We Have A Winner!

Well, folks - it's official!  Last night produced a winner of So You Think You Can Dance Season 8, and I couldn't have been happier about America's selection!

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Season 8 Winner Melanie Moore - she was deemed the original "beast" of this season, and she showcased insane talent in pretty much every number she danced in.  She not only is a brilliant technician, but she also brings a high level of performance and character awareness to her dancing, and that is a difficult skill to master - especially when you're only nineteen years old.

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This post is a tribute to her greatness, so I figured it would only be right to bring some of the numbers of hers that I loved best to all of you.  Dance fans, enjoy!

Melanie & partner Marko - "I Got You" - hiphop routine by Tabitha & Napoleon


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Melanie & partner Sasha - "Girl Power" - lyrical jazz routine by Sonya Tayeh


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Melanie & partner Neil - "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - contemporary routine by Mandy Moore


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And what would my blog be if I didn't give a tip of my hat to choreographer (and SYTYCD Season Two Runner Up) Travis Wall for this absolutely breathtaking concept piece?

Melanie & partner Marko - "Turn To Stone" - contemporary (WEEK ONE!!!) routine by Travis Wall


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Congratulations again to Melanie Moore on the big win - but also to all of the other Season 8 contestants - this is not the end of the road for you.  All of you possess something so magical and so special and it's now your time to share your light with the world!

And as a closing note, I must express my deepest thanks to Executive Producer, Nigel Lythgoe, and his team of dance soldiers for continuing this amazing program for eight seasons now. As someone who was enrolled in dance classes for fifteen years of her life, I know exactly what dance can do - the joy it can bring, the focus it cultivates, the athleticism and exercise that come as part of the process - dance NEEDS to be a constant in the world today. Kids and adults alike need to be able to get up and DANCE and make the world a better place, and I am so happy to see dance get the credit and attention it deserves.

From showcasing the world's most talented choreographers, to having judges on the panel who actually know how to properly critique a dancer (and consequently prepare them for the real world - professional dance is nothing if not cutthroat), and also creating a national holiday centered around dance (National Dance Day = July 31st, y'all!),  So You Think You Can Dance is a trailblazer in the industry! The show has proven results - contestants on this program book jobs, and as a dancer - that is always the goal.

Hats off to all of you!

Until next time,

Today Is A Great Day

Well, Peeps!  Today is a great day.  Why, you ask?  Well, today is great for two reasons.  The first is that TODAY IS LITTLE SISTER CHICKEN WING'S TWENTY-FOURTH BIRTHDAY!  WOO HOO!!!!

Who doesn't love a good birthday now and then?  So, to celebrate via the blog, I thought I would create a picture montage of the most ridiculous variety in honor of my sister!  Here goes nothing, and a big THANK YOU to FaceInHole.com for being more than a little awesome.

One of our favorite childhood activities? Playing BARBIES!

We have danced in multiple recitals together!

Even though Little Sister CW usually goes for lean men,

and I usually go for men of the stronger variety,

neither of us can deny our love of the Beebs. Just sayin.

We love watching crap TV - Bring on the Wingashians!

We will be each others' maid of honor someday if we don't kill each other first!

And if we do kill each other, hopefully someone won't turn us into Chicken Nuggets!

I hope you enjoyed this ridiculous picture journey, Little Sister Chicken Wing!  I love you and hope you have the best twenty-fourth birthday ever!  I hope this year will be epic and that it will bring only good things your way!

The other reason that today is a good day is because my favorite show, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, is well underway!  Last night was the very first competitive performance show and holy bologna, if that episode was indicative of how this season is going to go - we have our work cut out for us!  Season Eight's bench is STACKED with talent - probably the most talent in one season that has ever been in the history of the show!  Don't believe me?  Check out this AHH-MAZING statue routine, choreographed by Travis Wall (of Season 2), set to a song by Ingrid Michaelson, and danced by Melanie Moore and Marko Germar:


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Like I said - AHH-MAZING! Love doesn't even begin to describe it! I can't wait to see how the season progresses and how the dancers develop even further! And that is why today is a great day!

Until next time,

Chicken Wing Musical Obsession Part Deux

Okay, I have a confession to make. In regards to the title of this post, I have to warn you that this may happen a lot, where I introduce musical acts that I am obsessed with.

The reason for that is because music flows in my heart. I love almost EVERY single kind of music you can throw at me, and I genuinely mean that. There are always different things that capture me, from the melody to the lyrics, to the overall presentation. Sometimes, I like a band just because of how they perform live. Sometimes, I like an artist based only on what they record (you know those artists/bands - you obsess over their CD's and then buy tickets to their show and it's horrible).

But this guy I'm going to obsess over with you seems to be the real deal. His name is Jason Mraz, and behind the handsome voice is a great performer. His demeanor seems very laid back, which is why the end result shocks your system - his songs sound simple, and are easy to hum along to, but when you really take a second and listen, the intricate musicality that he intertwines with his lyrics is really outstanding.

If you like what you're about to hear, and want more, look up the following titles: "I'm Yours," "Lucky," "You and I Both," or "The Remedy," all of which had major radio play and are simply fabulous!

The song I'm going to share with you, though, is entitled "If It Kills Me," and it just might be one of the most romantic songs ever! The first video has a picture of Jason, so you can see him (he's quite cute) and is a very clear rendition of this song. Then, if the song itself didn't make you feel anything at all (in which case, check your pulse because you're more than likely crazy), I've included the second video, which is a number from So You Think You Can Dance. Yes, I'm sure you're surprised about that one! Haha! But, it's my blog, so I can reference that show as many times as I want! :-) The choreography is by Travis Wall and the dancers are Jason and Jeanine, and they do a marvelous job.

So, enjoy it, Chicken-Wingers! I hope you fall in love with this artist. Trust me, they wouldn't make the blog if I didn't honestly believe they're worth it!

Here we go!





Until next time,
Swaying-and-humming Miss Chicken Wing