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Ladies and gentlemen, put on your dancing shoes. Dance fever is sweeping Asia and you’d better be a part of it.

It all started in the United States, when the brains behind “American Idol,” Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe, created a talent show for dancers, “So You Think You Can Dance,” in July 2005. Broadcast by Fox, the show soon became a hit with viewers.

Since the summer of 2006, the show has topped television reality-show ratings in the United States. That same year, it was picked up around the world, with versions broadcast in Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Britain.

In Asia, including Indonesia, the US version of “So You Think You Can Dance” is broadcast on AXN and Sony Entertainment Television.

“We have studied and analyzed ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ ” said Ricky Ow, senior vice president and general manager of Sony Pictures Entertainment network. “The passions, desires and actions of the dancers are really stunning. We believe our Asian viewers will understand the universal language of dance and appreciate the talents in this show.”

Since the first season of “So You Think You Can Dance,” the show has attracted thousands of talented dancers from across the United States, where rigorous auditions are held in different cities to find the country’s top dancers. A varied mix of contestants is chosen, ranging from street dancers to national dance champions. The show then flies those good enough to make the cut to Las Vegas, where they train under top celebrity choreographers, including Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio and Wade Robson, the creator and host of MTV’s “The Wade Robson Project.”

The semifinalists have to demonstrate their versatility before the judges by competing in a wide range of dance genres, including salsa, jazz, hip-hop, quickstep and popping. The top 20 finalists are then challenged to master dance styles that are out of their comfort zones.

Indonesian actress and singer Cinta Laura said at a news conference in Jakarta that she never misses an episode.

“It’s my favorite, not only because I love dancing, but also because the talent and drive of the contestants truly inspire me,” she said.

Priscilla Yip, communications director for Sony Pictures Entertainment Networks Asia, said the show resonated with viewers because it let them live out a fantasy vicariously through the television.

“Dance is a form of art that is widely appreciated by the public, but not many people have the opportunity to become professional dancers,” she said.

Inspired by the success of “So You Think You Can Dance,” AXN launched “AXN Dance Off,” the first Asian dance competition, in January 2010.

“ ‘AXN Dance Off’ provides this rare opportunity for those who want to become professional dancers to learn from a famous American choreographer, Brian Green, who has worked with various international artists,” Yip said.

Brian “Footwork” Green, the choreographer and one of the judges of “Dance Off,” has worked with renowned international singers, including Mariah Carey, Gwen Stefani, Fergie and Missy Elliot. In 2001, he won the American Choreographer Award for best hip-hop choreography for a music video featuring R&B singer Mya. His dance collective, World Soul, presents dance moves from different cultures and countries.

“I really want to join this competition, but unfortunately I’m not old enough,” said Cinta, who turned 16 in August. She just released her debut album in January and will act as a spokeswoman for the show.

“I really love the show and want to promote it,” she said.

“Cinta is a really talented artist at a very young age,” Yip said. “She is the right person to spread the dance fever and encourage Indonesian dancers to compete in the show.”

“AXN Dance Off” is open to participants aged 21 and older from throughout Asia, including China, Fiji, the Maldives, Mauritius and Indonesia.

Participants — singles or couples — are invited to submit a 60-second video that shows their best dance moves following a customized medley of hip-hop, pop and Latin music downloadable through AXN’s Web site. Hopefuls can send in their videos through file-sharing sites, such as www.yousendit.com, or mail a DVD submission to SPE Networks Asia office in Singapore. Submissions must be received by Feb. 28.

Judges from AXN and Brian Green will choose the 10 best videos to be featured on the Web site. Viewers can then vote for their favorite videos online. Three finalists will be flown to Singapore to attend a workshop by Brian Green and perform on AXN.

“We’re sure that Indonesia has fabulous dancers. We hope they’ll make it to the finals,” Yip said.

“Everyone knows that we have super talented people in Indonesia,” Cinta said. “They should join the competition because who knows — if they win, they might be able to go international and become professional dancers for famous Hollywood artists.

“Sometimes, all performers need is a break,” Cinta said. “This will be a really great opportunity for them.”



For more information: http://www.axn-asia.com/axndanceoff