I had the pleasure of going to the sold out Youth America Grand Prix Gala this past Monday. The first act contained all the winners from the competition. The second act featured prominent ballet and contemporary companies performing. Blah blah blah-- the typical peeps were there and I could go into a review of each piece and the performers. I am totally not going to because there was only one dancer that owned the night. Ivan Vasiliev of the Bolshoi Ballet is my new idol. Jordin Sparks and Kelly Clarkson can step aside. The female dancer, Natalia Osipova, was good but she was clearly dancing in his shadow. I have included a video of their performance of "Flames of Paris." This video is not from the gala but it is the piece they both performed. "Flames of Paris" is part of a four-piece Russian ballet with choreography by Vasily Vainonen. The program listed that Petipa was the choreographer. (Petipa is not the choreographer. Tisk tisk YAGP). After the jump you will find the amazing video of Ivan.