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SYTYCD Canada: Top 4 Perform! Finale Sunday!

Irene Ogrodnik — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:19:51 +0000

It only seemed like a few weeks ago that Canada’s Top 20 dancers were announced. Now, in a few short days (Sunday to be exact), the country’s top dancer will be crowned.

This week, the Top 4 had to give it their final best. Not only would they perform duets as in previous shows, but also the girls would dance together, the guys would perform as a duet and each contestant would perform a solo.

It was time to bring it on.

Host Leah Miller introduced permanent judges Tré Armstrong and Jean Marc Genereux with guest judges, Luther Brown and Blake McGrath.

Up to perform the first duet of the night were Natalli Reznik and Miles Faber. The two hit the hard-hitting hip-hop choreography but, halfway through, Miles forgot the movement and looked liked he knew he blew it.

“Do not get defeated. Wipe that look off your face right now,” Blake said to Miles. “You have two routines to come out here and blow it out of the water.”

The pair received a standing ovation from both the judges and the choreographers. “Canada loves you,” said Jean Marc.

And if you want to prove that love, vote for your favourite dancer.

Nico Archambault and Allie Bertram were up next. The lovely pair performed a beautiful contemporary piece, emulating the story of a male character going off to war while his lover shares special news with him.

Blake called it Stacey’s best piece yet. “It was just a breath of fresh air,” said Blake. “It was moving and effortless and technical and real.” Blake also said that he believed that one of them would win the competition.

I agree. Fingers and toes crossed.

“You got me going today, Allie,” Tré said, overcome by emotion. “You guys are brilliant. Thank you,” she said.

After performing their solos, Allie and Miles were paired up for a theatre routine. While Miles showed off some of his tight b-boy moves; Allie displayed her ballerina-flexibility abilities.

“Miles, thank you for rising and getting yourself back in the game,” Blake said. “I enjoyed myself a little bit, but I didn’t enjoy myself enough. Bring it harder next time,” he told the pair.

The girls took their duet to the stage with a go-go routine.

With both dancers dressed in sparkled bra tops, skirts and white knee-high boots, they looked the part but did they dance and act the part?

Luther wasn’t convinced. Nor was Blake or Tré.

“I thought it was pretty good,” said Jean Marc. “It was fantastic for me.”

Miles and Nico ended the night off with a capoeira routine. After the performance, which included energetic kicks and cartwheels, the two hugged each other. Aw, so cute. Bromantic love.

“I hope you guys inspire so many young male dancers,” Blake said, impressed.

“That was a lot of fun,” Tré said next. “You did it pure justice.”

SO WHO WILL COME OUT ON TO? Tune in for a live Finale show on Sunday, December 7 at 9pm (ET/PT). The rest of the Top will return to join the finalists to perform group pieces.

SYTYCD Canada: Top 6 Perform and Results Show!

Irene Ogrodnik — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:53:52 +0000

WEDNESDAY: PERFORMANCE SHOW

Last week, Arassay and Vincent were sent home. As the finale continues to draw quickly upon us, Canada’s Top 6 dancers were ready to dance for their lives.

Host Leah Miller introduced permanent judges Tré Armstrong and Jean Marc Genereux, while special guest judges Sean Cheesman (who has worked with Tina Turner, Britney, MJ and Cher) and ‘Queen of Scream’ Mary Murphy—judge on the American version of the show—also joined the panel.

Once again, the remaining dancers chose new partners. Each pair would perform two duets. Up first to perform were Natalli Reznik and Nico Archambault with the disco.

“It’s very hard thing to do to shake your buttocks properly,” said choreographer Melissa Williams. “I have a stiff bum,” joked Nico.

The pair, like always, managed to wow the audience and the judges with their 1970s number. With high kicks and complicated lifts, Mary was ecstatic.

“That was just great, for crying out loud,” said Mary. “This choreography needed polish and you did that. You were fabulous out there.”

“What a powerhouse couple,” Sean said. “I’ve been waiting for this team and it was worth the wait.”

Allie Bertram and Izaak Smith were up next with a hip-hop routine—choreographed by Luther Brown.

With their hard-hitting and aggressive moves, the pair took the stage with matching black toques and baggy one-piece jumpsuit that Allie later undid to reveal a pink satin bra.

Again, like EVERY week, the judges were not blown away by Izaak’s performance.

“Izaak, when you get a character, you really go for it, but when you don’t, you end up getting lost. You didn’t deliver,” said Mary.

“The routine that I saw was amazing, but the performance was just good. At Top 6, you can’t be just good,” said Tré. “You need to be a lot tougher. You need to give a lot more.”

Am I the only one who thinks Izaak’s stay is long overdue?

Lisa Auguste and Miles Faber were paired up once again. The duo performed an emotional contemporary piece that choreographer Blake McGrath dedicated to his recently deceased grandmother.

“It’s about a female who wants to see [her husband's] face one more time,” Blake explained.

“You know, every once in a while on this show a number comes along and really tugs at my heart strings,” Mary said, stating that this was one of those pieces.

“Your delivery was spectacular,” Jean Marc told the two. “This performance was priceless and will be memorable for a long, long time.”

For their second performance of the night, Natalli and Nico took the quickstep to the stage.

The duo performed with grace, elegance and tackled the quick footwork.

“Wow! Lemme tell ya, the quickstep is one dance you can’t fake and you guys really did it fabulously,” said Mary. “You guys are pure glamour out there,” and stated the two were her favourite couple of the night.

Tré was also impressed. “I know what I like and I loved that! You guys looked so graceful.”

Allie and Izaak got groovy with an old school jazz routine. Izaak starred as Prince Charming while Allie played the Cinderella character—in a white dress and pink sneakers. The high-energy routine actually impressed the judges.

“That number makes me want to go ‘aw.’ It was so sweet,” Mary said. “Allie, you looked like an angel out there on the dance floor.”

Jean Marc said that Izaak had a great night but added that he did not think it might be enough in the end. “I love you guys,” he added.

Lisa and Miles were up last with a cha-cha routine. The sultry routine included sharp hip movements. To end it off, Lisa ripped Miles’ shirt off.

Mary was blown away and gave the two the first class ticker to her Hot Tamale Train. “Woo woo!” she said, standing.

“All I have to say is that’s just fierce,” said Sean.

Jean Marc put Miles and Lisa on his V.I.D (Very Important Dancer) list. “You are very special people,” he said.

THURSDAY NIGHT: TOP 4 REVEALED

After Wednesday’s performance, Canada voted a recording breaking three million times. After the Top 6 kicked off the show with Tré’s step dance number, the girls and the boys each performed a solo.

At the end of the show, host Leah Miller announced that Lisa and Izaak would be heading home.

While I am disappointed that Lisa left, I think it was Izaak’s time to go.

“Those two are amazing,” said Jean Marc. “I’ve seen you both transform and do miraculous things.”
So Canada, here are your Top 4:

ALLIE Bertram, 18, a Ballet dancer from Calgary

MILES Faber, 21, a Popper and Boogaloo dancer from Calgary

NATALLI Reznik, 28, a Hip-Hop/Latin dancer from Toronto

NICO Archambault, 23, a Contemporary/Hip-Hop dancer from Montréal.

Watch the Top 4 hit the stage in a two-hour final show performance Wednesday night at 8 p.m. E.T.

Canada’s favourite dancer will be revealed during a two-hour results show on Sunday, December 7 at 9 p.m. E.T on CTV.

Anne Murray Schools Canadian Idol Hopefuls

andPOP Staff — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:58:25 +0000

On tonight’s episode of Canadian Idol, the last four standing take on Anne Murray songs. Yes, you read that right. Four twenty-something dudes performing Anne Murray songs? If this isn’t the perfect recipe for a disaster, I don’t know what is.

Opening the show, and after a quick breathing lesson by Murray, Mitch MacDonald performs “Cotton Jenny.” “Off the top, I felt you were a little flat. You got to’ figure out how you’re going to find your note,” says Jake. “Breathing has so much to do with the rhythm of the song. I think you totally heeded her advice, great job,” says Sass. “I would still like to see a little more edge and a little more angst,” says Farley. “It reminded me of Perry Como sleeping on a couch in a sweater,” says Zack.

Earl Stevenson is up next with “Killing Me Softly.” But first, Murray rules the rehearsal with her songbird fist, telling Earl he needs to connect more with his audience. “Beautiful eyes, baby,” says Sass. “Wicked,” says Farley. “For me personally, I couldn’t tell where you were coming from. I still think while your movement was more direct to the audience, it still seemed like you were out for a meaningless meander in the backyard,” says Zack. “I thought the singing was good, the performance was great,” says Jake.

And amping up the preposterity of tonight’s show is Drew Wright with “There’s A Hippo in the Bathtub.” Murray tells him he’s trying to do too much and bending notes. “I thought vocally that was your best performance yet. Really good song choice,” says Farley. “I’ve never heard the Teletubbies tune sound so good before,” says Zack. “By far, best singing you’ve ever done on this show by a mile,” says Jake.

With the last of Murray’s songs, Theo Tams sings “You Don’t Know Me.” Theo’s performance is so cheesy, it’s cheddar. “Two things. One, I’d like to replace with everything I’ve said on this show with everything that Anne Murray has said. She is bang on and killing it. That, however, was utterly flavourless,” says Zack. “Your phrasing is outstandingly great,” says Sass. “You become part of the song and I appreciate that,” says Farley.

Now it’s round two, where the guys will sing a song of their choice. Mitch MacDonald is back with “Between the Bars” by Elliott Smith. No doubt, Smith is rolling in his grave. “I think it’s a dynamic issue. For me, there’s not enough dynamics in the way you sing. You gotta’ be more dynamic in your delivery,” says Jake. “What really appealed to me was the contrast of the dark material of the song and this gentle charm that comes out of you,” says Sass. “For me, it’s edge. That’s a dark song, but you gotta’ have some more angst. Push harder,” says Farley. “Abundantly apparent is that you have no clue on how to win Canadian Idol,” says Zack.

Singing Steve Miller’s “Joker” is Earl Stevenson. Appropriately titled, his performance is a total joke. “That was a cool ending. Nice,” says Sass. “I didn’t enjoy the beginning as much as I enjoyed the middle and end. I think you could’ve done a little more with it though,” says Farley. “I like the creative vibe, but it seemed to me a bit like a throwaway and to me, you aren’t,” says Sass. “For a moment there, I actually felt that you didn’t want to be here,” says Jake.

Drew Wright’s back with his version of “Gravity” by John Mayer. “It came off to me a lighter shade of the blues. It was a reasonably good performance,” says Farley. “I thought after last week one of the four of you could demonstrate what makes you a Canadian Idol. It seems like everyone’s got the yips, the world can change with one song but not with that one,” says Zack. “I thought playing a blues number, well, you know, we’ve seen it before. There was a moment there where you sounded like Jim Cuddy and that’s a really good thing,” says Jake.

Closing the show is Theo Tams with “Chariot” by Gavin Degraw. Theo goes for several sappy Star Search moments that include standing on the piano, throwing his hat into the crowd and jumping off the piano in a overdramatic finish. “No question, the performance of the night,” says Zack. “Great way to finish off the night. You’re so consistent. You’re the one who really laid it down tonight,” says Jake. “Yo, yo, Theo! You got on your horse of choice and rode straight to victory,” says Sass.

Tomorrow one of the guys will be heading home on the results show at 8 p.m. EST on CTV. Anne Murray will also perform.