This week’s show was an interesting one to cover for a variety of reasons.
The first was that for the first time in my So You Think You Can Dance Canada coverage that I watched the show from the mosh pit and it was definitely a different experience as I really was able to concentrate on the complicated footwork in each dance. This show was also different because at the beginning of it, Leah announced that each couple would be performing twice.
ALLIE & MILES
The new pairing of Allie and Miles was up first and they dubbed themselves ‘Team Calgary.’ Their first selection was an Adam & Eve-inspired Samba. If I had a dollar for everytime I have seen an ‘Adam & Eve’ inspired routine on one of these dance shows, I could probably afford dancing lessons myself! It’s become a staple of the competition. The dance itself primarily was made up of many lifts. To be honest, with the amount of tricks that were involved, it almost seemed like a Nico routine (that’s the first of many obligatory Nico references that must be made when writing about So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Mia Michaels was one of the guest judges this week and she opened with the best comment of the entire evening in my humble opinion, when she said “you need to always dress like that. If Adam and Eve dressed like that, I think the world would be very different.” Guest judge Dan Keraty said that he knew Allie would still be in the competition from the first time he saw her dance. Tre flubbed her first line of the competition by saying that is how she wants to see the show “begun.” Jean-Marc delivered another zinger when he said that both dancers were true artists and that he now knows the mean of “Calgary Flame.”
Commercial.
ARRASSAY & IZAAK
An unlucky week for Arrassay as she drew Izaak, the competitor who most believe will be eliminated this week. They drew a Benji Schwimmer “Lindy Hop” number. It was definitely my first time seeing the dance. It was a weird, Broadway kind of jumping number and also involved mats that were set-up during the commercial break (so that the pair could jump on them at the end of the song). Once again, Arrassay was flawless and definitely deserves to be in the competition’s endgame. I thought Izaak was terrible and certainly did not match his girl’s energy. The judges agreed. Mia said that while she was impressed with the physicality of the performance, it was still sloppy. She also praised Arrassay for being a beast and told Izaak that he needed to be more physical. Dan said that from a performance standpoint, they blew it but from a dance perspective, they nailed it. I think this was backhanded praise for Benji’s choreography. Tre said that between the outfits and the facials, she just didn’t get it. Well Tre, most of the time, I don’t get you so I guess that makes us even. Jean-Marc actually liked it and said that it looked like both dancers were having the time of their lives.
NATALLI & VINCENT
I was super excited to see the Natalli and Vincent pairing as they have become two of my favorite dancers in the competition. When they drew krump, I knew the audience would be in for a treat, especially when it was revealed that Lil C would the choreographer (a stalwart of the American version of the show. During the performance, Natalli and Vincent definitely did not look in sync and it appeared that Natalli missed several steps. When the performance ended, she was clearly distraught. The judges credited Natalli for just moving on and not dwelling on the mistake, but I have to be the voice of reason here. It’s the Top 8. There can be no room for error and Natalli made a costly one. I am just glad that with individual voting, Vincent wouldn’t be punished because he delivered another knockout.
Commercial.
LISA & NICO
The first performance for Nico and Lisa was a jazz funk routine choreographed by Blake McGrath (the best teacher on the show). The dance was absolutely dazzling as Nico played a photographer taking photos of starlet Lisa. It was beyond original and a song by the Pussycat Dolls definitely didn’t hurt to get the crowd into it. It was amazing and undoubtedly my favorite routine of the evening. Mia said that Blake was a “dirty, dirty man” and said that she couldn’t deny the hotness of the performance (despite having reservations about the stage presence of the routine). Dan joked that they don’t censor in Canada and that the performance wouldn’t have been allowed in the States. Tre said something nonsensical about Janet Jackson but made her first good point of the evening when she said that for jazz-funk it was perfect videography. She also said that she grows up, she wanted to be like them. Ugh. Jean-Marc said that Blake brought Lisa from a star to a superstar and asked the screaming crowd if there were any girls who wanted to pose for Nico.
Commercial.
ALLIE & MILES
For their second dance, Allie and Miles selected Afro-jazz. I thought that while it was a good diea, it didn’t really mesh with either dancer’s style. I am sure if anyone else would have drawn the style, I would have liked it but this was really out of their element. That being said, both Allie & Miles should be commended for doing a good job with something that haven’t seen before. Mia said that she thought they did a good job and said that she was Miles’ biggest fan. Dan said Miles really owned the stage this time, whereas Allie led him around before. Tre said that it was well-grounded. Jean-Marc believed that while it was light for Afro-Jazz, he still liked it. He told Mia that all the judges were fans of Miles and I wondered if this was because they actually wanted him to move forward or because they knew that Wednesday was his swan song.
Commercial.
ARRASSAY & IZAAK
In terms of this week’s dance selections, I think Arrassay and Izaak got a bad deal. First the Lindy Hop and now the tango? While Arrassay brought fire and passion again, Izaak did not give her a lot to connect with and it looked like they struggled with some of the tricks that they had planned in the performance. Arrassay was wearing a skimpy dress and Mia immediately pounced on this at the end of the performance by saying that she was a “naked sexy little bunny.” Mia also said that while Arrassay was giving it everything she had, she just didn’t feel it from Izaak. She then swore when she advised the contestants to “f—— fly” and apologized for her trucker mouth. Dan said that it was all there and was speechless over Arrassay. He said that every guy in the room wanted to be up there dancing with her. Tre finally praised Izaak and said that he kept a strong frame for his partner. Jean-Marc said that it was a difficult routine but had direction, space, rhythm and those two making it good? Something to that effect.
NATALLI & VINCENT
For their last routine, Natalli and Vincent selected contemporary and it was put together by Stacey Tookey. It was a breathtaking sight and Natalli definitely was in it to win it after her earlier misfire. The routine showcased the ability that both dancers had to command the stage and their partnership on this one was electric. It was one of my favorite routines of the year. The problem was that as soon as it was over, Leah cackled about how she had goosebumps and this really ruined the moment for me. Mia said that she believed every second of it and that Vincent danced like a man. Dan said that he didn’t have a list, a train, a bus or even a rocket but that it was the best performance of the night and what the judges expected from the Top 8. Tre said that Stacey couldn’t have asked for better people to work with (I totally agreed). Jean-Marc just stood up and applauded while he cried. Sorry, but I found this pretty hilarious. In fact, even typing it now, I am totally laughing.
LISA & NICO
The final performance of the evening was Lisa and Nico’s hip hop routine. The theme was a bank robbery and choreographer Luther Brown made them toss briefcases of money back and forth which definitely looked to be quite tricky. The performance was great and once again proved to me why Nico is going to win this competition. Dan said that the Canadian version of So You Think You Can Dance was second to none and that the performance had it all. Jean-Marc said that at the end of the day, Nico can dance with his shirt on. Good stuff from Jean-Marc as usual.
So that’s it.
Who’s going home?
Definitely Izaak for the guys. For the girls, I believe it is much tricker. I think Natalli and Lisa are both in danger. While neither deserve it, I think it will be Lisa’s turn to go.
