SYTYCD

I can't believe two people are gone from the TOP 20 So You Think You Can Dance already! Seems like we just got started.


I just can't pick who the winner is going to be. I always have mixed feelings on the first show because it's the first time the couples are dancing together.

I agree that Brandon went home. But I think that Ariana should have stayed and Pauline went home. I think Ariana danced much harder. And why did Russell have to dance for his life? First of all he had a new partner at the last minute and had to lift her big tail twice. And the judges were liking what he did. So why make him dance for his life? Anywho, he danced his tail off!!! WOW!

Nappy-Tabs just needs to go. I HATE their duet "love" smooth hip-hop routines. It's the same moves EVERY TIME. And I HATE that they have to wear their little hip-hop hats and hip-hop gear when they are choreograph. But then when they are in the audience they have their biz casual gear on. So when they wear their hip-hop outfits is it supposed to help them channel their hip-hopness? Uh, I think not. Try again!

I think I'm more into the actual choreographers than the dancers right now.

The opening number by Wade (and who else?) with the four gangs was da bomb. Travis' contemporary was nice. Sonya's contemporary jazz was off da chain! And Dave Scott's caveman hip hop was great (Nappy-Tabs please take note). And who does the cha cha to "Push It?"

Here is all of the music from last night.

this week in Zumba

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: smorgasbord

The majority of the songs from this week are from last week. But I made it a little less INTENSE! I moved some things around and added our beloved arm song (Again and Again).

LOVE this street "FAME" look photo of So You Think You Can Dance season 6 Top 20!


Meet the Top 20 special tonight 8/7c. You can also see the video of their photo shoot on too.

I dunno who I'm picking for the winner yet. Last season I tried to have a little contest on my blog to see who could pick the winner. But I ended up being the closest!

Remember SYTYCD airs Tuesdays and Wednesday 8/7c.

Latin Music in the USA

I just caugth the replay of PBS Latin Music in the USA.

From Latin jazz and mambo to salsa, Tejano, Chicano rock, Latin pop and reggaeton, Latin Music in the USA tells the story of the rise of new American music forged from powerful Latin roots and reveals the often overlooked influence of Latin music on jazz, hip hop, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll — and on all of American culture.

I LOVE to use reggaeton in my Zumba class. It was interesting to learn it's roots.

Watch it here and here.

this week in Zumba

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: bootie popin' and hip shakin'

This week's class is going to be INTENSE! My hips are still sore from working out a few more new songs last night.

Zumba has come out with some good songs lately. The new songs I just added this month is from Zumba. And I've just added two more!

So we're doing basically a smorgasbord with Latin reggaeton, hip-hop, belly dancing, West African and pop.

Also a new warm-up song called Let Me Think About It. I've been playing it in the music before class and I've gotten lots of questions of who is it. Here's the video:



I also got two requests. Pitbull's Call Me Ocho (I Know You Want Me). And another for Fergie's London Bridge.

If you have a request of a song we did or a suggestion for a new song leave a comment here or let me know in class.

NFL Ballet

I'm not NFL fan, but I found this video to be pretty cool.

dance and TV

Yesterday I realized that I missed two episodes of season 4 of Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team!


However, I was able to DVR the replays so I can catch up. Yes to technology!

Yes... I've watched the previous three episodes of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. I like the show! I used to be a cheerleader and I like seeing the audition process. It's the only time I watch CMT.

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team! comes on Saturdays 9/8C. Check the listings so you can catch up too!



And Wednesday So You Think You Can Dance will pick the TOP 20!

I just LOVE this show! Watching the dancers expressing themselves through their craft is just so amazing and breathtaking. I'll never be able to dance like that. And I'll never be able to fit in a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader uniform. But it's nice to pretend so!

hey, hey, hey!

We did 3 miles yesterday in our hip-hop theme Zumba. So that means we do an average of 3.25 miles every class!

HEY!

And a new visitor to my class blogged about me yesterday! How sweet!

this week in ZUMBA

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: all hip-hop
• Tuesday: world


In other news: Our speakers should be fixed. We got them going after Wednesday's class so hopefully they'll continue to work this week. Music on the left AND right side of the room this week! YAY!!!

we did over 3 miles

A gal in ZUMBA class today told me that she had her pedometer on during class and she said we did like 3.4 miles! WOW!!!

I can't wait to see what it says when we do a all high impact booty-shakin' class!!!

this week in Zumba

HAPPY 2 year ANNIVERSARY TO ME

@ Scott Fitness!

This week I have a few new songs. So we'll be doing the same routine all week. And I have my water-break sound back!!!

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: world

SYTYCD - season 6

I'm all caught up on So You Think You Can Dance thanks to my trusty DVR.

Tuesday wraps up hometown auditions in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wednesday begins the Las Vegas cuts.

I'm excited to see this season's contestants!

I am The Pitch Kansas City 2009 Best Zumba Class WINNER!!!

I am SO GEAKED!


Thank you so much to my class members and to Scott Fitness for giving me my Zumba home! I didn't even know this award existed. It's so nice to be recognized for something I love doing.

Read the full article.

check it out

Hey! I got a new Zumba profile on the Scott Fitness web site.


Look... it's all fancy with the photos Dave took this summer.

this week in Zumba

My iMac has a failed hard drive. So I had to get Zumba CDs from Dayle to get my Zumba music back and it is now living on the laptop at home.

Thank goodness I was able to retrieve MOST music. However, my little water break sound is currently MIA and my husband Shaun cannot make me a new one without our iMac.

So this week's class will be an hour with NO BREAK! I put in slower songs after high impact songs. And feel free to take a water break whenever you like.

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: one FULL hour of smorgasbord!

AND... October 3rd is my official two year anniversary with Scott Fitness! YAY!!! So we'll celebrate with some NEW routines beginning October 5th.

ABDC

I kinda fell off watching MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC) for a minute. But I caught up to watch last night's finale.

I'm glad We Are Heroes won.


Finally... a champion girl group!

I've been nominated!

Yesterday I got a call from The Pitch notifying me that I'm nominated for 2009 Best ZUMBA class!

WOW! I never knew such an award existed! I'm so honored.

This award will be chosen by the Pitch staff. I'm supposed to find out on Wednesday.

Keep your fingers crossed!

my ZUMBA music

Thanks to the new gals that came to class on Tuesday! Always nice to have some new blood.

My computer is still broken and it won't be taken to the Apple store until this weekend. So hopefully it can be repaired.

Most likely I've lost ALL of my ZUMBA music :(

But don't worry! Dayle has three CDs I've burned her over the years and I still have my ZUMBA CDs that I've taken music from.

So this weekend I'll be seeing what's what and putting the music on our laptop. Hey, Maybe making up a couple of new routines ;)

Thanks for doing my birthday mix six times in a row! I think you got it now!!!

this week in Zumba

If it's not one thing is ANOTHER!

We may be doing my birthday mix again for at least today (Monday). My home computer is acting sickly so I can't get into my iTunes to change the music for this week (yet).

I'll see you in class!

vacation

I'll be on vacation Monday 9/14.

See you Tuesday and Wednesday for class!!!

P.S. Thanks to everyone who celebrated my b-day with me on Wed. 9/9. Class was a BLAST!!!
And thanks to The Peanut Gallery for my lovely flowers. They are ALL of my FAVS. So perfect!

this week in ZUMBA

There IS class on Labor Day (9/7/09).

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday: mixed
• Tuesday: Indian / Middle Eastern
• Wednesday: it's my BIRTHDAY. Playing my FAVS!

this week in Zumba

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: Indian / Middle Eastern
• Tuesday: mixed

I was inspired by last night's MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC) Bollywood theme. So I got all of my Middle Eastern music together!


Don't forget that the 15 best So You Think You Can Dance performances comes on Wed. 9/2!!!

this week in Zumba

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday, Tuesday AND Wednesday: smorgasbord again!

ABDC

MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC), has been a little dry for me.

Last week was the Beyonce challenge and Artistry in Motion went home. Maybe it was because their routine looked some much like this video?


Artistry in Motion had to use a chain. In this video Livvi uses ropes (starts at about 1 min.). Check out the video at about 3:30. The ending is exactly the same!

Here is Artistry in Motion's routine.


What do you think?

The ABDC challenge this week was martial arts and next week is Bollywood. I think they are getting too carried away with the challenges. Just let them dance!

darn iPod!

It did it again. My iPod died -- even before class started! I charged all night Sunday night too.

I guess after 3.5 years of doing Zumba on my little Shuffle I think it's just shuffling along to iPod heaven. (dooh!)

Well, I'll get my music files onto the Scott Fitness computer for the meantime.

Hey... maybe a sweet fairy will get me a new iPod for my birthday!

Thanks for everyone who hung in there today and two the two new girls that signed up! At least I didn't scare them off. Maybe it was the cool glow sticks we had today. And thanks Homie for lending me YOUR iPod again! It was fun not knowing what was coming next!

I'll see you all Tuesday!

this week in Zumba

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday, Tuesday AND Wednesday: smorgasbord

I decided to mix it up this week and do a little of everything. I had so much fun on Tuesday with random music I figured that we'd go back to the old format.

And... it looks like Monday is GLOW STICK DAY!


I'm gonna bring out the glow sticks! It's SO gloomy and rainy out today. We need a pick-me-up.


Low-Calorie Cocktails
Summer is almost over!!!

One of my fav summer drinks is the Cuban mojito.

Here is a low cal makeover from fitness magazine. I made an edit. They had Splenda syrup instead of simple syrup. (Make your own by dissolving 2 packets of Splenda into an ounce of water). Or purchase Da Vinci's Sugar Free Sweetener Syrup (available on amazon.com). Well... I changed it to Agave syrup. It's NATURAL!!!

Mojito Makeover
2 ounces light rum
1 ounce Agave syrup
1 ounce lime juice
7 mint leaves

Splash of club soda
In a shaker, muddle mint leaves and a lime wedge. Add ice and other ingredients and shake. Pour into tall glass and top with soda.
Calories: 140

Yumm... I have some fresh mint in the fridge just WAITING to be in a mojito.

OMG! (again)

Damn iPod ran out of power (again)!

Thanks for everyone who stuck around while I tired to get the music going.

First someone ran to their car and got their iPod charger like mine. So I charged my iPod for a min. and I got a couple of songs out of it. Then on the water break I charged it for 30 sec. But it died at the beginning of the next song.

Then someone said they had an iPod with Zumba music on it. My playlists came in handy 'cause she had fond many of the songs I used in class!

I had NO idea of what was coming next. One song was a TOTAL remix! But I worked it out in the end.

Thanks girls! And thanks to the girls that joined Scott Fitness after my CRAZY class!

My iPod is charging right now!!!

this week in ZUMBA

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: Latin / Indian
• Tuesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop

ANOTHER DANCE SHOW!
So You Think You Can Dance just ended last week. And now MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC), Season 4 started on Sunday! Oh my... MORE dancing to watch. And... with SYTYCD starting back up on Sept. 9 I'm going to have to watch TWO dance shows! Thank goodnedd ABDC changed their night from Thursday to Sunday!

P.S. There is a SYTYCD Top Dances special Wed. Sept. 2.


I've briefly talked about ABDC on this blog, but I've watched it religiously for the past three seasons seasons now. I just like to inform you guys on the dance shows out there.

And I must say I always find it interesting that chorographer Shane Sparks is a judge on ABDC and a chorographer for SYTYCD and he NEVER mentions that some of the ABDC contestants were former SYTYCD contestants.

Last year's ABDC winners were Quest Crew. Two of the members were Hok (who did the awesome hummingbird and flower dance) and Dominic -- both from SYTYCD season 3.


On this year's ABDC there is SYTYCD season 2 contestant Donyelle. She has her own group called Artistry in Motion.


Of course I have to say who I think is going to win this year's ABDC. I think it's going to be between Rhythm City and Massive Monkees.



I think they are trying to show new dance styles this year by having unique groups. You got the gays and transgendered doing vogue (Vogue Evolution , and the Latin crew (AfroBorike). It'll be neat to see what they do, but I think they won't last long 'cause I think both groups are sloppy. And you have Southern Movement with is supposed to be country hip-hop... uh, I think they just made that up as a gimmick to stand out. And DC's Beat Ya Feet Kings are supposed to have fancy go-go foot work... uhm, what ev. Artistry In Motion are trying to be too technical dancy -- this is a street dance competition. And that Amazon girl in We Are Heroes just distracts me from the whole group.

I understand why Fr3sh got kicked because they were too much like the other boy/girl Asian groups in the past. Even though they were trying SO HARD not to be. But what they were doing we've all seen before. And I feel that the theme of season 4 of ABDC is diversity. I fell bad for them though.

Hope you watch the show! Let's see if I'm right on the two finalists!

#12b - SYTYCD

SEASON FINALE PT 2

YAY Jeanine!!! SYTYCD Season Five winner! And wow... she's only 18-years-old. She has a amazing dance career ahead of her.


Seems like my SYTYCD - ZUMBA giveaway was a flop. No one picked a winner!!! Ugh... I'll have to think of another contest.

#12a - SYTYCD

SEASON FINALE PT 1

The final four!!!

I TOTALLY agree with Nigel. It's going to be between Jeanine and Brandon.

However I must say that I was wasn't moved with the majority routines this whole season of SYTYCD. Well, maybe there were a few I liked, but very few OMGs.

Season six starts on my birthday Sept. 9th. Already?!?

this week in ZUMBA

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop
• Tuesday: Latin / Indian

More photos from the June 1st photo shoot, by David Moody Photography.


This one of everyone's feet is my FAV!

#11b - SYTYCD

RESULTS NIGHT

The final four!!!

Oh my... how did we get here so fast? One moment it seemed like the show was going to last forever and now it's time for the finale.

I really thought Evan would of went home tonight instead of Ade. I really want Jeanine to win now.

Snuggs, you're out of my SYTYCD/ZUMBA giveaway since Ade went home. It's just me and your Michelle!
• me, I picked Evan
• Michelle, picked Kayla

#11a - SYTYCD

PERFORMANCE NIGHT
I was busy when the show was on, I didn't miss much though. Nothing really moved me and I wasn't pressed to replay anything. But I must say that Jeanine is MY superhero!

I predict Melissa and Ryan will go home tomorrow.

• links to the music from 7/29 show

this week in ZUMBA

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop
• Tuesday: Latin / Indian

SOMETHING FUN TO LOOK AT!

More than 200 dancers were performing their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. with just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt!

#10b - SYTYCD

RESULTS NIGHT

MAN! I'm gonna miss Janette. Melissa got saved when she danced that cancer dance.

The three of us is STILL safe in my SYTYCD/ZUMBA giveaway.
• me, I picked Evan
• Michelle, picked Kayla
• Snuggs, picked Ade

#10a - SYTYCD

PERFORMANCE NIGHT

TOP 8, don’t hate!


Last week's SYTYCD performance night seemed to have a little more quality dancing than this week. However, Travis’ opening number was great! Love me some Travis.

I must agree with Nigel and say that the show was pretty flat until the 2nd ½.

I thought Janette + Evan’s Rhumba was good. Evan could still make his movements bigger and stronger. Janette was awesome the whole show. How she get her butt to stick out like that in the Rhumba?

I was so surprised to see Laurieann “boom-boom-kat” Gibson as a chorographer on the show! She’s better known as Puffy’s Making the Band chorographer. She’s SO crazy! Why was she wearing those pink headphones?!? Anywho… the dance for Jeanine + Brandon was good. I liked that it was just them dancing and not lots of partner stunts.

Melissa + Ade’s cancer dance was nice. However Iwas distracted by Melissa’s scarf. I kept hoping that it wasn’t going to fall off. But when Ade took her by her wrists and THREW her straight up I thought she was going to fly into the rafters! DAMN!

I LOVED Kayla + Jason’s monster hip hop routine by Shane Sparks. They both adapted the style so well. I think because they had a monster character to do it made the hip hop easier for them to process. When Jason threw Kayla on the ground and he was doing he knee swag I was like, “ok, now!” THAT was hip hop!!! And when Nigel said that he had been disappointed with hip hop this season, to me that meant Nappy-Tap sucks. That so called “smooth” hip hop they are doing is not getting it. And they did too many in a row. Nappy-Tap better do better on their next one or they are FIRED!

Also, I must add that I liked that Janette and Melissa mixed up their style in their solo. Smart thinking girls! Jeanine’s solo was of da chain!

I’m afraid for whoever goes home tonight.

• links to the music from 7/23 show

this week in ZUMBA

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: Latin / Indian
• Tuesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop

HEART ATTACK GRILL
I think this restaurant is so crazy!


I've seen it on the Travel Channel or Food Network and I've been meaning to share it on this blog.

Heart Attack Grill is located in Arizona and they serve bypass burgers and flatliner fries. And if you're over 350 pounds you eat for free!

I'm all for eating supper yummy fattening things every now and then, but Heart Attack Grill is just ridiculous.

THANKS!
I just want to say thanks to all the new folks that have been coming to class lately. Thanks for coming!!!

#9b - SYTYCD

RESULTS NIGHT
Goodbye Kupono and Randi.

America was crazy for putting Ade in the bottom!

The three of us is safe in my SYTYCD/ZUMBA giveaway.
• me, I picked Evan
• Michelle, picked Kayla
• Snuggs, picked Ade

#9a SYTYCD - Top 10

PERFORMANCE NIGHT

FINALLY! We have the Top 10 and we're getting down to bizness!


My FAV was Travis' contemporary with Jeanine and Jason. I LOVE me some Travis and my thoughts are moving to Jeanine as the winner. Another SYTYCD girl as the winner? We shall see...

• links to the music from 7/15 show

this week in ZUMBA

I'm back!!!

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop
• Tuesday: Latin / Indian

Ever wonder what happened to those photos from the June 1st photo shoot? Well... I have a few to share.






I still don't know what John Scott is going to do with them. But I'll let you know as soon as I find out! Thanks again to everyone that participated. And thanks David Moody of David Moody Photography for the cool pics!

#8b SYTYCD

RESULTS NIGHT

Goodbye Caitlin and Philip.


Now we're down to the nitty-gritty of the SYTYCD top TEN!!!

• links to the music from 7/8 show

#8a SYTYCD

PERFORMANCE NIGHT

My favorite SYTYCD couple was:

But they've been slacking a bit. Today's hop=hop routine was way better than I thought. But the Samba and last week's Broadway was stiff.

I still like:

Their disco tonight was great! They weren't rushing into their stunts.

But my new #1 couple is:

That Tango was OUTSTANDING! And the jazz, by my man Wade Robson was BRILLIANT! Loved, loved, loved it!

But I must say my absolute FAV tonight were Kayla's and Kupono's contemporary by Mia. Oh my... I TOTALLY felt he was a drug and she couldn't get away. I watched it TWICE. There were parts that were beautiful and scary at the same time.

I think Caitlin and Jason will be going home. And now I dunno who is going to win. Evan is being bootie. Now I'm thinking a girl. Jeanine or Janette.... maybe Kayla or even Melissa. Gosh... I dunno!!!

The show just got exciting for me tonight! Now I'm sad that the couples are breaking up.

#7 SYTYCD

I got caught up with SYTYCD. since I was gone for vacation.

Karla and Vitolio went home. I saw that coming.


Jeanine's solo was breathtaking! I'm glad I got to see her dance.

So the three of us is safe in my SYTYCD/ZUMBA giveaway.
• me, I picked Evan
• Michelle, picked Kayla
• Snuggs, picked Ade

The performances were cool. Nothing I need to look up on YouTube yet. We'll see how the performances go tonight!

#7 SYTYCD

Shucks! I'm gonna miss SYTYCD this week. I'm on vacation!!!

I'll be sure to catch up on DVR when I get back...

on vacation

There will be ZUMBA even though I'm going on vacation.

• Monday 6/29 = me
• Tuesday 6/30 = me
• Wednesday 7/1 = Cristina
• Monday 7/6 = Lauren
• Tuesday 7/7 = I'm back!!!

These ladies are certified Zumba instructors, so please still come to class. It'll be a good change of pace.

#6b SYTYCD

RESULTS NUGHT




Man... Asuka was my girl. But her solo was so sad, like she was tired and didn't want to be on the show anymore.

So Amanda that means you're out of my SYTYCD/ZUMBA giveaway.

Nigel was trippin' saying Vitolio was prepping for big stunts and the didn't do them. What ev man! I saw that boy flippin' and twirlin' all over the place. But Jonathan went home instead. He wasn't memorable to me.

Now Karla is Vitolio's partner. I don't think she, nor Caitlin are all that hot either.

We shall see next week!

Everyone else is safe in my SYTYCD/ZUMBA giveaway.
• me, I picked Evan
• Michelle, picked Kayla
• Snuggs, picked Ade

• links to the music from 6/24 show
• Entertainment Weekly recap
-- performance
-- results link posted later...

#6a SYTYCD

PERFORMANCE NIGHT

My favorite couples are:


...and now


I think these two couples were the best of the night and have been consistently good.

Randi and Evan's contemporary was great. Yeah there were some parts that weren't in sync. But I thought the emotion and the energy between the two shined through. Now I wanna see them do hip hop!

Melissa and Ade are my new favs. That Rumba was hot! That's all I gotta say about that! Now I wanna see them do hip hop too! How about some krumping?