gendance Blog

OUR FAVORITE ALL TIME GENDANCE ISSUES AND THE STORIES BEHIND THEM.

2010-09-30T08:12:00.001-07:00

The Anniversary song is playing in the background. (La, la, la, la). We’re so happy for what next week will bring. And since we’re evolving, we gathered in the living room, put our rockers in the center, grabbed a box of Kleenex, and got out the photo albums. Here are some of our faves that made us laugh, cry and hurl. (Oh wait, that’s Wayne’s World.) You get our drift... We’re in Hollywood movie mode this week. Sorry.

Coolest Story of all gendance issues: One day in our first year, I thought. What if we created special issues for holidays! I began researching and I found an article (this is during the Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanza season, mind you.) I got inspired by an interview between Carson Daily and Ryan Seacrest about New Years. THAT very day, I banged out this issue that you see behind the link. I was psyched! From then on, we have done many special holiday issues that have been influential to gendance. But the kicker is this: That very night, I went out to a favorite hotspot with a colleague to celebrate my “special holiday issue idea” based on what I read with Ryan Seacrest and Carson Daily. While we sat at the restaurant drinking martinis, (non alcoholic, of course for those of you under 21) I could have sworn a guy that walked by that WAS Carson Daily. Minutes later, he walked by again and I realized it wasn’t him. It was just a regular guy. I said, “Gee, that would have been nuts, right. Imagine I saw him after coming up with the idea!” Not a moment soon after, GUESS WHO WALKS IN! (Out of millions of hot spots in NYC) Ryan Seacrest AND Carson Daily! NO JOKE. Crazy how the universe works my friend. AND THAT... is why we keep dreaming and daring to go beyond.

The Disney issue: Ok, so we wrote this issue before we left for Disney. The content was written and we left a place holder in for a video that we would place there after we captured “something cool and dance-wise” at the park. We left for the airport, the content was uploaded to be put together. While we were at the park, on the 2nd day at Epcot, we ended up randomly sitting right on the water for dinner. (We needed to feed the tired kids.) The fireworks were a perk and we grabbed our flip vid and began shooting. If you watch closely, while we’re shooting, we end up saying, “This is for the gendancers across the world.” At that moment, there was a world that lit up on the water! CRAZY, right. It gets better. After the issue was sent to me for testing, I saw the screen shot and realized our graphics team took the shot of the world lit up and then later realized it matched what I said in the video. Even more, the paragraph above that was written before we left for Disney and it talks about the video being “A Part of Our World.”. And there you have it, the MAGIC of gendance Thursday.

The Happy Birthday issue: Alike to what you saw today in gendance with our video, we are so happy with our FIRST milestone issue. We really love this Happy Birthday issue and video because our readers wrote in and honed in on their fave articles and we realized, “They like us, they REALLY REALLY like us!”

The 2nd Birthday issue: Yes, we threw two fave issues for our birthday last year. (We like to party... we’re next geners!) This spooky issue with an epitaph, Cake Boss’s Buddy, The Jabbawockeez, Amber Moelter’s scary CD and of course, Thriller. This was a fun one for us too. We sent it out with a photo of GEO at the top in a costume from his childhood, which was cool.

The Christmas issue: How could you not love the red bouncing ball with the holly gendance Christmas lyrics that we creatively re-wrote? Much love to the students at Elysian Charter School in Hoboken and ICON Dance Complex students who sang along and bobbed their heads to our gendance holiday tune and to Eric Anderson for bringing my version of the red bouncing ball song to life.

The Art 4 Life issue: Major shout out here to Gregg Russell, who invited us to work with him and Gina Starbuck on this amazing event. We’re always willing to lend a hand for charity. We showed up at the party with our entourage (Michelline Coonrod) and fist pumped for Gregg Russell as he nailed it on stage tapping away, along with so many talented dancers. What a great partay! Gina Starbuck and Gregg Russell, you guys mean the world to us.

The Ailey New Year’s issue: Nuff Said, it’s Ailey. We cry throughout the entire performance during Revelations because we love the art so much. YOU rocka-our souls.

The Dario issue: The story behind this is that we have worked with Lois Greenfield since day one. Her photography has been blessed in EVERY SINGLE of our 100 issues of gendance with a next gen twist. We ALMOST flew to Argentina to see Dario and Lois work on this, but we were too busy writing gendance issues for you! Bummer. Also, you see that holiday offer? One of our featured stars as well as a good friend of ours Edwin Fion of NY Dance Residency, took advantage of it and built these photos. Good for you, love!

The Flip Video issue: We ran around in NYC for the past two years, flipping off with some of today’s hottest dancers and personalities. We especially liked going backstage with Michael Balderrama when he was Usnavi on his first night ever as the lead in In the Heights. The Tap Cruise around Manhattan was another great one. Boy, me, Vic and Dommy laughed so hard on that boat. We even made our OWN version of “I’m on a Boat”. I have the .mov file, but you’ll never see it. Thank goodness.

The Very First issue: This is just a cute way to show how far we’ve come. Oh boy, you see those ads in between the articles. Do you know how many of those we wrote and designed... we were pumpin’ away at it all. I loved that pic of Luis in the Behind the Scenes and did you see the Slow Dancing article. WOW!

The gendance carried a watermelon issue: God Bless Patrick Swayze.

The Michael Jackson Dedication. God Bless Michael Jackson.

Bill Hastings Loves gendance

2010-09-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

Bill Hastings stopped by gendance to talk about our 100th issue coming up next week. He's such a fan. Who would have thought?! So, in light of his praise, we interviewed him quickly for his advice, wisdom and words of the wise.

What inspires you most?
A sense of moving through space.

Ah, like Star Trek. Gotcha. Well, in terms of dance, how did YOU learn?
I started at the age of 23 and was fortunate to have Harvey Hysell as my teacher, whose patience was contagious and inspirational.

Who are your mentors?
Bob Fosse

Of course. What's the best advice he's given you?
He taught dancers as actors and it therefore gave us something to think about as we were interpreting the music and movement and it helped to understand the best dancing was motivated by subtext and clear intent.

So you just got back from Norway, huh Bill?
Yep. I rehearsed a professional jazz dance company in 24 numbers for a new show called "Jazz on Jazz" created by Chet Walker.

Whoah, 24 numbers eh?
Yep.

Well, what do you think of our 100 number next week then?
It's wonderful! The next generation is most important. Without them all of our hard work would be in vain. I consider it a privilege to pass down by knowledge to the next gen and think it's wonderful for gendance to be focussing on them and previewing folks like me for advice to pass on.

How do you want to salute our gendancers for the 100th issue? What's your idea of a party?
For the party... dance, dance dance! Every day when I wake up the party begins.

You see. We knew you were a GFF VIP all the time. We're honored that you stopped by, we wish you the best with your endeavors and we can't wait to see you again in the NEW gendance coming soon.

HAPPY (ALMOST) 100 WITH BILL HASTINGS!!!

Herman Chavez Makes BIG Actor Moves in NYC. Follow Him. We Recommend.

2010-09-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ok that sounded a bit like a yoda sentence, but in all honesty. This guy's got it going on. The moment he knew he hit gold was when he realized he can be self sufficient in his auditions and can compete with the pros on his own, fearlessly. (Good words to live by.) Herman's business is called "The Mental Game of Auditioning". Why? Because it has NOTHING to do with the scene. It's a psychological game that starts in your mind. The body will always follow the mind. Chaos in the mind is cause/effect of being nervous.

He started this biz because he's cried many times like you, in his living room filled with agony and emotional distress of trying to compete at all actor levels. He turned it around when he addressed the focus OFF the scene. Just like boxing baby, 90% is mental, the other 10% is technical.

The workshops are for everyone and many come who are in the range of 20 to 65. It's valuable to your career because you get a clear overview as to what causes you to give a good audition read and it's got real world experience.

In his spare time, he practices and sharpens his skills and of course, catches up on a bit of Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle and Zen, which is good for everyone, not just performers. (We go to sleep sometimes to Deepak.) Does he have an agent you ask? Course. His agent in NY is Brett Adams and in LA is Coast to Coast.

Herman Chavez lives without fear and is inspired by quality and doing a job well done. Herman is a recurring actor on HBO's How To Make It In America.

He told us that what makes him a trendsetter is having a low tolerance for BS and undisciplined people. (Herman, you rock! Speak the truth, brotha!) That certainly qualifies him for trendsetter-ness. Who has time for people walking around with ego's? Not us either.

Influenced by his mom, Bruce Lee (Karate chop!) his casting director and by women. (Yeah! Herman... you see the light.) He wants everyone to follow their heart and we want everyone to follow his career and sign up for his events at The Mental Game, www.thementalgameofauditioning.com.

Rock on Herman.

SYTYCD Pre-Tour Party Pics from Six Flags

2010-09-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

Cat Deeley and the STYCYD Tour gang took advantage of the last days of summer by heading out to Six Flags Magic Mountain. You know they're headed out to their tour right? Well, to release the nerves, they partied with famous faces like Daffy and Bugs, rode roller coasters, ate ice-cream, took silly pictures in photo booths and had the time of their life. After all the Tour starts on September 19th in New Orleans. You have to get your kicks before the real work begins. Congrats! We wish we were there to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl with you. (Do they still have that ride? It's our fave!) Don't miss the tour and grab a ticket today.

Featured dancers: from top Allison Holker, Kathryn McCormick, Adechike Torbert, Ashley Galvan, Kent Boyd, Robert Roldan, Season 7 winner Lauren Froderman, Ade Obayomi, Jose Ruiz, Dominc Sandoval, Season 6 winner Russell Ferguson, executive producer Jeff Thacker, Courtney Galliano, Cat Deeley, executive producer Barry Adelman, Billy Bell.

Season 7 top 3 : Kent Boyd, Lauren Froderman, Robert Roldan

Photo Credit: Craig T. Mathew/Mathew Imaging

The gendance team hits our first Act Outside the Box Event

2010-09-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Me and a voice over artist

So much love at Act Outside the Box

Jean Marc, Blanca and EB

Cool Dancers from the shin dig

Yes, that's me! Elizabeth Barry. I'm standing with an amazing voice over actor who was proud to say that he's a wanted man for "grandpa voices". Cool huh? well, get used to it because there were tons of cool people just like him. My friends Blanca Vasquez and Jean Marc attended, and as you can see from the above, there were talented dancers and friends having a blast. I definitely recommend joining us at the next event. CHEERS to Lisa Gold!(Photos by Jim Manley)

Steven Tyler-Fashion King

2010-09-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

Through the 80's, Steven Tyler stood at the top of his throne of long jackets with penguin tails, boots, rings, long hair and headbands. The male rocker look has been donned by many over the years due to his fashion sense. Dance competitions and conventions have had loaded iPods filled with "Dream On" and "Walk this Way" for ages-so his music and fashion is living among us in the dance world-not to mention the dancers from SYTYCD who choreographed and walked their way to his songs. (And now, there's American Idol and Guitar Hero, so this heroic rockstar is still king.)

And... he is still creating runway magic on the stage. Last weekend's Aerosmith concert at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City was spectacular. Not only did Aerosmith make us do that 'rocker sign' with our fingers and wave them in the air, but we basked in his glorious threads. There were rhinestones on his pants built into his logo (We're sure they were Swarovski) and his sunglasses (aviators, of course) were on and off his head a few times. (And we were so close that when he took them off, he looked at us and winked!) No lie. The paisley jacket (unbuttoned of course, sexy man) was the perfect accent to his 2 hour set of loud tunes that made us jump up and down in the audience.

So in conclusion of today's fashion issue. We had men from around the ballet, contemporary and jazz worlds, but we also can't forget the bad boy side of the men that we love- and Steven Tyler is a perfect example of gendance fashion for the bad boy in all of us. No, we're not Crazy, he's Amazing.

the gendance dance is being raved about

2010-08-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

We see you... all of you amazing dancers out there. thanks for your private Youtube vids promoting our NEW gendance dance. Pretty soon, the winner takes all. Deadline is August 31st. Your moves can be ours. Don't forget to shake it this weekend and send us your thoughts on the gendance dance...

Time is ticking...

Vote for Svea

2010-08-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

Svea Schneider has got some serious style. Trained at Broadway Dance Center, this versatile performer has showcased her moves on MTV and ABC television networks. She even appeared in Timberland’s music video “Part of Me”. In 2008 she founded “creARTive NYC” a New York City based dance and dance production company. To get up close and person with Schneider, be sure to take her hip hop or breakdancing classes at Peridance or Equinox in NYC.

So, with all of Schneider’s success it comes as no surprise then that her new piece "System Malfunction" was selected to be in the TOP 10 Finale of this year's Sadlers Well's Global Dance Contest. The winner will be determined through public voting. Schneider says, “Winning this contest would be a dream come true and I know it would open up new doors for me.” So this is where you come in. All you have to do is click here and vote for Schneider. Just one click could help change Schneider’s career.

For more on Schneider visit her self-created website at www.sveastyle.com.

VOTE HERE!

Congratulations to R.Evolucion Latina's 2010 Children's Performing Arts Camp

2010-08-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

gendance would like to send a special message to the children that participated in the R.Evolucion Latina 2010 Dare to Go Beyond Children's Performing Arts Camp:

It is the next generation.
We hear you.
We support you.
We are so proud that your interest in the arts has taken you thus far to learn from the masters.
Don't forget to tell all your friends about your experiences learned.
Keep singing. Keep dancing. Don't stop believin'. Oh wait, that's a song, but you get our drift.
Dare to Go Beyond.

The gendance Trend Crew is so proud to support missions like this.

Happy Birthday to Irini... (Love Kat Wildish and the gendance Trend Crew)

2010-08-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

She’s a dynamo. Her classes are packed with pro dancers, faculty, students and even HULK-like weight lifters. Irini Res means business. Taking Power Ashtanga Yoga outdoors at Ailey Extension, Res will certainly give you the perfect summer workout you’ve been looking for. Classes are available Thursdays 6:30-8pm and Saturdays 11am-12:30pm. Be sure to stop by and join in on the fun.

Now, not only does Res perform the tree pose like no one else in NYC, she is a jazz singer too. So after you relax with some Yoga, head up to Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar on 72^nd Street, or travel downtown to the Cuppin Room or Cleopatra’s Needle, and join her crowd of fans as she sings and sways to her own tunes.

For more details on Res visit her website: http://irinires.homestead.com. Check out this cool YouTube video featuring Res’ ear-catching voice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3xeg9qwQA.

But more importantly, we want to wish Irini a happy, happy, happy, happy gendance Birthday wish because it is her birthday (well, we're a bit belated, it was yesterday) but peeps in NYC were celebrating for her and the not-to-miss pic above was captured for this blog just for you.

Happy Birthday Irini, you are a gendance NEXT GEN LEGEND to be found, honored and wished a happy birthday AND a continuous happy career.

You're Invited... An Online Contest from our friends in Australia. HOW COOL!?

2010-07-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

This week gendance is highlighting a very special upcoming event presented by the Sydney Opera House. Attention all gendancers: Get ready for the My Mutation Online Dance Competition. Show off your dance moves and you could win an expenses paid trip to Sydney, Australia. All you have to do is interpret and dance a given starter solo, choreographed by Kate Champion, and then boogie twenty seconds further in your own style. Go to www.youtube.com/sydneyoperahouse to obtain the starter. Entries can be submitted online via YouTube. Admissions will no longer be accepted come August 10. Applicants of all ages and styles are welcome to break, tap, plie and switch-leap their way to a chance of a lifetime. The winner will be determined after Champion selects a group of finalists to compete in two elimination rounds. In the land down under, the winner will dance at the Spring Dance Festival (running from August 31 to September 26). He or she will also receive $2000 cash and a SONY prizepack. So get your grove on and make YouTube viewers keep their eyes glued to their computer screens. Good luck,

Love,

The gendance Trend Crew

The gendance "dance" is coming. You're invited to Submit.

2010-07-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

We're teaming up with Amber Moelter's Girl in the Red Dress Productions to bring you the user generated contest you've been waiting for and to give us, a dance to call our own. You've seen the bus stop, the macarena, and this week, you've fallen back in love with the Carlton. Can you be creative and come up with a "gendance dance". We know you can and so we're giving you the tools to do it. Girl in the Red Dress has given rise to a remix of "Last Dance". We're giving all gendancers this song for FREE. Your job it to download the song, get in front of your flip video and show us what you think the "gendance dance" should be. We're talking with sponsored prizes now. You won't believe what we're going to offer! Get Ready. We wanna give you the creative rights to the gendance dance... Welcome to the next generation. Details coming ASAP. Think of your 4 counts starting... NOW!

gendance hugs its interns

2010-07-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

This summer, we're swimming in interns. (And no, we're not swimming at the beach while they're working.) Meet Olivia. We hosted a GFF interview with her and we thought we would share it with you.

Why do you like working for gendance?

I like working for gendance because each week I am given fresh, inspiring material. Reading interviews and hearing what professionals have to say is so exciting. After helping to write a story, I always walk away feeling motivated. Reading and writing about what the Beat Freaks or Kat Wildish (to name a few) have to say about their perseverance, only makes me want to push myself to achieve my goals. With the right perspective anything is possible.

What's the best part about gendance you like most each week?

Each week I am given something new. I’ve read interviews and written stories about ballerinas, breakers, pilates instructors, you name it. I love that kind of variety. Being able to participate in a SYTYCD conference call is also very exciting. I LOVE watching the show, so to be that close to the stars is incredible.

What do you see gendance becoming in the future?

I think gendance will only continue to grow and reach amazing new heights in the future. Because of its variety, there is always something for everyone to enjoy. gendance gives its readers something extra. It gives them a more personal look at the artists it features. This quality separates gendance from other publications, and it’s this feature that will truly take gendance to the next generation.

What do you want to tell future interns of gendance?

Work hard. Really take your time to read the given material and research further. Being able to help write for gendance is a big responsibility, but also a big honor. Not only will you grow as a professional, but as a person too. The feeling you get after writing a knockout story is amazing. Take the advice the artists give, and apply it to your own life. Be proactive and “go for greatness.”

WOW. We love her even more. A+ for Oliva and a GFF Golf Clap, too!

Now, meet Carly. Miss Carly comes in weekly and she is one of the most delightful, helpful and gendance-EB & A worthy interns we’ve ever had. We absolutely adore her and want to keep her forever. We asked her what she liked best about this internship and she began jumping up and down in excitement. Then, she did backflips down the hallway and ran to an all important celebrity interview for next week’s issue in our private limo. Sorry we couldn’t finish her Q n A, but you’ll be hearing more from her in the future, for shazzle.

Special thanks to all young next geners who care about our vision. We're so proud of your accomplishments thus far.

Celebrity Competitions CREATE is a win win, and an ironic twist with a dance studio name!

2010-07-20T06:08:00.001-07:00

Only weeks ago, Celebrity hosted their Create Competition (aka the Celebrity Choreography Competition) on the California and Florida Nationals at Sea. After finishing their eleven city tour, Celebrity chartered their dancers on new waters. The competition aimed to promote emerging choreographers who wanted their buried treasure to be found. Jenny Wilson of Dance Tech Studios (California winner), and Kim Hurley of Generation Dance Studio (Florida winner), wowed the judges, by making their moves stand out. Congratulations to both winners.

Here's the deets:
Jenny Wilson choreographed "Night of the Vampire" from Park City Utah. After a dancer suggested a vampire theme, the Twilight craze took off and this piece is now an award winner. GREAT JOB!

Kim Hurley choreographed "I Wish" from Fort McMurray, AB, Canada. This piece took the audience by storm and her creativity was a shining factor in her win. GREAT JOB!

Be sure to follow gendance on Facebook as Celebrity and GFF’s of the sea are on the chase for their bounty. Look for pics, vids and much more of the Celebrity Dance Competition ….where every dancer is a celebrity.

The Full Monty on Jake Yarberry

2010-07-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

This week's gendance Trendsetter is Jake Yarberry. You read our side of his story in gendance today, but we felt that our skype interview with him was so good that we wanted you to capture it in its original context. For those who are inspired by Jake's story, here's the original. PEACE OUT.

-The gendance Trend Crew

We heard you are now living in Japan and working for Universal Studios in Osaka. Tell us about your transition from LA to Japan. How did your lifestyle change and what do you miss about the states?

It’s funny but my lifestyle didn’t actually change that much. I guess the big changes now are that instead of being a starving artist, I am a well-fed one, and that I longer have my girlfriend to come home to (both of which I miss very much!). My surroundings are definitely different. Most people here, including the performers I live with and myself, commute by bicycle. Also, the food is extremely different from American food and since it is all in Japanese you pretty much don’t know what you are eating half the time. They don’t refrigerate eggs, and a lot of times have meat products wrapped and sitting on the shelves unrefrigerated. They also have donuts that appear to be amazing but, in actuality, when you bite into them they are filled with beans or some kind of meat product, which is really nasty when your expecting something sweet.

The reason I said my lifestyle did not change much, though, is because I prefer a bland diet. I am able to get everything I need here and don’t actually need to eat much of the Japanese food. Also, I am a big believer in always training so I stick to the same routine I had in LA and continue to take classes over here in Osaka.

First of all, what was the audition like; where was the audition, and how long did it take for you to hear that you got the job as the Terminator and how many other people auditioned?

The audition was in Los Angeles. It’s held every year all around the world and they are actually very fun if you let them be. I only did the stunt audition and for that we had to do basic tumbling, 10 pull-ups, and a choreographed fight. Then, at the end after they had made some cuts, they interviewed you individually. The USJ people are incredibly nice; I think when you audition for them, or even for anyone else, you just have to remember that they need certain types to fit certain roles and the role that you may fit may not be available for you. In other words, "don’t take anything personally".

It took me about 2 months to hear that I had been cast for the job. It was funny because the year before I was in really serious debt and, in my mind, felt that if I got the job it would solve "all my problems". Luckily, I didn’t get the job that year. This year, however, I was no longer in serious debt, but rather in the position where I had no money and owed no money. I also had just moved back to Los Angeles to start pursuing film again. So, when I had so many other things going on that I didn't really care about the Universal job, that was when I received an Email stating that I was one of their top picks to come to Osaka this year. Because I am stupid about half the time, I emailed them back saying that I was no longer available for the job, that I appreciate the offer but am currently pursuing film (only problem was pursuing film without any money, which makes it difficult to train and market yourself). Fortunately, about a week later I received another Email telling me that I was hired. I felt like it was a sign since the day before I had seen Terminator 2 at Universal Studios Hollywood only because I wanted to go out with my girlfriend and we used our annual passes because neither of us had any money. I smartened up and said "Heck Yeah, I will take the job" and I am very glad that I did.

Have you always been a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger? This is where you tell us about your years of body building, competing, training and dieting. Who prepared your meals? When did you start training? Who did you train with? How has this affected where you are in life today?

I started bodybuilding when I was 12. I was just kind of drawn to it. I think partly because Arnold was at his prime in Hollywood so he made it popular, and partly because I needed some way to take out all the energy and aggression I had from a difficult childhood. I love bodybuilding for the discipline and goal setting skills that it gives you. I was also very lucky to find people that believed in me, which further helped me with some of my bodybuilding goals. I had a great training partner, Phillip, who would get mad at me if I talked at all during our training sessions (pretty much I was his little bitch), and then I had my ex-girlfriend’s grandmother Kathy, who would prepare all my food, which at the time was about 3 pounds of chicken a day and a lot of brown rice, oatmeal, and yams.

Tell us about your cheerleading history as well as your acting training. How did it transition you into a performance career? What else were you involved in high school?

I started out doing football but I never played very much. So one day the high school decided to add boys to their cheerleading squad. I thought that that would be a great opportunity for me to get girls... but I’m pretty sure most of them thought I was gay. I did make-out with our mascot Wolfie, though, which I believe was played by a girl that year.

Acting was kind of funny. I always wanted to do theater and film because I had seen so many plays growing up. My dad had done a few and I really liked the idea of getting to be someone else in some other situation that I wasn’t normally in. I remember chickening out from doing a play in high school because I got so nervous I couldn’t remember the first line of my monologue. Later on I took acting classes at my community college and did a few plays, but for a long time I kept second guessing myself about what I really wanted to do. My mother hasn’t worked in 20 years and I have always been afraid of not having a decent job so the idea of becoming a starving artist was not very appealing to me. But I’ve come to realize that although she may be poor, she is still alive and gets what she needs, and now I am a lot more willing to go through the tough times in between jobs, as long as I know I am doing what I want to do. I also now have a lot more training and life experiences under my belt.

What's the camaraderie like among the performers at Universal Studios? What's your living situation like? What kind of classes do they offer there? Are you learning Japanese?

The people here are great. They are all very, extremely talented and they definitely make me want to be a better performer.

I guess living here is kind of like living in a dorm. I have my own room but I live in an apartment building filled with incredible people. Many people here are offering their teaching services through dance classes, fitness classes, and voice lessons. I am currently taking advantage of all of it and also trying hard to pick up Japanese. You are so well taken care of out here that sometimes you can allow yourself to get lazy, but I know I have to keep myself busy, that way I can remain focused enough for when I return to the U.S. and need to find another job.

What's your favorite part about being the Terminator? What are your other duties besides being in the show? Tell us about the Magical Starlight Parade.

Honestly, my favorite part of the Terminator is the Japanese Techs that I get to work with. For me, Terminator is very repetitive with no crowd interaction. The show is great to watch and was a great learning experience but it’s mostly about the paycheck and the backstage crew for me. On the other hand, the girls that play "Reika", the host of the show, have a very exciting job because they get to interact with the guests.

The Best thing about the Parade is seeing people smiling and waiving, especially little kids. I love performing for little kids because they still see the world as being a playground.

What inspires you to grow as an artist?

Other artists. Seeing how talented people are. The Idea that the more I learn, the better I will be able to play with others. Not wanting to have a regular job. Not wanting to have a regular life with regular problems—I hear so many people talk about problems that don't even matter. I feel that the more involved in the arts you become, the more you realize that we all create our own lives. So if you want a good life you need to create that for yourself.

What advice would you give other performing artists that are waiting for their big break or for the next cool gig like yours?

My advice is to constantly work on your self, on your craft and to market yourself like crazy. A really big one that I have to work on everyday is not judging myself, and to stay away from anyone who brings negativity into my life. I have realized and continue to realize that people are full of shit, including myself. I have made comments to people that I later realize are just bullshit. Every single person in the world wants to give you their input on your life (and the sad part is a lot of times we ask for it!), but truthfully no one knows you better than you. People just like to talk and that’s the bottom line.

What was the transition like moving from Las Vegas to Los Angeles? Where did you grow up? Why did you move?

I grew up In Las Vegas where I performed in a few shows on the strip; I did a lot of character work and worked many conventions. I decided to move back to Los Angeles because I missed it too much (I had lived there for 5 years when I was 21). You can earn a great living as an entertainer in Las Vegas but Los Angeles and New York are where the big time jobs and big time training centers are.

After Universal Studios, what would be your next 'perfect gig’?

My next perfect gig would actually be more of just a plan unfolding. I want to be able to do enough film work to pay my bills while also continuing to take my classes. I want to make a living having fun with other people.

Thank you Jake! Rock on, GFF style in Japan. (And don’t eat anything that looks like its something else!)

The Moonwalk Tour... This is IT!

2010-07-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

It seems gendance isn’t the only one addicted to Michael Jackson (who ever isn’t should just beat it). London-based company, STA Travel, is taking fans on a journey to some of MJ’s favorite locations. The adventures begin in London at the Hamleys Toy Store and continue across all the continents, minus Antarctica (yes, even the King of Pop couldn’t conquer this no man’s land). Stops include Bahrain, a frequent spot during the hard times of 2005; Sydney, Australia, where MJ exchanged vows with Debbie Rowe; the site of his life-size marzipan statue just outside Budapest; and, of course, his burial site in LA. While the excursion may not have the infamous Neverland Ranch scheduled in the itinerary, it is still a great opportunity for fans to follow in the moonwalk (literally) of Michael Jackson. Much love to Michael and all the GFF’s that we reach and inspire throughout the world.

It's Cambio, gendancers, the latest and greatest techie news is in.

2010-07-08T05:20:00.001-07:00

Do you know about “Cambio” yet? It may CHANGE your way of online video artistry. We’ve got the skinny on what Jonas, MTV and AOL are doing to make the switch.

Move aside YouTube and Entertainment Tonight, here comes Cambio, the newest online marketing strategy. Cambio will provide fans will both daily and weekly video shows that will bring fans closer to their favorite celebrities. Backed by AOL, Cambio will feature actors, musicians and athletes alike. (This is your chance, gendancers... go get it.)

In addition to allowing fans direct access to the latest entertainment info, Cambio will also feature a daily entertainment talk show entitled Cambio Connect. Cambio Goes Home is another series that will be produced, bringing viewers to celebrity hometowns. “Webisodes” will run from two to eight minutes long.

Although some videos will be “artist-generated,” other will be sponsored by brands like Bayer Diabetes Care. AOL hopes that Cambio will take the lead in the next generation of online media. and gendance is proud to be the next gen artist vehicle to tell you about it all FIRST.

Keep striving GFF’s, and keep up with the latest technology. You never know, the latest gadget can bring you to new levels. Google your way to Cambio and tell us what you think.

Walk four, step, hit, hold... Wave

2010-06-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

gendance took the red eye to LA last month to capture the beginning choreography of Miss Kansas from the choreographer that's been chosen to create the moves of the event for 10 years now. Gregg Russell, our Ambassador, and his colleagues Barry Youngblood, Angie Carter and Denise Bailey rehearsed at a studio in LA and we got the pics. It's wonderful being in the "process" of seeing the steps being created and to think that between the lights, the staging, the talent competitions and all, that the girls nail their routine every year on stage. gendance celebrates Gregg Russell for his work. Check out this video that we captured from the girls while rehearsing. Special thanks to our readers that wrote in during June to ask Gregg questions during his Ambassador run...

And ultra congrats to the New Miss and Teen Miss Kansas.

Seth Stewart hits gendance next week, but first catch him here...

2010-06-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

We have some incredible and exciting news for all Seth Stewart fans next week... so don't miss our Expose on this booming star. In the meantime, you should know that the story we're about to spill next week has a bit of local flair. Seth is a Hoboken guy. In fact, he made it out to Elizabeth Barry's (gendance founder) marketing coffee talk yesterday in Hoboken, NJ at Ganache cafe. Over 40 business owners came to get marketing advice and Seth was noted as a guest speaker. Tune in next week as we reveal his next career move...

Happy Father's Day from the Oxygen Network

2010-06-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

gendance was invited to the Oxygen Network NYC Times Square Kick Off on June 14th to celebrate the losing of thousands of pounds by promising on lookers for the show, Dance Your A** OFF. We showed up in style with Ambassador, GEO Hubela and his ICONic dancers. You can see their amazing performance on stage to get the crowd in cheers, here.

Just before we left to come back to the gendance office, the DYAO team stopped us to say Happy Father's Day to the GFF inner circle of cool dads. Please do your part and show your daddy this special message. From us at gendance-to the dads out there who disco to lose weight or wanna watch the show for inspiration, this one's for you!

Feel the Spark

2010-06-17T08:29:00.001-07:00

Gendance is proud to announce its partnership with DancePlug's Spark Your Career. It's top secret but we can tell you that the Beat Freaks are on board for an exciting, educational and fun summer! Keep in contact with gendance to find out more inside info.

take a look at this teaser...
Feel the Spark...The Beat Freaks are coming soon

Dance Your Bleep Off Hits Times Square

2010-06-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

The official Dance Your Ass Off Tour (ok we said it) is headed to NYC! Sponsored by Yoplait, DYAO will be in Times Square Monday June 14th with live dance performances, giveaways and calorie burning dance lessons! Show some love because this event benefits the American Heart Association. Mel B. (formerly a Spice Girl) will be stopping by and GEO Hubela and his ICONic girl dancers will be performing on stage. There's gonna be a flash mob of performers hitting the streets of Times Square on Flag Day. We'll be there. Will you be? Tell us....

Back in "da" Day

2010-05-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

gendance founder, Elizabeth Barry, is featured to the left as she called out the names of this year's Front-Runners for National Dance Week, NYC at Ailey Studios on May 18th. The event took place as the official kick-off of NDW-NYC and crowds came in drones. The dance floor was blessed by none other than the best, Miss Robin Dunn, as well as Afro-Carribean performers and a DJ equipped with old-school tunes. Today, we thank everyone that showed up at the event and invite them to the culminating performance for NDW-NYC 2010 at Ailey Citigroup Theatre on Saturday, June 12th. Invite your friends. If you think these pics are great, you won't want to miss their ending performance line up.

Cheers,

gendance

The Disney Week

2010-05-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

We are live from the Magic Castle this week, but we do have our gendance hands in a bunch of goodies. For instance, this weekend, Mark Stuart is headlining in a performance in NYC at Manhattan Movement Arts Center. Additionally, we heard that the Ailey Dance Party is flooded with RSVP's for their Tuesday night event to celebrate National Dance Week NYC's kick off and the Ailey 5th Anniversary. gendance will be there with bells on to cover the latest and greatest.

As far as the West Coast, there is very big news to report on Dance Plug, but we'll give you the deets soon enough.

If you haven't RSVP'd for the Ailey dance party yet, please do so by contacting dance@ndw-nyc.org and tell 'em gendance sent ya.

Have a great week. We'll be back next week full on with the best of gendance positive and inspirational gossip... give us a few more Mickey days first! ;)

Daniel Gwirtzman Takes Us To the Reality Zone at Dance Break 2010 Dress Rehearsal, Listen In...

2010-03-02T11:52:00.000-08:00

Imagine the scene.

We are all first in the space today and have one hour to space the work (which is different than the dimensions we've all rehearsed in) and deal with the fact that it's all new work put together in 12 hours anyway (and I saw my whole cast together at one time less than that). Then we met back at 4:30 for the event, and storm notwithstanding, it was packed.

Imagine the scene:

There are 60 dancers in the show plus 6 choreographers plus 12 musicians. There is not enough room for more than 1 cast in the dressing room (singular) at a time. Today we were all watching in the first rows of seats...the 6 choreographers are wondering how their works are going to work, and dealing with the attendant stresses and needs. And as Melinda Atwood, mother extraordinaire of us all, says to me: "We are bigger than the cast of Wicked! And we don't have the Gershwin."

Boots, costumes, hats, chairs, people...every corner of the MMAC lower level stuffed backstage and in the house. A table of mini-bagels, fruit and small bottles of water. Isn't DanceBreak nice. :)

This morning I went shopping in the snowstorm for velcro! This was at 10am. Duane Reade didn't have any last night. And yes I'm schlepping huge bags of costumes with every errand. As well as, get this!, amid the blizzard, a picnic basket, which is used as a prop! I'm walking through the snow today carrying a large wicker picnic basket! And in cute boots thank you...it helps! with every errand. Yes, New York City...I love you!

The dress rehearsal has started and it really is packed (even though Rosie O'Donnell's kids couldn't make it because of the snow) and I am sitting in the house to the side of the risers putting velcro on a triple strand of pearls (I bought a long time ago) that were also used recently when choreographing Clue, and adhering velcro to ribbons tied to the pearls. I am making sure all ten of my performers are there. Where's Rhett? Getting coffee. I text him something mad like, Rhett, we need you here now. We're going!

Imagine:

Not too much earlier...What? Jojo (Jonathan Alsberry) has to be at the Joyce at 6pm to work through material with Lar! Meaning one of my cast members is not going to be there for the run! DanceBreak has to see the show in order to get a feel for the show and we will have to do it without him in front of the audience, but at least the solution found, for us to run that number before anyone comes in...scramble, scramble. Photographer in the house...

I'm looking at costumes the dancers brought in, having another one try on something I just picked up at American Apparel (so nice when the store you needs is on the same street, 60th, as the theater! Love that!)...and sifting through piles of great looking clothes. How is it all going to look on stage? Is that too short? Too much skin? Well, this is Broadway!

Imagine:

This dancer's dress is too long...I have pins, I run to my bag. "I need a scissors to..." I have one, hang on...in that bag. This dancer has a hole in the crotch getting bigger. This dancer forgot a belt. And so it continues...and hair and make-up and bumping into other performers, seeing friends, meeting new people, seeing inspired works from the sidelines, and above all, thinking about the choreography! The acoustics are terrible in this. The singers are not miked. Is it loud enough?

Imagine:

The choreographers will come out before each of their pieces and introduce themselves and why they chose this...and we all are figuring that out and then doing it.

Then, imagine the pearls falling during my piece, and alas I could not even see it all, see the dance, as I was in the wings, and they scattered like, well pearls!, and spun into the wings, the full stage space...and not a performer missed a beat. That was some Jam my dancers were in! Those pearls have fallen before (during Clue) and today they were destined to scatter...better now than on Monday...still, new costume pearls to find and buy...

And the list goes on... and THAT was a NY Minute of Behind the Scenes of the dress rehearsal for Dance Break with THE Daniel Gwirtzman.

Luis Salgado is a Baller AND and Explorer!

2010-02-18T07:33:00.000-08:00

Luis Salgado was recently hired to explore the world of animation with “Dora the Explorer”. Luis created the movement for the upcoming new Dora project. The animation process is complicated, but working with a great team, I understood what I needed to do for the animatics to read in the style of choreography that I wanted to share inside the world of Dora,” Luis said. That team included writer Chris Gifford, Beth Bogush and Choreography Supervisor, Andy Blankenbuehler (Tony Award Winning Choreographer). Nickelodeon also captured rare behind the scenes footage to illustrate the actual process of animation when choreography is involved.

Besides the incredible first-time win for the Saints, the Super Bowl had some pretty great behind the scenes moments. On Monday February 1st, choreographer Luis Salgado, Tezoro Productions, HOPsport and Miami Dolphins' players John Denney and Joey Haynos pre-gamed to the rhythm of PLENA with Luis Salgado in the Super Bowl XLIV “One World Super Huddle”. The team joined South Florida area fifth graders to listen to jazz, cook healthy snacks, and learn the Latin Dance PLENA with Luis. The students also received Salgado’s PLENA DVD to take home after the experience and experience Luis philosophy of daring to go beyond.

Congratulations to Luis and R.Evolucion Latina for inspiring the nation to Dare to Go Beyond.

From the Yankees Scoreboard-to scoring the best artists to profile, we love you from the bottom of our GFF hearts. Cheers to 2009 and to a COOL 2010

2009-12-30T19:26:00.000-08:00

Matisyahu and the Disco Dreidel

2009-12-22T08:39:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, gendance partied... late night style. We got the hook up with tickets for the Late Show with David Letterman because one of our favorite performers was the guest artist that night. (Oh yeah, and Jude Law was there too.)

If you don't know who Matisyahu is, you need to introduce your ears to his amazing talent. He's a Grammy-nominated artist who sings about his religious devotion to Judaism... through reggae-style music. On the Late Show, we had the chance to see him perform "One Day", a hopeful song about peace appropriate for the upcoming celebration of the new year.

To get a feel for the song, here's part of the lyrics:
All my life I been waiting for
I been prayin for
For the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play

You have to listen to the song to get the full effect.

Watch him perform with the Disco Dreidel and get inspired with the beauty of this song.

Let Christmas Shine

2009-12-17T09:35:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday night, gendance was lucky enough to feel the magic of the holiday classic, Radio City Christmas Spectacular. We saw the Rockettes perform dressed as reindeer and rag dolls, and of course in their signature Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. New this year, we took a 3-D sleigh ride with Santa from the North Pole to the doors of Radio City Music Hall. From the tour of Manhattan on the double-decker bus to the beautiful live version of the Christmas story, it's clear that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular has kept the tradition of Christmas alive while adding a contemporary twist with new technological advances.

Here are some fun facts you may not know about this world-renowned Christmas tradition:

- More than 1,200 colorful costumes are worn in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Each of the Radio City Rockettes must change costumes eight times during each show and in a few of the changeovers, they have as little as 78 seconds in which to change their costumes.

- The double-decker bus seen in the brand new scene "New York at Christmas" weighs an astounding 7 tons and is 34 feet long, 12 feet high. In the course of the 8 week run, it will travel approximately 37 miles onstage. Off-stage, the bus hangs 23 feet in the air at stage left for storage!

- 1400 pairs of pantyhose adorn The Rockettes' world-famous legs during the 8-week run.

- During the 8-week run, the animals drink 450 bottles of water and eat 340 bales of hay and 560 loaves of 7-grain bread.

- Wardrobe goes through over 30,000 red dots pre season to brighten the cheeks of the Rockettes during the "Rag Doll" and "Wooden Soldier" numbers.

- Among the Rockettes, chorus and Santa, more than 1,200 pairs of shoes are worn per show.

- Two of the most cherished scenes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular are the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and the "Living Nativity"- both of which have been part of Radio City's holiday tradition since they were first performed on the Great Stage in 1933.

To the next generation: We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

What's Courtney Galiano Thankful for?

2009-11-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

"I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving like family, the IV Real, and my amazing friends. Making the move out to California from NY was a big step so i have to say i am truly thankful and blessed to have such wonderful roommates." xoxox Courtney Galiano

We want to take this opportunity to say "Thanks" to Miss Courtney for being such a true fan and amazing comrade of gendance. Your support means a lot to us. So, in that case, readers... indulge in the best of Courtney's Q n A with gendance by reading through her editorials here. With your days off during the holiday, it's a great time to get yourself inspired!

Barry Lather Classic Pics

2009-11-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

Special Thanks to Barry Lather for these exclusive photos and for his stunning interview with gendance, November 12, 2009.