Rookie Detroit Pride Cheerleader Chelsea's smile lasts from the beginning to end of their long game day

Detroit Lions fans show up in droves to experience the joy of getting their photos taken with the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders. But sometimes, the Cheerleaders get little bursts of joy from being photographed with fans. Case in point, during the morning of the first home Lions game, the DPC took a “break” between morning tailgate performances in a lobby of one of the downtown hotels. A “break” still means a lot of fans walking through the lobby asking for photos, and the DPC happily obliged. As Director of Operations Andrea Wilamowski waited on one side of the lobby, DPC Chelsea’s boot heels quickly clicked over to Andrea from the other side, as Chelsea’s bright smile was especially joyful.

“I just had my picture taken with the cutest eleven-month old boy. You should have seen him!,” Chelsea beamed.

Andrea replied, “Are you in love?”

“Yes,” stated Chelsea matter of factly. “They have three boys and none of them would take a picture with me except the eleven-month old. They were like (Chelsea extends her arms in a modified Heisman-type pose), ‘NO, NO!’”

“Are you causing Lions fans to scream in displeasure?,” Andrea joked, “In a couple of years, he will be kicking himself.”

Some kids just don't know what is good for them

In her second season leading the DPC along with Stacey Latona, Andrea observes, “It is really interesting, we see a trend. When boys are young, like six, seven, they want pictures. When it goes from ages eight to thirteen or fourteen, you can’t pay them to take a picture, they’re too embarrassed. From fifteen to thirty, it is like ‘all in,’ but from thirty to forty, they are worried that theire wives are going to see the pics so they stay away. And it is interesting to see the trends of who the older fans like compared to the younger fans.”

Chelsea continued to happily smile for the fans during the Lions-Chiefs gameday. Although she loves dealing with fans, Chelsea’s facial muscles did need a break. At halftime, Chelsea needed stretching, “I’m getting tired of smiling, I have to frown for a second.” But Chelsea can only frown for a millisecond before the beaming returns.

Chelsea (right) with Brittany at halftime of the Lions-Chiefs game

This is a big weekend for the DPC, with double the fun! Monday night, the football world with be focused on Detroit, as the undefeated Lions host the Bears. The Detroit Pride Cheerleaders will be there to support them in the stands and during pre-game routines. But with an open Sunday on the calendar, Lions fans don’t have to wait to see their beloved DPC’s, because the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders’ 2012 Calendar Launch Party is being held Sunday, October 9th at 12:00pm, in the Skybox Lounge at Emagine Royal Oak. What a perfect way to get ready for the big Monday Night Football game!

Continue reading Focusing on Chelsea of the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders

Mike O’Hara
Fox Sports Detroit
October 5, 2011

DETROIT — You can see the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders perform at Eastern Market and outside Ford Field on game day.

You can see them wave their pom-poms and cheer for the Lions during games from their seats in the end zone.

The 24-member team has a goal to get even closer to the action. They want to perform their routines on the playing field as sanctioned, official cheerleaders for the Lions, one of the hottest NFL acts around these days.

Formed in 2010 from the inspiration of director of operations Andrea Wilamowski of Grosse Pointe, as well as director of marketing and sponsorships Stacey Latona, the Pride have gained popularity largely through their own promotions and some media attention.

The Pride are launching a 2012 swimsuit calendar at the Skybox Lounge at Emagine Royal Oak at noon on Sunday. The team has been taking baby steps to gain official recognition since its formation.

“Our goal is to bring pride back to the Detroit area with a lot of classy, good, technical dancing,” said Latona, an account manager for Clear Channel Communications, parent company of seven Metro Detroit radio stations.

The Pride team holds audition tryouts to form its dance squad. Three other members serve as ambassadors. Appearances are booked through the squad’s website and Facebook page.

Not being sanctioned by the Lions presents some obstacles. The Pride pay for game tickets, raising money from sponsorships and donations to defray the cost.

The NFL maintains tight control of all matters related to licensing. That includes use of team names, colors and logos.

While the Pride’s colors are the same as the Lions’ — blue and silver — they aren’t identical.

For the Pride — or any other group seeking to be recognized as an official team entity — being sanctioned by the Lions would be the equivalent of a pro golfer earning a Tour card or a minor-leaguer being promoted to the majors.

Latona said she has communicated frequently with Lions management to discuss an official relationship.

Based on the Lions’ history of never having an official cheerleader team, the Pride’s chances of being sanctioned are like a fourth-and-never.

The Lions used to have high school cheerleaders who twirled batons in the corner of the end zone, but that was discontinued several years ago.

Lions president Tom Lewand reiterated the franchise’s long-held position that the primary source of entertainment is the team, which is off to a 4-0 start and has rallied from big deficits in its previous two games.

“We choose to focus on the football team,” Lewand said. “The most important entertainment we can provide on game day is between the lines on the field.

“Our fans want us to have a successful team more than anything else — like a lot of the other professional teams do.”

The Lions have won eight in a row dating to last season and will be rewarded for their success Monday with a nationally televised game against the Bears at Ford Field.

A sellout crowd will be there to support their Lions, including the Pride — but the cheerleaders will be in the stands, not on the field.

The New York Giants is one of only a few teams in the NFL without cheerleaders. But The Unofficial Dancers of the New York Giants, Incorporated have joined together to bring the tradition of sideline entertainment and team spirit to one of the NFL’s most highly regarded teams.

“The Unofficials” aim to connect the unparalleled talent in the Big Apple with the NFL team closest to the hearts of New Yorkers. For this group of professional dancers, it’s about bringing every aspect of what it means to live in NYC to each Giants game, embodying the passion, spirit and the bright lights of the city that never sleeps. With their unique talents and varied dance backgrounds, they are hoping to bring a new aspect of dance to the sports side of the entertainment capital of the world.

Dancers from New York and New Jersey auditioned in mid-August for coveted spots on the 22-person team. The co-directors, Ana De Villegas and Cassie Russo, chose both female and male dancers whose specialities range from classical styles like Contemporary to commercial styles like Street Funk.

“New York City is such a diverse city when it comes to talent and culture, so if we are going to represent what New York is all about, we have to do it right,” said Russo. “It really makes a family when you have so many different personalities coming together for one purpose.”

And the purpose? The team plans to be entertaining and engaging fans during every game this season – home or away – whether it be hosting events at sports bars or performing for tailgaters at MetLife Stadium. They consider themselves to be the ultimate Giants fans.

“I was born and raised a Giants fan. I am definitely into the tradition and how traditional the Giants organization is. That’s why I fell in love with them,” said team member Tia Testa. “So I’m honored and privileged to be in a position where I feel like I can promote and support them.”

The official launch of The Unofficials will take place during Fashion Week 2011, just days before the Giants’ first regular reason game on September 11, 2011 against the Washington Redskins.

[The Unofficials on Twitter]

[The Unofficials]

The Diamond Dolls are a group of talented dancers located in Richmond, VA, available to perform and distribute promotional materials at any event.

The Diamond Dolls are a promotional dance team consisting of former and current professional dancers and cheerleaders. They perform event appropriate dance routines and help with distribution of promotional items at request. And are also available for expos, sporting events, night clubs, charity galas, and even private parties!

[The Diamond Dolls]

The DBC have new uniforms, boots, and poms for the 2011-12 NFL season. They’ve traded the short sleeves and short shorts for a new look with a skirt and a long sleeve blouse. Click here to check out more photos on their Facebook page.

Off with the old…

…On with the new!

Diamond Divas Entertainment is a multifaceted Entertainment company created, choreographed and Directed by Doris Cano, that provides entertainment for all events! They provide the nation’s most beautiful models, the industry’s most successful professional dancers, and talented singers that can be combined to create an unforgettable experience! Their dancers have danced for the NBA, NFL, NHL, AFL, MiLB, NLL, and MLL!!

Doris Cano is a young Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Model, and Entrepreneur that is taking the Entertainment Industry by storm. Her passion and love for dance and business is what drove her to create what we now know as the “Diamond Divas”. Doris is a professional dancer who has danced for 7 professional sports teams to date, including the Philadelphia 76ers Dancers (NBA), the NY Jets Flight Crew (NFL), and the NJ Devils Dancers (NHL). Doris has also choreographed for many studios, college dance teams, and upcoming artists. She brings her talent and love into making the Diamond Divas “A Cut Above the Rest!!”

Diamond Divas Founder Doris Cano

Diamond Divas Entertainment is holding an open casting call searching for talented dancers to become part of the hottest dance group around! They are an all female entertainment company that perform choreographed routines for corporate events, music videos, live shows and much more! They’re looking for the most beautiful, fierce, and sexy dancers that can pick up girly hip hop as well as fierce hard-hitting styles. Trained in Various styles a plus! We are also looking for freestyle club dancers as well! Models, and singers are welcome to submit their applications as well! We are looking for all around talented ladies! If you think you have what it takes to be a DIVA come out to auditions!

Auditions will be held Thursday, July 28th from 6:00-9:00 pm in New York City. Location will be given upon email registration. Please email DiamondDivasEnt@live.com with you name, age, contact, headshot & resume to register. We will contact you shortly with all details regarding the audition including location.

To check them out visit DiamondDivasEnt.com and like them on Facebook at Facebook.com/DiamondDivasEnt

Auditions for the Detroit Pride Cheerleaders started over the weekend. No, the aren’t “officially” the cheerleaders for the Detroit Lions, but they will be one day…that’s what they’re working toward. In the meantime, they’re going into their second year with auditions just like every NFL dance team. The finalists are below. Click here to go to facebook and vote for your favorite.

By John Wenzel
The Denver Post
03/03/2011

Katrina Lairsmith had taught dance in nearly every studio in Denver, but in all her time as an instructor — and as one of the original Denver Nuggets dancers — she never found a group that fit her style or mission.

“Other than Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, there was no real contemporary jazz dance company doing what we wanted,” said the founder and artistic director of Damsels Contemporary Dance Company. “And finding the amount of talented dancers that had that same vision — that wasn’t easy because really good dancers want to get paid.”

Of course they do. But Lairsmith’s company, which will return this weekend after a five-year hiatus, isn’t shy about its goals — or the fact that it doesn’t pay its dancers. Damsels is dedicated to raising money and awareness for women’s issues, and each of the company’s performances benefits a different women’s organization.

Damsels’ newest show, “State of the Union,” debuts at Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre on Saturday, with all proceeds going to Denver nonprofit shelter A Gathering Place.

“It’s Denver’s only daytime drop- in shelter for women, children and transgender individuals, which is important because a lot of these women have nowhere to go,” said Mary Johnston, executive director of the Damsels and a former Denver Broncos cheerleader. “They might ride the bus all night or live in their cars, so there really is a need there.”

The 18 Damsels performing this weekend are an all-female crew composed of former Nuggets and Broncos dancers, former students at Lairsmith’s Colorado Contemporary Dance Studio and others from around town.

“I basically had a lot of dancers that were over 18 coming to class and wanting to dance,” Lairsmith said. “There was no real outlet for them.”

Lairsmith, who studied in L.A. with “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Mia Michaels, among others, has taught dancers who have gone on to work for pop stars (Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake) and dance in Broadway shows such as “Billy Elliot: The Musical.”

Her choreography is more nuanced than the flashy, matching moves of halftime entertainers and cheerleaders.

“I can see what the perception would be when hearing that I’m a former Nuggets dancer, or that a lot of (the Damsels) are Nuggets or Broncos dancers,” Lairsmith said. “But they’re all professional dancers, and pretty much everybody teaches currently.”

As the Damsels’ nonprofit mission and edgy, sexy look implies, it’s more about expression than conformity.

“Broncos and Nuggets dancing is about the team and everybody looking the same,” Johnston said. “The Damsels is more about letting the individuals shine with solos and small groups, so it’s more free-flowing and almost exactly the opposite of what those dance teams would be.”

Still, the regimen of dancing for a professional sports team — rehearsing 12 hours a week, going over the same moves hundreds of times — can’t help but inform the group’s sense of discipline and energy.

“It’s so nice to have some young blood in there,” Johnston said of the mostly new members of the company. “They’re willing to volunteer for anything and always ready for whatever we throw at them.”