Video: Step Up 3: Pirates vs Red Hook (Happy Birthday Stephen "tWitch" Boss!)

I want to wish Stephen "tWitch" Boss a very Happy Birthday! He may no longer be here but all of his fans won't forget his love and passion for dancing. If you are experiencing mental health issues please make sure you get help.

Below is one of my favorite dance battles in Step Up 3 between the Pirates and Red Hook. I thought Red Hook was actually really good. However, thanks to Jason's (tWitch's character) strong moves and Vladd the Robot's robotic moves, that's how the Pirates were able to win that round. Jason was really the star of this performance.

Video: Yara Shahidi's Informative Dance Video

Happy Tuesday!

Do you love to dance but you're not that good at it? Well, actress Yara Shahidi posted a fun little informative dance video. Taking inspiration from dance movies here are a few of her tips that could be very helpful for anyone who may not be the best at dancing.

@yarashahidi My holiday gift to you all: a comprehensive guide on to how to pretend to be a great dancer #Honey #StepUp #dancechallenge #professionaldancer #youveneverseenmeandjessicaalbainthesameroom ♬ original sound - Yara Shahidi

Video: Stephen "tWitch" Boss

I was thinking about Stephen "tWitch" Boss and then I saw this video by Lewis Howes which I figured I'd post. tWitch was an inspiration to so many dancers and from so many of the comments and tributes I've read, he showed tremendous amounts of compassion for others. Although I'm not a professional dancer, I do love to dance and I've been a fan of tWitch's for quite a while. I really feel for his family and friends and send them plenty of love because although we were his fans, those that personally knew him are dealing with a lot.

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A post shared by Lewis Howes (@lewishowes)

In Remembrance: Stephen "tWitch" Boss

In saddening news, it's being reported that Stephen "tWitch" Boss has died at the age of 40 years old. It's also being reported that he committed suicide. Although tWitch was most known for being the DJ and later co-host on the talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He was also an actor and dancer. He played the character Jason in one of my favorite dance movie franchises, Step Up (movies Step Up 3, Step Up 4: Revolution and Step Up 5: All In) and was in the recently released The Hip Hop Nutcracker on Disney+.

I've posted this before (and I'll continue to post it) but if you find yourself struggling or feeling overwhelmed by mental health issues please seek help. In the US, the national suicide prevention hotline number is 988, please call and talk to someone if you need to.

Trailer: Step Up 6: Year of the Dance

How come no one told me there was a sixth Step Up movie? Especially since I just finished a rewatch of movies 1-5. For anyone such as myself who didn't know the movie is titled Step Up 6: Year of the Dance and apparently it was released June 26, 2019. And I don't recall hearing anything about it, until now. From the trailer, the movie is set in China and has a whole new cast, I think it will be cool to see a new dance team battle it out.

I don't know if this was originally released in theatres or video on demand but it's not on DVD/Blu-ray but you can buy or rent it video on demand. I also found it on the STARZ channel, which I'll be watching it on. I either plan on watching it tonight or some time tomorrow.

Step Up 6: Year of the Dance

Description:

Youth from different social classes in Beijing come together to form China's best dance crew and learn what it really means to be family.

Rewatch Review: Step Up 5: All In

I finished my Step Up rewatch on Monday with Step Up 5: All In and I have to say, I still really enjoy watching this movie. It has an interesting story that centers around many of the characters struggling to follow their dreams of being professional dancers. I think Sean Asa finding The Vortex dance competition was just the thing he needed to keep his dream going because the winner will receive a three-year paid contract to perform in Las Vegas. Sean was truly struggling, with The Mob having a difficult time finding dance jobs, it was becoming abundantly clear that it was not working out for them in Los Angeles. Sean didn't want to go back to Miami and truly in need of help, he ended up getting a job doing maintenance at Moose's grandparents' dance studio and did I fail to mention that his only option for room and board was sleeping in the storage closet at the studio.

If it wasn't for Moose, I don't know what Sean would have done. He barely had any money and even if he wanted to go back to Miami, I doubt he had enough money to do that. Which is why this competition was something he needed to do because it not only gave him a chance to regroup but the other dancers (Moose, Andie, Jenny, the Santiago twins, Vladd "The Robot", etc.) as well and they created a new team to go after their dreams. I loved seeing the characters grow into a strong team and a romance slowly developing between Andie and Sean. While Moose and Camille's relationship was strong and steady despite a little hiccup that came up. As with any Step Up movie, the dances were amazing especially LMNTRIX's final dance that included The Mob.

Despite all of this, Step Up 5: All In isn't considered a fan favorite and I'm not sure why fans were disappointed. I do wonder if it had anything to do with seeing so many of the characters struggling. I think it can be hard sometimes to see your favorite characters having setbacks. This made me think of how some of the Gilmore Girls fans reacted to Rory's journey in the Gilmore Girls revival A Year in the Life. They were disappointed with how Rory was shown in the revival because her life (professional and personal) seemed to be in a downward spiral and nothing seemed be working out for her. She was truly undergoing a major setback in her life but what I like is that by the end of the revival, Rory had found that old spark and was writing again and despite the big bombshell at the end I think Rory was on her way to living the life she wanted.

Which is how I saw Step Up 5, these dancers were not where they wanted to be career and life wise but The Vortex dance competition was a good way back into the dance world that they loved so much and they were willing to take a chance on entering the competition. What I like about this movie is that the dancers never gave up on their dreams, it's very inspiring. I love all five of the Step Up movies and I think Step Up 5 is still a good movie that perfectly closed out the franchise.

Is there a dance movie you're interested in watching?

I don't know why dance movies have been on my mind lately but I love dancing and I love dance movies. I already have a growing collection of dance movies on DVD and I'm always looking for more to add. Yes, I know not all of them have a great plot or storylines or characters but most do have amazing choreographed dances to enjoy. 

I'm always trying to find new movies or ones that I haven't seen before. And one that I was thinking of watching is Bhangra Paa Le, it was released two years ago (2019) on Netflix but I never heard of it until I saw trailer for it on YouTube this morning. Maybe I need to get more into the dance movie fandom and then I'll find more movies. Anyway, from the trailer it looks like a pretty cool dance competition is at the center of the story mixed in with a bit of historical backstory. If I have time, I might watch Bhangra Paa Le today, I love a dance competition movie.


Bhangra Paa Le (Netflix)

Description:

University student Jaggi, who hails from a Punjabi background, loves the dance form Bhangra and is determined to excel on a larger platform, the Bhangra Battle in London.

Rewatch: Paranormal Activity movies or Step Up movies?

Happy Sunday, I'm trying to figure out which movie series I want to rewatch this week. I don't know if I want to continue the spooky season vibe by watching the ghostly Paranormal Activity movies 1-6 or something a little more light-hearted with characters who have a passion for dancing in Step Up movies 1-5. Side Note: I do wish the Step Up movies had more diverse leads because the same look was repeated for all five movies.

Throwback Thursday: The Water Dance from Step Up 3

I'm really surprised that Adam Sevani's popular character Moose was never chosen as one of the leads in a Step Up movie. It was such a missed opportunity especially since Moose was in nearly all of the movies (2-5) and was such a fan favorite character.

Moose (along with his girlfriend Camille Gage who was played by Alyson Stoner) should have gotten at least a one-shot spinoff like the Fast & the Furious characters Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw got with the movie Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. Well, Moose may not have been the lead but he was definitely one of the most popular characters.

Fandom Friday: Random Fandom Thoughts #4

It's Friday, what fandom or geek topics are on your mind? Well, here are a few of mine:

- Lately, I've been seen a lot of hatred towards 9-1-1 character Dr. Ana Flores. It seems so irrational because Dr. Flores, a former teacher now Vice-Principal, hasn't done anything to garner this much hate from fans. The main reason for a lot of the hate I've seen from some fans is that she's dating firefighter Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz. The problem is most of them want Eddie to date his best friend and fellow firefighter Evan "Buck "Buckley.

What Are Your Favorite Dance Movies?

Aside from being a huge book nerd, I'm also an equally huge dance nerd. I absolutely love to dance it feels amazing moving my body to the music. I love all types of different dance styles from ballet to street style competitions, I can never get enough. The funny thing is I haven't watched a lot of dance movies. The ones I have seen and really loved and liked are: Black Swan, Bring It On, Dance With Me, Magic Mike 1 and 2, Shall We Dance? and You Got Served. Although, Bring it On is technically not a dance movie since cheerleading is a sport but it does have a lot of cool moves (especially from the Clovers) which is why I included it.

I was thinking of watching (and maybe buying) some more dance movies and was wondering what are some of your favorites?

Shall We Dance?

Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland is one of my favorite ballet dancers and I hope one day I will be able to see her perform live. Her dancing is so inspiring and amazing, it's hard not to be spellbound watching any of her performances.

Her dancing aside, I love this Valentino dress she wore in Cosmopolitan magazine. It's so beautiful and whimsical.

Photography: Regan Cameron for Cosmopolitan magazine (August 2016)

Lazy Sunday: The Houston Ballet performing to "Dancing with Myself"

I thought this video of the Houston Ballet performing to Billy Idol's song Dancing with Myself was pretty cool and I wanted to share it. This entire routine which was rehearsed over Zoom and choreographed by Stanton Welch features 61 dancers who danced in a range of clothes from colorful pajamas to gowns and suits. I hope this will add a little fun to your Lazy Sunday.

If you would like to support the arts, you can make a donation to the Houston Ballet and your donation will be matched by a grant from The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts.

Question of the Day: Who is the worst dancer: Kim Crawford or Elaine Benes?

I love to dance most people do as well but not everyone's dancing is the best. Take for instance, Kickin' It's Kim Crawford and Seinfeld's Elaine Benes, their dancing is horrible. My question is, which one is worst? Is it Kim with her hyperactive spastic movements or Elaine with her jerky movements with the thumbs and the little kicks?

Regardless of how terrible their dancing is, Elaine and Kim both seem so happy while they are dancing.


Kim Crawford

Elaine Benes

Rory Gilmore and the Health Benefits of Dancing

I finally watched Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life and I loved watching every minute of the four episodes: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Throughout each episode, Rory Gilmore was experiencing a setback not only career wise but in her life in general. She was stressing out which is understandable because her life wasn't turning out the way she had hoped. Journalism is a tough career even more so as a freelance writer which is what she was doing. You could tell that she loves writing (and she's great at it) but she was having a difficult time finding work.

In the episode Winter, Rory was dealing with some of her stress by tap dancing albeit in the middle of the night in her mother's kitchen. She said tap dancing was the only way to shut off her brain from constantly over-thinking. It also lessen her anxieties which allowed her to relax.

Dancing does have a lot of health benefits such as improved cardio, muscle strength and toning; reduce stress and it boost your self-confidence. Rory was right, it is a great way to shut off your brain because you will be so focused on dancing that you will not worry about anything else.

If you're looking for a stress relief option perhaps try dancing. To get the health benefits, you don't have to take dance classes (unless you want to), all you have to do is turn on some music and dance for about 20 to 30 minutes.

(Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life - Winter)

Quote: Misty Copeland

"Every day is another opportunity to start again and to be better." ~ Misty Copeland

Art: My Day at the Museum and a Video of Contemporary/Interpretive Art

I just came back from the museum, it's been a while since the last time I've gone. I had such a wonderful time looking around that I didn't even realize how quickly time passed by while we were walking through the various exhibits. There is still so much I want to see that I'm going to make sure I go back soon. Next time I'm going to go early so I will have more time to look around and then maybe eat at the museum's café. I want to make a total day out of it.

While I was in the Contemporary section I saw this piece that reminded me of this video "If You Are In A Shell..." that I had watched a few years ago. It's contemporary meets interpretive art. When I first watched this, I thought it was really interesting and I also thought "hey it's that guy (Harry Shum, Jr.) from Glee". It tells a story using dance and art to help convey the message of Harry's experience dealing with shyness when he was younger.

I really love being immersed in art, it's so inspiring. As I looked at some of the pieces it made me want to go home and work on some of my artwork. I'm not a professional artist, my art is something I do for myself. It's a hobby that's really fun and relaxing.

I love that there are no rules when it comes to art, if it makes you happy then I guess that's all that matters. Art is such a powerful medium.

Picture: Misty Copeland

I love this, it's as if she's floating in the air.

Misty Copeland is on the Cover of Oxygen Magazine

Hey, ballet and dance nerds, Misty Copeland is on the May/June issue of Oxygen magazine. It's already out if want to pick up a copy.

I don't think ballet dancers get enough credit for how strong they are. Just look at her form that's all strength.

Toy Corner: Misty Copeland Barbie

This is the Misty Copeland Barbie that I told you a while back that I ordered in May from The Barbie Collection website for $29.95. It showed up at the end of May (yes, I'm just now getting around to posting it) and I think she's pretty cool.

Anyone looking to get this doll, it's no longer available from The Barbie Collection, it's completely sold out. However, after doing a quick search online, I see that it is available at both Toys R Us and Target for $29.99. And most likely it's available at other stores that sell toys. Another option is, you can also buy the doll from private collectors on Amazon.

What do you think, does the doll look like Misty Copeland? I posted a picture of Misty below, let me know if you see or don't see a resemblance.