NEWS & FEATURES
Sixers Dancers Blog: Nov 6
Posted by Dana, Sixers Dancers captain
Welcome to the 2009-2010 NBA season! We have so many exciting games to look forward to this season with a healthy Elton Brand and Jason Smith, an energetic group of entertainers in Hip-Hop & the Hare Raisers, and a very talented and beautiful group of Sixers Dancers. We have all been working so hard to prepare for the kick off of the season.
Behind the scenes, the dancers have been practicing two times a week for the past two months to ensure that we are ready to put the hottest choreography on the court. Unfortunately, I personally was only able to practice the very last week. In August, when we returned from China, I began having severe pain and swelling in my right foot. After a trip to the ER I was told I had tendonitis and was on crutches and in a boot for a month and a half. The injury was tough to deal with but I made sure I was at every practice to support my teammates and to learn as much choreography as possible sitting in a chair.
As the squad’s captain, I’ve worked very closely with our coach and my teammates to make sure we all know what to expect on game night. We’ve gone through the entire schedule thoroughly, discussing what dances were to be performed at what games and which costumes we would use with each dance. Erica, the co-captain, and I have also taken the rookies to a couple of preseason games, so they could see the game night entertainment before the big home opener.
Sixers Tip-Off Week kicked off on Monday, October 26. The week was full of media hits community activities to invite our fans to come out and support the Sixers. This was my first week participating in practice, so I was busy learning our nine dances before opening night. My teammates have been a huge help in assisting me!
Friday, October 30 was the night we have all been anticipating: the home opener vs the Milwaukee Bucks! We were very eager to dance our hearts out. We arrived at the Wachovia Center at 4:30 to get our hair and make-up done by our salon sponsor, Bernard’s. Ten of us had to be ready at 6:00 so we could greet our fans when the doors opened. We signed autographs, took pictures, and danced with our fans to the DJ’s music on the concourse.
At 6:30, we went back to our dressing room to get ready for start of the game. We stretched out and walked through our routines with the music a few times. From there we went out for the national anthem and the starting line-ups. We were greeted in the arena by smiling faces, clicking cameras, and our basketball team anxious to get the game rolling.
Later in the game we performed to Shook Me and Calle Ocho. The crowd loved both routines! It was a very exciting game as the Sixers pulled away with a 99-86 victory over the Bucks. Over that weekend the team was on the road in NY, where they walked away with another win – a great way to start the season!
On November 3 we were back in our house for the big game against Boston. Throughout the day I listened to my dance CD and practiced my routines, since I had just learned the choreography. I caught myself gazing off into space while at work, thinking about each and every move.
That evening, you could feel the energy on the court as the players focused on having a strong game. We were just as focused and ready to perform two new hot routines: Rock Your Body and So Fine. So Fine happens to be my personal favorite this season so I had a blast performing!
We had practice the very next night. We walked the formations for our two upcoming home games, Friday vs NJ and Monday vs Phoenix. Since only twelve dancers perform at each game, our formations and counts to the dances may change, and we take about 30 minutes on each piece to make sure everyone is comfortable with the routine. We practiced all four dances, along with two extra routines in case we go into overtime. Our coach also gave us some very positive feedback that she received on the previous games. We were very excited to hear that the crowd was pleased with our presence and choreography.
Tonight the Sixers face the NJ Nets. They went 1-1 in the preseason so we are hoping for a W tonight! See you at the game! Go Sixers!
