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By Larry Yepez Jr.

Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige and Pink are amongst the divas to make Oscar’s Cut for 2012's Best Original Song, but unfortunately the Queen Diva, Madonna, did not get her nod because of rules of the Academy!

The Academy's list of 39 songs that could go on to win the Oscar has a little to please everyone, from indie to pop, to country, and R&B and even classical.

There's Lady Gaga and Elton John's duet with the song Hello Hello, featured in the animated Gnomeo & Juliet, Pink for Happy Feet Two, Sinead O’Connor in a song co-written by Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs and Mary J. Blige for The Help.

There was one notable snub to the Diva of Divas because of the rules of the academy: Masterpiece, Madonna's subtly named ballad from the historical romance she directed, W.E., was not eligible, as the HitFix blog reported. Madge's composition did have words and music, as required by the Academy, but it was not used in the context of the film which is the broken rule; instead it is heard over the closing credits, second after another piece of music. If it’s over the credits, it has to be the first song when the credits roll. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association were a little more forgiving; the song was nominated for a Golden Globe.

The list will be whittled down to five main contenders and the final nominees will be announced on 24 January (12).

Tags Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Chris Cornell, Glenn Close, Golden Globe, Happy Feet Two, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Lady Gaga, Madonna, mary j blige, Masterpiece, Pink, Sinead O’Connor, Soundgarden, W.E.

By Larry Yepez Jr.

By now you've probably  heard that the Queen of Pop will be taking center stage on football's biggest night! For the first time ever, Madonna will perform at halftime of the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

Like for most things in life, there are lovers and there are haters, and unfortunately the haters have started to speak their minds saying that Madonna shouldn't be performing on the big football day, February 5, 2012. Those in fury over the announcement include Super Bowl fans and some celebrities.

TMZ is reporting that the KISS frontman, Gene Simmons, has come out against Madonna, saying that she isn't an "appropriate act" for the Super Bowl.

"I love all karaoke singers, I love all the girl singers who get up and sing with tapes ... shame on you! By the way, Madonna's terrific ... I hate the tapes," said Gene to TMZ.

Apparently, he feels as though Madonna will lip-synch through her performance. He would rather see a real band play because they will actually perform and not lip-synch.

Madonna's romantic drama W.E. will be hitting theaters two days before the game. She is also currently recording an album that’s slated to be released in 2012, so the timing is perfect for 53 year-old diva to plug her new tracks at the game.

The Superbowl sis the most-watched event of the year, and the queen of pop is going BIG! Madonna will be working with a Cirque du Soleil team to create what promises to be the most stunning half-time act ever seen at a Super Bowl game. Her longtime collaborator Jamie King, who recently directed the Cirque’s Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour will be part of the team for this gig.

Moment Factory is the company in charge of putting together the show, and the company's creative director, Sakchin Besette, put his input by saying that they're "extremely excited to be working with someone as creative, talented and visionary as Madonna." He added,

"[We] always look to engage audiences with something they have never seen before, and we are certain that this show will thrill spectators."

One thing is for sure, Madonna is one heck of a performer and she has probably more lovers than haters rooting for her and excited to see the show she will put on for the Superbowl Spectacle.

Do you think Madonna is an appropriate singer for the Super Bowl?

Tags Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Cirque du Soleil, Cirque’s Michael Jackson, Eric Fournier, Gene Simmons, Jamie King, Kiss, Madonna, Moment Factory, NBC, NFL, Sakchin Besette, Super Bowl XLVI, The Immortal World Tour, TMZ, W.E.

By Larry Yepez Jr.

The trailer for Madonna's new movie,W.E., hit the web this week, making critics and moviegoers and Madonna fans alike speculate about how it will do in the box office. The British love-story tells the tale of King Edward VIII and his lover, Wallis Simpson, through a lonely New Yorker (Abby Cornish) in the late 1990's, nearly six decades later.

Madonna's directorial debut was Filth and Wisdom in 2008 which didn't receive good reviews, and the reviews from festivals where W.E. has screened have been mixed. However, Madonna's movie career doesn't lack some critical success. In 1997, the queen of pop  was honored with a Golden Globe for her role in Evita.

W.E. flips back and forth between the 1930, when Edward was romancing with Wallis, and the late 1990s, as it follows a Wally Winthrop, an American woman obsessed with their love story, who, while in the midst of a romance of her own, begins doing research only to discover that theirs was not the fairy tale she'd imagined.

The film will be making a week-long Oscar qualifying run in December because Weinstein wanted the film in next year's awards. Let's see if Madonna has the chops to be recognized in the big award shows. W.E. opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 9th.

Are you going to see W.E.?

Tags Abby Cornish, Blogger: Larry Yepez Jr, Evita, Filth and Wisdom, Madonna, Oscars, W.E., Weinstein

By Vanessa Beatriz Soto

Cuban ballet dancers are setting the dance world on fire. How did they pick up their passion for dance? How can that passion be shared with people who are new to the art form? We sat down with ballet royalty Lorena and Lorna Feijoo for a chat.

Blogamole: Your mother was a dancer, your father was an actor. How did you start dancing?

Lorena: My mother took me to the theater, my father took me to the studio... I was always listening to classical music, watching the girls in costume when I was little. In the Ballet Nacional De Cuba, all the dancers brought their kids. You didn't need to ask anybody, 'can you take care of my child?' All the kids watched the dance classes and saw their parents rehearsing, and after a while my interest grew and grew.

Lorna: My sister was watching ballet from the womb! By the time my mother had me, she had stopped dancing, and was a teacher at the National Ballet School, which is the most important ballet school in Cuba. I had never really thought of being a dancer - I wanted to do everything! But one day, I just auditioned, and I passed the test. I went to my mother and I told her: 'I passed the test. I want to study ballet.' My father said, you know, maybe it's better if you are a contemporary dancer, to avoid comparisons with your sister? (By the time I got started, my sister had already been in the school for three years. She had won international prizes.) My mother would say, you're not as disciplined with your diet, you like candy and chocolate, you have to sacrifice a lot, get up early. It's a very hard career. My parents thought I wasn't going to have the discipline for it! But I did it. I wanted it.

B: In the US, Ballet is a passion for a small minority of people. What's the best way to enlarge that audience and get people interested?

Lorena: In recent years, dance has become a real presence in media. Theaters are a medium for a small group of people, whether its for the symphony or opera, for people who already appreciate the performing arts. In the US, television is the best way to reach people. Programs like So You Think You Can Dance, and Dancing with the Stars, bring dance to the people. Dancing with the Stars has a bit of classical dance as part of its program. When people see that classical dance and music is accessible, that it isn't so foreign, they can start understand, to become interested and get a taste and appreciation. We need more arts channels, where we can show the variety and breadth of the performing arts.

Lorna: Dance has always been with us, but, unlike sports, it doesn't have that huge, passionate audience. In Cuba, people live to see the ballet. It's not like that here. So for us, something like (our appearance) on Dancing with the Stars was a huge thing! Truly, when the called us and gave us the news, it was a beautiful thing... Black Swan is another example. It got people going to the movies and looking at people dancing ballet. I'd love to see more movies - not documentaries, although I love them - but movies about ballet. Also, I think community outreach programs are key. At the Boston Ballet, we do lots of performances for schools, and no matter how tired we are from the night before, we are always excited for those matinees. The kids love it! We say to each other in the company, those kids are our very best audience.

So what about you? Are you a ballet fan? Would you hit the theater to check out a new movie with a ballet theme? Tell us in the comments!

Tags Arts and Culture, Black Swan, blogger: Vanessa Beatriz Soto, Boston Ballet, Cuba, Cuban Ballet, Dance, Dancing With The Stars, Hispanic Heritage Month, Lorena Feijoo, Lorna Feijoo, San Francisco Ballet, So You Think You Can Dance

By Vanessa Beatriz Soto

I sat down with Octavio Roca a few days ago to talk about his latest work, the gorgeous, photo-rich tome Cuban Ballet. Born in Cuba and a long-time US resident, Roca has written music and dance criticism for The Washington Post, The Washington Times, and The San Francisco Chronicle, among others, and is chair of the Arts and Philosophy department at Miami Dade College.

Growing up in the US in the 80s, I struggled to identify role models who were like me. What's it like today? Octavio Roca shared some of his thoughts on the significance of the Cuban diaspora on the ballet world, and how Hispanics in general and Cuban ballet dancers in particular are shaping American culture.

Blogamole: So tell us - how did Cuban Ballet come to be?

O.R. I have been a music and dance critic most of my life, and I am also Cuban. Being very close both to Cuba and to the art form, I noticed... Cubans are the Russians of the 21st century. The influence Cuban dancers are having on dance today, especially dance in America, is like that of the Russians in the 1980s. In the case of Russia, it's easier to understand - Russia's huge! Cuba is little... it's a miracle, that kind of influence that Cuba has in culture in general, but especially in dance.

I was working at the San Francisco Chronicle as lead dance critic, and by sheer coincidence, back to back, I got to see Lorna Feijoo with the Cuban National Ballet, in Giselle, before she defected, and then her sister Lorena's first Giselle with the San Francisco Ballet. I was so touched. They were so beautiful. Those two women are as good as it gets today. It touched me, because I thought I couldn't recover that kind of culture.

So I thought - Let's tell the whole story! I was in a perfect place to do this, because my mother danced in the company (The Cuban National Ballet), my mother was a Wili in the first Giselle I ever saw, with Alicia Alonso with Igor Youskevitch! When you start with the best, you get marked for life.

I told the story of ballet in Cuba, going back to the 19th century, through the beginnings of the present company, in 1948 before the Revolution: Alicia Alonso -Cuban National Ballet's director-, Fernando Alonso, and Alberto Alonso, the founders. I also chose to tell the stories of the new Cubans. The young ones are doing two very important things: they are keeping Cuban culture alive at a time that is very difficult, because Cuba has gone through a lot, and is going through a lot. And yet, here you have this art form that is so beautiful, thriving.

It interested me that people like Lorena and Lorna Feijoo are leading dancers of the San Francisco Ballet and the Boston Ballet. Every major American company has Cuban principals and Cuban teachers. At the same time as all of us Cuban writers and artists are trying to maintain our own identity, there is a dialog going on: we are also shaping the culture of the country we now call home.

American culture today is Hispanic-accented, and our particular Hispanic influence is a source of pride. We are making a major contribution to American culture."

Octavio Roca's book, Cuban Ballet, with forewords by Alicia Alonso and Mikhail Baryshnikov, is available for purchase now.

Tags Alicia Alonso, arts, Ballet, blogger: Vanessa Beatriz Soto, Boston Ballet, Cuba, Cuban Ballet, Dance, Hispanic Heritage Month, Lorena Feijoo, Lorna Feijoo, Mikhail Bayshnikov, Octavio Roca, San Francisco Ballet

By Michael Lopez

Think you’ve mastered the art of baile? If so, you may want to head to Puerto Rico in the next few weeks. The island just announced dates for its 15th annual Salsa Congress event.

Over 30,000 dancers are expected to attend the international competition. And don't think that salsa moves are just reserved for Latin America. Competitors from Australia and Europe are eager to slip into their dancing shoes and hit the floor too.

"La idea de sacar a los visitantes es para que conozcan cómo se baila en la calle y se vive la pasión del baile en festivales, fiestas patronales y en la Isla," organizer Eli Irizarry explained. "Puerto Rico necesita eventos como éstos. La música, sobre todo lo salsa, es perfecta para lograrlo. Por eso sé que al igual que cada año, el evento será un éxito absoluto."

2010's champs, Carine Morais and Rafael Barros, hailed from Brazil, but they're in for some stiff competition this year. Spain's Adrian Rodriguez and Anita Santos are expected to tear the floor up, as are Puerto Rico's hometown heroes, Kelvin Hernandez and Licelot Maldonado.

Either way, it's expected to be one heck of an event. Outside of the dancing, there will be all-night fiestas, live music from Spanish orchestras, and workshops teaching new salsa fanatics all of the tricks of the trade.

Mark your calendars, the 15th Salsa Congress kicks off July 16.

Are you a fan of salsa dancing? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Dance, Hot Stuff, Puerto Rico, Salsa, Salsa Congress

By Michael Lopez

Remember the Zumba craze from a few years back? You know, the cardio steps and lifts centered around kumbia, salsa, and reggaeton music? Well now it’s become part of the video game world, with the brand new Zumba Fitness set to hit shelves this month!

Image : Zumba Fitness

Created for the Wii, Xbox, and Playstation 3, Zumba Fitness will allow players to use their motion controllers to interact with movements they see onscreen. Similar to Dance Central and the upcoming Michael Jackson game, it’s all focused on the music. There will be an interactive dancer onscreen instructing you to follow their every move (no matter how fast the pace).

One of the more challenging aspects will be trying to make your character keep their neon green color throughout the steps. The more you are in synch with the moves, the brighter you will shine. But make a mistake and your color will turn bright red, indicating danger and even elimination.

Of course that’s just one setting. There is also a straight workout mode, focused strictly on shedding the pounds. And there is supposed to be some multiplayer action too, in which you can compete for the top Zumba prize between your friends. Not a bad way to keep in shape…and have some fun!

Zumba Fitness arrives in stores on November 18.

Source: [Gamespot]

Are you a fan of the Zumba workout? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Dance, Hot Stuff, Música, video games, Xbox, Zumba, Zumba Fitness

By Michael Lopez

For anyone doubting the power of a 3D dance flick, bow down! The release of "Step Up 3D" went way beyond expectations, passing the $30 million mark since opening day (August 6). As dance fans, we've been tagging along for all the parties and red carpet events.

Check out some of the exclusive footage Tr3s got from the “Step Up 3D” premiere at L.A.’s El Capitan theatre. The Argentinian Lombard twins (who were absolute scene stealers) gave us some bilingual insight into their memorable onscreen moments. “We improvised most of our scenes and that was amazing,” they revealed.

Leading man Rick Malambri also stopped by to chat about how grueling the dance process really was. He told us, “We went through a month and a half of six days a week, 10 hours a day. Full on choreography…personal training, weight training, you name it! It was intense.”

Read more...

Tags CineMas Cool, Dance, Exclusive Entrevistas, Movies & CineMás, Party, photo, Photos, Premiere, Premieres, Step Up, Step Up 3D, Video, Videos

By Michael Lopez

"Step Up 3D" is more than a movie, it’s an experience! Imagine perfectly aligned dancers doing kicks, twirls, and tumbles through the screen and right in your face! This week, Blogamole was lucky enough to tag along with a few of the actors, choreographers, and creative masterminds behind this extremely ambitious project.

Rick Malambri and Sharni Vinson attend the world premiere of "Step Up 3D"
held at the El Capitan Theatre on Aug. 2 in Hollywood
photo credit: Getty Images

First up, the glorious pre-release bash (August 1) at the Skybar on the Sunset Strip. Now we know why big studios like to release their movies in the summertime…it's definitely the best season for a premiere party!

"Step Up 3D" pre-party at Skybar in Los Angeles
photo credit: Michael Lopez

A gorgeous twilight, a "Dance Dance Revolution" machine, and when you’ve got "So You Think You Can Dance"'s tWitch in the house, you know some battles are bound to break out! Case in point, this wild showdown right in front of the bar!

tWitch breaks it down
photo credit: Michael Lopez

Then there was the actual premiere: Set at Hollywood’s historic El Capitan Theatre, the Monday event (August 2) brought out the big gun floor stompers.

Legacy at the "Step Up 3D" premiere
photo credit: Michael Lopez

Legacy from the B-Boys, star Alyson Stoner from the original “Step Up”, and Argentinian wonder twins, Martin and Facundo Lombard!

Alyson Stoner at the "Step Up 3D" premiere
photo credit: Michael Lopez

Read more...

Tags CineMas Cool, Dance, Movies & CineMás, Party, photo, Photos, Premiere, Premieres, Step Up, Step Up 3D

If you've gone into dance withdrawal, we've got some serious moves to help your cravings.  Another episode of ABDC is right around the corner on MTV Tr3s.

On Saturday's episode, Season 4 America's Best Dance Crew contestants get a special mission from VMA heavy-hitter Beyonce.   Like other artist-themed episodes of ABDC days gone by, los bailadores are requested to dance to classics from an artist's repertoire.

Here's the itinerary of who is booty shaking to which beat!

RHYTHM CITY "Sweet Dreams"

WE ARE HEROES "Single Ladies"

ARTISTRY IN MOTION "Diva"

VOGUE EVOLUTION "Deja Vu"

AFROBORIKE "Beautiful Liar"

MASSIVE MONKEES "Work It Out"

SOUTHERN MOVEMENT "Jumpin' Jumpin'"

BEAT YA FEET KINGS "Crazy In Love"

Can Afroboriké live up to the hip-shaking prowess of Shakira and the bootyliciousness of Beyonce, or will they get outsassed by Vogue Evolution and line kicked in the ass by Southern Movement?  Will Afroboriké dancer Elisabet Riero's ankle injury hinder the team or will the crew pull through with flying colores?

Don't miss Afroboriké on the next episode of ABDC airing on MTV Tr3s Saturday, August 22nd at 7PM EST.

Catch un mensaje especial from the crew below!

Tags afroborike, America's Best Dance Crew, ankle injury, bailador, baile, Beyonce, capitulo, crew, Dance, elisabet riero, mensaje especial, MTV Tr3s, programa, saturday, Shakira, show, Tres, Video