Last Dance? Not a Chance ...

[mrdreamjeans]

It's a little known fact, except by those who know me very well ... and for a very long time ... that I love to dance even more than I love to sing ... which I love as much as breathing ...

I'm exhausted tonight. I filled in at the communications training firm for the past two days, promoting a media crisis training public workshop. I've made 140 calls and written 140 emails in two 8-hour work days and had splendid results. But, having just the right kind of approach and tone of voice, call after call, takes its toll.

I didn't think any television program could make me focus tonight because of the fatigue, but then "So, You Think You Can Dance" came on and I was reminded how much dancing inspires me. Dance is the only area in my life where I feel I've lost a step or two to age (pun intended). I've spent the equivalent of uninterrupted years of my life dancing. Some of the dance was social (Where's my fan or hat & boots?), some as choreography in shows (such as "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"), some in competition ... CW, disco, polka, waltz and jitterbug, winning events with various partners in each of these dance styles. I used to dance for hours, several nights a week, never sit one out or tire. So, I get what drives the competitors on this show. It's the opportunity to express themselves through dance. It's the dance ...

The six dancers remaining on "So, You Think You Can Dance" are very special, unique; anyone of them is deserving. Their names are Danny, Neil, Pasha, Sabra, Lacey and Lauren. Two are voted off after tonight and the remaining four compete in the series finale. My unexpected picks to leave? Lacey (sister of last year's winner Benjy) and Pasha. My pick to win is Sabra. If you watch, who do you think will take the title of America's favorite dancer?

Perhaps, it's time to dust off my boots and "two-step" out a bit. I haven't been dancing since I left Seattle in 2004 except for one clubhouse party in Minneapolis nearly a year ago. I bet if I did it more often, I'd pick up one of those lost steps ... I bet I'd rediscover the joy and exhilaration in expressing myself on the dance floor. Last dance? Not a chance!

Comments

[egbubba.livejournal.com]

I was meaning to respond to your last post about SYTYCD. I'm a HUGE fan. And don't know a Samba from a Ramba. It is the one TV talent show with true talent. It is absolutely mezmerizing every week. And, god forbid, educational to us who know nothing of dance and dancers lives.

I've given up guessing who might be the winner. Unlike American Idol, all of the top 10 were deserving. Even more true for the Top 6. At this point its a matter of popularity, lottery, and crap shoot. Already the Top 10 have won. They get full employment for a year (!) as the show goes on tour. (Will you go?)

I've also had several favorites along the way. Right now I have two. Sabre and Danny. Both are I-can't-look-away captivating. Mesmerizing. Amazing to watch.

How much to I love Danny? This much: I wouldn't fuck him with someone else's dick. Although chisled and classically good looking, not at all my type. But everytime he dances he creates such strength and elegance that I am consitantly astonished. As Choreographer Mia said, he dances to the tips of his fingers. Every little hand gester is amazing. Every leap astounding. Every line (a term I learn from the show) elegant. His only stumbling block is that he appears to know how good he is. True or not, he's come across as arogant. Not so much any more, but it will likely keep him from winning. Maybe even from getting to the finals.

Sabre does not have that problem. Not only is her technique both perfect and effortless, you can see every emotion, every thought and every character on her face. In every part of her body. In every movement.

Will she win? She should. But that doesn't mean she will. I really doen't know. However, it has been great to see her raise from dark horse/underdog. When the season started, she was one of "the others" as dancers like Lacey gobbled up camera time. Maybe that will help her as her popularity didn't pique too soon. It's still gaining momemtum.

For the same reasons, Lacey will lose. She came out strong, but may have topped out already. And with her cousin in the finals and her brother winning last year, people may feel "been there, done that." And where Danny seems veiled, Lacey seems to paint a false face. Just a little bit too much "on" all the time.

I'm also back on Mia's bandwagon. Wade has been blowing me away since the finals of last year. And the other choreographers seem to be coasting and repeating themselves a bit. Then Mia came out with last weeks dance (about which you posted). Wow. That lady is amazing.

And what happened to whats-his-name? One of last years hip-hop choregrapher. He hasn't been on the show once.

Finally, I'm a new fan of the guy who choreographed/directed "Hairspray." He's such a hoot. They should make him a regular next season.

OK, I didn't mean to write this much. I haven't even written MY OWN posted about some of the above, and I've been meaning to for weeks. But the show's on here in 2 minutes, and I'm getting excited to see what the most talented constestants on TV will do this week!

P.S.

[egbubba.livejournal.com]

Commercial break. So time for a quick PS..

P.S. I forgot to mention Pasha. He has also come on strong in the last few weeks. For "Just Another Trained Russian Ballroom Dancer" he has amazing versitility. Tonight's hip-hop is an example.

As wonderful as Mia's "Meeting In Heaven" piece was, I would have given anything to see it danced by Sabra and/or Pasha.

My dream final four is Sabra, Danny, Pasha and ... some other girl. There really isn't a second female this season who stands out enough for me. Likely, Lacey will have one of the final spots.

Re: P.S.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I like your dream four and would add Lauren to the mix. I'm hoping that folks will pay more attention to her after last night's performances ... such an expressive face ... such joy ... I do think that Pasha will be the man who goes before the final. To some degree it is a popularity contest and Neil's charisma may carry him through ...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Lacey did indeed "gobble up" face time earlier in the season ... There's something too self-aware about her performances which are beginning to distance me. She hasn't shown the versatility in the past two weeks that the other dancers have ...and I know I'm splitting hairs. She's excellent, but it's the way she mugs for the cameras and reacts to criticism which is annoying me. I much prefer Lauren, who has survived the bottom three time and again ... She doesn't have that Morman fan base, so she may be out on Monday, but it won't be deserved.

To me, Danny is recognizably Gay which many be his downfall, since the other two hotties have the screaming gals in their corners ... Perhaps, Danny needs the screaming queen vote ... LOL! Technically, he's the strongest dancer and will have an amazing professional career. America's favorite dancer ... most likely not.

I enjoy Mia's choreography .. LOVE Wade's work ... I do wonder what happened to Dan, who judged the first week and has been awol ever since.

My dream final four ... Danny, Neil, Sabra and Lauren ... It's not going to play out that way, but it's what I'd like to see ...

HUGS!

[egbubba.livejournal.com]

"To me, Danny is recognizably Gay..."

Funny you should mention that. Last night I was thinking just the opposite.
On American Idol, the game is "Which one is gay?"
On SYTYCD, the game is "Gee, I wonder which one is straight."
For some reason, I picked Danny as the straight one. Maybe Pasha. But my radar has never worked.

And if you haven't noticed, the screaming girls always go for the sexually non-threatening, practically androgynous, obvious gay. Cases in point: Clay Aken, Elton John (in his hey day), Lance Bass (or any boy band member), etc., etc., etc.

Brian Freedman (I just looked it up) is the missing chreographer of which I was thinking. But you're right. Dan Karaty has been MIA since the auditions. And Shane Sparks has been choreographing, but missing from the judges table. Maybe--with their new-found notoriety--they're too busy working. Or maybe it's a change in the show's direction. Let the choreographers choreograph. Bring in "stars" to judge. I miss those guys. However, I have enjoyed Debbie Allen. And I'm now a huge fan of Hairspray director Adam Shankman.

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

What a superb show it was tonight. Just stunning choreograhy and dancing. There are a lot of people out there that don't know what they are missing.

But who will win? My goodness. It could be anyone, they are all so good. I'm guessing Neil and Lauren to leave this week, with maybe Lacey to win - Meirion is predicting Danny, how's that for a daring choice. But I really, really don't know. I'd be happy for any of them to win. And I expect I will cry.

Of course we are going to try for tickets for the tour. I hear last year was fab. They play Toronto November 1.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm like you ... I can't predict who will and won't go ... The solo dances are where they separate out for me. The two latin dancers are not as versatile when performing alone, which is why I think Lacey and Pasha could exit. But, as you've said, they are all so deserving. If it's popularity, then it could be Danny and Lauren out the door, which would be a shame. Lauren was absolutely stunning last night. I'll stick with my choice of Sabra as the overall winner ...and to think, she's only been dancing 4 years!

HUGS!

ps ... I think you made a good choice to include the cat photo in your competition choices ... I call the photo "Lion Wanna Be" ... :)

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Technically, the show goes to Danny. He's got line, he's got legs for days, he pirouettes like he's on ice skates. Among the women, I think it'll come down to Lacy and Sabra.

The real wild card is the voting. This is for "America's Favorite Dancer", not it's best one, so Danny could easily loose to Neil, simply because Danny came off as a bit smug earlier in the competition. Lacy is definately a better dancer than her brother was, but will the voters want to "keep it in the family"?

I'll be politically incorrect and address the elephant in the room: America may not be willing to let either Danny or Sabra win because they're Black. It's a sad, ugly fact that as a culture, we still only allow minorities to advance so far. That said, those two kids are DAMN good! I can't imagine a dance company in the country that would turn either of them away.

Next Monday will be interesting.

The Crystal Ball Says ...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting observation ... I would vote in a heartbeat for either Danny or Sabra as the "best" dancers ... and as I've indicated, I've picked Sabra to win.

As to professional careers, having observed hundreds of my colleagues over the years, my crystal ball tells me that Danny, Sabra and Lauren should have solid, perhaps distinguished careers with professional dance companies ... Neil and Lacey will pursue and fit best in Broadway shows and revue dancing ... I believe both are also singers and have acting aspirations ... Pasha will further his career in competitive ballroom and Latin dancing and teach. .. And ... I may be completely wrong ... LOL! ... So may factors ... injuries, personal life, attitude ...

Re: The Crystal Ball Says ...

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

I think Sabra has stunned most people with her versatility. If America loves the underdog, Sabra will take it. Danny has gone through a needed attitude adjustment, after being gently called on the carpet by one of the judges for "dancing like you've already won this competition". If this was a competition based on pure technique, he'd win it.

Beyond that, I think your observations on the possible career paths is spot-on, but then, you also know how capricious show-biz is.

Re: The Crystal Ball Says ...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Your comment about Nigel's observation is an example of why I like this show so much. The judges are articulate and on the money. Danny does have an arrogance about him, which may be to cover shyness, but it could also be because he's always received raves for his dance. The judges' constructive feedback may not improve his dance skills, but it will make him a better professional colleague and greatly enhance his chances to join a professional company. It also, in the short run, makes him more appealing to the voters.

And yes ... show-biz is indeed capricious ... I'm waiting for it to turn around and be positive for me again! HUGS!

[egbubba.livejournal.com]

I grew up with many young black girls who were crushed by ballet instructors who told them that they didn't have "the right body" for ballet. Some were literally told "Your butt's too big." And I think race would be (more of) a factor here if the people voting were middle-aged casting directors. They are always looking for a "type."

Fortunately for these kids, most of the voters are teenagers. The same ones who by Beyonce CDs. Race and "looks like a ballerina" may not (yet) be a factor for those voters. Additionally, the fact that Sabra and Danny are half-black gives them a certain "exotic" appeal which is very popular these days...in the era of Tiger Woods.

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

I think corps like The Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Joffery Ballet have done much to open the doors of classical and modern dance to African Americans. I also agree that the majority of voters for SYTYCD are tweeners and teenagers who are far more colorblind than their parents.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Did you watch last season when Donyelle made it to the finale? She didn't have a "traditional" build for dance, but my goodness was she talented and beautiful.
As to the men who are gay-identified, Pasha strikes me as clearly straight and Neil as an androgynous stunner who's clearly comfortable with everyone, but gets the girls cause when all is said and done, he's straight.

enjoy a few laps for me!

[redbearmark.livejournal.com]

People are finally figuring out that couples dancing is so much more than tribal individual dancing. I am just a wanna be but to ballroom dance properly would be even better than sex!

Hope you get some two steps. waltzes and cha chas in the near future. It does take one away from the modern world in the most delightful way.

Re: enjoy a few laps for me!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

We'll have to trip the light fantastic sometime! Does the bar in Norfolk still do CW dancing on Friday nights? Though, if my memory serves me, they had gotten to the point that it was mostly line dancing ... line dancing ...a few repetitive phrases of choreography that don't require any interaction with a partner, or social skills ... just memorization ... Give a partner and a chance to create to a wonderful piece of music!

HUGS!

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the "getting back to two-stepping" thing. And I will even stick my neck out so far as to say that, should you find yourself in NYC on a Saturday night anytime soon or not-so-soon, I'll do my best to clear my calendar so I can join you on the floor at the Ranch!

Not that that should be such a big surprise. ;-)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

That would be absodamnlutely wonderful! Come to think of it, you were one of the last people that I two-stepped with! I forgot that I went dancing in Oct 2004 at the Ranch! It was fun too ... got to dance with you and that cute boy from "The Producers":)

But isn't that sad? I made time for dancing on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when CW was in its hey-day ... Now, it's once every couple of years .. I'm going dancing this weekend, I swear I am! Course ... some of the great CW clubs have disappeared .. The Timberline in Seattle ... Floyds in Long Beach ... Isn't it about the time for CW to come back around again?

need i remind you

[arkanjil.livejournal.com]

but me n R have been asking you to take some time off n come visit for a while now. Shouldnt take much to synch up some dancing though that, and by al accounts, R is an excellent two stepper....

Re: need i remind you

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Yes ... You are right! RIchard was one of the last people I danced with ... So, you know how long that's been:) Richard is very high on the list of my all-time favorite partners!

It's very hard right now to visit Austin and stay out of the crap with my sister's divorce ... To hell with that! I'll be in touch soon!

HUGS!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

Since I lack TV, I've missed out on the latest dance shows - though I loved Baz Luhrmann's "Strictly Ballroom" film. Fortunately bruinwi regales me from time to time with vivid accounts of how the TV show has been going and who's got great prospects and why. I sometimes think that an enthusiastic narration is almost as exciting as seeing the actual thing.

Sad to say, it's been ages since I've done any dancing myself ... I learned to fake Lindy hop and got as far as waltz and a passable foxtrot (which I once parlayed into a mean Latin rhumba). Catching just the tail end of grade school in Dallas, there was a brushing acquaintance with square dance (they taught it in the public schools back then), which was fun.
I confess that it's mostly as a spectator that I've appreciated dance in the last several years. Recently, through a new and sporadic addiction to YouTube I've rediscovered the immensely satisfying thrill of watching ballet. Heady stuff, especially dancers like Roberto Bolle and Svetlana Sakharova. During my New York years I got to see both ABT and NYCB a good deal, as well as Paul Taylor and a range of modern companies.

Back when I was starting my professional career at Cincinnati Playhouse I once recall asking an actor/dancer in Three Penny Opera what it was about dance that made performers dedicate themselves to it... considering a realtively short physical life on the stage, the injuries, and the competition. He calmly smiled and said "because there's nothing else like it. The feeling it gives you is indescribeable."

Wishing you happy dancing - in body and in thoughts.
Hugs!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The feeling is indescribable ... a physical sensation of joy that fills you up and has to spill out or you could burst! For years, it was my main outlet for stress, for socialization (because I could stay on the dance floor and create, while others drank) and for the extended hugs. (I could dance 30 to 40 dances in a row, each to a song 3-4 minutes long, and be exhilarated by the touch of another human being). I'll have to take you dancing sometime.

By the way, you may not want this because of the distraction, but I have an extra television, a small portable one with remote in storage. I would be happy to gift it to you for those rare occasions when you would like to watch something. Let me know!

HUGS!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the kind TV offer, Neil. But between the internet, DVD's, new digital gadgets, and my projects I think the wiser choice for me is to decline your generosity... though I'll know where to turn if the urge to succumb becomes overpowering ;0)

But an offer to go out dancing with you - that, I'd never turn down !
Hugs!