Welcome to Pure So You Think You Can Dance

Former SYTYCD dancers have been tweeting about the Oscars for a while (as has Adam Shankman), so I was prepared to look for them. There were stunning performances to the nominated songs. The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers were amazing! I only managed to recognize Kayla dancing during the regular telecast (she was very prominent), but after watching Rickey’s video, I was able to identify more dancers – Kathryn, I’m pretty sure, and definitely Travis Wall. Among others that I’m sure you’ll catch. As always, Ricky has a great video from the Oscar performance, so check it out!

Rickey has a still of a Kupono sighting (HOW did he get that seat?!) and I think Kupono summed up Oscar night best via Twitter:

alohakupono

OSCARs was ABSOLUtELY RiDiCULOuS!!!! Now it’s off to the AFTeR PARtY for SCANDaLS of the YEAR!!!!!! 40 minutes ago via mobile web

But y’all, there is SO MUCH cool chatting happening on Twitter, you have to check out all your favorite dancers via John’s SYTYCD list.

I found some great videos for you. First, a “Meet the Choreographers” video with Adam and both Kayla and Travis as assistant choreographers. And a slew of fun audition videos, including a “Behind the Screen” one.

Yay to Adam for making his SYTYCD dancers so prominent at the Oscars. I hope he produces again!

Let me start by say I hope everyone had a great Christmas. On Christmas eve I had the opportunity to see Kathryn McCormick perform at her church. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to talk to her because I had to make it to another Christmas eve service. I did however manage to record her performance…which turned out somewhat out of focus. She posted the link to her video on facebook, so I thought I would share it with you guys. So enjoy her performance to Silent Night.

This was hard! There were a lot of routines that were equally good in my mind, so I had to work hard to limit myself to a Top 10. I gave myself 5 extra routines for group numbers that rocked – we had a lot of amazing group work this season, especially when you factor in the Meet the Top 20 episode. I did not consider “fairness” or equal distribution here. So I think you’ll see a lot of the same dancers, which didn’t surprise me, personally.

Paired Routines

1. “Machine Gun” Ellenore/Legacy Travis Wall

2. “Tore My Heart” Ellenore/Jakob Sonya Tayeh

3. “At This Moment” Kathryn/Jakob Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden

4. “Little Green Bag” Pauline/Peter Wade & Amanda Robson

5. “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead” Ellenore/Ryan Travis Wall

6. “2 Steps Away” Kathryn/Legacy Stacey Tookey

7. “Frog Dance” Noelle/Russell Sean Cheesman

8. “Put Your Hands on Me” Kathryn/Ryan Jason Gilkison

9. “Violentango” Ellenore/Ryan Miriam and Leonardo

10. “Put Your Hands On me” Kathryn/Ryan Jason Gilkison

Honorable Mentions (alllllmooooosssst): Kathryn/Legacy’s paso doble, Noelle/Russell’s “A Case of You” contemporary, Noelle/Ryan “Give It To Me Right” hip hop, Mollee/Jakob’s “Ordinary Day” waltz, Ellenore/Jakob “Gotcha” Broadway, Ashleigh/Jakob “Whatcha Say” hip hop, Ariana/Peter’s “Black and Gold” hip hop, Bianca/Victor’s “Wasted Time” contemporary, Ellenore/Russell paso doble, Kathryn/Russell hip hop (both finale).

Group Routines

1. Top 20 “Comanche” Wade & Amanda Robson

2. Top 12 “What’s a Girl to Do” Nappytabs

3. Top 14 “Aha!” Wade & Amanda Robson

4. Top 16 “Warrior” Dave Scott

5. Ariana, Channing, Jakob and Nathan “Cryin’” contemporary Tyce Diorio

These were my standouts, the routines I’d expect on a tour (with the exception of those who didn’t make the Top 10). What were yours?

Here’s Season 6 in review. Y’all brought up a lot of this stuff in recent comments (Mrs. D’s comment in particular), which gave me the idea to do a review of the season, what we liked and didn’t like. If you disagree with me (or agree), feel free to put your two cents in, as it’s all subjective and I’d love to know what you think!

Jeer:

This season felt more rushed that any other that I can think of. Between baseball, the Presidential address, so many audition episodes and an early end to the season because of Christmas coming up, I feel like this year’s Top 20 got shafted on actual dancing time. But not just the dancers – the choreographers got fewer chances to wow us. And the audience lost out, as well.

Cheer:

I loved that I didn’t have to wait till the summer for a new season. While America’s Favorite Dancer gets a shorter reign if they continue on the two seasons a year model, we had a shorter wait, which was really nice. After Season 5, I just don’t know how I would have contained my SYTYCD longing. Are the producers hoping to follow a Survivor/Dancing with the Stars model with the two seasons a year thing? If so, they should be just as smart about scheduling and not hesitate to move the finale to a separate night (like Survivor’s Sunday finale yesterday).

Jeer:

The new stage, or at least the screen behind it. It seems like we’ve transitioned from utter hatred toward the new stage, which always threatens to swallow up the dancers, to an acceptance that we’ll probably never get our intimate little stage back. Many readers have begun to say that the screen and imprudent use of it, is actually the bigger issue.

Cheer:

The group numbers were able to utilize this enormous space in really pleasing ways. It’s nice to think that SYTYCD can now command (and fill) a larger audience space. Maybe it’ll end up being a wonderful challenge to the choreographers (as well as the production crew, especially camera folk) to recapture that intimate feeling.

Jeer:

It was awful having three static judges (Nigel, Mary and Adam). No new blood! Adam seemed to be the only one who had something to say, most reliably at least. And when the three additional judges (Debbie, Lil C and Tyce) came in for the finale, it felt like an eternity since I’d seen them and that they were given favorites to pick rather than choosing from their hearts. Maybe that’s not true, and I’m sure they still kept up with the season, but their involvement didn’t have the same feeling because they never rotated in and out during the season.

Cheer:

Adam Shankman is a wonderful addition to the judging panel. I didn’t mind him being a constant, I only minded that there was no new blood. You almost always knew what Nigel and Mary were going to say, so he was a breath of fresh air (especially at the beginning of the season). Adam is funny and honest (he called out choreographers for bad routines!) and you get the impression that he’ll actually hire the dancers he likes (i.e. when Noelle got cut, I was okay because I felt Adam wanted to work with her), so he’s a valuable part of the panel.

Jeer:

Shane Sparks and Alex DaSilva’s arrests (both for sexual crimes related to their dance students) are not only damaging to the choreographer’s careers, but also haunt the dance community at large and threaten to harm SYTYCD’s image.

Cheer:

The Dizzy Feet Foundation and gala do wonderful things for the dance community, SYTYCD and for us, as it unites our favorite shows, dancers, choreographers, crews in a really positive mission. It raises awareness and gives our favorites work! We can help, too!

Jeer:

How many injuries did we have this season? Mia Michaels was rushed to the hospital at the beginning of the season. Then, Billy Bell had to drop out due to illness. Noelle was injured in the first competition show while Ellenore and Ashleigh were both hurt during the Top 8 week and Russell was injured in the finale. Did I forget anyone??

Cheer:

Despite the overly-produced and rushed feel of the season, despite all the injuries, we had a wonderful Top 20 this season. As John pointed out, they had a great mix of styles and backgrounds. We saw some consistent excellence (Jakob and Ellenore, namely) and some great growth arcs (arguably, everybody, but notably Kathryn and Russell, in my opinion). We had some “characters” to get behind this season, in Legacy and the DiLellos in particular.

Jeer:

America’s SYTYCD lost Mia Michaels this season and her absence was certainly felt. Our loss was apparently SYTYCD Canada’s gain, so while it’s good that she’s working within the SYTYCD family, there’s a great big gaping hole where she was in our shows.

Cheer:

Mia’s absence gave way to a ton of “new” choreographers this season. New to us, at least. Like Sean Cheesman, Jason Gilkison, Spencer Liff and a routine from Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden. We had more Wade Robson, more Stacey Tookey, more Mandy Moore and more Travis Wall routines, which seriously rocked. More Sonya routines, many of which blew our minds, like the “Tore My Heart” routine with Ellenore and Jakob.  Hopefully, we’ll get to see special Mia routines, maybe one or two a season, in the future. I don’t want SYTYCD America to be completely devoid of Mia Michaels, but I’m glad we had so many standout choreographers, new and recurring, this season.

Jeer:

This season had some really awful costumes…

Cheer:

And some really amazing music. But these two things are pretty typical of all seasons, I suppose.

Jeer:

No mention of a Season 6 tour! Not even on the finale show! What are they thinking? There had better be a tour, or I will seriously cry foul. I’m keeping my feelers out, y’all, and using my contacts, to see if/when the tour will be.

Cheer:

I’m glad they mentioned auditions for Season 7 because it sounds like it’ll be another summer season. So that means that we’ll either have two seasons a year, or we’ll go back to our beloved summer format (probably the former). SYTYCD keeps motoring on, which is good news. And again, we don’t have to wait several months till fall, sounds like.

Jeer:

Hell no to the Top 6! I hope Fox and SYTYCD realize they can never do this to us again. This was the worst idea ever and I suspect the results might have been significantly different, if we’d had a normal Top 4 finale. Not cool.

Cheer:

The Meet the Top 20 episode was the biggest stroke of genius and the best of all the new ideas and concepts we dealt with this season. I hope they *always* do this from now on. It was sublime to see all of the Top 20 dancing within their styles without fear of elimination. Some of the best dancing of the entire season happened in this very first episode, as evidenced by how many of the judges’ favorites in the finale show were from this very episode.

I think that’s all I’ve got. I’ve run out of steam. But I’m sure I’ve forgotten something you hated or loved, so let me know what you think.

Here’s the Top 6 on Ellen. I love this! And I like the married dancing!

It hasn’t been a terribly long time since the season began (or since Season 5, for that matter), but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been rabidly looking forward to tonight’s finale show.

My thoughts, as they happen…

Read more…

Many, everybody’s been killing me with anticipation today on Twitter, so I have HIGH EXPECTATIONS for tonight’s show, including the music.

Opening song, layered over the Top 6 talking: “Sweet Disposition” -The Temper Trap (thanks Blair!)

Kelly Abby Top 19 Group Routine: “Scared of Me” -Fredde Le Grand ft. Mitch Crown

SPOILERS from here on out.

Lil C’s favorite with Russell, Legacy and Kevin: “Beggin’” -Madcon

Adam’s favorite with Ellenore and Jakob: “Tore My Heart” -OONA and Dave Tweedie

Nigel’s favorite with Peter, Bianca and Phillip: “Take the A Train” -Ella Fitzgerald

Mary’s request for new routine that the DiLillos danced and choreographed themselves: “Straight To…Number 1″ -Touch & Go

Leona Lewis performs the theme from Avatar (who apparently sponsored tonight): “I See You”

The Groovaloos perform to “Groovaloo Street” by Rapier & Burns (not yet on iTunes)

Nigel’s favorite with Kathryn & Jakob: “At This Moment” -Michael Buble

Tyce’s favorite with Mollee & Nathan: “Azeem O Shaan” -AR Rahman from Jodhaa Akbar

Ryan is #6 to “Where It Ends” -16 Frames

Adam Lambert performs “Whataya Want From Me”

Season 6 highlights recap to “Guardian Angel” by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Ashleigh is #5 to “Never Say Never” -The Fray

Adam’s favorite with Ellenore & Legacy: “Machine Gun” -Portishead

Debbie’s favorite with Noelle & Russell (tape): “Frog Dance -Mickey Hart

Ellenore is #4 to “Breathe” -Ryan Star

Lil C’s favorite with Ariana, Channing, Nathan and Jakob: “Cryin’” -kd lang

Mary’s favorite with Kathryn & Russell (tape): “I Can Transform Ya” -Chris Brown

Mary J. Blige performs “I Am”

Nigel’s favorite – the Top 20 group routine: “Comanche” -The Revels

Kathryn (NO!!) is #3 to “Something Beautiful” -Needtobreathe

Jennifer Lopez performs (with SYTYCD girls from Season 6 and seasons past!) Louboutins (not on iTunes yet)

The recap of Russell and Jakob’s journeys was played to “Time of Our Lives” -Paul van Dyk (thanks again, Sokko!)

We had such amazing music on the show this season! Check it all out here.

Hey everyone I just wanted to share an article about Kathryn that was published in the Metro Spirit today. The Metro Spirit is a local paper here in Augusta, Ga.

Dance off with Kathryn McCormick

BY ASHLEY HERRING WHITAKER

AUGUSTA, GA – Kathryn McCormick has been working towards becoming “America’s favorite dancer” for more than 15 years.

McCormick, an Augusta native, performed one last time Tuesday night on “So You Think You Can Dance” and, after call-in votes, a winner will be crowned Wednesday. She is competing against five other dancers, including a married ballroom couple and a quirky contemporary dancer.

McCormick took classes at Augusta West Dance Studio from the age of eight until she left for Los Angeles more than a year ago after earning a small part in the remake of the movie “Fame.”

Megan Luquire, the owner and director of Augusta West, said thatMcCormick was always at the front of the pack when it came to the art of dance.

“She was always the student that was the most dedicated and determined,” Luquire said.

Luquire said that McCormick was always a good “technician,” but that her perfectionist tendencies sometimes got in the way of her dancing.

“I am a really firm believer in dancing from the heart,” Luquire said. “It took me about a year to break her habit of dancing so technically. To see her dance from her heart is the biggest joy.”

McCormick’s and Luquire’s hard work obviously paid off as McCormick made it into season six of the dance reality contest.

Over the course of the season, McCormick has wowed the judges, fallen into the bottom two and been introduced to dance styles that she never encountered before.

Keeping with the show’s knack for throwing dancers out of their comfort zones, contemporary dancer McCormick was paired with B-Boy Jonathan “Legacy” Perez. Luquire said that this pairing made her nervous at first, but that Perez’s encouragement calmed her fears.

“We were like, ‘What if they get ballroom?’” Luquire said. “I think the beauty in that is that Legacy told her it was going to be OK. And it ended up being a beautiful partnership.”

McCormick has performed countless routines ranging from hip-hop to Broadway during her weeks on the show. After attending Dec. 13’s taping of the show, Luquire said that she enjoyed all of the dances but that a few stuck out in her mind.

“During the taping, one routine was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” she said. “I also liked the Cha-Cha because it showed a side of her I’ve never seen before.”

When Luquire found out that McCormick made it on “So You Think You Can Dance,” she was “incredibly excited” for the 19-year-old dancer.

“Throughout high school she was always so close to getting first place,” she said. “Getting on to the show was a type of affirmation for her. It said, ‘I can do this for aliving.’ I’m happy that someone else saw the beauty that I see.”

I hope you guys enjoyed this article. I hope I can get some reactions from friends and family tonight.

I just don’t know, y’all. Part of me thinks this is a slam dunk for Jakob (John already proclaimed him the SYTYCD season 6 winner back on the 8th). But part of me thinks Kathryn or Ellenore might still win it. Wishful thinking? Let’s see…

Read more…

I’m so excited for tonight’s show. But just a bit cranky, also. One hour for the Top 6 finale performances. Insane. No solos. Which, is annoying. I’m not sure how much the solos would change from what we’ve already seen. But…anybody else remember Jeanine’s finale solo from last season? I sure do.

My thoughts tonight, as they happened…

Read more…