The night was kicked started by an out of this world group number choreographed by second season Alum, Travis Wall.

Janette & Evan – Jazz
For the first half of the dance I was simply stunned by Janette’s cat-like grace. Then I realized that everything I was in awe of was really prompted by Evan – his partnering skills were spot on.

Kayla – Solo
Kayla has a queenly grace that is beautiful to watch.

Jeanine & Brandon – Waltz
This left my feeling oddly lacking. There was enough power, enough connection, enough… something.

Jason – Solo
There was speed and stillness, height and amazing use of floor, power and emotion. Just wonderful.

Melissa & Ade – Cha-Cha
The dream couple was reunited and were hot-hot-hot!

Janette – Solo
Oh my goodness. This solo was so moving, both in its emotion and its physicality.

Kayla & Jason – Broadway
This left me speechless. The style was spot on, the attitude was amazing, and the technique was just lovely.

Ade – Solo
And here I pull out the same compliant that I always have with Ade’s solo’s – they’re just a string of tricks.

Janette & Evan – Rumba
Janette is the total package, Evan still has to brake through his quirky guy persona and really become a man.

Melissa – Solo
Oh how I love Melissa and how I love this solo. From the first développé penché to the last port de bras, it was just jaw dropping.

Jeanine & Brandon – Pop-Jazz
Wonderful synchronization, amazing power, and a sense of joy.

Evan – Solo
As much as I love Evan and his style, for this stage of the game it just isn’t going to cut it any more.

Jeanine – Solo
The only thing I can say about this is “I want more!!!”

Melissa & Ade – Contemporary
It really was the little things that made this dance so moving: Ade’s eyes as he moved away from Melissa, Melissa’s hands as she stood still, the bravery to go so deeply into such an emotional place and lay it bare so other can witness. That is what this dance was about.

Brandon – Solo
Brandon has quietly snuck up the ranks and has become my favorite male dancer this season.

Kayla & Jason – Hip-Hop
Fun, sharp, and so fresh. My favorite of the night.

Naomi’s Favorites:
Melissa & Ade – Contemporary
Melissa – Solo
Kayla & Jason – Hip-Hop

Naomi’s Bottom Three:
Jeanine & Brandon – Waltz
Ade – Solo
Janette & Evan – Rumba

“So You Think You Can Dance” air Wednesday at 8:00pm and Thursday at 9:00pm on Fox.

The halfway point marks a dramatic change in the competition – there was a girls group and guys group dance, new partnerships, and everyone dancing a solo. The voting also under went a change, with the judging panel bowing out leaving America to vote for individuals instead of partners.

Girls Group – Bollywood
I’m a huge fan of Bollywood movies and this dance was delivered so perfectly that for a moment I forgot I was watching a TV dance show.

Kayla & Evan – Viennese Waltz
As a tall girl I can understand the difficulties of dancing with shorter partners, but Kayla and Evan managed to work it out just beautifully.

Brandon – Solo
There was a frantic energy that I found strangely at odds with the song.

Janette & Ade – Hip Hop
Have I said how much I love NappyTabz? Well it bares repeating; they have such a fun, quick, witty style and I just love it!

Randi – Solo
Randi hasn’t had to dance a solo since Vegas and I forgotten how lovely she is.

Kupono – Solo
For someone who can show such amazing emotion and technique, Kupono’s solos are always disappointing: repetitive, lacking any floor craft, and shut off from the audience.

Jeanine & Jason – Contemporary
This was a jaw dropping piece of choreography and the dancers brought it to life in a truly amazing way.

Melissa – Solo
Melissa has such beautiful extension and such a sense of calm about her when she dances that is just breathtaking.

Evan – Solo
Since the start of this season there have been comparisons of Evan to Gene Kelly (which I totally see), but I felt there was a lot of Mickey Rooney that came through in this solo.

Kayla – Solo
There was an amazing use of levels and stage in the piece, but there was also a disappointing use of a competition smile that took away from the impact of the lyrics.

Randi & Kupono – Paso Doble
The intent was there, but the technique was not – Randi looked more worried then seductive and Kupono just wasn’t able to summon enough power. The Mary Murphy wig that Randi was wearing didn’t help either.

Ade – Solo
This seemed to more a string of tricks rather then a cohesive performance.

Jeanine – Solo
This was an outstanding display of physicality and personality. I think I may have a new favorite dancer.

Jason – Solo
This solo started off slow… and didn’t go anywhere.

Melissa & Brandon – Broadway
This is one that will be talked about for a long time to come. The technique matched with the emotion which matched with the connection between the dancers which matching with the music to create something amazing.

Janette – Solo
It is hard for ballroom dancers to really shine in a solo, but it is possible. Sadly, Janette didn’t.

Guys Group – African
I really don’t have the words to describe this number. It was suppose to be a group of guys bragging and it felt just like that.

Naomi’s Favorites:
Melissa & Brandon – Broadway
Kayla & Evan – Viennese Waltz
Jeanine – Solo

Naomi’s Bottom Three:
Kupono – Solo
Jason – Solo
Ade – Solo

“So You Think You Can Dance” air Wednesday at 8:00pm and Thursday at 9:00pm on Fox.

This week the fluff is gone to be replaced with a LOT of hard work. Each couple danced twice and danced to win, because only the top 10 couples go on to dance on the tour.

Melissa & Ade – Disco
This was just exceptional. Fun, fast, flirty, everything the disco is about.

Kayla & Kupono – Contemporary
This numbers gave me chills and left me speechless. The intensity coming off of these two dancers was just mind blowing.

Caitlin & Jason – Foxtrot
This dance just oozed sophistication and class, the basic rise and fall was beautiful and the lifts were lovely.

Jeanine & Philip – Russian Folk
I was disappointed by this number. Folk dancing is a very simple style of dance, but even so there really wasn’t a lot of content to this dance.

Randi & Evan – Hip Hop
NappyTabz are great, there’s always such a joy to their choreography and this weeks routine definitely kept the joy high. I loved the moved that had Evan looping Randi up and over and all around.

Janette & Brandon – Argentine Tango
The Argentine Tango was born in the brothels, so this really is a dance that is all about sex and the man dominating the woman. Brandon captured that intensity, so it seemed that he was just molding Janette to his will.

Melissa & Ade – Waltz
I had mixed feeling about this dance. Melissa was beautiful, as any ballerina hast to be, but Ade looked stiff and uncomfortable unless he was doing a lift.

Kayla & Kupono – Broadway
So much bang packed into such an amazing package.

Caitlin & Jason – Lyrical Jazz
Heavenly! Yes, I went for the pun, but there was a very ethereal quality about it that was so lovely.

Jeanine & Philip – Jive
The pace was good, the choreography was amazing, but the connection between the dancers was missing.

Randi & Evan – Samba
Season 3 contestants Anya and Pasha made this number hot, but Randi and Evan failed to make it spicy.

Janette & Brandon – Jazz
Such a fun number! There was an almost mod/Fosse style to the piece that was so charming!

Naomi’s Favorites:
Kayla & Kupono – Contemporary
Janette & Brandon – Argentine Tango
Janette & Brandon – Jazz

Naomi’s Bottom Three:
Jeanine & Philip – Russian Folk
Jeanine & Philip – Jive
Melissa & Ade – Waltz

“So You Think You Can Dance” air Wednesday at 8:00pm and Thursday at 9:00pm on Fox.

This weeks fluff was a recap of the Highs and Lows of the last month. Janette told us about how much she loved her rocker girl costume, Kayla and Kupono talked about the challenge of getting a new partner, Evan mentioned how much he liked working with all the different choreographers, Caitlin shared how much pressure there is being in the bottom three two weeks in a row, Philip explained that he knew the moment his paint ripped, Melissa talked about how much she loved the first live show and Karla teared up over losing her partner last week.

Janette & Brandon – Cha Cha

They were powerful, dynamic and HOT! In fact they were Hot Tamale Train hot!

Kayla & Kupono – Contemporary

Let me once again sing the praises of Sonya Tayeh, her genus is just amazing and this couple was wonderful in her vision.

Randi & Evan – Broadway

Oh, Evan… how I love him! Even when he was just sitting he was awesome, and somehow Randi was even better!

Caitlin & Jason – Pop-Jazz

This was an amazingly creative routine – odd idea, but creative. The technique they showed was wonderful, but I felt that Caitlin needed to be stronger with her facial expression.

Jeanine & Philip – Hip-Hop

This was so un-freaking-believable! This is going to be a number that people will be talking about for a long time. And when Philip pulled the key out at the end… the look on Jeanine’s face was just heartbreaking.

Melissa & Ade – Pas da Deux

The emotion just pouring out everywhere. The twinkle that Melissa had through out this was just so breathtaking. I was nearly in tears at the beauty of this.

New Couple: Karla & Vitolio – Quickstep

This was such a wonderful example of a quickstep: lighthearted, frothy and fast.

Naomi’s Favorites:

Jeanine & Philip

Melissa & Ade

Kayla & Kupono

Naomi’s Bottom Three:

Caitlin & Jason

Janette & Brandon

Karla & Vitolio

“So You Think You Can Dance” air Wednesday at 8:00pm and Thursday at 9:00pm on Fox.

Source.

Nigel Lythgoe announced today that he is teaming up with director Adam Shankman, “Dancing with the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba and actress Katie Holmes to launch the Dizzy Feet Foundation, a foundation for the dance community that will provide scholarships and assistance to talented underserved youth to help them realize their dreams of becoming professional dancers and will also help elevate and standardize dance instruction nationwide.

The milestone 100th episode of “So You Think You Can Dance,” airing Thursday, July 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, will feature a special performance by Dizzy Feet Foundation founding member Katie Holmes that will help introduce the foundation to the public. Directed and choreographed by Tyce Diorio in collaboration with director of photography Dion Beebe, Holmes’ highly anticipated performance will be an homage to Judy Garland and will feature Holmes dancing to and singing Garland’s classic, “Get Happy,” from the musical “Summer Stock.”

“I think it’s important for children to experience music and dance,” said Holmes. “Every child should have the opportunity to discover what it is they like and have access to the very best in that pursuit.”

Harnessing the power of the millions of viewers who watch “So You Think You Can Dance,” as well as the growing popularity of dance in the United States, the Dizzy Feet Foundation will create awareness about the positive impact that dance – and creative pursuits in general – can have on the growth and development of our nation’s youth.

The Dizzy Feet Foundation’s mission is threefold: (1) to provide scholarships and grants to talented dancers, choreographers and/or teachers working at or through accredited dance studios; (2) to establish national standards for dance education and an accreditation program for dance; (3) to develop, provide and support dance education programs for underserved children by working through and with community organizations.

The Dizzy Feet Foundation also aims to elevate and standardize the quality of dance instruction throughout the United States by offering accreditation and/or certification to dance schools and studios in most styles of dance, including ballroom, contemporary, ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop. Dizzy Feet Foundation’s Accreditation Program will set the gold standard of dance instruction in the United States and ensure that students can feel confident that they are receiving high-quality dance instruction aligned to a national standard.

“Directing and producing is what I do, but dancing is what I am. That’s why the foundation is so important to me,” noted founding member Adam Shankman. “Dizzy Feet will empower disadvantaged and at-risk students by giving them access to the highest quality arts education.”

Furthermore, Dizzy Feet Foundation founding members agree it is imperative that Los Angeles have a major dance academy.

“If we’re not going to have dance in our schools, we need to create additional opportunities to bring dance to our youth,” said founding member Carrie Ann Inaba. “And I think the Dizzy Feet Foundation will be doing exactly that.”

“Making ‘Idol Gives Back’ was a rewarding undertaking that changed my life forever,” explained Lythgoe. “It taught me to ‘give back.’ I have been a dancer, and involved in the dance world, for nearly 50 years – it’s my passion. I feel very grateful to be in a position where I can now give back to the dance community. Thanks to the huge support, enthusiasm and energy of Adam, Carrie Ann and Katie, as well as the rest of the board, it has finally become a reality.”

Since 1993, when legislators imposed revenue caps on public schools, school districts have been forced to make difficult and painful spending cuts. Typically, music and arts programs have been among the first to suffer severe blows. More than 15 years later, the decimation of music and arts programs continues.

“The financial crisis that the whole world is compromised by is affecting the arts big time,” said Dizzy Feet Foundation Steering Committee member Debbie Allen. “We’re on life support right now because it’s the first thing that gets slashed.”

The Dizzy Feet Foundation will have the benefit of an Honorary Board, on which 19 Entertainment CEO Simon Fuller, among others, will serve, as well as a Steering Committee consisting of some of the most illustrious names in the American dance and entertainment communities, including Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Mia Michaels, Mary Murphy, Debbie Allen, Shane Sparks and Lil C. The affiliation of additional Steering Committee members will be confirmed through nominations by the founding members. Members of the Steering Committee are responsible for selecting Dizzy Feet Foundation scholarship recipients and following their journeys.

The Dizzy Feet Foundation will also sponsor, fund and/or offer community-based dance programs that will expose kids in low-income areas to the lifelong benefits of dance education.

Through www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org, supporters have the opportunity to follow their contribution, as well as track the progress of the foundation’s work and the scholarship recipients’ journeys.

In order to further its mission, Dizzy Feet accepts tax-deductible contributions from corporations, patrons, supporters and dance fans and raises additional funds through direct solicitations, fundraisers and other events. Dizzy Feet Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization (Federal Tax ID Number: 26-4501295).

This episodes fluff bit was “If you weren’t a dancer…”. We had dreams of being a jewelry maker, pilates instructor, set and lighting designer, banker, model, costume designer, teacher, newscaster, soccer star, inventor and actress.

Karla & Jonathan – Hip Hop
This was a rather bland program. True, there were some cool partnered moves, but over all there was nothing to pull me in.

Asuka & Vitolio – Jazz
Mandy Moore created an amazing routine, but it was lacking the almost frantic energy needed to match the song.

Melissa & Ade – Rumba
What a stunning dance! The emotional connection was just smoldering, the technique was wonderful and Malissa’s costume was beautiful.

Janette & Brandon – Hip Hop
The energy was great, the attitude was amazing and the technique was perfect!

Kayla & Kupono – Waltz
With the departure of their partners last week, Kayla and Kupono had to master learning a new dance and a new partner. I loved both! The connection between them was wonderful and the dance was beautiful. Mary loved them so much she put them on the Hot Tamale Train.

Randi & Evan – Contemporary
This was such a fun, sweet, sensual, corny, number by Mia Michaels and Randi and Evan brought to life in an exquisite manner.

Caitlin & Jason – Paso Doble
The opening of this was absolutely breathtaking, but the strong passion that this dance is all about was missing.

Jeanine & Philip – Broadway
So much fun, but I was wondering why Jeanine kept flashing her undies – then after the number she even flashed Philip’s!

Naomi’s Favorites:
Randi & Evan
Melissa & Ade
Kayla & Kupono

Naomi’s Bottom Three:
Karla & Jonathan
Caitlin & Jason
Kayla & Kupono

“So You Think You Can Dance” air Wednesday at 8:00pm and Thursday at 9:00pm on Fox.

Last week saw Paris and Tony’s departure from the contest (I so called it!).

The big fluff bit of the week was “Big Secrets!”, so we found out about Randi talking to her dog on the phone, Ade’s full name is even harder to pronounce then Kupono’s, Caitlin can do a dinosaur impersonation, Brandon has never been to a gym, Asuka blows spit bubbles, Max likes to cook (OMG! Likes to dance AND COOKS!!! Marry me!!!), Jonathan sings — badly, Jeanine has a teddy bear and on her first day of school, Ashley threw up.

On to the dances!

Randi & Evan — Jive

The speed that they had on this was just amazing and the personality was perfect, but I found myself missing the bounce kicks that really make a jive jump.

Melissa & Ade — Jazz

Wow! I want to be friends with Sonya Tayeh so badly, her use of space and connection is wonderful and taste in music is amazing.

Caitlin & Jason — Hip Hop

The connection these two have are great, but the dancing didn’t live up to it. Mary called it when she said it was like watching Brittney Spears and Micheal Jackson – it was just a very safe style.

Janette & Brandon — Disco

This style of dance has gotten such a bad rap, but if we could see more of this couple dancing it, then disco would be making a huge come back!

Asuka & Vitolio — Waltz

I really had mixed feelings about this number. The steps were beautiful, but I didn’t sense a connection to either each other or the music, so there was nothing to draw my into the dance.

Kayla & Max — Pop Jazz

This was a great number for Max, but I felt like Kayla was just a prop. It really didn’t work for them as a duet.

Karla & Jonathan — Contemporary

Oh my… the emotion coming off these two were just mind blowing. The technique was astounding, but the emotions were so beautiful.

Jeanine & Philip — Tango

The tango is all about the man really dominating the woman – this was a dance born in the brothels after all. But in this case Philip looked like a young boy who asked a hot girl to dance, never expecting her to say yes.

Ashley & Kupono — Hip Hop

It was okay, the moves were sharp, but there was nothing to really make it pop.

Naomi’s Favorites:
Janette & Brandon
Karla & Jonathan

Naomi’s Bottom Three:
Caitlin & Jason
Ashley & Kupono
Jeanine & Philip

So You Think You Can Dance – airs Wednesday at 8:00pm and Thursday at 9:00pm on Fox.

This was the first week of competition and our introduction to the ten couples.

Jeanine & Philip – Hip Hop

It was okay. The choreography was amazing, but it was lacking the emotional connection that we’ve seen in dances like last season’s “No Air” by Joshua and Katee or “Bleeding Love” by Mark and Chelsea.

Asuka & Vitolio – Broadway

It was an average performance. You could see the effort behind the movements, the uncertainty with the style, that left a disconnect between the steps and the performence.

Karla & Jonathan – Cha-Cha-Cha

The first really good performance of the night. Both dancers really had fun and got the character of the cha-cha.

Randi & Evan – Jazz

My sweet Evan, how I love him. He and Randi showed us perfectly the joy of a couple truly in love. Their chemistry was just astounding (I’m sure Randi’s husband is proud).

Paris & Tony – Hip Hop

It was sharp and crisp, but it was missing the intensity that the piece needed.

Caitlin & Jason – Bollywood

I’m so glad that this style of dance was brought back. I enjoy it so much and these two were so enjoyable to watch in it.

Janette & Brandon – Foxtrot

This was light and frothy and full of fluff. The hold wasn’t as crisp as it needed to be, but it didn’t take away from the loveliness of the number.

Ashley & Kupono – Jazz

Wade Robson exists on a different plane then the rest of us and when we get to glimpse it, it is such a gift. Thankfully, Ashley and Kupono gave the performance all it needed to be mind blowing.

Melissa & Ade – Contemporary

Yes. Just… yes. This is what dance is.

Kayla & Max – Samba

Ladies and gentlemen, the Hot Tamale Train has reached the station!

Naomi’s Favorites:

Melissa & Ade

Ashley & Kupono

Randi & Evan

Naomi’s Bottom Three:

Paris & Tony

Asuka & Vitolio

Jeanine & Philip

“So You Think You Can Dance” air Wednesday at 8:00pm and Thursday at 9:00pm on Fox.

Day one of Vegas Week started off with a bang. All the dancer were asked to perform a solo and the first round of cuts were handed down.

The afternoon session of hip-hop with Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo continued the cuts and those who manged to remain went to bed hopeful.

The morning of day two was spent with Jean-Marc and France Généreux learning a waltz that sent 16 dancers home, while the afternoon’s jazz routine with Sonya Tayeh saw the departure of last season’s runner up Natalie – an action that shocked everyone in the competition.

This led into my favorite night of Vegas Week: Group Numbers!!!!

Take three to six dances from different style backgrounds, who have never danced together, some of whom have never had to create their own steps, then deprive them of sleep. The drama writes its self.

This process also lead to my favorite quote from Adam Shankman, “That was so convention 101. Barf!”

Day three continued to get harder with a contemporary number from Mia Michaels that cut another 13 dancers.

Tyce Diorio took over day four with two amazing Broadway numbers from West Side Story. First the girls got spicy with “America”, then the boys tried to play it cool with “Crazy Boy”. Another round of cuts left us with just 16 girls and 16 guys.

Tonight night the top 20 will be reviled. There are some dancers that I really like that I’m sure won’t get in, there are others who I think should have been cut two days ago that might make it, but the only thing I know for sure is that the dancing with be amazing!

“So You Think You Can Dance” airs Tonight at 9:00pm on Fox.

So You Think You Can Dance image courtesy of Fox Broadcasting

Have a So You Think You Can Dance party at your own house: So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit: Tone and Groove

I know it’s summer by the return of my favorite TV contest – So You Think You Can Dance.

The last two weeks we’ve slogged through the open audition rounds. The producers have given us the usual mix of amazing, mediocre, funny and what-were-they-thinking.

My favorite moment of the auditions was judge Adam Shankman’s impromptu swing dance. Adam has become world famous for his choreography in movies like Hairspray, The Wedding Planner, She’s All That and Blast From the Past, but it’s still a treat to see the man himself in motion.

This week is Vegas Week, where the dancing talent is brought up to the next level and the top 20 is selected . I know my DVR is set so I won’t miss a moment of it.

So You Think You Can Dance airs this week on Wednesday at 8:00pm and Thursday at 9:00pm.