report goes on:

Because Calgary was so cold during the Season 1 auditions, Kinoshita-Bevington was especially nervous about the Edmonton auditions and stocked up on thermal underwear.

“We had fitted ski tops good to -30, to put on underneath her clothing and a fabulous down parka from Mackage, but it turned out to be fairly warm out!” Kinoshita-Bevington says.

As for the famous wardrobe malfunctions… (feathers in the mouth, beads rolling all over the dance floor and other mishaps from previous SYTYCD shows) this is what was most concerning for Canadian Auditions:

“In Vancouver, Mary Murphy was in a short evening dress, but was just freezing!” Kinoshita-Bevington says. “She actually wore a red robe around her lower half, underneath the table to stay warm.”

I say bring on the outrageous…. and less is more when it comes to the beefy ripped men… thanks.

I hope no one missed this?!

It’s worth watching laughing at again

Andy Rimer aka Spandy from Vancouver was included in my many rants from Vancouver & Saint John Auditions show I really do enjoy Blake’s version

Auditions in Montreal and Edmonton took place on this evenings show and there were a lot of dancers to get through.

I was glad they skipped a lot of the bad dancers (or maybe these cities just didn’t have any? heh heh) but also sad they skipped over a lot of great dancers, showing only that they “moved on to finals”

A brief clip of “Phairy” aka Philipe from SYTYCD USA Auditions last season was shown. I mentioned him in my Top 3 Things I am LEAST looking forward to seeing on SYTYCD

Montreal

Mia Michaels and Lil C were guest judges and the Montreal dancers brought it.

I loved seeing dancers from last year including Kim Gingras (who was dating Vincent Noiseux from last season and was cut when he went on), Cody Bonnell (who almost made Top 20 last year) Camille Norton (who was only 17 last year but was Danny Arbour’spartner) and Tiger Son… all of who went on to finals this season – yay!

Nicholas Begin pulled some nice tricks, Catherine Turcotte along with Vincent Desjardins did ballroom beautifully. Tre Armstrong called them “free and fun” and I agree, it was not the boring ballroom that sometimes happens, especially in auditions without professional choreography.

Sante Fortunato had a rough audition. I went to school with her sister, and well-known dancer/choreographer Menina Fortunato, so perhaps I am biased in wanting to see her do well. Yes, her tricks were very circusy and yes she had a bit too much lip-licking and sex-appeal, but Mia, as usual was pretty harsh vocalizing her opinion – I am glad they let her go to choreo and that she will be moving on to the finals.

The Twins Jenny Dailey and Jayme Rae Dailey were absolutely amazing. Their pairing was beautiful and I actually had goosebumps watching them. To see Jean Marc Genereux crying was also very moving. Glad to see them moving on to the finals.

Jason Noel I was not a fan of, Lil C nailed it when he said he was dancing “like a woman inside a man’s body” too erotic for a boy, his bedroom eyes were more creepy than sexy… and what was it he said? “The falame burns inside of me and comes out as ecstacy” – ew! Not thinking he will make it past the finals first round.

Loved seeing big-girl Melissa Charlot who made it to finals after Blake Boot Camp. also Tapper Jean Lynn who we only briefly saw get a ticket.

I wished they’d show more of the unique dancers and a variety of styles, I get soooooo tired of ballroom and contemporary… unless they bring something more than just that style… or bring a different style…. I want to be excited and entertained… especially in auditions where everyone seems to blend together!

Yevgeniya Taftay & Yvan Piwovarov did an ok job at the jive, I was surprised they got their ticket to finals right away, but whatever…

I enjoyed the hoop dancer Rebecca Halls (and not just because she is from Comox BC) but it was entertaining. I knew she wouldn’t make it through Blake Boot Camp but enjoyed seeing her try.

Bisma Raza reminded me of a Borat or Bruno character…. she could move alright but she was clearly trying to sell herself as an actor or a character… the pantyhose was lame and her growling and grunting was annoying, I am surprised actually that they put her on the air… ah well.

Finally for Montreal, Gessuri Gaitan. He was so strange and I was worried the judges wouldn’t see his talent or that I was seeing something that wasn’t there – but luckily I was wrong and the judges totally felt him and sent him through to finals. An interesting guy – looking forward to seeing what he brings to the finals.

Edmonton

Luther Brown and Stacey Tookey were guest judges for these auditions and there was sure a variety of dancers.

Two Urkrainian dancers the first Jeff Mortenson who boastedof loving perogies and everything Urkraine, was fabulously stunning and not surprisingly made it right through. The other, Jaime something was not very good and did not get through Blake Boot Camp.

Shelaina Anderson was adorably cute and giggly but also a fabulous lil dancer who made it right through.

Nathan Young was awesome, a big boy who could really move it – although seeing Leah Miller attempt to “pop pop pop bring it in a smile” or “booty shake it” was not entertaining…. Perhaps that is what brought him down and sent home.

Some who did make it through were James Jones (from last year, he brought once again amazing tricks and spins), Anthony Grafton, Corynne Barron and an African Crumper whose name I did not catch.

Joel Ronnie was one of the few at Blake Boot Camp who made it through, while others did not, like Eric Pipestone whose Native Hoop Dances were absolutely incredible!

Next Up is Finals Tomorrow Night – I am excited to see everyone together and start picking my own Top 20 and soon – POWER RANKINGS!!!!

Thoughts on Tonights Auditions?

Tonight’s episode kicked off in my hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia and ended in Saint John, New Brunswick.

I always most look forward to Vancouver Auditions because I hope to see people I know.

I have lot’s to rant about and I did an entire post simply on that, but this post focuses on the dancers… afterall, that’s what the show is all about isn’t it?

I love that they have a dancer from Season 1 speak at each audition. Vancouver had Izaac Smith and Saint John had Allie Bertram.

Let’s talk about dancers…

What did everyone think?

I don’t like that at the end of each audition they show a bunch of smiling faces getting tickets to the finals… why don’t we see their auditions? I mean I know we can’t see EVERYONES, but I feel like the producers are holding out on us, keeping some of the best dancers hidden away until Top 20 … no fair!

Vancouver Break Down

Returning again after Jean Marc’s “tough love” last year, he was faster and crazier than before. He boasts blisters on his hands and honestly if it wasn’t for his amazing flips and floor work I may not have remembered him after he let the stage…

She’s a cute girl, beautiful dancer, Jean Marc commented on the “articulation” of her body… and though Jean Marc often blabs about things that make little sense (much like LiL C) I totally agreed with him this time. She was pretty awesome despite only ever having one dance teacher her whole life.

After breaking her foot during last years auditions, not walking for 3 months after the injury and then training hard ever since… she was back and better than ever. She had beautiful movement and I enjoyed watching her – I predict she will do well in the finals.

Despite scar tissue in her lungs which cause her to often be short of breath, this girl did exceptionally well and didn’t seem as out of breath and her pre-interview made it sound she would be. She is only 19 and I agree with the judges who called her “special” and “a star” I hope to see her do well in the finals.

A Cardiologist who talked about his studying of the heart and it’s relationship with dancing and cardio-activity was quirky and cool. I likes his glasses, hat, and funky character. Judges referenced Season 1 Miles Faber and credited him with giving B-Boys the “ok” to come out and give the show a try. James was given a ticket to finals, although i really would have put him in Blake’s Boot Camp first…

I put these two together because they are friends, burlesque dancers and snowboarders. I feel like Ariel had more to offer in the way of jumps, spins, tricks and sex appeal… though Rachel was definitely cute and talented. Both went to finals, watch out Toronto.. and I don’t mean dancers, I mean wives, watch your husbands!

Another returning dancer from Season 1 auditions, he was off the hook. Moving and grooving and will be headed to Toronto for finals.

She started off great but the wardrobe malfunction was very distracting and she was almost dancing topless at one point. Why don’t people dress appropriately for auditions?

Last season he tried hip hop and it was more like a booty shaking disaster. This year he came dressed in traditional Native Costume he created himself. He was very good but he kept going on and on about how wonderful he was… “I lost 25 pounds” “I hand beaded this part of my costume” “I kept my head up like you told me last year” and “I trained so hard” I think he lacks the confidence and i really think he needs that to do well in this competition.

I was very moved at his speech about how the only dancing he can afford is the First Nations Dance and that being aboriginal meant he didn’t have access to all the things he’d like such as dance training. It is so true and I appreciate him bringing attention to one of the many struggles many First Nations experience. I liked him alot but not for this show.

Judges compared her to Allie Bertram from Season 1, saying she looked pure and new but amazing. Last year she almost made Top 20 and this year she has another chance going to the finals in Toronto. I think she has potential and I hope she brings it.

Last year he was very close to making finals, I think it was the ugly star shirt that held him back personally, but this year he was sent to Choreography and even with his attitude “I don’t need choreography I should have been put right through” and his big mouth that doesn’t stop talking…. he did well at Blake’s Boot Camp and is headed to Toronto. I don’t think he will make Top 20, but we shall see.

Another returning dancer, this guy had passion and he was great to watch. The judges called him “perfect” and “the whole package” and I agree he has what it takes. We will see how he does in the finals, but I could see him in the Top 20.

I thought this girl was a stripper. Her high heels, short skirt and “uninhibited dance” speech gave me this hint, and then her splits and expose booty and song lyrics “Just another conquest” pretty much confirmed it in my mind. She is confident, she even clapped for herself… but she looks older than 26 and I surely hope she does not pursue teaching “confidence for young girls” classes… eek!

Saint John Break Down

Sean Cheesman and Melissa Williams join Tre and Jean Marc on the east coast for auditions. Allie Bertram speaks to the dancers and then it begins….

He caught everyone’s attention with a strange rendition of “Oh Canada” as his song, but soon picke dup the pace and really was interesting. the judges thought he was intriguing and I agree. We will see him in the finals.

She was powerful and could really pound it. After being sent to choreography, however, she didn’t go on. I really think she has the ability to do well and hope she returns next year with more confidence and determination.

He was one of my favourites from the auditions during Season 1. Although he was told he dances too much like a girl, I really likes his energy… I see him as a back up dancer / cheerleader for Britney Spears, who he admittedly idolizes. Last season when the judges told him to “rough it up” he did a lil’ “rawr” that cracked me up. I was glad to see him go to choreography and pleasantly shocked to see him get a ticket to Toronto to the finals. I don’t see him in the Top 20 but he is so entertaining I am glad we will see more of him.

I like her. She almost made Top 20 last year and I predict she will make it this year.

She looks a bit like Kherington Payne from SYTYCD Season 4 USA and her dancing reminds me a bit of Kourtni Lind from SYTYCD Season 4 USA. Her story of how she lost her mom to cancer was very moving. Melissa Williams told her to take that loss and “use it” and I agree. She was sent to Blake Boot Camp and did well. I hope she does well in Toronto.

I like how she escapes the world through dance. Her movement is so captivating I found her stunning. Judges compared her to Arassay from SYTYCD Canada Season 1. I predict she will be in Top 20.

What were your thoughts on the Vancouver and Saint John Dancers?

Have more to say? Check out My General Rant about this episode.