Showcase from Arlington 2008

Check out the NYCDA Showcase from Arlington, VA starring Justin Timberlake dancer, Dana Wilson, SYTYCD winner Sabra Johnson, Jaimie Goodwin, Craig Dionne, Taja Riley, Tiare Keeno and Corey Cox. Keep checking back for updates!!!!

NYCDA 2008 Arlington Showcase iMix

Sabra Johnson danced to "The Promise" by Tracy Chapman and Tiare Keeno danced a Variation from Diana and Acteon. Unfortunately, iTunes doesn't have "The Promise" (weird, right?!) or the Variation so they were not included in the iMix!

THE POWER OF THE CAT

Chan Marshall, aka Cat Power, is making us wait. She is making us wait for a new album of original music. However, like the Three Course Menu at TGI Friday’s, she has given us an appetizer to help ease our hunger pains. This latest release of covers called Jukebox sounds like the personification of cigarettes and booze. Its intoxicating effect, slightly dangerous yet cozy and inviting, spreads slowly through your veins and leaves you a little sad and unsure once the effect has passed.


I was unsure, upon finishing my first listen, of where to start with my compliments. This is a great album. It achieves everything one could hope for in a covers album. Ms. Power breathes her own life into the songs she has chosen to cover. She is respectful of the original versions while allowing her own perspective to create a new identity for each song. She cleverly plays homage to Bob Dylan in “Song to Bobby” not only because he is the Bobby to whom the title refers to but also because Dylan used to pen the same type of confession. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this record.

That being said there are very few songs that will be heard at a dance competition any time soon! This is where my sadness comes into play! I was sure that after her first album of covers (The Covers Record) gave us “I Found a Reason” and “Sea of Love” (yes, the same Sea of Love I was raving about from the Juno soundtrack) that this album would have plenty of options for dancers. However, I can name just one that might make for good competition fare. That is “New York.” That’s right- start spreadin’ the news! This “New York” is what you might find lurking in the dark corners of the Meat Packing District not the bright lights of the Great White Way. So think outside the box and you might just make it there or anywhere for that matter!

That is all for this week. I am not sure what is on the horizon for next week but I am traveling a lot lately and that always brings new music my way. If not I believe there is still an outstanding promise to share the music of the NYC Subways. I guess you will have to check back next week to see what’s up in Music Mama’s world!

Lyrically Yours,

Music Mama

PARENTAL ADVISORY: As always, parents should screen first for explicit content on all albums suggested by Music Mama! As certain songs suggested by Music Mama may be appropriate, full albums may not and should be screened accordingly.

NYCDA FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK

NYCDA FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK IS:

MADISON MANOLIS from New Castle, PA

Madison was nominated by fellow dancer Joanna Pfeiffer because “Madison loves to dance. She is such a hard worker. You can always tell she wants to learn and grow more as a dancer.” At only 11 years old Madison has clearly made an impression on those around her. Joanna, who attends Ludovici Dance Academy with Madison, says that, “Madison is a very well rounded dancer. I feel she is the best dancer in her age group at our studio. She is always very attentive in class and always ready to learn. I feel that she knows how to handle a class and not just blow it off, which is really important to young dancers.”


Madison, for being such a great dancer and setting a good example NYCDA chooses you to be the Featured Dancer of the Week! Congrats and keep up the good work! We can’t wait to see more of you!

Wanna show another dancer some love? Nominate them for NYCDA FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK! See the sidebar for all the info!

Convention Music from Arlington

Here is the convention music from the weekend in Arlington.

Joe Lanteri:
Seniors/Teens – “Udu Chant” by Mickey Hart
Juniors/Minis – “Dance With You” by Lauren Hildebrandt

Suzi Taylor:
Teachers – “Beautiful” by Me’Shell Ndegeocello
Seniors/Teens – “Blue Skies” by Strays Don’t Sleep
Juniors – “Home” by Vanessa Carlton
Minis – “Big Sky” by Annie Lennox

AC Ciulla:
Teachers – “Won’t Let You Fall” by Fergie and “A Song For You” by Celine Dion
Seniors/Teens – “Ladies” by Sarai
Juniors/Minis – “Run and Tell That” by Elijah Kelly HAIRSPRAY Film Soundtrack

Jason Parsons:
Teachers – “Black & Blue” by Chris Garneau
Seniors/Teens – “Take It From Me” by The Weepies
Juniors/Minis – “Cha Cha Cha” by Offer Nissim

Danny Wallace:
Teachers – “Aiko” by Aiko Domesticated Primates
Seniors/Teens – “Work” by Prince
Juniors – “Cloud Burst” by Jon Hendericks
Minis – “Lollipop” by Mika

Dana Wilson:
Teachers – “Signs” by Snoop Dogg, Charlie Wilson & Justin Timberlake
Seniors/Teens – “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige
Juniors – “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry
Minis – “PYT” by Michael Jackson
Men’s Class – “Can We Chill” by Ne-Yo