Ballroom Dance Channel

Good evening everyone, and welcome to So You Think You Can Dance – Top 14.  We have seven couples left to perform tonight, and we are getting ever so close to the Top 10.  Cat comes out in a stunning liquid silver dress and introduces our dancers and judges.  Since each dancer this week was asked about his or her childhood, Cat shows us pictures of Nigel, Mary, and Adam as kids too!

Our first couple tonight is Ashleigh and Jakob with Hip-Hop, choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon.  Ashleigh told us when she was a little girl, she had a lot of energy and loved to entertain.  Jakob says he was always into the arts, and dancing helped him lose weight as a pre-teen.  This routine is about a couple who are in love, but the woman finds out her guy has been cheating on her.  They dance to “Whatcha Say” by Jason Derulo, really showing off strong moves and emotions.  Ashleigh’s angry portrayal was excellent.

Nigel calls it a great routine, saying that Jakob is always challenged every week but surpasses the challenge and adds to it.  He tells Ashleigh that she has grown faster than he ever could have imagined.  Mary says she was drawn to Ashleigh and calls her a star.  She tells Jakob he was tight and hit it hard.  Adam loves that Jakob crushed it and praises Ashleigh, saying he was one of the people who didn’t believe in her before, but now he thinks she is a contender for the Top 10.

Karen and Kevin are next with Broadway, choreographed by Spencer Liff.  Karen grew up in Venezuela, and was always quiet and did was she was told.  Kevin is the oldest of six kids and was always in charge, and began dancing at age 17.  This number consists of Karen attempting to cheer Kevin up, and they are shocked at how difficult some of the choreography is.  They perform to “If My Friends Could See Me Now” by Christina Applegate, from the show Sweet Charity.  They looked happy and light on their feet, but something seemed like it was missing.

Nigel welcomes Spencer to the show, and then tells them that they did not bring the humor and personality to the number that it needed.  Mary agrees, saying Karen was better than Kevin but they needed to do so much more and work on their transitions.  Adam likes it but calls it challenging.

We have a Foxtrot next from Noelle and Russell, choreographed by Eddie Simon.  Russell grew up singing and was very outgoing.  Noelle says she was wild, and never afraid to do anything.  They drew Foxtrot the first week, but because Noelle was injured, Russell had to dance it with Melanie.  The routine Eddie put together is about balance in a partnership. They perform to “Baby You’ve Got What It Takes” by Michael Buble, and it is joyous and elegant with great lifts.

Nigel says Russell has vastly improved, and Noelle is becoming successful in coming out from behind Russell’s shadow.  Mary calls it effortless, flowing, and elegant.  Adam says they exuded joy and confidence and stepped up their game.

Channing and Victor are dancing Jazz, choreographed by Tyce Diorio.  Channing tells us she was adventurous and hyper, and dance helped her with that.  Victor says he was a brat.  Tyce’s routine is about two curious blackbirds who feed off of each other.  They perform to the classic “Blackbird”, only it’s the quirky Bobby McFerrin version.  They give off happy energy and keep their bird characters well.

Nigel could tell that Channing was really enjoying herself, and he enjoyed the performance.  He says that Victor has grown as a person, but now needs to grow more as a dancer.  Mary loves how they brought the concept to life.  She tells Victor he is consistently good, and loves that Channing finally just let go.  Adam says Victor is always great and Channing is finding her way to the top.

Kathryn and Legacy are performing the Paso Doble, choreographed by Tony Meredith.  Kathryn was a very shy kid, and learning at her mom’s dance studio helped her get over that.  Legacy says he was rebellious and followed his passions, and he is thankful to his dad for getting him to dance.  Tony says the Paso must be passionate, powerful, and provocative, and he created what he calls the Paso from Hell.  Legacy is a Navy Admiral who comes back to see his lover.  They dance to “Pursuit” from Cirque du Soleil, and it has a warrior feel, from Legacy dancing shirtless to the intensity they both showed. What a hot dance!

Nigel says this week Kathryn danced with maturity, and he is very proud of Legacy for his growth and dedication.  Mary tells Kathryn that she played the vixen just right and Legacy showed the fire of his character.  Adam thinks Kathryn was beautiful and she killed it, and Legacy is a total inspiration.

Before our next couple dances, we get an update on the Dizzy Feet Foundation.  Nine young dancers have already received scholarships, and DFF is working on development of inner city community programs.  On November 29th, the first Celebration Of Dance benefit will be held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.  For more information please go to www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org.

Ellenore and Ryan have Contemporary, choreographed by Travis Wall.  Ellenore says she was a sassy little girl, and her first dance recital did not go well at all.  Ryan was a natural, dancing at four years old, and his grandparents were professional ballroom dancers.  This number is about a couple who broke up, but are reunited 10 years later.  He is glad to see her, but she has moved on.  They perform to “Your Ex-Lover’s Dead” by Stars, and its very physical and emotional.  They have some really great lifts.

Nigel thinks they have cemented their place with this routine after last week’s rough dance.  He says Ellenore is brilliant and Ryan is the best ballroom dancer he’s ever seen do Contemporary.  Mary thinks Travis is growing as a choreographer, calling Ellenore and Ryan magical perfection.  Adam says this dance was the moment this season that finally made him catch his breath and brought him to tears.

Our final dance is from Mollee and Nathan, performing Pop Jazz choreographed by LaurieAnn Gibson.  Nathan says he was the baby of the family and a brat, but his brothers taught him about dance.  Mollee tells us she was a tiny diva, always all decked out and trying to act older.  They are nervous about working with LaurieAnn because they’ve seen how tough she can be.  They dance to “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, showing complete passion and emotion.

Nigel compliments them both on digging deeper this week, saying they are both very talented and have the potential to go far.  Mary says the dream team is back and loves the intensity.  Adam agrees, and coaches them on strategy:  They need to show more shadings in their chemistry, but they are really strong and have good sync.

Cat reminds us to vote as we see a recap of all of the dances.  The bottom three couples will dance for their lives tomorrow night, and the judges will send one more guy and one more girl home.  Good night everybody!