50 Years of Raiderettes

I recently celebrated 50 years of Oakland (and LA) Raiderettes with a few hundred of my “Football’s Fabulous Females” sisters, who have also been honored to hold the Raiderette title! The 2012 Raiderette Reunion started off with a dinner at the Eastside Club at the Coliseum…

On display were the various uniforms and costumes donned by the Raiderettes over the years…

The next day after we gathered at the Raider facility to “practice” for our anniversary halftime show! We had all received a video link prior to the reunion weekend, to learn our respective routines…since we were celebrating 50 years, they divided us into 5 decades, and you learned the routine that corresponded with the decade you became a Raiderette! So the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and (my group) 2000’s!! It was the first time we got together for a dance rehearsal with everyone. Ah, what a reminder of the hard work it takes to be a Raiderette!!!

We also received these beautiful medallions to mark the 50 year celebration!

Finally our reunion weekend culminated with a spectacular halftime performance at the Oakland Coliseum where the Raiders hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars!! Lots of fun and reminiscent of old times…starting with a bus ride together to the stadium.

Then of course GAME TIME!!

And — it’s great to dance alongside with the current squad and to see what a GREAT job these ladies are doing to carry on the Raiderette tradition!!

I don’t have the final number of how many alumni turned out to attend the weekend, but at least 300+…and I imagine if each and every former Raiderette was able to be there, the number would be more like 500…that’s a lot of Raiderettes!! πŸ™‚

Finally, what would a performance be without the VIDEO…haha! You can actually see me in the clip below…I danced on the 25 yard line, closer to the north end zone, then in end zone (near the “K”) during the finale!!

Once a Raiderette, ALWAYS a Raiderette!! πŸ˜‰

Science Cheerleaders

Science Cheerleaders were featured on the Today Show….watch the clip, it’s really great!! And — one of my Sacramento Kings dancer “sisters” is featured in this segment, along with many of my fellow Pro NBA and NFL dancer and cheerleader counterparts from all over the country! I also work with Laura Eilers at Going Pro Entertainment, who is the choreographer for the Science Cheerleaders. Great segment, very good look!!

Buy My BRA!!!!

***UPDATE*** 04.07.12: The auction has begun…go here to bid now >> www.ebay.com/mzemmerssportsbraauction :: Aubrey Aquino – Autographed Sports Bra http://r.ebay.com/LGkL9X

I recently donated one of my old Oakland Raiderettes sports bras to a very worthy cause…the MZ & Emmers Sports Bra Auction for Breast Cancer Awareness.

“MZ & Emmers” was formed through a friendship between Women’s Professional Soccer star McCall Zerboni (MZ), and now five-year-old Emma Bayer (Emmers) and her parents. We are dedicated to raising awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer, through the empowerment of women’s athletics.

My bra goes up for auction along with several other sports bras from women all across the world of sports beginning April 7, 2012 – I believe it’ll be on ebay. I was able to get involved after the organizer got in touch with Going Pro Entertainment founder and current Ms. United States, Laura Eilers. She’s a former Kansas City Chiefs and Saint Louis Rams Cheerleader.

Laura put the word out for us to send in a piece from our pro cheer days, and I did not hesitate to donate for such a worthy cause!! πŸ™‚ You can view all the “bras” here —> http://www.facebook.com/MZEmmers

GPEgroup

And — just because, here’s a picture of me with some of my fellow Going Pro Consultants/NFL Cheer alumni!


DANCE FEVER

The 2012 West Coast Pro Dance Convention in San Jose on Sunday, January 29th was a HUGE success!! The event drew a diverse group of dancers, from retired alumni of the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush to Washington Redskins, as well as current dance teams members of semi-pro ABA teams & AFL Arena Football, along with aspiring pro team dancers gearing up for the 2012 audition “season!”

We also welcomed a trio of Japanese Cheerleaders who have danced for professional American sports teams, as well as pro teams in Japan!

Here’s a shot of me and Keiko, who has an impressive resume including all-star teams from Asia to the U.S.A…

This year’s West Coast Convention staff was jam packed with a super talented roster of Pro Team Alumni with credentials in the NBA, NFL, AFL and more!! WATCH the highlight video for a taste of what went down!! Press play…

Thanks to all our sponsors – Shakeology, PPN Solution, Go Wild! Wear and of course the San Jose Athletic Club for being our venue host!

For a complete list of all the Going Pro Entertainment Dance Conventions taking place all over the country, visit – http://procheerallstars.eventbrite.com/

I’ll be at the 2012 Miami Pro Dance Convention coming right up on Sunday, February 19 … REGISTER NOW >> http://miamiprodance2012.eventbrite.com/

Casting for MORE “CoCo Girls”

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012 we will hold a second round of casting for MORE “CoCo Girls!!” The audition will again be held at the Heron Bay Marriott in Coral Springs starting at 9am SHARP. Please come dressed in interview attire and change of clothes/shoes for dance portion.

Please spread the word and post about this additional round of “CoCo Girls” Casting coming up FRIDAY, Jan 6 in Coral Springs. The “CoCo Girls” will be ambassadors for the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and will consist of a dance/show team (NFL/NBA style) and the CoCo Girls will also have the opportunity to work as Blackjack Dealers in the Casino in the “party pit” with a salary of $50k/yr. Casino will pay to have you trained/certified as a dealer. Must be 18+.

Any promo or appearances “CoCo Girls” do in addition to blackjack dealer will receive additional compensation, (i.e. practices, performances, etc…). We’re looking at a minimum of 8 appearances/performances per month…

I will be the director and I am definitely looking for classy, well-rounded dancers, like you see in the NFL or NBA. There will be a short choreographed number to learn and perform for the panel, so please come prepared to dance too!

**This is a great opportunity for dancers who are looking for steady work and a flexible schedule!**

Any questions, please feel free to contact me, otherwise see you there next Friday, January 6, 2012!

**AUDITION IS FRIDAY, JAN. 6, 2012, 9AM at the HERON BAY MARRIOTT IN CORAL SPRINGS!!**

Visit – http://www.facebook.com/seminolecasinocococreek and click on “CoCo Girls” tab on left for more details!

West Coast Pro Dance 2012

Are you a current, former or prospective professional dancer or cheerleader? Does your team need fresh choreography? Would you like to meet others in the industry or hear about audition opportunities?

Then get ready for the West Coast Pro Dance Convention in San Jose, CA on Sunday, January 29, 2012!
http://westcoastprodance2012.eventbrite.com/

CHOREOGRAPHERS

Our choreographers are top alumni and directors of dance and cheer teams in the NFL, NBA, AFL, MLB and other sports leagues. They will teach 6 sidelines and 2 routines in length of 45-60 seconds.
**Aubrey Aquino, NBA Dancer – Sacramento, NFL Cheerleader – Oakland & Arizona
**Kristin Medwick, 7 year NFL Cheerleader – Oakland, “Dancer of the Year” 1998; “Raiderette of the Year” and Pro Bowl Cheerleader 2005
**Kristena Wright, NBA dancer – Washington, NFL Cheerleader – Miami
**Chris Rhyu, NFL Cheerleader – San Francisco

PRESENTERS

**Faithe David, former 49ers Cheerleader will be giving awesome dance technique class to help candidates put their best foot forward at auditions.
**Jada Law, former NBA dancer in Sacramento and LA and current TV personality & host for Lakers TV will give a fitness/health/nutrition presentation to get candidates ready for auditions.
**Audrey Asistio, an alum of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush and Gold Rush Ambassador now works for a news station as a reporter/fill-in anchor. Audrey will offer participants interview, attire, and overall presentation tips.
**Mindy Kreis, Director of Crunch Fitness will be knocking our socks off with a specialized bootcamp geared specifically to dancers.

LOCATION

San Jose Athletic Club
196 N. THIRD STREET
SAN JOSE, CA 95112

For complete details – http://westcoastprodance2012.eventbrite.com/

OTF: Ep. 34 – Warriors, Bucs, Bears

The 34th installment on On The Flipside is online now! For this show, I hosted from my alma mater, San Jose State, since there was a charity reunion basketball game going for “We Believe vs. Dubs,” aka current and former members of the Golden State Warriors. This show also has extended versions and highlights from my Virgin Atlantic, #RedHotReporter, London trip…so more Bucs, Bears and England! Finally, it’s a visit with Seattle Seahawks Sea Gal Nicole for the Sideline Distraction feature!! http://ontheflipsidetv.com

#RedHotReporter – DAY 2 RECAP

I woke up well-rested for my 2nd day in London as Virgin Atlantic’s Red Hot Reporter. We started with brunch at an Italian Restaurant near our hotel – St. Martins Lane is in a “happening” spot, literally steps to several cafe’s, restaurants, shops and points of interest! Then, the first activity on the agenda was a trip to Trafalgar Square where the NFL was holding its “Fan Rally.”

T is from Chicago, so he suited up in his BEARS gear…and I did too for the occasion! πŸ˜‰

The place was packed with British and American fans. Thousands of people flooded the square, and it was really cool to see the NFL getting so much LOVE in London! And even though it was technically Tampa Bay’s “home game” in London, there were clearly more BEARS fans in the crowd. BTW, did you know the Bucs owner also owns Manchester United, hence a great UK tie-in for them!Β  **NOTE: I kept thinking if the RAIDERS ever get to play in London, I KNOW the RAIDER NATION would be out in full force and England would be covered in Silver and Black!

trafalgar

We caught this moment of the Chicago Bears making a brief appearance at the event…

One of the main attractions were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders…they can’t get enough of the NFL Cheerleaders in London! And — since the BEARS are one of the few NFL teams who do not have Pro Cheerleaders, the spotlight was squarely on ladies from Tampa Bay! I had the opportunity to interview a few of the ladies before they got on stage to perform, that will pop up On The Flipside soon!

At the same time I bumped into the cheerleaders, I also got the chance to meet NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He was very cool and took a few moments to chat with me about being the Red Hot Reporter and what I was doing for Virgin to share my NFL London experience with my peeps on social media..he was into it! πŸ˜‰

nflcommish

The rally was a cool experience, I met many NFL Legends, including members of the 85 Bears, as well as fans who trekked from the U.S. and other parts of Europe to experience the festivities.

Uhm, did I mention I was interviewed for NFL Network?? I have no idea if this has aired or what they are going to do with the footage, but I’m sure someone will let me know if they catch my interview!!

After the rally, the excitement did not stop as we did a quick wardrobe change and set off for the NFL London Bash!

It was a swanky “invite only” event with some “celeb” sightings…

Jerome Bettis (Above) & Cuba Gooding Jr. (Below)

I haven’t talked too much about the cuisine in London, and they are NOT known for it, but one kind of “interesting” dish they had at the party was a beef meatballs with tomato sauce over mashed potatoes dish…not bad! :/ hehe

The highlight of the evening was a performance by London native, now international superstar Estelle!

All in all, a FUN night, overall GREAT day..and the best is yet to come!! At this point, the credentials are stacking up and I needed to get a good night’s rest for the big game at Wembley Stadium.

DAY 3 of my Red Hot Reporter RECAP is coming up tomorrow!!