SYTYCDC: The Kick Off
After all the auditions, the billboards and commercials hyping the show, the Top 20 hit the stage for the first performance show of So You Think You Can Dance Canada! Host Leah Miller revealed that not only will one of the Top 20 be named Canada’s Favourite Dancer, but they will also go home with 100,000 and a brand new 2009 Mercedes C230! If you ask me, I’d rather be Canada’s Favourite Dancer over Canadian Idol….just saying.
If anyone had any doubt that Canadian dancers weren’t going to be able to bring it as hard as American, tonight’s first performance episode of So You Think You Can Dance Canada just proved them wrong!
Couple #1: Arassay Reyes, 21, South Surrey, B.C., and Nico Archambault, 23, Montreal, Que.
Style: Salsa
During the auditions, Nico was told that he had the ability to be the best dancer on the stage and after tonight’s performance I am definitely putting him on my list of fave’s!
What a great way to open the show! These two definitely sizzle together and it wasn’t just the heat from the salsa. This couple had the moves, the chemistry and the star power to get the show off with a bang. Muy caliente!
Couple #2: Natalli Reznik, 28, Toronto, Ont., and Kevin Mylrea, 22, Westbank, B.C.
Style: Hip-hop
You may recognize Natalli from the auditions more than some of the other Top 20 because she repeatedly had to dance for her life. Her partner Kevin also admitted to the camera during rehearsal that Natalli has trouble remembering choreography and even choreographer Tanisha Scott mentioned that her timing is off. Yikes!
The judges weren’t overly impressed with the performance either, but luckily for this pair Natalli’s beauty and rock hard abs seem to be captivating enough to let them squeak into the judges good books. Let’s see how far that will get them.
Couple #3: Breanne Wong, 25, Ajax, Ont., and Francis Lafrenière, 28, St. Bruno, Que.
Style: Smooth Waltz
Francis came to the SYTYCDC auditions and made it through to the final round with his partner and girlfriend. Sadly, when it came time to choose the Top 20, she didn’t continue through and now Francis has been left to pair up with contemporary dancer Bre.
Both were nervous about the smooth waltz, particularly a move called the dead man’s drop. Yea, I can see why that would be scary. In the end, they pulled off the frightening move, but did little to impress the judges. Maybe Francis just isn’t comfortable with a new partner…maybe Bre’s contemporary ways just won’t carry over to other styles smoothly. Who knows! Either way, I think this may be the first couple in the bottom three.
Couple #4: Allie Bertram, 18, Calgary, Alta., and Danny Arbour, 26, Montreal, Que.
Style: Jive
Both dancers were completely out of their element on this one, but they rose to the challenge and killed it. Dare I say that they may have just made the Jive cool again? The 80’s had a major comeback in 2008 but dare I say that the cool rockabilly, 50s-style moves that these two were jiving may spur a new trend? Host Leah Miller seems sold, asking to take home Allie’s skirt. It was still early in the night, but both Blake and Tré declared that this was their favourite performance
Couple #5: Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, 18, Loretto, Ont., and Izaak Smith, 19, Prince George, B.C.
Style: Theatre
Kaitlyn is fresh out of high school and the youngest competitor in the Top 20 and Izaak is a mere 19, facts that have made both the judges and choreographers concerned. The constant physical contact seemed to be an awkward issue for these two young-ins during the rehearsals. However, when they got on stage their youthfulness wasn’t a negative in any way. In fact their youthful energy probably helped them power through the exaggerated, demanding performance. Despite their ability to pull off the performance, the judges were still hung up on their lack of maturity but admitted that it was a good piece. Izaak has the most potential for development according to Tré, but will he fulfil it? Tré is still having the same issue with Izaak now that she did when he was chosen for the Top 20, she still doesn’t quite believe his commitment.
But more importantly, does anyone else see the resemblance to a young JT when looking at Izaak? Just sayin…
Couple #6: Lisa Auguste, 27, Rexdale, Ont., and Vincent Noiseux, 22, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.
Style: Contemporary
Lisa stood out during the auditions and Top 20 trials. She killed everything and her confidence made her shine. Vincent also stood heads above the other male hopefuls (and it’s not just because of his statuesque form). How fitting that this couple would be chosen to perform a number that would totally push them to their limit? Both were told however, that if they held back, the number wouldn’t work. No pressure.
Their ability to be strong, yet graceful, in sync and connected resulted in a truly impressive contemporary performance. For the first time during the show, Luther broke down and actually allowed himself to love a performance and Blake found them both to be phenomenal. I’m no judge but this performance seemed to shine as the technically strongest, from who I think are two of the strongest dancers in the Top 20.
Couple #7: Lara Smythe, 25, Toronto, Ont., and Miles Faber, 21, Calgary, Ont.
Style: Disco
New term: “ish”
Meaning: Do you have it? Can you move on?
Me: Totally adopting into my vocab!
I’m no dance expert but this performance didn’t really do anything for me. In fact I’d even say the fake scenesters in the Metro Station video for this song worked it better than Lara and Miles.
Guess that’s why I’m not a judge, because somehow they seemed to dig it. Had they not kissed I probably wouldn’t have been into the performance at all. Truthfully, that was their secret weapon, had it not been for the lip lock, I doubt the judges would have ruled favourably. Word of advice Lara and Miles, the competition will be stressful enough, don’t add more potential drama!
Couple #8: Romina D'Ugo, 22, Toronto, Ont., and Dario Milard, 19, St. Hubert, Que.
Style: Hip-Hop
Dario was probably the most unique dancer (with skill) that auditioned or earned a spot in the Top 20. I didn’t remember Romina at all from the auditions, but there she was, clad in a sexy French maid uniform. Mabe it’s just me, but I feel that maid costumes should be reserved for Halloween and those channels that the kids shouldn’t watch but whatever, moving on! In the end, Romina held it down and Dario wasn’t able to totally keep up.
Couple #9: Tamina Pollack-Paris, 19, Toronto, Ont., and Joey Matt, 19, Calgary, Alta.
Style: Tango
During the auditions, Tamina was all about her on stage “alter ego”, saying that a different side of her comes out when it’s time to perform. I am totally subscribing to that theory because when she’s talking to the camera, Tamina seems sweet and innocent, but when she stepped on stage for the Tango, that alter ego came out. Tamina transformed into one fierce chick as she worked the Tango. However, partner Joey just didn’t seem to be into it as much, causing the performance to fall flat for Blake. The nicest thing the judges had to say to him was that his slicked back hair allowed his eyes to really stand out…ouch.
How’s this for a hot Tango?
Couple #10: Caroline Torti, 23, Oakville, Ont., and Jesse Catibog, 29, Toronto, Ont.
Style: Jazz
Last, but certainly not least, were dancers Caroline and Jesse who learned a jazz number by choreographer Clarence Ford. This couple struggled, from rehearsal to the performance, and in the end, it just didn’t work. While the couple got their moves straight for the stage, the judges definitely pointed out a lot of mistakes. The biggest mistake I saw, was the orange leisure suits and giant afro wigs. All in all, not the greatest way to end the show.
Dare I vote them most likely to go home?
If SYTYCDC inspired you, then here is some music to dance to:
“All That Jazz” Chicago Soundtrack
“Slow Me Down” Emmy Rossum
(You Make Me Feel Like A Natural) Woman
“The Way I Are” Timbaland
“Just Dance” Lady GaGa
“Shake It” Metro Station
“Dangerous” Kardinal Offishal
I'm a big fan of So You Think You Can Dance and this was a good opening.
Hope the awesome dances continue. Keep up the work. :):D
Go Canadians!!!!