The Philadelphia KiXX announced today plans for its 2010 dance clinic, which will take place on Sunday, February 7th, at TriState Sports in Aston, Pennsylvania. Participants of the four-hour clinic will be learning a high-energy hip-hop jazz routine during the day that will be performed at halftime of the February 20th KiXX home match at Liacouras Center.
“We aim to have our fans as part of the overall KiXX game day experience, and this dance clinic is a perfect example of that initiative,” Philadelphia Vice President Darcee’ Roberts said. “Participants in this clinic will not only learn from our professional dancers, but they will also be given the unique opportunity to perform in front of their friends, family and our entire hometown crowd.”
This third annual dance clinic will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at TriState Sports, which is located at 63 Concord Road in Aston. Registration will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m., and each participant will receive a KiXX Dance Team t-shirt and goodie bag for taking part. Each dancer will also receive a ticket to the February 20th KiXX game against La Raza de Monterrey, and friends and families of participants will receive a special rate of $18 a ticket. Kickoff for that game is 7:05 p.m.
The cost of this clinic is $50, and a special rate of $45 each for groups of 10 or more is also available. Instruction will be led by the professional dancers and staff of the KiXX Dance Team, and it is open to anyone between the ages of 7-18 that is interested in learning great new skills and techniques within their skill set. Participation is open to all dance levels, gymnasts, cheer, dance and pom teams.
Anyone who is interested in taking part in this clinic can contact Julie Rotwitt of the Philadelphia KiXX today at 215-777-1215 or via email at julie.rotwitt@kixxonline.com.
[Philadelphia KiXX Dance Team]
Pro Bowl Dan is in South Florida and he sent is a few photos of the Pro Bowl Cheerleaders including some shots from last night’s PBC Fashion Show.
The Saturday before last I was at DC’s Verizon Center to cover the Bullettes/Wizard Dancers/Wizard Girls Alumni performance. But I also managed a few shots of the current Wizard Girls as well.
Captain Teneii
Stretching in the tunnel.
Nina’s pre-game rehearsal in her UGGs!
Alicia during the 3rd quarter performance
Lyndsay and a member of the Fan Patrol.
Wizard Girls with G-Wiz
Celebrating the win!
[My Washington Wizards Girls Photos]
[Video of Wizard Girls Director Jessica Pikulski]
The 2010 Suns Dancers Calendar presented by Verve, the Official Energy Drink of the Phoenix Suns, will go on sale on Thursday, January 28 when the Suns take on the Dallas Mavericks at US Airways Center. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m.
Prior to tip-off the entire 2010 Suns Dancers team will host a calendar signing in the Casino Arizona Pavilion from 7 – 8 p.m. During the signing the calendars will be available for the discounted price of $10.
The 16-month swimsuit calendar runs from January 2010 through April 2011 and features the entire 2009-10 Suns Dancers team, highlighting one dancer each month.
The 2010 Suns Dancers Calendar presented by Verve is available in The Team Shop for $11.99. All proceeds will benefit Phoenix Suns Charities.
Phoenix Suns Charities is the cornerstone of the team’s foundation, making grants to non-profit organizations that serve children and youth in the areas of education, health and human services, the arts, sports and recreation, and rehabilitation. In the 22 years since its inception, Phoenix Suns Charities has donated over nine million dollars to worthy Arizona organizations.
By Ann Marie Bush
CJOnline.com
Belinda Post, of Topeka, has been named a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader squad.
Post, who is the daughter of Beverly Bernardi Post, attended workshops offered by the Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders two weeks ago.
“All of the years of ballet, tap and jazz were beneficial,” Bernardi Post wrote in an e-mail Wednesday.
Post, 21, survived the first round of eliminations and then took part in a production show, where applicants had to compete in cocktail dress and dance routines.
“Earlier, they had private interviews,” Bernardi Post wrote. “After that evening, they made another cut. I anxiously awaited her call, several hours after the predicted time. It seems it took longer to tabulate than they had anticipated. She made that cut. So now approximately 50 to 60 went into finals. Belinda said ‘Mom, at least I have a shirt that says ‘I’m a KC Chiefs Cheerleader Finalist.’ ”
The last day was the most grueling for Post, her mother said, because about 24 of last year’s 28 cheerleaders tried out again.
On Wednesday, Post was notified that she has been named one of the cheerleaders.
Post graduated from Washburn Rural High School. She is a 2009 graduate of Kansas State University, where she was a twirler. She received a bachelor’s degree in theater/dance option.
The Kansas City Chiefs Web site, www.kcchiefs.com, has an introduction section featuring the 2010-2011 cheerleaders. It shows two pictures of Post.
Her mother owns Beverly Bernardi Post Conservatory of Dance and Pom, 5938 S.W. 17th. Post teaches several classes at the studio.
Jenny Letendre may be small in stature, but the Lady Red Claws dancer is big on personality. It’s the reason the petite brunette gets noticed while performing at Red Claws games. It is also the reason she got plucked from the crowd by a Deal or No Deal producer during an open audition held last August at Quirk Chevrolet in Portland.
The Lady Red Claws attended the event to help raise money for the Maine Red Claws Foundation and to entertain the long lines of people waiting to audition for the popular NBC game show. During the Quirk event, the effusive Letendre found herself in a conversation with one of the Deal or No Deal producers.
“About 30 seconds before we were scheduled to dance, I introduced myself to someone who turned out to be the producer,” said Letendre. “He found it absolutely hilarious that I’m standing there talking to him while five of my fellow dancers are franticly yelling my name because we were about to dance. Of course, I politely told him I had to dance and ran away.”
After being encouraged to audition for the show by a news crew on hand to cover the event, three of the Lady Red Claws remained after their appearance and stood at the back of the line.
“The producer saw me in line, and he sent me upstairs. I thought I was skipping the line to audition, but he sent me right to the next round!” she said. “About three weeks later I got a call and found out they wanted me.”
Letendre will appear on 16 episodes, which were filmed in Connecticut in October. The first episode aired January 26.
The Saco resident and graduate of Thornton Academy, is currently completing a nutritional science degree at the University of New Hampshire while also attending the University of New England for Organic Chemistry II. She plans to continue her education, aiming ultimately for a master’s degree in chemistry or a doctorate in physical therapy. A dance instructor at Terpsichore Dance in South Portland, Letendre is the assistant rehearsal director for the Thornton Academy Dance Company and a personal trainer at 24/7 Fitness at the Sportzone in Saco. She can be seen performing at all Maine Red Claws games with the Lady Red Claws dance team including this weekend when the Red Claws will play the Erie Bayhawks on Friday, January 29 and the Springfield Armor on Sunday, January 31.
[Pro Bowl Cheerleaders on Twitter]
Preliminary Auditions: Saturday, February 27, 2010
• Registration begins at 8 a.m.
• Ending approximately at 6 p.m.
Final Auditions: Saturday, March 6, 2009
Location: George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida de las Americas
Houston, TX 77010
Hall C 3rd Floor Ballroom B
Responsibilities:
* Performances & promotions at all Houston Dynamo home games
* Public, media, and community appearances
* Rehearsals
* Meetings
* Houston Dynamo events
Requirements:
* Submit an application request
* Bring $20 application fee to the auditions
* Must be 18 by April 1, 2010
* Wear flesh colored tights, dance top, hot pants or briefs, and dance or tennis shoes
* Bring a head shot and full length photo (non-returnable)
* Bring a valid driver’s license
* Applicant must commit to one full season (February 2010 – January 2011)
* Complete the release of liability form
* Must have reliable transportation
For more information please call Marisela R. Vasquez at (713)276-7526 or email Dance Team Director Marilu Amador Harman at dynamogirls@houstondynamo.com.
[Houston Dynamo Girls Tryouts]
By Debra Braggs
al.com
When the Saints go marching into Miami for Super Bowl XLIV, Mobile resident Jessica McCray will be among those leading the pack.
The 21-year-old University of South Alabama student is a member of the Saintsations, the official cheerleading squad for the New Orleans Saints. And she said that the football players weren’t the only ones bringing their A-game this season. “This was a season of change for the entire organization. Everyone in the organization was working extra hard, and we certainly felt the pressure,” McCray said.
“But all this excitement is awesome. Just the thought of joining the team in Miami at their first Super Bowl is overwhelming.”
Jessica McCray.JPGView full size(Press-Register/John David Mercer)Jessica McCray at a recent Saints game. “Nothing less than perfection is what they wants from us, and we were happy to deliver,” she said.She said the extra-hard rehearsals and work to learn all the new routines for the playoff games was worth the sweat and effort.
“Nothing less than perfection is what they wanted from us, and we were happy to deliver,” said the rookie squad member, who is no stranger to hard work and success.
McCray graduated from Satsuma High School in 2006, where she was a member of the varsity cheerleading squad and the high school dance company. She was named first-runner up in the Mobile County Junior Miss competition and named Queen of the Prichard Mardi Gras Association the same year. In 2008 she was named Miss University of South Alabama while pursuing her degree in cardiorespiratory care.
“I tried out for the Saintsations last year, really at the spur of the moment,” McCray admitted. “I really didn’t expect to make the team at all. I just wanted to get a feel for the competition.”
She said she was studying and coaching at Ms. Daphne’s Cheernastics in Satsuma when she decided to make the trip over to New Orleans for tryouts.
“I didn’t tell anyone, except my fiancé, because I had decided that I would come back next year, seriously ready to compete.”
But after the die-hard competitor made the first and second audition cuts, she knew it was time to confess.
“I finally told my co-workers and family that I had made the finals. The day the official squad was posted online, my mom and I sat in her bed and looked at the results together. I think we did a little victory dance around the bedroom after we saw my name. ”
According to Saintsations team manager Lesslee Fitsimmons, McCray excelled in advance dance technical skills, public speaking and interview skills to earn a spot on the Saintsations squad.
“The Saintsations are influential role models to the youth in our communities and the judges felt that Jessica could live up to the expectations the fans have come to expect from these young ladies.”
Fitsimmons said the organization looks for young women who are committed to leading a healthy, productive lifestyle both on and off the field.
“Jessica, is a true representative of the youth and talent in and around the New Orleans area. We are proud to have her as a member of the 2009-2010 team,” she said.
In addition to performing at Saints home football games, the Saintsations have traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to visit troops, and were recognized for their community service efforts by the Louisiana Legislature.
The squad supports community projects through the “Saintsations Inspiration Program,” which promotes positive initiatives geared toward women and children. They have worked with Angel’s Place in New Orleans, a non-profit organization providing care and comfort for terminally ill children.
One of McCray’s favorite squad activities is the Junior Saintsations camp. Held twice a year for girls ages 6 to 16, the camp encourages self-esteem and fitness.
“It’s so much fun meeting the girls and teaching them routines and just having rap sessions,” McCray said.
While commuting between Mobile and New Orleans has been tough, McCray said she has loved every minute of her experience as a Saintsation, and is considering doing it all over again next year.
“I would have to try out again. And yes, it’s very hard work. But it’s worth it.”
Even though she is among the 32 young ladies on the 2009-2010 Saintsations squad, McCray still has to earn her spot on the performing team at each week’s game. Only 28 young ladies are allowed on the field, so the team members face a cut before every appearance.
“It’s pressure, but you have to give it your all, at all times. And if you are not on the field during a game, you are selling the Saintsations calendars in the stands. So there is always work to do.”
Speaking of the very popular Saintsations swimsuit calendar, Jessica is featured on the month of May in the 2010 squad calendar, and she said she’s very humbled by the honor.
“I was so sick on the day of the photo shoot. I was just trying to make it through the day and look okay in the group shot. So, of course I never expected to be given my own month. On reveal day, it was total shock.”
Shocked isn’t the word Edith Witherspoon would use to describe her reaction to her daughter’s accomplishments.
“I know that she is a real go-getter. She is determined and she is going to give it her all at all times.”
And when it comes to the Super Bowl, Witherspoon isn’t sure if the family will be joining her daughter in Miami, because McCray’s younger sister, Loreal Witherspoon, is serving as Queen of the Prichard Mardi Gras Association’s festivities.
“It’s a little busy around here, but it’s fantastic. I’m very proud of my girls,” Witherspoon said, right after releasing a very big “Who dat!”
McCray said that despite the Super Bowl, she is hoping to catch some of the Mardi Gras activities in Mobile as well.
“This is the first time the Prichard Mardi Gras Association has ever had two sisters who have served as queens. I’m so proud of my sister and I want to enjoy as much of the festivities as I can with her.”
McCray isn’t the only Mobile connection to the Saintsations. Jasmine Smith, a graduate of Murphy High School, is also a member of this year’s squad.
[Sixers Dancers at Maxim]
