Portland Showcase

Check out the Showcase from Portland, OR. Starring SYTYCD winner Sabra Johnson, SYTYCD Top Ten contestant Jaimie Goodwin, Erica Ross, Tiare Keeno, McKenna Ross, and Kolton Krouse.

NYCDA 2008 Portland Showcase and Class iMix

Here are all the songs used this past weekend at the NYCDA Convention in Portland, Oregon! So, follow this Oregon Trail to all the musical goodness that's in store for you! Doesn't it sound like a fun weekend?!

COLOR ME AWESOME

First, let me start off by saying that I realize I have been using the adjective “awesome” an awful lot lately. I also realize that to use such a retro adjective is a little redundant and uninspired. But to be honest I don't care because I am awesome right now! I am so awesome that I am colored by it! What does that even mean?! I DON'T KNOW! What I do know is that my colorful outlook has been influenced by the latest album to hit my ears:

IN RAINBOWS


I promised that my travels would bring new music to me and so they have. One of my best friends and fellow music gurus proceeded to humiliate me in the way only best friends can when I mentioned that I STILL had not gotten the new album from Radiohead, In Rainbows. Upon this confession I was marched straight to the computer and forced to download one of the “AWESOMEST” treats of the New Year. Yes, I know I am jumping on the bandwagon later than other music columnists and had I done so earlier I could have gotten this album for whatever amount I deemed worthy on www.inrainbows.com but that is all moot. This album is worth every penny. Not only is this a great album to listen to, it also has the potential to be a great album for dancers. When I listen to music, I am immediately struck by what type of movement seems to come out of the music. I had visions of pedestrian movement, interesting shapes, and control- lots of control. There is so much here to be inspired, challenged, and stimulated by that I only hope a choreographer/dancer will take a chance on it. Speaking of chance! In my research, I came upon news of a past collaboration between Radiohead and Merce Cunningham from the 50th Anniversary Season of the Merce Cunnigham Dance Company.

READ THE REVIEW FROM THE NEW YORKER HERE

Even if Merce Cunningham isn’t your thing, tracks like “All I Need” and “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” could fall into lyrical/contemporary territory. This whole album is well worth the exploration. Take the chance- I dare you!


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.

Convention Music from Portland

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

Suzi Taylor:
Teachers – “The Lake” by Anthony and the Johnsons
Seniors/Teens – “Blue Skies” by Strays Don’t Sleep
Juniors – “Home” by Vanessa Carlton
Minis – “Big Sky” by Annie Lennox

AC Ciulla:
Teachers – “Wanna Be” by Tamia 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 – Solaris Soundtrack
Seniors/Teens – Solaris Soundtrack
Juniors/Minis – “Cha Cha Cha” by Offer Nissim

Chloe Arnold:
Teachers – “Ti Mon Bo” by Tito Puente
Seniors/Teens – “Shoulda Let You Go” by Keyshia Cole
Juniors - “The Way I Are” by Timbaland featuring Keri
Minis – “Tambourine” by Eve

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