Welcome to Pure So You Think You Can Dance

I just wish I could find more details other that the ones we already know. The gala is scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2009 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. We heard from the Judges tonight who will be performing at this event. The season 5 dance are scheduled to perform, along with dancers from Dancing with the Stars, and America’s Best Dance Crew. Plus a first seeing all the leads from each Step Up movie dancing together. So we will see Channing Tatum and his wife and co-star Jenna Dewan, Briana Evigan and Robert Hoffman from Step Up 2, and of course Twitch and other past favorites from SYTYCD that are scheduled to appear in the thrid installment. Also performances by the first recipients of Dizzy Feet scholarships from Juilliard, Alvin Ailey and American Ballet Theatre. Plus a performance from Mary Murphy and Dmitry.

Unfortunaly this event will not be televised, which I personally don’t like and I’m jealous of those who are going. So if you live in the Los Angeles area and would like to attend this sure to be amazing show, you can buy your tickets on Ticketmaster.

So for those of us that can’t attend the Gala and still would like to support the foundation go to the Dizzy Feet website. They also have a Dizzy Feet store now also so check it out. If you can donate please do every little bit counts and it for a great cause.

Hi, everyone! I’m Margaret, the new spoiler and behind-the-scenes extraordinaire here at PureSYTYCD. Throughout the weeks I’ll be scouring the internet for spoilers and tips on anything and everything season 6. That being said, I’ll need your help! If you all happen to come across any info, leave it as a comment on one of my posts! I check those too and I’ll be sure to give you credit for your detective work! Season 6 is just around the corner so start the spoilers coming!
Additionally, I’ll be posting behind-the-scenes videos from Fox.com and YouTube all about the choreography, costumes, etc as well as the elimination interviews. I’d love to hear your comments about those as well!

With my little introduction out of the way, here is my list of my 5 hopes for Season 6 (in no particular order):
5. a return to the awesome hip-hop of seasons past. waiting from the top 20 show (Jeanine and Phillip) to the top 8 show (Kayla and Jason) between awesome hip-hop routines is too long!
4. please don’t bring Toni Basil back as a guest judge. usually the guest judges bring fun and a great personality to the table, but with Toni I feel like all the personality gets sucked out of the room.
3. I know it’s all about getting the angles of the dancers, but the camera jumping gives me a headache!
2. I would LOVE to see more collaborations between the choreographers from different genres (the Calle Ocho piece from top 16 week was one of the highlights of the season for me)
1. no more Russian folk dance!

Thoughts?! Any more you would add to the list? And who’s excited for season 6?!

In our ongoing series of choreography “EmMandy” Awards, here’s the award for “Best Group Dance” from So You Think You Can Dance season 5 (winner is in Bold). This is the final award, so take a look at the other SYTYCD Season 5 “EmMandy” Awards.

“Best Group Dance”

• Tyce Diorio, “Send in the Clowns”
• Tabitha, Napolean and Dimitri, “Calle Ocho”
• Mia Michaels, “One”, “Higher Ground”

An amazing concept with a heartbreaking story beautifully translated into the choreography. What more could you want? It was a sad dance, but it didn’t pity itself or try to make you cry or feel bad for it. It just was. I loved Jeanine’s smile that faded from her face, and Evan’s sliding down the toy box at the end. It was perfect and beautiful and I could watch it forever. However—I wouldn’t consider it a Broadway dance, more of a contemporary or even ballet. Just because the song is from a musical doesn’t make the dance Broadway. But it did include a generous helping of acting from each performer, and I think they all delivered.

I think that most of my readers know about the 10 free So You Think You Can Dance workout DVD that were giving away. If you don’t then go and check out the details of the free SYTYCD DVDs contest.

There are actually 2 DVDs called So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Cardio Funk and So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Tone and Groove and they are currently available to buy on Amazon (on DVD 7/21). Luckily, I was able to get my hands on an exclusive DVD clip. Check it out:

I think the clip looks really cool and I’m pleasantly surprised how many people have commented on this blog that these DVDs just might be the motivation they need to start exercising. That’s really exciting for me to hear. I hope it does. Plus, you’ll be learning some dance moves at the same time.
So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Cardio Funk (Lauren Gottlieb, Travis Wall, and Courtney Galiano)

So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Tone and Groove (Twitch, Katee Shean, and Dmitry Chaplin)

As I was watching and posting about the various routines we’ll get to see again on the SYTYCD 100th episode, I couldn’t help but think back to some of my other favorite routines from past episodes of SYTYCD that won’t be shown on the SYTYCD 100th episode. SYTYCD season 1 will have to accept my apology since I didn’t watch it. However, here’s a couple of them that are in my top SYTYCD routines.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 2
Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz Mambo to the song “Black Mambo” —Angel and the Mambokats. Benji and Heidi are cousins that have been dancing together forever, and this performance is quite possibly the best routine technically (I believe Nigel called it the “most professional performance on the show) that’s ever been done on the show. Certainly others might have moved you more, but this routine just throws everything at you and flat out entertains. I can also assure you it was one of the most searched routines on Google as well.

I could have posted pretty much any of Allison Holker’s solo, but Allison’s “Feeling Good” solo will do. Anyone that has the term Allison-ed coined in honor of her deserves to be on the list in my book.

While possibly not the best routine on the show, I can promise you that Travis and Martha’s krump routine was shocking at the time. From this routine millions of people were introduced to Lil’ C and Krumping. The song is “Clap Back” —Ja Rule.

I really don’t believe that any of the final 2 men dances could compete with Tranji, choreographed by Shane Sparks to the song “Gyrate” —Da Muzicianz (ft. Mr. Collipark). I think you had to see season 2 to really appreciate what Benji and Travis brought to the table with Tranji, but it was awesome.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 3
Lacey and Kameron danced a routine to the song “Dancing” by Elisa choreographed by Mia Michaels. I think we’re all better having been introduced to the music of Elisa on SYTYCD. This routine put together great music, great choreography and amazing dancing. Is there any wonder why we keep watching SYTYCD?

Neil and Sabra’s table routine was pretty epic as well. It was choreographed by Mandy Moore to the song “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” —Eurythmics . I loved this dance, because it really took Sabra to the next level of dancing for me. Plus, Neil’s slow pass over the top of Sabra (at the 0:28 mark) is a moment I’ll never forget.

The start of this Shane Sparks routine to the song “Fuego” by Pitbull with Lauren and Pasha had me completely floored. Shane Sparks took 2 pretty white dancers and really entertained.

Danny and Lacey danced a samba to Dmitry Chaplin’s choreography. Certainly Dmitry poured in a bunch of great choreography and Danny and Lacey killed the dance, but I think the thing that I remember most about this is the music “Hip Hip Chin Chin” by Club Des Belugas. It all just melded into a really fun, memorable dance.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 4
Chelsie and Mark’s “Bleeding Love” routine by Nappytabs needs no explanation.

Sonya busts out an amazing piece for Courtney and Mark to the song “The Garden” by Mirah. Such creative choreography. Courtney steals the show for me in this, but the whole thing is just Sonya.

Katee and Joshua’s Nappytabs routine to “No Air” —Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown had so many amazing moments. It was such a wonderful mix of solo and partnering. Plus, the moment Katee pulls Joshua’s leg and he pops up is so memorable.

Katee and Twitch did a door routine to the song “Mercy” —Duffy and choreographed by Mia Michaels. I actually almost left it off the list, but after watching it again, there’s no way I could leave it off. Twitch and Katee just rocked this routine.

This final video is probably the best Viennese Waltz that will ever be performed on So You Think You Can Dan Dance. I tried to find a video with the back story, but even without Jean Marc Genereux’s storyJean Marc Genereux’s story is great and Twitch and Kherington’s Viennese Waltz to “A New Day Has Come” by Celine Dion is in the running for my favorite SYTYCD dances of all time. When it happened I watched it over and over. Just as good watching it again today.

I just looked at the clock and realized I spent a few hours creating this list. A few hours VERY well spent. The sad part is that there are dozens of other performances that should have made the above list. No Katee Bollywood or Pas de Deux for example. Oh goodness, I better not start listing or I’ll be here all night. So, I’ll leave the list up to you. What other So You Think You Can Dance routines are on your list (and preferably a link to a video of the routine)?

Also, if you’re familiar with all the videos on this list…you might be a SYTYCD-a-holic!!

UPDATE: If your impatient and don’t want to wait for the contest, you can buy the So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Cardio Funk and So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Tone and Groove DVD’s on Amazon right now.

Some of the best and most popular dancers from the So You Think You Can Dance alumni have created 2 new work out DVD’s called So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Tone and Groove and So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Cardio Funk. Those dancers include: Stephen “Twitch” Boss, Dmitry Chaplin, Courtney Galiano, Lauren Gottlieb, Katee Shean and Travis Wall. You can pre-order these DVD’s on Amazon right now, and they should be released to the public on July 21st for $10.99 a DVD so you won’t have to wait long.

Now for the cool part. Pure SYTYCD has been given 10 of the So You Think You Can Dance workout DVD’s to giveaway FREE!! Don’t you love great free stuff? I know I do. It’s going to be similar to the Katee Shean makeup giveaway that just ended. The only difference is that 5 lucky winners are going to walk away with both of the So You Think You Can Dance Fit DVD’s.

How to Enter
We’ll be running this contest for 3 weeks. There are 4 different ways to enter yourself to win. Do all 4 things and you’ll have your name entered into the drawing 4 times. The winner will be chosen at random from all of the entries. Here’s how you enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post (easy enough no?). Just make sure to use your real email or we’ll have no way to contact you and you’ll forfeit your entry.
2. Send a tweet to all your friends about this website or this contest. Click Tweet This! to tweet a message about this contest. Make sure to include @tvblog in the tweet to enter.
3. Share a link to http://www.puresytycd.com on your Facebook, myspace page or blog. Leave a comment with your myspace name, facebook page, or blog post so I can verify.
4. Join the Pure SYTYCD email list (existing members of the list are already entered if they make note of it in the comments below).

Any questions feel free to ask in the comments.

Here’s a full description of the new So You Think You Can Dance Fit DVD’s including an outline of what’s on the DVD:
Read more…

I’ve selected the winner of the Katee Shean makeup giveaway. In fact, I emailed the 2 winners, and I haven’t heard back from them. You know what that means. If I don’t hear back from them soon, then I’ll have to choose some other people to win. I’ll give them until the end of Monday since maybe they aren’t internet addicts like me that constantly need to check my email.

With that said, if your name is Gretchen or Theresa, then check your email to see if you’ve won. Also, my emails certainly shouldn’t go in your spam folder, but check their too just to be safe. Then again, if your name is Gretchen or Theresa and you gave me a fake email, then I guess you forfeit the prize since it was a requirement to give me a proper email.

For those of you not named Gretchen or Theresa, there is still hope. Not to mention, on Monday I’ll be posting 5 giveaways of the “So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit” workout DVD’s that you can pre-order on Amazon with the SYTYCD workout DVD being shipped out on July 21st. Very cool stuff.
So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Cardio Funk (Lauren Gottlieb, Travis Wall, and Courtney Galiano)

So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Tone and Groove (Twitch, Katee Shean, and Dmitry Chaplin)

Another good find this week was these videos showing a little bit of behind the scenes of the choreography on So You Think You Can Dance. I love how this video splices together video of the SYTYCD rehearsals with the actual performance shows:

I loved to hear Nappytabs talk about their group number with Dmitry Chaplin. It really gave me a better understanding of what they had in mind. Plus, the rehearsal performance shots are nice since you can actually see the dancers better than you can in the live show.

Note from John: I just wanted to welcome Max to Pure SYTYCD. This is his first writeup about an episode of SYTYCD. He makes some good points about tonight’s show. I’m glad to have his help on the site and I hope you’ll all give him a nice welcome (yes, that means lots of comments with your opinions).

Tonight’s Top 16  elimination show was a bittersweet way to say goodbye to two dancers. The bottom 3 tonight was hardly a surprise, until it came time to reveal the final couple nominated for elimination. Before that, however, the evening contained a well thought out balance of entertainment and reality, full of fun and quirky surprises. All in all, however, tonight’s final curtain for two dancers was a suspenseful hour full of distractions from the real world.

Hip-Hop Group Dance; Top 16; A wonderfully quirky hip hop routine choreographed by Dimitry Chaplin, Tabitha and Napoleon. Besides the insane camera angles provided by the show, this routine was lively, exciting and well danced by all, in my opinion. I felt that everyone was in sync, and really seemed to enjoy themselves. While hip-hop is not my favorite style in the least bit, Napoleon and Tabitha’s routines never let me down, and I always find myself wonderfully immersed in them, and the stories they convey to us.

The Judges; Nigel’s beginning speech was a big buzzkill for me, especially after a dance like that. Nonetheless,  Nigel was feeling pain, and I thought it sweet and humble of him to pay homage to his friends the way he did. It felt more like a eulogy at a funeral more than a reality TV show, let alone a dance show such as this one.

Still, it doesn’t make me like his awful, dreadful hair any more. R.I.P Farrah, MJ, and Ed McMahon.

Toni Basil, the guest judge this week, really rubbed me the wrong way on last night’s show. She came off as very old-fashioned to me, and not as ‘with-it’ as the other judges seemed to be. However, she redeemed herself in my eyes after her humble commentary tonight. She refused to call out and humiliate specific dancers, which I found quite admirable.

On to the real stufff now…

Dance School (The Rage Boys Crew): This was fun. The kids here were obviously VERY talented, because the routine and choreography were complex, and everyone had great lines, as well as posture and attitude. I couldn’t find anybody in this dance that was incapable, or even weak. I was blown away by the incredible talent on that stage. And some of those kids were cute, but I think Ms. Deeley made more than it was out of it, as always.

Bottom Three: The bottom 3 this week didn’t surprise me until the very end. Aside from those first 2 couples, all the other ones were extremely strong, with some of the best dancing so far.

I don’t think any of us were surprised to see Asuka and Vitolio in the bottom. Asuka being eliminated was not a shock in the least, and I think that it was even anticipated by many. Her solo was just too mushy containing little substance, and just felt like a lot of glorified movement. From the moment she started out on stage tonight, she was doomed, especially competing with the likes of Karla and Caitlin, two amazingly strong dancers.

I think the only reason Vitolio was saved was due to his background story, and the judges raving comments about his sincerity last week, although truthfully, I didn’t see it. Even so, Jonathan’s performance was weak last night, and his solo was grasping, throwing in a ton and a half of flashy moves and gymnastics out of desperation. It was his time to go. He just was not diverse enough in his dancing skills, and didn’t have the range of movements the others possess.

Finally, I was extremely relieved they kept Karla, as she is quickly rising to the top of my list of favorite dancers this week. I’m happy that Jonathan won’t be weighing her down anymore, but I’m anxious to see if Vitolio will do the same. Still loving Jason and Caitlin, glad they weren’t too harshly judged.  A great week, week 3, eager for our top 10!

I’ve now read in two different reliable sources that So You Think You Can Dance is going to have a second season in 2009. Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance has been given a Fall time slot on Fox. It looks like the idea is for So You Think You Can Dance to bridge the Fall gap between So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol.

The other interesting part of this is that So You Think You Can Dance would then be going up against ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. This would be really interesting since many of the stars from past seasons of So You Think You Can Dance have made the bridge to being professional dancers on Dancing with the Stars (see Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower and Dmitry Chaplin).

I couldn’t be more excited about this change. One report I read said that Fox is still waiting to see how well So You Think You Can Dance will do this summer before making it final. I guess we’ll see, but either way it’s fun to think that we’ll have a second season of So You Think You Can Dance so quickly. Summer just isn’t enough SYTYCD for me. I found where Nigel Lythgoe confirmed that Fox has announced Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance on Fox in September. BEAUTIFUL!!