So You Think You Can Dance: Miami and Memphis
More cities, more good dancers, more bad dancers for “So You Think You Can Dance.” But, the show doesn’t seem to be focusing as much on the bad dancers this season, which is good.
Lots and lots of people going to Vegas after tonight. Priscilla Marrero who Tyce called “stunningly beautiful” will be there as will Janette Manrara and Romulo Villaverde, whose turnaround split impressed the judges. While twin sisters Jennifer and Jessica Gaudix were not going to Vegas (and rightfully so), twin sisters Lauren and Lydia Guerra were. Joseph Smith and his shawham made it through choreography to Vegas and so did African dancer Geo Smith. I thought I was going to die when he jumped out at Mary with his headdress on and Nigel said Mary was afraid he was going to tickle her fancy!
Paris Torres, Henry Rivero, Megan Kinney, and Alex Wong all made it to Vegas from the Miami auditions. Megan’s sister Caitlin auditioned in Memphis and wowed the judges there, so she is going to Vegas too.
There were some sad stories. Talia Rickard’s husband was killed in a motorcycle accident. After choreography, the judges gave Talia a ticket to Vegas. Anna Dunn’s father killed himself and Lil’ C told her that he could relate, his father had done the same thing. He told her to connect with her pain and she must have – she made it through choreography in Memphis. Travis Prokop had the unfortunately pleasure of being a football coach’s son who loved dancing. Nigel said he needed to gain strength because he was a big boy, but he improved so much in choreography that he was given a ticket to Vegas.
Marico Flake showed me something new at the Memphis audition. His style was called Memphis Juking. I had never heard of it and I’m from Memphis. Nigel said it had been around for about 20 years. I don’t care how long it has been around – it was too cool!
I had three favorites of the night and oddly, two were tappers. Erik “Silky” Moore was just good. He threw in tap, moon walking, even a little break dancing. The judges were thoroughly entertained and so was I. His energy was just incredible.
My other favorites were the Kasprzak brothers Evan and Ryan. Nigel complimented them on their beautifully constructed routines. I thought Evan’s was my favorite of the night until I saw Evan. Quick, someone give these guys their own variety show! Hopefully we will be seeing more of Evan, Ryan, and Erik in Vegas and they won’t be overshadowed by other dancers.
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