Six Nets Dancers and Entertainment Manager Kimberlee Garris just got back from an event in Moscow. Here’s what Nets Dancer Dina wrote about her time in Russia:

Our time in Russia has been amazing so far. Today we had the opportunity to perform at the NBA 5 United Tour. There were so many fans out supporting, and the energy was great. First, we watched and cheered on a few of the players as they competed in a Dunk Tournament. Some of the star judges were Dwight Howard, Andrei Kirilenko, and our very own Nets Dancer, Siobhan!

Then it was our time to perform. We had the chance to perform 6 routines for the crowd! At the beginning of one of the routines, we were joined by a surprise guest!

(Watch the video here).

After dancing, we handed out posters and took a lot of pictures with the fans. The crowd gave such a great response, and it meant a lot to us to see how supportive the Russian fans were.

I am so excited to see what tomorrow brings! Talk to you soon Nets fans!

Dina

 

 

Read the Nets Dancers Blog here.

 

And a reminder Nets Dancers Auditions are next week. Sunday June 19th in Manhattan and Saturday, June 25th in Brooklyn. Full details here.

The Dance Team Manager is responsible for the choreography for all entertainment teams to include, but not limited to, the Thunder Girls and Rain Drops and reports to the Director, Events & Entertainment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Act as a liaison between the dance teams and the Thunder front office
• Choreograph all dance team performances and routines
• Schedule and direct rehearsals
• Select and produce performance music
• Conduct auditions and interviews with front office staff to select dancers for both teams
• Work with front office staff to design and create costuming/uniforms for both dance teams
• Attend all Thunder games to monitor performances
• Develop and sustain a strong relationship with local dance studios
• Work together with Thunder sponsors, community partners and broadcast partners
• Pursue, schedule and choreograph (if necessary) out-of-arena appearances for both dance teams
• Responsible for payroll for all groups
• Special projects as assigned
• Maintain good attendance and punctuality
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:
• College degree preferred
• Has strong background in jazz and hip-hop dance and choreography
• Has good understanding of Oklahoma City Thunder marketing, strategies and team philosophies
• Able to connect with and understand the Oklahoma City Thunder fans
• Has an established knowledge of the NBA and the NBA standards
• Has management experience with strong leadership skills
• Must be able to work under pressure, well with a group, build chemistry and have a strong sense of team
• Understands that the Events & Entertainment show directly reflects on the image of the team as well as the NBA
• Ability to work weekends and evenings – flexible schedule
• Detail-oriented with excellent communication skills
• Able to take creative direction and feedback

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Director, Events & Entertainment.

Apply online here.

The 2011 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader Swimsuit Calendar will be our best ever! Now just need to decide which MVC should grace the cover and we need your help, as fans are encouraged to cast their votes for their favorite MVC over the next several weeks. We have paired up our TOP 10 candidates from our swimsuit semi-final round of competition, and now you pick the best! Starting on June 6 and running through June 28, fans will select which MVC you think should make the final five. Then fans will have one week to vote from those remaining five team members as to which one woman will grace the calendar cover. The new calendar and the cover will be unveiled the week of July 4th, so vote early and often!

Cast your vote here!

By Amanda Long
Washington Post

When Sandy Nguyen stepped onto the court for the first time as a Washington Wizards Dancer in 2001, the 28-year-old wasn’t thinking about the last two months of exhausting rehearsals, weekly weigh-ins, or the fact that she’d never worn so much makeup or so little clothing in public. And the fact that Michael Jordan had packed the stadium for his NBA return, well, she wasn’t letting that get in the way of what she had to do.

Sandy Nguyen Vogelman and her husband, Danny Vogelman, have three sons.

Like everyone else in the MCI Center, Nguyen was thinking of those who had died just weeks before in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Her task at hand — help unfurl a massive American flag across the entire court.

“I was so emotional — everyone was,” Nguyen Vogelman says now, from the Rockville home she shares with her family. “It was surreal, totally unexpected from what I imagined, and an honor.”

Vogelman retired in 2003 as a Wizards Dancer, a job that earns little money and respect in a button-down town like Washington but that hundreds of young women pursue with the intensity of a first-round NBA draft pick.

Minutes after making the squad in 2001, Vogelman was flipping through the squad’s calendar of on-the-beach and back-of-motorcycle poses, and she told this Washington Post Magazine writer: “I hope I get a cold month.”

A grad student and teacher, Vogelman got October — but she also got used to being one of the least-clothed people in the room. “There were just so many other things to worry about — getting the routines down, getting to practice on time after work, not falling asleep while making lesson plans … not messing up!” She admits she sometimes cried from exhaustion.

Just months after hanging up her uniform, she married her boyfriend, Danny Vogelman. The couple had a son, Ethan, now 6. Twins Jace and Trey came along six months ago. Vogelman teaches full time and has a part-time business, Bliss, through which she sells diapers and baby accessories shaped into “cakes.”

She doesn’t slither across the floor now much, except to pick up toys, but she’s still close with her fellow dancers. She says she remains thankful for her experience as a Wizards dancer.

“I honestly think this made me a better person,” she says. “I gained a newfound confidence as a woman, a person and an athlete. … I am still noticing the difference.”

And if she wants a reminder of just how good she looked in her old uniform, she needs only to take a trip to the principal’s office of a local middle school, where her husband keeps a framed copy of her Wizards dancer trading card on his desk.

Read the original story from 2001

Auditions to be held August 6th at Islanders Iceworks in Syosset

The Ice Girls are back and searching for new members.

If you think you have what it takes, the Islanders are looking for outgoing, energetic females to audition to become one of the 2011-2012 Islanders Ice Girls. Potential Ice Girls are positive role models to the entire Islanders community and represent the organization at all times.

For all interested females, auditions will be held Sat., August 6, at 12 p.m. at Islanders Iceworks. Applicants should arrive photo-ready, with hair and make-up done, wearing form-fitting athletic clothing and a crop-top half shirt. Girls looking to tryout must be 18 years or older as of Oct. 1, 2011 and must bring a recent headshot, resume and a pair of figure skates.

During the tryouts, girls must be able to skate backwards and perform various skating positions, including lunges, spirals, three-turns, t-stops and power crossovers. The organization is looking for females who stand out in their audition, so bring enthusiasm and interest in the team. Show some personality and make the audition memorable.

In addition, Islanders Ice Girls are expected to work all 41 home games during the regular season and participate in community events each month with the Islanders I.C.E. Tour.

Audition check-in is at 11:30 a.m. at Islanders Iceworks, located at 175 Underhill Blvd., in Syosset, NY. If you want to be an Ice Girl, contact Erin Willey at 516-501-6874 or Erin.Willey@newyorkislanders.com for more information.

[NY Islanders Ice Girls]

Do you think your daughter has what it takes to perform during a Redskins game in front of thousands of fans?

It’s not too late to register your kids for their Summer Youth Cheer and Dance Camps!

The best part? The girls will get one-on-one training from the pros – the first ladies of Washington football!

Stephanie Jojokian, director and choreographer for the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders, joined MYFOXDC with more.

Washington Redskins Summer Youth Cheer and Dance Camp: MyFoxDC.com

[Washington Redskins Cheerleaders]

[Redskins Youth and Cheer Dance Camps]

The A*Team (“A” standing for Alumni) consists of Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader Alumni, going back to the first professional MVC team in 1984. These ladies continue to enjoy a shared love for dance in support of the Minnesota Vikings and current MVCs. They meet every Tuesday evening for two hours to work on physical fitness, dancing, and having fun together.

 

Tambourine (choreographed by MVC Alum/A*Team co-coach, Heather)

 

Dynamite (choreographed by MVC Alum, Pamela)

The MVC All Stars consists of three elite groups divided by grades: Sparkle team (K-1st grade), Gold team (2nd – 4th grade) and Purple team (5th – 8th grade). The Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders All Star team members are chosen during an audition process held in late summer/early fall each year.

 

Not Myself Tonight (choreographed by MVC Alum, Heidi)

From Vikings.com

This time of year is always exciting for the MVC. Once the team is picked, we immediately get started with team meetings, photo shoots, practices, etc. One thing that we all anxiously await during this busy time is the announcement of our new team captains and glamour captain. The captain position is an extremely important role within our team, and helps determine the success of our team as a whole. The captains are responsible for leading their small teams at practices and on game days, they help run practices when the coaches are away, they meet together “behind the scenes” to work on goals and help plan fun team bonding activities, and they also help keep the team motivated throughout the busy season. So without further ado here are our 2011 team captains!!

Kristina – 6th year team member, 2nd year captain

Peyton – 5th year team member, 2nd year captain

Meghan – 4th year team member, 2nd year captain

Jenna – 4th year team member, 1st year captain

Pam – 3rd year team member, 1st year captain

Our Glamour Captain is another very important role within the MVC. This person is responsible for making sure we all look the part, and are prepared for appearances, games, and trips. Some of the things she is in charge of are packing lists, deciding on attire for group trips and appearances, and helping girls with their makeup and hair. All of these things help us to be one of the most Glamorous teams in the NFL! A big congrats to Kaylee, a third year team member for being selected as our 2011 Glamour Captain!!

And watch a video of the making of the Vikings Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar here.

[Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders]

[MVC on Facebook]

I know it’s short notice.

[Washington Warriors Cheerleaders]

 

[Denver Broncos Cheerleaders]