Happenings: Spotlight 2K12 The Sleuth was a SUCCESS!

Wow! How exciting was yesterday, June 2nd, 2012?? We finally had VYbE's annual dance showcase at Young People's Theatre in downtown Toronto, and it was AMAZING. I have many many pictures from the tech rehearsal the day before, as well as a few photos from the big day which I will be posting later.

After a night's sleep, I'm all kinds of sore everywhere on my body, though I must say every bit was well worth it. I had someone from the audience come up to me and say that I really looked like I was enjoying my time on stage because they could see my huge smile from where they were. And, indeed I was having the time of my life! Spotlight really is a big motivation for most of my year, and I think I can speak for everyone involved (dancers, directors, singers, photographers, etc.) that they really do want all the best to happen on stage, for themselves, and for the audience as well. We all work out butts off, and although we sometimes complain, no one can deny that amazing feeling you get on spotlight day when you finally get to show off your hard work and improvements from the past year.

So many hilarious and fun memories come from Spotlight every year. This year,

• we wanted to get $5 burgers from this $5 burger campaign but didn't end up having enough time during lunch break
• For the first time A BIRD POOPED on me. but luckily it landed on the very end of my sleeve, but not far enough to reach the food I was holding, 
• Pyro helped me take photos during tech rehearsal, but it ran out of battery just as me and Danny's duet came on (sad face)
• My highschool friends came to watch, and we explored that hilariously awkward situation when you see people after the show is done, and there's always that awkward "bye" moment
• J VYbE got me a super sweet gift during the break in between, and a signed T shirt, but the signing makes it impossible for me to ever really wear the shirt :(
• The battle! Pieces (Unity) finally won! Although some Tony (sp?) guy that Doris knew almost won with his "interpretive dancing" haha. He was brave though, I never would have the guts to jump as high as him and slide on the floor like he did in his freestyle. Props to all the competitors!
• The kids from the Hollaback Kids all hitting on all the girls of the company, the one boy that kept saying "Hey Jasmin!" every time he saw me.
• And so much more...

Inspire Each Other,

You've Got to See This: Vanessa "Eyes" Li Choreography

Well well, I've got a new category of posts to do now! "You've Got to See This" is a feature title for all things that I believe deserve to be featured. Today, we start with a familiar name to this blog, Vanessa "Eyes" Li (I don't know why I always refer you by your full name..)!

In collaboration with Johnny Loh Productions (really, it's just himself) she's done it again and created an intensely HIPHOP-able related and oriented video. Great use of expression, of levels, and of space changes. Big ups to all the dancers in the video! Always great to see so much talent packed in such a short and juicy video. Here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcgAJhdi0ZA

There's always a First: Bazaar's Childhood Edition (Video and Backstage Photos)

Date: Tuesday May 15, 2012

YAY!! Bazaar was SOO fun, and I'm really thankful and appreciative to have had this surreal experience with all the dancers in our set. Thank you especially to Vanessa Li and Andrew Pyro Chung for handpicking me to be a part of their vision.

Mariano Abarca as Host

For those that don't know what BAZAAR is, it is a choreographer's showcase, run by ABA Entertainment (find them on Twitter HERE), and hosted by Mariano Abarca, one of the top Toronto dancers/choreographers. This time around, the theme was Childhood. So Pyro and Vanessa portrayed that through a story of emotions of a child at a slumber party (Happy, Angry, Sad). Our set was extremely lighthearted and fun, as we thought every set would be with this theme. However, more than half of the other choreographers chose to take a darker and deeper path with this theme (don't say that's what she said..).

There was one especially by Esie Mensah that really made me, and almost everyone that has seen it, feel something strong in our hearts. It was about child abuse, and although it started with a lighthearted, cute, and really well executed piece, it ended with a little girl (danced and acted very well by a girl that I met during the Lady Gaga performance, unfortunately I don't know her name..) and an evil man (KJ, I believe his name is) and, well, you'd have to be there to experience it. Hopefully I'll find that video soon... But it was extremely disheartening to every audience member, which leads me to believe how great of a piece that was, to make everyone really feel something so strong just by watching a piece. Really well casted, and amazing execution.

Another choreographer worth mentioning was Natalie Nesterenko (I met her through Apolonia's waacking classes on Sundays), who also happens to be Mariano's girlfriend. She worked with two kids, to try to portray the love story of her and Mariano. It was SO CUTE!!! She also did another piece that evolved around the monsters from the closet. It was a great set, so versatile and so well executed, since the cast were all seasoned dancers from the Toronto dance scene already. Amazing job!

"Emotions of a Child" Dancers: 

Andrew Pyro Chung

Sonic

Eujean Kim

Jasmin Yeung

Kristine Flores

Mikey Le

Ralph Esamillan

Sarah Tumaliuan

Vanessa Eyes Li

My costume: Uh oh Shirt and crazy pants

Bazaar babies: Eujean and I

Ralph and Sarah

Eujean and Kristine

Sonic in spongebob apparel

Vanessa's cute hello kitty jammies, and Pyro the creeper, while Mikey poses :)

You cannot IMAGINE how ecstatic (and a little nervous in the beginning, not going to lie..) I was to dance with every single one of these dancers. All SOO EXTREMELY talented and SO easy to get along with, and so professional when time came to get down to business. (I can't stop typing in Caps because I can't think of another way to show you how I really feel haha). I had so much fun doing the voiceovers, and thanks to Johnny Loh with the serious audio equipment, it didn't sound ghetto at all!

You are invited to our slumber party! Come and bring lots of candy while you enter our emotional journey of candy overdose. :)
NOTE for everyone watching the video - The little girl humming in the beginning is me!!! And Ralph is actually the "grandmother" yelling at us children. Sonic does his own voice at the very end of our medley.

Woohoo! Afterparty at...

New Ho King! $5 meals? Ok!!

Yay, food! - David Forteau, Sarah and Kristine

I apologize for the insanely blurry photos... I'll promise to bring my new Nikon D3100 to the next event/outing, once I learn how to use it properly! :)

Inspire Each Other,

Updates: New blog look

I updated my blog design! It's still rather simple, I've been trying to play around with the colours and the font just a little, But I don't exactly know what colour I want to use to try and show the struggling life of a dancer... Hmm. So instead, I just chose a nice minty green just to brighten up my day that I know can cheer me up whenever I come to my own blog. I hope it brightens your day too!

Today is a super long day: Spent a few hours working on the blog, I have to teach Daniel Gomez (a main character of Spotlight 2K12) a routine that I've choreographed for J VYbE, and then popping class with Pyro at VYbE, and then rummage for food. Then, we have a Bazaar rehearsal scheduled for 12AM!!! That's the latest one I've done so far.. this will be interesting.. I hope I eat enough to survive through! Wish me luck. After that, because Bazaar's theme is Childhood, they have decided to use my voice in the routine and make voice overs since I sound like a little girl. Honoured! Haha.

Let me know what you think about my new blog look! Comments are always always ALWAYS welcome :)

Inspire Each Other,

Happenings: Spotlight 2K12 - The Sleuth! (SneakPeak Trailer)

When the sun comes out, you know it's that time of year again - SPOTLIGHT time!! For those that don't already know what it is, VYbE Dance Co. has an annual showcase for the performance program students to show the world what they have learned in the past program year (from October to June). To add to the excitement, every year different performers (Snow Zei the singer, Visual Assault a breakdance crew, WIBI an Acapella group, etc) are invited to showcase their talents on stage with us to complete an entertaining and well-balanced show for the audience members.

This year the story is the mystery of Mr. Rich's (Johnny Loh, AKA our videographer from the previous post of Henry's Thesis project!) death solved by Mr. Picklez (Wil Rockerfellah).

My awesome 2011-2012 J VYbE group!

I am leading the J VYbE performance program this year (it's now my third year) and I must say they are looking good and prepared. It also makes me feel so accomplished to know that in the past year with my students that they have learned most of the basics of dancing, of performing, and had a lot of fun at the same time!  They are in four pieces together and everyone has worked extremely hard and I'm so proud of this group of kids. So, when you see them on stage, please do encourage them and scream for them because they've worked so hard to give you an awesome performance on that stage!

I have a special piece in Spotlight which will be performed by Snowzei our singer (her character is the mistress of the mystery) - the song is called "Sexy Silk", originally by Jessica Cornish, from the movie Easy A. The LOVE girls will also be performing my "Original Don" by Major Laser piece. Watch out for these piece and please tell me what you think!!

I cannot wait for Spotlight day, it's always just a fun day to have the whole company together and work towards something so amazing and inspiring. Get your tickets now! Here's the SneakPeak trailer you've all been waiting for!

To purchase tickets online and more information, spotlight.vybedance.com

Inspire Each Other,

Nirvana in Pizza Pizza!

A while back, I background danced for a local Toronto singer called Lexi Tellings, along with some of the LOVE girls from VYbE.

Yesterday, my friend Henry messages me during the night and told me that he saw it playing on the Pizza Pizza in-store TV's!!!!! How exciting! Too bad he couldn't take a picture...

Please "Like" her on her Facebook fanpage HERE, she's a hardworking girl who deserves to to be known. She has a new single out now as well, called Buy Me a Drink featuring the talent Mister Park (previously introduced on my blog via the Battle In The Trenches event).

But here is the video if you haven't seen it yet:

I hope she is doing well! and we Thank her very much for the amazing opportunity!

Inspire Each Other,

There's always a First: Assisting Waacking Workshop!

This morning - and when I say morning I mean I woke up at 6AM... - I was asked by Apolonia Velasquez, co-head of Gadfly (amazing dancer, teacher, instructor, person, etc.!) to help assist in a Waacking workshop she was scheduled to do at Brampton. YAY!!!!!!!!!! She has unfortunately hurt her left shoulder last week (Feel better!), and needed someone to do the left side for her, and fortunate for me that I was given this insanely awesome opportunity. Really, you should see how big my grin is as I even write this (most of you will probably imagine it as you know I smile... a lot..)!

My visitor's pass (they spelled my name wrong.. ugh)

St. Augustine Secondary School (I believe that's what it was called) was a great host, and they have dedicated a lot of time and effort into their dance program at school. They have also had other super awesome instructors to teach workshops, including Pyro for popping and locking, and many more.

It was SO fun to assist Apolonia, it had gone surprisingly well and they were quite fast in picking up the drill and the style as well!! As for me, it was also beneficial because I was able to go slow and really watch my angles, and my technique, while trying to be a good assistant and not mess up because they were watching me and learning as well. And, I got to listen in on a bit of the history of Waacking from Apolonia which I never really knew (quite ashamed.. don't look at me like that!) so that was great, too!

All I needed: Water bobble, purse and my breakfast

It's now 11:15AM and my day has ONLY STARTED. Compared to waking up at 2PM yesterday doing nothing, I feel so accomplished already! But now... *drum roll please* NAP TIME!

Inspire Each Other,