TOP 18: Performance

Welcome to week 2! Now you know your dancers a little better and it's time to see who can hold their own each week! Let's get right into it!

Evan and Randi:
Dance: The Jive!, Song: Shake a Tail Feather by Ray Charles
Choreographer:Louis Van Amstel

This dance was so much FUN! HA! You just can't escape it. I thought Evan and Randi did an excellent job at both entertaining and maintaining the speed of the dance without screwing up technically. Their faces played to the crowd and it reminded me of people just out somewhere having fun dancing. OOPS! HA! I said FUN again- not even on purpose. The judges liked it but made it clear a lot was still missing. I'm a little more familiar with the technical side of things now and Evan particularly could have given the dance a little more of a jive feel. His jazz training may have taken over just a bit in this dance. That being said, his split jump over Randi packed a huge punch and brought the dance to life. Randi grasped the quick step feel a little better and managed to be both fun and sexy! I think this is one of those dances that the audience enjoyed enough to not catch as many little details. I think a lot of that had to do with Louis' awesome choreography and Evan and Randi's appeal.

Caitlin and Jason:
Dance: Hip Hop, Song: Missin You by Trey Songz
Choreographer: Shane Sparks (Good to have him back!)

The montage before the dance showed how much Jason loved Michael Jackson's dance moves when he was younger. When the original episode aired, we'd not yet learned of MJ's passing. I'd encourage you to go back through the video (I have it linked at the bottom) just to see baby Jason dancing as MJ (it's precious). Really shows the span of MJ's appeal over several generations.

I loved Jason's outfit. I don't know why the clothes did so much for me this time. He just looked like a combo of classy gentleman with a lil' hip hop swag. I liked the camera angle that featured him first and then brought Caitlin in from the back. Overall I think they did pretty well with it. It had its good moments. Jason's face was really sweet and portrayed his character well. I liked that Caitlin had a little solo and it was though it was cute, it was a little halfhearted, especially for hip hop. I think Jason out danced Caitlin, but that they both needed to hit their popping a little harder. Some people are saying that Shane's choreography isn't up to its full potential but I liked this choreography. Having said that, I think Shane needed to tie in Jason's angst over the girl into the
steps a little more. People think Shane will do better with faster music and hard hitting dancing, but he tailored this song to Jason and Caitlin because they're not hard hitting hip hoppers. I think they could have brought a little more to his choreography. It was a little too "cute." Sidenote: I'm always curious if a couple will ever actually become a COUPLE on this show. I get this vibe that Jason and Caitlin might have a lil' something goin on? Just little moments that I've noticed. Watch out for it:) Check out HERE how he helps her up at the end of this routine. (And flashback to Bollywood when that kiss at the end lasted a little longer than the choreography probably called for...hehe). Could be nothing, but they're pretty cute.

Asuka and Vitolio:
Dance: Waltz, Song: Dreams Are More Precious by Enya
Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel

I think these two really worked hard this week. I also think Louis realized they need votes and would do best with something the audience could connect to (especially since the Waltz may not get as many votes as a hip hop or lyrical routine). I'm glad he was able to find something for Vitolio to connect to. I think it exponentially improved Vitolio's performance quality. I've heard mixed opinions on Vitolio. A lot of people think he comes off as conceited or strange. I think he may be just a little misunderstood and there are some culture cues that people interpret incorrectly. I have been truly blessed to have amazing parents in my life and to know that he grew up with so much less makes me even more impressed with the man he is now.

I think the Enya song they danced to was a great choice too. It had an up and down flow to it that went well with Waltz steps. Asuka's dress was gorgeous and Vitolio was very handsome, and he danced very masculine and strong in his full suit. The lift in the beginning was stunning. The past two or three Waltz dances on this show have really improved and have made me enjoy and respect the Waltz. This dance was no exception. I LOVED the toss at the end where Vitolio took Asuka out of the lift and gently swung her down to the floor where she spun around on her own in a seated position. (At 3:40 in THIS video).

Melissa and Ade
Dance: Jazz, Song: 24 Hours (The Ashton Shuffle A-Bomb Remix) by Terry Poison
Choreographer: Sonya

Yeah, so. I like the style and the choreography and even the pink pants! Melissa surprised me on this one. I wasn't sure if she'd be able to break out of that ballerina niche'. Thank goodness she broke out of the NAUGHTY ballerina niche'. Anyone else think that was uber annoying? Gah. I thought the couple partnered well and had a little edge but I'm not sure if this routine/performance will be particularly memorable. I love Sonya's style and she picked a pretty baller song to put to her choreography (as always) so maybe that will help. I think (if I haven't said it already) that Ade is the dark horse in this competition. He really needs to show more personality though for him to be a front runner. Though I think they make a strong couple, and have danced well thus far, does anyone else think Melissa is holding Ade back somehow? I mean, they have chemistry, right? Or do they just execute dances well? I don't know what it is that makes me feel that way but if they make it to the top 10, it will be interesting to see how he is with a different partner. (Let me remind you we still haven't even seen him in his own style yet!) That's something to look forward too! I'm waiting for them to get a Mia piece.

Brandon and Janette:
Dance: Disco, Song: Loving Is Really My Game by Brainstorm
Choreographer: Doriana Sanchez

When the disco card is pulled it always makes me cringe slightly. I'm not a huge fan but I think if you have a good song, choreographer and dancers, it can be slightly enjoyable. Well I DID NOT cringe when Brandon and Janette pulled off Doriana Sanchez's ridiculously quick disco routine. This could have been disastrous, and I think had it been any other couple it may have been. I was pretty impressed with their showman ship too. It was so much fun! UM. Check out THIS move at about 30 seconds. Whhhhhat? I'd like to express my opinion that Janette is currently under-rated. I think it's easy for her to get overshadowed with a partner like Brandon. There was so much hype over him before the show started and now he's proving himself. BUT Janette! I'm really starting to like this girl! So far for me she's really delivering with her face and expressions. (Heh.. 57 seconds into the clip is a fun face). Much respect to her too for bouncing back and pushing through the slip at 2:52.

Props to Brandon for the lift at 1:25. That seems so difficult, especially when Janette moves her arms and legs out. One teeter too much to the side and it's FAIL for a lift like that. The lift at 1:09was really unique and looks like it could have hurt!

Kayla and Max:
Dance: Pop Jazz, Song:Hot Like Wow by Nadia Oh

I really liked the concept for this dance but for some reason, it wasn't really communicated. Kayla is supposed to be a princess and Max is coming to perform for her with an ulterior motive to steal her throne. Gonna vent on costuming again only because I thought Max's orange pants were such an ugly clash to Kayla's pink. Not so sure about the costuming departments decision there. I think something that simple and dumb can actually affect voting.

The song was a good match for the concept. I LOVE it when the song matches the dance really well. Of course I wasn't really worried about Kayla nailing the routine but I was so impressed with Max's ability to keep up. I thought he needed a little more energy though and for a while it seemed like Kayla's character was strong and it didn't seem like Max's character would steal her throne. I couldn't tell if that was Friedman's choreography or Max's need for a more demanding presence. I loved seeing Kayla's grandpa in the audience! I think he probably tears up every time she dances.

Jonathan and Karla:
Dance: Contemporary, Song: Falling Slowly by The Frames (Originally Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova)
Choreographer: Stacie Tookie (SYTYCD Canada)

This dance by far was my favorite all week. #1: I love that song. #2: I connected personally to both the song theme and the dance. Of course we know Karla is good and she did an excellent job at technically and emotionally connecting to this dance. BUT Jonathan! He came to life! I was so glad to see him execute this dance so well and with so much emotion. He let me down in his first solo and the Cha Cha. He was lacking follow through, but this time he really connected all the dots. His feet were strong and his lines stretched out to his finger tips. Maybe he should consider becoming a contemporary dancer? I probably watched this dance 4 more times before going to bed that night. My absolute favorite part occurred HERE at 3:23

2nd favorite parts, at 2:55 and 3:04

Phillip and Jeanine:
Dance: Tango, Song: Violento (Up Mix) by Bailango!
Choreographer: Tony Meriden

Can I just say that I love how nerdy (in a good way) Phillip is. You'd never have guessed this hard hitting popper was also a physics major. Anyway.
Yeaaa it was a little rough for Phillip. Jeanine. Killed it. She has got some showmanship! She really portrayed the "I'm Sexy and totally in control of this situation" that the tango needs. Phillip...ohhh Phillip. I mean I think he was trying really hard for that "tango swagger" where you're all cool and have attitude but I think he needed a little more work on the technique side. I think there is some potential there though and I appreciate his recognition of getting into character. I have to give him props though because this genre is so far from popping or anything hip hop. I hope to see him improve in the styles outside his dance. Hope he's mentally getting ready for the next ballroom routine. And less awkward moments like THIS at 1:30

Ashley and Kupono
Dance: Hip Hop, Song: Imma Be by Black Eyed Peas
Choreographer: Shane Sparks

The concept here was that Ashley was Kupono's shadow. Well for her sake I wish it had been Kupono who'd been her shadow. I thought Ashley did a great job but Kupono fell short for me. He seemed a little off beat in the beginning which threw them off sync as a couple. I thought Ashley hit her steps hard and followed through with each movement. Kupono lacked a lot of hype too. Check out THIS clip at 1:13 of this middle "breakdown" section. This is where it fell apart the most for me. I LOVE Ashley and am excited to see what she has in store. I hope Kupono doesn't bring her down. I think he needs to dance a little more masculine too. In my opinion he wasn't a strong enough dancer to make it onto the show. I like him as a person...he seems really nice but I wouldn't mind seeing him leave, at least at this point.


OK If you've actually read all this, you must be as crazed about dance as I am. Thanks for reading!