Snippets: Diversity; Black Swan

A comprehensive why-you-should-see-this-film list for Black Swan.

And Diversity have a fitness DVD out! Catch a glimpse below.

Butlins Street Dance Festival Weekend

Butlins first ever Street Dance Festival will hit the Minehead resort this November, showcasing the UK’s top urban dancers, including Street Dance 3D stars Diversity and Britain’s Got Talent stars Twist & Pulse.

To celebrate the festival, the hottest talent on the British urban dance scene took to the high streets recently and treated unsuspecting shoppers to awe-inspiring performances. Disguised as members of the public, the dancers stunned passersby with jaw-dropping routines to launch the event.

Mike Godolphin, Head of Entertainment at Butlins said: “Shoppers had the time of their lives when they saw the phenomenal performances. The Butlins Street Dance Festival will be absolutely amazing – we’ve even got Diversity exclusively previewing their up and coming UK tour. This was only a hint of what we’ve got on offer for the UK’s dance fans!”

This 3 day street dance event is the first place you’ll see Diversity, stars of box office hit StreetDance 3D, giving us a preview of their up and coming UK tour, plus performances by Twist & Pulse and Peridot, as well as finalists from the 2010 Street Dance XXL Championships.

The weekend ticket includes 3 nights accommodation, free access to all of the star performances, live urban dance shows and street dance classes for all, plus Splash Waterworld, funfair rides, sports coaching and so much more – all included in the price.

So get you, your family and friends down to Butlins Minehead 19-22 November 2010 to experience the unique style and culture of street dance at Butlins family Resort in Somerset. Top tip: the better grade of accommodation you book, the closer you’ll be seated to the stage when Diversity perform live in our concert arena on Resort. Book early to avoid disappointment – these places go quickly!

Also - George Sampson's Street Party! Appearing on dates between September 17th and November 1st 2010!

Don't miss your chance to experience the street dance superstar and Britain's Got Talent winner, George Sampson in his very own show, George Sampson's Street Party - exclusive and live at Butlins on every weekend family break in 2010! This amazing show will feature George singing, dancing and offering willing volunteers up on stage to join in! See full details of both events here.

Kempton's Got Diversity!

UK Dance sensation Diversity are set to be the mane event at Kempton Park Racecourse this summer, performing a one off spectacular on Friday 13th August.

The dance troupe, who shot to fame in the final of last year’s Britain’s Got Talent, will bring their unique show to the Surrey racecourse for Come Dance – a night of horse racing, family entertainment and breathtaking performances from finalists of last year’s biggest national talent contest.

Having beaten Susan Boyle to claim the crown of Britain’s Got Talent winners for the 2009 show, Diversity have since taken the country by storm – with sell-out tours, countless TV appearances and a coveted spot at the Royal Variety Performance. They now bring their unmistakable street dance flavour to Kempton Park for one night only.

Other Britain’s Got Talent stars joining Diversity on stage include urban dancer Aidan Davis and father/son act Stavros Flatley, two acts who captured the nation’s hearts and won over celebrity judges on last year’s show. Amy Starkey, managing director of Kempton Park Racecourse, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Diversity to Come Dance this summer for an evening of entertainment that racegoers are unlikely to forget in a hurry. The UK fell in love with their moves on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent, so we’re expecting their performance, combined with a great evening of racing and family fun, to be a real one off experience.”

Come Dance forms part of the Racecourse’s Summer Series – a range of events being held at Kempton Park offering floodlit racing and feel-good family entertainment over the summer months. Adult admission is £15 with value added packages starting from £18. Under 18s go free and for this event there is a maximum of two children per one adult. Hospitality is available from just £37 which includes admission, racecard & two course meal. Call 01932 753518 for more information or for further details and to purchase tickets for Come Dance visit http://www.kempton.co.uk/.

Snippets: So You Think You Can Dance, Wicked, Diversity

LA Times have an interview with eliminated So You Think You Can Dance front runner, Alex Wong.

Glee creator Ryan Murphy and JJ Abrams are both being considered for the film adaptation of Wicked.

Diversity are keen on setting up their own streetdance academies.

And for MySpace members, there's a webchat with Emma Bunton, due to present Don't Stop Believing.

Snippets: Diversity, Flawless, So You Think You Can Dance

Interviews with members of Diversity and Flawless ... and Trav's Thoughts are in on So You Think You Can Dance, with the bad news that Alex, who produced that fantastic Hip Hop with Twitch last week, has a possible rupture Achilles and, having been unable to perform will automatically be in the bottom three - and if the Doctor says no to continuing, he's out! Gutted for him. Let's keep everything crossed.

Snippets: Glee, Diversity, Hip Hop, Breakdancing, Swing

The all-singing, all-dancing show Glee will soon be available in book form - presumably with audio books to follow, or did they not think of that? And the series creator , Ryan Murphy, has promised that even though new cast members are making headlines, the second season will focus on the original cast, with the newbies more of a catalyst to storylines.

The 9th annual World Hip Hop Dance Championship is headed for Vegas! And an interview with English former European breakdancing champion, Andrea Stockburn.

Diversity unveiled a plaque in tribute to Michael Jackson, as tribute show Thriller Live opens at the Lyric Threatre.

The Royal Albert hall are holding a swing night - no, not that sort. Honestly - no, In Full Swing is a proper back-to-the-forties night of good oldfashioned fun and dance to top bands and DJs. It's a part of the Big Dance 2010 events.

Snippets: Streetdance, Diversity, Paula Abdul

Streetdance 3D topped the box office this week - as news breaks that Diversity will be supporting The Saturdays at the Rochester Castle Concert on Friday 16th July. And Paula Abdul will be lead judge and mentor on the US version of Got To Dance.

Snippets: SYTYCD, Streetdance 3D, DWTS

Diversity are setting their sights on Hollywood as Streetdance 3D premieres - general release May 21st.

MJ brings us a few snippets from Nigel Lythgoe as the US prepare for their new series of So You Think You Can Dance.

And Trav has changed his website! But he's still covering Dancing With the Stars in full, with videos of this week's star performers Derek and Nicole - incredibly musical numbers, Nicole's timing is so spot on with Derek's. A real pleasure to watch, I preferred the foxtrot which was pure joy from start to finish.

Snippets: Diversity, DOI, SYTYCD,

Two different reviews about Diversity's stage show - different, as in, different shows in different places, but both united in how awesome this street dance act is!

If, like me, you wanted to see Kieranne's Bolero - here it is! And rather lovely it is too.

Nigel's still tweeting, the dancers won't choose their own genres! And there's a press release today somewhere - you'd think it would be here, on the official site. But it's not. Yet. However, the lovely Corky Ballas tweeted this link, advising there'll be a Top 10, who will be paired with a different SYTYCD All-Star each week! Thank you, Corky :-) And Nigel's Twitterpage has updated to confirm since I put the link on! Typical ...

Snippets: SCD, Showtime, Street Dance

Darren and Lilia are touring in a show named 'Latin Fever', which I think was a show they were performing in London last year. Will hopefully find the full intintery soon and let you know exactly when and where.

Anton is back recovering at home after being rushed to hospital on Friday, after collapsing at home.

And a real labour of love here - 35 top dance sequences in dance films and 10 random dance sequences in non-dance films! The Gene Kelly on skates from 2:18 is amazing! I may have to start compiling my own, there are tons more to choose from!

Sugar Free, another dance troupe we saw in Britain's Got Talent last year, are joining Diversity on their tour.

Snippets: SYTYCD, DOI, Move It, Diversity, Pineapple

A backstage behind the scenes look at how the fourteen So You Think You Can Dance finalists were accomodated for the duration of the show.

Pineapple Dance Studios have seen a surge in interest in the wake of the tv dance shows and their own programme on Sky, aired alongside Got To Dance.

There are five pairs of tickets up for grab for Move It, courtesy of Fabulous online mag.

Your chance to bust some moves with Diversity! Go on, have a go - they talk you through some basic steps, all you need to do is stand up!

Hayley and Dan are on the West End's wish list!

Maria Fillipov and Melanie Lambert talk about the benefits skating brings!

Apparently, there are thousands of free dance classes on offer! So what are you still doing reading this? Go get 'em!

Got to Dance: The Final

It was a Kent dancing double this weekend, as little streetdancer Akai won with this fantastic, tight performance, his best of the competition, and very cheeky!

Through to the final three with Akai, were dance troupe The Box with another, multi-coloured dreamscape. Jukebox Juniors made up the third act for the final dance off, starting with a tune from The Wiz - remember that? Yes, I have the album ... they're a brilliant bunch of kids, an amazing cantilever trick, full of energy and fantastic dancing, my favourites from the moment I saw them!

Another impressive performance from Matthew Koon utilising a major piece of equipment, but it wasn't enough to make it through; he has a big future though, no doubt. Emily sparkled in a silver and gold gymtastic display, with MJ Latin doing their best in an early MJ inspired Latinfest, in which I think the boys solo dancing shone.

Performance of the night for me though - the unbelievable Diversity who seem to top every performance, I can't wait to see the StreetDance movie!

Strictly Tour Latest and snippets!

Mark and Kristina, Ali and Brian and Austin and Lilia are still leading the way! We’ve moved onto Birmingham, where show #8 was won by Mark and Kristina, scored 29 for AT and 30 for salsa (no Len) with Ali and Brian runners up on 29 for VW and 27 for samba; show #9 with all four judges saw another win for Mark and Kristina, with an almost perfect 80 points – 40 for the AT and 39 for salsa, with Austin and Lilia as runners up on 40 for their tango and 35 for their jive. Show #10 saw a first win for Ali and Brian, again just three judges, scoring them 29 for VW and 27 for samba, with Austin and Lilia runners up on 30 for tango and 25 for jive. A few mishaps at this one – a wardrobe malfunction for Ola and Mark fumbled some steps in his AT! Onto show #11 – no Arlene in this one – and it’s a win for Austin and Lilia, 30 for tango and 25 for jive, with Ali and Brian runners up with 30 for the VW and 26 for samba. Show #12 saw the same result, but with Austin and Lilia on 40 for tango and 33 for jive; Ali and Brian 39 for VW and 35 for samba. Ditto show #13, Austin and Lilia 40 and 35; Ali and Brian 39 and 35.

Overall it’s 7 wins, 2 runners up spots for Austin and Lilia, 5 wins and 1 runner up spot for Mark and Kristina, Ali and Brian with 1 win and 7 runner up spots, and 1 runner up spot for Zoe and James. All the stats can be found here if you're that way inclined!

Other news in brief – Alesha is apparently going to be replaced by Liza Minelli, whilst Mia Michaels is returning to SYTYCD in the US. There’s a general outpouring of support for this, there’s major respect for Mia’s choreography, so hopefully we’ll see her over here sometime. Jeremy Sheffield has a part in the Street Dance movie starring Diversity – and no ice involved, he says, relieved! Diversity are also fronting a new government health campaign, Let’s Dance with Change4Life. Check it out here there's a link at the bottom that will take you through to enter the competition to win a dance workshop with the group themselves, as well as dance lessons! See Sisco Gomez, of So You Think You Can Dance, and his group Dance 2XS here , their final performance together. And the Hip Hop community did their bit for Haiti too.

Got To Dance Semi Final 1

But first - the incredible performance by Diversity - the attention to detail, every little hand movement and flick of the head, they're just awesome, so in tune and the slot machine section - choreographer Ashley will be in demand for the rest of his life.

Thrilled that Juke Box Juniors made it through, also creative and inventive, bundles of energy - the breakdancer in the blue suit is amazing - no wonder Ashley's a fan! Also through was Freestyler Emily Crow, with a more emotive and musical performance this time which I enjoyed, though Kimberley did echo what I'd said before regarding her lines. Love that she'd use the prize money for tracksuits! And stage school, of course - I look forward to seeing her in ten years time on So You Think You Can Dance, trying different styles.

Sad to see Status not make it through, following another creative gem, a real show piece; Martin Sierra could be a great dancer if he stopped with the cringy stuff and danced seriously - be interesting to see what a contemporary choreographer could do with him. Bhangra Heads truly entertaining but not tight enough, while Parallel, although some fine ideas - specially the Tom Jones break! - not quite there in dancing terms yet, but again, entertainment very much to the fore.

News in Brief: DWTS, DOI, SCD, Diversity

Heather Mills believes that her taking in part in both Dancing With The Stars and Dancing on Ice encourages young amputees to push themselves to try new tings they might not have before.

An enlightening interview with Dancing With The Stars host, Tom Bergeron, admitting that he's scriptless!

Katya Virshilas will be appearing at the Brentwood Centre on February 5th, as part of an event for the Air Ambulance - it sounds excellent, and at £25 a ticket, if you are in or around the A12 in Essex and weather permitting, make a date!

Len's boy is a following in his dad's twinkly cuban heels prints and seeking talent for his own production company.

Ashley Banjo tells how the lives of the Diversity lads have been affected since winning Britain's Got Talent.

Street Dance Champs/Diversity news

Diversity have found themselves nominated in the last ever South Bank Show Awards!

The UK Street Dance Champonships take place at Pontin's Brean Sands from 5th - 7th February, details for both entry and spectating are on that link, courtesy of UDO - Animaineax's are confirmed as judges. Entries open till 18th January. Enjoy!

News in Brief: Streetdance, SCD, GTD

There's a trailer for Streetdance, the movie featuring Diversity, George Sampson and Flawless - I didn't have any sound for it, hopefully you will. But I'm very much looking forward to seeing this next year!

Ricky Whittle is heading for Hollywood and would love to star in a remake of Dirty Dancing - I'm thinking, you can't improve perfection, so maybe a re-write updating it to include a bigger variety of dance styles would be better.

Brendan Cole answers a few questions regarding his own tour - and revealing that Strictly is one of the worst things he's ever done. But he'll keep going back!

Dancenergy have made it through to the top 60 acts in Got To Dance - how much we see of them I've no idea. Davina defends the decision to put through a ten-year old autistic boy, James Hobley. The thing is, if his talent warrants a place, wouldn't it have been discriminatory of them not to put him through? The decision NOT to take part would have rested with his parents, surely? The show kicks off with a preview at 6pm on Saturday night - same time and day as the BBC's So You Think You Can Dance - then continues on Sunday at 6pm with a two hour double bill.

News in Brief: SCD, DOI, Diversity,

Craig is auctioning off a special tie for Boogie for your Bones ... another interview with Darcey ... Heather Mills may be out of Dancing on Ice ... Diversity surprise shoppers in West London in a promo for Got To Dance ... interview with Austin Healey ... rumours that Derek Hough from DWTS may join Strictly for next year, their loss our gain, he's amazing. Len and Bruno are best of friends ... Strictly Come Gossiping for the Pro dancers ...behind the scenes at Strictly with hair and make up ...

No time to watch Strictly on Saturday? See it here in sixty seconds!

News in Brief: There's a lot ...

Diversity are hitting the tour trail, with a show built around routines where toys come to life! I cannot wait - but I'll have to, because it doesn't start till March! And I'm liking the sound of the X-Factor meets Britain's Got Talent Show (scroll right to the end!) on the Isle of Man - with George Sampson and Signature joining Diversity! (And - Stavros Flatley!) The London and Essex group are also joined by George and fellow streetdancers Flawless in a 3D film called - wait for it - Streetdance! But there's ballet dancers in it too! 2010 looking good!

Camilla has left the jungle - the reigning Strictly champion was unsurprisingly left exhausted due to the lack of food on offer, having a higher metabolism than any of her camp mates. Knowing that the food dwindles even further as the show goes on, it's a sensible decicion - nice to have you home safe and well, Cam.

Strictly itself will be reverting to a two part show on a Saturday night for the final three weeks, to allow the public more voting time, and not, as no doubt our red top friends will suggest, because they're scared of X-Factor and/or viewers and/or Arlene and/or the BBC Trust have complained and/or it's all falling to pieces cos Brucie was ill blah blah blah blah ...

Here's a nice in-depth article with Ricky and Erin and a review of Alesha's own live show.

In Dancing With The Stars news, Kym and Maksim will be joining Burn The Floor next week and former contestant Melissa Rycroft joined the Professionals for the Bee Gees You Should Be Dancing performance.

Trav's thoughts are in for this weeks So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars- you need to scroll down to the fourth post and then work back up to read them all in chronological order - or you could flit about like I do, reading bit and watching the vids! The main most important thing you need to know is ... oh, no, I won't spoil it for you!

News in Brief - DWTS, SCD, SYTYCD,

Interview with Brazilian choreographer Deborah Colker.

Strictly News: Brendan Cole's Live and Unjudged Tour dates; The Duchess of Cornwall impresses Craig; Free Strictly Come Dancing events in Blackpool! And some welcome support for Alesha from Britain's Got Talent winners, Diversity - there's a video too! And check your knowledge of Week 5 with the Strictly quiz!

Trav's thoughts are up - the Top 20 for So You Think You Can Dance, plus the full rundown of Dancing With the Stars. Bruno seems to be enjoying himself a lot more there than he is here - make sure you check out the video's! *chuckles* We need Donny *Swoon* as a guest judge, they're a brilliant double act! No, it's not just because I'm completely biased ...

The UK So You Think You Can Dance will apparently have a guest judge in the personage of Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham.

This week's big question - traditional or contemporary music? I like a mixture of both, how about you?