Bios and uniform shots now online. Go check ’em out!
San Antonio Spurs: The San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers recently traveled to Mexico City to promote the Spurs and the NBA south of the border at the NBA Mexico 3×3 tournament. >>Watch part 1 now!
By Luke Graham
Craig Daily Press
July 8, 2009
For the last five years the team had gone to an exotic location in Mexico to shoot its annual calendar.
But at the urging of fans, and the opportunities that abound in Colorado, the Broncos decided to keep it more local this year. And what better and more beautiful place than Steamboat Springs?
The Broncos cheerleaders have been in Steamboat since Sunday shooting their 2009-10 swimsuit calendar. The photo shoot ends Saturday.
Locations have included Strawberry Park Hot Springs, More Barn, St. Cloud Mountain Club, the top of the gondola, Vista Verde Guest Ranch, Steamboat Lake, Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club, Ghost Ranch Saloon, F.M. Light and Sons and several private homes, among others.
“It is different,” said Teresa Shear, the Broncos’ director of cheerleading and game day entertainment. “Not all the teams in the NFL can claim the mountains like we can. With the Broncos and our Western theme, it made it a perfect spot for us. We do hope it’s a unique calendar and stands out among the other NFL teams.”
Judging by the initial reactions of several cheerleaders, the shoot has been a success.
Although the team has tried to find some water to go along with the swimsuits, they’ve also found several of Steamboat’s most beautiful and famous spots to shoot.
Tuesday evening the team was at Steamboat Lake on a boat at sunset. The cheerleaders also were shot at the top of the gondola on Monday during sunset.
“Mexico is fun and it’s fun to be on the beach,” said Nicole Moore, who has been a Broncos cheerleader for three years. “But at the same time we’re excited to be up in the mountains. Our fans really wanted us to shoot in Colorado again since we are the Denver Broncos cheerleaders. I think they’re really looking forward to the calendar up here.”
Most of the girls treat their cheerleading as more of a passion than a job. All have years of experience in dance at the youth, high school and collegiate levels. Most are either full-time students or have other full-time jobs.
“It’s like the greatest experience,” said Jessica Flores, noting that members of team are also employed as teachers, architects and pharmacists. “We do so much with games and dancing. This is more for the charities and we get to hang out with our fans.”
The photo shoots have all varied, but each includes long hours. Flores, who was photographed at the St. Cloud Mountain Club next to its fireplace, said her shoot took more than five hours, including two hours of hair and makeup.
Shear said she was looking for the ideal Colorado location for the shoot. After visiting Steamboat several months ago for her daughter’s tennis tournament, she said she knew Steamboat was the place.
“It’s the perfect fit,” she said. “The Western aspect and it’s just so beautiful up here. I know it’s going to be a great calendar for us.”
The calendar will be finished Aug. 15 and go on sale after that. It will cost $14.95 and can be purchased at www.denverbroncos.com or at retail locations throughout the Front Range. To see some of the shots from Steamboat Springs, click here.
Lucie Bartlett’s Blog
July 5, 2009
As part of the NFL Bucs cheer girls‘ UK tour this week, they dropped by three primary schools in three different cities to teach youngsters all about the sport.
The Bucs were over drumming up support for their team before they come back over on October 25th to host the New England Patriotsat Wembley – the third annual NFL match-up that the UK has seen in recent years.
As a former cheerleader, it was hugely rewarding to be able to set up these school camps, and show young kids first hand what cheerleading can bring. I was only given the opportunity at uni and I wished so much that squads had been active and available when I was little too.
Bucs – camp1
But what was most heart-warming was Head Teacher of Newcastle’s Wingrove Primary, Denise Harland’s glowing endorsement of the girls when they came to visit the school – hopefully dispelling the renowned air-head myths surrounding the cheer community:
“It’s a great opportunity to have the cheerleaders come into the school and show the children a different side of sport. These girls are very fit, articulate and fun, and it’s gives our children an idea of what sport can offer. They need to see and experience as broad a range of activities as possible and are very fortunate to have been part of the Buccaneers tour.”
Bring it on.
By Bennie Scarton Jr.
InsideNoVa.com
July 5, 2009
When she was 3 years old, Crystal Boutselis began taking dance classes at Showcase Dance Studio in Manassas.
Now, 23 years later, she is running the studio.
In the intervening years she has had a remarkable dancing career.
Following graduation from Stonewall Jackson High School, Boutselis moved to New York City to train at Broadway Dance Center with top professionals in the dance industry.
After returning to Manassas, she performed four years professionally—three years as a Washington Red-skins cheerleader and one year as Washington Wizards dancer. She appeared twice in the Redskins cheer-leader calendar and has her own trading card.
While dancing with the two professional teams, Boutselis traveled around the world, performing in Kyr-gyzstan, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Africa, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras and China with Armed Forces Entertainment to boost morale of U.S. troops.
Retiring in 2008 from those sports teams, she began dancing with ‘The Capital Movement Pro-ject” in Washington to hone her jazz and hip-hop training.
“While I love performing in front of large crowds, my heart lies in teaching. I love choreographing routines for local school dance teams, as well as professional teams such as the Wizard Girls,” she said.
Boutselis’ love of dance led her to re-open Showcase Dance Studio as a tribute to the school that allowed her to dance in the professional arena.
“I want to make local residents proud of the dance talent in the community. For this reason, Show-case’s curriculum is based on style, technique and showmanship, which allows each student to excel in all genres of dance. Even more important, class sizes are small, permitting our instructors to focus on individualized instruction,” she said.
Showcase offers prestigious Royal Academy of Dance ballet, pointe and character classes, Broadway-style jazz and top classes, as well as jazz, hip-hop, musical theater, breakdancing and pom styles. Showcase is also a satellite studio for the Washington Redskins Junior Cheerleader program.
“I feel that by re-opening Showcase I’m giving back to the community of Manassas, where my love of dance was fostered,” she said.
She has been running the studio for the past year and recently held the first recital, with 115 students par-ticipating.
Boutselis trained with Carol Gil-Montero for 15 years, studying styles such as Broadway tap and jazz, theater ballet, pointe, pom, hip-hop and acrobatics. Gil-Montero had the first dance studio in Manassas, opening in 1972.
Boutselis was also a dance instructor for the Prince William County Public School System, serving two years as a captain for the Stonewall Jackson High School Raiderettes dance team and a year as captain of the freshmen cheerleading squad.
“Dancing is in my blood. I really enjoy what I do for a living,” said the 26-year-old dancer.
As a dance instructor, she now has students who start at 3 years old, as she did. She instructs adults and senior citizens as well.
Boutselis believes dancing classes can do a lot for an individual.
“Not only does it build self-confidence, but in my case it gave me the opportunity to travel around the world, which I could not have done otherwise,” she said.
One of her highlights was performing with the Washington Redskins cheerleaders in front of more than 90,000 spectators, along with forming lasting friendships and doing community charity work.
Boutselis will be busy this summer running dance camps. They begin today and run through Aug. 27 for ages 3 to 14 and include tap, ballet, jazz, pom, hip-hop and lyrical.
The studio is located at 8704 Rolling Road and the telephone number is 703-368-0555.
Bob Chavez
NLL Insider
July 4, 2009
You think we forgot, don’t ya? You think we swept it under the rug and didn’t care anymore, right? Well, you’re wrong. We’ve got your National Lacrosse League Girl of the Year right here but waited to ring in the Fourth of July here in America proper-like. We kinda like the way it worked out so without further delay, here’s Marie, a rookie dancer in the NLL who claimed the title after more than 120,000 votes were cast. Flip the page and check out what Marie has to say about her title and advice she gives aspiring dancers in our exclusive interview with the winner.
Marie outpolled Gina of the Boston Blazers by a count of 69,242 to 51,053. A fine turnout, no doubt. And there’s no doubt Marie has a ton of support among family, friends and fans. With that in mind, we caught up with Marie and captured some of her thoughts on the season, the contest and what being a dancer is all about. Check it.
1. So you’re the champ … what’s it mean for you?
Yes, I’m the champion, haha. Well, I’m in awe. I definitely did not think that I’d win because with every vote I put it, Gina jumped 10 votes, but I put half of my time and effort into voting and I conquered. Even though I am going to be the same Marie, being the Girl of the Week Champion means a lot to me. The girls on the team as well as the whole Wings Organization won’t view me as just an Angels Dancer, but as a girl who came into this season up for any challenge that was thrown at me. I do think I desereved to win. I attended every home game and almost every appearance that the Angels had. I put all of my time, effort, and soul into the dance team and I acknowledge every minute of it.
2. Did you hear a lot about this contest from family and friends?
The first time I heard about this contest was through our PR director. He sent out an e-mail to the team telling us all to sign up on NLL.com and try to get our name onto the Girls of the Week voting. After that had happened, I didn’t really know what to expect next. It was just one day I decided to visit the Insider and saw all of the other voting. After that, haha yeah, I heard about it every day, people telling me that they wanted me to win and that anyone up against me I shouldn’t even call competition because they stand no chance. If someone can whip out 69,000+ votes and take a 20,000 vote lead, then I guess they were right!
3. How did you spread the word about this and get people to vote?
Mainly by Facebook and MySpace. Everyday, I would post the link and tell people to vote for me, and they did. On Facebook though, I not only did that, but I also created a “Girl of the Week” group, which then I sent out updates about voting, posted the links to the polls and my articles. I had well over 100 of my friends join. As for MySpace, I had a little help with that, haha.
4. Was your first year with the Wings anything like you expected it would be?
I don’t really think people “expect” it to be like anything. I know that when I started, I went into the season with an open mind, not knowing what to expect. After the first game, I knew that my first season would be a thrill ride.
5. Coming back for a second year with the Wings?
Definitely! I plan on being a part of the Wings lacrosse and Angels Dance Team for at least another two years. After that since I’d be graduating college, hopefully a dance company.
6. What’s your advice to young, aspiring dancers out there?
Here’s advice that I heard years ago and it led me to where I am today, “Dance like noone is watching you!” You never know who may be out in the audience or stands and you could possibly land yourself a job.
7. Does winning this title call for any sort of special celebration, Philly style?
Haha … I never really thought about it. There may be a celebration, but who knows. Depends on my family and friends and if they want to go out. Maybe I’ll head to a club and have myself a good time.
8. Pat’s or Geno’s?
Pat’s all of the way!! Best philly cheesesteaks that ever existed!! GO PATS!
So there ya have it, fans. Marie, your National Lacrosse League Girl of the Year. Stay tuned later this summer as we kick off a summer edition of the contest that’ll help keep you occupied until we kick off Season No. 3 next winter.
by Vicky Robson, Evening Chronicle
Jul 4 2009
CHEERLEADERS brought the American dream all the way to youngsters on Tyneside.
And it was “hands on hips, smiles on lips” for the pupils at Wingrove Primary School, in Fenham, Newcastle, when the team of elite professionals dropped in to fly their flag.
The six-strong squad from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers American football team, in Florida, were in the city as part of a UK tour to promote the sport and rally fans.
They spent the morning playing games and showing some classic steps to dance pupils in Years 3 to 6, before showcasing their pom-pom power in two special routines.
The girls finished their visit with two performances and wowed the crowd of youngsters, all aged between seven and 11, with their traditional slogan shouting.
Buccaneer cheerleader, Anna Duncan, 23, said: “It’s been amazing. I love coming to the UK and it’s great to give the kids an opportunity to have some fun and teach them all about American football.
“We are here to promote the sport and the big game at Wembley in October and we are also the UK’s home team this year so it’s very exciting. It’s just wonderful to be here.”
The visit coincided with the school’s sports week where children had been taking part in a range of different activities, including cricket, cycling and street jam and Asian dancing.
Headteacher at Wingrove Primary School, on Hadrian Road, Denise Harland, said: “It’s a great opportunity to have the cheerleaders come into the school and show the children a different side of sport.
“These girls are very fit, articulate and fun, and it’s gives our children an idea of what sport can offer.
“They need to see and experience as broad a range of activities as possible and are very fortunate to have been part of the Buccaneers tour.”
The squad are touring the UK in a bid to drum up support and rally fans for the third National Football League game at Wembley Stadium, in London.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing as the UK’s home team against the New England Patriots, who are hosting the match in the new season which starts in September.
It will be the third regular season game played by the NFL in the country and has already sold more than 70,000 tickets.
NFL UK managing director, Alistair Kirkwood, said: “It’s great to see British kids enjoying any aspect of the American football experience. It all helps to develop an understanding and passion for the sport.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the New England Patriots game which takes place at Wembley Stadium, in London, on October 25.
For more information on the game, or cheerleading in the UK, visit www.NFLUK.com
Brother-sister team hopes taping of pilot episode at Sutra Lounge for new cheerleading competition show will be a breakout for all.
By Jeremiah Dobruck
Daily Pilot
Friday, July 3, 2009
At Sutra Lounge in Costa Mesa tonight, Derick Alexander isn’t going to be working the door as a bouncer like he has many Fridays. Instead he’ll be directing cheerleaders, overseeing a fashion show and monitoring every piece of production while he’s filming the pilot for a reality TV show created by his sister Roxanne Alexander-Pringle.
“Pro Cheer Danz” is a potential competition reality show that focuses on seven cheerleaders graded for 13 weeks by their acting, dancing, modeling and cheering ability as producers search for a breakout star.
Alexander, a Costa Mesa resident, is producing and directing the pilot with the sponsorships of local businesses but mostly on his own cash, much of which was earned working the door at Sutra.
Tonight, the cheerleaders will strut down the runway at Sutra as Alexander films the high-fashion segment of the pilot, hosted by his sister.
“The whole idea is it’s a professional fashion show,” Alexander said of the show, which will feature pieces from Orange County designers and stores.
Alexander is shopping out the pilot, looking for a network to pick up the show so he can produce the entire series in what he calls “a can’t-miss situation.”
“I’m glad to do the show here because I feel like I have roots here now,” Alexander said, who followed a roundabout route to living and working in Costa Mesa.
Alexander’s career path might seem a little backward. He’s had small parts in major movies like “Castaway” and “Dreamgirls,” but seven years ago when he married his wife, Sheryll Alexander, he moved from Los Angeles to Costa Mesa and later began attending OCC.
“I decided I want to do a whole lot more in terms of acting, producing and directing, so that’s when I got the film school bug,” Alexander said.
After graduating from OCC, he moved on to Chapman University where he graduated from its film school.
“That’s a big deal for me because there was a point when I thought I would never finish college. I had started and stopped and dropped out of more colleges than I have fingers,” Alexander said.
All the time, he and his wife were supporting their two daughters with Sheryll Alexander’s freelance writing and Derick Alexander bouncing at Sutra so he could fund the career path he yearned for.
“Our challenge together has been to truly be artists together and make money at what we’re passionate about,” Sheryll Alexander said.
That challenge revved up in the spring. When Derick Alexander was graduating from Chapman, his sister approached him with the idea of a show looking for breakout cheerleading stars who could hold their own in modeling, acting and dancing.
“If someone were to watch the show, they’re going to see a variety of different talents,” Derick Alexander said.
Alexander has cut his teeth in both acting and directing, and Alexander-Pringle, with a background in professional cheerleading, including four years as a Raiderette, brings the dance and cheer experience to the production.
“I’ve had over 20 years of cheerleading and dance. It has been my passion all of my life,” Alexander-Pringle said. “Now that I’ve had my hurrah on the sidelines, I want to take it up to the next executive level.”
Alexander-Pringle, who lives in the Bay Area, said Orange County is a perfect place to film the pilot, noting there is an abundance of talent in fields like dance.
“They’re coming out of Orange County like crazy,” she said.
Alexander hopes he too can be a break-out talent from his newfound hometown.
“It’s important to me that the show do well, that I represent Chapman well, represent OCC well and represent Sutra well,” Alexander said.
By MVC Jessie, 3-year veteran
Vikings.com
7/1/2009
All aboard! Nikki and Jessie hopped on the train and headed to Devil’s Lake, ND, for Military Appreciation Day on June 20. This annual event offers the community an opportunity to join together in showing their appreciation for the military. Nikki and Jessie were both happy and proud to bring some Vikings cheer to Devil’s Lake and show their appreciation as well! They enjoyed the powerful speakers and meeting many men and women who serve our country, along with their spouses and children. They also had an opportunity to take a tour of the city of Devil’s Lake!
Nikki and Jessie met many members of the North Dakota Patriot Guard. This group of riders has one thing in common besides motorcycles, and that is their unwavering respect for those who risk their lives for America’s freedom and security. This group of motorcyclists made a powerful impact on the event as they came riding in together in honor of the military. Once the day came to a close, the girls hopped back on the train for their 8-hour ride back home.
