So You Think You Can Dance, S7, Top 9

So You Think You Can Dance was amazing or not, depending on the dance, tonight. I was most impressed by Alex. He's an incredible ballet dancer. He's strong and smooth and emotional. Tonight he had to perform hip hop.

Now let's think about this? Do ballet dancers make very good hip hop dancers? Not really. The styles are completely different and normally it would take quite awhile to unlearn the precision of ballet enough to let go and give a great hip hop performance.

Well guess what? Alex had a week. He was paired up with one of the best, if not the best, and former So You Think You Can Dance contestant, Twitch. When twitch was in competition 2 seasons ago I wanted him to win. He came in second. Nonetheless he's a top hip hop performer and does quite well in other areas of dance also. What I mean to say is, thus far in the competition none of the new contestants have been able to keep up with Twitch when doing a hip hop routine.

Alex nailed it. I was sitting there with my mouth open. All of the curse words in the world cannot explain how great he was. You really had to see it...Hopefully someone will post a video of it soon on youtube. They performed to Outta Your Mind by Lil Jon and LMFAO (first video). I think that's probably one of the best all time performances on the show.
I have a feeling he could win this season...




Another performance that I had a strong reaction to was a contemporary piece danced to the song Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri. There were 2 reason behind my reaction.
1. The dance was about a woman who was struggling to get over a man she loved who left her and then he returned.
2. The song has great lyrics and is very sad. Christina Perri also has a beautiful voice.

1. By now everyone who reads this knows that #1 is my love life on repeat. But I was shocked at how much it captured how I feel when I'm in a down swing. It's a low that's hard to describe, but then the dance is a perfect description...then again I dance and I could probably express it through that (hmm maybe it's time to begin choreographing again?). I am not currently at a low, but I could feel the pain through that song and dance. I guess you could say the struggle is kind of like hitting a brick wall and pounding on it continuously...

No wait it's exactly like that. If my struggle to get through to Luke, it would look like this:
Pounding on a brick wall until you're bruised and bloody...and then continuing until 1 small brick starts to crack. You keep pounding through the pain and exhaustion until the brick breaks. You take a break to appreciate the accomplishment and look through the small hole in his defenses. Then you repeat. One brick at a time.

So here is the song:


and here are the lyrics, since they aren't posted online yet:
You know I can't take one more step towards you,
'Cause all that's waiting is your (something),
Don't you know that I'm not your ghost anymore,
You lost the love I love the most,
I learned to live half alive,
And now you want me one more time

Chorus:
And who do you think you are?
Running round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts,
And tearing love apart,
You're gonna catch a cold,
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me,
Who do you think you are?

I hear you're asking all around,
If I am anywhere to be found,
But I have grown too strong,
To ever fall back in your arms
I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

(Chorus)

Dear(?) it took so long just to feel alright,
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes,
I wish, I had missed, the first time, that we kissed,
Cause you broke all your promises,
And now you're back,
You don't get to get me back

Chorus:
And who do you think you are?
Running round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts,
And tearing love apart,
You're gonna catch a cold,
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me,
Don't come back at all

Chorus:
And who do you think you are?
Running round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts,
Tearing love apart,
You're gonna catch a cold,
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me,
Don't come back at all,
Who do you think you are
Who do you think you are
Who do you think you are

So You Think You Can Dance Finale: Russell Ferguson

This is the dance they started off with for the finale show. Really spectacular


Um I love Sonja. I would do anything to have her as a choreographer. This dance is unique (just like Sonja!) and so expressive! She never turns out a bad routine. Eleanor and Jacob hit everything perfectly.



The third dance was tap. For the first season ever there was not only 1 tapper, but 3. None made it to the final but the dance was pretty good nonetheless.

The next dance on the list was was a new dance by Ashleigh and Ryan (also the choreographers). Full of energy. I don't think I've seen them that energized and happy all season.

Leona Lewis performed before the next performance. I didn't like her dress, but I really want to see Avatar (she performed her song from the soundtrack). So someone better take me when it comes out!

Then the groovaloo's performed! If you don't know who they are...just get out and don't talk to me until you've looked them up. Seriously.

The next dance routine was a contemporary routine. In fact it was the Michael Buble routine from yesterday. The end where he's pounding on the floor, epic!

The next dance was Tyce's choice, bollywood. Always fun. Then they started the elimination project after. This is the point where everyone came out on stage and we found out Russell hurt his leg really badly! I was really upset about that. He needs to win...not that having a hurt let will prevent that, but it's not a great way to end the show. Ryan was the first cut also known as the 6th place dancer.



Next up, Adam Lambert. He had black make up and sparkles under his eyes...He wishes he were Davey Havok. I'll admit I don't mind his voice. What the hell was on his right shoulder though? Weird black stuff. The ending note made me laugh though.

After a look back at this seasons auditions and top 20, they brought the finalists back. The 5th place dancer was Ashleigh, which I think is a good choice.

Legacy and Eleanor danced their Mr. and Mrs. Smith dance next. So good!



Next they showed a previous performance of Russell performing the Frog Dance, since he's injured. He never ceases to amaze me. Then more results. Eleanor was named the 4th place dancer. I'm a little surprised. I would have guessed 3rd. She's a strong woman, a unique dancer and very quirky.

Next dance, was a contemporary piece by channing, nathan, jacob and arianna. It was good. Nothing much to say.

Mary's next choice was from last night. It was the hip hop dance. Russell is never not amazing.



Then Mary J Blige performed her new single"I am." Not too shabby.
"You can try to act single if you wanna
You can go ahead and mingle if you wanna
You can even behave like you don't care
But you know like I know
That you ain't that foolish
Who you foolin'? You won't ruin
What's been here all along"

The last judges pick was Nigel's. He chose the dance where the top 20 could show off their styles. Then they chose the next dancer. 3rd place: Kathryn. I hated her at first because she cried constantly and her voice would get really high, but in the end she matured and is an incredible dancer. At the end she cried again and her voice went high again...

I don't know if you can tell but I'm writing it as the show progresses. So Jacob and Russell are the last 2 standing.

Last performance of the night was Jennifer Lopez. Hot damn. That was a great performance. Over the top. That's what a real womans body looks like. Serious, she's gorgeous. She didn't dance a whole lot, but I doubt anyone noticed. When a latina shakes her booty, people pay attention. She had SYTYCD dancers from this season and favorites from past season dance as her backup dancers. Apparently she has a new album coming out next year. Can't wait!

Then the final decision. First Place: Russell Ferguson. As I predicted, I cried when he won. Not only that I fell on the floor. It was pretty great. I can't say any more. He earned it. Definitely going to see the SYTYCD tour this year