Living that Bay Area LIFE

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I’ve hit the one month mark for being back home in the Bay Area and I’m officially living that “Bay Area LIFE!” There are so many more things I appreciate about this area after being on the East Coast for the last decade, and to now be able to be here with my kids, and put them in a similar environment to what I grew up in is amazing! And — making it even better is having the chance to freelance and continue working in TV on a show called, “Bay Area LIFE.” It is a weekly half hour lifestyle program produced and aired on ABC7 in San Francisco (it just started earlier this year)… and it fits right into my schedule. I’ll be making appearances as a backup host and reporter, so be sure to watch when it airs on Sundays at 6:30pm.

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Watch my debut segment shot at ULTA Beauty in San Francisco below!

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/

Audition Season

Pro Team Cheer and Dance Audition season is in full swing! It used to start in the spring with NFL, but these days it seems like a year round business, with the ultra competitive NFL Cheerleader tryouts, followed by NBA Dance Team auditions, being the highlight of the “season.”

It’s not uncommon for women to train year round to either keep their spot on a squad, or audition for entry onto one of these prestigious organizations! The key to “joining the club” is to be a great performer with the “total” package, and to be successful you’ve got to have all your bases covered. From dance technique, to audition wear, hair and makeup presentation, speaking skills, fitness and more…it takes a LOT of thought and preparation to BE READY. And — the best way to have you game face ready at tryout time is to take prep classes and/or personalized coaching to put your best foot forward! Many of the teams offer workshops to help candidates prepare, and companies like Going Pro Entertainment, also host prep classes to help these ladies put their best foot forward!

Check out this video from the 2013 Houston Going Pro Expo!

Next stop is Miami on Sunday, March 10 >>
http://gopromiami2013.eventbrite.com/

You don’t want to miss out on the All-Star roster complete with Master Dance Classes, Pageant & Fitness Industry Pros, as well as other Entertainment experts. The Miami Expo offers everything you need to learn how to make it in the industry! Whether you want to be a pageant queen, fitness competitor or are thinking about what it would be like to join the ranks of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, Miami HEAT dancers or Florida Panthers Ice Dancers…THIS is the event for you!!! Use promo code MIAMIPRO for a $5.00 per person individual entry discount.

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And — Going Pro will be in Atlanta area on Sunday May 5th!!
http://goproatlanta2013.eventbrite.com

2013 MIAMI Going Pro Expo

It’s that time again! The Going Pro Expo is making a tour stop in Miami in exactly one month … MARCH 10, 2013!! I am so excited to be coordinating this event for the 3rd year in a row and this time around we’ve changed up the format to appeal to more women looking to “GO PRO” in the dance, cheer and entertainment industry! This year, we truly have an ALL-STAR lineup of choreographers and presenters. On the schedule we have 4 separate “master dance classes” for those of you looking to brush up and/or learn new choreography, all taught by outstanding professionals with NFL, NBA, NHL and collegiate experience. Then we have full workshops and seminars on fitness, pageantry, broadcasting, pro team cheer & dance, etc… We even have a session devoted to social media!

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This event is open to women who are alumni, current or aspiring entertainment professionals! It’s the perfect place to brush up on your skills, learn new material, find out all about the Pro Team Cheer & Dance Industry, Pageantry and Fitness…but most of all you can ask our experts all the questions you want. General registration gains you access to all workshops and even some “sidelines” sessions, then you can pick and choose which dance classes you want to take, or enroll in them all — the more you dance, the more you will improve, plus networking and making new friends & contacts never hurts!

REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW>>> http://gopromiami2013.eventbrite.com

The 2013 Miami Going Pro Expo is also the perfect place for pro, semi-pro and college cheer and dance teams to pick up new choreography to take to their own sidelines as well as great advice and tips on performance, makeup, hair & presentation, while enjoying a fun team building experience!

Check out these videos from other Going Pro Expos held recently in Washington DC and Kansas City …

FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER – http://gopromiami2013.eventbrite.com

**Discounts available for groups and current/alumni pro team members!

Are you interested in reaching women over the age of 18 who are in the industries of fitness, dance, pageants, modeling and entertainment? The Going Pro Expo is the perfect place to showcase your business!! For vendor/sponsor opportunities, contact aubrey@goingproentertainment.com