SYTYCD S:8~ America Has Spoken 3

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Episode 1: Auditions (UT & NY)

Episode 2: Auditions 2nd Day (Los Angeles, CA )

Episode 3: HELL WEEK

Episode 4: Top 20 or Bust!

Episode 5: Starter Up!

Episode 6: America Has Spoken 1

Episode 7: Dance for Your Life

Episode 8: America Has Spoken 2

Episode 9: The Guys vs The Beasts

Episode 10: America Has Spoken 3

Last night was ummmmm….how do you say…. a slight disappointment. I mean, it was beautiful yet emotionally void. Melanie and Marko came to the rescue and the judges kissing one another was enough to make me almost pee myself. So, I voted for Melanie and Marko because everyone else left me with no choice. Sooooooooo let’s get on with it, shall we?

Take 2 in 5, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, #SYTYCD ?

Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Lil C and Kristin Chenoweth are the judges for the night.

I find it interesting how Cat dressed up last night and appears rather casual tonight….ouch! Is that a sign of who may go home? Dun Dun Duuuuuuuun! Well, tonight, 1 girl and 1 guy will be going home. I don’t even know who it should be so don’t worry about me putting a spell on anyone’s fate.

Okay, so…. whoEVER is in charge of putting the songs at the bottom of the screen…. YOU SHOULD BE FIRED! You do know that people want to know what song is playing. And if I weren’t such a nerd and knew that this was The Incredits from the 2004 movie The Incredibles’ soundtrack then I would have been SOL with the 5 times you faintly placed it on the screen and then took it away before finally leaving it up there long enough for us to read! Get on your job!

Now, these costumes for this group piece look something out of a West Side Story brawl. I would have loved a spy feel to it…but let me shut up and watch. The track listing guy has me all irritated and my nose is stuffy because I am having an allergic reaction to my puppy. (I’m allergic to dogs, & don’t ask why I have a puppy then).I do love how the camera man keeps giving Melanie spotlight moments!!! She is so gorgeous! And how they slicked Tadd’s hair down almost confused me as to who he was for a few seconds. I am still trying to find the story to this. I can’t tell what it is. Therefore I am lost. It is all over the place and I don’t know where to look….and IGH!!! This synchronized clock, twirl piece looked HORRIBLE!!! They didn’t turn Jess over at the same time as the girl on the left side of the screen. And choreographer Michael Brune (pronounced Brun-ee…hope I spelled it right), well however it is spelled, I didn’t like it. So there. I said it…and what!

Group 1 up for reveal: Ricky & Ryan danced Contemporary style choreographed by Sonya Tayeh to Robyn With Every HeartBeat (Acoustic).  Melanie & Marko’ Lyrical Hip Hop choreography was created by the genius duo of Nappy Tab to Leona Lewis’ I Got You. Ashley & Chris danced a Jazz routine choreographed by Sonya Tayeh to Telepathe’s Lights Go Down (District 78 Remix). Well, I must say that I am not in the least bit worried that Melanie and Marko will be going home because the television gods have already heard that if American ever puts them up for elimination I will stop watching SYTYCD forever…. and I mean that. Now, what happens once they stop being a couple is on them…but until then…yeh. Just saying. Wait… MELANIE AND MARKO KISSED AGAIN BACKSTAGE AFTER ALL OF THE JUDGES KISSED?!!!!!! I LOVE THEM!! lol. Okay, I’m calling it…. I want Melanie and Marko to invite me to their wedding. What? You were thinking it too….lol. They make a cute & HOT couple!!! Okay… NEXT! THEY’RE SAFE!!!!!!!!!! Like Pound Duh! (#duh). Ashley and Chris were on sketchy terms last night….so what does America think? America thought that they should be the first couple in the bottom 3…but at least Ashley looks cute. Ryan and Ricky, I mean I already know that they are safe just because I can’t see them putting 2 couples in the bottom 3 from the first group. Just saying. And America says….. Like duh…they’re safe.

So, don’t forget to head over to www.Fox.com/dance to learn the flash mob routines for National Dance Day ( July 30th). NappyTab will be choreographing the hard routine!! I HAVE TO LEARN A NAPPY TAB ROUTINE AND PERFORM IT DOWN ON THE NATIONAL MALL!!!!! Robin Antin will choreograph a sexy routine!!!!!! Okay, I have to learn this one too! Who can say that they learned a Pussycat Doll dance?!! And Mary Murphy is choreography a simpler routine for the mature crowd. I can’t wait!

Group 2 up for reveal: Sasha & Alexander danced a Contemporary routine choreographed by Dee Caspary to Cary Brothers‘ Belong. Miranda & Robert danced a Broadway piece choreographed by Tyce Diorio to Sophisticated Ladies (1981 Soundtrack)  It Dont Mean a Thing if Aint Got that  Swing.Jordan & Tadd’s Hip Hop routine was choreographed by the magically witty NappyTab to David Guetta featuring Kid Cudi’s Memories. Nigel said that they would be staying….and he was right! America voted for them to stay! I am afraid that Sasha and Alexander will be up for elimination just because they were chosen second….I pray I am wrong. Especially since Lil C used an SAT word such as melifluous (adj: sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet sounding) to describe their routine. Miranda’s pink and flowery outfit is hurting my stomach. I am trying to figure out who is in charge of her outfits for solos. Okay, so Sasha and Alexander are safe while Robert, Miranda, and her ugly pepto outfit will be up for elimination.

Group 3 up for reveal: Clarice & Jess Foxtrotted to Jean-Marc Genereux’s choreography to Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon. Caitlynn & Mitchell  did a Jean-Marc Genereux choreographed Samba to Alicia Keys featuring Beyoncé’s Put it in a Love Song. Now, I have a feeling that Jess and Clarice are safe….something in my gut is telling me that America saved them. I CALLED IT!!!! Caitlynn and Mitchell are up for elimination while Jess and Clarice are up for elimination. *sigh*

Banned in 1987 under the artistic direction of Judith Smith. They are one of the worlds acclaimed and innovative dance ensembles; combining performers with and without disabilities…..they are AXIS!(Dance Company) WOW! performing to Janine Jansen’s  Partita For Violin Solo No. 2 in D Minor the opening was void of sound but blasted trumpets of visual stimulus!!! The ladies legs playing peek-a-boo behind the wheels of the man in the wheelchair was both sensual and creepy at the same time. Her movement to the front where she slammed her hands on the ground as he wheeled forward and slammed his single fist down gave him this dominant power…..wow! Okay I’ll unpause now. Amazing! The use of the wheelchair makes you notice it but as an intricate part of the dance and not as a liability to this disabled abled person. And the rag doll gesture that she does when her chin is in his hand as she walks forward….genius! I had to be quiet and just watch. The ending pose is just ….wow! I loved how he was dominant throughout the piece. It changed any stereotype of pity that one could have for a person in a wheelchair. I was actually emotionally moved as he was so abusive to her in a sense, dismissive. UGH! I wish I had thought of such genius! Fabulous! *rewind* Cat looks like a giant next to the female dancer….lol.  I love this routine so much that I want to see the rest of the routine. If you want to know more about them, you can go to their website at www.axisdance.org.

Elimination Solos…Dance for Your Life

Ashley: Performing to David Ryan Harris’ For You, which I have NEVER heard of before, she begins with the stereotypical run, lean, extended hand then closed fist pull hand back into myself like I just missed you move. There are a ton of leaps and leg extensions but I don’t feel that there is a ton of meat to this routine. I don’t feel like she is dancing for her life as much as I feel that she is dancing to be seen. I don’t even feel the emotion of the piece and the song is backed with emotions. You can hate me if you want for saying it….but if this is her dancing for her life, then she is already dead.

Chris: Performing to one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE CHRISTIAN HIP HOP ARTISTS, KJ-52 (pronounced KJ-five-two) featuring Blanca Reyes You’re Gonna Make It,Chris comes out the gate running. Just the fact the he even knows who KJ-52 is and the fact that he , as a b-boy, chose to rep with a Christian rapper is enough for his to stay! I don’t know his faith, but God should watch after him on this one. Who chooses the songs for solo dances anyway? Just wondering. *GASP* The foot grab, leg extension, partial contortion move that he just did made me suck in air so hard that my throat is dry and hurts now. AMAZINGLY FREAKISH!!!!! The emotion that he is showing in his face, through is moves, and via the song just gave him my vote. Chris should stay! Wow…. Mitchell and Robert better bring it! Yeh, I said it…and what?

Miranda: Performing to Maria Zouroudis’ Untinkable, Miranda still has on the barf me up colored 2-piece. Okay, what I hate is the arm movement that is reminiscent of a boxing block that everyone is doing in lyricals. Find something else to do. But I love how she covers the stage in such a short time. I love her technique, I love her leaps, and her frame is impeccable. Now if we could just get her outfit right I wouldn’t have to go in on her so hard. But I am wondering if Maria or Alicia Keys made this song first. Of course I am impartial to Alicia because I heard it first. it just hit me whether outfit reminds me of and why I hate it so much. For all of my old heads, you remember the end scene in Dirty Dancing where Baby’s sister is singing the hula-song with the coconut bra with the weird lay and flowers on her wrists…THAT is what this outfit reminds me of! It just makes it worst since it is pink.

Robert: Performing to Jamie Foxx’ I Don’t Need It , another song that I don’t think that I’ve heard before, Robert starts moving before the camera is even on him while Cat is still introducing him. A bit anxious are we? I mean, how many times has Robert been in the bottom 3? Okay. his MJ move showed up again… we get it already, you love MJ. Now stop it. I think that his moves always look freestyle-ish and seldom do they ever look choreographed and I want him to look a tab bit more polished when he is fight for his life on this show. I don’t know what else to say.

Caitylnn: Performing to Katie Thompson’s It Doesn’t Hurt(Live version), she begins with this beautiful leg extension……is this the trend of the season? I am almost prepared to band leg extensions as a safety net in solo routines. lol.  BEAUTIFUL PIROUETTE… but if she does that hand reach-pull back again, I’m never voting for her! I hate cliché hand movements! Her piece was beautiful but it didn’t match the music for me. IJS.

Mitchell: Performing to the amazing Adele’s Rolling in the Deep, his first move makes him look so fluid….receptive. I hope that makes sense. But he looks like he heard and felt the movement and let it work its way through his body. SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! (Yh, I stole it from Kristin) He did a leg extension that turned into a frontward roll while still in the leg extension. *REWIND* Yep, I saw it…. fantabulous!!!

Okay, judging by the solo routines, I would keep Mitchell, Chris, Caitlyn, and Miranda. Unfortunately, Robert and Ashley would have to go. Again, these are just my opinions while I have the DVR paused. I just think that the others danced for their lives a little harder. All of them deserve to be there…..but someone has to go.

They are the current United States and World theatrical Ballroom champion dancers, Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian. They are performing to Pirate of the Caribbean:At World’s End’s (Soundtrack) Calypso. I love this movie so they better not jack up this dance!!!! Or, Or….OR I’ll tell Jack Sparrow on you! Hold the hell up!!! Did I really just see him pic her up off the floor with one arm? How much does this woman weigh? Okay, you have my attention. I mean their lifts look EFFORTLESS! i mean I feel as if i am watching a magic show and I am waiting to see the strings having to show me hoe he is picking her up as lift she only weight the fame as a feather….but no strings. Now, this but lift…. priceless…. and I wish I had their kind os technique. Like how he twirled down to the grown with her on the back of his neck, without support, all the way down to the ground. And her handing forward like a mermaid on the front of the ship…. I need to workout with her…..wow…. You will just have to Google this performance… because it was something you MUST see with your eyes. *REWIND!!!!!!* Yep, still no strings!

I’m going to get straight to the point……Miranda was being sent home ( NOT FAIR).

And joining her will be……Robert (Wooooooooo!).

Tune in next week to see the top 14 contestant dnce it out once more. Thanks for reading!

Here are your TOP 20 Dancers of SYTYCD Season 8!!!!!!!!!

Top 10 Males:

1. Ricky Jamie
2. Chris Cole
3. Wadi Jones~Eliminated Week 2
4. Tadd Gadduang
5. Robert Taylor Jr.~Eliminated Week 3
6. Marko Germar
7. Jess Leprotto
8. Nick Young~Eliminated Week 2
9. Mitchell Kelly
10. Alexander Fost

 

Top 10 Female Dancers:

1. Miranda Maleski~Eliminated Week 3
2. Melanie Moore
3. Sasha Mallory
4. Iveta Lukosiute~Eliminated Week 2
5. Clarice Ordaz
6. Jordan Casanova
7. Missy Morelli~Eliminated Week 2
8. Caitlynn Lawson
9. Ashley Rich
10. Ryan Ramirez

Sincerely,

~*My Mother’s Daughter*~

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A Ph.D. in Her: Vanessa Hidary

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Follow @hebrewmamita

“That’s all that I really want….for someone to call me their girl”. Okay, deal!

That’s my girl, my girl, I can’t come out because I’m writing this bomb ass review about my GIRL! You go, GIRL!!!

The Last Kaiser Roll in the Bodega, the book by the poetically talented Vanessa Hidary, was unlike anything you could have expected. Then again, when dealing with Vanessa, to expect anything specific or standard is already your first mistake; she comes without instructions or a road map but will guarantee you a wonderful journey outside of your limited expectations of life. The Last Kaiser Roll in the Bodega read like Vanessa put to page. Her voice sprang from the pages so clearly that I thought I was hearing things; she IS the last Kaiser roll in the Bodega.

Kaiser Roll

-noun: a rounded, unsweetened roll, formed by folding the corners of a square of dough toward the center, often sprinkled with poppy seeds before baking

Her life experiences, via what  I have read in the book, have shaped her edges, rounded them from their original square corners; one experience folds into the next. And if you have ever seen a Kaiser roll, it looks like a swirl. And if you’ve ever seen or heard Vanessa, she is a swirl of viewpoints, of experiences, of challenges…placed in a “Bodega”, on purpose, by destiny. Much like the Kaiser roll, she doesn’t come sugar-coated. She comes as she is and you either like her work or you don’t, but she will continue to be placed on the shelf for others to come and taste her, become full from their intake of her, and be thankful that she existed as a substance to keep one alive if they so choose to partake. Also, there may be other Vanessas in the world, but the seeds sprinkled on them will never fall the same.  I could be thinking too much into this, but I don’t think she chose the Kaiser roll by accident, I think the Kaiser roll chose her….lol.

From the moment that I read the foreword by Vanessa’s mother, I knew that I would be in for something unique, special, almost forbidden, yet, granted an oportunity to view. I had already promised Vanessa that I would keep this copy to myself,even forbidding the Holy Trinity to view over my shoulder, and I held true to that promise as I felt like I was reading her diary (even though I think she’d write in a journal to keep her hood credit). The Last Kaiser Roll in the Bodega read like a biography; poetry and monologues blending rather seamlessly, weaving an intriguing timeline.  Portions of her one-woman play Culture Bandit gave the most insight into who she was as a person and not just as the poet that most of us have come to know and love.  I could hear her voice as I read and even though she wrote “culturally greedy”….. I put this on everything I love….I heard “culturally greeeeeee-dy” and understood the poem better now having read the excerpts from her one-woman show. It wasnt just a poem any more, it was a page from her life. And here I was, all these years, just thinking it was just another fabulous work of art, never knowing it was Vanessa put to page, transported to memory, and dangled before us as she stood behind a mic. Tricky shield that mic can be.

To name one poem, excerpt, or monologue that I liked more than another would betray my love for the work as a whole. This was something that I swallowed in its entirety, digested as a complete entity, and was nurtured by the overall essence of what was being spoken. Yes, I do have parts that stick out in my memory, but that doesn’t mean that any other part spoke to my soul any less. I think we’ve all had a “Papo” and miss those days when we “didn’t let men get too deep in our blood stream“. I took to heart her grandmother’s advice of  ” even when you heart is bulldozed in the desert….you get up“. Brilliant.  But nothing made me laugh as hard as, “Motherfucker, I was ready to wear a bob wig for your ass and chop cucumbers. Are you buggin’?” Outside of my ignorance of Vanessa’s obsession with cucumbers….I still understood. Substitute her cucumber for chicken, greens, or black-eyed peas and you would have me. Yet nothing spoke the words I had been unable to convey, even to myself, better than the words from the poem Everything but Nothing You Wanted  that said “…you didn’t even sweep me up. I had to reach under your couch to find my own chin.” I thank her for that.

There is sooooooo much that I could continue to say about this book, but I won’t. I wish not to taint your experience by my more than obvious love for the words found within its pages. I say this honestly and not just because I am acquainted with Vanessa. It also has nothing to do with my Wendy Williams-ish obsession where Vanessa is my big sister in my head…lol. Yet, it may have something to do with the first time that I sat on the couch and flipped the channel to HBO and saw her on Def Poetry Jam and loved her performance and now have come to the realization that it wasn’t a performance, but a retelling of experiences. And maybe, just maybe, it has something to do with the time I met her for the first time in D.C. at a poetry event and saw her love for life. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that she autographed a copy of her CD for me and it has stayed in slot 2 in my truck’s CD changer for the past 3 years. It may be the reason why I reached out to her a year in advance asking if she would come be the feature at my poetry slam. She even performed Ga Bless You, Ma which foreshadowed my own Ga Bless You, Ma moment while walking down the U Street Corridors an hour after she backed away from the mic. HILARIOUS. I told her this when she came to feature at my show……she touches people with her real-ness. You get this sense that she has no reason to pretend when she comes into your presence and you’d be wrong if you thought that she would ever apologize for being exactly who she was designed to be. But I thank her for that. I thank her for writing The Last Kaiser Roll in the Bodega.  I thank her for speaking so openly. I know for a fact that she will be blessed. After all, being blessed for blessing others “is the price you pay for putting yourself out there.”

If you’re looking for my Siskel & Ebert/Roper, then you’ve come to the wrong blog. It is not my place to judge it, but to tell you my experience in the wake of reading Vanessa’s experiences that she chose to share. Yes, I love it. Yes, I would suggest that you read it. But that is just my opinion. I suggest you get your own copy and make your own opinion. 

To contact Vanessa Hidary or to find out more information about The Last Kaiser Roll in the Bodega, visit www.penmanshipbooks.com or visit The Hebrew Mamita Store.

Sincerely,

~*My Mother’s Daughter*~