Five on Friday Set 27

Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010 by Travis Cody in
14


I was going in a completely different direction this week for Set 27.  But while I was putting my thoughts together, I couldn't stay focused on it.  And then I heard the soaring vocals of Roy Orbison and decided to save the other music for another day.

Click the player and scroll on down for So You Think You Can Dance encores and results.




Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones



As always, if you'd like to join us in the musical fun, the guidelines are basic and simple.

1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.
2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.
2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.
3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.
4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.

Go forth and enjoy music!

And cue music...

Posted: by Travis Cody in
1

Welcome to encores and results!



By the end of this post we'll know who made the Final Four.  

Before we get to that, let's see what we liked from Wednesday's performances.

We liked Kent's work in his Broadway partnership with Jose, but I couldn't find a video clip.

Bollywood isn't generally one of our favorite styles, but we thought Billy and Robert did a tremendous job with some difficult choreography.  Click here if the video won't play.



We loved both Lauren and All Star Allison in this terrific Broadway piece.  Click here if the video won't play.



Dance of the night goes to Billy for his work in this contemporary piece with All Star Ade.  Click here if the video won't play.




So right at the very end of Wednesday's program, Cat told us that Lauren Froderman had been injured and was with the medics.  There were no other details at that time.  We also heard the Jose was nursing a groin injury.  And Billy danced with a knee brace.


Dammit.


Group number...I loved the diabolically whimsical quality of the opening dance, choreographed by Mia Michaels.


Cat update...long, free, and wavy hair.  That's my favorite!  And the pink T-shirt dress emphasized the sleek LEGSSES.


News...YES!  Lauren missed the group dance but she's OK.  Whew!  The Season 7 champion is going to be featured as the first ever Gatorade dance athlete, and will be part of the new ad campaign.  Cool!


Results...Kent is safe.  AdeChike is safe.  Robert is safe.

We've got a legitimate bottom three now based on votes rather than injuries...Jose, Billy, and Lauren.  I knew at some point the eliminations were going to become very difficult.  It seems a given that Jose will be out, and I suspect the judges will keep Lauren.   I think Billy would survive against AdeChike or Robert, but not Lauren.

We've got a Step It Up 3D promo...and it's jam packed with former SYTYCD performers.  And the dancers ripped up the stage.


Musical guest is Christian TV.  Sorry, that reminded me of a bad American Idol audition.  I'm sure that appeals to some, but there are so many talented artists out there, and this guy gets a record deal and national exposure.  Go figure.


Solos

  • Jose - more tricks, but I think even he knows he's out
  • Billy - it's a shame he hasn't connected with voters because I think he is brilliant
  • Lauren - she makes me smile

Special guest is former American Idol contestant Allison Iraheta.  She was one of my favorite Idols, but I did not like that performance.  Maybe it sounds better on the CD.

Here we go with eliminations.  The decisions are unanimous.


Nigel tells Jose that he has learned three different dance languages in the last three weeks, and praises his personality.  Nigel tells Billy that he doesn't always understand why he's not connecting with voters, but says Billy is connecting with choreographers and dance directors.  Nigel doesn't really say anything to Lauren...he takes the time to remind viewers not to whine about who isn't getting votes and pick up the phone to vote for your favorite.


Lauren is safe.


So Jose is out, which was predictable.




And Billy is out, which is disappointing to me.

  


But I think that this is a worthy Top 4 with Kent, Lauren, Robert, and AdeChike.  I can see myself voting for any of them, and so can Pam.  This is kind of exciting, because I think we'll be voting solely on performance rather than a preference based on the season's body of work.

The judges no longer have a decision in who stays and who goes.  It's viewer votes for the final two weeks until we get to America's Favorite.





I can report that Season 11 of Dancing with the Stars premiers on 20 Sept 2010.  I can also advise you not to pay any attention to rumors over the next few weeks.  A certain former NFL quarterback has not been cast, and really has expressed little interest in being on the show.

Just wait until the official cast announcement, which should be sometime in the middle of August.  That's what I do and I usually end up happy I did.

And cue music...

Posted: Thursday, July 29, 2010 by Travis Cody in
6

Welcome to



When we last saw our Top 6 contestants, they were finding out that none of them would be eliminated last week.  But...there's always a but...TWO of them will fall short of the Final Four this week.

Cat...hair is down, dress is short and Roman-style over the shoulder, and LEGSSES.  Lovely.


YES!  All six dancers are in the introduction.  Whew!  No injuries!


Judges...Adam Shankman, Mia Michaels, and Nigel Lythgoe.  They are joined by guest judge Toni Redpath, champion ballroom dancer and choreographer.


Our Top 6 have three dances tonight...with an All Star, with each other, and a solo.


Kent, 18 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Anya for Cha Cha Cha choreographed by Jean-Marc and France.  Earlier in the season, Kent was swallowed up when he tried to play the aggressive, sexy role.  Not this time.  He was in control of that entire dance.  That was really outstanding.  I was surprised at how well he handled the technique in that routine.  There were some issues, such as not extending through his lines and maybe hunching his shoulders a bit.  I thought his connection with Anya was spot on, and as I said, she didn't over power his "Kent-ness" with her "Anya-ness".  Kent is learning how to be versatile.  I enjoyed the performance.


Robert, 20 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Kathryn for contemporary choreographed by Stacey Tookey.  I'm surprised by my reaction to this.  It felt flat to me.  I didn't feel the emotion at all.  It was supposed to be about a soldier going to war, and the emotion of leaving a loved one behind.  But I just didn't feel it and that's disappointing to me.  The dancing was lovely.  It was well performed.  The movements were smooth and beautiful.  The lines were elegant and classic.  But the dance just missed for me.  Even the twist at the end...you expect it to be the man leaving for war.  But it was Kathryn who played the one leaving.  Even that didn't get to me.  From the dancers reactions, they felt the emotion between them.  The judges felt it.  But I didn't.  Sorry kids.

Jose dances solo.  As usual, full of tricks.  But I need a bit more.

AdeChike, 23 year old contempary dancer, is paired with All Star Courtney for jazz choreographed by Tyce Diorio.  Now this dance I felt.  The music was clearly jazzy...Dizzy Gillespie for Pete's sake!  If you can't get into it from those Cuban rhythms, then you need to find another career.  The movement was spicy.  I thought AdeChike was relaxed and controlled, but also powerful.  I could see how much he enjoyed what he did.  The thing I missed from him was kind of a classic 1950s Bohemian quality to his dancing.  In a contemporary routine, I want to see AdeChike's beautiful lines.  But in jazz I don't want to notice the steps or the correctness of his posture so much as I want the movement to be fluid and kind of languid.  I did enjoy the performance.  I think AdeChike has untapped potential in styles other than contemporary.


Lauren dances solo.  Joy and happiness...the girl makes me smile.


Jose, 21 year old break dancer, is paired with All Star Comfort for hip hop choreographed by Marty Kudelka and Dana Wilson.  Sorry, I have no idea what Jose did.  I couldn't take my eyes off Comfort.  The choreography was funky and stylish, with a bit of old school hip hop in it.  Really good quality in the way the dance was conceived.  I'll have to summarize what the judges said about Jose.  Nigel said his dancing was a little uncomfortable, while Toni was absorbed in the character.  Mia thought Jose lacked swag, and he made the character bouncy and kooky rather than smooth.  Adam recommended that Jose learn how to dance the intention of the character through the story, rather than dancing the steps and choreography.  I think I understand what that means, and it's a very good note.  I think that's what drew me to Comfort.  She had the swag, and she interpreted her character's intent.  Too bad she's not the one competing.


Billy dances solo. I really don't have any superlatives left for this young man.  He's my favorite dancer.

Kent dances solo.  Tremendously talented and destined for greatness.


Lauren, 18 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Allison for Broadway choreographed by Tyce Diorio.  They are such a wonderful contrast together.  Allison is a mature female dancer.  There's something complete and fully realized about the way she dances.  I see Lauren developing that kind of polish and finesse each week.  She already has the athleticism and attention to detail.  She fills up the spaces with those little head shakes and shoulder twitches.  Don't get me wrong...I don't mean to say that Lauren is less of a dancer or that Allison out-danced her.  Not at all!  I think Lauren held her own and brought just as much to the piece as Allison.  What I'm trying to convey is that the differences between the two of them were complimentary...they succeeded in making the piece their own, instead of trying to make a copy of Fosse and Verdon, which is essentially impossible anyway.

Robert dances solo.  I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm not getting anything from Robert this week.  Weird, because I like his dancing.


Billy, 20 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Ade for contemporary choreographed by Stacey Tookey.  Oh wow.  I couldn't take my eyes off of it.  Powerful.  Emotional.  Stunningly beautiful.  Billy danced with such a maturity, with less focus on lines and steps and shapes.  Everything he is as a dancer was in this performance.  It was movement set to music, interpreted into an emotional story.  As with Lauren and Allison, we saw the incredible contrast between Billy's and Ade's styles.  Billy is sinuous and smooth, whereas Ade is powerful and dramatic.  The combination was amazing to watch.  Stacey's choreography took the best of both styles, stretched them, wove them, and wrapped them up in a piece of art.  I'm so glad we'll have this piece in the catalog of SYTYCD, whether Billy makes the finale or not.

AdeChike dances solo.  I appreciate his talent, and I'm glad he's been able to overcome some adversity to make it this far in the competition.

And now the Top 6 pairs up.

Kent and Jose dance Broadway choreographed by Spencer Liff.  Jose is so out of his depth in this kind of work.  The difference in ability and training between the two guys is glaringly evident.  This is what Kent was born to do.  Kent was asked to do most of the real dancing in that piece, while Jose barely managed what he was given.  I loved the choreography and I loved Kent's performance.  If this was only about dancing, I think it's time for Jose to go home.  It'll be interesting to see if the fans vote him through.

Lauren and AdeChike dance Foxtrot choreographed by Jean-Marc and France.  Foxtrot to Fever...yeah.  Interesting.  The music was sultry, but the vibe between the two of them never got to that sensual level.  It was light like normal Foxtrot, so it didn't really interpret the music all that well.  It actually was kind of confusing.  I liked Lauren in the performance and I don't think it's going to hurt her. I think AdeChike was so focused on being a strong partner that he lost some focus on interpreting the dance.

Robert and Billy dance Bollywood choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan.  These two were dancing with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre when they found out they were the 5th and 6th guys chosen for this season, so I would expect them to understand how to dance together.  That was really terrific.  The dancing was sharp, crisp, and clean.  The choreography was so difficult.  I can't believe Billy was able to make it through that on the gimpy knee.  I was worried for him, but he had three solid performances.  And Robert was also strong in this piece.   


My personal Final Four is Kent, Lauren, AdeChike, and Billy.  Pam prefers Robert to either AdeChike or Billy, but she doesn't know which one she'd replace.  I voted Billy, because I'm locked in until he wins or is eliminated.  Pam narrowed her choices to Kent and Lauren.  She says she'll pick her ultimate choice next week.


Gosh gang!  It's only two more weeks until we find out who we've chosen as America's Favorite Dancer!

Jack Tatum

Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 by Travis Cody in
7

Jack Tatum, who played safety for the Oakland Raiders from 1970 to 1979, died yesterday from a heart attack.  He was 61.

Tatum was known as one of the hardest hitting defensive backs in the NFL.  Most of the hi-lights you see of Tatum show him leading with his helmet, or clubbing a receiver across the face mask, or even ripping an offensive player's helmet off.

He sure did those things.  It was a different era.  I won't look at football as played more than 30 years ago through today's prism.

This is what I remember.  When I was a kid learning how to play safety, I watched the way Jack Tatum lined up and moved at the snap of the ball.  I watched how he maintained his balance.  How he didn't cross his feet.  How he moved laterally and kept his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage.

And how he exploded forward when he knew where the ball was.  His tackling technique on running plays was balanced and efficient.  He hit hard because it was his job to get the ball carrier on the ground.  For all the "vicious" hits you'll see in hi-light reels, he made some of the finest standard tackles I saw growing up.

That's what I studied.  When he swept a ball carrier's legs out from under him, the guy went down.  There was no jumping over Jack Tatum.  Try that, and the next hit is in your ear hole.  He cut angles down and trapped runners against the sideline, then shouldered them out of bounds.  He was an early pioneer of getting his hand in on the ball and trying to strip it.  He was masterful at discarding fullbacks and tight ends that tried to block him. 

Tatum played with two outstanding cover corners in Willie Brown and Skip Thomas, as well as another outstanding safety in George Atkinson.  Together, they made up one of the most fearsome secondaries in the NFL during the 70s.  And while they were indeed ferocious hitters, they also understood technique.  I learned so much about how to play the defensive backfield from watching this group.


Yes, they played an intimidating style.  Yes, they pushed the boundaries.  I don't apologize for that, I don't make excuses for it, and I don't shy away from the reality.  But if you watch old hi-light reels from the 60s and 70s, you'll see it wasn't only the Raiders playing that way.  That was the game.  You didn't play to hurt the other guy.  But you did go hard and hit hard.

I was at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum on 12 August 1978.  On a routine play in a pre-season game, New England wide receiver Darryl Stingley ran a crossing route.  Tatum made a legal hit.  Stingley never got up, and was ultimately paralyzed from the mid-chest.  Tatum has been vilified ever since.  

Stingley's horrible injury was an unfortunate result on a football play.  It could have happened to anyone...any offensive player and any defender.  And it forced the league to begin honestly looking at what had always been a violent game.  Don't think for a moment that Jack Tatum was the only hard hitting player out there.  He just happens to be the one people remember because someone was paralyzed.

Darryl Stingley died in 2007, from complications due to pneumonia.  Jack Tatum died yesterday from a heart attack.  The two men are inextricably linked because of one moment in time on a football field.

  
John David "Jack" Tatum, 18 Nov 1948 - 27 July 2010
Committed to Excellence 

Live every moment

Posted: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 by Travis Cody in
14

First song on the Ipod on a Monday morning commute.  Excellent!


Live Every Moment
Written by Kevin Cronin
Released by REO Speedwagon, 1984



Live every moment, love every day
'Cause before you know it your precious time slips away
Live every moment, love every day
'Cause if you don't you might just throw your love away

I walked for seven miles this mornin', footprints in the sand,
Washed away without a warning when the water hit the land.
But I will walk on 'til I can no longer stand.
I'll take you by the hand, and we'll

Live every moment, love every day
'Cause before you know it your precious time slips away

There's water in the wind tonight.  
There's a chill in the air.
It's coolin' down my skin tonight,
Soakin' through your hair.
There's warmth enough within tonight
For both of us to share.
We can take it anywhere, and we'll

Live every moment, love every day
'Cause before you know it your precious time slips away

Sometimes I wish we could take a trip far away.
Leave all this trouble and heartache and pain for another day.
I will search for that place but 'til I find it all I can say is...

Live every moment, and love every day.

I would tell you of a hero...

Posted: Monday, July 26, 2010 by Travis Cody in
6

...but I think you will do better to hear it from a Marine instead.  Please do me the honor of visiting the blog Castra Praetoria to read a tribute to Corporal Joe Wrightsman, USMC, who gave up his life on 18 July.

He who willingly and unreservedly dives into danger with no thought of himself is my hero.

My Opinion

Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2010 by Travis Cody in
5

My opinion is that honor counts in sport.  My opinion is that winning is important, but not so much more important than fair play.  My opinion is that you prove yourself the better man by being the better man.

My opinion is that it sucks to lose, but I can deal with it if all parties have played the game with respect.

The difference between the winner of the 2010 Tour de France and second place is 39 seconds.

After Stage 11, Andy Schleck, 25, had worked for a 41 second lead over his main rival Alberto Contador, 27.  The two men are also good friends, so the competition between them is fierce but not angry, and stands to continue for several exciting years.

On Stage 12, Contador decided to attack Schleck on a late climb.  The attack was successful and took 10 seconds out of Schleck's lead.  But the attack also came at the expense of one of Contador's teammate's who had managed to stay out on a break away and was in a position to win the stage that day had Contador not chased him down.  Contador was playing the game to win.  Sometimes teammates are sacrificed like that in the Tour.  And Alexander Vinokourov took the hit that day, although he did come back the next day to earn his stage victory.


Still, it was the second time I can remember that Contador hit a teammate for his own benefit.  This gives me a bit of a bad taste with regard to Contador.


Schleck maintained his 31 second advantage for several days, until he attacked near the top of the final climb on Stage 15.  He had gained several bike lengths on Contador in that attack when he slipped his chain and came to a dead stop.  It took him several precious seconds to get the chain back on the bike, during which Contador attacked.


Contador attacked the yellow jersey against Tour protocol and convention.  He took advantage of the race leader's mechanical difficulty.  He powered past the yellow jersey, not by his own ability, but because the race leader had to stop and fix his bike.


Contador made up his 31 second deficit plus 8 seconds with that attack, and took the yellow jersey that day by those 8 seconds.  He won the Tour de France by 39 seconds.


There's no way to go back and predict how the race would have unfolded if Contador had not accelerated while Schleck fixed his bike chain.  I don't think Contador should have gotten off his own bike and waited.  But I do feel very strongly that he should not have attacked until Schleck was back on his bike and ready to defend his yellow jersey. 


I'm not talking about not trying to win the bike race.  Sometimes it's hard for an observer to understand how the peleton works.  I don't always understand why they do some of the things they do.  The wearer of the yellow jersey is not only the rider who leads the race in terms of time, he is also the de facto leader of the peleton.  The yellow jersey has an authority, and riders respect it.  Riders do not attack the yellow jersey when it crashes, has a mechanical, has to slow for a bunch of sheep that decide to join the peleton, or has to stop for a quick pee. 

All the riders have radios that allow them to communicate with team managers.  Contador saw the mechanical issue Schleck had.  All he had to do was sit up and maintain tempo until he heard Shleck was back on the bike.  In my years watching this bike race, I've seen that done.  In fact, that's exactly what Vinokourov did as he passed Schleck.  He saw the problem and stopped his attack.  It was Contador, Denis Menchov, and Samuel Sanchez who continued to speed by.


If Contador had simply maintained tempo and waited to get the news that Schleck was rolling again, which teammate Vinokourov surely would have communicated by radio, then he would have been free to go for all the time he could take.  And that would have been riding to win honorably.


So my opinion is that honor counts in sport.  My opinion is that winning is important, but not so much more important than fair play.  My opinion is that you prove yourself the better man by being the better man.


My opinion is that it sucks to lose, but I can deal with it if all parties have played the game with respect.

Alberto Contador is the 2010 champion of the Tour de France by 39 seconds.  And that's the amount of time he took out of Andy Schleck by attacking Schleck's yellow jersey during a mechanical.  

That reversal required Schleck to beat Contador in the time trial, which he was not able to do.  But Schleck only lost 31 seconds to Contador in the time trial.  Yes, it's that damn close between these two young men.

There's no way to go back and predict how the race would have unfolded from Stage 15 forward if Contador had not attacked Schleck's mechanical misfortune.  All I can say is that strategies would have changed to suit the resultant circumstances.

Amidst the cheers when Contador was presented with the yellow jersey after Stage 15 were an equal number of boos.  Fans of this race know, and some of them made it very clear what their opinion was of that result.  Alberto Contador issued an apology to Andy Schleck for his actions during Stage 15, admitting he may have made a mistake on his attack.  By all reports, the two men remain friends.  They know better between them what it means to wear and defend the yellow jersey, and to compete with it.

I have enjoyed this Tour de France, although I leave it for another year as an unsatisfied observer.  My perception is that the 2010 champion rides to win at any cost, with demonstrated disrespect, and his yellow jersey doesn't shine all that brightly. 

Five on Friday Set 26

Posted: Friday, July 23, 2010 by Travis Cody in
12

Would you agree with me that there are songs that have a timeless quality?  You can place them in the era during which they were originally conceived, but they also stand up to time.


I think the songs of Gordon Lightfoot have that quality, and that's one reason why I chose these five classics for Set 26.


Go ahead and click the player, then scroll down for So You Think You Can Dance encores and results.






Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones


As always, if you'd like to join us in the musical fun, the guidelines are basic and simple.

1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.
2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.
2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.
3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.
4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.

Go forth and enjoy music!




And cue music...

Posted: by Travis Cody in
1

Welcome to encores and results!



Wednesday's performance show was marred by yet another injury, this time to Billy Bell.  According to Nigel, the doctors said Billy could have danced if he felt comfortable, so perhaps after another night of rest he'll be up to dancing his solo to stay in the competition.  I hope so.  I really don't want to see another dancer eliminated due to injury.

There was some good stuff on the performance show.  Let's see what we liked.  I'll try to add the clips if they cooperate this time.

Lauren took control of her hip hop routine with All Star Twitch.  Click here if the video won't play.




We enjoyed the pure Jazz quality of movement from Robert and All Star Lauren.  I couldn't find a clip for this dance, but I wanted to call it out anyway.

More pure Jazz, and a chance to be funky and fun from Kent and All Star Kathryn.  Click here if the video doesn't play.



Dance of the night goes to the stunning lyrical hip hop piece, created by Tabitha and Napolean but brought to life by AdeChike and All Star Comfort.  The embed police got this one, but I encourage you to click here and watch.

Excellent!

Group number...I loved it!  Now that's what I call a tribute to the Fosse style, choreographed by Kelley Abbey.  She has choreographed on SYTYCD Australia.


Cat Deeley update...GORGEOUS!  What?  Of course LEGSSES.  Did I have to say that?

Billy did not dance in the opening number and he is in the audience.  He gave a thumbs-up, but who knows if he can dance?  Oh the suspense!

Oh damn...I didn't hear the news that Denise Jefferson (1944-2010) passed.  She was a teacher and director of the Alvin Ailey School.


Results...Lauren is safe.  Kent is safe.  AdeChike is safe.


Our bottom three dancers are Jose and Robert, joined by Billy due to his injury.


Ahhhh...it's dancers from the American Ballet Theatre performing the Act III Grande Pas de deux from Don Quixote.  Beautiful.


We have a performance from one of the dancers cut after Vegas...DJ Smart.  That was impressive.

All Star review...it's Lauren Gottlieb and Neil Haskell to reprise a Wade Robson classic, Night of the Dancing Flame. 





Solos:
  • Billy chooses rest, although he has been cleared by doctors to dance
  • Robert - another wonderful performance
  • Jose - half a minute of non-stop fantastic tricks
Musical guest is Enrique Iglesias joined by rapper Pitbull.  And we get some sexy Allison and Lauren too, and then a bit of Dominic for the ladies.  It wasn't horrible.


Here we go now...eliminations.  But the judges haven't made up their minds.  They have, however, come to a conclusion.


Nigel tells Robert that they don't feel that he is growing and needs to address that.  He tells Jose that he is not improving in styles other than his own specialty.  He says that Billy has set a precedent by deciding not to dance even though the doctors have cleared him, and by doing that has given himself an extra week to rest, but also created something of a situation by not dancing.


I'm not going to accuse anyone of suggesting that Billy took an unnecessary or unwarranted week off, but after seeing other dancers eliminated due to injuries, do you blame him for looking after his own health?  He stays or goes whether he dances or not, right? 


The judges confess to be uncertain what to do.

So guess what?  Nobody goes home!



That's right friends and neighbors...the Top 6 return next week to dance for our votes and a spot in the Final Four.  That means 2 dancers will go home next week.


And I'm OK with that!


Now everybody stay healthy dammit!

And cue music...

Posted: Thursday, July 22, 2010 by Travis Cody in
5

Edit:  Sorry...I guess I didn't hit publish before signing off!

Welcome to the 150th episode of



We're down to the Top 6 and I'm upset right off the top...Billy is not introduced in the opening. 

Cat in red...stunning.  It's not my favorite hair style for her, but I can overlook that because of the LEGSSES.

And our judges are Adam Shankman, Mia Michaels, and Nigel Lythgoe, joined by Kenny Ortega.


Billy Bell has injured his knee.  The doctors say he could perform if he felt well enough, but Billy says no.  So he'll be in the bottom three, but perhaps he'll be able to dance a solo tonight and earn a spot in the Top 5.

Damn these injuries!


Well, the Top 6 minus Billy dance three times...with an All Star, with each other, and a solo.

Lauren, 18 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Twitch for hip hop choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon.  Girl got moves, but this is not one of my favorite kinds of music or my favorite kind of choreography.  Still, I got into it as the dance went on and that is down to Lauren's skill.  She hit hard and to my untrained eye she had the rebound.  She took on the character.  I was impressed with the way she filled up the stage.  She was in control too.  She didn't over-extend the movements.  It was like she found the wall and hit right up against it, then bounced right into the next movement.  She's so much smaller than Twitch, but that didn't diminish her.  She stepped up to his size and held her own.  Well done young Lady.

Jose, 21 year old break dancer, is paired with All Star Allison for contemporary choreographed by Sonya Tayeh.  This is intriguing choreography because they spend the whole of the dance right at the edge of the stage.  It's a very powerful technique and emphasizes the emotion in the piece.  It also completely hides Jose's deficiencies.  He hasn't been asked to dance at all.  He rolls on the floor.  He lifts Allison.  He sits on the edge of the stage.  Don't get me wrong.  For what he was asked to do, he was adequate.  He was there for Allison as a partner.  But he just wasn't asked to do much.  I think making a dance that hides his weaknesses and doesn't challenge him to at least try to do what the other dancers are doing is a disservice to the competition and the other dancers.  It's saying that adequate is good enough for him.  In my opinion, an experienced contemporary dancer would have taken that piece with Allison to such an emotional crescendo.  This fell short.  Decent performance, but if I weren't already voting for Jose this would not make me do so.

Robert, 20 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Lauren for Jazz choreographed by Tyce Diorio.  For a piece that is allegedly about seduction, I didn't feel much heat between these two.  If I hadn't known that it was supposed to be about sex, I wouldn't have gone there.  Robert danced well, but I didn't get the impression that he wanted to get down in the sheets.  Maybe it was because they spent so much time dancing side by side.  What I did like about the routine was the pure Jazz feel of the movement.  Tyce choreographed up to and in excess of Robert's ability.  And Robert took hold of the movement he was given to really lose himself in it and perform.  Even though I didn't feel the rawness they were supposed to interpret, I did enjoy the dancing and sometimes that's enough. 

AdeChike dances solo.  This is what I like about the young man.  He is so at ease in the air.  His quality of movement is so wonderful, when he just focuses on that.

Kent, 18 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Kathryn for Jazz choreographed by Sonya Tayeh.  This is another routine with a clear Jazz quality.  Kent has learned how to interact with his partner and still sell the performance to the audience.  There were some transitions to lifts and tricks that really could have been awkward, but they were smoothly done.  This young man is really growing each week.  He's such a talented dancer, but he is learning how to bring off a performance and interpret what he's given.  I thought his musicality is outstanding.  Mia said that his facial expressions took the choreography to a juvenile level, but I didn't get that at all.  The music and the movement was fun, and that's what I saw...I saw Kent and Kathryn have a great time with each other and with the audience.  I can now say that I can embrace this young man as a potential champion.


Robert dances solo.  One of the first things I thought about Robert was that if I were sitting in front of the stage, I wouldn't hear him hit the ground after one of those leaps.  I find that astounding.  Happy Birthday young man!


Lauren dances solo.  I like this young Lady.  She dances with such joy.  Outstanding.


AdeChike, 23 year old contemporary dancer, is paired with All Star Comfort for lyrical hip hop choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon.  Comfort rocked this piece.  And AdeChike was amazing.  I could see him completely forget about steps and choreography and just fall into the experience of the piece.  It was raw and harsh.  Comfort expertly played the woman who works so hard to convince herself that she needs to get away, while AdeChike played a man who realizes he's down to his last chance and he isn't going to even get it.  That was really an incredible piece of art designed by Tab and Nap, who I think are at their best when they do this kind of lyrical piece.  The two dancers let the idea flow through them.  I think this was some of the best chemistry of the season.  And I think this is AdeChike's best overall performance of the season.  Well done young man.

Jose dances solo.  He's very good on the floor with his tricks.  It's unfortunate, but I've just been turned off by the the judges every week trying to make me see past the fact that he's an incomplete dancer.  The breaking isn't enough for me.

Kent dances solo.  I don't know how much more praise I can heap on the young man.  I'm a convert to his talent because he has grown as a performer.

The interesting thing about the Top 6 minus Billy pairing up is that every one of them is out of their comfort zone with the styles they'll be asked to do.

Lauren and Robert pair up for Samba choreographed by Dmitry Chaplin.  Lauren had the Samba flavor, but I thought Robert seemed a bit too stiff in his upper body.  The judges disagreed with me, but that's what I thought.  He didn't seem to dance in that fluid way that I've come to expect from Samba.  He was there for Lauren as a partner, but she was really the star of the style.  Robert just seemed a little awkward and uncomfortable to me, although I will say that he extended through the movement and he did do some good work with his hips.  I can also report that between them they did have good chemistry and I enjoyed the performance.


AdeChike and Jose pair up for Paso Doble choreographed by Dmitry Chaplin, assisted by Legacy Perez.  OK, this should be interesting.  This is two matadors in a battle against each other.  Neither of them maintained any type of aggressive posture during the cape work at the top of the piece.  I thought they both missed the fundamental characteristic of a strong Paso...leading through the chest and extending from the shoulders through the arms and out the fingers.  The music was big and bold, the choreography was difficult, but the movements didn't quite measure up to what they were given.  As focused as they were, neither Jose nor AdeChike seemed able to find the Paso attitude and so that dance fell flat for me.

Kent is paired with All Star Twitch due to Billy's injury, in the first ever stepping routine choreographed by Chuck Maldonado.  I didn't think Kent did as well as others have next to Twitch.  It felt kind of like stepping-light to me on Kent's part.  He didn't do badly, but in this case I thought it was difficult for him to overcome his "Kentness".  I missed what the judges saw in the performance.  It wasn't bad and I enjoyed it.  But I just didn't think Kent stepped up to Twitch and the choreography.  


Another diverse show!  I was locked in with my favorite, but with Billy down with an injury I have to be prepared to shift.  I did not vote.  I couldn't do it, since Billy hasn't been sent home yet.  So tonight we'll find out if he's well enough to continue, or if it's time for me to move on to a new favorite.


Pam really struggled and couldn't narrow her choice.  She voted her Final Four last night and rotated votes among Lauren, Kent, Robert, and AdeChike.

Later gang! 







The Queen's Meme

Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by Travis Cody in
14

Huzzah!  Our glorious Queen of Memes has shortened this week's offering to just 7 questions.

Welcome to The Queen's Meme #45, also known as the What Would You Do Meme.

1.  You start out on your road trip. You are 90 miles down the road with not a care in the world until you remember you forgot the most important ingredient needed for your vacation. What was it and would you turn around and go back to get it?

I'm going to presume you meant a material object and not Pam, who is the most important part of any vacation I might take.  I can live without most things on a vacation.  You can always buy what you left behind...unless it's event tickets or perhaps a phone.  I would go back for those things.

2.  You are standing in the checkout line at the grocery store. A homeless man walks by and asks for food from your grocery cart. What would you do?

I wouldn't give up anything in my basket.  I think the best thing I could do is try to point a nearby food bank or shelter.

I don't care to be approached in this way.  I contribute to charities and to food banks.  I participate in canned food drives.  When I can find a store that does it, I purchase a holiday meal for a shelter.  I do my best to share with those who have less than I in any of these ways.

There are opportunities for homeless individuals without resorting to panhandling.     

3.  The mailman delivers the wrong mail.  It is your neighbor's.  You can't stand your neighbor.  You realize that inside the small brown package there must be something very secretive, very intriguing, and possibly incriminating.  What do you do?

What is my evidence for "possibly incriminating"?  Whenever I get a neighbor's mail, I put it under their doormat.  So that is what I would do.  If the package/letter were leaking something ominous, or perhaps ticking, or even emitting some odor, I might call the police. 

4.  Photography Class 101. First exam. The slide show you are presenting is the wrong one. You accidentally left last weekend's party pics in the camera instead. The whole class is watching....

First exam, I think I can get away with it since last week's party pics were at my niece's birthday party.  The bouncy house and happy 5 year olds go over great!

5.  You find your boss' wife on Facebook. She is obviously carrying on with another man in blatant fashion and behind his back. What is the first thing that pops into your head when you see your boss the next day at work?

Say nothing!

6.  Your plane lands in the wrong vacation spot but you like this one better.

Get me the first plane to the vacation spot where I already spent the money on my reservations and events!  And then grab brochures from this place so I can come back some other time.

7.  You walk out of the doctor's office. The news after your yearly checkup is very very good but the news for the person you'd been sitting beside and chatting with in the waiting room is very very bad. You see them in the elevator on the way out and they are in tears. You...

Mind my own business.

Some things I don't understand

Posted: Monday, July 19, 2010 by Travis Cody in
16

I don't understand why some television programs begin and end at 1 minute after the hour.

I don't understand discourtesy.

I don't understand baggy clothes.

I don't understand wearing clothes that are too tight.

I don't understand the need to put a label on something or someone based on perception rather than facts.

I don't understand why some people seem to have such a problem with other people who choose to spend $3-$4 for a coffee at Starbucks or Tully's or Seattle's Best or any other specialty coffee shop.

I don't understand the choice not to vote.

I don't understand extremism, fundamentalism, fanaticism, bigotry, or hate.

I don't understand why some people disagree by calling names.

Oh well.  I guess if I understood everything there was, then there wouldn't be anything knew to learn about things or people.  

Poetry by Travis

Posted: by Travis Cody in
2

Poetry By Travis
Exploring the power in words, one poem at a time.



I've got a new poem up today.  It's my first try at a form called Rispetto, and my first ride on the Poetry Train.

Check it out if you get a chance.

Irresponsible!

Posted: Friday, July 16, 2010 by Travis Cody in
4

It is my considered opinion that if you intend to report on something, then it is irresponsible to cherry pick the facts you want just so you can write a sexy headline or lead.  And if you intend to take exception with an officiating decision, then you would do best to view the evidence and make sure you have the facts correct before you do so.

Opinions certainly may differ on whether a decision is just.  But the facts are clearly evident for anyone who chooses to view them objectively and without prejudice. 

At the end of stage 11 during the Tour de France, HTC Columbia rider Mark Renshaw led his sprint champion Mark Cavendish at the front of the pack for the run to the finish.  At the same time, Garmin Transitions rider Julian Dean was trying to lead his sprinter Tyler Farrar.  

Per the video evidence, which I have included below, Dean clearly moves to the left off his sprint line into Renshaw.  Renshaw responds with three head butts.  During this exchange, Cavendish flies past the two riders on his way to the sprint victory.

Immediately after Cavendish speeds by, Farrar makes an attempt to accelerate past Renshaw.  Renshaw appears to glance over his left shoulder and then clearly veers directly across Farrar's potential path, driving him dangerously close to the roadway barrier.  Farrar ultimately has to put his arm out and shove Renshaw to keep from possibly crashing.  Meanwhile, Cavendish is winning the sprint and Lampre-Farnese rider Alessandro Petacchi is speeding by on the right to take second for the stage.  Farrar eventually finishes third.

Tour officials expelled Renshaw from the balance of the Tour for impeding Farrar's line, not for the head butting.  I guess it's a better headline to write that Renshaw is out for the head butts, but it is also irresponsible and incorrect to report it in that way.

In my opinion, this video gets the explanation right.



I think that both Dean and Renshaw should have been relegated to the back of the finishing field, Dean for moving out of his sprint line and Renshaw for the head butts and the more egregious act of moving so far out of his sprint line as to nearly cause an accident.

But make no mistake...Renshaw is not an innocent victim here.  He may have reacted to Dean at first, for which both riders should suffer relegation.  But Renshaw took the extra step of impeding Farrar, and that should not go unpunished.  

It's harsh to get tossed out of the Tour with two final sprint finishes looming.  Renshaw is probably the best lead out rider in the peleton.  But Renshaw is responsible for his own tactic.  These sprints are dangerous enough without forcing everyone to dodge riders who don't hold a firm sprint lane.  Renshaw tempted the officials and they brought the hammer down.

Not for a head butt or three.  For dangerous tactics.   

Five on Friday Set 25

Posted: by Travis Cody in
13

Click the player and scroll on down for So You Think You Can Dance encores and results.



I knew what I wanted to do this week for Set 25 as I was putting together Set 24 last week.  Today I share the incomparable voice of Michael Hutchence fronting one of the all time great bands, INXS.


JD Fortune won the Rock Star INXS competition in 2004 and briefly took over the vocals for the band from 2005 to 2008.  I appreciated the music made during those years.


But for me, there really is only one sound for the group and that's Hutchence's vocals over a funk/new wave groove.




Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones


As always, if you'd like to join us in the musical fun, the guidelines are basic and simple.

1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.
2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.
2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.
3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.
4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.

Go forth and enjoy music!