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NEW PureSYTYCD Pages Added!

So in honor of the first couples performances of the season I created a series of pages for your reference that I will update as each week goes by. These pages are the breakdown of the dances as done on the show week by week. Right now ere are only pages of the various couple dances but hopefully soon I will have a breakdown of the various group dances during the performance episodes and the result shows in the past.

First there are six new pages that categorize all the different dance styles as shown on the show into six categories. Within these pages you can find all the individual dance styles related within the page broken down by choreographer. Here you could find out exactly what each choreographer has choreographed and what week:
Partner Dances: these include all Ballroom/Latin related dances as well as partnered social dances like the salsa, disco, and country two-step.

Contemporary / Ballet: this page includes all contemporary, lyrical and ballet pieces as shown on the show.

Jazz: aside from jazz, all jazz-fusion dance routines are also placed here ranging from Latiin-Jazz to Afro-Jazz.

Hip Hop / Freestyle: the genre known to have grown from the streets, this page includes all dance styles that related to the hip hop / freestyle world at large. This page also includes Waacking, Popping, Break Dancing.

Broadway: the dance styles that most relate to the Great White Way, which includes the Broadway style, Tap, and Rock N Roll.

Cultural: since the introduction of Bollywood in Season 4 there have been other dance styles that have tied to any specific culture throughout the world.

Granted this would be considered a rough categorization of all the dance styles as portrayed on the show, but at the same time I think the lines (as thinly drawn as some of them are) are strong enough to distinguish them for the most part. From the above categories I broke down each individual season by week to show how the spread is portray over the course of the seasons as well as an overall look from across the series thus far: Couples Breakdown.

As I said earlier, all of the above pages will be updated as each episode airs on Wednesday evening. Tis way we could all see how the current season would pan out in comparison to past seasons.

July 11, 2012 I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

Disney’s the Newsies Musical – Bloggers’ Impressions

When the official cast list for Disney’s Newsies the Musical came out, those of us that were fans of the original 1992 movie scoured the cast list for familiar names… and were we pleasantly surprised to find that four of our favorite dancers from various seasons of SYTYCD were part of the cast! Huge favorites like Evan Kasprzak and Alex Wong, as well as those that left too soon like Thayne Jasperson and Jess LeProtto were all listed!

So naturally we here at Pure So You Think You Can Dance went into a group email firestorm and tried to see if we could have a group outing / get together and meet up at the Great White Way to watch the Newsies together… And if by some twist of faith talk to some of the dancers.

In the end only Margaret and myself (Marianya) were able to make the semi-impromptu trip and we have so much to tell you about this gem of a show.

CHOREOGRAPHY
Marianya: OMG The choreography was AMAZING! Not only that but it really seemed to have challenged the dancers to their fullest potentials. The SYTYCD alumni all have special moments throughout the show, be it as a dancer, actor, or singer. The choreography wasn’t just on the stage itself, but all over the staging, elevated… it was thorough and I couldn’t help but tap along with the music. I would go again just to see the dancing. For more of my thoughts of Disney’s the Newsies musical please head on over to my personal blog.

Margaret: The show was choreographed within an inch of its life, and that’s a good thing! A lot of the dancers have said in interviews that Newsies was the first movie they saw for their generation that had guys dancing and singing but still being “dudes”. A lot of them said it helped them see that it was okay to be a guy and like to dance. Everything about the show is full out (it is Disney, after all) and the choreography, with a mix of contemporary but also time period-centric moves, fits beautifully.

THE DANCERS
Anyone that appreciates strong dancing can tell you that one person that will catch your attention and was not a SYTYCD alumni was Ryan Steele who played Specs (he wore glasses). In fact his center was so incredibly precise that the only SYTYCD alumni that could possibly compare was Danny Tidwell of runner up of SYTYCD Season 3 (he is SYTYCD Season 2 runner up Travis Wall’s brother). In fact we went so far to as to say that Ryan Steele would be a combination of Danny Tidwell and SYTYCD Season 7 hopeful Anthony Burrell. In a crazy serendipitous coincidence of SYTYCD connections, Ryan is close friends with Jakob Karr from Season 6! But you’re here for the dancers that were part of the So You Think You Can Dance family:

Alex Wong: Of course, anyone that has been keeping up with So You Think You Can Dance would know and love Alex Wong, and how he sustained an injury to his Achilles tendon that forced him out of the competition. After approximately a year of recuperation he was asked to come back as an All Star for SYTYCD Season 8 only for him to turn it down due to an injury to his other Achilles tendon. Well he has come back from both injuries to dance as if he was never injured to begin with (and mind you these were potential career ending injuries). He was as strong as ever and he looked like he was enjoying himself. His ballet training was evident but so was some of the growth from the time he was on the show. This is his Broadway debut & with such strong dancers throughout the ensemble (many with regional & Broadway credits) he could have easily gotten lost in the shuffle. However, he gets some nice shining moments & his talents are put to good use.

Evan Kasprzak: Dancing a style that he was known for during his season on SYTYCD, it’s amazing to think this is his Broadway debut as well. He is one of the holdovers from the production at Papermill Playhouse this past fall. To say that he has stretched as a performer is an understatement. He has a small bit part in the show and he has a couple of solos in the ensemble numbers. Plus he looks stronger than ever. He shines as a tapper during the rousing “Kings of New York” and gets a fun mini-duet with fellow alum Jess as well.

Thayne Jasperson: He also has a bit part in the second act of the show and he has improved leaps and bounds since his time on SYTYCD. You can tell that his dancing has strengthened quite a bit and his lines are smoother. According to his bio he was on the first national tour of West Side Story in the intervening time. Thayne wasn’t known as a “Broadway” dancer during season 4, but the performance where the judges said he really came alive was a Broadway number, dancing to “Cool” from West Side Story with Comfort. His time to shine is in the 2nd Act and he has some lines as well. He was always remembered as a very graceful dancer, which probably put him at a disadvantage during his season with big personalities like Twitch, Joshua & Mark. But he fits right in on the stage and his dancing has an “umph” and strength to it that wasn’t necessarily apparent when he was on the show.

Jess LeProtto: He’s been on Broadway a few times prior to his time on SYTYCD, and considering that he was just on the show last season there isn’t much to say except how we get a chance to see him in his element now and see his growth since his time on SYTYCD. And did he grow, Jess took a lot of flack during the season for being too much of a ham, and he seems to have reined that in. He and Evan are both “vertically challenged” but they dance as big as their smiles without trying to outdance some of the taller dancers.

After the show, we stood at the stage door in the hopes of getting to meet some of the guys. To our surprise, every one of the cast members came out and signed autographs. They were grateful, courteous to everyone and a pleasure to talk to. Marianya was able to talk to Alex for a bit about hopefully setting up an interview with some of the guys, and Margaret was able to talk to Thayne. They were both so happy to hear that SYTYCD fans were at the show and were definitely interested in sitting down with us, either over the phone or on Skype (gotta love modern technology!) We’ll see what we can set up as we head towards the beginning of season 9!

April 26, 2012 I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 8 Finale Part 1 Music

Who knows what tonight’s going to bring? I can’t wait to find out!!

Melanie and Marko danced a Doreana Sanchez disco to: Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love (12″ Version)” – I Feel Love (12

Sasha and All-Star Mark danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz to: Deadmau5’s “Raise Your Weapon” – Raise Your Weapon - 4x4=12 (Deluxe Version)

Tadd and All-Star Joshua danced a Lil C hip hop to: Ace Hood’s “Hustle Hard” – Hustle Hard - Blood Sweat & Tears (Deluxe Edition)

Melanie and All-Star Robert danced a Stacey Tookey contemporary to: Sinead O’Connor’s “Sacrifice” – not on iTunes yet.

Sasha and Marko danced a Spencer Liff Broadway to: Ella Fitzgerald’s “Whatever Lola Wants” – Whatever Lola Wants - Ella Sings Broadway

Melanie danced her solo to: Peter Bradley Adams’s “Song for Viola” – Song for Viola - Leavetaking

Marko danced his solo to: Joshua Radin’s “The Fear You Won’t Fall” – The Fear You Won't Fall - Unclear Sky - EP

Sasha and Tadd danced a Mark Ballas cha cha to: Basement Jaxx’s “Raindrops” – Raindrops - Scars (Bonus Track Version)

Marko and All-Star LoFro danced a Tessandra Chavez contemporary to: Me’Shell Ndegéocello’s “Shirk” – Shirk - The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams

Tadd danced his solo to: Jessie J’s “Mamma Knows Best” – Mamma Knows Best - Who You Are

Sasha danced her solo to: Rachael Yamagata’s “Be Be Your Love” – Be Be Your Love - Happenstance (Deluxe Version)

Melanie and Sasha danced a Stacey Tookey contemporary to: Ahn Trio’s “Heart Asks Pleasure First” – Heart Asks Pleasure First - Ahn Trio: Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac

Marko and Tadd danced a Chuck Maldonado gumboot stepping routine to: Outkast’s “B.O.B.” – B.O.B. - Stankonia

August 10, 2011 I Written By

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 6 Performance Music

Oh my! I can’t believe we’re this close to the end of Season 8. I can’t wait to see what great routines the show has in store for us tonight.

Melanie danced a Nappytabs hip hop with Twitch to: Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne’s “Roman’s Revenge” – Roman's Revenge (feat. Lil Wayne) - Roman's Revenge (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single

Sasha danced a Tyce Diorio contemporary with Kent to: Me’shell Ndegéocello’s “Fool of Me” – Fool of Me - Bitter

Marko danced a Dmitry Chaplin paso doble with Janette to: Antonia Gomez’s “Zorongo” – Zorongo (Traditional) - 2 On 1: Fabulous Flamenco! / La Gitarra Flamenca

Rickey danced his solo to: Justin Nozuka’s “After Tonight” – After Tonight - Holly

Tadd danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz (?) with Ellenore to: Beirut’s “The Gulag Orkestar” – The Gulag Orkestar - Gulag Orkestar

Caitlynn danced her solo to: Katie Thompson’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” – What's Love Got to Do With It - KT LIVE

Rickey danced a Dee Caspary contemporary with Jaimie to: Trent Dabbs’s “Inside These Lines” – Inside These Lines - Your Side Now

Tadd danced his solo to: Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup’s “We Speak No Americano” – We No Speak Americano - We No Speak Americano - Single

Sasha danced her solo to: Lady Gaga’s “Teeth” – Teeth - The Fame Monster (Deluxe Version)

Caitlynn danced a Dmitry Chaplin samba with Pasha to: Kat DeLuna’s “Drop It Low” – Drop It Low - Drop It Low - Single

Marko danced his solo to: James Morrison’s “Wonderful World” – Wonderful World - Undiscovered

Melanie danced her solo to: Freestylers ft Belle Humble’s “Cracks” – Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix) [feat. Belle Humble] - UKF Dubstep 2010

Sasha and Rickey danced a Kumari Suraj waacking routine to: Beyonce’s “Schoolin’ Life” – can’t find this on iTunes yet. I’ll keep looking.

Melanie and Tadd danced a Spencer Liff Broadway routine to: Shirley Bassey’s “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story” – (Where Do I Begin) Love Story - Shirley Bassey: Greatest Hits

Caitlynn and Marko danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz routine to: Florence + the Machine’s “Heavy in Your Arms” – Heavy In Your Arms - Lungs (Deluxe Edition)

August 3, 2011 I Written By

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 8 Performance Music

Hi everybody! I will be at a meeting tonight and might miss the beginning of tonight’s episode, so I need your help. If you’ll let me know the music in the comments, I’ll make sure it gets put into a pretty list with links as soon as I possibly can. We have such a great community here and I love knowing I can count on y’all for help whenever I’m running late! Thanks!

Sasha danced a Jonathan Roberts quickstep with Pasha to: Terry Snyder’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” – Puttin' On the Ritz - Ultra-Lounge: Space-Capades, Vol. 3

Caitlynn danced a Marty Kudelka hip hop with Ivan to: Mario’s “Let Me Love You” – Let Me Love You - Turning Point

Jordan danced a Tyce Diorio jazz with Ade to: Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limit” – Nutbush City Limits - All the Best - The Hits

Melanie danced a Mandy Moore contemporary with Neil to: Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Total Eclipse of the Heart - Faster Than the Speed of Night

Rickey danced a Jason Gilkison  jive with Anya to: Celine Dion’s “River Deep, Mountain High” – River Deep, Mountain High - Falling Into You

Jess danced a Nappytabs hip hop with Lauren G. to: Rihanna’s “Take A Bow” – Take a Bow - Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded

Tadd danced a Mandy Moore jazz with Lauren F. to: Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” – Another One Bites the Dust - Queen: Greatest Hits

Marko danced a Sonya Tayeh contemporary with Allison to: Jeff Buckley’s “I Know It’s Over” – I Know It's Over - So Real: Songs from Jeff Buckley

Caitlynn and Tadd danced a Jonathan Roberts foxtrot to: Ella Fitzgerald’s “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” – Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails (1958) - Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook

Marko and Rickey danced a Nappytabs hip hop to: Diddy ft. Black Rob and Mark Curry’s “Bad Boy for Life” – Bad Boy for Life - The Saga Continues...

Jordan and Jess danced a Jason Gilkison rhumba to: Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” – Set Fire to the Rain - 21

Melanie and Sasha danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz to: District 78’s “Game On” – Game On - Game On - Single

July 27, 2011 I Written By

Season 8 Top 10 Performance Music

I’m so excited to see the routines tonight – Top 10 is always a great moment in the season and I’m excited to see what the All-Stars bring to the table. Many of them were All-Stars last season, we we already know they’re great, but it will be nice to see them interact with new dancers. And oh yes, I’m sure the music will be incredible. 🙂 Here we go…

Marko danced a Jason Gilkison samba with Chelsie to: Kate Hudson’s “Cinema Italiano” – Cinema Italiano - Nine (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Sasha danced her solo to: Duffy’s “Syrup & Honey” – Syrup & Honey - Rockferry

Jordan danced a Desmond & Dwight contemporary with Brandon to: Jessie J’s “Who You Are” – Who You Are - Who You Are

Jess danced his solo to: Harry Connick, Jr.’s “Come By Me” – Come By Me - Come By Me

Tadd danced a Chuck Maldanado hip hop with Comfort to: Chris Brown ft Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes’s “Look At Me Now” – Look At Me Now (feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes) - Look At Me Now (feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes) - Single

Melanie danced her solo to: Angus & Julia Stone’s “You’re the One that I Want” – You're the One That I Want - Big Jet Plane - EP

Mitchelle danced a Tyce Diorio Broadway with Melody to: “Take Off With Us” Take Off With Us - Fosse (Original Broadway Cast Recording) – from “All That Jazz”

Rickey danced his solo to: Cassidy Haley’s “Daylight Breaks” – Daylight Breaks - Little Boys and Dinosaurs

Clarice danced her solo to: Crookers ft. Roisin Murphy’s “Royal T” – Royal T (House of House Remix) [feat. Roisin Murphy] - Southern Fried & Tested, Vol. 3

Caitlynn danced a Miriam & Leonardo Argentine tango to: Orquesta Color Tango’s “Malajunta” – Malajunta - Con Estilo Para Bailar

Mitchell danced his solo to: John Legend’s “This Time” – This Time - Evolver

Sasha danced a Christopher Scott hip hop to: Dorothy Moore’s “Misty Blue” – Misty Blue - Misty Blue

Jordan danced her solo to: Lykke Li’s “Tonight” – Tonight - Youth Novels (Special Edition)

Jess danced a Stacey Tookey contemporary with Kathryn to: Christina Perri’s “The Lonely” – The Lonely - Lovestrong. (Deluxe Version)

Tadd danced his solo to: Robin Thicke’s “Everything I Can’t Have” – Everything I Can't Have - The Evolution of Robin Thicke (Deluxe Edition)

Melanie danced a Jason Gilkison Viennese waltz with Pasha to: Tina Arena’s “Everybody Hurts” – Everybody Hurts - Songs of Love & Loss

Caitlynn danced her solo to: Florence & the Machine’s “Cosmic Love” – Cosmic Love - Lungs (Deluxe Edition)

Rickey danced a Tyce Diorio jazz with Allison to: Tori Amos’s “Precious Things” – Precious Things - A Tori Amos Collection - Tales of a Librarian

Marko danced his solo to: Gavin DeGraw’s “More Than Anyone” – More Than Anyone (Stripped Version) - Chariot - Stripped

Clarice danced a Nakul dev Mahajan Bollywood with Robert to: “Aila re Aila” – Aila Re Aila - Khatta Meetha (Music from the Motion Picture) from the “Khatta Meetha” soundtrack

July 20, 2011 I Written By

Season 8 Top 12 Performance Music

This may be one of the most important performance nights since we’re going to see our Top 12 cut down to the all-important Top 10. Here’s hoping the performances are amazing! I’ll be updating the music here live.

Sasha & Alexander’s Tony & Melanie Paso doble: I didn’t catch all of this, help if you can! Taylor Long & ? ‘s “Alley Dash Alley Dash - Destructive Drums 2 - Tremors/March of the Trolls” March Of The Trolls - Destructive Drums which is not on iTunes (that I can find)

Jordan & Tadd’s Travis Wall contemporary: Olafur Arnaldo’s “Brotsjor” – Ólafur Arnalds

Ryan & Rickey’s Spencer Liff Broadway: Frank Sinatra’s “All I Need Is the Girl” – All I Need Is the Girl - Francis A. & Edward K.

Caitlynn & Mitchell’s Christopher Scott hip hop: Lupe Fiasco ft. Eric Turner & Sway’s “Break the Chain” – Break the Chain (feat. Eric Turner & Sway) - Lasers (Deluxe Version)

Melanie & Marko’s Louis van Amstel tango: Gotan Project’s “Triptico” – Tríptico - La Revancha del Tango (Bonus Track Version)

Clarice & Jesse’s Christopher Scott lyrical hip hop: Boyce Avenue’s “Just the Way You Are” – Just the Way You Are - New Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 1

Sasha & Alexander’s Tyce Diorio jazz routine: Aretha Franklin’s “That’s Life” – That's Life - Aretha Arrives

Jordan & Tadd’s Spencer Liff Broadway: “Out Tonight” – Out Tonight - Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) from the RENT soundtrack.

Ryan & Rickey’s Louis van Amstel cha cha: Enrique Iglesias ft. Ludacris & DJ Frank E’s “Tonight (I’m Loving You)” – Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) [feat. Ludacris & DJ Frank E] - Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) [feat. Ludacris & DJ Frank E] - Single

Caitlynn & Mitchell’s Travis Wall contemporary: Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” – Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits

Melanie & Marko’s Dee Caspary contemporary: David J. Roch’s “Skin and Bones” – David J. Roch

Clarice & Jess’s Tony & Melanie jive: Robert Randolph & the Family Band’s “Ain’t Nothing Wrong with That” – Ain't Nothing Wrong With That - Colorblind (Deluxe Version)

July 13, 2011 I Written By

Season 8 Top 14 Performance Music

Check back for the full list of tonight’s music, updated live.

Justin Giles’s Top 7 Guys group contemporary routine: Damien Rice’s “Prague” – Eskimo (w/hidden tracks (this is a hidden track attached to “Eskimo”)

Melanie & Marko’s Ray Leeper jazz routine: Lady Gaga’s “Americano” – Americano - Born This Way (Bonus Track Version)

Sasha & Alexander’s Shaun Evaristo hip hop: Miguel’s “To the Moon” – To the Moon - All I Want Is You

Jordan & Tadd’s Toni Redpath smooth waltz: Secret Garden’s “Nocturne” – Nocturne - Dreamcatcher

Clarice & Jess’s Justin Giles “hard hitting” contemporary: Celeste Lear’s “Light Through the Branches” – Light Through the Branches - Looking Up from Underwater

Ashley & Chris’s Liz Lira salsa: Tito Puente’s “Mambo Beat” – Mambo Beat - Lo Mejor de Lo Mejor: Tito Puente

Ryan & Rickey’s Chucky Klampow jazz: David Bowie’s “Fashion” – Fashion - Best of Bowie

Caitlynn & Mitchell’s Mandy Moore contemporary: Celine Dion’s “To Love You More” – To Love You More - Let'S Talk About Love

Ray Leeper’s Top 7 Girls group jazz routine: Eartha Kitt’s “My Discarded Men” – Eartha Kitt

July 6, 2011 I Written By

SYTYCD Top 16 Performance Music

Last weeks results were tough to take, for sure. I’m interested to see if Ryan redeems herself because I know there’s been some backlash towards her in particular after last week’s cuts. I wonder how all of the dancers will perform after this first rough cut of the season.

Tyce Diorio Broadway/jazz routine with half the Top 16: Ray Charles’s “Hit the Road Jack” – Hit the Road Jack - Genius - The Ultimate Ray Charles Collection

Sasha & Alexander’s Dee Caspary contemporary: Cary Brothers’ “Belong” – Belong - Under Control (Bonus Track Version) I love Cary Brothers!

Caitlynn & Mitchell’s Jean Marc Genereaux samba: Alicia Keys ft. Beyonce’s “Put It In a Love Song” – Put It In a Love Song (feat. Beyoncé Knowles) - The Element of Freedom (Deluxe Version)

Miranda & Robert’s Tyce Diorio Broadway: “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If You Ain’t Got That Swing)” – Medley: It Don't Mean a Thing / Jumpin' At the Woodside - Swing (Original Broadway Cast Recording) from the “Sophisticated Ladies” soundtrack.

Melanie & Marko’s Nappytabs lyrical hip hop: Leona Lewis’s “I Got You” – I Got You - Echo (Deluxe Version)

Ashley & Chris’s Sonya jazz: Telepathe’s “Lights Go Down” – Lights Go Down - Dance Mother [They danced to the District 78 remix, but I didn’t see it on iTunes.]

Clarice & Jess’s Jean Marc Genereux foxtrot: Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” – Fly Me to the Moon - Down with Love (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)

Ryan & Rickey’s Sonya contemporary: Robyn’s “With Every Heartbeat” – With Every Heartbeat (With Kleerup) - Robyn

Jordan and Tadd’s Nappytabs hip hop: David Guetta ft. Kid Cudi’s “Memories” – Memories (feat. Kid Cudi) - One More Love I *love* Kid Cudi.

Dee Caspary contemporary with the other half of the Top 16: The Civil Wars’s “Poison & Wine” – Poison & Wine - Barton Hollow

June 29, 2011 I Written By

Top 20 (Part 2) Performance Music

Here we go again, round 2 of the Top 20 performances. I’m excited to see everybody dance again, but so nervous about losing 4 of them tomorrow night. Crossing my fingers for my favorites…now…which makes it hard to type….

And a spoiler space, just in case…

Read more..

June 22, 2011 I Written By