Denver Outlaws Dance Team at Sutra this weekend

Back L to R: Danielle Denton, Kate Thurgood, Christine Richardson, Jana Blue, Chelsea Hunt*
Front L to R: Stephanie Long*, Lelanna Simmons, Lara Lutes*, Amy Svec*, Katie Weeks

* Denotes veteran.

The Dance Outlaws Dance Team will be performing at Sutra this Saturday night, July 18th. $3 dollar shots all night, ladies get in free, $5 cover charge for guys.

Support your Outlaws Dance Team!

Where are they Now - Renee Herlocker

Bill Husted's Bar & Grilled
Ambitious, organized, packed and ready to go
By Bill Husted
The Denver Post

BAR: MINI BAR

Size doesn't matter, right? Mini Bar, at 222 Columbine St., is the newest — and smallest — addition to the Cherry Creek bar scene, at less than 1,500 square feet. The place is owned by downtown clubster Billy Ward (of Slim Seven and Below). He sees the vest-pocket bar as an alternative to the larger joints in the neighborhood. And he wants to see Cherry Creek stay awake after 10 p.m. Chef Michele Wahaltere sends out incredible dishes from a kitchen the size of a closet. Mini can hold 70 people inside — then another 50 on a large south-facing patio that is partially covered by a tent — adding to the clubby feel of the scene.

GRILLED: RENEE HERLOCKER

Renee Herlocker, 28, is pretty for a living — often referred to as the "legendary Broncos cheerleader Renee Herlocker," at least by this columnist. She was on the pep squad for six years starting in 2000; in her final year she was team captain. Born and raised in Denver, she went to Smoky Hill High School and then to the University of Northern Colorado, for a cuppa coffee. As a model with Donna Baldwin Talent, she is busy with commercials and appearances. She made a workout video with Paula Abdul dubbed "Cardio Cheer." And she most notably dated Avalanche star Dan Hinote for a number of years. When we talk, Herlocker is about to leave for Los Angeles for a part in "Ironman 2" as a member of Ironman's Superhero Cheerleading Team. She orders a split of prosecco.

Herlocker: I like my wine. I like prosecco and Grey Goose soda and Grey Goose water.

BH: I'll drink to that. And "Ironman 2." Is that your ambition, to be in the movies?

Herlocker: Does anybody have an ambition to be in the movies? I'm not theatrically trained. I want to be a sports and entertainment reporter, on television and the Internet. I'm moving to L.A. this summer.

BH: Were you a tomboy?

Herlocker: I was a mix. I danced all my life and was into the tutu and the makeup. But I also played sports. I grew up with an older brother and boys in the neighborhood. When we played Army, I was always the hostage. But I can hold my own.

BH: What's your biggest flaw?

Herlocker: I procrastinate. I'm always 10 minutes late. And I'm bowlegged. I get it from my dad.

BH: What fault are you most tolerant of in others?

Herlocker: Procrastination, flakiness and tardiness.

BH: What was it like to date Dan Hinote?

Herlocker: It was totally normal. He's a completely down-to-earth guy.

BH: Was it strange when he got married last year?

Herlocker: No. I was really happy for him.

BH: Do lots of guys ask you out?

Herlocker: No. I'm not complaining because I want to be single right now. But guys don't come up to me and start a conversation. And I'm at a point now where I want my career to come first.

BH: What do you look for in a guy?

Herlocker: Integrity. He needs to have an obscure sense of wit, and he has to be smart.

BH: What kind of men don't you like?

Herlocker: $30,000 millionaires.

BH: Would you ever pose for Playboy?

Herlocker: No.

BH: Is 28 a good age for you?

Herlocker: Yes. I have my 10th high school reunion coming up. I wasn't going to go, but now I am. Facebook has ruined reunions.

BH: Do you text while you drive?

Herlocker: Yes.

BH: Oh. That's worse than driving drunk.

Herlocker: I know. It's bad.

BH: What's your idea of misery?

Herlocker: I wouldn't want to be at a Presidential Ball surrounded by politicians.

BH: My idea of misery is going to the ballet.

Herlocker: I love the ballet. I love plays and musicals.

BH: Favorite musical?

Herlocker: "Rent."

BH: Sports?

Herlocker: I like them all. I could sit with my boyfriend and watch sports all day Sunday. I even watched the Masters.

BH: Food?

Herlocker: The fattier and greasier the better.

BH: Restaurants?

Herlocker: I like Capital Grille. I cook at home a lot.

BH: What's your favorite neighborhood?

Herlocker: Riverfront Park. And I live at Stapleton and I love it there.

BH: What about Cherry Creek?

Herlocker: I used to live here. It's good, but the demographics are a little . . . err . . .

BH: Old?

Herlocker: Yes. Don't you live in Cherry Creek, Bill?

BH: What age are the men you date?

Herlocker: I dated a 21-year-old and that was a bad idea. When I was 24 I dated a 37-year-old.

BH: You look very young.

Herlocker: I always get carded. And at the community pool at Stapleton yesterday a female lifeguard told me to get out of the pool during adult swim. And I wasn't playing Marco Polo or anything, I was just hanging out.

BH: You're too young to have a bucket list.

Herlocker: I have 30 things to do before I turn 30.

BH: What's left?

Herlocker: Go to the Kentucky Derby. I want to buy a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. They're hot stilettos. Start a foundation. Be a dog breeder.

BH: Do you have an iPod?

Herlocker: Who doesn't?

BH: What do you play in the car?

Herlocker: It's always on shuffle, so it goes from Celtic Woman to Iggy Pop to Lil Wayne.

BH: Favorite band?

Herlocker: Kings of Leon.

BH: What would your house tell me about you?

Herlocker: It's very organized. And I have a packed, red suitcase always by the front door with my passport in it.

BH: Get out.

Herlocker: You never know when you gotta go.

BH: What about cheerleading?

Herlocker: It's come a long way, and it has a way to go.

BH: Do you have a motto?

Herlocker: Sleep when you're dead.

BH: How would you like to die?

Herlocker: When my parachute doesn't open.

Colorado 14ers move to Frisco, Texas

Colorado 14ers to Move Operations to Frisco -- Team to Begin Play in 2010

FRISCO, TX June 18, 2009 – Texas D-League Management, LLC, has purchased the Colorado 14ers and will relocate the team to Frisco, Texas, it was announced today by NBA Development League President Dan Reed. The team will begin play in Frisco at the Dr. Pepper Arena for the 2010-11 season, but will not play during 2009-10 in order to transition.

Donnie Nelson, Dallas Mavericks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, will be the principal owner and operator of the team. Nelson brings 23 years of NBA experience with him to the team in Frisco, including 11 years in Dallas’ front office, along with coaching stints with the Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. Nelson’s ownership group includes Evan Wyly, a Dallas native and the Chairman of Green Mountain Energy, the nation’s leading provider of cleaner electricity and carbon offset solutions. Colorado 14ers owner Tim Wiens will retain a minority ownership stake in the team. Nelson, Wyly and Frisco Mayor Maher Maso joined Reed at today’s announcement, which was held at the Mavericks’ practice facility located inside American Airlines Center.

“We’re very excited to be in Frisco, an area with deep fan support and a history of successful sports teams,” said Reed. “We're thrilled to welcome such a well-respected and experienced group to the NBA D-League ownership ranks. Not only are Donnie Nelson’s basketball credentials terrific, but he has assembled a group with impressive business credentials as well. Donnie’s investment in an NBA D-League team is a great validation of both our league’s past success and future growth prospects.”

The Frisco team’s new name, colors and logo, along with the coaching staff, will be announced at a later date.

"Texas is one of the hottest basketball markets in the world. We plan to bring an exciting, high octane brand of basketball that's both affordable and fun for the entire family,” said Nelson. “Our team will have a chance to hone their skills in the newly renovated Dr. Pepper center in Frisco. The NBA D-League continues to provide high level competition and excellent opportunities for both its fans and players."

When the team begins play in 2010, it will be directly affiliated with up to three NBA teams, which will be able to assign first and second year players to the club up to three times during a season.

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league and featured 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams during the 2008-09 season. This Fall, two new NBA D-League teams will begin play in Portland, Maine and Springfield, Mass.-- the birthplace of basketball. Eighty-four former NBA Development League players were on 2008-09 NBA end-of-season rosters, amounting to almost 20 percent of NBA players, and the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.

Goodbye to another Colorado entertainment team...

Outlaws Dance Team Dancer in a Pinch

Congratulations to Danielle Denton, familiar RMSBlog face from the Colorado Icicles, the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls Cheerleaders,The Belles Performance Team and Motion Explosion, for her fill in efforts on the Outlaws Dance Team to finish out the season.



She will be doing double duty as she finishes out the Icicles season while they support the Ice heading into the playoffs July 19th.

You go girl!

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to former Broncos Cheerleader Katie Layman, Miss Colorado 2009.


Katie, Jamie and Jessica dancing it up on stage.


All the delegates dancing in their opening number. Can you find Katie and Jessica?


Top 5, Katie is 2nd from the right.


Katie's former DBC teammate passes her the Miss Colorado crown.


All the new Colorado queens.


Jamie's final walk.

Congratulations to Nuggets Dancer Jessica Villa for winning preliminary swimsuit judging and placing in the top 10. You'll get 'em next year!

Professional Dance Clinic

July 11th at Invesco Field @ Mile High
10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Prepare for your upcoming dance audition with tips and techniques from some of the top dance professionals in Denver.

Fee: $175

Includes head shots and comp card with Denver Outlaws photographer Todd Clark, Styling Tips from top Denver Hairstylist Jeremy Patterson, Diet and Exercise tips from Personal trainer Jaime Atlas; learn dance and technique from dance professionals Sara Oliver and Brieanna Mercer.



Upcoming Auditions

Denver Nuggets Dancers
July 18, 2009

Colorado Mammoth Wild Bunch
September 2009

Colorado Ice Icicles
November 2009

The Belles Performance Team
January 2010

Denver Broncos Cheerleaders
April 2010

Denver Outlaws Dancers
March 2010

For more information and directions please contact Lara Lutes at 303-594-3651 or email danceauditionclinic@live.com

Battle for the Miss Colorado Crown

2 of our favorite RMS Blog dancers will be chasing the Miss Colorado crown this weekend at the Pinnacle Event Center.


Current Miss Colorado Jamie Dukehart-Conti (former Broncos Cheerleader and Wild Bunch Dancer) will be passing on her crown at the finals on Sunday.


Miss Westminster, Jessica Joan Villa, is currently a Denver Nuggets Dancer.


Miss Douglas County, Katie Layman, is a former Denver Broncos Cheerleader.

Jamie, thank you for a great year and good luck to these 2 ladies and all their competitiors!

Colorado Icicles in Action

WILD BUNCH MAKE SPECIAL VISIT TO VA HOSPITAL

6/13/2009 - With Independence Day a few short weeks away, and in support of the nation’s troops and veterans, the Colorado Mammoth dance team, the Wild Bunch, made a special visit to the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Saturday, June 13.

The dancers distributed souvenir items from the team, signed autographs and spent time with the veterans and their families.

The visit by the Wild Bunch to the VA Medical Center follows Colorado Mammoth player and Wild Bunch participation in the Wounded Warrior Project’s Colorado Soldier Ride on May 23 in Denver.

“After our participation in the Soldier Ride, we were all very inspired to do more,” said Wild Bunch Director, Stacia Boley. “These brave men and women have given so much for our country and although we know we can never repay them, it is our hope that we can at least bring a smile to their faces.”

“When visitors come to the hospital, our veterans are always surprised and touched. To know that people they have never met would take the time and make the effort to visit them really does mean a lot,” said VA Hospital Volunteer Specialist, Barb Lily. "The impact lasts long beyond the visit and it can even impact their physical well being when their mental and emotional states are lifted. The veterans are often thrilled to be remembered.”

For more information on the Colorado Soldier Ride, please go to COSoldierRide.com

For more information on the VA Hospital, please go to Denver.va.gov

Meet the 2009 Venom Vixens

Individual photos and bios can be found here.

DND on SI.com

Sports Ilustrated.com caught up with the Denver Nuggets Dancers...









Visit here to see all 40 photos.

Top 15 Reasons to Join The Belles Performance Team

15) Perform for over 1.5 million people each year.
14) Participate over 150 hours in the Colorado community each year.
13) Perform ProDance routines – choreography providers to the NFL and NBA
12) Wear The Line Up uniforms – providers to the Nuggets Dancers, Wild Bunch and Crush Girls as well as many NFL and NBA teams.
11) Exciting new hair salon business partner announcement in July – hint: they have worked with the Broncos Cheerleaders, the Wild Bunch, the Nuggets Dancers, the Outlaws Dancers, and Mile High Sports Angels…WOW, what a resume!
10) Exciting new fitness business partner announcement in July – hint: they will kick your butt while teaching you to kick butt!
9) Free tanning and ridiculously discounted spa and wellness services at Planet Beach Contempo Spa!
8) Extremely discounted services at Aesthetic Nurse Specialists – think facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion – no more acne, no more skin imperfections, no more fine lines: all in one hour for a very low 2 figure price!
7) One Free month of dance training at Allana’s Academy of Dance and a huge discount on classes after the free month!
6) Fundraise every dollar you need to participate on the team. They have the most successful, easiest program in the nation at their disposal, it really works!
5) Participate in the first Belles calendar, for the year 2010, to be released at performance parties all over Denver at the end of this year. Hair, makeup, photography and fun all included!
4) No other dance team in the state has a mobile sound system like the Belles. No only can you hear them coming, 1000 watts of bass lets you feel it!
3) No auditions. No stress, no competition, no pressure. Apply and interview…your character and commitment is all they need to teach you to dance. They have taught over 300 women how to perform in the community in the last 6 years, and many have moved on to perform on a professional sports entertainment team!
2) Make new friends that will last a lifetime!

And the number one reason to join the BPT…

1) Don’t you just love to dance!

Applications are being accepted now! Visit http://www.bellespt.com, the Joining the BPT webpage. They have openings for over 20 dancers and a very busy schedule of performances, calendar photo shoots, and video recordings, to apply for their USO tour to entertain the troops abroad, in store for you this next season.

Apply today!

June MHSM Girl in Your Corner - Bethany Nitzel

Name: Bethany Nitzel
Age: 20
Profession: Eagles Dancer and Full-Time Student at Northern Colorado
Sign: Cancer

FOUR THINGS WE LEARNED FROM BETHANY

1. Don Knotts can, and should be, any child’s idol.
2. Standing at six-feet tall and weighing 205 pounds, Colorado Eagles winger Greg Pankewicz is “pretty much regular size.” However, “he plays larger than life.”
3. Hypothetically speaking, if Greg Pankewicz and actor Verne Troyer joined forces and took on UNC football coach Scott Downing AND a grizzly bear in a tag-team wrastlin’ match, Pankewicz and Troyer, despite not being a part of a Division I team of any kind, would emerge victorious. Why? Because both men are larger than life.
4. Going on a date with a guy who is shy and quiet is akin to having a conversation with a wall.


PULL QUOTE: “A woman always feels sexy in high heels.”

Where are they Now - Erica Weston

Former DBC Erica Weston, is also battling it out on the court as a Laker Girl while the Nuggets and Lakers fight for the Western Conference Championship. She follows in the footsteps of former DBC Leslie Macias and DND/Rockstarz Becky Hamm as they chased their dance dreams in LA as Laker Girls.

BIOGRAPHY
First year member of the Los Angeles Laker Girls squad.

EDUCATION
Currently a student at Loyola Marymount University
Major: Public Relations

HOBBIES/INTERESTS
Working Out
Snow Skiing
Cooking
Bikram Yoga

Lakers.com Fitness Profile: Erica

How did you prepare for Laker Girls auditions this summer?I prepared for auditions by taking all the dance classes I could as well as making sure I was eating healthy and working out regularly.

What other styles of dance do you do outside of Laker Girls rehearsals to maintain your skills?I really enjoy contemporary dance. It's something we don't really do as Laker Girls, so I like to do it outside of rehearsals. I also like to take a ballet class ever once in a while to keep up on my dance technique.

Do you do anything outside of dance to stay fit (ie swimming, biking, etc.)?
Sometimes, I'll take a yoga class.

Take us through your typical workout. Do you use weights, cardio, flexibility exercises? If so, please describe.I'll start with 30-45 minutes on the bike or elliptical or sometimes doing intervals on the treadmill switching between running and walking. Then, I'll do a variety of resistance training exercises for legs, arms and abs followed by a lot of stretching at the end.

What do you eat to stay healthy/maintain energy?
Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and proteins. I like everything in moderation too.

Talk about the importance of stretching, yoga or Pilates in your workout.
I really like yoga and pilates because they lengthen your muscles. I think stretching at the end of my workout is really important so you aren't sore the next day.

How do you balance dancing vs. other fitness related activities?
I like to have a variety of exercises--so combining the two is key so I never get bored.

Who made you aware of the importance of staying fit?
Myself. When you notice your body changing, you realized you can't eat everything like you used to. Eating a little bit of everything in moderation helps keep me satisfied.

What do you find a "nutritional snack" during the day? In addition, tell us about your favorite meal to eat that you find healthy for your lifestyle.I like to snack on fruits and nuts throughout the day. They give you just enough protein and energy to keep going. I love any kind of pastel dish, especially spaghetti, because it gives me lots of energy.

What advice would you give to Lakers fans about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle?Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for your health as you get older. You'll fell healthier if you workout a few times a week and watch what you eat.

Do you have an everyday helpful, healthy tips for any of the Lakers Fans?
Write down in a journal your daily intake. If you haven't had as much during the day, you can splurge more at night or know that you've eaten enough throughout the day so healthy snacks are the way to go at night.

Visit Erica here.

Nuggets Dancer Krista Schneider

Skyline High School graduate Krista Schneider, front, never expected to find herself on the Denver Nuggets’ dance squad — but now, she’s got a courtside view of the team’s historic journey through the NBA playoffs. Courtesy Garrett Ellwood Photography

Dancing with the NBA stars

By Justin Williams
© 2009 Longmont Times-Call

All right, all right. Stop gawking. Yes, she’s a pretty girl.

And you might be asking yourself what she’s doing on the front of the sports page. Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy and move on.

Oh, and pat yourself on the back for taking time away from the pretty picture to actually read this — because, trust me, behind the good looks and great dance moves, Krista Schneider has an interesting story to tell.

She was born on the edge of Longmont and raised on a ranch by a cowboy whose rugged ways rubbed off on her. Sure, Schneider did the dance recitals, ballets and all that other girly stuff — but you know what they say: You can take the girl away from the farm, but ...

“I was always such a tomboy. I never could have dreamed of being this pretty girl on posters and signing autographs,” Schneider says, almost apologizing to that inner child who can’t wait to grow up and wrestle steer like dad.

Schneider attended Skyline High School, graduating in 2005. She was on the school’s dance team all four years, and in her mind, that’s where her dancing career would end.

But her first year at Colorado State was a tough one that included the sudden passing of her father. She needed an outlet, and dancing came calling once again.

She tried out and made the Colorado Eagles’ dance team and eventually fulfilled the lifelong dream of many a little girl: becoming a dancer on an NBA team.

The 22-year-old has been along for nearly every minute of Denver’s historic ride to the Western Conference finals — and recently, Schneider made this sportswriter’s lifelong dream by giving me a few minutes of her time.

••

JW: Tell me a little about yourself, other than your dancing life.

KS: I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners ... just kidding! I am attending Colorado State University, majoring in business marketing with a minor in merchandising.

I don’t have much time between school and dance, but when I do, you will rarely find me resting.

I like to get out and experience life with those around me. I’m very close with my family and enjoy spending time with them. My mom, sister, niece and I usually are out shopping together at least once a week, and I see my entire extended family at least once a month.

I also try to visit my boyfriend as much as possible, which can be difficult because he is from, and currently resides in, Alberta, Canada.

JW: Dang you, Canada! First you take Roy Halladay — now this?

... All right, what are some of your favorite memories of Skyline High School?

KS: I was on the Skyline Dance Team all four years and was captain my senior year. While I was on the dance team, I started a tradition where any senior guy who was brave enough to sign up would get to come learn a dance and perform at a few games with us.

I headed that up for three years, and I am sure you can imagine that was quite the experience and probably one of my favorite memories.

JW: So how did you go from that to becoming a Denver Nuggets dancer?

KS: I had been dancing my entire life and then decided to take a year off when I went to college. I had an extremely tough first year ... and decided I needed to start dancing again as a way to release all the emotions I was feeling.

I was very shy, but I felt like at this point, I had nothing to lose, so I started trying out for professional teams. I was elated when I made the Nuggets dancers, to say the least.

Now that I am nearing the end of my rookie season, I have to say that being a Nuggets dancer is more amazing than I could ever put into words.

JW: That’s a pretty competitive process, right?

KS: If I had to describe the tryout experience in one word, it would be “overwhelming.” Hundreds of girls show up and put everything they have on the line for a shot at their dream. The process is different for everyone but easy for no one.

I get very nervous, so tryouts are a little stressful for me, but it is worth it in the end.

JW: Did you ever imagine you’d end up as a dancer on a professional team?

KS: I actually had no idea that I could dance on a pro team, as strange as that sounds. To me, the girls that danced for the Nuggets were almost unreal, something that was unattainable.

Once I realized that I had similarities to a lot of the girls on the team, I immediately started trying out.

JW: So: How many times are you hit on during a game?

KS: Hmmmm ... I think the last tally was at 12,987. Just kidding!

JW: Who is your favorite Nuggets player, and why?

KS: It’s a tie between Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith.

Chauncey Billups because he is an amazing player and leader. The change was unbelievable when he stepped out on the court wearing that No. 7 jersey, and I don’t know if we would be in the position we are now without him.

J.R. Smith, because you can see his love for what he does. He always looks like he is enjoying life — plus, he is a great player.

JW: Who has the best dance moves on the Nuggets?

KS: I have to say J.R. Smith, because he is the only player I’ve caught dancing on the practice court.

JW: Of course I have to ask you: Who is going to win this Western Conference finals series between the Nuggets and Lakers?

KS: I think that the Nuggets will not only win the Western Conference finals, but I think they are going to win it all.

As Kobe (Bryant) said about the Nuggets: “They have depth. They have the toughness. They have the camaraderie. It’s no surprise to me that they’re here.”

••

There you have it, folks. Good looks and she knows her sports. Again — dang you, Canada.