BPT Adopts a Family for the Holidays

The Belles Performance Team is Colorado's only independent professional dance team. This non profit organization performs for over 1.5 million people and donates over 2250 hours to the community each year. With an average of 12 ladies per season, each member donates over 94 hours each 6 month season on top of 2 practices per week and an average of 4 performances per month!

The BPT and their partners reached out to a very special family this past holiday season to make all their Christmas wishes come true. Wendy Kraus, BPT Coach and Big Brother & Big Sisters of Colorado Match Coordinator, received a very brave and unselfish phone call from a single mother reaching out for some holiday assistance for her 4 children. Her story:

The Smiths (name has been changed to protect the privacy of the family) are a very close family that show love and respect to each other on a daily basis. Jane (name has been changed) their mother, has been forced to work two jobs ever since their biological father was incarcerated for domestic violence among many other things. Recently the family suffered a set back when she was laid-off from her second job. The kids understand the situation and have accepted the fact that Christmas will be celebrated without any gifts, decorations, or a large family meal. This reality was hard at first, but they have all stood behind her and understood that she tried.

When Wendy heard this story, it hit her hard and she immediately started to think of ways to help. Denver is a great city where there are many opportunities to get help through places like the United way, various church organizations, and the Denver Rescue Mission. However, these opportunities are on a first come first serve basis and the resources are limited on how many families qualify to get the help they need. She then started talking with Cher Fox, BPT Director, about this family and they agreed that this would be an amazing way for the BPT to give back to the community on a personal level. It would be a chance to broaden their purpose in the community and challenge them to make a difference outside of what they do on an entertainment level.

Wendy knew that often times it is hard to find the ability to give when you are burdened with your own family issues and financial obligations for the holidays. However, when sharing the burden with others and coming together as a collective group, great things can be accomplished. Anything they could give to this family would be greatly appreciated and cherished. She challenged the BPT to get creative and help make this happen together as a team for this very deserving family.

The team rallied over a one week period to come up for the following items for the family:

A complete holiday meal - turkey, pie, vegetables, jello, potatoe casserole, hot chocolate, gravy, and stuffing

A complete Christmas package - tree, decorations, lights, tree stand, tree skirt, candy canes and star top

Gifts for the mom: Sweaters, Purse, Pants, Jackets, Jewelry, Candle Set, Spa Bath and Feet Sets

Gifts for the teenage daughter: Coat, Jacket, 4 shirts, 2 pairs shoes, 2 purses, Sweatshirt, Spa Bath and Feet Sets, Jewelry

Gifts for the teenage boys: X-Box, 3 Games for X-Box, 2 Adidas basketball bags, 2 video game floor chairs, and 4 square balls

The family also received from BPT partners:

Hot Shots Photography - Family Sitting and Portrait Package

Aesthetic Nurse Specialists - Sugar Body Scrub, Facial Gift Certificate, and Sanitas Product Samples

Rocky Mountain Rollergirls - Hats for the children

BPT Leadership, Director Cher Fox and Coaches Wendy Kraus and Erica Hopkins, delivered the holiday package to the Smiths on Saturday, December 15th. "Jane was very grateful, thanking us and fighting back the tears in her eyes, being strong for her family," shares Cher. "The family immediately setup the tree and couldn't believe the continued unloading of items from 2 full delivery vehicles. It was a proud moment for the BPT to do something so impactful this holiday season. I also want to thank our partners who made last minute donations to really round out this family's Christmas. We couldn't have made such an incredible difference to this family's holiday season without all the dancers and our organization's partners."

Aloha!

Aloha Broncos Country!

The DBC departed on January 16, 2008 and we have been traveling around for the past several days hosting cheerleading clinics for the youth of military families, meeting our troops and performing our 2 hour show for various branches of the military. It is about 3:59 am and we are waiting in the airport preparing to leave for Kwajalein-one of the midway islands, and according to many, “the best kept secret in the military”. We have only been gone for a few days, but the adventures and the incredible people just continue rolling into our path. Our first youth cheerleading clinic was the Kekaha dancers in Kauai. Our clinics host a variety of age groups; we have met the most sincere, passionate, honest, and beautiful young souls since we have been out here–the children of our heros. I could tell you specifics of everything we’ve done, but I don’t have an incredible amount of time, rather, I would like to tell you the overall impact that this trip has had in the first few days alone. This tour is unique–each tour is different, but this tour is very special in its own right. Having had the opportunity to travel abroad for the last two years to visit our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan was and still is an honor–we were invited into the lives of so many of our military heros. We heard of their families (both the things missed and the things cherrished), we spent time in the mess halls eating and breaking bread, we wore flack jackets and traveled with the up most caution at all times on military flights, and most importantly, in the midst of all of that we were given a glimpse that only those who serve are priviledged to see. We were invited into those stories. Like I said, this tour is unique–we are meeting families re-united with their loved ones who have been overseas. It is up-beat and lively. This trip has been full of life! We have actually met several soldiers who were able to catch our show while previously deployed.

Yesterday we had a break in our schedule and decided to go out on a limb and take advantage of the more adventurous side of Hawaii. We went sky diving!! I have to say it was the most incredible experience and a beautiful moment in time. As I jumped out of the plane and passed through the clouds I was in awe of the beauty and the power of nature. For about 59 seconds in time I was flying–as I soared over Honolulu, I was grateful..I am grateful–for freedom, for our troops, and for life. We still have many stops on our tour after Kwajalein–heading to Guam and Japan. I will try to keep everyone posted, and I will pass along your support to our friends dedicated to protecting our freedom overseas.

Take care & God Bless!

Keela (1/21/08)

Reading is FUNdamental!

Wednesday, Miles, and Denver Broncos Cheerleader Melissa Aust and I were at Colfax Elementary to help the school kickoff their Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program.



The RIF program is designed to show children that reading isn’t just another subject at school and that reading can provide a child endless hours of fun and entertainment. With that concept in mind for our visit, Miles and Melissa did an interactive reading with the Miles Grand Adventure A to Z book for each grade level in the school.

The reading gives the students the opportunity to interact with Miles and Melissa and demonstrates the fun you can have with a book!

This was also Melissa’s first time as a guest reader with Miles for an interactive reading. I asked Melissa after the program about her experience, and she said, “I loved it! I liked sharing the message about learning and reading with the kids and answering their questions. And, I think I worked well with Miles!”

She was right…her and Miles were a great team! The kids enjoyed their energy and had a great time.

Our visit to the school is part of a continued outreach for the Broncos Reading Corners program. Since 2004, the Broncos have committed funding for up to 5fiveBroncos Reading Corners in elementary schools in Denver Public Schools system through an annual grant to the DPS Foundation. To date, there are 22 Broncos Reading Corners in DPS schools.

Broncos Reading Corners is a program that provides a reading corner in the library of the school, featuring bookshelves filled with new grade-appropriate books, Broncos-colored book bins and football themed kid-friendly furniture. The Denver Broncos Reading Corners are designed to encourage parents and the community to become involved in their neighborhoods’ school and enhancing the literacy of children.

The concept of Broncos Reading Corners comes from the Denver Broncos Community Development Department’s mission statement to improve the lives of Coloradoans through youth, health and hunger initiatives. Within the youth initiative, education and more specifically literacy has become a focus for the Broncos in the metro Denver community. The Broncos hope to further support the Reading Corners with visits from Miles, players, cheerleaders, and alumni.

(1/17/2008)

Tomorrow - Colorado Icicles Audition Reminder

DATE: Saturday, January 19, 2008

TIME: 10:00 am

LOCATION: Gold's Gym, 910 East Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537

ATTIRE: tights, spandex shorts, sports bra, dance shoes.

FEE: $20.00, cash or check ONLY, non-refundable
Make checks out to - Colorado Ice

Click here for all the details and good luck!



*Note: Director Rehannon Pekny was a finalist for the 2007 Denver Broncos Cheerleaders.

Wild Bunch - HOT New Photos!

Shot at the Blue Sky Grill, ground level of the Pepsi Center.

Rocky Mountain Spirit Blog gets National Recognition

The RMS Blog was frankly an experiment when it was started. Inspired by the seemingly lack of knowledge of all the adult entertainment team opportunities in the state of Colorado, low audition attendance for many of those "unknown" teams, and the Professional Cheerleader Blog, this website has been confirmed as a valuable one stop tool for Colorado cheerleaders and dancers.

The Blog recently received national mention twice on the Professional Cheerleader Blog.

Friday, January 11, 2008

"...There's also a great blog out there about Denver-area dance teams. (I don't know the person who writes it, so I can't recall the exact name of it just now. If anyone knows what I'm talking about, please send me a note - sasha@procheerleaderblog.com.)..."

For the complete article, click here.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

"Last week I gave a shoutout to some of the other great pro cheer blogs out there on the net. There was one I really liked, but couldn't remember the name. But I've got it now and I encourage you all to check out the Rocky Mountain Spirit Blog. It's got great coverage of the pro dance teams in Colorado. If you live in - or a fan of teams in - the Centennial State, this is one for your bookmarks!"

For the complete article, click here.

Thank you PCB for your positive comments and support!

2008 Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Audition Information

Saturday, March 29, 2008
Preliminary Auditions will consist of an “Across the Floor” routine which is four eight counts in length. It will have a right and left kick, a turn (single, double or triple option) and a split leap, along with simple choreography. This will be taught on the spot and performed in groups of 3. After everyone has performed, we will select 100 participants that will go on to the second half of the day.

Round Two allows us to see the 100 participants perform a routine similar to one the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders perform on the field during games. You will be taught a routine that is approximately ten eight counts in length (1 minute) and after several run throughs, you will perform for the judges in groups of three. At the end of Round 2, approximately 60 finalists will be selected.

Tuesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 3
The 60 finalists will be divided into two groups of 30 and scheduled for either Tuesday night or Thursday night for their Finalist Workshop. The Workshop will be held in the Cheerleader rehearsal room at the stadium. Each finalist will be required to wear a black spandex workout top and black spandex shorts. You may wear nylons under your shorts and dance shoes are recommended rather than tennis shoes. At the finalist workshop we will be looking at flexibility, across the floor technique, kicks, turns and you will also learn another routine that will be performed at the finals on Sunday, April 6th. There will be cuts made at the Finalist Workshops.

Sunday, April 6th
Finals begin with business interviews in groups of 6. You will be asked questions about the Denver Broncos, the NFL and your Audition Application. Business attire is required. After all of the interviews are complete, all the finalists will change into dance attire of their choice to perform the routine learned at the finalist workshop and four eight counts of their own material. At the end of the day, our 2008team will be selected.

The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders is one of the premier teams in professional cheerleading. Since 1993, our team has traveled to Japan, Australia, Mexico City, Spain, Italy, Cuba, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq, Canada, not to mention Calendar photo shoots to Aspen, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and the Rivera Maya. In 2006, our team donated over 1400 hours to charity events throughout Colorado. There are many opportunities available to members of this team, but the most exciting is being on the sidelines cheering for our Denver Broncos.

Thank you again for your interest in our program. I look forward to seeing everyone at auditions on Saturday, March 29, 2008!

Please click here for a PDF version of the 2008 Audition Information.

Please click here for a PDF version of the 2008 Audition Application.

2008 AUDITION WORKSHOP

For those of you interested in getting that extra "edge" before Auditions, the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders offer a one day Audition Workshop. The workshop not only focuses on choreography, but gives you insider tips on everything you need to know at auditions, including what to expect at preliminaries, what to wear, and tips for the finalist workshop and interviews. The 2008 Audition Workshop will take place on Saturday, March 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Please click here for a PDF version of the Audition Workshop Information/Application.

Happy New Year!

Broncos fans!

The Broncos season has certainly come to a close, however football season is well on its way to the game football fans anticipate year-round– Super Bowl XLII in Arizona is just around the corner and the contenders are being decided as we speak. Oddly enough, my father played in the Super Bowl almost 40 years ago with the Minnesota Vikings against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV (Check out the ring and ticket: http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/ringandticket/sbiv). Unfortantely the Vikings suffered a loss that day, but that doesn’t change the fact that my father is a part of Super Bowl history–and that is a beautiful thing! When the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders traveled to Canton, Ohio to celebrate John Elway’s induction into the football Hall of Fame, I walked wide-eyed through a facility where football fans could spend hours. Athleticism, integrity and legacy all under one roof. I could smell the passion, the fire, the hits–the trophy case that holds every Super Bowl ring in existence gives prestige to the sport–that was a great day. This year for Super Bowl Sunday, I won’t be in Denver; as a matter of fact 14 women on the DBC won’t be in Denver. Our team has been selected to attend another Armed Forces Entertainment tour(similar to USO), where we will perform in Hawaii, Japan and Guam for our troops overseas. We are humbled to have been selected, we are eager to shake the hands of our heros and we are so grateful for the gift and opportunity. This will be the 4th tour that I have been on with the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders and the 6th tour of the DBC as a team–Our team chaplain says, “Service is one of the most selfish things you can do, it just feels so good, you keep going back for more”–Isn’t that true? Each and every trip has been individual, each trip has been unique, and each trip has been an eye opening experience that has invited us into the lives of our friends, our heros, and most importantly our American soldiers. It is incredible. We leave on Wednesday morning and are not slated to return until February 6–this is the longest tour we have ever been on–a 21 day tour. Our show is ready to go, and our focus is on the soldiers–I will keep you posted on our travels.

I wish all of you many blessings and great fortune in 2008! Happy New Year Broncos country!

Many Blessings,

Keela (01/13/2008)

Former Nuggets, Crush Dancers Open New Hip-hop Studio in Boulder

The building used to look like a run-down airplane hangar. One large, cold, cement room. Cracked floors. Sagging ceilings. It was a refrigerator storage unit.

But starting Saturday, a group of local dancers will warm up the building. They will crack open the garage doors overlooking the Valmont Reservoir, crank up music and bring some energy into the once lifeless facility.

They've renamed the building Streetside Studios. The former Denver Nuggets and Colorado Crush dancers who are running the studio say it will teach a variety of dance forms, from ballet to salsa, but with an emphasis on hip-hop.

And even though it's revamped -- with multiple studios, bamboo floors and a study room -- the building's history adds to the atmosphere, according to Brian Eustace, of Boulder.

Eustace was among the group of about six workers who did the "grunt labor" to design the studio.

"It has the industrial feel where it's located," he says. "It has two big bay doors, loading doors. We'll crack those in the summer, and it'll be nice and airy. It gives it a little edge."

The grand opening on Saturday (the studio had a soft opening in December) comes shortly after Boulder's other prominent hip-hop studio, Motion Underground, announced it would be moving to Denver because its lease expired. The new center's decision to open had nothing to do with Motion Underground moving, however, according to Niara Lucas Eustace, one of Streetside's founders. Niara Lucas Eustace is married to Brian Eustace.

Niara Lucas Eustace, along with the other founders, taught at Motion Underground, in addition to touring professionally around the state and performing in the Denver Nuggets Mob Squad, a dance troupe known for its breakdancing and popping and locking routines during half-time.


Niara Eustace teaches a dance class at Streetside Studios in Boulder. Her daughter Dominique, 16 months, is peeking over her during the class.

Streetside's other founders are Troy Burrell, of Aurora, and Ricardo Changeux, of Boulder, who was originally born in Haiti.

Changeux and Niara Lucas Eustace also danced for the Colorado Crush's City Dancers, who have won several national dance competitions, appeared in MTV music videos and on Fox's "Thirty Seconds of Fame" show, and performed with musicians including Dru Hill, Monica and Digital Underground.

Changeux's resume includes performing with Pras from the Fugees.

In addition to touring around with the sports team dance squads, Niara Lucas Eustace also appeared in an MC Hammer and Young MC half-time show. She grew up in Belgium and was trained in classical ballet for 12 years. She decided to get back into dancing at age 25, and she found herself drawn to hip-hop.

When she was not dancing, she says, she remembers running into people who were dancers and feeling like she was missing something.

"You don't have to give that up. You can jump in at any age or level," Eustace says. "You can take classes to really challenge yourself, or just learn a few moves."

Hip-hop is the common denominator for the three founders, each with a different specialty. Changeux will focus on salsa and capoeira conditioning, because of his martial arts background. Burrell will lead the youth classes and stepping.

Although there will be a youth dance troupe, one goal for Streetside Studios is to cater to people of all ages and abilities. Weekends will be almost entirely for adults.

Streetside also will offer classes in jazz, African, breaking, tap and modern fusion. Friday nights will feature open freestyle, where people can get together and dance without a class atmosphere.

"It's part of how the hip-hop culture started itself," Burrell says. "Hip-hop was not learned in the studio. It was learned on the street, and the only way to learn new movements was to get together with other people and teach each other. We want to keep that hip-hop culture going."

He says the classes give dancers the vocabulary, technique and foundation of movement -- as well as the understanding of the history of that movement -- to help them strengthen their freestyle.

During the day, the center hopes to offer Pilates, yoga and fitness dance classes.

Streetside also plans to have workshops with other trainers. The first one, featuring Sara VonGillern, of Fort Collins, who performed on the Fox TV show So You Think You Can Dance, is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Monday.

In addition to dance classes, the founders say they want the studio to become a hangout.

"I don't want parents to feel like they have to drop their kids off and leave," Changeux said in a written statement. He was on vacation in Thailand.

He says he wants parents to stay and watch, and even try a class themselves.

Saturday's event will include a DJ, performances and a silent auction to raise money for a scholarship program. The studio hopes to sponsor 10 students to learn to dance and join the performance teams.

On the web at StreetSideDance.com

Colorado Icicles Auditions

2008 DANCER AUDITIONS

DATE: Saturday, January 19, 2008

TIME: 10:00 am

LOCATION: Gold's Gym
910 East Eisenhower Blvd.
Loveland, CO 80537

ATTIRE: tights, spandex shorts, sports bra, dance shoes.

FEE: $20.00, cash or check ONLY, non-refundable

make checks out to - Colorado Ice

APPLICATION: Dancer Application

SPECIFICS: Participants must be 21 years of age on or before February 29, 2008, have some dance experience, be able to commit to weekly rehearsals, game and related activities on short notice. Participants must also complete an application, sign a waiver and release form, and provide a head shot photograph (will not be returned).

A completed audition packet may be mailed to 2550 Stover Street, Building F, #103, Fort Collins, CO 80525 or may be brought to the audition.

For more information, e-mail: r.pekny@thecoloradoice.com

Introducing the Rocky Mountain RockStarz

Ardent Works Entertainment: The Rocky Mountain RockStarz is the Nation's first All-Star Professional Dance Team. This elite group of former professional cheerleaders and dancers have belonged to dance teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, St. Louis Rams, Denver Broncos, Orlando Magic, and the Colorado Crush. The RockStarz mission is to promote dance and cheerleading to the nation's youth. The RockStarz maintain their elite-edge dance style through exclusive performances around the Rocky Mountain Region.



The RockStarz have had an incredible journey through 2007 thanks to their generous sponsors and industry supporters. The ladies (along side KJ Entertainment's breakers) opened for Grammy winning hip hop artist, Eve. They also ran a dance clinic for teens with Girls Incorporated. The RockStarz were also featured as celebrity guests at Rick Upchurch's Rare Breed celebrity golf tournament in Nevada, benefiting youth outreach. The ladies have a lot of exciting performances to look forward to in 2008; as well as several youth-based clinics nationwide.

Congrats on a great year RockStarz!

AWE would also like to thank and congratulate Sarah "Schack" Schachterle, the RockStarz's amazing choreographer.

Rockstarz on MySpace
Rockstarz

My Christmas Holiday

I love Christmas, but it always seems to sneak up on me. It seems like in the blink of an eye I go from picking out my Halloween costume, to sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, and then all of a sudden it’s Christmas Eve! Where do the days go?

Every year I want to take the time to enjoy the weeks before Christmas by listening to Christmas music at home, picking out thoughtful gifts for the special people on my list, and baking holiday treats. Instead, I didn’t have the time to sit at home listening to holiday music, I did my shopping the day before Christmas at the crowded malls, and baked nothing (but I did enjoy my mom’s delicious cookies!).

Don’t get me wrong, I had a fabulous holiday. I was able to spend time with friends and family, but this time of year always seems too rushed. I spend my days checking off the items on my to-do list instead of having quiet time to reflect on the things that I am doing.

I am fortunate to have this week off from work. I have twelve days of uninterrupted vacation and I am savoring every moment of it. I finally have time to sit and watch the snow fall outside, to pick up the book that is getting dusty on my bedside table, and to catch up on extra rest. I feel like I am a better person when I have the time to do these things.

In 2008, I vow to slow down. I want to emphasize quality instead of quantity. I want to take on less and have more by focusing on being present each and every day. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, but I plan to smell the flowers every once and a while.

- Laura (12/27/07)

2008 Wild Bunch Profiles

Back row (L-R): Mallory, Shannon, Stacia*, Jennifer*, Janelle, Lauren*, Rachelle
Front row (L-R): Leah, Laura, Angela*, Amanda*, Katie*, Leslie, Megan

* Denotes veteran dancer.

Movers and Shakers: You may recognize Janelle Mangrum and Leslie Allen as former members of the Denver Outlaws dance team.

Leslie Allen


Janelle Mangrum


Stacia Boley, 6 year veteran, is now the Dance Team Director.