So I Thought I Could Dance Reality Show!

Watching Idols the other night reminded me of a time when I thought I had talent. I think a lot of the time when you watch bad talent on reality TV you just wonder what that contestant was thinking signing up for this show?   “I mean it is obvious they can’t sing!!!” Well let me tell you of how I ended up being just another lousy contestant who thought they had talent for “So You think You can Dance Canada!”

In 2008, Canada brought, for the first time, “So you think you can dance Canada” to the streets of Toronto.  My brother Hama, and I had heard the rumours about the auditions and thought if any reality show was for us….it would have to be this one!  I mean we loved to dance. Ever since we were kids we believed we had real raw talent because we would get all dramatic and perform no matter who or what was watching. We were no professionals but our friends told us we were good and that was all the motivation we needed to know to push ourselves to enter the competition.

Us waiting in line I am wearing the white glasses

At 4am on the Sunday of the auditions Hama and I were on the road to Toronto! I couldn't believe we were up so early. We read on the website that you could only start lining up at 6am but auditions start at 9am. We got there at 6:30am and already there were over 800 people in front of us. Front street was bustling with young energetic people it was CRAZY. Some people had camping chairs and picnic baskets, others had radios and stunt gadgets. There were video cameras and reporters grabbing interviews with random people. I loved the energy and I was excited to be part of it all..this was our moment!

After four hours of waiting outside we entered into the main theatre doors and were debriefed on how the auditions worked. We were apparently entering the filter process, meaning that whatever gets shown today wouldn’t be on TV. Contestants would wait in the theatre for their turn then come onto stage 10 at a time (5 contemporary and 5 hip hop dancers). What happens is the judges made you dance to their music (either Hip hop or Contemporary) for 30 seconds. That was the only time you had to show them your raw talent, just 30seconds… Then they give you either a yes or no score. If Yes you come back on Tuesday and get auditioned and actually filmed on TV and if  No you have to escort yourself to the No Door which was written in big human sized letters (you really couldn’t miss it).  Keep in mind that everyone is watching!

While waiting for our turn to go on stage Hama and I witnessed first-hand that Canada did have dance talent we thought we had raw talent…but these people were even more raw…I am talking SUSHI! With regards to Hip hop moves I am talking STep1 Step 2 ...Stomp the yard kind of moves. People were actually part of dance crews that performed on regular basis. The contemporary dancers were ridiculously amazing with leaps and spins you name it. As each performance went on Hama and I got more and more drawn to the reality that – we just are not going to pass as real hip hop dancers.

Hama and I entering the doors to the theater after 4 hours of waiting

The lucky thing is if you were anything but a hip hop or a contemporary dancer...You would be given a YES for sure... with NO questions. Even if you were a bad salsa dancer or terrible tap dancer...you were in! The main reason was because the judges wanted variety and if anything you would be a good laugh on T.V. …just like those useless idols singers. I sat there debating on doing an African dance. I envisioned myself up there just busting some ridiculous African move..From Swazi to Shona to Zulu to Congolese  all in 30 seconds. I knew that I would be in the next round NO DOUBT. But then what…I would probably just end up on one episode of the show because  I can't leap.....I can't spin.....I can't stand on my head and doo a booty shake......EEEK. I had nothing but Kanya and her club moves???? And African dance??? What was I risking just to be on T.V for a brief moment? It could destroy my reputation I thought ..imagining someone stoping me in the street saying “Hey aren’t you that girl from that dance show….man You were so bad! But I liked the energy!”. So I decided to ditch the African Vibe and stick with the Hip Hop.

The crowed which watches while they wait their turn

When it was our turn to go on stage we were accompanied by 2 tap dancers, a Hip hop girl dancer and 5 contemporary dancers. The music started playing and the first hip hop girl starts dancing to the song LOW….She was really good and I wondered why did I have to go after her L. Then it was my turn  the song continues "Apple Bottom Jeans, Hips with the curve...the whole club was looking aather...she hit the floor...next thing you know...the shortty got low low low low low" So I think I was doing fine till the low low low part. Now you can't help but go low when you hear those words right? ....my body was going low...but my mind was like "kanya what the hell are we going to do when we hit the floor......we have no moves for the floor !!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" I distinctly remember facing the Judges and being on my knees almost like a moment of silence but I some how I managed to jump up and glided off the floor where I spun into Hama who glided onto the dance floor....Out of breath and still pumped I just cheered on Hama. I loved watching him move. Loved it! He had the energy and even did a handstand walk up to the judges! He was my star at that very moment because I knew that no matter what the judges said I had the satisfaction that I tried my best and enjoyed it.

It all ended so quickly and both Hama and I were given the big NO. We picked up our bags and headed for the door that said NO......one of the guys that was standing in line with us shouted...."we still love you Kanya"..... I was like " I love you guys too" lol. The door lead to a stair-well and opened to a back door on a curb.. in some random ally.. Still out of breath, disorientated and confused we couldn’t help but laugh at the fact that "we got kicked to the curb" lol.

Although we didn’t make it we left with a great sense of satisfaction that at least we tried and maybe that’s what all these people experience when they enter these competitions. It really wasn’t about being the best dancer in Canada it was about actually putting the effort in and enjoying the experience. We met cool people that day and got to really bond as brother and sister. You may ask me if I would do it again and my answer is “Helll Yhea, just don’t play that same song!”

lol PEACE!