Written by Levi Damien, Senior Writer
Thoughts from the Dark Side
28 August 2011
The Oakland Raiders held their annual Raiderette swimsuit calendar release party on Sunday. Last season the event was held at the Fox Theatre but this year, they went with logistics and held the event on the day of the Raiders’ third preseason game and about 20 feet away from the coliseum in the Oracle Arena Courtside Club.
The Raiderettes were all on hand to proudly stand next to displays of the month they were representing in the newest calendar. None of whom had seen their page before today.
After a few minutes of photo opportunities, it was time for new Raiderette director, Jeanette Thompson to unveil the front and back covers of the popular calendar. Being part of Football’s Fabulous Females was an opportunity of which quite a few first time Raiderettes had long dreamt. Chenel, who was Co-Miss March along with Sarah was one such first timer. And for her, like the others, it was a surreal experience.
“I can’t even describe it.” Said Chenel. “There’s so many fans. You’re just knotted in your stomach. We have to adapt to your nerves. All the fans are just cheering you on and supporting you.”
It was another first for Director Jeanette Thompson. She has been involved with the Raiders organization for going on 15 years. The Raiders’ return to Oakland in 1995 was her first season as a Raiderette. She remained a Raiderette for an astounding 10 seasons. From there she has been the face of the Raiders “Behind the Shield”. Now she returns to her first love as the Raiderette Director.
“This is my first season.” Said Jeanette. “Last season we had a new director but she wasn’t able to stay with the team so myself and a couple of other people within the Raider organization just maintained for last year. So you could kind of call me an interim director and this year is actually my first season.”
The calendar features the Raiderettes in all white swimsuits. Each month has two or three Raiderettes on the pages. They go on sale today.
Time to get to this third preseason game.
Click here to check out a few photos on the Baltimore Sun website!
Los Angeles Lakers
8/24/2011
This week the Los Angeles Lakers invited their season seat holders to a special Laker Girls Dance Clinic, where kids had a chance to learn dance steps from the world-famous Los Angeles Laker Girls . Over 300 people, including 190 kids from age 5 -17 participated in this year’s clinic, which was held at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo.
The 190 dancers were spread throughout the Lakers practice court, while their parents watched from a gallery of chairs. The dancers were first led in stretching exercises by the Laker Girls. Once they were ready for action, Lakers Director of Entertainment, Lisa Estrada taught the participants dance steps in small, manageable portions. The Lakers Girls were positioned throughout the group to allow all dancers to see how the real Laker Girls execute their moves. The dance steps were simple enough for the youngest participants, but with room for embellishment to challenge the older dancers. After all, as Lisa reminded the crowd, “Today is all about dancing, moving, and having fun!” Once everyone had mastered the smaller portions, the group put it all together in a final dance performance for the proud parents.
This was the third consecutive year that the Laker Girls Dance Clinic has been held for season seat holders. It has become a fun tradition that is enjoyed by all participants, and a small way for the Lakers to thank to those that support the organization.
Click here for a few photos of the Seattle Seahawks Cheerleaders performing on game day!
The Miami Dolphins website has lots of great photos from the Cheerleader’s calendar unveiling. Click here to see how the party went!
The Miami Heat Dancers won the NBA Dance Team bracket for several years in a row. Now they’ve decided to create their own contest. Instead of competing against dance teams from other NBA franchises, it’s Heat Dancer vs. Heat Dancer. Heat Dance teams from the past eight seasons are going up against each other to determine the best Heat Dancer squad of all time.
At least I think that’s the point. Maybe it’s just the best team from the last ten years. I’m a little confused by this. Anyway, click here to vote!
With the team in Baltimore, the Skins’ cheerleaders dropped in to party with some fans.
By Max Steinmetz
Falls Church Patch
8/25/2011
The State Theatre played host to the Washington Redskins cheerleaders Thursday night to unveil their new swimsuit calendar. The ladies had the night off while the team was Baltimore battling against the Ravens in their third pre-season game.
Though the fans at the State Theatre were pumped to see the cheerleaders, the Skins’ fell to the Ravens 34-31.
Check out the action from “The Little City.” [photos]
Steve Conklin
West Palm Beach Sports Examiner
August 25, 2011
[Watch a short video on OrlandoSentinel.com]
This article has nothing to do with West Palm Beach sports, but I’m assuming most of you will not care! For the second straight year the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders used a backdrop of what makes Miami one of the world most popular destinations, the historic Fontainebleau Hotel and LIV nightclub to unveil their 2012 Swimsuit Calendar during a high energy, star-studded fashion show.
The 2012 calendar was shot on the Dominican Republic side of the island of Hispaniola on the grounds of the IBEROSTAR Costa Dorado in Puerto Plata. Located in one of the northern provinces of the Dominican Republic, the Puerto Plata area has become an increasingly popular tourist attraction since the late 1990s mainly due to its fine beaches.
This year’s event supported by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (www.GoDominicanRepublic.com) once again benefited the Miami Dolphins Foundation which has made a commitment to the betterment of South Florida youth through a direct focus on, but not limited to, educational, health, social and community service issues. The night’s main event featured all 42 members of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders walking the cat-walk, fashioned in swimwear showcasing the designs by Aguaclara and Realtree Swim USA. The forty-five minute show was choreographed by Ariann Denison and styled by Emily Newton Snow and Dorie Grogan with Aveda Institute of South Florida providing the make-up and hair styling.
Jeremiah Thermidor
Miami Examiner
August 25, 2011
The Dolphins cheerleaders were phenomenal as they hit the runway on Wednesday night for their 2011 Calendar Unveiling at the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach.
The girls drew thousands of people who packed LIV inside the hotel, and the fans definitely got their monies worth.
The show was a high energy experience as the cheerleaders walked and danced on stage to amazing music from different genres. (Check out the slideshow by selecting the link on the left side of the page)
The team also announced who would be the cover girls for the calendar this year.
Fifth-year veteran Ariana Aubert and second-year cheerleader Brianne Herndon received the honor of gracing the cover.
Other cheerleaders were selected to fill out the 12 months on the calendar prior to Wednesday night’s event.
The cheerleaders shot the calendar earlier this year in Puerto Plata which is located on the north side of the Dominican Republic.
“We worked from morning to night putting all our energy into this calendar,” said Tatiana who was selected as Miss September. “But it was an incredible experience.”
You can buy the 2011 calendar by going to the Miami Dolphins website.
