'So You Think You Can Dance Canada' Recap: First Performances

Whew! After weeks of auditions, our Top 22 dancers took the stage -- FINALLY! -- for SYTYCDC's third season. Just as a primer, here's how this year's competition is going to work: Dancers will dance in pairs on Monday nights, voting happens after the show ends, and we'll find out the results on Tuesdays (and yes, just as you hoped, I'll be covering it all!).

And, if this week's show is a way to judge how the season will go, I have three words for you: Don't look away. These speedy performances happen in blink-or-you'll-miss-them moments, but that's not a bad thing, especially when you get to take in so many great dancers (I'm still shocked these are the same folks we saw during audition week).And what a way to start off tonight's show: Claudia and Yonni. I am not going to lie -- I sat on my couch, watching these guys dance salsa to a funky beat and, holy crow, I was turned on (sorry parents, I was). The couple has everything going for them. They're distractingly sexy, they have the moves and they have on-stage charisma.

Then we were treated to a performance by Kirsten and Jera. The lines, technique and emotion of their dancing was incredible. It moved me. And, as the judges put it, it was really well done. I couldn't take my eyes off this couple. If I could dance like anyone, I'd groove like them.

In the first weak performance of the night, we have the tango dance by Amanda and Denys. I was recently in Buenos Aires, the home of the tango, and I can tell you this is not how they dance the tango there. In order for a tango to be done right, you have to have a connection with your partner; this ill-fated pair had no connection, few moves and zero sex appeal. I don't care what the judges have to say. Individually these guys may be great, but together, not so much.

From mediocre to something I don't think I've ever seen before: A jive dance to emo music. Charlene and Jeff were great together, but because they were totally out of their genre, the moves were hard to conquer (jive ain't easy). Still, it was an upbeat and entertaining performance.

Danielle and Sebastian. Wow. The judges seemed less than impressed by their dance moves; I think they were lacking in Bollywood dance knowledge. Danielle and Sebastian danced a story -- exactly like what happens in a traditional Bollywood movie. They had the energy, charisma and the moves. I was blown away.

I love watching people dance outside of their traditional genres. A perfect example was Kloe and Jonathan; they killed their routine (though Kloe stole the stage). They did a good job of dancing these hard moves and showing enthusiasm, though their performance tired toward the end.

Now, I get that we are the "first" country in 'SYTYCDC' history to do a "dance disco" routine, but I wasn't really impressed by the dancing of Julia and Jesse. I think Julia's a stellar dancer and Jesse has a star quality, but their moves weren't blow-me-away hot. They danced well together, but it wasn't incredible. Oh, and an outfit does not a good dance routine make.

I had big hopes for Shavar and Janick and their Afro-jazz routine. I was not disappointed. I think both of them could have loosened up a bit (I think their unfamiliarity with the style of dance caught up with them), but man -- they kicked some serious butt (especially since Afro-jazz is a rare main-stage feature). I could see them making it into the Top 10, easily.

For any young dancers out there, I'm going to say that Nathalie and Mackenzie are good role models to learn from. The pair had tremendous chemistry and busted a dirty dancing waltz that I've never really seen before. Choreography was perfect. They will go a long way.

A "hot tamale train" was given to Bree of the Edgar/Bree pairing after the two did an amazing job at a hip-hop routine with a bit of a dirty spin (sexy, sexy, sexy). Their chemistry was "off the hook." Really, it was an incredible routine.

By far the sweetest and best danced routine of the night was the jazz performance choreographed by Nico Archambault (the first winner of 'SYTYCDC') and danced by Hani and Tara-Jean Popwich (season two's 'SYTYCDC' winner). Tara-Jean acted as a stand-in for the injured Shelaina (no one has any idea what this injury is, mind you. They certainly glazed over that one). Hani was amazing, especially since he was keeping up with a previous 'SYTYCDC' winner. Look for him in the finals.

Results are coming your way on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 8:30 p.m. on CTV.

Random Thoughts:

-- There are no words for Leah's outfit. None. I'm going to leave it to you to decipher if I think it was good or bad. However, bumblebee tigers are not known for their style advice.

Tweet me your thoughts at twitter @sarahkelsey.