Benji At USA Grand Nationals

Benji Schwimmer and Kellese Key perform at the USA Grand Nationals over the Memorial Day Weekend in Atlanta. If I had known, I could have been there.

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Speaking of Benji, we're hearing that cousin Heidi got hitched over the last weekend. Best wishes to her and the lucky guy.

TV Dance News Roundup

Australia's Ten Network site has a long recap of the finale. Also, Aussies can win the ultimate dance lesson in New York, with Travis Wall, sponsored by...Metamucil?


GenQ congratulates the winner and says there will be an Australian tour, beginning in July. Tickets go on sale May 12th.


Impressive young dancer Caleb Bartolo, too young to compete in season 1, has been given a $10,000 scholarship offered by Optus and the Sydney Dance Company.


Back in the states, Jesús Solorio has produced a dance concert in his hometown.


Brian Friedman sat in as a judge on the most recent episode of MTV's Rock The Cradle.


Reality Wanted has a short interview with choreographer Dave Scott.



On his Myspace blog, Benji Schwimmer invites readers to ask him anything. When asked about the upcoming season of SYTYCD, he says:

theres also a handful of some amazing new choreographers that i know will be choreographing this year...im really excited! hopefully ill get a chance to be there as well!

America's Best Dance Crew winners JabbaWockeeZ, along with finalists Kaba Modern will perform at the Asian Excellence Awards, this Thursday at 6pm ET/PT on the E! cable network. They're both nominated in the Favorite Reality Stars category.

Kaba Modern teaches a few moves to FOX Reality Channel’s Albert Lawrence.

SYTYCD News Roundup

Cat Deeley will host Lifetime's The Big Match, some sort of dating/reality/game show.

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Shimmy Online interviews Benji Schwimmer.

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Here's an early review of Step Up 2 The Streets, which includes the choreography of Dave Scott. The good news is: there's plenty of dancing.

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This sounds like overkill to me, but what do I know? A year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's Thriller includes:

"Thrillercast," a groundbreaking 40-episode podcast event, launches on February 12th and will be updated weekly throughout 2008. The series features icons of music, screen and culture including hip-hop legend Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, superstars Nick Cannon and Chris Brown, choreographers Shane Sparks and Mia Michaels from the hit show "So You Think You Can Dance," and dozens of other special guests. Each episode takes us behind the scenes into their lives to explore their own personal experiences with Thriller and its influence on them, both personally and professionally. "Thrillercast" will be available for free through iTunes, Zune, and all major podcast providers, as well as directly through www.michaeljackson.com.

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Blogger Daneolicious danced as an extra in the filming of American Mall, the MTV film featuring our own Neil Haskell.

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Our friend Yessy Gomez is sponsoring the "Just Showin' Off" Showcase, an event in Grand Rapids, Mi. to benefit "dancers in attending the auditions for "So you think you can dance" because they are not coming to Chicago this year!" It's Sunday at 6:30 at the Spectrum Theater.

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The Canadian Press interviews Randy Jackson about America's Best Dance Crew, which premieres tomorrow night on MTV. He talks a bit about dance from a musician's perspective:

"Listen, I've been doing music my whole life and every up-tempo song I've ever made, you often wonder how people are going to dance to it," the 46-year-old musician told The Associated Press.

"You go to clubs, you try and find out how they're moving to it. Is the beat fast enough? Dance is like the right hand of music. There couldn't be any dance without music, right? And vice versa," he said at a studio off Sunset Boulevard where the show was taping recent auditions.

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SYTYCD News Roundup

Go now. Here's one I can't recommend highly enough to TV dance watchers. Our friend Tonya Plank has begun writing a column for ExploreDance.com. Congratulations Tonya! In her first column she reviews the current and upcoming crop of TV dance offerings and asks "Why Are TV Dance Shows All the Rage?" There are so many insightful observations that I lost count.

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American Smooth. Ballroom afficionados who watch PBS's America's Ballroom Challenge will want to get Tonya's take on the show at her blog, Swan Lake Samba Girl.

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Getting his status straight? Shimmy Online Magazine recently interviewed Hok Konishi:

Shimmy: What did you do once you were eliminated from SYTYCD?

Hok: Well, nothing too much really. Did some interviews, just jumped back into reality. I did a show in England and then came back the next day to start rehearsing for the tour!! I have to say I was shocked at first though!

"Just jumped back into reality"? But Hok, SYTYCD is a REALITY show! You mean reality shows aren't reality?

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The Post and Enquirer reports from the auditions in Charleston.

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Geoff at Geofftech blogs about meeting Cat Deeley at the Charleston auditions:

So I got to get up close a personal with Miss Deeley. She’s still got that slightly skewed nose that I remembered. And just as I was trying to act all work-like I could hardly talk either when she identified me as being from the fellow motherland. “You’re English?” she says “Yes I am!” I reply, and it’s only later that the photographer who took my picture here told me that she did start to extend her hand to shake mine, but I seemed not to pick up on it - I’d like to think it’s because I’m a professional and was weighed down my some heavy camera equipment, and not just because I came all over bashful.

He mentions a video, but I can't seem to find it.

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Flickr user Tendolab caught some shots outside the Charleston auditions.

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You may be aware that Benji Schwimmer is himself extremely talented with a camera in his hands, but he recently went before the lens of photographer/blogger Daniel Brock.

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The Salt Lake Tribune previews the auditions starting there next Monday.

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Benji Update

Beginning in January, Benji Schwimmer will be guest teaching at Tremaine Dance conventions in Vancouver, New York, Indianapolis, and Dallas.

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Benji posted 10 random things to his Myspace blog, including how grateful he is that he will be busier in 2008 than he was in 2006 and 2007 combined. He also talks about D.E.M.A.N.D.(Dancers Everywhere Making A Needed Difference), his project "to raise funds to distribute wherever a need may arise", primarily in Mexico for now. More info here.


Selly contributed to this report.

SYTYCD News Roundup

Andy Rathbun of HeraldNet reviews last night's show in Everett, Wa.

Some might be surprised by the stage show's popularity, TV or not. But for fans such as Denise Rolak, the appeal is simple.

"I think dancing is inherent in what we are as human beings," Rolak, 31, said, "and to see people do it well is entertaining."

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Metro.co.uk has an interview with Cat Deeley:

What’s your dream TV job?

The dance show is pretty much up there in terms of dream jobs, it’s entertaining and a spectacle and was a big hit here this summer. At some stage maybe I’d want to do something more serious. I love Diane Sawyer and Oprah Winfrey’s careers, so that’s something I’d want to do in the future. I’m thinking that way but there’s nothing in that vein just yet.

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Benji Schwimmer posted a long, soul-searching piece to his Myspace blog. I don't envy anyone who has to come to terms with fame in the internet age. One piece of news that came out of it: Cousin Heidi is engaged. Congratulations to her!

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SYTYCD News Roundup

Benji Schwimmer appeared at “Dance Rocks,” a benefit for Career Transition for Dancers on Monday night in New York. Jennifer Dunning of the New York Times had good things to say:

“Dance Rocks” was essentially a series of lookalike tight-bodied duets and syncopated group loping, with a little aimless street dance, acrobatics, cheerleading moves and juggling thrown in. One speaker mentioned the prevalence of dance reality shows on television today and their effect on developing dance audiences. (Next stop, “Giselle.”) And one of the better acts on the program was “Get Up Offa That Thing,” performed by Benji Schwimmer, the 2006 winner of one of those shows, Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” and Heidi Groskreutz, another finalist. If you’re going to strut it all out, it pays to know how.

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Cedric Gardner and Stephen "tWitch" Boss will be teaching at a workshop in Pittsburgh.

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I finally found a little more info on choreographer Mandy Moore, best known to SYTYCD fans for Neil and Sabra's Table Jazz:

Mandy has worked with some of the top choreographers in the business, and has performed all over the world from Brazil to Australia. She was a featured dancer in "Austin Powers III" and "A Time For Dancing" as well as for the television shows: "That 70's Show," "Malcolm In the Middle," and "The Drew Carey Show."

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SYTYCD News Roundup

We just got to see Brian Friedman again during the season 2 marathon on MTV. Catch up with Brian in this article at Movmnt Magazine.

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Something For Nothing found an interesting Allison Holker video montage.

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Our friend Booker calls this article, written before her injury, a "very gushy & romantic interview with lovebirds Lacey and Hok":

"He is by far the best thing that ever happened to me," Schwimmer gushed to In Touch about Konishi. "It's exciting to know that I have my best friend and my love with me at all times."

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Now that Lacey is back home rehabbing her knee, she does some Halloween thuggin', with a feather duster in some new pics on her Myspace page. Yeah, that's Benji with her, showing off his newly shaved head, along with a friend named Bear. Hmmm.

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Natalie Bassingthwaighte, the newly named host of the upcoming Australian version of So You Think You Can Dance, talks about the auditions in this article in the Herald-Sun:

During rehearsals, which reach Sydney on October 27 and 28 and Melbourne on November 3 and 4, Bassingthwaighte doesn't get to see much dancing.

"I'm with the contestants during warm-ups and helping them come to terms with their nerves," Bassingthwaighte said.

"I'm a bit of a mother hen figure."

Awww, she's following the Cat Deeley template.

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Travis And Nick's Must-See Solos

We told you about "The Show" back on August 8th. Loralyn tells us that iHollywoodDance.com has released videos.

A montage from the convention. Watch for Benji, Travis, Nick Lazzarini, Melody Lacayanga, and Mandy Moore.


Benji introduces an absolute must-see solo by Travis Wall.

For more Travis, Loralyn recommends traviswall-online.org


Nick Lazzarini wows the crowd with this great solo.


More, after the jump

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Check out Benji's impression of Travis while introducing a group performing Travis and Ivan's hiphop choreography.


A cast of hundreds does the Time Warp again.


More at iHollywoodDance's Youtube page.

Benji Update

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Benji and Heidi appear at the Laguna Dance Festival October 6th. More info here. The site is worth a visit for clips of 2006 performances, if nothing else.

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Benji dances with the elite of the dance world (including Jason Samuels Smith) Oct. 29th in New York at the Career Transition For Dancers 22nd Jubilee. More Info here.

For those who don't know, Benji is an extremely talented photographer. Check his Myspace for his photos of Travis, Allison, Ivan, Jason Williams, and Ashlee Nino.

Benji & Heidi Movie, New Choreographer?

From Eonline's Watch With Kristin:

Cate in Asheville, North Carolina: I'm still missing So You Think You Can Dance. Think I need to seek therapy?

Yes, along with Korbi and Jen, whom I'm really starting to worry about...The good news is we've got a little info that might ease your pain: Season-two winner Benji Schwimmer and his cousin Heidi Groskreutz are costarring in a movie about West Coast swing, which is currently filming! Amy Smart is the star, plus Caroline Rhea and Maulik Pancholy (Sanjay from Weeds) are also on the roster! Woohoo! BTW, we caught up with Nigel Lythgoe recently, and he talked about additions to the show next season: "[We'd love to have] Susan Stroman. She's an outstanding choreographer, and I'd love to get some classical choreographers on the show. If you can do contemporary, you can do classical!"

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The movie mentioned is Love 'N' Dancing.

Here's Susan Stroman's Wikipedia entry, and here's a bio at PBS.

This is an excerpt from the final performance of the Broadway cast of the Tony-award winning musical Contact by Susan Stroman and John Weidman.

Around The Web

Lacey and Benji will appear at the Laguna Dance Festival Oct. 6th. But wait, shouldn't Lacey be in Atlantic City that night? What am I missing?

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Here's a quick(time) video at Reuters Blogs of Cat Deeley, asked about bad auditions.

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Someone listed their favorite music from So You Think You Can Dance, with videos.

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Backstage Interviews

This week's Reality Remix report features G G Pants interviewing Sissyduckling, Cat, Mary, Danny, Neil, Paula Abdul, and Nigel. He even hands the tiara over to Sabra.


Pre-finale interviews with Neil and Sabra.


Thanks Gen!

Message From Benji

Season 2 winner Benji Schwimmer has posted to his Myspace blog:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Congratulations to Miss Sabra on her win on "So You Think You Can Dance". She's gonna have an amazing career!!! She's a beautiful dancer and is going to have the most amazing lifechanging experience of her career this year! Best of luck to her and all the other top 20!!!

On a side note...Lacey:

"I am beyond proud of you for the amazing run you've had on this show. In my humble opinion you are the epitomy of what this competition is all about. You deserve more than just a TV show...and I know thru your newly found pathway in life and dedication...you will achieve it! You're priceless!!! If I wasn't your brother you still would've had my vote. I'm just glad you didn't compete in season2 cuz i would've been in trouble!!! hahaha You're the best! I love you dearly! You rocked harder than a magicist!!! I have never seen a more consistant competitor on the show in any of the 3 seasons. You have so many people who adore you. G G pants loves Sissyduckling! You're a winner in my eyes...no matter what!"

To all the rest of the cast: Enjoy the tour!!! you guys are great!!!

To all those who have voted for all contestants...especially Lacey: Your votes did not go in vain! To see my sister on stage in the finale of SYTYCD...brought more emotion and happiness to me than the time I too was on there a year ago. Thank you all for supporting miss Lacey. Tonight we had the staff party and everyone was messing aroudnon the dance floor having fun. Wonderful night!!! A sincere thank you once again!!!

new pictures up and a new website up soon...bonus dvds are shipped!!!

gotta catch a plane to new mexico to film a movie!


LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!

Benji

Congratulations on the movie, Benji, and thanks for a very gracious message. We probably could have done without the G G Pants/Sissyduckling thing, but you will always be a favorite dancer of ours. We're looking forward to the unveiling of GoBenji.com.

Backstage Report

TVGuide's Deborah Starr Seibel takes us backstage at the finale:

Benji Schwimmer, who moonlights as a correspondent for Fox Reality TV, had just wrapped his interview with So You Think You Can Dance's new champion, Sabra Johnson. He lowers his microphone and puts his arms around her, talking quietly into her ear. Dazed and confused from her big win and all the backstage hubbub surrounding her, Sabra nods and closes her eyes, listening to words of wisdom from someone who's been there.

"He just said to keep having fun and be grateful for it," says Sabra moments later. "This puts me exactly where I need to be - almost ahead of the game. I haven't had the chance to work with a lot of choreographers. Now I can pay the rent. Now I can pay for dance classes. Now I don't have to work three jobs just to try to do that. It's more than I could've asked for."

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Benji Fanvid

A tribute to last year's winner, Benji Schwimmer.



Created by EyeHeartCanada

Video From Last Year's Tour

Myspacer Did He Just Go Crazy and Fall Asleep has several videos posted from last season's tour. They're decent amateur quality but watchable, and unlike the show, the camera stays in one place and doesn't cut away just when things get interesting.

Wade Robson's Ramalama Bang Bang group dance




Mia Michaels' Park Bench dance with Travis & Heidi




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Travis & Heidi's Paso Doble




Donyelle & Benji's Hairspray part 1




Hairspray part 2




Ivan and Allison's Why




Heidi & Ryan's Cuban Rumba part 1




Cuban Rumba part 2




Travis and Benji's Nerd Dance




SexyBack

Benji Reviews Top 6

Benji Schwimmer with Kennedy on Reality Remix.

Nick Lazzarini Speaks Out

So You Think You Can Dance season 1 winner Nick Lazzarini posted some thoughts on season 3 to his Myspace blog

sytycd 3

hmmmmm....so i just watched the show all the way through and i have some mixed thoughts. mandys piece was amazing. loved it but the rest of the show choreography wise didnt impress me. neither did the other dancers besides sabra and neil. i thought sabras solo was amazing and for the first time i really thought neil looked like an artist. i was so impressed with him. what was pasha doing???? hes such an amazing ballroom dancer and he came out and did comtemporary??? random right. he needs to stick to his thing which got him this far cuz hes brilliant at it. i like lauren but come on over jaimie??? its a shame shes not still here cuz then we would have a real competition with her danny and sabra!!! that wouldve been dope. alrighty here it comes... due to popular demand im going to post my thoughts on lacey. i honestly was disgusted by her solo tonight. her dress was completely up her butt, she was touching herself every 3 seconds, she ended straddled on the floor, and looked trashy. i understand that shes a "good" performer but lets call a spade a spade the only reason shes on the show is cuz shes benjis sister. sorry its true. there are way more talented girl ballroom dancers in the world and she just happens to be from the blessed family i guess. there i said it. hate me if u want but its my opinion and everyone is entitled to it. just like last year travis should have won over benji. i understand its about americas "favorite dancer" but as a dancer i look at whos best and thats DANNY FRIGGEN TIDWELL!!! ok enough of my babble. just had to share some thoughts ttyl peeps!

Thanks to Gen for the tip.

About The Judges

Entertainment Weekly's Adam B Vary is a bit grumpier than normal this week:

I'd chalk it up just to personal taste if the judges hadn't gushed over every single routine like grandmas after a grade-school band recital. They really want us to like these dancers, to the point where they'll, say, overlook Lauren awkwardly throwing down her arm to push herself up during that superdisco floor spin, or rhapsodize over Neil and Sabra's climactic ''doughnut'' drop even though Benji and Heidi pulled off the exact same move last season, and with smoother execution besides.

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Tom Dorsey with the Louisville Courier-Journal writes about the British Judge phenomenon on American reality shows. As so often seem to happen with traditional newspaper coverage of the show, he gets an easily verifiable, major fact wrong:

There was a judge named Nigel Lythgoe looking down his patrician nose at hoofers on "Dancing With the Stars." Nigel? Yes, there was a Nigel in our midst, lolling us to sleep with his cultured British accent and snippy attitude.

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