Welcome to Pure So You Think You Can Dance Canada

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!

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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

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.

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?

I am so going to go to the Vancouver SYTYCDC’s Street Team this Tuesday!!!

In preparation for the premiere Tuesday evening, So You Think You Can Dance Canada trucks will be parked in a city near you, with music, dancers and maybe a few surprises!

Here are the details from the CTV News:

On August 11 each truck will park at a location for about 4 hours while loudspeakers play music with dancers and street team members handing out beach balls to the public, as well as appearances from cast members and Season 1 Top 20 dancers

As a fan of SYTYCD and as a Canadian, I was thrilled when they brought the show to Canada last year. I was hopeful it would not be like Canadian Idol (which in my opinion showcased an eclectic group of Canadian Musicians as opposed to could-be pop-stars frequently seen in the American Idol Shows.) I was elated to observe the talents of dancers such as Nico Archambault (Season 1 winner), Allie Bertram (Runner-Up), Miles Faber, Natalli Reznik and so many more.

With Jeanine Mason winning SYTYCD Season 5 in the United States this week, it is incredible to have SYTYCD Canada Season 2 starting up not even a week later. I don’t even have to go without my SYTYCD at all… of course that doesn’t mean I won’t be constantly searching for a SYTYCD fix… no, no, no, I am always wanting more, more, more.

Auditions for SYTYCDC Season 2 were held across Canada starting in Vancouver April 4, 2009 and stopping in Edmonton, Alberta, Toronto, Ontario, Saint John, New Brunswick and wrapping up May 26 in Montreal, Quebec.

This Tuesday, August 11, I will be tuned in for the audition first show. I am sure it will showcase some of the greatest dancers across Canada and being from Vancouver myself, I hope to see some West Coast represented the following night during the Vancouver audition show (and hopefully right through to Top 20)

Much Music’s Leah Miller will return as host (Personally, I wish Cat Deely would come up North and host, personal preference obviously) and Jean-Marc Généreux will be a permanent judge along side Tre Armstrong. The guest judges lined up include:

I am overly excited about the new season and this new blog. I hope to get some posts up soon including some flashbacks to the best moments from last season… just to get you excited for this season… as if you needed it eh?