If you still relish the memory of that middle school dance where your classmates crowned you ruler of the dance floor based on your unusually low limbo or stellar steps on the conga line, you may not want to attend the "So You Think You Can Dance" live show. Watching these sleek, sinewy dancers catapult themselves through the air, defy physical laws, and broadcast beams of raw sexuality at each other and the crowd will completely crush your tattered delusions of dancing grandeur.<
The live show is based on Fox's hit TV show of the same name, which
tracks some of the nation's best undiscovered dance talent as they duke
it out for the title of "America's Favorite Dancer." They work with some
of the country's top choreographers to pull off stunning performances
in styles like hip hop, jazz, and Broadway. Season eight's finalists
Caitlynn Lawson, Clarice Ordaz, Jess LeProtto, Jordan Casanova, Marko
Germar, Mitchell Kelly, Sasha Mallory, Tadd Gadduang, season eight's
winner, Melanie Moore, and Florida's own Ricky Jaime
will perform the most popular routines from the hit Fox television
show, as well as original pieces created specifically for the nationwide
tour.
When we caught up with Jaime, a Miami native
who's currently based in Tampa, the 19-year-old had just scarfed down
his third slice of pizza during the dance troupe's lunch break. "We burn
it off!" Jaime said, informing us that rehearsals for the tour last
anywhere from 10 to 12 hours each day.
He said
that he's learned an immense amount about dance, but also about growing
up as a result of both the television show and the upcoming tour."I've
learned little things like being independent, and also just being on my
own and not having to rely on my mom to take me somewhere or make sure I
get ready. My movements have just matured so much each day and I'm just
so grateful for that."
As much as he loves
dance, Jaime had no hesitation about what he would do if the dance floor
were ripped out from under his feet."Cheerleading! I used to cheer, and
I love it so much. And I miss it so much! I mean, if [things had gone a
little differently,] I'd be cheering at some college or university,"
Jaime said. "I think it's so crazy that that's probably what I would
have been doing right now."
The young man's
voice took an ecstatic tone when he started talking about the tour's
stop in Miami."I've been getting so many texts that people just got
their tickets to the American Airlines Arena,"
he said. "And I'm just getting so excited, because I used to dance for
the Miami Heat. Like the junior dance team. It's gonna be so amazing
just to go back into the locker rooms and just see [sigh] all the old
lockers, just to be in the arena again. It's gonna bring back memories.
I'm so excited to come back to Miami!"
The show hits American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd.) September 18th, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost from $38.50 to $58.50. Go to aaarena.com or call 786-777-1000.
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