The new Patriots Cheerleaders uniforms, which will be reveled at the team’s on Thursday, were designed by Sondra Celli.

SONDRA – freaking – CELLI.

Now, I guess if I’d actually read the press release I would know this, but I feel like they should have put this information in HUGE RED LETTERS. And underlined it. Twice.

Do you know who Sondra Celli is? Do you?

If you don’t, google her. Google her right now.

Unlike myself, you probably have not seen every single episode of “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” (both the original recipe and the Yankee spinoff) I have watched the specials. I have watched the Stanley Sisters spin-off (really not proud of that last one). I’ve even read the books written by the dressmakers. Not because of some innate fascination with the Gypsy/Roma/Traveller cultures, but because their fashion fascinates me. The wedding gowns, the bridesmaids dresses, the formal wear, it’s like…whoa. There is no way to adequately describe the over-the-topness that happens on those shows.

So, who is Sondra Celli? Sondra Celli is THE couturier of choice for gypsy bridal fashion in the US of A. Why? Because she does things with Swarovski crystals that you have never even imagined. And she does it with crystals by the truckload. I imagine her shop is like Scrooge McDuck’s money vault, except hers is piled high with glitter and crystals, not gold coins. I want to go there and put on a princess crown, and dance around in the mountains of tulle. But I digress.

Sondra serves a clientele that views “completely absurd” as the jumping off point for any design. So she sparkles gowns, pumps, tuxedos, baby booties, christening gowns, hand bags, go go boots, baby strollers, first communion dresses, sweet 16 outfits, mens shoes, hot pants, motorcycle helmets, and anything else you can imagine. If you can make it stand still, she can bedazzle it.

Yes, that is Katy Perry, in the midst of her mercifully brief “just broke up with my man, gotta change my hair” blondish phase. (Hard to believe that woman is a natural blonde. She is so stunning with dark hair. Oops, there I go, off topic again…)

Sondra Celli is famous for making wedding gowns so enormous the bride can barely walk, gowns so heavy they leave the wearer with permanent scars. Exhibit A:

Indulge me while I go completely off topic for a moment…Here is one of Sondra’s recent creations for one of her most outrageous gypsy customers. The bride wanted hot pink, leopard, and sparkles, and oh boy did Sondra give it to her! The first impression is one of intense cray, but there is some serious workmanship in there, and I don’t even think she had a week to make all of it. (Sadly, the marriage didn’t even last half that long, but that’s a story for another day. Oh, that wacky Mellie Stanley…)

So, as I ponder “Sondra Celli + Pats Cheerleaders,” this is the kind of thing that comes to mind:

I cannot wait to see how she translates her specialty into cheerleader costumes, which must of necessity be lightweight and breathable.

Now, having terrified you with all of the above, let me put your mind at ease. Yes, Sondra Celli refers to her assistants as “The Blingettes,” but she also has a whole other side of her formalwear business where she dials the glitter gun down several notches. That side of her business caters to a different clientele. One that now, apparently, includes the Pats Cheerleaders. But both sides of her business involve a lot of Swarovski, so whatever she came up with for the NEPC will definitely sparkle.

Check out Sondra’s facebook page for examples of her blingiest productions. [here]

Oklahoma City Thunder – Oklahoma City, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013 – The Oklahoma City Thunder selected 20 women for its 2013-14 Thunder Girls dance team on Thursday night, the team announced today. Final auditions took place in front of a full house at the Showplace Theatre in Riverwind Casino.

Photo Gallery | Video | Meet the Team

Of the 20 ladies, 11 return from last year’s squad, joined by nine rookies. Three Thunder Girls – Jada, LaTeshia and Shereka – are headed into their sixth season on the squad.

“The Thunder Girls serve as ambassadors for our team, both on and off the court,” said Paige Carter, who enters her third season as the Thunder Girls dance team manager and choreographer. “We are excited to have a group of young women who not only are great dancers, but also can engage with our community of fans to form a positive connection with our team.”

A panel of judges, including Gary England of News 9, Miss Oklahoma Kelsey Griswold, and Joey and Heather from WILD 104.9, assisted Thunder staff in making the final selections.

The final audition process consisted of three rounds: a choreographed jazz/hip-hop routine, a question-and-answer session and a solo dance.

Following last Saturday’s open auditions, 38 women were selected as finalists for Thursday’s event from an initial group of nearly 100 hopefuls. During the week, finalists took part in formal interviews and rehearsals to prepare for the finals.

The Thunder Girls are presented by Riverwind Casino. Members of the team make more than 200 appearances each year throughout the community and have served as ambassadors for the team at home and overseas. More information about the team is available at THUNDER.NBA.COM. Fans can also get updates on Facebook (facebook.com/thundergirls), Twitter (@thundergirls) and Instagram (@okcthundergirls).

Click here to go to the NFL’s first cheerleader gallery of the season!

The Toronto Raptors organization is looking for a little input on this year’s Dance Pak members. They’ve already selected these ladies to the team:

Now they want you to help choose the final member of the team. The field has been narrowed down to 8 ladies in the running for the remaining spot on the team. Click here to read up on them and cast your vote!

The Raiders unveiled the 2013-14 Raiderette Calendar Wednesday night in the West Side Club of O.co Coliseum in front of the 40 Raiderettes and their friends and family.
Rebecca Corman
Raiders.com
August 8, 2013

The Raiders unveiled the 2013-14 Raiderette Calendar Wednesday night in the West Side Club of O.co Coliseum in front of the 40 Raiderettes and their friends and family. Veteran Raiderette Tori and rookie Raiderette Autumn grace the front cover, while veterans Rachel and Cassie adorn the back cover. Also on the back cover are veterans Maureen, Brandi, Brittany and Chanel.

Tori, in her fourth year with Football’s Fabulous Females, was shocked and overwhelmed when she realized she was the cover girl. “It feels amazing. I was not expecting it at all,” said Tori. “Even when [the curtain] came down I feel like it took me a minute to realize it was me and then I instantly cried.”

Raiderettes Maureen, Brandi, Brittany and Chanel on the back cover. Photo by Tony Gonzales

All of her teammates cheered and surrounded her after the reveal. “It’s amazing. They’re such great sisters, all of them,” said Tori. “It feels great to have that support from them because it’s very needed. The daily things we go through and the things we go through at practice, they’re always there for us. It was amazing.”

Also on the cover, with her uniform shot, is rookie Autumn. “I was so excited. I was actually really shocked at first because there was a glare and I couldn’t tell it was myself,” said Autumn. “I had no idea it was me, but it was so exciting, especially this year being my rookie year. I just kind of expected it to be all veterans up there. I was really, really happy. Tori looks amazing too. I’m really proud of her and proud to be on the cover with her as well.”

Rachel and Cassie command the back cover of the calendar. “I was completely shocked and amazed. I wasn’t sure to expect,” said Rachel. “This whole calendar, it came out amazing.”

Seeing herself on the back cover was a rush for Rachel. “I was getting nervous. It felt like butterflies,” said Rachel. “A sigh of relief too like all of our hard work paid off.”

Each month of the calendar was also displayed during the Calendar Release Party. After seeing the calendar from front to back, the Raiderettes are convinced Raider Nation will want it on their walls.

“It’s the best calendar the NFL is going to see. It’s awesome,” said Cassie.

Cover girl Tori wants Raider Nation to check it out. “It’s an amazing calendar. I feel like this is the No. 1 calendar,” said Tori. “This year is amazing and we’re outside the studio. There are lots of amazing things to see, the wineries. I think it’s beautiful and everyone looks beautiful in the calendar.”

The calendar release came two days before the Raiders preseason begins and the Raiderettes step foot on the field for the first time in 2013. “It’s really a push forward. We’ve been working so hard these past three months,” said Rachel. “We’re ready to go out there and be the best we can be and be fabulous out there.”

The calendar is now available for purchase at www.raiderimage.com.

And make sure to support the Raiderettes on the field each game day.

Raiderette Brandi. Photo by Tony Gonzales

The Raiders also revealed this year’s Bud Light Raiderette – Brandi.

Brandi, in her second year with Football’s Fabulous Females, could hardly believe she was chosen to represent the team. “Unreal. I was shaking when I found out,” said Brandi. “All last year my dad made sure to buy the Bud Light cans with the Raiders logo on it. Our fridge was always stocked with it. I remember seeing the Raiderettes on billboards and on the Coliseum columns and I can’t believe I get to be one of them. It’s unreal.”

Brandi is excited, but a little nervous to see herself around O.co Coliseum on game day. “I think it’ll make me feel really bashful to walk by and see it. It’s so exciting. I’m just so excited I can’t believe it to be true,” said Brandi.

She was grateful to have the support of her Raiderette sisters when the poster was unveiled. “It felt great to have girls that are excited for you. We’re all so happy to see everybody’s pictures today,” said Brandi. “Everyone just wants the best for you. They think the best of everybody and all their shots. It feels so good to have so many girls behind you that want you to do good and that are proud of you.”

Make sure to look for Brandi on game day around the stadium and on the field.

I’m still having a hard time getting used to that. Anywho, auditions are underway, and the team will be announced Thursday night. In the meantime, check out the 38 finalists (here) and photos from the first rounds of auditions (here) and the first day of bootcamp (here).

KEYC – Mankato News, Weather, Sports –

By Ashley Goettl
Fox 12 KEYC tv
August 5, 2013

The Minnesota Vikings were back at Training Camp again today, but today a familiar face to the area was on hand as a member of the Vikings cheerleading squad.

She’s a North Mankato native who’s been on the team for five years.

Being a professional dancer is something many girls dream of when they begin their careers at places like Dance Express in Mankato.

But for Kaylee, that dream became a reality.

As a member of the Vikings Cheerleader team, she’s on the sidelines leading the squad as a captain.

And the Mankato West and Gustavus graduate is thrilled to be back home for Training Camp.

Kaylee says, “It’s so exciting to come back to Mankato for Training Camp and I always tell the other cheerleaders that we get to go to my home. It’s been absolutely unbelievable, the whole Vikings experience. I tried out my first year, completely on a whim’ I didn’t really tell anybody that I was trying out and I was so lucky to make it my first time and I never, ever thought I’d be doing it five years later.”

But it doesn’t come as a surprise to Kaylee’s former dance instructor at Dance Express Mitzi Roberts.

Roberts says, “Kaylee was always talented, ever since she was a tiny little girl and she started classes here and she showed a lot of talent at an early age.”

Now, seeing the woman she’s become brings a sense of pride to Roberts, who has been teaching dance for nearly 30 years.

Roberts says, “I get a little choked up when I watch her out there. She is such, you know, it’s every little girl’s dream to do that someday. To see her on the field, I’ve gone to watch her a couple of times and it is just so rewarding as a teacher to watch her out there.”

But now, Kaylee hopes she can pass on what she’s learned to help girls reach their dreams.

Kaylee says, “Girls don’t really realize some of the opportunities that they have to further their dance career. It’s more than just dance. It’s a way to make new friends, a way to get out in the community and of course, be a part of football.”

Be a part of football from her home of North Mankato to her home in the dome.

In case you’re wondering, it’s Vikings team policy to identify their cheerleaders by first name only.

Six veteran members of the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dance team have been on an extended trip in China for the Dongfeng Auto Show. Jealous much? I am.

What is eh Dongfeng auto show? Glad you asked. Unfortunately, I don’t actually know. What I do know is that Dongfeng Motor Corporation is one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the People’s Republic of China. The company is an official partner of the NBA, and invited the Spirit to appear at the show, perform, meet and greet fans, and bring some American-style awesomeness to the event. Mission accomplished.

The members of the dance team barely had this year’s auditions under their belt when it was time to pack up and go. I always wonder how these decisions go. No question that this would be veterans only. Hey, seniority has its privileges. But there were a lot of returning veterans this year. Eliminate all the ones who couldn’t get off work, and then waht do you do with everyone who is left? Draw straws? Rock, paper, scissors? Well, regardless of how they decided, Brittany, Jacy, Kellie, Kelsey, Tatum, Shannon were the lucky ladies who got to go.

Check out the photos on the Clippers website |gallery one| |gallery two| and the Clippers Spirit page on Facebook Page |click here|!

Reason #50984 why I would never been chosen for a pro dance team: If I saw a life size cardboard cutout of myself, I would take it. Wouldn’t even hesitate.

I’d take one of those, too. What? I’m just being honest.

One thing you should know about Kellie: she’s a hugger. I’m not suggesting that should you ever see her at a game, you run up and bear hug her. This is just color commentary.

And a very happy birthday to the team’s Director Audrea Harris. Happy 21st!

I look forward to heat dancer auditions every year, for the simple reason that these women Show Out. Click here for the photo gallery and see what I mean. You should check out the entire photo gallery for no reason than to honor the amount of time some of these women put into accessorizing their audition ensembles.

This isn’t one of those auditions where you just snatch something cute off the rack at Target. No no. That’s just the jumping off point, you understand.

Did I lie? Nope.

Click here to watch a short video that – if you’re lucky – is proceeded by the new Jordans commercial featuring Blake and Drain. Mad love for Dr. Drain. I think we all know someone just like him. (Not so much Blake Griffin, if only because dude is crazy tall. You ever stand next to one of these NBA guys? I actually stood next to Blake Griffin for five seconds one time, and even though I have a master’s degree and a professional job, and I’m reasonably well read, and passably intelligent, the only words that came to mind were “Wow. You’re like, really tall.”)

On an unrelated note, what the HELL is that…that… thing hanging from the ceiling? I’m skeered of it. It looks like it’s going to come down and suck your brain out through your nose and turn you into a zombie, and you won’t even know what happened except all of a sudden you crave human flesh.

Roll your eyes now, but you”ll be singing a different tune when you find out Miami is ground zero for the zombie apocalypse. Look at all those unsuspecting dancers. They don’t even know…

More than 20 women try out for Madame Ants Dance Team
By Jaclyn Goldsborough
The News-Sentinel
August 5, 2013

[photo gallery]

For small-town Pennsylvania transplant Lierin Rossman, the Madame Ants Dance Team was a perfect opportunity to advance her dance skills while meeting people in Fort Wayne.

Rossman began dancing in high school and continued through college and law school. When she moved to Fort Wayne to work at Bellinger Law Office last year, she tried out for and made the Madame Ants Dance Team. This year, she is hoping for a repeat.

On Saturday, Rossman and 14 other prospective team members tried out for the Madame Ants Dance Team at the Concordia Theological Seminary Gymnasium. Another try out was to be held Monday afternoon.

A total 20 women tried out for the team, but coach and choreographer Sheenah Johnson had the toughest job of all – deciding which 10 to 12 women will make the team.

“Being a Madame Ant is a huge time commitment, requiring dedication and professionalism. The Madame Ants Dance Team is a huge steppingstone for these dancers,” she said.

Johnson, a former dance team member, said no matter how long she continues to do her job, it never gets any easier.

“It’s nerve-wracking for me at tryouts because I look at the overall potential of the group. It’s tough looking at the new members versus the returning members. I don’t like to hurt anyone and I don’t want anyone to go home with hurt feelings, but at the end of the day, it’s who actually brought it that day. I look at who was ready, prepared, physically fit, understood the routine, retained (the dance) fast and performed well,” Johnson said.

These women spend a lot of time with each other over the course of the Mad Ant’s season.

Rossman said the women on the team connect on many levels, from their love of dance to laughs over lunch.

“We are good friends. We hang out outside of dance. We go to TinCaps games, grab lunch or that kind of stuff. Everyone is friendly and we don’t have spats or cliques. We have a really great dynamic,” Rossman said.

Preseason practice includes a weekend camp to learn routines, expectations and team-building. The team practices twice a week during the season: two hours Tuesday and four hours Sunday. The team performs at 24 home games, spending at least five hours at each game. There are also required community appearances throughout the season.

Rossman said the team works hard and is always trying to find ways to please the crowd.

“We put a lot more work in this than many people realize. It’s a lot of work including the blood, sweat and tears,” Rossman said. “It can be exhausting and overwhelming sometimes but everyone makes do. We put our time in to make everything look good. That is what we do, we aim to please.”

While the women are paid for the work, Heidi Busch, director of communications and game operations, said it’s a lot of work for not much pay.

“They are the face of the team. When you come to a Mad Ants game the first thing you experience is a greeting from the team. Every year the standard for the team is set high. They are classy ladies who are good dancers and have a good face for us especially coming off of a great season last year. The (basketball) team can do whatever. They can win. They can lose. But every night you will get to see great dancing and meet some high caliber girls,” Busch said.

To see who made this year’s Madame Ants Dance Team, check out The News-Sentinel on Wednesday when Johnson will announce the full roster.