Sky1 has revealed their judging panel for new dance contest JUST DANCE. Ashley Banjo (Diversity – winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2009), Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly, West End star and founding member of Tap Dogs) and Kimberly Wyatt (Pussycat Dolls) are the team charged with finding the nation’s next dance superstars

Ashley Banjo, choreographer and dancer from Diversity – the street crew who wowed Britain’s Got Talent audiences earlier this year and ultimately won the competition – knows exactly how it feels to be a dancer with big dreams. He says: “No one knows better than me how a contest like this can discover raw talent and open up fantastic opportunities. It’s a thrill to be on the other side of the desk this time and I’m so excited about discovering some fresh, new, original dancers.”

With a career that has taken in stage and screen – from dancing on Broadway and London’s West End Stage through to opening the Sydney Olympic Games with a showstopping tap routine as well as numerous tv and film credits, Adam Garcia also presides over the hopefuls. As he sets off on the nationwide quest Garcia comments: “Dance, for me, was my first and still is my enduring passion. I am constantly inspired by peoples’ commitment to dance for the sake of the act itself. I think this competition will reveal some genuinely great, new talent and its going to be a real thrill to see so many peoples’ love of dance translated into a performance”

Bringing beauty to the panel as well as a wealth of experience as a hugely successful dancer and choreographer, Kimberly Wyatt of the Pussycat Dolls takes her place alongside the boys and she sets out a cheeky challenge to contestants who really think they can cut some rug with: “Britain – don’t you wish your dancers were hot like me?! Well maybe they are but I’ll be the judge of that! I’m coming to the UK and I’m hoping you guys are going to have all the right moves!”

The judges take up their positions as auditions take place in Edinburgh this coming weekend. Further auditions will take place in Manchester and London over the next few weeks.

Whether you’re at the top of your game or just taking your first tentative steps onto the dancefloor there’s something for all abilities with everyone invited to join flashmobs for some Dancing In The Streets. Details of all flashmobs can be found here with the latest news on locations and films teaching the planned mass dance routines. Anyone can take part either by just showing up or by putting in the practice at home. Ashley Banjo wants to see everyone giving it a shot as he added: “I cannot wait to see people taking to the streets for our flashmobs to show that no matter what your level you can still bust a move!”

View the original post Adam Garcia, Kimberly Wyatt and Diversity’s Ashley Banjo to judge Got To Dance on Sky 1 on Unreality TV

Davina McCall will host a mass dance routine for the Scottish general public to feature in the new Sky1 series Just Dance; the new search for the UK’s best solo dance acts, dancing duos and talented troupes.

18 million Brits are involved in some form of dance each year, so if you love throwing some crazy shapes in your local nightclub, tiptoeing through the tango, sweating your way through dance aerobics in the gym or critiquing dance stars from the comfort of your arm chair, Davina needs you.

Host Davina McCall says

“I am so excited that the first rounds of auditions are to be held in Edinburgh, one of my favourite cities. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Scots do in the dance stakes and of course, I’m hoping a few kilts will be showcased on stage”

Choreographer Ashley Wallen has devised two different dance routines incorporating an exciting mix of music ranging from Madonna to James Brown. Ashley’s previous work includes the T Mobile Liverpool Street advert and West End show Rent Remixed.

The two medleys for the mass dance event are:

Get into the Groove by MADONNA / Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) BY C&C MUSIC FACTORY /Get Down On It by KOOL AND THE GANG

Relight my fire by TAKE THAT / Papa’s got a brand new bag by JAMES BROWN / Just Dance by LADY GAGA

Check out the demo and instruction videos below.

View the original post Sky 1′s Got To Dance – Dance in Edinburgh! on Unreality TV

Got To Dance and Davina McCall invite you, your friends, your family and even your neighbours to take part in the biggest dance event on British TV ever.

First Stop Edinburgh as Just Dance comes to Scotland to take over the Capital! Come and join Davina and the Just Dance judges in Princes St Gardens at the Ross bandstand in Edinburgh on Friday 9th October. We plan to bring the city to a standstill so come and be part of Dancing in the Streets.

To take part, check out these two videos and learn the routine devised by one of the world’s top choreographers, Ashley Wallen. You need to watch the dance demo then listen to separate the instruction video. The videos shown are for Edinburgh only, check back next week for Manchester and London clips.

Ashley is responsible for the sensational Flash mob dance, which brought London’s Liverpool St Station to a standstill, as well as working with top stars such as Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue! Last month he enlisted the help of the Black Eyed Peas and a crowd of 15,000 people to perform a surprise choreographed routine in front of a delighted Oprah Winfrey during a taping of her show in Downtown Chicago!” You can see it all on YouTube.

So here’s what you have to do:

Ashley shows you the whole routine to music and talks you through it bit by bit. Learn what you can but there will be professionals to help you on the day so don’t worry!

Arrive at 11am ready to rehearse with the Sky 1 cameras and we will be filming until 5pm latest.

Bring your dancing shoes, an umbrella and something warm to wear.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase nearby.

There isn’t a secure cloakroom so please leave valuables at home.

Any age welcomed but children are not allowed to miss school for this event. Children are welcome to learn online and join in after school.

Please avoid stilettos or ‘indoor only’ dance shoes such as ballet pumps.

You are welcome to come in costume. The more colourful the better and the more chance you’ll be able to spot yourself on telly.

All standards of dancers are welcome – Just Dance auditionees or the general public. You never know you might get spotted and end up with an audition in front of our judges and one step towards winning £100,000.

There will be time to rehearse the routine in the morning but the more you learn online the quicker we can get going. We will continue even if there is moderate rain. Bring warm clothing and an umbrella and we will go dancing in the rain!

Got To Dance Edinburgh: Has now taken place at The Ross Bandstand, Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh on Friday 9th October.

Manchester: In front of the town hall, Albert Square, Manchester at 11am on Friday 16th October.

London: 28th October – Location to be confirmed.

View the original post Dance in the Streets For Sky 1’s Got To Dance in London, Edinburgh, Manchester on Unreality TV

AUDITION DATES, LOCATIONS AND ROUTINES JUST RELEASED. FOR MORE DETAILS CLICK HERE.

Just as Big Brother draws to an end, Sky1 and Sky1 HD announced that DAVINA McCALL will be the new presenter of upcoming dance competition JUST DANCE, scheduled for broadcast in January 2010.

Davina will preside over the nationwide auditions, bringing her own inimitable charm and humour to an otherwise tough and competitive audition programme. The GOT TO DANCE team are searching for Britain’s best dancers – whatever their style, combination or age. Style, grace, personality, athleticism and timing will all be vital skills for our contestants. The winner of GOT TO DANCE must show these qualities from day one and sprinkle themselves with that indefinable star quality that turns the good into great.

Duncan Gray, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment, Sky1 HD, Sky1, 2 and 3 commented: “Davina’s charisma, passion and charm – everything that makes her such an exceptional all-round entertainer – have never diminished. It’s this infectious energy that co-workers and audiences alike simply cannot ignore and I’m thrilled that she’s joining the Sky1 family.”

Davina added: “I love the ambition of Sky1 and GOT TO DANCE is spectacular family entertainment at its best. I can’t wait to get started with the auditions, although the hardest job will be keeping me off the dance floor.”

The first round of GOT TO DANCE, known as ‘Dancing In The Street’ auditions, will take place in Glasgow, followed by Manchester and London. Huge flash-mob dance routines will be created at all of the audition venues, and only the most entertaining dancers will be invited to a second audition in front of the judges within the Sky ‘Dance Domes’.

Following the auditions, the judges will select eighteen acts to make it through to the three semi-finals, and then the best two dance acts chosen from each show will make it to the Grand Final. The winner will be selected by the viewing public.

Davina will be there at all stages to guide the contestants through the process. Combining her experience interacting with large crowds and truly engaging with people, she’ll ensure we take viewers on a gruelling, yet once in a lifetime, journey.

The stage is set, now all they have to do is GOT TO DANCE. Who has what it takes to be crowned GOT TO DANCE Champion 2010?

The ‘Dancing In The Street’ auditions will kick off in October 2009 on the following dates:

• Glasgow, 9 – 11 October

• Manchester, 16 -18 October

• London, 28 – 31 October and 1st November

View the original post Davina McCall Moves To Sky One’s Got To Dance – Audition Now! on Unreality TV