Check out Shane’s pics for Just for Kix

http://justforkix.com

/Via – www.aol.com – by Jodi Piepkorn

Emmy award nominated choreographer Shane Sparks is one of the most talented and sought after choreographers working in the entertainment industry today. Shane continues to star as a judge on the hit MTV series “Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew,” executive produced by the “American Idol” judge, which is now going on its fourth season.

Shane was best known as a judge for and now can still be seen choreographing the contestants on the hit FOX TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” where he was nominated for an Emmy award for Best Choreography in 2008. This fall, Shane will be co-choreographing the musical “DREAMGIRLS” bringing his flavor to the stage and to theatergoers around the world.

Who are some of your favorite designers?
I love Levis, Laguna Beach Jean Co., Mondo, Christian Audigier, Nike, especially Uptowns, aka Air Force Ones. Also, Billionaire Mafia and I’m a big fan of Armani briefs!

Tell us the last 3 songs you downloaded.
Jeremiah’s new CD, Pleasure P’s new album (Introduction to Marcus Cooper) and “Death of Autotune,” by Jay Z.

Who do you look to for inspiration?
God, and everything around me. Movies are my favorite sources of inspiration.

Which crew from ABDC has the best style? What makes it the best?
I’ll have to say We are Heroes and Rhythm City. These two crews have their own identity and they’re multi talented, not just stuck on one genre of dance. Plus, they dance from the heart.

You have a natural flair for street style and I see you indulge in an array of hats… ever think about introducing hats to the S Style collection? If so, when and where can we buy it? Oh, and will we ever see you without your signature lid?
You’ll be seeing gear very soon!!! I just finished my dance DVD called “Shane’s Dance Stylez,” and you’ll see some of my gear there. You’ll also be able to purchase it soon. If you go to my new website shanesparks.com. I’m not wearing a hat in any if my pictures, and my site will be launching soon!!

Blackberry or iPhone?
Iphone!

/Via http://www.gendance.com

The Master of Choreography and the big man on ABDC campus sat down with the trendsetting publishers of gendance to give you this long-awaited interview. You love his style and now’s your chance to get inside his soul. Listen up as we give our loyal next gen readers across the globe… a little bit of Shane Sparks’ spunk.

Growing up in Cincinnati, how did dance come into your life?
Dance was everything… I remember going to see Breakin’ for the first time. That movie changed my life forever.

We’ve been highlighting cross country moves with stories from NY to LA, LA to NY. Why did you decide to make the move to LA?
Actually, when I decided to come to LA, I was in a singing group called Cold Premier. At the time we were trying to get a record deal. We got one and lost it. So we decided to come back to LA to get another deal, or save the one we had, but it didn’t work. I told my mom I was gonna be back in 3 weeks and I never went back! Except to visit. It was the best decision I ever made.

We just got back from LA and love the vibe over there. But here’s a question for the fun of it… who would win in a dance battle: the boys from You Got Served or the Jabbawockeez?
That’s a good question… I would have to say no comment because there are some sick boys in Vegas. Also, it depends on what boys we’re talking about. Some, the Jabbawockeez would smash and some would give the Jabbas a run for their money; but until I see the battle, we’ll never know.

True. So, tell us, what kind of clothing are you designing these days? Does your style and choreography influence the threads?
Right now, in terms of clothing, I’m doing something sexy for the ladies and something hood (but classy) for the fellas. We can’t wear baggy jeans forever… even though I will. LOL!

Now that you’re on your 4th season of judging ABDC, which crews have made a lasting impression on you?
Of course Jabba! Fanny Pack, Super Crew and last season, I think Beat Freaks changed the game!

As a kid, were you a big fan of Transformers? How do things outside of the dance realm influence your choreography and pieces like your SYTYCD Transformers?
I am 90% influenced by movies and TV. As long as there are movies like Transformers and The Matrix, I’ll always blow your mind.

Do you think reality dance shows are good exposure for performers?
Of course, absolutely. 100%.

What advice do you have for aspiring dancers?
I always tell dancers to first perfect your craft as much as you can. Believe in yourself enough to not sell out. There’s a place for all of us. We just have to be patient. If you put your efforts into something for good it will always be rewarding. Most importantly, respect everyone. You never know who they are. This dance world is small.

So true. We hear that and back you up on it. You never know who you’ll be sitting next to in your next meeting or audition. In that case, since we’re sitting next to you, tell our readers why you’re a dance icon.
Maybe it’s because I dance from the heart. I’m true to this game and I worked my butt off! I respect the dance world and my main goal is to change the world for all us dancers.

Besides dance, you love…
My life, my mom, and Jesus Christ!

Emmy-nominated Shane Sparks co-choreographs “Dreamgirls” which hits the legendary Apollo Theatre with preview performances on November 7, 2009.

Los Angeles, CA (August 18, 2009) – Emmy-nominated choreographer Shane Sparks is set to bring his hip hop flare to the stage with Dreamgirls. Preview performances of this highly anticipated show begin November 7, 2009, with an official opening on November 22, 2009 at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY. The show will run at the Apollo for only four weeks, until December 6, 2009, before moving on to Baltimore, MD for the start of the tour. The show is then scheduled to play in cities throughout the U.S.

Regarding his involvement with the show, Sparks shares, “I’m very happy to be a part of something with so much history behind it. The movie ‘Dreamgirls’ had such an impact on me. I had the opportunity to see the original show and it blew me away and influenced my direction for the new version of the show I am working on now. I feel so privileged to be a part of this production and being from the hip hop world, I thank the production for welcoming me. It has been a life-changing event for my career.”

Shane Sparks is a star and judge on MTV’s hit dance TV show, “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew.” His choreography can also be seen on FOX’s hot dance TV series, “So You Think You Can Dance,” which just finished up its fifth season, with a sixth season to come this fall.

Dreamgirls is produced by John Breglio and the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. and directed and co-choreographed by Robert Longbottom. The show will star Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, and Moya Angela as Effie White. For more information on the show, please visit www.dreamgirlsonstage.com.

5 Questions For Shane Sparks

Even though I’m less than 24 hours out from the “So You Think You Can Dance” finale, I am already suffering from withdrawal. My toes keep tapping, I try to vault myself over tables and I keep waiting for my boss to praise my work with a hot tamale scream. Clearly, I’m in a bad way.

Thankfully, I won’t have to suffer for long. “America’s Best Dance Crew” krumps its way back into my life on Sunday, bringing with it J.C. Chasez, Lil Mama and Shane Sparks, who continue their quest to find the next Quest Crew.
I caught up with the in-demand choreographer as one of his shows wrapped up and the next one took the stage to talk about the evolution of “ABDC,” how important a crew’s name is and if he ever disagrees with America’s choices.

PopWrap: Four seasons in two years, did you think “ABDC” would be this successful coming in?

Shane Sparks: When I heard what this show was about, it was like me creating my own show — this is my heart. It’s the root of me. I grew up battling, so I knew that if we gave people the real deal, it would be the hottest show on television.

PW: What does being in a crew teach you about dance that being a solo artist can’t?
Shane: When you have the extra minds, the extra bodies to work with, it opens up a whole other world of dance. If you don’t think of something, one of them will. If you come up with an idea, they’ll enhance it. There is nothing better than walking into a room backed by four other guys and knowing you could rip the stage at any moment.

PW: How important is the right crew name?

Shane: Success has nothing to do with the name. Being sick is what defines your crew. If what you’re doing is sick, your name will be sick. U2, dumb name. Red Hot Chili Peppers, dumb name. But those groups are so big that when you heard their names, you love it. If your group is dope, your name is dope.

PW: There’s a “Best of ABDC” episode before the premiere. What are the routines you’d have put on that list? Shane: I loved when Fanny Pack did the Missy Elliot piece, Live in Color’s vampire skit, Beat Freaks robotic routine in the white outfits and when Quest Crew was on the piano in the finale, that put them into the stratosphere!

PW: The quality of contestants last season was insane, how do you think that’s going to affect this year’s crews?

Shane: I think once females saw Beat Freaks, one guys saw Beat Freaks, it let them know that they can and should intertwine ladies in their crew if they want to take it to the next level. Those girls gave every other female breaker the confidence to say, we can form a crew and get on this show! At the end of the day, I was hoping they’d win. But in my heart I know that there are other female crews out there that are better! I want a female crew to win “ABDC”!

“America’s Best Dance Crew” premieres Sunday Aug. 9 at 9 pm on MTV