Will salsa dancing finally rise from the underground to hit mainstream television? Shows like Dancing with the stars and So You Think You Can Dance have been on the rise, but even in these popular dance shows, salsa gets a brief cameo at best. So what, or who, would it take for salsa dancing to arrive to our TV screens in mainstream media?
Junior and Emily Alibi, ESPN Salsa champions, might just make this possible. They have made it through preliminary rounds and wowed millions on NBC’s reality show America’s Got Talent. They are not the first dance act in the show’s history, but they certainly are the first salsa dancers, and they have gotten to the wild card position. What does this mean? It means that they are now in competition with 8 other acts for a spot on the final round of the show. Tune in Friday, September 3rd to see if they got the spot!
This is very exciting for all the salseros and salseras out there, to see one of our favorite dance couples on a popular TV show, and Junior and Emily are certainly a deserving couple. Having trained with them personally, I am absolutely amazed at the amount of talent they have. They have a bright future, and thanks to them the community at large will be more aware of the hobby that has become a passion and even lifestyle for many of us. Go Junior and Emily!
In case you missed the women’s all around gymnastics finals in the Olympics, here is a taste of the Gold and Silver American medal winners’ routines. Nastia Liuken ended up with the gold medal, and Shawn Johnson with silver- the decisive moment was during the floor exercises. These are beautiful examples of not only gymnastics, but also very impressive dancing. The technique is perfect, and musicality in these routines is also wonderful. And to think we complain about getting dizzy in salsa spins….I can’t imagine doing tumbling passes then show control and balance. Enjoy watching these talented athletes/artists!
Joshua Allen, the 19-year-old, untrained hip-hop dancer was crowned So You Think You Can Dancewinner on Fox’s Thursday evening two-hour finale. He was my favorite dancer as well, and I extremely happy he won. But to tell you the truth, it does not matter because this year had some of the best dancers ever to grace that stage. And each one of the top 4 finalists were just incredible, regardless of the order.
Joshua Allen SYTYCD 2008 (Courtesy of FOX)
This has probably been the most intense season on the show. Not only for the competitors themselves, but for us, the viewer. I have watched this series since the start, but not until this summer, have I ever been so emotionally invested into the outcome of the results. I connected with the dancers and their lives.
Now, I do not watch a lot of TV - that is because I’m very picky on the shows I pick. Then again, this is coming from a guy who watches Family Guy and Futurama. Anyways, one of my favorite “Reality” shows will be premiering tomorrow night called So You Think You Can Dance. Now, it could be because I find the ladies who dance (and appear on the show) to be attractive - but of course I have more class than that… I think. I do like this show a lot better than the more adult show ‘Dancing With The Stars’ which I really do not consider a dance show at all.
This show tends to show the more talented and true side to various dances. You will see people actually dance, and integrate their own unique style in every routine. This is probably the best show that everyone who desires to be a better dancer should watch. Watch the performer’s faces. Watch the cleanliness of the choreography (which they learn in a matter of hours). Watch what judges look for when they judge choreography. Watch how the dance partners must work together to perform the routine. Watch how they do all of this and more, and still how you what dancing should be - a visual interpretation of the music.
Well, I could go on and on about this - but we are heading to LA tomorrow for the congress, which should have some great dancers. But for those staying home, I suggest you check this show out. Its the American Idol version for us dance lovers.
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