Catching up ...

I haven't been keeping up with this blog, even though I had planned on despite this being "purely" for my Online Journalism class, about a million years ago. Or rather two.

However, I haven't stopped dancing these two years even after graduating college and working full time as a publicist in downtown Boston. But I am excited to catch up on my dance experiences, dance events and performances around Boston and Northeastern University along with other schools, and to talk about dance classes, studios and innovate new styles.

Not to mention So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) which came to Boston last Thursday to audition for their fall season, after merely one episode into this spring's season which just started.

So far, while there are have been many, and I mean MANY, incredible dancers ate the auditions for the season on Fox now, there were definitely some exceptions (hello Seattle, do you have more than one decent dancer who isn't making a mockery of this art form?!?!)

I'm one of those people who doesn't enjoy watching people dressed in ridiculous outfits (bikini girl on "American Idol") who are simply auditioning on reality shows just to be "funny" (a word I use extremely generously). I want to see people wow me, someone dancing with so much emotion I cry, a male dancer who can do 13 fouettes in a row and make it look effortless.

I did get some of that, but not much. I am a bit disappointed about the talent, since last season and the previous season's top 20 dancers have been nothing short of amazing and inspiring.

Needless to say, I was shocked when Natalie, the tall and graceful redhead who just NEARLY made the top 20 last season was booted off after one of the first Vegas rounds, to Sonya's choreography.

Other shockers included Priscilla, Gaby and Megan Kinney (sister to Kaitlyn who is still on as part of the top 16 female dancers). Needless to say all three were strong dancers, although Gaby really couldn't handle any other style except her own quirky and thought-provoking modern/contemporary dance style. She floundered in the hip hop and DID NOT give it her all. I believe that the biggest part of dance in facials and emotion, and if you aren't going to throw 10,000 percent of your being into a performance, get off the stage.

I'm curious to see who does make it into the top 20, especially after so many talented guys got cut as well including Silky, the young and lighthearted tapper who impressed me from the get-go.

Left with a cliffhanger after last night's first Vegas auditions episode, I am chomping at the BIT to find out who makes the top 20 tonight.

And a side note: While I do SOMETIMES enjoy watching ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" I can't help but feel cheated. These celebrities, especially figure skaters and pop stars (cough cough Kristi Yamaguchi)have had dance training and it isn't really fair to claim they are being challenged. It also feels a bit contrived and can be a bit boring.

SYTYCD however never ceases to amaze, is always exciting and choreographers even win Emmy Awards (i.e. Mia Michaels for her Season 3 Heidi and Travis "bench" dance). The mix of styles, the emotion the choreographers put into their work, the drive and determination and talent and passion the dancers express really comes across and makes any dancer, or anybody remotely interested in dance, take note and pay attention.

One ironic aspect of both of the shoes, SYTYCD heavy hitters Chelsie Hightower (one of Season 4's Top 6 girls) and Lacey Schwimmer (Season 3's #2 female dancer) are now both dancing as the ballroom experts they are on "Dancing With The Stars." It is great to see dancers having great careers and continuing to choreograph and dance.

Tune in to Fox TONIGHT at 9 pm EST to find out your Top 20 dancers for this season!