Adios to Arco…

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This is the final season the NBA’s Sacramento Kings will be playing at Sleep Train Arena…formerly known as Arco. Arco Arena, as so many will affectionately  refer to it, is the place where my pro sports dance team career started, just a few months removed from my college graduation at San Jose State. The team is now moving to a brand new, state of the art arena in downtown Sacramento that is currently under construction. And — since “Arco” will be no more, the Kings invited us (all the team’s Alumni dancers), to perform one last halftime.

The amazing show happened just 10-days after I hit the NFL field for a pregame Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders Alumni Reunion… I couldn’t be more pleased with myself (and how my body held up..lol), or the dedication and commitment all the ladies put into making the halftime come together. We all learned our choreography from a video, then whoever could make it would get together for non-mandatory weekend practices, before the day of, final fixes. I never expected to continue dancing after I hung up my “poms,” years ago, but it has been an amazing blessing to not only pick up where I left off and dance alongside so many talented dancers every so often, but really embellish in the unique sisterhood and bonds formed with every team I have had the pleasure of being on.

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Below are some of the photos from our “Adios to Arco” event…yet, I’ve joked – you never know they could have us back in March or April for a final, FINAL farewell dance…hehe

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Cover Girl x Vixen Workout

I finally got an opportunity to check out and try the “Vixen Workout.” And, it just so happens that the class I went to was actually part of an event where the #vixenarmy teamed up with Cover Girl to promote Bombshell mascara! The event was on South Beach in Miami and while I had some idea of  what the workout was going to be like, I don’t know if anything could’ve quite prepared me for its intensity!!!

First things first, they had Cover Girl makeup artists on hand to assist with the #bombshelling look…so I did that. The event took place in a large space with lighting to set the “mood.” The idea was to have a concert feel, since the Vixen Workout is taking a page out of a video vixen’s “book.” There was a great turnout, I mean hundreds of women ready to work it out!! I was told this fitness regimen has a cult-like following, and from the large crowd of excited ladies who showed up, that is clearly evident.

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Now about the workout, it is seriously a heart-pumping, energy-inducing, sweat producing, non-stop dance-filled workout. The creator of the Vixen Workout is Janet Jones, a former Miami HEAT dancer, who basically incorporates some of the hottest dance moves – often seen in music videos, and then choreographs workout routines with lots of sexy, sassy sweat! I loved that Janet, along with her dancers had incomparable energy and while they were “leading” the 1-hour workout, I felt like I was watching Pitbull’s dancers at an award’s show! Lots of fist-pumping, cheering and HIGH ENERGY… Just check out this quick snippet video I shot on my iPhone >>

I will be the first to admit that 30 minutes of this workout quite enough for me…until I can get my cardio up and my thighs/knees can handle all the squats and “drop down and get your eagle on” moves! 😉 Note — if you have any issue with explicit lyrics found in rap music, or walking out of a class with your ears ringing, then this may not be for you! **Plus, I couldn’t help but think of rapper “drama,” when songs by Kanye West, Rick Ross, Chief Keef, etc… came on! It’s not all rap either, there’s lots of Beyonce to go around with some Dancehall, EDM and Latin spice sprinkled in.

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The “Vixen Workout” definitely has Miami written all over it, from the gyrating booty pops to the constant chest thrusts and slinky body rolls…many of the ladies ditched the ponytails and let their hair down while getting some extra lift from wedge sneakers. And — I can’t really think to any “downsides” to this workout…unless you count the all-over soreness you feel the next day. I did find myself getting a bit too technical, wanting to have all the choreography down, and not “mirror” the women on stage – as a dancer I tend to want to have the exact hand placement, movement and timing…but reminder to self, this is all in fun, and after a few classes, you’re sure to have all the vixen moves down pat! What else can I say, I loved it, would totally do it again! And what better way to feel like I was up in the club getting my late night groove on! I mean even my “Cover Girl Bombshell” eyelashes were sweating!! 😉

Right now the Vixen Workout is only in Miami and New York, but it’ll hit the West Coast soon…and I’m sure all my Bay Area U-Jam girls would LOVE it! Visit the website at http://www.vixenworkout.com/

LUV-A-BULL Proposal

I kept seeing this video pop up on my social media feeds, but I had yet to click the play button, until tonight! This was probably one of the best “clicks” I ever made…watching this Luvabull (NBA Chicago Bulls dancer), be proposed to on the court during a performance, has to be one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen. I was moved to tears!!!

And while it’s been a minute since my NBA/NFL dancing days, I can only imagine how insanely intense, confusing and surreal that moment must of been for her! Props to her man for getting it done and best of luck to the happy couple! Watch the video of the surprise marriage proposal below…

2012 Audition Prep Classes

Every year, hundreds of women pour their heart, mind, soul and body’s into auditioning for various Pro Sports Dance and Cheer Teams. I have worn an audition number, stood in line with the masses for my chance to dance, and so I KNOW what the experience is like. Thankfully I have been successful and have reached my goals of being selected for a coveted spot on one of those teams. Now that I’ve hung up my dance shoes, I work as a consultant and regional director for Going Pro Entertainment…and every year the company puts on “dance conventions” all over the country, designed to help audition hopefuls be ready and be their personal best for these once a year NFL, NBA, AFL, etc.. auditions. This year I am again coordinating events in the Bay Area (Northern California) and Miami, FL.

Another GREAT benefit of our workshops is that there are open to current dancers as well. Perhaps you are on a college dance team or semi-pro team that doesn’t have a big budget for choreography, however…by attending our events, you will learn 2 routines and 4 sidelines to take back and use for your own performances, so we encourage teams to send a couple if not all their dancers to be part of this exciting day! And — it’s always a wonderful refresher for alumni who’ve taken time off and want to get back in the groove before auditioning again.

All our events are staffed by former dancers, director and choreographers from Pro Sports Teams and we have the advice, tips and insider info you need to put your best foot forward! Of course we encourage you to always attend the “prep classes” for the specific team that you are interested in being part of, to be audition ready. Going Pro conventions offer that extra “edge” and additional help some of you may seek and it’s another opportunity to meet like-minded women who are also going through the process. Plus, since we are not the actual team reps for specific auditions, it’s no pressure, ask any questions and have fun!

West Coast (Bay Area) Pro Dance is Sunday, January 29 in San Jose!
For more info & sign up >> http://westcoastprodance2012.eventbrite.com/

Miami (South Florida) Pro Dance is Sunday, February 19 in North Miami!
For info and to register >> http://miamiprodance2012-eorg.eventbrite.com/

All other Going Pro Conventions, including DC, Atlanta, Arizona…
For the complete list >> http://procheerallstars-eorg.eventbrite.com/

SYTYCD

Last weekend I had a chance to relieve some stuff during a master dance workshop being taught by So You Think You Can Dance – season 4 finalist – Courtney Galino. It was anything but easy…there’s a lot of rust around these parts, but nonetheless it was fun and really I was there to do a story for Deco! I was sore about half this week…but I’m good now. Anyway, Courtney is also a former NY Knicks City dancer, so it’s always fun for me to meet other pro team dancers, and she’s so sweet and such an AMAZING dancer! And, it is so wonderful to see all these new opportunities for dancers opening up in the mainstream and getting the recognition that’s well-deserved!