Alvin Ailey on So You Think You Can Dance TONIGHT!

11/11/2009 by Lindsay Live in News

Tonight at 8/7c, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Clifton Brown, Linda Celeste Sims and Constance Stamatiou will guest star on the sixth season of Fox’s wildly popular So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). The Ailey dancers will perform an excerpt from Ulysses Dove’s Episodes, an explosive tour de force ballet created in 1987. In 2008, Ailey was the first concert dance company to guest star on the Emmy award-winning show.

Ballet Makeup Look for Asian Eyes/VIDEO

11/11/2009 by JAMcosmetics in Diaries

After so many requests for a makeup video specifically for dancers with Asian eyes, here it is!  This is the first of two (2) how-to makeup videos for Asian eyes that I will be posting.  This look is the more difficult of the two I will present but you can easily achieve it with practice.  

Printable instructions appear after you take the LEAP...

Sorry to get political, but...

11/05/2009 by Lindsay Live in News

I have to say I'm extremely disappointed with the election results in Maine last Tuesday regarding same-sex marriage. This was the first time that the American populate repealed actual legislation regarding same-sex marriage; last year's measure in California was in response to a court ruling, not law. The legislation that would have granted gays the right to wed was defeated with a vote of 53%-47%.

Now, why am I posting this on a dance blog? Good question. Yes, I want to vent and luckily I have a forum to do so, but it's more than that...

Lady Gaga to Perform with Bolshoi Ballet

11/02/2009 by Lindsay Live in News

According to the New York Times ArtsBeat Blog, superstar singer Lady Gaga will be performing with dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet in Los Angeles at a gala for the Museum of Contemporary Art on Nov. 14. A news release issued by the museum stated that Francesco Vezzoli has been commissioned to create the production, entitled "Ballets Russes Italian Style (The Shortest Musical You Will Never See Again)." The show will also debut Lady Gaga's new single, "Speechless."

Did You Watch "Ugly Betty" Last Night?

10/31/2009 by Lindsay Live in News

I'm proud to say I made my television re-debut on last night's episode of "Ugly Betty" - #404, The Weiner, The Bun, And The Boob. I appeared in the show's intro as one of the six "motley looking" people HR sent to interview for Daniel's assistant position. I'm the girl in the polka dotted blouse who sprays Binaca in her mouth. I had an absolute blast on set and I hope there are many more TV (and dance!) opportunities to come!

Click here to watch the full episode on ABC.com.

A Ballet Retrospective

10/29/2009 by Lindsay Live in News

Now that I'm immersed in the world of contemporary dance as a competition judge, it's interesting to look at my own dance background. Sometimes I forgot just how classical my training was!

That being said, I think it sets me apart from others in the industry because I have a fundamental understanding of technique and a sincere respect for the history behind it all. In college, I finally learned to let go and use my body as more than a means to an end, but rather as an instrument that feels, speaks and connects with others. Now, I'm able to bring my dancing to a completely new heightened state by adding in the complexities of my life experience. But everyone has to start somewhere, and this is where I started:

Enjoy! (And you might recognize the Cavalier - he's Simon Sliva of Complexions!)

Last Tango on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters"

10/26/2009 by Lindsay Live in News

I can't get enough of "Brothers & Sisters" on ABC, and last night was especially enjoyable because the entire episode, which was entitled "Last Tango," was dedicated to dance.

Luke, the mysterious Frenchman who sweeps Sarah off her feet, enthralls the rest of the Walker clan with his finesse on the dance floor. He helps Justin and Rebecca master a wedding dance, he uses Tango as a metaphor to break through Kevin's and Scotty's relationship issues, and he brings Nora back to good spirits with a moonlit waltz under the stars. It's just a television show, but probably one of the most poignant and culturally relevant I've seen in a long time. This episode challenged a number of social conventions (anyone catch Luke's little tangent on feminism?) while also reminding us of the power of dance. As Luke said, "It's impossible to be sad while dancing."

Here's a scene from last night's episode. Who knew Emily Vancamp (who plays Rebecca) was a dancer? I'm certainly impressed!