"So You Think You Can Dance" Season 11 Recap: New Orleans & Chicago Auditions

May 28, 2014

Buckle up, dancers. “So You Think You Can Dance” has started, and it’s going to be a wild ride until the winner is crowned. The Season 11 auditions kicked off with a bang in the Big Easy, and New Orleans certainly brought the talent. Here are the Top 5 moments from last night’s two hour premiere event.

1. Battle of the dance dads.
Dads were a big factor on last night’s show. And while there was a truly touching storyline with second-time-around auditioner Caleb Brauner (whose father passed away this December, a few months after busting some moves with Caleb at last year’s audition), I’m talking about the dad silliness that ensued. First, we watched bottle dancer Mike Rase, who, um, knows how to twerk. And then there was another dancing dad—which enraged Mike—and the two duked it out onstage. I’m glad at least daughter Shelby Rase made it to Hollywood with her gorgeous solo, because otherwise…embarrassing!

2. Megan Marcano.
  Before we saw her dance, we heard Megan’s back story, which really made me root for her. Megan’s been living on her own since age 12—when her mom was arrested and her family split up—and now she’s finishing up college (at Texas Woman’s University). And then…she danced. And… HOLY SMOKES SHE WASN’T JUST GOOD, SHE WAS AMAZING. Mary Murphy said it best: Megan “flew across the stage with ease.” I can’t wait to see more of her this season. Take a look:

3. Trevor Bryce.
With his not-so-subtle cocky attitude before his audition, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I’m not even sure what to call his contemporary-pop-lock fusion style, but, Nigel loved it. He called it “one of the greatest solo performances on ‘SYTYCD’.” I’m not sure I’d go that far, and I’d prefer less mugging in the future, but I think Trevor’s really got the chops to back up all his hype. Watch the quirk here:

4. Caleb Brauner.
This Missouri dancer first performed a lighthearted solo to celebrate his dad’s life in New Orleans. It was solid enough to get him to the choreography round, but unfortunately, Nigel gave him a big no. (And not very nicely, I might add.) But Caleb didn’t take “no” for an answer. He hopped on a plane to Chicago, and with a “dancers never give up” attitude, he competed with a heavier-hearted solo in front of the judges. He was again moved to the choreography round. But this time, with a stroke of luck—or perhaps persistence—he earned a ticket to Hollywood. Congrats, Caleb!

5. Rudy Abreu’s power move.
We first meet Rudy with Nick Garcia—best friends from Miami who are…something else. The dynamic duo competed separately, and they both nabbed tickets to Hollywood. Nigel was especially taken with a step in Rudy’s solo that he called a reverse cabriole. Watch it here—it happens at about 1:47 and then it’s replayed at 3:06. Look familiar? Alexia Meyer taught us how to do “The Super Cabriole” (or as her dad would call it, “The Flying Squirrel,”) in Dance Spirit‘s April issue. Check it out here, and then watch her break it down below:

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Bonus:
Justin Bieber and his choreographer Nick DeMoura introduced the first two dance crews battling for a chance to appear on the show. We met L.A.’s Poreotics (supposedly a fusion of robotics and popping) and the East Coast’s Syncopated Ladies. You already know just  how much we love Chloé Arnold and her crew. #SYTYCDladies.

Thoughts? Who are you most excited to see this season? What were your favorite moments of the evening? Leave it all in the comments and we’ll see you back here next week.