So You Think You Can Dance Canada 2, October 20: Vote For Me, Vote For Me!

In the last Elimination episode, Emanuel and Melanie were eliminated. It was probably a close vote on both sides, for either could comfortably be inserted into this finale without missing a beat. You can read my version of events here if you missed it.

After the traditional introduction of the top four dancers, tonight’s two-hour episode opens with series host Leah Miller reminding us that the finale is another two-hour effort, airing this Sunday (not Wednesday) at 9 PM in most areas. Leah then brings out the judges. With principal judges Jean Marc Genereux and Tré Armstrong are two who have been around all season in some capacity, Luther Brown and Blake McGrath. The judges are asked if they have any advice for the dancers.

Of course they do! Luther says they should hit it hard and stay focused. Blake offers congratulations on an incredible season. Tré advises that they make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime chance. Jean Marc suggests it’s time to ignore their injuries and leave nothing behind, adding that he knows they already know to do this.

Tré takes a few seconds to embarrass Leah with a copy of Flare Magazine. It comes up on screen, and Leah’s on the cover! As flustered as she gets, Leah quickly moves us past that.

The top four next comment to the camera about each other. They love each other. Vincent says the girls are sexy, but Everett is “not sexy.” TJ says she is sad it’s all about to end.

This leads to a group number under the tutelage of choreographers Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. They describe the piece as “a cabaret, with a twist of jazz and smooth funk.” Leah simply calls it a theatre style cabaret to the “Gypsy” theme. The guys are in suits and the girls are in nighties for most of the dance, but end up in fur coats. It’s real close, but I think TJ and Vincent are right on the mark.

Luther gets out, “The girls are so hot!” He soon finds his words to say that Vincent, as usual, did good work. He follows by calling Everett was the all-around Canadian boy, and reports, “the girls, that was just sick!” Blake points out the rest of the top twenty, who are standing up on the catwalk. About this dance, he says it was a strong, subtle, sexy start to the show. He thinks the women outshone the men.

Tré thinks the boys set up the comical aspect well, then the girls… “mad sexy!” Jean Marc says the men need to watch out for the women. They did not disappoint in the way they supported the women, but the women stole the show.

Leah reminds us that Season 3 auditions are upon us. Check the CTV website for details, however, I should tell you that the Toronto date is now Saturday, November 14th, not Friday the 13th. Leah speaks of these auditions a few times over the duration of the show; I’m only writing it once.

Leah also tells us that tonight, everyone will dance as a couple with everyone else, plus there will be solos. So, get comfortable, there’s a lot coming!

The first to partner up this week are the dudes, Vincent and Everett. Sho-Tyme will take them through an Atlanta-style hip-hop that’s really fast. At one point they jump into the Mosh Pit area, which has conveniently been cleared out in advance.

Luther informs us that this Atlanta-style hip-hop has an energetic and soulful flavour that even some pro hip-hop dancers can’t do well. He excuses a couple of minor sync issues, and is impressed the guys understand the groove pocket and still added attitude and flavour. Blake says he isn’t familiar with the style, but he had fun watching it.

Tré says hip-hop has swagger, style, syncopation… and stamina. They brought all four. She gives special kudos to Everett, who was on every beat. She notes the two connected well. Jean Marc says they did a very good job, lauding Vincent’s body language.

Leah tells us a little more about the finale. Sean Cheesman will choreograph a piece for the top twenty, and Mia Michaels will choreograph a dance, too. Plus, they’ll be bringing back “all your favourite routines from this past season.”

A side note… did you hear that Mia won’t be part of So You Think You Can Dance next season? I wonder if she’ll be able to find the time to still come up here?

Next up is a number from Tara-Jean and Everett, who were original partners. They’ve drawn a jazz piece from Sean Cheesman, about how a couple would spend the last day of Earth. TJ keeps saying, “I’m so happy!” during rehearsal.

They perform to “Say All I Need,” from One Republic. It’s a nice piece, with an interesting lift into a wind machine in the middle followed by a push-away move when they are sole-to-sole. Unexpectedly, TJ stumbles backward at one point and very nearly falls.

Luther says it was cool to see the two dancers reunite. He could see their chemistry come back. He adds that Tara-Jean is “the sweetest little situation on the show,” and Everett is “such a performer.” Luther doesn’t care that anyone tripped. Blake thinks the connection was more important than the mess-up. The way they showed connection and made it believable was very professional.