Dallas>Nashville>VEGAS!

Apparently Vegas starts tonight too? This is sure to be a packed night with Dallas, Nashville, and Vegas! Sounds good to me, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing right now! It may seem sad, but it’s so very true.

Dallas is up first, and there’s sure to be a lot of people here…let’s just hope we don’t have to sit through anymore hick hop!

Ida Saki tarts things off with a classical routine. She’s very technically trained, clearly. Beautiful movements, and she conveys a lot of emotion, but I’m not sure if I’m feeling her personality. She does do this middle split and come up onto her feet which was pretty awesome. Judges are oohing and ahhing throughout the entire piece, so I’m thinking she’s going straight to Vegas. Yep.

Robert Rolden looks promising, and he’s got a nice TV face. Rebecca Hart is great too. Reminds me of Megan Kinney, and I think she’s auditioned before, right?

Haylee Durbin is definitely interesting. Her face reminds me of Jessie from Season 3. She’s fusing contemporary and hip hop, but it’s a little bit stiff and she has a “stank face” as Nigel says. Nigel isn’t sure she’s strong enough, but they put her through to choreography, but that’s as far as she goes. I can see her coming back better next season.

I’m not sure ow “Scooter Rocket” will do, but I’ve definitely not seen a roller skate audition yet, so hopefully he’s at least good at it. Do the lyrics of his song say “Scoot or Die” and “Scoot or Fly”? I think they do. Did he record this song himself? Also he has dumb eyes. No offense, just an observation!

Bad audition montage NOW! Lots of falling, pretty standard.

Nicole Knudson is up next, and despite the fact that she is an amazing dancer I’m a bit distracted by how skinny she is. That being said, she lit up the stage and combined power with flexibility and grace. Very interesting, can’t wait to see what else she can do. Straight to Vegas!

Oh Deroccious Harris, I would much preferred not to witness your audition, but at least you went for it. Clearly not what we’re looking for here.

Marcella Raneri”s dad is in the mob?! Ok then. This girl could definitely be a Cowboy cheerleader. Let’s be honest she probably is. She’s very technically trained and gorgeous, but not really passionate. They send her through to choreo though. Apparently she does better than they were expecting and is sent to Vegas. Definitely need to do some research and see if she really was a Cowboy cheerleader…

Jordan Johnson has struggled with addiction and the rejection of his biological father plus the added combo of being an unaccepted dancer from a small town. He’s a tumbler too, so he’s pulling out lots of tricks, which are awesome. I’m a little bit surprised they send him straight to Vegas since there wasn’t that much dancing in his solo, but he’s got himself a ticket!

Faith Looney and her friend (another awkward girl) are doing flamenco dancing. This is weird. And boring. Next.

Apparently this was one of the worst rejection days in SYTYCD history. Cue the crying people…”I didn’t know it would hurt this bad”…have you guys seen the show? Come on!

Shanya Vaughn is apparently bringing a lot of energy, which means she’s going to be boring as can be. And she is. The judges are nice to her though and give constructive feedback, which is nice.

Day 2 starts out rough as well.

Thankfully Brian Gaynor is back and as adorable as ever! His scoliosis has definitely not kept him from dancing for all these years. He is just incredible! Although he can’t feasibly go through to choreo or Vegas, but Nigel promises to put him and his crew on the show. Can’t wait to see that!

And now it’s time for my absolute favorite part of this show – VEGAS!

Thankfully for us, Vegas also marks the return of Alex Wong and Billy Bell! Alex is up first to perform. His solo is almost the same as last time we saw him, and still just as awesome. Then comes Billy, and he is just so cool to watch. Technique combined with quirkiness and a winning smile! Love him!

Anthony Burrell apparently pulled his hamstring so he’s off to a clinic to get it checked out. After a montage of what looked like some awesome solos, he’s back with a cortisone shot and clearance from the doc. I love love love him! It can’t hurt to dance to Maxwell either.

Following the solos, 26 people have already been cut but now Nigel’s calling Arielle, Alex, and Billy to the stage. This better not be a cut, Lithgoe! And it’s not! He just wanted to give them “special mention”. Hint hint?

Hop Hop with Tabitha (sans Napoleon) is up first. Rachel the rhythmic gymnast can’t really handle the choreo, so she’s heading home. Jose the bboy/ breaker is up next, and he’s through. Clearly they see Legacy in him but like Legacy at this point, I’m still not impressed.

Hip Hop sadly claims the SYTYCD life of Teddy Tedholme…you’re amazing Teddy, but I guess you gotta get in some more Hip Hop classes if they’re gonna put you on the show. I have to say though, after seeing you dance in person at Art4Life, I really want you on the show! Go to class!!!!

Anthony Burrell is through Hip Hop with 6 “yes” responses. Sarah is not as lucky and she’s heading home.

Next up is ballroom with Toni. Nicole is looking awkward and the judges are on the fence. They make her take down her giant bun and ask her to come back and dance it again later. Jose the BBoy really brought it, so I think I’m starting to come around to him now. Ballroom claims some more lives, but Adechike is asked to come back and do a solo again because he did a tap one initially when he’s really a contemporary dancer. Jordan struggles through ballroom, so it’s not really a surprise when they send him home. He could be good with some work though, so perhaps we’ll see him in Season 8?!

Nicole is set to dance with her hair down, and now it’s just her on stage. It was definitely much better, although it’s not really up to par with the level she needs to be at. But, she’s through with yeses from everyone except Lil C.

Adechike is set to dance for his life, and he is a great contemporary dancer. Why on earth would he ever do a tap solo?! That being said, his solo is a bit emotionless and cold. The dancing skills are there though. He’s through with some stern words from Nigel re: taking this competition seriously. I feel like he’ll make it…don’t know why, just a feeling.

Next week’s Vegas brings Broadway and the final solos. Then the judges get to travel the country and tell dancers (and their families) whether or not they made it - in their own homes! Interesting twist, and I gotta say, I like it! Can’t wait!!!