A Jacksonville Sharks Dancer
A Boston Cannons Dancer
Thanks again to reader Steve for more photos of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders!
[Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders]
CFL Cheerleaders, Canadian NHL Ice Girls, Toronto Raptor Dance Pak members, Toronto Rock Cheerleaders, etc. take note:
Take your mark Canada, and go online! Fresh off a record-breaking first season, CTV announced that casting for Season 2 of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA is now open. Now, RACE fans and adventure seekers from across the country have a chance to be part of the television phenomenon that took the country by storm last summer, setting a new benchmark as the most-watched Canadian series on record. Fans can go online now at http://ctv.ca/TheAmazingRaceCanada and submit an audition video and application for their chance to join host Jon Montgomery on road, on the race-of-a-lifetime adventure. Potential teams are encouraged to showcase their personalities and explain why they want to be part of the immensely popular competition series. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, Dec. 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
WHAT: online applications for season 2 of The Amazing Race Canada
WHEN: application deadline is 26 December 2013 at 11:59pm Eastern time
WHERE: online applications ONLY; http://ctv.ca/theamazingracecanada
WHO: Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 19 and over
WHY: for the adventure of a lifetime
Auditioning for THE AMAZING RACE CANADA is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Step 1
Prepare a video for submission that focuses on the positives and negatives of the relationship between you and your teammate. The producers are eager to hear what makes a “pairing” tick.
Step 2
Take an up-close picture of your “team”, as well as an up-close picture of each individual, so you can send it in when you apply online.
Step 3
Completely fill out the online application and upload your video and photos at www.CTV.ca/TheAmazingRaceCanada.
A New York Lizards Dancer
By Randi Newton
New York Observer
“I’ve wanted to be a Knicks City Dancer since attending my first game as a young girl,” rookie dancer Courtney Chung told me when I recently crashed a series of practice sessions at Madison Square Garden.
Author Randi Newton, center, tries to keep up with the real Knicks City Dancers
Unlike Ms. Chung, and the hundreds of other hopefuls who descended on NYC this past June to try out for one of the team’s coveted 20 spots, each woman must be at least 18 years old, have eight-plus years of dance experience and was told to supply her own knee pads, water and snacks for the audition—I had simply placed an email to a Knicks PR rep, and now I was getting ready see if I could hang with the ladies of the dance squad.
How hard could it be, I figured?
The answer: Very hard.
The halftime and time-out moves that look so effortless from the stands are damn near impossible for any novice to pull off. I learned this the embarrassing way, as I was placed front and center. I am an experienced dancer, trained since kindergarten in ballet and was committed to succeeding—I even wore team colors—but within five minutes, I was panting and writhing in pain, and we were only halfway through the first 10-minute routine, which consisted of a combination of pilates, stretching and core strength training. I lost my balance a few times and almost pulled my hamstrings.
The Knicks City Dancers reach for the top.
The official tryouts, this past June, saw more than 500 hopefuls showing up to audition from many states and even other countries. One aspiring dancer came from Japan arriving literally five minutes late. The audition room doors at Chelsea Piers had been shut. Crying hysterically and frantically, she was allowed to enter despite her tardiness. She danced her little tush off and advanced to the third cut before she was sent home. Everything came full circle; she left in tears.
Four cuts are made over the weeklong process, winnowing the 500 down to 23 hopefuls. Then the 20 members of the team find out on the spot that they’ve made it. It was a dream come true for rookie Courtney Chung.
“When I made it, I was immediately overwhelmed with tears of joy and disbelief. I’ve wanted to be a Knicks City Dancer since attending my first game as a young girl. So I couldn’t believe that I achieved what had seemed like such an impossible dream.” There’s not much time for starry eyes. Contracts are signed, media training is completed, and measurements are taken for the 11 different uniforms the dancers will sport over the season. Then biweekly rehearsals start in August and continue throughout the season.
This year’s co-captain, Alyssa Quezada, is a University of Delaware grad. She originally planned to participate on the team for only a year, but three years later, she’s still here, presiding over rehearsal from the back of the room, noticing every misstep. “I actually believe that it’s harder to make the team again than it is it the first year,” Ms. Quezada said.
When we moved on to a new routine, I almost believed that I was picking up the choreography as quickly as the others were—perhaps because the first steps of the routine were literally steps. But these steps quickly morphed into some hard-core kicks and spins, and I quit while I was ahead, though the girls showed no signs of slowing down. They’ve been practicing twice per week since August, and they have 13 routines nailed.
Five hundred will try out; only 20 will make it.
“I would say the biggest misconception is that we are cheerleaders,” said Kelly Volz, a fourth-year team member, whose full-time job is as a graphic productions associate for CBS This Morning.
Being an amazing dancer is important, but so is the ability to get along with others and even to speak well. These girls not only represent the Knicks; they also represent Madison Square Garden. It’s clear that they have some serious heads on their shoulders. Christine Barton, a fourth-year member, works for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Even though she resides in Maryland, she makes the four-hour commute to New York for every home game and rehearsal. When Hurricane Sandy hit last year, she was determined to get to the city as soon as possible. “Transportation was very limited getting in and out of New York because of flooding. I was able to get on the last bus from Washington, D.C., to New York the morning after the storm. It was amazing to see that the Garden still had a full house for that game.”
There are other misconceptions as well, like love connections between the dancers and the players. On the contrary, no foul play allowed, as every NBA team has a written rule against fraternization. (Hoops stars have to find their groupies elsewhere.)
As for weigh-ins and “fat lists,” some NBA dance teams do have requirements that a dancer’s weight must not deviate by five pounds, but every franchise is different. It was neither confirmed nor denied whether the Knicks City Dancers have such a clause, but I hope they don’t, because while I know now that I have zero chance of dancing on center court, I definitely brought a lot of snacks.
Knicks City DancersIt's not easy.
REQUIREMENTS TO REGISTER:
– Must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent
– Photo identification
– Recent photo (4” x 6” or larger, will not be returned)
– Dance Resume (simple type history of experience, if applicable)
– $20 registration fee (Cash or check payable to Spokane Shock)
– Completed medical liability release form
– Completed 2014 Dance Team application
FIRST ROUND – Saturday, December 7th, 2013 @ Spokane Elite Dance Studio (10525 E Sprague Ave)
Registration opens at 2:00pm
Instruction begins at 2:30pm
First round tryouts are led by Dance Team Director, Maggie Kazemba and Assistant Director, Casandra Morgan. First Round Tryouts are a CLOSED event and not open to public viewing; participants and instructors only. Participants should wear form-fitting, two-piece dance outfits and comfortable shoes. No jazz pants or baggy pants will be allowed – please wear dance briefs or boy shorts. It is suggested that participants bring make-up/hair products, a towel, bottle of water and a snack. After instruction and warm-ups, participants will learn across the floor combinations; including basic kicks and turns integrated into a few short, repeating sideline dance routines. Participants will perform in small groups and first cuts will be established after the completion of the First Round.
CALL BACKS – Sunday, December 8th, 2013 @ Spokane Elite Dance Studio (10525 E Sprague Ave)
Instruction 9:00am – 12:00pm
Call-backs are mandatory for all tryout participants who have made it past the First Round. Dancers will learn the additional choreography they are asked to perform at Finals and forms/groups will be set. This round is not judged and no cuts will be made, however, dancers should still come tryout ready since photos and video will be taken throughout call-backs. This round is also closed to public viewing.
FINALIST INTERVIEWS – Sunday, December 8th, 2013 @ Shock Facility (3212 N Eden Rd. Suite B)
2:00pm – 6:00pm (Interview times set by appointment immediately following First Round)
Each rookie finalist (those who have not been on the team before) will schedule a private interview with a small panel of judges. Interviews will be recorded and portions may be played back during the Final Round show. Participants should dress business casual for their interview and look professional.
DANCE TEAM FINALS – Thursday, December 19th @ TBA
Participant Arrival Time – 3:30pm
Show Dress Rehearsal – 4:00pm
Audience Doors Open – 5:30pm
Show Start Time – 6:30pm
For More Information Email GameOPS@SpokaneShock.com
Jennifer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders at the P-R-O Convention
When she’s not cheering on the Seahawks, Sea Gal Alicia is busy serving our country.
Alicia at Seahawks.com.
From Phil’s excellent Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog:
At Buffalo Jills practice tonight, a vote was held to select the squad’s representative to the 2014 Pro Bowl. In January, 4th year vet Emily will be trading the snow and cold of Western NY for the sand, palm trees, and warmth of Hawaii. Who she’ll be rooting on is hard to say as the Pro Bowl has a new format this season. No longer and AFC-NFC matchup, the teams will be chosen like in a schoolyard, with the top 2 vote-getters named as captains. Regardless, it’s unlikely that Emily will be alone over there with several Bills having strong seasons. However, they have to wait more than a month to find out while Emily can start making plans now. Lisa and Christina will be helping her out with what to expect but I’m sure Omarlla will be one of many former Jills Pro Bowlers also more than happy to help Emily out as well.
An honor well-deserved for this 1st year captain!
