Mark at The Mint - March 29th

Looks like Mark might have a few performances coming up at The Mint in L.A.  Mark has been talking about a residency there, but it looks like it hasn't been confirmed yet.

He is on the calendar at The Mint for a performance on Monday, March 29th at 7pm (6:30 doors). Not sure about the ages...it doesn't say.  Check the link for more info!

Again, if anyone goes out to the show and would like to share their pics/video/audio on this blog, I'd be happy to post it for you! I'll give you full credit, of course. :)

Season 10 Possible Pro Dancers

Ok, possible pros for Season 10:

The men:
Derek & Mark have said as much
Tony & Maks have tweeted smiley faces
Louis apparently tweeted that he was back, but deleted it (there are happy responses to a non-existant tweet out there)
Dmitry & Alec have not said anything. Dmitry said he hasn't heard and Alec has not said a word.
Jonathan has said that he is out this season.

If we have 11 or 12 couples, like I've heard, then it looks like the men will probably be: Derek, Mark, Tony, Maks, and Louis - with a 6th spot possibly belonging to either Dmitry or Alec or the new dancer who has been mentioned: Damian. (update: Dmitry is out. Alec has still not saying anything..so it's either Alec or Damian)


The women:
Cheryl and Edyta have confirmed they are returning.
Anna T has stated that people need to take a chill pill and just be patient. (ok, she didn't say it like that, but GO girl for telling people to calm down. There are people on Twitter who are having seizures trying to figure out who will be on the new season.  Sheesh people.  breathe.  just breathe.)
Anna D, Kym, and Chelsie have not mentioned anything about the show.
Lacey has confirmed she is not returning.
Karina posted a "no" in response to a tweeters question if she was returning, so sounds like she's out too.

So, if we have 6 women returning, and we know that Lacey and Karina are out, then the other 6 should be in: Cheryl, Edyta, Anna D, Anna T, Kym, and Chelsie. (update, Anna T has confirmed she is back. and Louie Vito's sister has confirmed that Chelsie is back.)

So, that's were we are today with the pros, in case you just HAVE to know. lol  We will learn the cast on Monday night after the Bachelor (eww).

Season 10 Cast Rumors

Honestly, there hasn't been much in the way of rumors this season. ABC has been very tight lipped - even to the pro dancers.  Usually the cast is announced BEFORE the pros meet their partners. The pro dancers have often said in interviews that they sit around and debate on who will get what partner.  This season, they are meeting their partners this week, but the cast list isn't going to be revealed until NEXT week.  Weird.

Weirder is this little mention:

Louis van Amstel was asked via Twitter if DWTS would ever have an all-star season, where past celebrities on the show would compete again...his answer? "i thought they were gonna do that this season...."

Well, that's interesting.  It would be a pretty awful all star season, considering at least two of the former champions of DWTS are not available to do the show this season (Apolo Ohno, Season 4 - currently competing in the Olympics; Shawn Johnson, Season 8 - currently injured).  Please Lord don't tell me I have to sit through another season of Donny Osmond (Season 9's champion).  And what would the first few season champions do? They had a very different experience.  The first season was only a few weeks long and only had 6 contestants.  Kelly Monaco's winning performance would have sent her home in week 3 of the current level of competition.  Of course, they could be bringing back people from the top 3 or 4 or something too, not just champions.


Or perhaps the idea of an all-star season isn't what is going on.  I would love to see an all-star season...but one later (I was thinking season 13) and with only the champions against each other.  If they waited until season 13, they would have 12 champions to compete (if all signed on for the all-star season).  In any case, I would hate to see an all-star season without two of the biggest fan favorites, Apolo and Shawn.  And we can rule out Brooke Burke too (season 7 champion), because she's in the running to be a host.



Do I think they are doing an all-star season? I don't know...odd thing for Louis to say though.  If they are, I don't think it's the time for it.


Season 8 was the most perfect season of DWTS...the format, the number of couples, the line-up of dances...all very good and worked very well.  Season 9 was probably the worst season of DWTS.  The format was so bad, it was actually unfair.  I wish DWTS wouldn't try to one-up themselves every season.  Stick with what works...that season 8 format is great!  Add new dances, sure. The Charleston was great, I hope they put that back in the mix for this season too.


My idea of a fun all-star season would be all the champions from seasons 1-12 competeing in season 13 and the dances are hybrids.  So, the competition is about the creativity...they all already know the dances...give them a new hurdle.  Example...assign couple #1 the Tango and the Foxtrot...they have to come up with a hybrid dance that incorporates both dances into one.  Wouldn't that be interesting and fun?  It's sort of like the decade theme they had in season 9...futuristic Paso was the only one that really worked...but the idea was interesting. Themed dances.  Hybrid dances.  Could be interesting... :)


I'm not nearly as excited for this season as I usually am for a season...there is too much secrecy going on...no fun to ponder who could be on the show...who could dance with who...


Mark has confirmed that he's back this season - YAY! Lacey Schwimmer is not coming back. Boo. :(

And what is with not including Lacey? She's a HUGE fan favorite. I'm assuming that they don't have a contestant that would work well with her rebel/rockstar appeal.  She's not a traditional dancer, she pushes the limit and she would need a certain kind of partner for it to work. But, I'm sad.  No Lacey will be a little less fun.  We will miss you Lacey!


But, I'm super glad Mark Ballas is back! :D

DWTS Season 10

According to this press release, Dancing with the Stars will return on March 22, 2010.  The cast will be announced on March 1, 2010.

Though not mentioned in this press release, the cast will supposedly have only 11 or 12 couples.  I've also heard (over at Pure DWTS) that there might be a new male pro dancer this season (Damian Whitewood from Burn the Floor), but there is no mention on whether he will be paired with a celebrity, or merely dancing in pro dances.  Season 9 was the largest season to date with 16 couples (and a huge trainwreck).  Gladly, they have gone back to the tried and true format of 12ish couples.  I am sad to think about how some of the pros won't be able to compete this season. :(

Samantha Harris, one of the hosts, will not be returning this season. Brooke Burke is in the running to be her replacement.  Brooke has tweeted about how excited she is for the opportunity.  Brooke was the season 7 champion with Derek Hough. Seems like Brooke will learn next week if she gets the job.

According to Louis Van Amstel, the cast found out if they will be returning to the show this week (not who their partners are), but they cannot release that information.  Derek Hough posted a tweet on Tuesday, Feb. 16th, that he will meet his partner next week.

Mark Ballas has not made any mention of DWTS on his twitter, nor has he tweeted about getting into shape for the show.  It makes me nervous.  Since he is so focused on his music right now, he might be opting out of this season.  I hope not.  I really hope he returns and competes.  But we don't find out for a little while longer.

As of the end of season 9 (Fall 2009), the pro dancers are as follows:
MEN:
Louis van Amstel
Mark Ballas Jr
Dmitry Chaplin
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Tony Dovolani
Derek Hough
Alec Mazo
Jonathan Roberts


WOMEN:
Cheryl Burke
Anna Demidova
Chelsie Hightower
Kym Johnson
Lacey Schwimmer
Edyta Sliwinska

Karina Smirnoff


Anna Trebunskaya

Former Pro Dancers (who have had celebrity partners):
Corky Ballas
Inna Brayer
Julianne Hough


Possible new pro dancer:
Damian Whitewood

Who knows what this season holds, but I hope it includes Mark Ballas.  I'll be pretty sad if he's not on the show this season.

Video about 2Some Dance in Toronto

Mark and Dmitri from Dancing with the Stars talk about next years (2011) 2Some Dance event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:

Backstage video of Mark at the Roxy

Found this video of Mark and Greg Poree warming up before a show at The Roxy, 1-23-10:

New Mark Ballas Vlog :)

Mark's latest vlog on his YouTube account: A behind the scenes look at the recording of "Waiting for Patience":


Great stuff! :) Be sure to listen to the 3 tunes up at http://www.myspace.com/markballasmusic!

Mark Ballas MUSIC! Live music tonight, new music online!

Mark is playing at the Mint in Los Angeles tonight! Be sure to be there!! 8pm, all ages! :) Doors at 7:30pm - 6010 Pico Blvd. :)

Also be sure to check out all of Mark's new music news!!

Mark has a new music Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/markballasmusic with 3 songs up...Light On is GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!! I'm in heaven :D

He also has a new YouTube channel for his music and vlogs and such, check it out! He has one video posted so far: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarkBallasMusic

Here is his first YouTube video, a behind the scenes look at this photo shoot for the EP:

Mark Ballas at The Mint

Don't forget, Mark will be singing again at The Mint in L.A. on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. Check the right sidebar for more info about the show! :)

Mark teaching at the Utah Vibe

Here is a playlist of videos someone put up on YouTube of Mark teaching some young students at The Vibe in Utah this winter. :)

Philippine Disaster Relief Fundraiser with Cheryl Burke

On December 20, 2009, Mark danced with Cheryl Burke at a charity fundraiser called "Cheryl Burke and Mark Ballas Dance for a Cause", raising money for Typhoon Relief in the Philippines. The event took place at the Cheryl Burke Dance Studio in San Francisco.  Mark and Cheryl learned the dances in a very short amount of time (you'll recognize the dances from season 8 of Dancing with the Stars: Cheryl/Gilles Tango and Mark/Shawn Cha Cha.)

Cha Cha



Tango

Singing on Good Things Utah

Mark singing "Light On" on Good Things Utah. This also happens to be my favorite song by Mark. :D

Dancing on Good Things Utah

Mark has been all over the place this winter - teaching and performing in charity events and shows. He spent a little time in Utah recently and this is a video of his mom (Shirley Ballas) and him teaching the Cha Cha to the ladies at Good Things Utah.

Ballas Hough Band

Since the band members didn't really make an official announcement, there seems to still be some confusion about the future of the Ballas Hough Band.

Sam Marder (the bass player) posted a blog on his MySpace and stated rather vaguely that the band is no more and the members have gone on to other projects.  They all remain friends though and Mark has mentioned in interviews that they still jam together from time to time (when they are in the same country, I'm sure LOL).

So, there you have it.  Ballas Hough Band is no more.  As a fan, I'm disappointed that there has been no announcement or response from the other band members, but what can you do? :)

My theory? And, keep in mind it is only a THEORY...

The first record deal went south. Bad direction, bad management...this was all stated by the band members.  They were supposed to tour in the summer of 2009, but that tour did not happen - not the fault of the band.  Then, they find new management and try for a second album, but it seems that the record just didn't take off.  Not sure what happened...it's never been talked about, but my guess is that MOVE just didn't do as well as the record company wanted and they scrapped the album...or perhaps the band decided they didn't want to compromise in any way.  Often in the music industry, new artists are forced to compromise their vision a little at first to get 'in' the business...then, after they make a name for themselves, they can get back to what they really want to be doing.  You hear artists all the time talking about how their follow up albums were more 'them' than their debut albums. ;)  But, like I said, I have no idea why the album fell through, but it did.

We won't be having any Ballas Hough Band music in the future, but the band members are going on to do lots of other projects. :)

Now, before people start going on about the band 'breaking up', let's remember that this was a project with five friends.  The project is over (at least for now - who knows about the future), but the friendships are still intact.  Plus, there is no reason to believe that they won't ever play music together again.  It just didn't work out right now.

I'm not disappointed the band won't be releasing an album as much as I'm disappointed that I didn't get an BHB gear.  I tried.  I really, really tried...but my order got lost in the shuffle somehow and now the gear is all gone.  :( sadness.

So, BHB fans, while we won't be getting any more music from the five of them together, we will be getting music and projects from them separately ... which is 5x the goodness!  haha!

Mark will have an album out soon ("Waiting for Patience"), but if you need a fix now...check out Sam Marder's new band: Keywest.  Harry is also playing in a band called Vadoinmessico. Enjoy!

Mark Ballas at The Mint

Mark will be playing some gigs at The Mint in Los Angeles.  He's scheduled to play this Wednesday, February 10, 2010 and next Wednesday, February 17, 2010.  Also, he tweeted that he will be doing a regular show on Mondays at The Mint starting in March.  The March dates are not yet confirmed.

Links to the February shows:


Feb 10, 2010 - Ages: 21+
http://www.themintla.com/show/detail/27003

Feb 17, 2010 - Ages: All welcome
http://www.themintla.com/show/detail/26957

If you are able to go to the shows and get any cool pics, video, or audio and would like to share, I'd love to post them! Just let me know at bewitchingballas @ gmail . com and I'll get them posted.  Of course, I'll credit you and link to your site (if you have one). Thanks!