So You Think You Can Dance – Miami Beach and Memphis Auditions

By On 05/27/2009 · 48 Comments · In Uncategorized

The So You Think You Can Dance auditions are in Miami and Memphis this week.

*Watch This Space for Updates*

Host Cat Deely is as awesome as ever!   The first hour of the show is devoted to the Miami Auditions, with Ty DiOrio

The Best of the Miami Auditions – Tyce Diorio, the Broadway choreographer is guest judge

Priscilla Marrero – Age 23 – Miami FL – Gorgeous dancer, beautiful lines, she goes straight to Vegas. – VIDEO

Janette Manrara – Age 25 – Miami FL and Romulo Villaverde -Age 20 – Hialeah, FL – Janette made it to Vegas last year, while her partner Romulo did not.   They’re Latin ballroom routine improved so much, that both were sent straight to Vegas. – VIDEO

Joseph Smith – Age 20 – Orlando FL – Crazy hip-hop guy wants to “schwam” everybody–it’s basically a hipped hopped version of the Italian evil eye. Tyce is only impressed with his gimicky hip-hop.   But it’s yes from everybody for choreography, eventually to Vegas. – VIDEO

By the end of the first day in Miami, 18 dancers moved on to Vegas

Erik “Silky” Moore – 23 – Age 19 – Oviedo, FL -Â   He does a hybrid of tap and hip hop, with a couple of Michael Jackson moves thrown in for good measure. The judges love it and send him straight to Vegas. – VIDEO

Paris Torres – Age 19 – Seattle, WA – Paris is an exquisite contemporary dancer. Beautiful hands and feet, but Tyce thinks she needs to work on her performance.   But Mary and Nigel send her straight to Vegas. – VIDEO

Geo Smith – Age 19 – Miami, FL – Who knew African dance could cause so much sexual innuendo. It’s all about Mary and the feathers.   It’s yes to choreography for Geo, then eventually on to Vegas! – VIDEO

Talia Rickards – Age 24 – Miami, FL – SYTYCD has it’s female Danny Gokey this year.   Except husband died in a tragic motorcycle accident–two years ago.   There’s no fresh grief here.   She’s got all that behind her, and is ready to move ahead with her life. Nigel tells her not to pull faces.   He and Mary both felt there wasn’t much substance to her routine.   But they send her along to choreography.   She impresses enough there, to make it to Vegas. – VIDEO

Thirty-two dancers from Florida are headed to Vegas…

The Best of the Memphis auditions — with one of my fav judges from last year, hip hop dancer Lil C as guest judge.

Marico Flake – Age 24 – Memphis, TN – Police officer by day, Memphis Jukin dancer by night.   He performs this Memphis-style hip hop in it’s purist form, impressing all the judges. They are so impressed, they send him straight to Vegas. – VIDEO

Caitlin Kinney – Age 21 – Annapolis MD – Her sister auditioned in Miami (we didn’t see her audition) and Cailin would love to join her in Vegas. She’s a beautiful, emotional contemporary dancer. A former gymnist, she’s only been dancing for 5 years. Plus, she’s had hip reconstruction.   She tears up a little when the judges compliment her. Just like her sister, she sent straight to Vegas. – VIDEO

Six more dancers from the first day of Memphis advance to Vegas.

Anna Dunn – Age 18 – Jackson, MS – Her dad killed himself a year ago, so she pours herself into dance.   Nigel and Mary criticize her herky-jerky routine, but see some artistry there anyway.   But it’s Lil C that gets to her.   He reveals that his father also committed suicide, and advises her to tap into the pain. She begins to cry.   They send her to choreographer. There, she does enough to make it to Vegas. – VIDEO

Travis Prokop – Age 20 – Texaco, NM – Travis is a dancer, and probably gay, though it isn’t said.   His dad is the football coach at his high school.   Yikes, right? Except dad is really cool and supports his son all the way.   The judges like him, but think he needs more strenght.   They send him on to choreography where he does enough for a ticket to Vegas. – VIDEO

Evan Kasprzak – Age 21 – West Bloomfield, MI – Evan’s back! Yay!   He’s that wonderful Gene Kelly like jazz dancer that almost made the Top 20 last year.   This year, he’s auditioning with his older brother who taught him all his moves.   Evan dazzles the judges again and is sent straight to Vegas. – VIDEO

Lauren & Lydia Guerra – Age 19 – Dallas, TX -   They’re twins with very different dancing styles.   They are both sent to choreography, and at first it’s not clear that they will both make it to Vegas.   But, after a bit of a fake out, they do. – VIDEO

Ryan Kasprzak – Age 29 – Astoria, NY – Last but not least, it’s Evan’s brother Ryan and he dances a delightful tap rountine with a whoopie cushion.   After some deliberation, and much to the delight of little brother Evan, Ryan is sent straight to Vegas. – VIDEO

Fifteen dancers make it to Vegas from Day 2 of the Memphis auditions.

 
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  • butte009

    Thanks MJ for starting this up!

  • Victoria

    I like the girl that was doing the “split lift” or whatever Nigel called it. Really cool.

    ETA: I also like this hip-hop tap guy.

  • butte009

    Tony – Tragic.
    Ballroom Couple – Awesome.
    Twins – Ugh.
    Tyce, Tyce, Tyce – My goodness. :lol_tb:
    Shawam – Cool. Hope he can do choreography. :clap_tb:

    Bikini top girl – that was just wrong.
    Tapper EriK – a backwards worm?! Very entertaining. Put him through!

  • Jx223

    I liked the ballroom couple, and I thought that the tap dancer was awesome. I am glad that we are seeing more tap dancers this year, typically the show doesn’t really feature them much.

  • http://myspace.com/pm68 Pam

    I also like this hip-hop tap guy.

    I do too. He was really entertaining to watch.

  • butte009

    Paris – I don’t know… she was just Eh for me. Tyce nailed the critique.

    African Dancer – pretty good. He’ll go to Chore.

    ETA: Talia – Hopefully we aren’t going the dead husband sympathy voting route….

  • Jx223

    I thought that Meghan one of the contemporary dancers they showed was really good.

  • gingerly

    I really don’t know much (at all) about dance. I know what interests me and excites me but technically nothing at all. I will tune in for the elimination round, I think. This is just too much for me to process. When will that be shown?

  • butte009

    This is just too much for me to process. When will that be shown?

    Tomorrow is still auditions. Next week Wed & Thurs is Vegas Week. The Top 20 starts the following week.

    ETA:
    Marico – That was one smooth police officer!
    BSB 2nd Cousin – that was just wrong too.

  • Jx223

    I love all of the different dances we see on this show, including dances a lot of people that don’t know about and are only known in specifics parts of the country.

  • Victoria

    Mary said “artistry”. NOOOOOOO! Don’t let this become Idol 8 2.0!

  • butte009

    Mary said à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“artistryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . NOOOOOOO! Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t let this become Idol 8 2.0!

    :nono_tb:

    Will people complain that she said that he danced effeminate in parts? :ponder_tb:

    ETA: What happened to Jason Castro? Oops I guess it’s not Jason after all. Just some Chris guy jumping up and down.

  • Victoria

    ETA: What happened to Jason Castro?

    I was thinking the same thing! :laugh_tb:

  • Jx223

    I am glad that the police officer made it through.

    LOL, at the redheaded dreadlock guy.

  • butte009

    Caitlin – Just Awesome.

    ETA: Wow… that’s AFTER hip surgery?! OMG!

  • Jx223

    I think that Meghan’s sister Caitlin, is also a pretty talented dancer.

  • Victoria

    I LOVE Caitlin. My favorite so far!

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    That last girl they showed, the sister of the annoying girl from Miami, was FANTASTIC. Maybe my favorite of the female dancers we’ve seen so far.

    The ballroom couple was really good. I vaguely remember them from last year. And the hip hop tapper dude was awesome. He sold me with the moonwalking. :)

  • lilbrusc102

    wow, Caitlin was amazing! Such a beautiful dancer…and after hip surgery? Unbelievable! Loved the police officer and the tap dancer from Miami so far as well.

    Ah, LIL C!!! My “buck” dance judge crush returns…maybe I’ll survive this post-Adam Lambert summer after all :)

  • gingerly

    Thanks for the fact that it will be next week. I have to admit the “and after hip surgery” comment scares me. Why does that make me think of Danny Gokey 2.0? Hopefully we won’t get panned to the x-ray after she dances.

  • butte009

    Anna – I think Mia will die to get her hands on this girl. After Gokey I’m going to be very jaded by these backstories.

    Travis – Just Eh for me…

    Oh.. the Gene Kelly guy from last year! Yeah! and he’s got a brother too! Great job Evan! :clap_tb:

    ETA: I hope these twins dance better than the Miami twins. Well they did. One is a better than the other in my mind (blue tank for me).

  • Trixee

    Yay evan! Loving Memphis auditions! Represent :P

    Can anyone tell me what the songs were that the girl who lost her father and the girl who had hip surgery danced to?

  • gingerly

    OMG lost her father and another lost her hip? I’m running far far away. This just scares the shit outta me. I can’t stand two different shows with these backstories.

  • butte009

    Evan’s bro is tappin’ too. Lots of tapping this season. :thumbup_tb:

    Wow… Memphis did good this year.

    Oh they’ve got that cute little asian ballroom couple tomorrow.

    OMG… Sex is back AGAIN?!! I thought Nigel banned him…. :flush_tb:

  • lilbrusc102

    Evan and his brother were sooo entertaining! I was smiling the whole time!

    Wow, looks like LA has good auditions! I’m glad these audition episodes are going by pretty fast though, I’m ready for the actual show to start.

  • butte009

    OMG lost her father and another lost her hip? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m running far far away. This just scares the shit outta me. I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t stand two different shows with these backstories.

    At least the hip surgery was a side question. She actually seemed embarrassed it was mentioned. Hopefully it won’t be brought up constantly if she makes Top 20.

    You forgot there was a dead husband backstory too.

    I wish I could feel compassionate for these people but after Gokey I’m just having a hard time. It all seems so scripted and fake now.

  • Dr. Tracey

    Out of tonight’s auditions I liked Silky, the tapper/hip hop dancer, Marico the policeman and Evan and his brother.
    I’m so glad L’il C is back but ack, Sex is back again??? seriously lmao

    I can’t wait for the Vegas auditions, i’m bored already with first round ones.

  • Jx223

    OMG lost her father and another lost her hip? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m running far far away. This just scares the shit outta me. I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t stand two different shows with these backstories.

    This show doesn’t really focus on the backstories that much like Idol does. Sometimes you hear see contestants family members in the audience and hear a few tidbits about them.

    But mostly you see the contestants dancing, and you the judges criticiquing them. And they also show brief clips of the contestants practicing with their choreographers before each performance and and that’s it.

    You really don’t hear a whole lot about their backstories other than what type of dancers they are and a little bit of stuff here and there about their families.

    As for the girl who had hip surgery, we might hear some more about that, but it will probably only be pertaining to her dancing and not used for sympathy.

    I think that Caitlin is a fantastic dancer and IMO, her talent speaks for herself. I don’t think that her hip surgery is going to be used to gain sympathy for her, I think that the judges will bring it up a little more (but not a whole lot) to emphasize how great of a dancer she is.

    Also, I am glad that Evan came back and that he and his brother made it through to Vegas. I am happy that his brother is another tapper. Hopefully at least one good tapper will make it through to the top 20, since 3 good ones have made it to Vegas so far.

  • silverwall

    Evan Kasprzak stars in an award-winning short film: http://www.vimeo.com/4793293

    Come on Top 20!

  • http://www.irish-wolfhounds.com Buderschnookie

    Not another dead spouse contestant?!

    Yay Evan- I was so on his train last year and am very happy to see that he came back.

    Loved lanky tap guy- Silk, I think?

    Nigel twittered:“I promise all you SYTYCD fans that this is the final time Sex will appear on the show. You’ll see why!!!?”
    Good God I hope so.

  • Dr. Tracey

    Can anyone tell me what the songs were that the girl who lost her father and the girl who had hip surgery danced to?

    If i’m thinking of the right one it’s by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson and it’s called Winter Song.

    eta:

    Nigel twittered:à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“I promise all you SYTYCD fans that this is the final time Sex will appear on the show. Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll see why!!!?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    Phew! Thank God!

  • Grammie Kari

    I am thoroughly enjoying the show and the judges! There have been so many really great dancers thus far. Several sisters and the brothers going through will add to the drama in Las Vegas.

    It is refreshing that the tap dancers are getting the respect they deserve. I hope they will be able to extend that talent with a partner. Both Evan and Silky impressed me!

    I wish I could feel compassionate for these people but after Gokey Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m just having a hard time. It all seems so scripted and fake now.

    Yes, it is obvious the producers want to bring this out at auditions; however, I believe they will temper the stories as we move along. They want us to know a bit about these people, and I am fine with what they have presented so far.

  • reeboks1

    Lil C is such a great presence on the show. he is such a good judge.

  • butte009

    Evan Kasprzak stars in an award-winning short film: http://www.vimeo.com/4793293

    That was super sweet. I love how during the credits he went into BBoy and tut-ing. I can already picture fabulous waltzes,quick steps, and fox trots from him. You know he’ll kill any Broadway/Jazz number too. I’m only concerned about his latin ballroom. Hopefully he’ll get that sexy spray tan hip action going.

    You know… he reminds me a little of of Jack Chambers, the season 1 winner of SYTYCD Australia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfNkFmKACRU or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-glzV3yIIE

  • http://absinthedreamers.blogspot.com/ Starrlight

    Priscilla, Silky, Caitlin, Evan and Ryan are tonights standout for me. Still no Twitchington for me.

  • gangreen29

    I don’t think that Caitlin will turn out to be a Gokey situation, it is really just impressive that ever having extensive hip surgery she is able to dance so well. She was probably off her feet for awhile, and had to build back a lot of muscle mass. I can’t really see it being brought up again and again though, there is only so much you can say about it.

    I was feeling really meh about the auditions after the first episode, but I really enjoyed a lot of the dancers. I thought Caitlin danced beautifully, and I loved Priscilla and right now I would say she is my favorite. Her dancing was very strong, and she seemed so humble and sweet.

  • Sydney

    Two things that make me excited for this season..

    Lil C!! I’m super super excited to see him back in the judges seat. He’s been vastly underrated as a judge and he shows himself to be so darn articulate. I love how he stares intensely at the dancers, and doesn’t put them down (sorry Tyce, I still like you, but you were kinda OTT tonite).

    Evan and tappers! I sure hope Evan can do other styles because his presence on the show is such a treat. I was an Evan fan last year and was sad to see him cut before Top 20, but methinks I might end up liking his brother more especially if he shows off what else he can do. As a former tapper, I’d love to see some of them in the Top 20 this year. C’mon represent!

  • stelladallas

    I am for Evan all the way! Yes, he can do other styles of dance. He is an excellent tapper like his brother, as seen on youtube! ( A good singer too) His hip hop looks good from the short film posted above. I would imagine that he is trained in all forms of dance. Hopefully he will do well with a partner, as well. I also checked out his brother on youtube, and he appears to be quite the choreographer.

    And I agree…LOVE tap dancing!

  • AZIdolFan

    i really like caitlin, she was an amazing dancer. i’m so happy evan is there again. and i really liked silky (i love love love tap).

    i love this show so much!!!!

  • poga

    The Evan/Ryan links seem wonky. I keep getting Ryan on both.

  • ShellBen

    “My whole life I’ve been waiting for you to grow up so we could be best friends. You finally made it kid.”

    I was aww-ing outloud for like 5 minutes after this exchange. Sweetest thing ever.

  • daisy

    Excellent show, lots of potential in some of the dancers
    Evan and his brother- great story line and cannot wait to see what they do next..
    Caitlin was awesome as was Silkie!
    So glad to see Lil C back, one of the best judges, and always has something useful to say to contestants.

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    Trixee – This guy spends a lot of time trying to track down all the music. You might be able to find your answer there.

    http://www.puresytycd.com/2009/05/27/so-you-think-you-can-dance-music-from-miami-and-memphis-auditions/

    I LOVE this show!

  • Ladybug

    If Evan doesn’t get in this year…………….!!!! No justice! No peace! He was one of the best last year and far better than many of the meh guys who made the cut last year. Go Evan! I liked his brother, but he is bald, so I wonder…..

    I was also impressed with Erik. What a wonderful smile and seems able to dance any style.

    This has most certainly, though, been the girls’ year, so far. Lots of terrific talent there.

    And did I catch a glimpse of “Sex” in the previews. Pleeze, oh pleeze say no!!!

  • Trixee

    If ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m thinking of the right one ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s called Winter Song.

    Thanks, Dr. I remember seeing that video quite a while back and always liked the song. I guess I just never made it to itunes.

    Trixee – This guy spends a lot of time trying to track down all the music. You might be able to find your answer there.

    Thanks, Bobbi. That site will come in handy. Bookmarked it. And I agree, I freaking love this show!

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    I fixed the Ryan Link…

  • Emily

    I went to high school with Ryan Kasprzak. He has a heart of gold and amazing talent, and deserves to do very well in this competition. His dances are so joyful, you just can’t help smiling. Don’t know his little brother but am rooting for Ryan! :)

  • ericalina

    A spoiler alert! MJ, please delete if you want — but I thought this was interesting:

    Priscilla Marrero was seen trying out in Boston today. I really liked her!