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Flashback: SYTYCD Canada (and U.S.) Season 2 – Tara-Jean & Everett

Typically, I don’t have time to watch So You Think You Can Dance Canada where the primary judges were: Jean-Marc Généreux and Tré Armstrong. So once in a while a friend of mine would send me a video of another routine from another part of the world that would pique my interest some and then that was all.

So when a friend (and fellow PureSYTYCD blogger) of mine posted a video on my Facebook Timeline I wasn’t entirely too anxious to want to go and see it right away, instead I waited til I had a little bit of time before I decided to look at it.

She sent the video with the following comment:

It’s been so long since we had a really good memorable Broadway number (maybe neil & kent baseball from season 7 or robert & kathryn west side story, but I don’t have any memorable ones from last year!), I’d love to see more numbers with this kind of energy!!

Another friend commented:

I miss the old stage. And as long as Tyce is not directing, I tend to like the broadway, but not love.

So, upon reading the comments I decided to watch the video, and boy… my friend was right… it has been a long time since I have seen a Broadway routine with this much energy.

The theatre routine in question was choreographed by Sean Cheesman who just in the first two weeks of competition for SYTYCD Season 9 choreographed two routines that for some reasons the audience may not have connected well to from the get go. Now that’s interesting… Anyway when I say a “long time” I definitely mean a long time… like Season 2’s Benji Schwimmer and Donyelle Jones:

Ironically both were the second seasons of their respective series and both involve “power couples”. So that got me thinking, I already created a Dance Style Breakdown for SYTYCD U.S. edition, so how did the dancers breakdown of dance style fare in Canada? So I decided to take a look… Below is a quick dance style breakdown over the course of the four seasons that the show was on the air:

DANCE STYLE MALE FEMALE
Contemporary 20 24
Hip Hop 9 5
Ballroom / Latin / Salsa 8 8
Ballet 2 2
Tap 1 0
Jazz 1 2
Break Dancing 1 0
Krump 0 1

Granted, this is still a bit lopsided with Contemporary dancers building the bulk of the group… however, when looking at the individual seasons, two of them (Season 2 and 4) were rather decently balanced. While the other two seasons had an insane number of Contemporary dancers in comparison to everyone else.

The two dancers from SYTYCD Canada Season 2 were tap and contemporary and they did a rather good job of it. At the same time I found it kind of odd that Sean Cheesman would create such a technically challenging and high octane theatre / broadway routine. Yes, for SYTYCD U.S. Sean has only created Jazz related routines… what gives? Sure, Tyce is a decent choreographer and Spencer Liff just got an Emmy nomination for his Broadway routines… but if the above routine is any indication I would love to see him try his hand on Broadway as well. If only because it forces the high octane / technically challenging routines to also depends on characterizations for the dancers.

What do you think?

July 21, 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 Canada Cancelled

After one of the most fantastic seasons yet, the Canadian version of SYTYCD has been cancelled by CTV.

Hours after crowning Jordan Clark the Season 4 winner, the announcement was made official, this would be the last season of SYTYCD Canada.

“I can confirm that we are not ordering a fifth season of the series,” Scott Henderson, vice-president of communications for Bell Media told CityNews.ca.

“After four seasons and 92 episodes, CTV has decided to pursue other program strategies. This decision was made after careful consideration, including viewership and economic factors. We remain extremely proud of the legacy of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, including raising the profile of dance in this country,”

Fans are outraged, and they are not alone. Judges, choreographers and dancers alike are all in shocked and disappointed at this news.

Jean-Marc Genereux tweeted:

Dear Fans @SYTYCDCanada.no regrets! you were the best fans in the WORLD..SHOW is gone! But NOT your passion for DANCE,it’s a CTV decision!
You will hear all kinds of reasons!!! But you know what!!! Canada loved his DANCE SHOW and I’m sure the fans will react!!!

@TreArmstrong tweeted:

“Wow…honestly can’t believe #SYTYCDCanada has been cancelled,” Armstrong said Tuesday. “So disappointing for Canada & our amazing talent. Best season EVER! Love You.”
“Hope that #SYTYCDCanada comes back to live once more…thank you for 4 great seasons,” Armstrong wrote Tuesday. “The network, production, crew & talent, love u all.”

Luther Brown tweeted:

Its sad that the show has ended but God is good and we were all blessed to be apart of Canada’s best show! We went out with a bang!!!

Stacey Tookey tweeted:

I’m so sad to hear about the cancellation of SYTYCDC but I am so proud to know a group of people with that much talent & heart!! Love u all!

For me this is sad news. Granted I still watch SYTYCD USA, but there was something special about our Canadian SYTYCD and I am sad to see that go.

A part of me hopes that it will somehow survive, but only time will tell. There are a number of petitions and complaints going on to try and save the show. In the past, I know when a company cancels something, it is usually a done deal, but you never know!

How do you feel about this news?

[Source]

September 13, 2011 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

SYTYCD Canada Finale Recap – And Season 4 Winner is….

**Spoilers at the end of this post**

Here is a recap of the show, with the winner at the very end, you have been warned 😉 Although it is mostly a recap of what was danced, I have thrown some of my own opinions in the mix just for fun!

Opening Number:
Amazing number that introduced the judges and Top 22 dancers. I really loved the routine

Montage of past season:
“Moves like Jagger”
“I think they feel the pressure”

Jean-Marc chooses:
Shane & Lindsay
Disco – Melissa Williams
Shake Your Groove Thing – Peaches & Herb

One of the few discos I really really loved ever. So fun and well executed!

Luther chooses:
Carlena & Boneless
Hip Hip – Steve Bolton
Super Bass – Nicki Minaj

Loved seeing this again, such a fun number and love Vancouver represnting (Carlena)

Rex chooses:
Joey & Jordan
Contemporary – Stacey Tookey

Tears, Standing Ovations, amazing moment. I really wanted Joey in the end.

Sergio chooses:
Matt & Shelaina
Contemporary – Sabrina Matthews
“The Nutcracker: Act II: Tableau 3: Pas De Deux: The Sugar-Plum Fairy & Prince Orgead – Slovak Radio

This doll piece was cute and quirky.

Mary chooses:
Christian & Melissa
Tango – Tony & Melanie
“La Bohemia” – Electro Dub

Such power!

Mia chooses:
Joey & Jordan
Jazz – Sean Cheesman
That’s Life- Frank Sinatra

The theatre piece from the movies / first date… This made me fall in love with Jordan even more!

Sean chooses:
Melissa & Adam
Contemporary – Sabrina Matthews

Absolutely amazing!

Review of unique styles shown on the show Dancehall, Afro-Jazz, New Disco, and of course… Bollywood.

Bollywood Group Routine
Bollywood: “Hadippa” by Pritam & Mika Singh from “Dil Bole Hadippa!”

Montage of injuries – pretty gross bruises, bleeds and breaks

Blake chooses:
Jordan & Christian
Contemporary – Stacey Tookey
“All in Love is fair” – Stevie Wonder

Great piece from last weekès finale performance show.

Tre chooses:
Matt & Lindsay
Hip Hop – ShoTyme
“Like That” – Memphis Bleek

Another one from last weekès performance finale show.

Mary chooses:
Shane & Melissa
Salsa – Gustavo Vargas
“Salsa y Sabor” – Tito Puente

Another one from last weekès fianle performance show – absolutely amazing!

Montage of “typical day for dancers”
7am wake-up
9am Canda’s Ballet School rehersals
Practices all day!!
7pm Costume fittings
Not eating of sleeping properly
1am Gym to practice
9am on stage rehersals
8pm Show Time
Tired all day but energized right before they go live


Pretty Intense!!!

Mary Chooses:
Melissa & Shane
Hip Hop – Luther
The Time – Black Eyed Peas

This one is one of my favourite Hip Hop routines it was just incredible!

Luther chooses:
Contemporary – Blake McGrath
Adam & Lindsey
Remember When it Rained – Josh Groban

Another moving piece from Blake.

Leah chooses:
Top 22 Dancers
Hip Hop – Luther Brown

It was so great to see everyone on stage again together!

Blake Chooses:
Mia Michaels – Top 3 Girls Routine

This was the most amazing routine. See it here.

Ballroom Specialist Montage

Jean-Marc chooses:
Denitsa & Francois
Mambo – Gustavo Vargas

Such amazing ballroom dancers! Fantastic to see them in their genre again.

September 11 Tribute:
Stacey Tookey talks about the piece
Top 10 dance

Really emotional and fitting given today’s date. Nice to have a new dance on this finale also.

Montage of where dancers are from and what their backgrounds are.

Leah reviews where some of the past dancers from the show are and who they have danced for – highlighting their accomplishments.

Nico (season 1 winner) introduces Tara-Jean and Denys who are past winners of SYTYCD Canada (season 2 and 3) who dance. It was awesome, choreographed by Tony & Melanie. They even went off the stage to dance in the crowd.

Top 6 Dancers
Sean Cheesman choreographed
Relax My Beloved – Alex Care

I love that they are doing past favourite dances as well as new routines for this finale, it was sad seeing them dance for the last time together in the stage.

Top 6 talk about their journey starting with making the Top 22. They chat about a few stories. Lindsey wore size 5 show instead of size 7 once. They were waiting for the lights on stage and all took a nap, Christian slept on the stairs back stage once.

Melissa’s favourite routine was with Shane, Christian’s was the door routine with Jordan, Shane talks about how hard Christian practiced on the wall to be as good as Jordan for that routine. Jordan loved dancing with everyone and talks about their connection, Lindsey says they are all best friends. They end with a heart felt group hug.

Leah introduces the Final 3 routines of the night
Lindsey & Shane
Contemporary – Stacey Tookey
Uninvited – Alanis Morrissette

Montage of Lindsey moments.
Montage of Shane moments.

Melissa & Matt
Jazz – Melissa Williams
Nobody’s Perfect – Jesse J

Montage of Melissa moments
Montage of Matt moments.

Christian & Jordan
Jazz – Sean Cheesman
Skin – Rihanna

The door routine. Amazing!

Montage of Jordan memories (Good Life – One Republic)
Montage of Christian memories

Announcing the Winner:

Leah reminds us of prizes:
$5000 for 4 runner’s up
$10000 and a car for 1st runner up
$100000 and a car for winner.

Canada voted 1.6 million times

Christian, Lindsey, Shane are not in the top 2.

Matt is not in Top 2.

Melissa and Jordan remain… we are not surprised are we?

They both won cars… but there can only be one winner and it is…. Jordan Clark!

All of them are really winners… not just the money or cars, but the exposure they have had and the talent they have shown – I expect big things from all of them in the future 🙂

Overall Thoughts:

I am so thrilled Jordan won. I was rooting for her since auditions and think she is amazing.

I thought for a while Melissa may beat her because she showed such diversity and skill.

I also thought Matt somehow may pull (what I would consider) an upset and take it, though I felt Christian was a better dancer and Shane the best male dancer.

I didn’t think a male would win it though, the women were fierce.

Lindsey grew the most for me and I was so impressed with how much she improved and brought to the stage this season!

Congrats to Jordan, I am so proud and thrilled to see that my favourite from day one took it home!

Thoughts on the winner? The finale? The season?

September 11, 2011 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

Inside the Choreographers mind…

Nico Archambault and Wynn Holmes, Danny Arbour, Mandy Moore and Melissa Williams reveal the highs and lows of their choreographic processes to CTV.

Nico Archambault and Wynn Holmes: Jazz

Nico: We both just love the song “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by Otis Redding.
Wynn: It’s a love story. It’s light. It’s sweet.
Nico: It’s about a new love, fresh love.
Wynn: It was inspired by a great picnic.

Nico: Losing Shelaina was difficult.
Wynn: But she definitely made the right decision. We were excited to work with Tara-Jean again – we just choreographed the (Season 3) promo with her and we just finished working with her. We were totally familiar with each other.
Nico: Because she wasn’t a competitor, she was really calm and supportive, totally relaxed

Mandy Moore: Contemporary

Mandy: The piece is about the power of remembering. I envisioned this man walking in a place he’d been before and everything about it was so familiar – the sights, the smells, everything – and he was able to recall being there with one of his loves, a long-lost love. The beauty of memory is that it comes and goes, and can be just so real. There are certain songs that I can hear and I can instantly remember being 16, driving around with my boyfriend, the blue sky and the wind in my hair. It’s amazing what you can conjure up!

The whole process was just a joy. I love the part in the choreography where he picks her up and I tried to get her to feel like she’s dipping her knees in river water. He picks her up and she dips her knees down and every time my heart just about bursts whenever I see that part.

Read More at CTV & See videos of the performances.

August 28, 2010 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

Canada Season 3 Promo with Previous Winners Nico & Tara-Jean

15th August the premiere of the 3rd Season.

No mention on who choreographed the routine my guess is Blake McGrath. He did the 2nd season promo last year which is this video below:

August 5, 2010 I Written By

Awesome SYTYCD Canada Promo with Nico and Tara-Jean

This is amazing… I saw it on tonight’s SYTYCD commercial break and had to record it to share with everyone… I LOVE NICO!!!

So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 3 Promo with Nico and Tara-Jean.

August 15 SYTYCD Canada starts, and I will be posting regularily here for those of you unable to watch via Much Music or CTV. (Don’t worry I fast forward through Jean-Marc too… and sometimes Leah Miller, though she is fun to make fun of…)

July 29, 2010 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

SYTYCD Canada Calendar

Across Canada your favourite dancers are appearing…..

Jan. 23-24
Vancouver, B.C.: iDance Convention
Sheraton Vancouver Guilford

Faculty includes: Tara-Jean Popowich, Vincent Desjardins, Kim Gingras with Brandon Bryant and Evan Kasprzak from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Jan. 23-24
Regina, Sask.: iDance Convention
Delta Regina

Faculty includes: Jayme Rae Dailey, Austin Di Iulio, Natalli Reznik, Cody Bonnell and Amy Gardner

Jan. 30-31
Montreal: iDance Convention
Cowne Plaza Hotel Airport

Faculty includes: Tara-Jean Popowich, Vincent Desjardins, Jayme Rae Dailey, Arassay Reyes with Alex Wong from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Jan. 30-31
Edmonton: iDance Convention
Radisson Edmonton South

Faculty includes: Kim Gingras, Natalli Reznik, Francis Lafrenière with Brandon Bryant and Evan Kasprzak from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Feb. 4
Belleville, Ont.: Habitat for Humanity PhilanthroPARTY, a fundraiser for Haiti
The Empire Theatre and Centre for the Performing Arts
Performances by Cody Bonnell and Melanie Mah

Feb. 5-7
Calgary: Calgary International Salsa Conference
Hyatt Regency Calgary

Workshop with Tara-Jean Popowich

Feb. 6-7
Montreal: Raise the Bar 6 dance convention
Faculty includes: Luther Brown and Kim Gingras (with Blueprint dance company)

Feb. 6-7
Winnipeg: iDance Convention
Faculty includes: Tara-Jean Popowich, Vincent Desjardins, Jayme Rae Dailey, Natalli Reznik and Brandon Bryant from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Feb. 13-14
Calgary: iDance Convention

Faculty includes: Tara-Jean Popowich, Vincent Desjardins, Jayme Rae Dailey, Miles Faber and Brandon Bryant from the U.S.’s SYTYCD.

Feb. 27-28
Barrie, Ont.: DARK Danse presents “Just the Beginning”
Faculty includes: Miles Faber and Jenna-Lynn Higgins

All events are subject to change.

January 24, 2010 I Written By

I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

Gustavo Vargas Comes to SYTYCD

Gustavo Vargas is an amazing dancer, choreographer and actor, who played a salsa dancer in the movie “Along came Polly”. He choreographed a number of routines on SYTYCD Canada and recently debuted as a choreographer on SYTYCD USA Season 6.

In So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 2 Gustavo choreographed:

  • Mambo for Cody & Melanie in the Top 16 show
  • Cha Cha for Vincent & Amy in the Top 14 Show
  • Sexy Mambo for Jayme Rae & Everett in the Top 8 Show
  • Salsa for Vincent & Tara-Jean (who won the season) in the Top 6 Show
  • His Salsa Dance for Mollee and Nathan in Top 16 didn’t fair well as Mollee and Nathan received a lot of critiques from the judges and though the dancers chemistry and technique were off, Gustavo’s choreography was fantastic.

    Nigel identified the good things in Guastavo’s routine and Mary pointed out how Gustavo is known as “suavo” for being suave and that Nathan lacked that emotion in the routine.

    Nonetheless Nathan felt “HOT” and I personally enjoyed the routine.

    I look forward to see more Gustavo on SYTYCD.

    November 22, 2009 I Written By

    I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

    Season 3 Auditions Underway across Canada

    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:

  • Jean Marc Genereux
  • Tré Armstrong
  • Luther Brown
  • Mary Murphy
  • 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 🙂

    November 15, 2009 I Written By

    I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com

    What is Tara-Jean up to?

    What is Tara-Jean up to since her win?

    CTV caught up with her to see….

    The reality of being Canada’s Favourite Dancer still hasn’t sunk in for Tara-Jean Popowich. “It’s been amazing, everything’s been amazing, but it still totally catches me by surprise!” she laughs.

    It might not have sunk in for Tara-Jean, but it certainly has for her hometown of Lethbridge, Alta. This week, in a special ceremony, Tara-Jean was given the key to her hometown, but not before Mayor Robert Tarleck waltzed with Tara-Jean around City Hall.

    “He’s a really good partner. He was leading me really well,” Tara-Jean laughs.

    “The weirdest part is seeing my face everywhere and my name,” she says, adding she’s seen her photograph on billboards and on the front lawns of schools. “Even on a McDonald’s sign,” she laughs.

    “Lethbridge people are so excited for me!” she says. “After Halloween, I got a whole bunch of messages about kids dressing up as Tara-Jean for Halloween! They were wearing blonde wigs and were wearing hats with dance outfits. It’s so crazy!”

    Family time: Perogies and cabbage rolls

    After her exciting win at the end of October, Tara-Jean headed home to spend some time with her family. “It was pretty late when I got in, but all my family surprised me. We ended up staying up until 3 o’clock in the morning,” she says.

    After what she calls “the best sleep I’ve had in the last four months,” Tara-Jean indulged in a feast of her favourite foods.

    “We’re such a Ukrainian family and I really missed having perogies and cabbage rolls, so that was the first thing my mom cooked for me,” she says.

    Busy, busy, busy

    Tara-Jean hasn’t had too much time to relax since her win, but she’s not complaining. She gets her 2010 Mazda 3 Sport next week and this week, she walked the red carpet at Flare magazine’s 30th anniversary.

    “I brought three different dresses, but until the very last minute, I hadn’t picked which one I wanted to wear,” she giggles.

    Though she still hasn’t figured out exactly how she’s going to spend all of her $100,000 prize money, she is helping her mom pay off the rest of her mortgage and also helping her brother with his education. With the rest of the funds, she hopes to start her own dance company and produce her own show.

    Motivational speeches

    Tara-Jean believes in giving back to the community that supported her throughout her SYTYCDC journey, and has been visiting Lethbridge schools to chat with excited students.

    “It was kind of overwhelming at first, because all the kids just run up to you and want to take pictures and get autographs, but it’s so amazing,” she says, reveling in the position of role model.

    At many of the schools, there were boxes of woodchips that said ‘Knock on wood for Tara-Jean.’ “How cute is that?” Tara-Jean beams.

    “‘If I achieved something, so can you,’ she tells the students. “‘I was exactly like you, I was an average student, I didn’t come from a lot of money, just a small-town girl from Lethbridge.’

    “It’s really nice to see kids really have faith in themselves,” she adds. “I love that the message is out there that you can do whatever you want no matter where you’re from. It makes me so happy.

    “I was sitting in those exact same desks and look where I’ve gone. It’s a lot of hard work, but they can do it.”

    Source

    I Written By

    I am a blogger and reality tv lover. I blog here for SYTYCD but mostly the Canada version, since I live in Vancouver BC. I also blog about other reality tv shows on my own blog www.mandysmind.com