The Newest Broadway Show?

  iDance Sources have JUST confirmed that the Christmas story of Buddy the Elf is coming to the famous street of New York City!!! Here's Dance Spirit's Exclusive Interview with coregrapher Casy Nicholaw:


As the holiday season approaches, what better way to get into the spirit than with Buddy the Elf? But you don’t have to watch the beloved film for the thousandth time to get your dose of Buddy and company—Elf is now a Broadway show! The stage version of the movie, which quickly
became a Christmas classic, will include large-scale musical numbers and lots of dancing. DS chatted with choreographer Casey Nicholaw to get the scoop on Buddy’s moves.

Dance Spirit: How is the musical different from the film?
CN: The show expands on the film’s story through music. You’ll get to learn so much more about the characters because they can sing their feelings. The added elements lift the whole production to a theatrical level.


DS: Most people hear Elf and think of Will Ferrell. What is the show like without him as the main man?
CN: It’s different, of course. But there’s a whole new energy with this show and we needed a main character who was a singer. Plus we’d be dumb if we tried to just copy Will Ferrell because he’s such a genius!

DS: What is the dancing like in the show?
CN: The choreography is pretty basic and not too technical, but with the elves, Santas and everyone on stage together it’s so fun. My favorite scene is when they transform the department store Christmas display into Buddy’s version of the North Pole. It’s a huge dance number.

DS: Why should DS readers go see Elf on Broadway?
CN: It will put you in the best holiday mood! We did a workshop of the show last year and people said all they wanted to do afterward was go Christmas shopping. I hope the show is a big hit that people will want to see every year with their friends and family.

Can’t make it to the Great White Way this season? Go to amazon.com to get your copy of Elf on DVD or Blu-ray!
 

JUMP Dance Convention Tour Dates

23 JUMP cities and dates are now posted here: http://breakthefloor.com/jump/tour/ We are still confirming: Atlanta, Kansas City, Boston, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, London, Monterrey and Buenos Aires. Those will be up next week!! Can't wait to kick off the new season Sept. 25-26 on South Beach in Miami....Come join us...It's gonna be HOTTT!!!

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DINING HALL TAKEOUT (TIPS FROM DANCE SPIRIT MAGAZINE)

Dance Spirit Magazine's Shopping List (for the next time you visit your college cafeteria, or your local market when you're in a hurry or on the go):

• fresh fruit (apples, oranges, banannas)
• fresh veggies (carrot sticks, broccoli florets and other portable items)
• whole-grain bread, meat, and other things to make good sandwhiches
• individual -serving yogert containers
• dry cereal or granola

COLLEGE SUGGESTION: DEAN COLLEGE

Dean College takes you where you want to go! Dean College is the only dance college that has both A.A. and B.A. degrees in dance, offering classes from performence to dance therapy. To get into the Dean College for dancing, you have to submit a 3-minute video. For one minute of the video, you must show yourself doing barre work. But for the next two minutes, you have to show a type of dancing that fits your personality and your dance style. So, after you decide which degree you want to persue, the only question is: How far do you want to go? 

Dean College-Dance

Posted By: A.C.

KCYB

  Still young but wants to join a real dance company? Love ballet? Live in Missouri?  No prob, ballerina! Just visit this site, and be sure to ask your parents if you can join!




The Kansas City Youth Ballet (KCYB) is the performing ensemble of the KCBS.



  KCYB is designed to give aspiring young dancers the opportunity
to develop their skills and love of dance through professionally
structured training and performing. KCYB provides dancers with
performance opportunities, including major productions and
educational outreach demonstrations throughout the community.


  KCYB is made up of 21 dancers ranging in age from 13-18, who
 study under the directorship of Alecia Good and the faculty of
the Kansas City Ballet School. The company presents two major
 performances each season, showcasing many original works by
 local and national choreographers, as well as new emerging
artists.


  Auditions for the company are usually held in May and students
 enrolled or enrolling in Kansas City Ballet School Level 6 or
 higher are eligible to audition. There is an annual fee to
 participate with the KCYB in addition to School class fees.










Posted By: S.T.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH (WM)

And, the website of the month is....Wandering Apricot!!!! Wandering Apricot is the blog of an Asian women who dances Ballet for a living! When you read her blog, explore the world of a professional ballet dancer, who posts her daily trials and expirences! Don't forget to tell her that Katie K. sent you!




Posted By: K.K.

DEAR SEPTEMBER, DATES TO REMEMBER

1. Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Performance, The Matter of the Origins-Sept.10 and 12, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Maryland
2. Colorado Ballet Performence, Feast of the Gods, ...Smile with My Heart, and a world premier unknown-Sept.10-12,
3. Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company Performance, Configurations-Sept.23-25,Salt Lake City, UT
4. BJM Montreal Performance, Les Chambres des Jacques-Sept.23-25, Portland, OR

Posted By: T.D.

DANCE SPIRIT'S INTERVIEW WITH ALLISON STONER (copyrighted)

"Step Up 3D" Sneak Peek with Alyson Stoner

Christina Salgado

August 2, 2010

  At just 7 years old, wearing pigtails and knee-high socks, Alyson Stoner made her debut--and stole the show--as a dancer in Missy Elliot's "Work It" video. It's been nine years since her gig as a breakdancing cutie and Alyson has matured as an artist. Originally from Toledo, OH, Alyson now lives in L.A. and has been involved in various music videos, TV shows and movies, including Step Up. Alyson reprises her role as Camille Gage, Tyler Gage's younger sister, in Step Up 3D (which opens today!). She gave DS the inside scoop on the movie. --Christina Salgado






Dance Spirit: How has your character, Camille Gage, changed since the original Step Up?


Alyson Stoner: Camille has developed into a very studious, focused and genuine young woman. She's decided to put her love of dancing aside to pursue academic interests. Romantically, she's still very innocent because the guy she's interested in, her best friend Moose [played


by Adam Sevani], is completely oblivious.






DS: What was the filming process like?


AS: Adam Sevani and I pay homage to Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in a street dancing number. Filming this movie required many hours on set to work with the 3D technology. But we had the most diverse, eclectic and hysterical cast and crew.






DS: Can you give us a sneak peek of what to expect?


AS: This movie is epic. The dancers have no special effects helping them out, which seems impossible because the choreography and performances are superhuman. Expect your jaw to drop in every dance scene!






DS: You seem to be exploring new avenues as an artist. Are you working on any new projects?


AS: I've spent years developing my singing voice and I'm glad that my music is finally available for the world to hear. [Check out Alyson's two singles "Flying Forward" and "Make History" on iTunes]. I'm also in Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam coming out on Disney Channel September 3.






DS: What advice do you have for young dancers who hope to work in movies?


AS: Work hard and stay true to the pure passion that initially drove you to dance. Above all, use your gift to help others and the right projects and opportunities will come your way.










Photo of Alyson Stoner by Matthew Jordan Smith

DANCER/CHOREOGRAPHER OF THE MONTH: SONYA TAYEH

  Sonya Tayeh, a famous choreographer, is currently living in Los Angles, where she works at Edge Performing Arts School, and LMU University.


  “I believe having a strong sense of self as a human being allows movement to become natural like nature.




Nature changes…it’s constantly evolving. Being of this earth, we must do the same. If we move with nature,


our bodies will never lie, it will simply be natural.” Sonya says on her website.


  Sonya has been a choreographer many times in many famous places, including television shows like Dancing With the Stars, and the fabulous So You Think You Can Dance (sytycd).


 On a last note, I just wanted to say a little about her hair! It's the most beautiful long mohawk ever! Who doesn't love her mohawk? Vote on the poll now to tell us weither you like it or not! Also, you can view her full biography here!





Posted By: K.K.

DANCING ON THE GO

   An eleven year old in South Field, MI is living her dream-literally! In 2008, Amiya Japeri Alexander had a dream about traveling around the country on a pink bus teaching kids how to dance!


  "In my dream, I was teaching a little kid how to dance, and a second later, the whole world was inside a bus!" The seventh grader says. She woke up from her deep sleep, drew her dream bus, and ran to wake up her mom.


 "I'm in desperate need of a pink bus!I'm going to go to different schools to teach kids how to dance!" She exclaimed to her mother. After a buisness plan was set, Amiya got an old school bus that year for Christmas! Now, the bus is called Amiya's Mobile Dance Academy.


  Amiya travels to different schools every Saturday and teaches children from the age of 2 and nine, eight to twelve people in each class! She teaches tap, jazz, ballet plus more! Each lesson costs $11.50 to $12.50!


  In Dance Spirit Magizine, they say that Amiya was inspired by Michelle Obama! It also states that, when she's older, she wants to expand her buisness across America to teach kids with low-income families who can't affored real dance classes. "I want to help undeserved children." Amiya says. "I can bring the dance studio to THEM!"


 For more information about Amiya's Mobile Dance Company, click here.










Posted By: P.S.

NEW YORK CITY DANCE ALLIENCE TAP FESIVAL

The New York City Dance Allience is introducing to you the LA Tap Fesival! It's in Los Angeles TONIGHT! Pack your dance bag, and put on your tapping shoes, because NYCDA's Cloe Arnold is serving as the fesival's Co-Director!!! This is an event you DO NOT want to miss! Visit NYCDA Facebook Page for more details!





Posted By: K.K.

JUMP DANCE CONVENTION: Can't attend the Dance Teacher Summit, but want the info anyway!??

JUMP Dance Convention (on Facebook, July 27,2010)



Can't attend the Dance Teacher Summit, but want the info anyway?!?!NOW YOU CAN! The 2009 Summit DVD Box Set is available for immediate shipment & you can pre-order the 2010 DVD Box Set which will ship Oct. 1!! There are 32 DVD's with each box set! It includes all the Classes, Business seminars and MORE!! Use promo code...
"DVD100" BEFORE August 1st and save $100!!! Go to the Dance Teachers Summit Website!








Posted By: S.T.

ADVERTISEMENT: BROADWAY DANCE CENTER

Going to NYC for a dance compitition? Vacation? Or maybe you just live there! Well, I recommend you to the Broadway Dance Center in New York City.Weither you're a kid looking for workshops, or a teenager looking to join thier program, BDC has it all for every type of person, expirenced or not! To see their site, click here.





Posted By: S.T.

AUGUST 3,2010~DANCERS BROKE THE RECORD BALLERINAS ON POINT AT ONE TIME!

  August 2nd 2010, on a perfect summer afternoon at the Naumburg Bandshell in New York City's Central Park, 241 people put on pointe shoes in an attempt to break the previous Guinness record of 226 ballerinas on pointe at the same time. That record was set last year at City Center in NYC after the Youth America Grand Prix. We were determined to best it. Under the watchful eye of a representative from Guinness sporting a logo blazer, we assembled in ten reasonably straight lines. She was stern and businesslike with her pen poised over her clipboard while we waited for the command to releve. Oddly however, nothing in the numerous e-mails sent over the past few weeks by event organizer and uber ballet photographer Gene Schiavone had mentioned a key requirement of the challenge. We were all supposed to stay on pointe, ensemble, for a solid minute. Quick, what would you suggest as a way to achieve that end? How about just sous sous and bourree in place for sixty seconds? Good answer! Instead, though, American Ballet Theatre soloist Craig Salstein gave us a peculiar combination involving bourrees to the left with the left foot behind (!) and a back soutenu without a plie for preparation. I don't have to tell you that many participants, some of whom looked to be as young as 10 or 11, wobbled on the bumpy cement surface and came off pointe. And those straight lines? Not so much any more. But wait! There's a happy ending to this only-in-New-York idyll.





Blog post copied from Dance.com's Blog

OMG! YOU HAVE GOT 2 C VACA!!!

  Te Vaka is a Polynesian performing group of musicians and dancers from New Zealand, with ancestry from several Pacific Islands including Samoa and two very small islands called Tuvalu and Tokelau. They are lead by singer-songwriter Opetaia Foa’i, who writes songs in his indigenous language, Tokelauan. He writes upbeat songs about important things: home, family, the islands and the oceans. And while the style is contemporary rock, its heart comes from the rhythms of islands life.



  Their pure, open-throated vocals made me wish I could sing—it must feel divine to sing like that. In addition to full-band (guitars, drums, singing) they performed a number of percussion-only compositions that were as complex and exciting as any I have heard (right up there with taiko—indeed, I am certain one of them practiced taiko). The sound/spirit of those drums reached out and grabbed me by the solar plexus. And through it all, they danced. Three dancers, two women and one man. This style of Polynesian dance is irresistible. The women’s dances are very feminine, the men’s dances very masculine. Both are infused with power, grace, and shear, unadulterated joy. The women were gorgeous, with hand and finger movements as supple as sea grass and hips that circle at breakneck speeds. And they perform these charming little gestures, like a small flick of the head that seems to say “ain’t I cute and I’m so glad you are here watching.” The primary male dancer danced with a wide stance, big leg kicks, powerful arm and hand gestures, like that flicking, twisting fist that I can’t get enough of. (Yes, I’m in love again, this time with Pacific Island dance!) In addition, local Polynesian dance troupe Te Hau Nui (lead by my hula teacher Lorraine Kinnemon) performed two choreographies with the band including Pate Pate (pate is a log drum), Te Vaka’s signature piece.


  Despite the driving spirit of Te Vaka’s music, they had a hard time convincing anyone to get up and dance. “Its been a long time since I played for a sitting audience,” Opetaia said hoping to embarrass us out of our seats. After the intermission, people did loosen up and dance. That’s when the native islanders came out to play. I was passed by three men who emerged from behind a bar, each of them the size of a Volkswagon, Samoan style. They danced a modest men’s dance, but it was the sharp, whooping vocalizations that sent a thrill through me.


  Oh well, no words are ever going to express what I experienced. No CD or DVD is ever going to capture what Te Vaka has to offer. They play again tonight in San Francisco and then a half a dozen other west coast spots. I may become a groupie. Or move to New Zealand. I wonder if there are any jobs there…?

This Blog Post is copied from  Renee Rothman's blog post.

SYTYCD SEASON FINALLE~SHORT RECAP

Third placed (second runner up) is none other than...ROBERT!!! "Thank you everyone who picked up the phone for me and every contestant that I've shared this with," Robert, said. And accourding to the official SYTYCD page, Robert walked off with a giant bouquet of flowers and a big smile!



After a few of the judges' (and Cat's) favorites, after a HUGE AND AWESOME tribute to Alex, it was time to announce the winners!!! Which 18-year-old would win? Kent, the die-hard cotemperary jazz, or Lauren, the last girl on the season, and the jazz diva? Finally, They announce the winner. *drumroll, please!*......LAUREN FRODERMAN!



Lauren, still in her cowgirl costume, is filled with joy as confetti flies around her and people carry her as she celebrates her victory!



Lauren, 18, and season 7 winner of SYTYCD posts on facebook, "I cannot even believe how amazing this journey has been. I am so blessed and grateful to all my family, friends, and fans. Thank you for believing in me and naming me America's best dancer!!! So surrel and a dream come true Woot Woot! Thank you America, it was an honor dancing for you :) p.s. loved dancing with robert and kent in the top three it was the time of my life!"



We are all rooting for Lauren as she became season 7, winner of SYTYCD, and as she takes home the $250,000 prize!

-Katie Krist