I almost forgot...

to give my final reaction to the SYTYCD finale!

Ok, so first of all, I'm pleased with the results. By the last few weeks Jeanine had really begun to stand out for me- especially during the solos- and I think she is amazing. My hubby thinks Brandon was robbed and my friend Danielle turned off the show once Kayla was awarded 4th place, but I really think that Jeanine is was given the well deserved winning spot.

Some final pieces I have to throw up that aired the during the last few shows:

Some oldies but Emmy-award-nominated/winning-goodies...
The bench piece choreographed by Mia Michaels, danced by Travis Wall and Heidi. Absolutely beautiful.

And of course, Ramalama, choreographed by Wade Robson. My favorite piece ever.

And also, I fell in love with the contemporary piece danced by Kayla and Brandon in one of the last weeks (sorry this is a long version of the video, but it's the best quality). It is choreographed by Stacey Tookey and is a perfect duet. Kayla + Brandon + contemporary = amazing!

Till fall...

SYTYCD, week 8 and beyond

Though Tyce Diorio's piece about breast cancer, danced by Ade and Melissa, was a beautiful contemporary piece and the sentimental favorite of the night, my personal pick was quite the opposite. Laurieann Gibson choreographed a pop jazz piece that had no story, no gimmick, and very little partner interaction. Yet, the choreography was dynamic and Jeanine and Brandon performed it with so much precision and strength that it gets my vote. It was an awesome piece.
Also, you all know how I feel about Kayla, but Jeanine has been sneaking up as the finale comes closer. As brilliant as Brandon is, I found myself unable to look away from Jeanine. I'm really digging her right now, and may change my vote. I know! Shocking news, right?!

Now, I will be out of town for the next two weeks (see next blog :) and will miss the finale (which means I won't be able to vote for Kayla or Jeanine- sad!). Watching the missed episodes will be at the top of my list upon returning, but in the meantime, there better not be anyone sending me emails or texts saying, "OMG! Can you believe ____ won?!" Because I might mortally wound whoever who makes that mistake. I will post my own OMG! reaction after I've watched the finale. That will be your cue to start commenting away. Until then, mum's the word.

Enjoy, dance fans!

SYTYCD, week 6

If you watched season 2, you know Travis Wall. He was robbed of the title, coming in second.

No matter. He's back, and bringing awesome choreography with him!

My fave piece of this week was Travis Wall's piece danced by Jeanine and Jason. This is the first week I've really even noticed Jason. These two got a lucky break when they shed their old partners and were paired up together. They have a great chemistry and showcase each other really well.

Enjoy!

Until next week, dance fans...

SYTYCD, week 5ish...

Ish explains a lot about the last few weeks. To use my favorite cliche: when it rains, it pours. Literally. After a festive-family-filled-fourth, we returned home to find a newly flooded basement that had been sitting unattended all weekend. Gross. Two days of cleaning/gutting the basement followed. Fun. Then off to a family wedding in Florida, to be finished off by a true Planes, Trains, and Automobiles experience trying to get back home. Infuriating. (More on that later!) The fridge went out while we were gone, but it's since been fixed and new groceries bought, and barring a natural disaster- knock on wood!- I think (I hope) we're back on track.

Regardless, I've had this post in my head for quite some time and wanted to share no matter the tardiness.

Ok. This was the first week where I was truly blown away by a piece. The dancing and choreography have been great this season, but none that I rewound and rewound again to watch over. Until the holy trinity of Mia Michaels, Kayla, and Kupono came together in this piece about addiction. Mia's choreography and movement perfectly depict an addicted Kayla's struggle with a menacing and damaging Kupono. The piece ends, just as it begins showing the constant downward spiral of addiction. It's brilliant. The dancers move past dancing and into the story of the piece. The piece is emotional, moving, and for a second you forget you're watching dance. Those are my favorite pieces. They are true works of art.

Love, love, love it! By far my favorite piece of the season.

This week also showed me something else quite amazing. As I sat watching the show, I thought, you know, you are becoming quite biased...you think Kayla can do no wrong...you only love this piece because you love Kayla. But then she and Kupono were unfortunatley paired up with choreographer Joey Dowling. And my doubts were tossed out the window. Joey successfully made these two dancers look like ametures. Her dated ideas and movement, paired with completely uninspiring music make me yawn. I was equally unimpressed- I think I actually said to the TV, "Eww!"- the week before when Joey did a piece with Randi and Evan. So she's 0 for 2 in my book. Thank you Joey, for proving that my judgement isn't slipping after all!

Until next week...ish...

SYTYCD, week 4

So, yeah, it's been a rough couple of days.

But I got up this morning, blogged, and then watched SYTYCD on my couch, tea in hand. Nothing could make me feel better than that.

As usual, I'm nothing if not consistent. My fav is another Sonya piece, and another Kayla and Kupono piece. The three together might be the perfect combination. Sonya has such amazing musicality, and her style is that great mix of ugly and fabulous. And Kayla is just sick. Absolutely sick. She and Kupono have a very similar aesthetic. I like it. So that's my pick-Sonya's vampire piece danced by Kayla and Kupono. Enjoy!

Until next week...

P.S. Do you want an early prediction for the final two? (in whisper voice) Kayla and Brandon!

SYTYCD, week 3

Ok, so I'm completely late with this post, but my basement flooded on Thursday due to the flash flooding in my neighborhood, so blogging kind of got pushed to the last priority. Also, it's been a full house around here. I'm dog sitting for my parents this week, so the monster dogs are back.

They are not monsters because they are bad- in fact they are the sweetest 100+ pound labs you've ever met. But they are BIG in my little house. We've been having fun. You might remember meeting Boomer last summer. This year, he is joined by Pistol Pete (as in the OSU Cowboy Pistol Pete, to compliment Boomer Sooner of OU, of course! Have I ever mentioned I'm from Oklahoma...?)

Anyway, I mention my house guests because Pete confirmed that Mary Murphy has the most irritating voice on the planet. Yes, I think she is very knowledgeable and probably a great dancer in her time, but wow, her voice grates across me like nothing else. Usually, I am able to fast forward though her part after each dance. Unfortunately, I was watching Wednesday night's show live, so Pete and I had to endure the screaming. I swear to you, every time she spoke (or screeched) Pete would stand up and look around with his ears back and a scared look on his face.

Here he is looking quite calm and collected, but I'd say he did not enjoy the show. Sorry, Pete.

My pick for week three was the quirky Mia Michael's piece danced by Randi and Evan. However, my tardiness in posting this week paid off, because probably my favorite piece would be the Thursday night opening group piece choreographed by Dimitri, Tabitha and Napoleon. I appreciated the little hint of Flashdance-esque flare. Enjoy!

Until next week (or I guess later this week) dance fans...

SYTYCD, week 2

Oh yes, we've moved on to the abbreviation. So You Think You Can Dance, has always been a ridiculous title, if you ask me. But an awesome show! And last night did not disappoint!

My favorite routine from last night was Sonya's jazz danced by Melissa and Ade. It was weird and cool and very well executed!

Until next week dance fans...

So You Think You Can Dance

Alright, of course I'm a HUGE fan of this show. Would you expect anything less? And since my husband insists on "accidentally" erasing my favorite pieces from the show, I thought I would store them here. And share them with you, of course.

I will not be offended if you skip over these posts. Dance is not for everyone. But for you closet dance fans- enjoy!

My fav piece of this week is the samba routine danced by Max and Kayla, choreographed by Louis van Amstel. I don't even like ballroom, but this one is awesome! Kayla is from Aurora- so I'm a bit biased- and I really liked the pink costume (not a good reason to like a piece, but it definitely topped it off for me!). A close second was the opening hip hop danced by Jeanine and Phillip, choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon. These two are so together and sharp. I was impressed.

Until next week, dance fans...