Honda BOTB Dance-Off!

For all my HBCU Dance Line lovers out there, the 2013 Honda Battle of the Bands gave us a treat this year! The first ever Dance-Off took place at the beginning of the event, The line-up included the Jackson State J-Settes, Bethune-Cookman University 14 Karat Gold, North Carolina A&T Golden Delight, Albany State Passionettes, Alcorn State Golden Girls, Edward Waters College Purple Passion & Purple Thunder, Winston-Salem State Scarlet Lace, & Tennessee State Sophisticated Ladies.

As a former predominantly black high school dance team captain in Atlanta, GA, I am very intrigued by the prominent college dance teams. These teams have unique uniforms, exciting choreography and bold personality. It is time that the dance teams received more spotlight! Sometimes that 1-2 minute field routine isn't enough to showcase the dancers wonderful abilities, but these dance teams always seem to make it happen.

Also, make sure you all check out Choreo Unique. The two founders coordinated and choreographed the first ever Dance Off! Their youth dance team, Dance Atlanta Elite All-Stars also opened up the show with a sassy routine!
Check out the photos below and also there are videos on Youtube to see these ladies in action!

Dance Atlanta Elite All-Stars

NCAT Golden Delight

JSU J-Settes

TSU Sophisticated Ladies (Front) WSSU Scarlet Lace (Back)

BCU 14K

Alcorn State Golden Girls

Albany State Passionettes

(Photos courtesy of Zee Tre & Rudi P)

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200373730685299.208032.1216193485&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152444623435375.948859.744215374&type=3

My top 3 would probably have to be Bethune-Cookman 14K, Jackson State J-Settes & North Carolina A&T Golden Delight. And in no particular order, they all have different styles, strengths, and weaknesses!

-NF

Peace. Love. Dance.

SYTYCD Twitch & Allison Holker Engaged!

So You Think You Can Dance Stars Stephen 'Twitch' Boss (Season 4 Runner-Up) and Allison Holker (Season 2 Contestant) announced their engagement this past Sunday via Twitter!  They are both All-Stars on the recent shows and AMAZING dancers.  This couple is so cute, full of personality and of course full of dance!

Lastly, check out this YouTube video "Dancers Among Us" featuring the newly engaged couple! I am in love.

-NF

Peace. Love. Dance

Choreography To Tamar Braxton's "Love & War"

"Love & War" by Tamar Braxton has officially become my favorite song!  The music, the lyrics, her voice; it all just makes my heart sink!  Something of course that I would love even better is emotion filled choreography to this song.  I came across a few videos that I thought portrayed her song the best and had me say "YESSSSSSS" after they finished dancing lol. Check them out below!

This choreography is done by ATL's own Kiki Ely.  I love the fact that they dancing from their hearts and truly feeling the song! They are expressing her lyrics through movements and making the audience engage in their performance. It gives me chills! What do you all think?

Tamar shot her music video to this song on Thursday, January 3, 2013.  Can't wait to see her finishing product!

The Cutest Thing Ever!

I'm not sure what language this is in or country this is from, but these two little kids are working it!!!!! Their moves are on point and their personality is giving me life! This duo has been all over my newsfeed on Facebook and I see why. They cannot be much older than 6 and are already superstars. These two are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future! Check them out!

These kids are F A B U L O U S.

-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.

BET Honors 2013

There are many entertainers who never use background dancers because they don't need them.  And some use them just to spice up their performance. Not necessary but definitely a great asset.

Last night, I got the chance to go to the BET Honors 2013 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC. It was BEAUTIFUL! The performances and honorees were amazing and I was so happy to be present in that moment. However, because I am a dancer, of course my eyes went straight to the dancers when they performed with Alicia Keys and Brandy.

The outstanding Anthony Burrell performed with Brandy (according to her Instagram). And five dynamic dancers performed with Alicia. Both selections were slow tempo and allowed the dancers to feel the music and the choreography. They gave me intriguing emotion and it was lovely! Just the icing on top of my night. Can't wait to see it air on BET on February 11, 2013 at 9:00pm!

(Photos from Google)

-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.

Beauty And The Beast

Choreographers and Cali couple Willdabeast and Janelle Ginestra are SICK together! Just check out their choreography!

I say Janelle is sicker than Will but hey they both hold their own and have their own swag.  She is fierce and he is brilliant! They are just so cute! What do y'all think?

-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.

Do You Have What It Takes?

Joffrey has been known my whole life to be one of the best ballet schools for aspiring professional dancers. I always I could have been good enough to even audition but I need to find money to get back in a studio first! haha. Check out this promo video for their 2013 Summer Intensive!

Grab your pointe shoes! And make sure you visit http://www.joffreyballetschool.com/auditions.html for more info!

-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.

Throwback Thursday: Cinema Style

Amanda Schull's Outstanding Performance in Center Stage

Now to all my Ballet and Pointe Dancers out there, if you have seen this movie as much as me, I know you know every move in this final dance!

Coming to theaters in 2000, the film made $4,604,621 during its opening weekend (IMBd).  I'm not sure if this is good compared to the other movies that came out around that time, but this is my FAVORITE movie!  Jodie (Amanda Schull) ends her performance debut with amazing Fouette turns; and this red outfit along with the red pointe shoes just give it such a fierce effect! I was only 6 when this came out, so I remember being all over the house trying to do these turns in my ballet shoes. And I know I'm not the only one haha! And of course Cooper (Ethan Stiefel) and Charlie (Sascha Radetsky) were a great asset to this piece as well.

This clip is all over YouTube with millions of views and comments. Even 13 years after the movie was released, we are still raving about it. 

-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.

"Out With The Old, In With The New"

The Lifetime Hit Series "Dance Moms" takes a twist, for better or for worst?

So who all saw the Dance Moms episode last night? Now that was a crazy episode right!? Abby's infamous saying was "Everyone's Replaceable" and finally went through with it. Even though I agree with SOME of her mean comments because I feel they eventually build strength in the child, I do believe that she was very mean and nasty to Kelly and her children, Paige and Brooke.  And I'm not saying that the Dance Moms are never out of line because sometimes they are, but I agree with the stand they took against Abby. How much should you sacrifice for disrespect? It obviously came back and bit Abby right in the behind when one of her contestants', Hadley's, mom from "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" won first place in the group dance, while her newfound competition team came in second.  The only reason Abby received 1st in any category because of the magnificent talent of Sophia, or as Abby says "The new Maddie." That statement right there to me is childish, you do not call another child the new someone else. Sophia is Sophia and Maddie is Maddie; both beautiful dancers, two different girls. And Abby soon found out that these new moms were no better than the last. The grass isn't always greener on the other side Abby...

These new girls are definitely amazing dancers, but I can attest that I watched the show because of the old dance moms and girls; they made that show, Abby was just the topping to everything. But I still love the show and will continue to watch it. Check me out next week for my take on the next episode!

-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.

They Pop Up When You Least Expect It

Ever seen the Target commercial on Youtube when the customers broke out into a choreographed dance? Or the AT&T 4G commercial on TV when the guy started randomly dancing too early? There is a new trend of random dancing that is becoming a hit.

A flash mob is a group of people who come together suddenly in a public place and begin to perform a choreographed routine. Then when it's over, they continue with what they were doing previously as if it never happened! I think that flash mobs are wonderful way to lighten moods and give the public something to smile about and enjoy, just as dance should! It is a free way for anyone to express themselves with a group and then go on with their day. It's definitely a tickler and a show for everyone to enjoy.

Now, Dance Mob Nation is a company that produces and casts actually flash mobs! Their past clients include Sony Pictures and IBM so they are definitely legit. Make sure to check out their website www.dancemobnation.com if you ever need a flash mob!

-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.

Summer Series Back Again

Season 10 of So You Think Can Dance begins January 18 in Austin, TX

I am too amped about my favorite show returning once again! So You Think You Can Dance began in 2005 and has progressed each year. The show travels the country in hopes to find America's favorite dancer, auditioning thousands of talented dancers. From seasons 1-8, only one person could become America's favorite dancer. Now moving forward in season 9 and beyond, two people (male and female) will be chosen as America's favorite dancers. Always been interested just like me? Check out the audition dates coming up soon and make sure you go to www.fox.com/dance to get more info!

       Austin, TX                         Friday, January 18          

       Detroit, MI                         Monday, February 11

       Boston, MA                       Thursday, February 21

       Memphis, TN                     Thursday, March 14

       Los Angeles, CA                Friday, March 22

Can't wait until it premieres! 

So You Think You Can Dance dance dance dance... :-)


-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.

What is Dance to you?

Dance is an expression of emotions that cannot be said. Dance is the movement of our heart and soul. Dance is an art that cannot be denied of anyone if they have the passion for it.

Some believe dance is just ballet. Some believe dance is just hip hop. But I believe dance is both of those and more. Ballet/Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, African, Praise & Worship, Ballroom, Bboying, Lyrical, Contemporary, and so many more styles are under the umbrella of dance.  But in all these styles, the person performing it has to love it. It is one thing to move your arms and legs, but once you add your heart, begin to feel the movements, and let go of everything else, that is dance.

-NF
Peace. Love. Dance.