Patriots.com has been updated with the new team photo for this year’s New England Patriots Cheerleaders!

Back row: Megan, Mandi, Emi, Amy, Nicole, Alheli, Erica, Liz, Kelley, and Laura
Front row: Ariel, Ashley, Monique, Serena, Tiffany, and Jebbell

Y’all know I loves me some ChivaGirls, so I went ahead and invited myself to a game last month. As usual, I took a bunch of photos, and you can see them here.

Game day is a lot of fun. At the end, I always wonder where the time went.

It was an action-packed evening as usual. When I arrived, the girls were rehearsing the halftime performance. This was a big rehearsal because cheer and dance teams from local high schools were going to perform alongside the ChivaGirls at halftime. The ChivaGirls would dance in the middle of the field, and the kids would take the four corners. I believe there was also a 5th group performing somewhere behind the ChivaGirls. Some teams danced, some did stunting and tumbling. Some did all of the above.

ChivaGirl Laura was standing in for the Team Director for this game. I don’t know how Laura was chosen to be the Boss Applesauce – I suspect someone volunteered her – but she had everything under control. Rehearsal went quickly. For me, anyway – Ha!

Rehearsal

After rehearsal the girls headed down to the locker room) to don their ChivaGear.

Sidebar: When I first found out about the ChivaGirls, about 5 years ago, they wore these red and white striped dresses that were really…um…not my favorite. My first thought was “Okay what is UP with the stripes? What’s that about?” I’d never seen a team in stripes like that. I worried that maybe they had other costumes, in other patterns. I pictured red and white leopard print. Red and white camo. Red and white lightning bolts. Honestly, I’d never seen stripes on anyone other than the ref. (Or someone pretending to be the ref.)

Stripes!

More stripes!

Now that I’ve been to a game, seen the team and the fans, I get it.
Chivas is all about stripes. Stripes are their thing.



When Aimee took over as Director of the ChivaGirls, the stripey dresses went right out the window. I have to give her and Angela King (costume designer) major props for figuring out a cute way to incorporate the stripes without making the girls look like hospital volunteers. Or dancing candy canes. Or convicts.


Better…much better.

Anywho…

Pretty soon, it was time to head back out. Half of the team went to ChivaTown to meet and greet the fans. Chiva Town is a big concourse area where they have live music, giveaway booths, an all sorts of entertainment before the game. The meet & greet is something the ChivaGirls do at every game, and it’s one of the things that makes it fun for fans. The girls are very approachable. You don’t have to be a VIP or have special seats to meet them. Men, women, and children alike are excited to meet the ChivaGirls, get an autograph, and take a photo.

(Liz autographs a t-shirt)

The other half of the team hosted a Q&A session with the kids performing at halftime.

(Q & A)

I wasn’t there, so I don’t know what the questions were. I gather the conversation was more along the lines of “what’s it like to perform in the pros” as opposed to “what do you guys think – is Britney back for real, or is she still wackadoodle?” After the Q&A, the girls joined the rest of the team at Chiva Town.

Occasionally, the ChivaGirls perform onstage at ChivaTown. Prior to their performance, they all smooshed into a teeny weeney vip box above the tennis arena to rehearse. The good news was that they were performing in two groups, so they ook turns rehearsing. If all of those girls had to dance at the same time in that little room, for sure someone would’ve taken a go-go boot to the chin.

(Group 2’s walkthrough)

The performances at ChivaTown were fun to watch. Alheli introduced the first group. And then nothing happened. No music. Nothing So Alheli came back and talked some more until they got the sound worked out. After the first group, Kelley introduced the second group and they danced their routine. The crowd cheered loudly for both performances.


(Group 1)

(Group 2)

Then it was back to the locker room for a hot minute, and up to the tunnel for pre-game. When it was time, the ChivaGirls went out on the field in two lines. There were some announcements, introduction of the soccer (ahem “football”) team, and the Canadian and US National Anthems. (The game was CD Chivas USA v. Toronto FC. Hence, the Canadian anthem. Not like they played it just for giggles.)



Once the game started, the girls formed two lines again for the Walkaround. I’m sure there’s a name for it, but I don’t know what it is. Anyway, both lines walk around the perimeter of the field (one line goes clockwise, the other counterclockwise). They wave, sign autographs and help get the crowd hyped up and cheering. (Which isn’t hard to do. Chivas fans are extremely loyal and extremely loud! I present as proof, Exhibit A and Exhibit B.)



After that, it was back to the locker room. Sandra, Mandi, and Dalila changed back into their street clothes. I never go the story on what that was about. Mandi was injured, so I understood why she wasn’t performing. Sandra got to put on the headphones and talk to the guy in the sound booth. Dalila was…I’m not sure what that Dalila was up to.


(Mandi, Dalila, and Sandra. This still has not been explained to my satisfaction.)

It seemed like we were only in the locker room for ten minutes, and then it was time to get ready for the halftime performance. Soccer games are much shorter than NFL or NBA games. Halftime is there before you know it. There’s a big “backstage” area behind the tunnel, and the girls gathered there to warm up, stretch, and run through the dance a couple of times.



Then bada-boom, bada-bing, it was showtime. The girls ran out and did their thing at centerfield. I’m not sure how the highschoolers did. I wasn’t really watching them. The ChivaGirls are really talented dancers, so it’s fun to watch them perform. In terms of skill, talent, presentation, and showmanship, they are definitely on par with the other pro teams around here. (Which is probably why those other teams *cough*ChargersClippersLakers*cough* steal a couple of ChivaGirls every year.)

Sidebar: As I was just saying, other times like to dip into the ChivaGirls talent pool. This year, Ariel is moving on to the Clippers, and Erica is moving on to the Laker Girls. Ariel looks the same, but the Lakers have transformed Erica from a blonde to a brunette. I had to look at her a couple of times before I recognized her.


The original Erica

The new Erica (with Tiffany)

I mention this because this left Laura as the lonely only blonde on the field. Mandi is the only other blonde on the team, but since she was sitting out, Laura was IT on this particular evening.
She stood out like a gold nugget in a coal mine.
Like a hog at a turkey trot.
Like a goth at a pep rally.
Like a…whatever. You know what I’m saying.



Alls I’m sayin’ is there is a definite blonde deficit on this team. I’m not one to give out unsolicited advice, but personally, if I planned to audition for the ChivaGirls next year, I would seriously consider going blonde. (And when I say “I,” I really mean “you.” I’d look gawd-awful with yellow hair.)

Afterward, it was back to the locker room.

Sometimes, after halftime, the ChivaGirls visit the VIP suites. Not this week, though. Since they didn’t have to do any VIP visits, they all changed clothes and packed up to go home.

Let’s recap, the girls arrive at 4pm. Everything after that is a blur:
Rehearsal – practice field
Change clothes/get spiffed up – locker room
Meet & Greet – Chiva Town
Q&A – tennis arena
Rehearse for Chiva Town performance – tennis suite
Chiva Town performances – concourse
Freshen up – locker room
Pregame & walkaround – on field
Halftime instructions/reminders – locker room
Halftime rehearsal – tunnel
Halftime performance – on field
Change clothes – locker room
Make like a banana and split.

That’s right – you heard me. Sayonara. Adios. Peace out.

In the NFL and NBA, the dance teams perform on the field or during breaks in the game. They stay all the way to the end of the game. Things are different in the MLS. ChivaGirls don’t perform after halftime, so they don’t have to stay through the end. They get to leave while the game is going on, traffic is light, and it’s smooth sailing out of the parking lot. Sweet! I don’t remember what time we all left but I think it was between 8pm and 9pm, so it wasn’t a late night. And they’re paid a salary for it. Hey, nice work, if you can get it!

The cheerleader pages on houstontexans.com have been updated. Go check ’em out!

Bengals.com has loads of new profile photos of the 2009-10 Ben-Gals!

This week, Sports Illustrated features Cheerleaders from the NFC East: Cowboys, Redskins, and Eagles. Click here to see the new photos.

New profiles are online!. Go there now.

Ni Hao — BlazerDancers in China: Day 1
Portland Trailblazers
8/28/2009

Our once in a lifetime journey started at 8:00 am at PDX. BlazerDancers Caitlin, Cristi, Taren, Eri, Mari and Mary Ellen and I began our trip to NBA Madness 2009 in Taipei, Taiwan and Hong Kong!

So much excitement in the air as none of us have ever been to China. This is the first International trip for all of the ladies as BlazerDancers. Our journey took us through San Francisco, directly to Tokyo and finally about 20 hours later to Taipei, Taiwan! Of course through customs and the challenge of finding our way to correct baggage claim area. Luckily we have Eri who understands some of the language and was able to guide us through the airport. Or first challenge – Caitlin’s luggage with all of her uniforms, shoes, accessories is missing! Our first event is in the morning and Caitlin has nothing to wear! Luckily each dancer packed one uniform and shoes in their carryon just in case of emergency! Thank goodness for that last minute idea. Always be prepared!

We were greeted at the exit by our fabulous escorts Doris and Zeno who will be with us for our stay here in Taiepei. The nicest two people we could be lucky to work with. The second we exit the airport we’re overwhelmed by the heat and humidity! It must have been 90 degrees but it felt like 110. Our Rockstar Energy Drink Sweats were perfectly comfortable for the long journey here but it was time for a quick little adjustment to survive the temperature. As we traveled for an hour by bus to the fabulous Shangri-La hotel in Taipei, we were able.to see the city by night. It never sleeps. It’s like New York City. What stood out most…..the Vespas1 They’re everywhere. We were later told there are 22 million people here…..and……22 million Vespas! One of our hosts says he has three of his own. Just imagine New ork City cab drivers on Vespas, weaving in and out of traffic and serious speed. Everyone rides them, adults, kids and familes, yes we saw three people on one Vespa! We’re hoping to rent some for a tour of the city while we’re here.

Once checked in at the Shangri-Lal we had a late dinner at one of the many bar/restaraunts here at the hotel on the 38 floor. We were able to see the beautiful city of Taipei by night and for the first time, the tallest buidling in the world, Taipei 101. Amazing! Can’t wait to see it up close.

Time to nestle in and try to get some sleep. NBA MAdness 2009 begins tomorrow!

Wan an – good night!
Caitlin, Taren, Cristi, Eri, Mari, Mary Ellen

Coretta Gray, owner of Coretta’s Elegant Events, and former classmate of retired Cowboys Cheerleader Jasmin Jones reported on her blog that Jasmin recently married her fiance Dr. Nakia Newsome. According to Coretta’s blog, after retiring from the DCC, Jasmin relocated to Philadelphia and is now a school teacher. A few photos from Jasmin’s wedding can be found on wedding photographer Bray Danielle’s website, here.

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

By Beverly Keller, Editor
Local Edition
The Budget Newspaper

For 11-year-old Aviana Sean Cline of Sugarcreek, nothing could stop her from performing for the second straight year as a junior Tennessee Titan Cheerleader – not even a harsh economic climate.

Aviana has dreams of being a Tennessee Titan Cheerleader when she grows up. Earlier this year, when her parents broke the news to her that her dream to be a part of the junior program this year wouldn’t happen due to financial constraints, the young go-getter set off on her own to find an answer.

While she was devastated by the news that her parents could not afford to send her to the program, Aviana was determined that she would be a part of the program. In fact, Aviana took matters into her own hands and raised money for the trip on her own.

By doing odd jobs for neighbors and friends and holding small fundraisers, Aviana was able to raise the funds needed to book the trip to Tennessee and once again grace Titan Field. Her hard work raised nearly $1,000 that will be used for her uniform, gas, hotel and food that is needed in order for her to attend the clinics.

Throughout September, Aviana will participate in three cheer and dance clinics with the Tennessee Titan Cheerleaders that will culminate in a performance at the home-opener on September 20. She will be cheering alongside current cheerleaders and other juniors from across the United States while Tennessee faces off with the Houston Texans.

The daughter of Kevin and Brynn Cline is a fifth grade student at Ragersville Elementary. She attends Barrs Mill Church of God near Sugarcreek. Her love of dance and performance has led her to begin her 10th year of dance classes. She studies jazz as well as hip-hop, modern, ballet and pointe with Shelly Beitzel at the Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center in Dover. She also takes tumbling and back handspring classes at the Tuscarawas County YMCA. In addition to her dancing ability, Aviana is working to master the piano and is a student of Amy McNutt.

Being a Junior Titans Cheerleader is an incredible opportunity that girls ages 6 – 14 look forward to every fall, and thanks to her hard work, Aviana will be one of them. Her family will travel eight hours to the clinics each weekend in September.

“It is a dream for her,” Aviana’s mother Brynn explained. “This is something she has always wanted to do. It started out watching the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders and the show that is on television each year that shows the women who try out to be a part of the squad, and it just grew.”

Brynn explained that Aviana saw a commercial on the program about the junior program at Houston and instantly wanted to be a part of it.

“I told her that is quite far from Ohio and she asked if there was something closer. I looked online and found the closest team with a stellar junior program was in Nashville.”

The rest, as the saying goes, is history. “Aviana applied last year and was accepted,” Brynn said. “It was just an incredible experience last year for her and she is excited to be part of it again this year.”

Wow – it’s barely September and the new Wizard Girls team photo is already online! The Wizard Girls are way ahead of the curve this year!