A little detour to Baltimore on my way back from Thanksgiving in Virginia. I caught up with the Ravens Cheerleaders before they hustled inside for their 4:15 against the Buccaneers.
Four Ravens Cheerleaders who are also graduates of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.
Are you a current, former or prospective professional dancer or cheerleader? Does your team need hot choreography? Would you like to meet others in the industry or hear about audition opportunities?
Then get ready for the Southeast Pro Dance Workshop in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 4, 2010!
AGENDA
** Learn choreography from elite alumni and directors
** Representing the NFL, NBA, AFL, MISL, MLS, MLB and AIFA
** Get tips from the pros on fitness, nutrition, makeup, attire and more
** Network with other performers from the east coast (and beyond!)
** Receive giveaways from sponsors including attire and cosmetics
** Directors receive complimentary lunch sponsored by Angela King Designs
COSTS
** Morning (9:00am-12:00pm): $45
** Afternoon (1:00pm-4:00pm): $45
** Full day (9:00am-4:00pm): $79
** Directors: Bring 2 or more squad members and receive complimentary admission. All directors receive complimentary lunch and director’s roundtable session sponsored by Angela King Designs.
** Refund Policy: 75% of registration fees may be refunded through November 29, 2010
CHOREOGRAPHERS
Our choreographers are top alumni and directors of dance and cheer teams in the NFL, NBA, AFL and other sports leagues. They will teach 6 sidelines and 2 routines in length of 45-60 seconds, representing all major sports leagues. Read choreographer bios and view photos here!
Trisia Brown, NFL Cheerleader – Miami, NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleader, NFL & Pro Bowl Choreographer, Dance Studio Owner-FL
Danielle Berger-Meyer, NBA Dancer – Orlando & Atlanta, NBA Choreographer – FL
Miranda Lobs, NFL Cheerleader – Miami, CIFL Choreographer and Director, – NJ
Deanna Clover, NBA Dancer – Orlando, WBA, AFA, & ABA Choreographer and Director – Orlando
[Complete Choreographers Bios]
PRESENTERS
Featuring experts in the area of hair, makeup, attire, and interview skills:
Megan Clementi – expert in interview skills. Miss FL USA 2010, current Orlando Magic Emcee, former Magic dancer 5-yrs/team leader
Chyna – expert in Fashion and Hair design. A top hair dresser at Ego Lab Hair Salon and Boutique in Orlando.
Michael Cairns – expert in creating the perfect headshot. Premier sports photographer in Orlando with clients that include the Orlando Magic Dancers.
LOCATION
Body Tecz Training Facility
3869 Wekiva Springs Rd
Longwood, FL 32779
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Magnuson Grand Hotel Orlando
230 W. State Rd. 436
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
1-407-862-4000
Just 11 minutes from the training facility
Mention the “Going Pro Entertainment December Convention” to receive the group rate
[Complete Workshop Information]
Congratulations to 5-year veteran and co-captain Chelsea who was announced as the Redskins Pro Bowl Cheerleader this past Sunday at the Minnesota-Washington game.
Debra Yeo
The Toronto Star
Brenda Lowe had at least one shocking thing to say about her experience on Survivor: Nicaragua … NaOnka is nice.
No, she says she means it. Brenda
I asked the 27-year-old paddleboard company owner whether she felt genuinely close to NaOnka or hanging out with her was just part of Brenda’s strategy.
“No, I genuiniely did. What people don’t see is that, believe it or not, this is a shocker, she is actually a nice girl. She’s sweet and she’s kind and she’s funny, and I know all about her life and her past, and I felt like we were girlfriends, the way I was girlfriends with Kelly Purple. I thought that that’s the way that it was out there.
“I really did trust her, I really did, really really did trust her to the point where I was like, there’s no way this girl would vote for me.”
But, of course, we all know that NaOnka did vote to have her friend’s torch snuffed. And that Brenda voted for Na, calling her “my real true enemy.”
But on Tuesday, she said there were no hard feelings. Really.
She thinks the turning point for Na came in an exchange we didn’t see on TV, when their mutual ally Sash was off ziplining and eating with the other guys for winning a reward challenge.
“I did sort of talk to NaOnka … and I was like, ‘Look we might not be able to trust Sash depending on what he says after he comes back from this challenge.’ She looks at me and she’s like ‘Really?’ And I’m like ‘Yeah, really, we gotta be prepared to take him out if we have to’ and she’s like ‘Wow.’
“Luckily Sash came back very trustworthy and I said, ‘Listen Na, forget about what I said, we can trust him.’ And she’s like, it was already too late, she went and told Sash, and she was already starting to get paranoid about me thinking too much and thinking about even taking out Sash, our friend.”
Nor does she blame NaOnka, she says, even though in the end Na and Sash took our their friend Brenda.
“I mean she’s playing a tough game. Everyone is playing a game whether we see it or not. And they must be playing a better game, because they’re there and I’m not, so I think that says something about them. I just underestimated most everybody out there, I think.”
When it comes to her other formerly staunch ally, Sash, Brenda believes he must have been in another alliance unseen by her and the TV audience. Otherwise, why would he have put himself at risk by allowing her to be voted off?
“These people are trying to target you by targeting me,” she says she told Sash.
“I was like why? Why? Sash is smart, why would he allow this to happen? But it has to be that he has other alliances, it just has to be like that.”
We also talked about the whole issue of scrambling, a word Brenda said she hates. She was ribbed by Jeff Probst at tribal council for not “scrambling” to save herself.
“There was a reason why I didn’t scramble and this is why. It was frustrating to watch the whole episode. It’s like, there’s a reason why, Jeff. You can’t expain it right then and there, but my strategy for staying in the game was going to the people who had incentive to save me, which was Chase and Sash.
“And Sash more than anybody because he had the idol and I could have used it for him to save me really. And I was trying to show them, ‘Look, I’m loyal to you. I’m not talking to Benry, I’m not talking to Fabio, I’m not talking to Holly and Jane, I’m talking to you and you only.’ …
“So if I was go scrambling it would have killed it, they would have seen can’t trust Brenda, what is she telling these people, and not having a big enough incentive to save me.”
There’s one other thing Brenda would like to set the record straight on: the impression that she’s arrogant.
“I definitely see it when they only show certain soundbites and if you see a guy who’s as sweet as Chase and me saying not the nicest things about him, um, yeah you definitely see it and a lot of people might not understand my personality or the way that I looked at it.
“This is a game, if I feel confident I’m gonna feel confident, that’s just the way I am. Some people like it and some people don’t like it. I really hate arrogance and it’s a little upsetting that I came across that way to anybody.”
Playing Survivor was a dream come true, said the former Miami Dolphins cheerleader and beauty pageant winner, who counts paddleboarding, mountain biking and swimming among her hobbies.
“I’m a competitor. I love physical things. I love playing games. I make competitions out of who can run fastest to that mailbox … So for the ultimate game like Survivor and having to do the challenges and plus having to do alliances and all that, plus c’mon the prize is a million dollars.
“It was a no-brainer and, like I tell people, I would have done Survivor for free.”
The bad part, as other castmates have complained, was the lack of sleep.
“The sleeping, it just drives you nuts. You’re exhausted and then to have rain that doesn’t stop and you’re freezing cold and everyone around you is miserable. The energy in the air is depressing. And that is the worst.”
Still, if she got the chance she’d do it again in a heartbeat.
I learned, I saw and felt and lived the mistakes, and know what I would do a lot differently, so yeah, I would love that second chance.”
Sarah Mitchell is a former New England Patriots Cheerleader and former Knicks City Dancer. Now she is one of the dancers in Christina Aquilera’s movie Burlesque. Sarah performed with Christina on the AMA’s the other night and just performed on Dancing With the Stars earlier this week.
Plenty of videos of Sarah’s performances on her fan page at Facebook, and you can also follow her on Twitter.
Interview by KK Ottesen
Washington Post
I remember the day that we got our rookie rings at the end of my first season. I felt like: Oh, wow, I’ve made it. Kind of like becoming a part of a sorority. In college, I always thought about pledging for a sorority but never really had the time because, as a scholarship athlete, you’re very busy practicing. But that’s how it felt. It’s like having 39 sisters every year. And we perform with the alumnae every couple of years, so you get to meet the ladies from the ’60s and the ’70s, too. The “sorority,” the family, is huge. I have a group of ladies that showed me the ropes when I got here, showed me what it was to be a Redskins cheerleader. There’s six of us; we call ourselves “Sex in the City” when we go to dinner and catch up, see how everyone’s doing, their kids. So that support system never goes away.
This is my eighth season cheering now. Most people stay about two, three years, but I love doing this. Sometimes I wish I could stop time. But seeing the next generation come in and how much they enjoy it, that keeps me going. We have a few girls on the team now that are 18, 19, and you’re mentoring and coaching them to be that next generation. Because, in the end, their success is the alumnae’s success, as well.
We all come from different backgrounds with the same passion for dance and sports. Like, we’ve had lawyers on the team, we have a young lady working on her MBA, one’s in med school, one just passed her bar exam. One girl’s from South Africa; we’ve had a few from Japan. Most of us work full time or are in school. And we also have a few full-time moms. We all come out here at night to practice twice a week. I think some people get the idea that we are cheerleaders all day, every day, just like the football players. I remember one time walking off the field and a lady screaming from the stands: “My gosh, those cheerleaders make way too much money; look at their earrings!” We wear a kind of Swarovski-style crystal; it’s costume jewelry, but it looks extremely expensive. So it made me giggle that this lady had this perception that we make a lot of money. I mean, for football games we get paid $75 — that’s no secret. You do it for the love of what you do.
By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
The reality show that is Minnesota pro football stumbles on. And this fourth-year pom-pom shaker bravely tackles our questions about punching quarterbacks, football in baseball stadiums, and whether she’s faster than Adrian Peterson. Also: the end of Favre.
If only the producers of HBO’s Hard Knocks had trained their cameras on Vikings training camp this pre-season. Then we might have some deeper insight into how last year’s 12-4 juggernaut began such a brutal descent in 2010. Just yesterday, the team suffered a 31-3 shellacking by the Packers to fall to 3-7, and there seems to be no way back for a coach shrouded in controversy, a quarterback riddled with issues, injuries, and interceptions, and a defensive tackle stuck in a misspelled jersey.
And yet, hope wears a purple skirt. Her name’s Bailey, she hails from Wayzata, Minnesota, and she’s a clinical recruiter. “I put together teams of people to design medical devices,” she explains. “I love being up-to-date with research that’s saving lives.” She’s also optimistic about her cheerleading squad’s calendar, if nothing else. “It’s a mix-and-match with thirty-four of the best-looking women in Minnesota. You can keep one girl up all month or have a different girl every day.” We’ll stick with this one for now.
ESQUIRE: It’s gotta be worse losing to the Packers than any other team, right?
BAILEY: Yeah, they’re our biggest rivals, and they’re so close that we interact with Packer fans on a day-to-day basis. There were a lot of them at the game, and they don’t have cheerleaders, so they’ve never been properly taught how to cheer. We have to show them how it’s done.
ESQ: More drama — The Real Housewives of New Jersey or The Real Football Team of Minnesota?
BAIL: The Real Football Team of Minnesota. We’ve given the press so much to talk about — with trades, injuries, and personal issues, they don’t have to dig for it. Not to mention coming off a season like last year. But I’m with the team through thick and thin.
ESQ: What’s the general feeling about Brad Childress?
BAIL: I’ve met coach Childress. I think he’s a great guy. I’ve never played or coached football, but I don’t think the outcome of a season can fall on one person. We have a lot of talent that’s not being used properly, and some players not playing to best of their abilities. Something isn’t meshing. That’s kind of a red flag.
ESQ: How much have Brett Favre’s personal issues affected the team?
BAIL: There’s so much more that the Vikings need to be concerned about than his personal life. Brett Favre isn’t having an outstanding season. However, our offensive line isn’t protecting him that well, and he’s looking at a revolving door of receivers. We had Randy Moss and then no Moss. Bernard Berrian’s injured now. Percy Harvin’s always questionable with migraines. We’re just getting Sidney Rice back. A lack of consistency is the biggest problem across our team as a whole.
ESQ: You think any part of Favre is wishing he’d just stayed in Mississippi with his Wranglers and his tractors?
BAIL: I’m sure he kind of wishes he had ended on a high note. But I don’t think Favre is in it for the money, fame, and glamor. I think he loves football, and that’s why he came back. You can look at this as a loss to his old team. But it was also another day he got to get out there and played football. I hope he looks at it that way.
ESQ: Any bright spots for the Vikes this season?
BAIL: Whenever anyone starts talking about Adrian Peterson, it puts a smile on their face. He is by far our biggest weapon, and he has no fumbles this season. He’s averaging 130 total yards per game, and he’s just fun to watch. Despite injuries and migraines, Harvin is an incredible player. I’m still proud of our team.
ESQ: In your bio video, you challenge Peterson to race. What kind of distance are we talking here?
BAIL: I’ll race the length of a football field. I’m confident. The offer’s still on the table, and he hasn’t responded. I think there might be a little bit of nerves on his part.
ESQ: Meanwhile, Jared Allen has five-and-a-half sacks in his last three games and The Quarterback Killer’s Cookbook. Have you read it?
BAIL: I’ve heard of it, but I’m not gonna kill any QBs any time soon, so I’ll stick with the “Lean, Still-Fit-into-the-Vikings-Cheerleader-Costume” cookbook.
ESQ: How impressed are you with E.J. Henderson recovering from that nasty broken leg last year to star again on defense?
BAIL: I remember the sound. And then it was like the whole dome just stopped. Everyone was quiet. It’s so exciting to see him healthy and have that spark.
ESQ: This weekend, Illinois and Northwestern played at Wrigley Field. Think it would help the Vikings to play at the new Target Field where the Twins play?
BAIL: I think the Vikings need a new stadium so we never have to come to that. We’re pushing for it, and I’ll be so excited when that day comes.
ESQ: In the Steelers-Raiders game, Richard Seymour punched Ben Roethlisberger. Is there any instance where punching another player is justified?
BAIL: Absolutely not. It’s a football game — it’s about athleticism and talent. That kind of physicality is not going to solve anything. It’s just gonna hurt your team.
ESQ: What if he says something about your mom?
BAIL: Make a mom comment back.
ESQ: The NFC seems wide-open this year. Which teams stand out to you as Super Bowl contenders?
BAIL: The NFC has been having a strange season. There haven’t really been any standout teams. But I don’t want to play the Packers again, that’s for sure.
ESQ: You went skydiving last year. Does a guy have to be an adrenaline junkie to impress you?
BAIL: He doesn’t have to be an adrenaline junkie, but he’s gotta come with me. He’s gotta be up for the adventure. He’s gotta be ready to go.
A long (and cold) day last Saturday for the Hartford Colonials Cheerleaders.
The day began at 9:00am (for a 3:3pm kickoff) with a three-hour rehearsal with local cheerleading squads and dance groups for the big halftime show.
Recording Artist Jessica Jarrell at the rehearsal. Jesica would perform during the finale of the show.
As the day progressed things warmed up a bit. But November in New England is no place for the bare midriffs and miniskirts….
Or is it? The Cheerleaders took the field with only hair bands as a concession to the cold.
At the beginning of the 2nd quarter, as the sun was setting, the cheerleaders donned warm-up jackets.
But lost the jackets for the half-time show.
Inspired by this show of Cheerleader professionalism, the Colonials defeated the first place Las Vegas Locomotives by a score of 27-13.
[Colonials Cheerleaders Gallery]
[Hartford Colonial Cheerleaders]
By Francisco Alvarado
Miami New Times
When the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders take the field during home games, men take notice. But one lady is watching particularly closely. Her name is Emily Newton. The Fort Worth native is director of the Fins’ femmes. “I oversee everything from costuming to choreography to the swimsuit calendar to community appearances,” she explains. “A lot of times, I am their den mom. I protect them and give the girls advice. I hope I am a role model for them too.”
Newton has traveled all over the globe, including Bahrain and London, with the Dolphins squad. During the season, she concentrates on maintaining the cheerleaders’ website, choreographing routines, and planning events. “We recently launched the 2011 calendar and the first swimsuit issue of Dolphins Digest by doing a fashion show at the new LIV club at Sun Life Stadium.”
Newton helped design and create the swimwear the girls wore. “I spent a lot of time sewing and ironing at home,” she notes. “But it was worth it.”
The auburn-haired beauty found her calling as a member of the dance and drill teams at Richland High School in her hometown. “After I graduated, I attended Tyler Junior College, where I was the captain for the school’s dance team, the Apache Bells,” she says. “In Texas, that is a big deal.”
Emily Newton and the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders
Her career in sports entertainment was almost derailed when she was 19 years old. Newton was in an accident that left her blind in one eye. “I was devastated,” she confesses. “But I came back eight months later, making it to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team.
She was one of the squad’s group captains for four years. “It was definitely an experience that changed my life,” Newton says of her time with America’s team. “It was an amazing opportunity.” She joined the Dolphins in 2005 as the pompom girls’ appearance coordinator. “I like the culture and diversity Miami offers,” she says. “And I’ve been lucky to mentor girls from all walks of life.”
The women on the sidelines are more than just pretty ladies, Newton says. “We have doctors and lawyers on the squad. We have women who are both smart and beautiful. Being a part of their lives has given me moments that money can’t ever replace.”
