Category Archives: Sport

LXD: Legion of Extraordinary Dancers

Last month Hulu premieredthe online miniseries “LXD: Legion of Extraordinary Dancers” created by Jon M. Chu also director of movies “Step Up 2 & 3D”.  Volume 1 of this 10 chapter miniseries showcases many elements of dance/sport movement on never-before-seen small screen, 360° slow motion cinematography. If you ever thought those accomplished aerial/gravity defying stunts in dance movement were impossible, this series gives you a birds-eye view of this ability. The “dancer” as “superhero” performs Ninja-type choreography, eloquently filmed and slowed so the viewer may marvel at the dancing abilities of these artists in their respective techniques. From B-boying, Popping and Locking, Krumping, contemporary Modern, Tap and Ballet, 10 chapters in total convey 10-13 minute storylines creatively displaying technical feats of various movement vocabulary, through stories of passion, desire, intrigue and revenge. Chu has created dance themes in everyday settings like the high school prom, the hospital, the office, the street, all as backdrops and reasons to display contagious dance episodes. Chu has definitely created a new genre in cinematic dance, making the dancing element the primary focus of entertainment.  

SYTYCan…Criticize?

AdeChicke Torbert - solo

I had to refrain from blogging about SYTYCD season 7, which turned out to be quite a bore with a few exceptions. Let’s begin with the audition elimination. When judges failed to choose two superb male dancers that auditioned in NY, the injured Anthony Burrell and D.J. Smart (who later featured his amazing audition choreography in episode 21), I asked myself “o.k. now where is this program going?” Anthony, D.J and slated season 7 winner Alex Wong, would have offered a highly polished performance quality, perhaps as an unfair advantage to the other contestants. But why was the later injured and  eliminated Alex chosen over the other two? Was this a deliberate casting angle?

Passing the Torch: The Boys of Bharata Natyam/The New Generation of Rangoli

Chirag and Dhruv of Rangoli Dance Company

August will see a roster of Arangetrams* presented by Artistic Director Malathi Iyengar from the Rangoli Dance Company (*the debut performance of a Classical Dancer, the time when a disciple proves talents and knowledge taken from their Guru)  article by Prem Kishore of IndiaPost – California

These live performances of Bharata Natyam with mesmerizing , intricate rhythms, unique narrative, and  powerful movements,  always engage, enrich and  showcase  the best traditions of Indian classical dance Iyengar is a cherished  and innovative choreographer, dancer/artist of our times and it is with an exhilarating anticipation that one looks forward to the debut of her amazingly  versatile,  gifted  young dancers. 

National Day of Dance: Saturday July 31st

Artscape Baltimore

Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD), started a grassroots initiative declaring July 31st as National Dance Day. Encouraging individuals, communities and organizations to dance! This initiative has reached the interests of the politician Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes introducing a resolution to promote dance education as well as physical fitness.
The idea is to get individuals off the sofa and into a lifestyle of physical activity. SYTYCD is encouraging national dance parties to be filmed and submitted to the network (Click here to upload your video)

MAY 1ST 2010 – 1st WORLD FITNESS DAY in Georgia?


O.k so the nation has resorted to a point where we need to claim a day in the calendar as “World Fitness Day”. Well, I say “Let ‘em”. This would never become a world concern because the World is not yet suffering from obesity and in the need of walking, running or cycling, (not to mention the many countries suffering from malnutrition and famine). So Georgia this is on you! Set precedence for the rest of the nation to follow, who knows maybe it will catch on!

World Fitness Day at The Georgia Dome

Dance Brazil: Joyce Theater NYC March 23 to April 4th

The Company
In 1977 DanceBrazil was founded by Jelon Vieira after evolving from grass-roots workshops at the Clark Center for the Arts in NYC. Alvin Ailey joined the board of directors in 1980 and helped focus the objectives of DanceBrazil, emphasizing the company’s ability to speak to a broad North American community. Within a few years, DanceBrazil premiered at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. In 1985, DanceBrazil premiered Orfeo Negro at the Riverside Dance Festival to critical and popular acclaim.

VIVA BRASIL 2016!!!

Rio de Janeiro Brasil, host of the 2016 Olympics. Deservedly so. I have nothing against America’s candidacy for the 2016 Olympics, and we could certainly use the tourist revenue to boost the economy, yet at the time, Brasil is more in need with much more to offer. Mixed Martial Arts, Capoeira, Swimming, Diving, Surfing, Hang Gliding, Cycling, Rock Climbing and throw in a few marathon Samba parties and you have a country resplendent in outdoor sports and activities. So book now, cause if you never been, you’ll never make the historic Olympic party in Brasil!

Black Grit, Guts, Grace

Terrell Owens courtesy of "The T.O. Show"

Terrell Owens courtesy of "The T.O. Show"

Although this post has nothing to do with dance, it does however have everything to do with an optimal working machine “the body”. Terrell Owens, the NFL football turned reality star has the consummate working machine that is not only functional, but is an impeccably sculpted piece of art. As his super ego, T.O. of VH1’s “The T.O. Show” reveals, he takes great pride in body conditioning and is convinced of his perfect body. (I would also if I could acquire a physique like his, it would be a dream machine in pursuing the art of dance). It is strong, muscular, lean, and chiseled in balanced proportion, truly a work of art.

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