Get These Dance Films and TV Shows On Your Radar Now

Photo credit: Courtesy of Lifetime

Dance is busting at the seams on television this summer, thanks to World of Dance and So You Think You Can Dance. Well, widen your belt buckle because there is more coming your way, not only on TV, but also on film.

Here are some dance shows and films to get on your radar.

Photo credit: Katie Kauss

1. So Sharp: Lifetime is always looking for companion shows for Dance Moms and it has found its next star, Todd Sharp. He’s the coach of the University of Louisville Dance Team, the Ladybirds. After watching a preview episode, I know that viewers are going to love his flair and one-liners. The ladies from the team add some spice during their confessionals, too. The series premieres on July 26.

2. Step: This documentary was a hot property at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The story follows three seniors on a step dance team at The Baltimore Leadership School for Women who are looking to become the first members of their families to attend college.

SYTYCD fans will remember Blessin Giraldo, who auditioned for the show earlier this year. Her step group was invited to perform on the show later this season by Nigel Lythgoe. The film opens on Aug. 4 as a specialty listing, so look for it at your local art-house theaters.

3. Step Up: High Water: The series is currently shooting in Atlanta, but the pilot has already been filmed and directed by Debbie Allen. With executive producers Adam Shankman, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum behind the series, this is guaranteed to make a splash as YouTube Red’s first major big-budget original drama series.

Familiar faces in the cast include dance superstar Jade Chynoweth, World of Dance judge Ne-Yo, Naya Rivera and Faizon Love. The show is expected to debut this fall.

Photo credit: Instagram/High Strung Movie

4. High Strung: Free Dance: High Strung, the 2016 dance film, is getting a sequel! This theatrically released film really caught hold of dance fans when it appeared on Amazon and Netflix. The original cast featured high-wattage talents like Ian Eastwood, Comfort Fedoke and choreographer Dave Scott.

The story continues with a contemporary dancer and a classical pianist winning roles in an international live tour created by a young, hot choreographer. Jane Seymour is back to reprise her role as the contemporary dance teacher, while Desmond Richardson and Juliet Doherty joins the cast along with SYTYCD stars Philip Chbeeb and Makenzie Dustman.

This time around, SYTYCD choreographer Tyce Diorio is tackling the dance numbers with help from Myles Thatcher of the San Francisco Ballet and Bollywood expert and SYTYCD fave, Nakul Dev Mahajan.

High Strung: Free Dance, currently filming in Europe and then New York City, is set for a 2018 release.

Don’t miss Dance Network and Popcorn Talk’s latest episode of ‘To The Pointe With Kristyn Burtt’ featuring ‘World of Dance’ contestants from The Lab with director Valerie Ramirez.

Article originally published on Dance Network.

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