Here's a quick rundown of the auditions:
Emily Carr
The flexibility of the dancers this season is sickening!! She is also wonderful at interpreting the music.
Gabriel Alvarez
It was a captivating performance, but it looked more like an audition for Cirque du Soleil. I didn't see enough dancing, and I'm glad the judges felt the same. I agree with Twitch that Gabriel has charisma, and I hope he keeps working on his dancing.
Evan
Again, it's hard for me to get excited about tap. But he's obviously good at what he does. The judges loved his audition.
Rachel Blanchard
Her look is so intriguing - 80's throwback (I definitely see the "Baby"/Dirty Dancing resemblance).
But there needed to be more to her dancing. She was good but not spectacular. I understand why the judges put her through, but unless she really wows at the Academy, I don't see top 20 in her future - at least not this season.
Kyle Bennett Jr
I enjoyed the musicality and interpretation, but I wasn't as enthusiastic as the judges were on his audition.
Victoria Neukom
Again with the flexibility and control - oh my Jesus!
And shut up Nigel, I loved the gymnastic elements!
Gratsiela and Desislava Sandeva - twins from Bulgaria!
Gracie and Daisy - precious! - and much easier to spell and pronounce!
They are adorable, and their version of hip hop is entertaining, sexy, and would be accessible to a wider audience.
But I agree with the judges - the routine was not innovative enough.
Elan and Jordynn Lurie
Once again they saved the best for last in my opinion.
The tricks were so exciting!
The spins were so fast!
It was an awesome routine!
Okay, yeah, he had some trouble with the press lift, but whatever. He's a dancer, not a weight lifter! :)
The question is, will they be as memorable dancing with other partners?
librarianintx
Monday, June 25, 2018
Monday, June 18, 2018
So You Think You Can Dance Season 15 Episode Two 6/11/18
Well, there's a new episode tonight, so I'm a week behind.
Nothing new for me.
Here's a few quick reflections on last week:
Tessa:
Her flexibility is RIDICULOUS!!
She has a great personality too.
Jay Jay
Wow, those spins were lightning fast!!
He's a terrific performer.
I'm not surprised he's been touring with Travis Wall's "Shaping Sounds."
Nathan & Courtland
I disagree with the judges on these two.
I would not have put either of them through, especially Courtland.
And I'm surprised they were put through, given their critiques.
The judges said their dancing wasn't original or memorable.
So why were they sent to the Academy?
I'm confused.
Hannahlei
She also has ridiculous flexibility and power.
I also love her smile.
CJ
I agreed with the judges here, as hard as it was to see him not go through.
I am so sorry for all he has endured.
But this is a dance competition.
And his dancing was not strong enough.
No one should go to the Academy because they have a sad story, or because the judges feel sorry for them.
The good news is, he's young.
He could improve, and try again, and I hope he does.
I want to see him succeed, and I know the judges do too.
Dustin
I love his hands!
Nicole and Benji
BENJI!!
West Coast Swing!!
YESSSSSS!!
Their tricks were absolutely mind blowing!
It was not typical West Coast Swing music, but it totally worked for me.
Yes, I am completely biased. Benji Swimmer was the reason I fell in love with "So You Think You Can Dance." Benji and Heidi and Donyelle.
Audition of the season so far for me.
librarianintx
Nothing new for me.
Here's a few quick reflections on last week:
Tessa:
Her flexibility is RIDICULOUS!!
She has a great personality too.
Jay Jay
Wow, those spins were lightning fast!!
He's a terrific performer.
I'm not surprised he's been touring with Travis Wall's "Shaping Sounds."
Nathan & Courtland
I disagree with the judges on these two.
I would not have put either of them through, especially Courtland.
And I'm surprised they were put through, given their critiques.
The judges said their dancing wasn't original or memorable.
So why were they sent to the Academy?
I'm confused.
Hannahlei
She also has ridiculous flexibility and power.
I also love her smile.
CJ
I agreed with the judges here, as hard as it was to see him not go through.
I am so sorry for all he has endured.
But this is a dance competition.
And his dancing was not strong enough.
No one should go to the Academy because they have a sad story, or because the judges feel sorry for them.
The good news is, he's young.
He could improve, and try again, and I hope he does.
I want to see him succeed, and I know the judges do too.
Dustin
I love his hands!
Nicole and Benji
BENJI!!
West Coast Swing!!
YESSSSSS!!
Their tricks were absolutely mind blowing!
It was not typical West Coast Swing music, but it totally worked for me.
Yes, I am completely biased. Benji Swimmer was the reason I fell in love with "So You Think You Can Dance." Benji and Heidi and Donyelle.
Audition of the season so far for me.
librarianintx
Thirty Day Writing Challenge: My Life in Seven Years
I honestly have no idea what my life will be like in seven years.
In a way I don't want to think of it, because I worry so much about the future.
I would hope that I would worry less as I got older, but that hasn't happened.
So I will say this:
A few hopes for the future:
I hope I'm still able to live independently.
I hope my health is at least stable, but I would prefer for it to be improved.
I hope I'm still working, and I would be very happy to still be employed at my current job.
I would like my financial situation to be better, but hopefully it's not worse.
I hope my family and friends are healthy and happy, and that I've been able to add to my social network.
I have dreams, but I don't have huge aspirations.
I don't think about being able to travel, but I wouldn't mind having the opportunity, if I could find someone willing to deal with my physical limitations and anxiety.
I still have a dream of writing a book some day. Maybe I'll get started on that in the next seven years. :)
I want to be even better at my job.
Here is what I hope most for the future. Not in seven years, but for the rest of my life:
I want to get into bed every night and know that I was my best self every single day. I want to end each day with the knowledge that I was productive and made good use of my time and didn't waste this life that I was given.
Every one should have their own definition of success, and that would be mine.
I want to do the best I can every day.
What I accomplish may not be revolutionary or newsworthy or important to anyone -
But I want it to be significant to me.
And I hope at least some of what I achieve is relevant and helpful to others.
"Make today so great that yesterday gets jealous."
librarianintx
In a way I don't want to think of it, because I worry so much about the future.
I would hope that I would worry less as I got older, but that hasn't happened.
So I will say this:
A few hopes for the future:
I hope I'm still able to live independently.
I hope my health is at least stable, but I would prefer for it to be improved.
I hope I'm still working, and I would be very happy to still be employed at my current job.
I would like my financial situation to be better, but hopefully it's not worse.
I hope my family and friends are healthy and happy, and that I've been able to add to my social network.
I have dreams, but I don't have huge aspirations.
I don't think about being able to travel, but I wouldn't mind having the opportunity, if I could find someone willing to deal with my physical limitations and anxiety.
I still have a dream of writing a book some day. Maybe I'll get started on that in the next seven years. :)
I want to be even better at my job.
Here is what I hope most for the future. Not in seven years, but for the rest of my life:
I want to get into bed every night and know that I was my best self every single day. I want to end each day with the knowledge that I was productive and made good use of my time and didn't waste this life that I was given.
Every one should have their own definition of success, and that would be mine.
I want to do the best I can every day.
What I accomplish may not be revolutionary or newsworthy or important to anyone -
But I want it to be significant to me.
And I hope at least some of what I achieve is relevant and helpful to others.
"Make today so great that yesterday gets jealous."
librarianintx
Tuesday, June 05, 2018
So You Think You Can Dance Season 15 Auditions Episode 1
I don't look forward to "So You Think You Can Dance" in the same way that I get excited about "Dancing with the Stars." But I do enjoy the show. Any reality show is a big commitment to watch, and I don't know if I'll write a recap every week. This isn't a traditional recap where I make comments about every contestant. But I wanted to mention a few. Of course I am no dance expert. But I have watched the show for fourteen seasons (I missed the first one.) So I feel I'm qualified to a certain extent to judge the auditions.
Comment #1: Marcus / Magda / Allen ballroom thrupple audition
No, they're not really a thrupple. But I believe it is the first time that three people auditioned together. And yes, it was HOT! I'm sure the guys were good, but I could not take my eyes off Magda. Her outfit had a lot to do with it - big blue shirt that moved as she danced to reveal a black bra and black stockings. She is a spicy one for sure. It looks like there will be a lot of ballroom dancers competing for places in the top 20, so we'll have to see how well she can do with other dance genres. For sure she has ballroom down, and she will likely be a strong partner with whoever she is paired with. We already know she has experience dancing with multiple people.
Comment #2: Did Taylor, the girl with the prosthetic leg, deserve to go to the Academy?
In my opinion: No. The judges were right to send her home.
She is a good dancer. But she is not up to the caliber of a "So You Think You Can Dance" contestant. I think if the judges had put her through, it would be simply for the inspiration factor, and she would have been out of the Academy quickly. Taylor doesn't need a sympathy vote. She is doing great on her own. She is a dancer; she is an athlete. I'm glad she auditioned. But I think the judges made the right call.
Comment #3: Did Jay the drag queen deserve to go to the Academy?
In my opinion: No. The judges were wrong here. Well, three of them at least.
I agreed with Nigel. And even Twitch said her jazz wasn't strong enough. But he put her through anyway. I'm all for diversity, and I love her personality and determination. Her audition was entertaining. But it was not good enough from a dance perspective. And I think Mary, Vanessa, and Twitch knew it. I don't see Jay making it far at the Academy.
Comment #4: Alexis' audition
Alexis had one of the best auditions in the history of the show in my opinion. I think it was Twitch who said something like, "If you get cut, you come back and show us why we made a mistake." Alexis did just that. Her audition was powerful, sexy, and showed incredible flexibility and extension. If her audition is a true example of what she is capable of, she could go far in the competition. She is beautiful and the camera loves her. Bonus.
Comment #5: Eddie
We all know how much Nigel adores tap. It is my least favorite dance genre. But Eddie is so adorable; you can't help but root for him. His audition was very good, and he tugged at my heart when he was all flustered and shaking afterward. I have a thing for redheads too, including gay redheads. :) His personality really came out when he and Twitch engaged in the dance battle. If he shows that kind of star quality, likeability, and resolve at the Academy, he could go far as well. I see people voting for him - a lot.
librarianintx
Comment #1: Marcus / Magda / Allen ballroom thrupple audition
No, they're not really a thrupple. But I believe it is the first time that three people auditioned together. And yes, it was HOT! I'm sure the guys were good, but I could not take my eyes off Magda. Her outfit had a lot to do with it - big blue shirt that moved as she danced to reveal a black bra and black stockings. She is a spicy one for sure. It looks like there will be a lot of ballroom dancers competing for places in the top 20, so we'll have to see how well she can do with other dance genres. For sure she has ballroom down, and she will likely be a strong partner with whoever she is paired with. We already know she has experience dancing with multiple people.
Comment #2: Did Taylor, the girl with the prosthetic leg, deserve to go to the Academy?
In my opinion: No. The judges were right to send her home.
She is a good dancer. But she is not up to the caliber of a "So You Think You Can Dance" contestant. I think if the judges had put her through, it would be simply for the inspiration factor, and she would have been out of the Academy quickly. Taylor doesn't need a sympathy vote. She is doing great on her own. She is a dancer; she is an athlete. I'm glad she auditioned. But I think the judges made the right call.
Comment #3: Did Jay the drag queen deserve to go to the Academy?
In my opinion: No. The judges were wrong here. Well, three of them at least.
I agreed with Nigel. And even Twitch said her jazz wasn't strong enough. But he put her through anyway. I'm all for diversity, and I love her personality and determination. Her audition was entertaining. But it was not good enough from a dance perspective. And I think Mary, Vanessa, and Twitch knew it. I don't see Jay making it far at the Academy.
Comment #4: Alexis' audition
Alexis had one of the best auditions in the history of the show in my opinion. I think it was Twitch who said something like, "If you get cut, you come back and show us why we made a mistake." Alexis did just that. Her audition was powerful, sexy, and showed incredible flexibility and extension. If her audition is a true example of what she is capable of, she could go far in the competition. She is beautiful and the camera loves her. Bonus.
Comment #5: Eddie
We all know how much Nigel adores tap. It is my least favorite dance genre. But Eddie is so adorable; you can't help but root for him. His audition was very good, and he tugged at my heart when he was all flustered and shaking afterward. I have a thing for redheads too, including gay redheads. :) His personality really came out when he and Twitch engaged in the dance battle. If he shows that kind of star quality, likeability, and resolve at the Academy, he could go far as well. I see people voting for him - a lot.
librarianintx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)