Thursday, June 28, 2012

Summertime!


I love summer.

Actually I love all the seasons for different reasons (oh a crack myself up!) but since the first day of summer was last week, right now, I love summer!

I love it for all the regular reasons: warm weather, sunshine, beach trips, lots of free time, traveling, etc. As a teacher I still get summer vacation like the kids do. So I really love summer. I’m listening to one of Pandora’s “summer stations,” drinking my favorite coffee enjoying the warm CA sunshine streaming through my window. I’ll probably take a book out to the patio this afternoon, because I can!

Another reason I love summer?
A lot of my favorite T.V. reality shows come back, including So You Think You Can Dance. I am absolutely addicted to this show. I used to dance in high school so I think a part of me always likes to fantasize “that could have been me!” The rational part of me giggles at that. I also love watching others dance and I love watching all these dancers live their passion and their dream. Anyway, it’s absolutely a highlight of my week when I get to watch a new episode.

The past few weeks have been open auditions & Vegas week, so there hasn’t been much to comment on. There were several sweet stories during open auditions, but those always focus on the people that don’t make it all the way through so it’s not as fun to get worked up over them when it’s so short-lived. Vegas week is so intense and they really only show a few things so it’s near impossible to do a fair review.

BUT last night…the top 20…were revealed! This is my absolute favorite part of the competition. Everyone dances in their own style. They all dance together. No one’s going home. It’s great.

The Ladies:
Alexa, Amber, Amelia, Audrey, Eliana, Janaya, Janelle, Lindsay, Tiffany, & Witney

Some of my early favorites:
I love Amelia. That girl is adorable. Eliana used to work for CIRQUE DU SOLEIL. I have no idea why you would quit that job to be on SYTYCD but whatever. She is awesome based solely on that fact. I also like Jaynaya—I think she is a really beautiful dancer. And major props to Janelle, the first and only belly dancer in the competition. One time my college put on a mock SYTYCD competition. Throughout the week we had mini dance workshops. The only one that fit in my schedule? Belly dancing. Y’all that stuff is hard! I know how to isolate body parts from my limited dance experience but that is nothing compared to what belly dancers do.

And the Men:
Brandon, Chehon, Cole, Cyrus, Daniel, Dareian, George, Matthew, Nick, Will
                                                                                                    
Two of the boys are from other countries (Switzerland & Australia) which I think is awesome.  Plus I love the variety that this season has! Contemporary is always the most popular but in addition to jazz, lyrical, & ballroom, we also have ballet, martial arts fusion, animation popping/robotics, and belly dancing!!!

My early favorites: Cole—I love how he incorporates martial arts into his dance. Cyrus—perhaps my favorite story. He came to auditions with his roommates and now he’s the only one left and, to my knowledge, he has never been formally trained, but he is holding his own (I think). I love his personality and passion. Chehon & Daniel have my heart just because they are from other countries. Sorry American boys, but I always love an accent J And how sweet was it when Nick broke down when he found out he made the top 20. He’s adorable as well.

So who’s going to make it to the finale?? I have no idea! I want to wait and see them compete in two weeks, I’ll have a better guess once I see how they do in other styles.

Last night, the top 20 also performed in groups and together. My favorite performances (aka, the ones I actually stopped crocheting to watch intently)?

All of the group routines were great. Ballroom was sizzling.

But, I really enjoyed when Brandon, Cyrus & Cole performed Resolve, choreographed by Christopher Scott. It was so well done and beautiful mix of their three styles while also allowing them to shine.

And I loved the top 10 girls routine choreographed by Travis Wall. Travis may just be my favorite choreographer. He puts such thought into them and creates absolutely beautiful pieces.

And that’s all for now! Next week is July 4th so now SYTYCD L but it will be back on July 11th. My goal is to do a recap then!!

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