Walking away is not an option... dialogue must prevail.

"A good listener tries to understand what the other person is saying. In the end he may disagree sharply, but because he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is he is disagreeing with."
- Kenneth A. Wells

"I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace."
- Helen Keller

Thursday, June 4, 2009

let a little light in...

If you've been to Travis' blog lately, you know that So You Think You Can Dance has begun it's 5th season on Fox. You've read his "non-reviews" *gigglesnort* of the audition process so far. You might even have noticed that he's been my close to only blog haunt in a while. I'm still trying to find my bearings and he's been my safe harbour as I navigate in very rocky seas of late (Thanks bro, I'd name my next child after you were I to have one *hug*).

Back to the topic at hand... I relish the time spent watching this show. It's a little bit of heaven for me.
I've loved dance since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I even took tap as a little girl. It was something I did with my mother for a time. I loved it. It's still one of my absolute favourite dances to watch.

My love of dance comes from my parents. My father loved to dance, he knew how to partner. Daddy was from that long gone era where men were gentlemen and knew how to lead a woman across the dance floor. I'm certain this played a big part in Mom falling for him.


I can't tell you how I loved snuggling up to Daddy on rainy weekends to watch old Hollywood classics on public television. I was convinced my dad could have given Fred Astaire a run for his money. During those precious hours, I developed my first crushes: Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Donald O'Connor... *sigh* I wanted to marry them.



I don't know of anyone else who can pull this off (at 2:16):



On May 27th, I got a flashback. I was sitting, feeling sad, feeling blue... and the brothers Kasprzak danced onto my TV screen. And I knew. The same way I knew when I heard Taylor Hicks sing. I had just witnessed something special. Other avid SYTYCD watchers remembered Evan (what a cutie!) from the past season when he didn't quite make the cut in Vegas. Evan channeled Gene Kelly in an outstanding number (choreographed by his big bro) and Ryan was like the second coming of Donald O'Connor.



They've made it through to the very last group. Tonight, we'll know if we'll have the privilege of watching them dance every week for what I can only hope will be a VERY long time.

I've included a little gem... Evan dancing to Ryan's choreography in a throwback little film. I giggled, swooned, oooooohed and aaaaaahed as I watched this. I hope you enjoy it. I'm betting Travis will.




Do yourselves a favour and click on over to go lose yourself in the awesomeness that is Ryan Kasprzak. He's a hardworking, passionate choreographer/performer who is exactly what a show like this is all about... giving an awesome talent the commercial exposure he so richly deserves in the hopes that a brand new generation of kids will discover the Happy Happy Joy Joy that is dance.

14 comments:

Dianne said...

I came over from Trav's when I saw your comment there
I was all a buzz that you were around

I adored Gene Kelly!!
Singin' In the Rain is my favorite

Hugs to you sweet girl

Charles Gramlich said...

It's interesting how different your upbringing was from mine. No dancing or old movies for us.

Akelamalu said...

I love watching any programme or film that involves dancing! :)

Anndi said...

Mama Dianne, I don't know how much I'll be around, but I'm trying.
Gene Kelly had it all *sigh*

Charles, I was fortunate that my dad loved to share this kind of thing with me.

Akelamalu, I do too :)

Kaylia Metcalfe said...

Damn I wish I could watch these... my day sort of needs this right now.

Stupid work.

Travis Cody said...

Ahhhhhhhhh

I didn't think there would ever be a dancer that I would like as much as Benji Schwimmer. But Evan is that dancer.

I need Benji and Evan in a movie playing Fred and Gene.

Anonymous said...

Such amazing stuff..Moses Supposes is in my top three of filmed dances...you inspired me to follow suit....

Jeff B said...

If it wasn't for the rhythm part, I'd probably be a pretty good dancer.

Anndi said...

Kay, doesn't work understand there's dancing??!! LOL
*hugs*

Travis, throw in Ryan as Donald O'Connor and I may have to put that film on a continuous loop *grin*. Your niece wants to tap now...

Coop, you are a gem. My daughter watched that over and over again yesterday. Afterwards, as she was studying she tapped out the beats with her feet. I think I know what I'll be watching this weekend :)

Jeff, hey bro! Did you notice I didn't show any sequences with someone slipping on a banana peel... they were quite popular in the physical comedies Donald O'Connor and the like starred in way back when *evil grin*

Anonymous said...

Moses supposes erroneously!

I love that song!
Love Gene Kelly!!

Liz Hill said...

gene Kelly--sheer genius and unequaled. I'll check out the young uns soon ;-)

Desert Songbird said...

When I was a kid, I took tap lessons, too, and I was also a speed demon on roller skates, but I NEVER attempted to cross the two. Wow!

Meribah said...

I think all women like men who can dance. It's sexaaaay! LOL :D

Jeff B said...

Helloooooooooo

Thinking of you