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Last year, I was invited to attend an
awards show in Miami. I recognized the
name DanceStar and knew they did a very
prestigious show each year in London,
but was expecting a small ceremony, reminiscent
perhaps of a high school graduation...
I think my mouth was open in amazement
the entire time. The DanceStar people
don't fool around! This was a full-fledged,
Academy Awards quality extravaganza! The
shows were some of the best I've ever
seen (the Funky Green Dogs had the crowd
on its feet cheering and laughing at the
singer's antics) and everyone was dancing
during Grandmaster Flash's closing DJ
set. Roger Sanchez and Kelis did an amazing
job hosting, and the presenters and nominees
were a positive who's who of American
dance music.
So when the invite came for this year's
DanceStar USA awards, I jumped on it!
Not only is this year's show set to be
bigger with more awards, its bound to
be even better (if that's possible) as
its taking place on a specially built
stage right on the beach in Miami Beach,
Florida. The awards take place Wednesday
19th March, 2003 with doors opening at
7:00pm - if you're going, make sure to
arrive early to catch the melee of celebrities
coming down the red carpet! This year's
performers include live performances by
Oakenfold, Dirty Vegas, Oscar G &
Ralph Falcon ft. OBA Frank Lord, Iio,
DJ Sammy, Telepopmusik and more... DJ
for the night will be last year's sensational
DanceStar USA Best Radio DJ winner Liquid
Todd from 92.3 K-Rock, New York. You can
buy tickets ($20 to $60) online
here.
UPDATED: P-Diddy will
be performing his new dance music single
live with Kelis, and Oakenfold will be
forming as a band too!
Roger Sanchez, who hosted last year's
award show, originally was just going
to leads off the awards presenters this
year, but now has been announced as co-hosting
once again, this time with actors Juliette
Lewis and Roselyn Sanchez (no relation
to Roger). A few days ago, Roger answered
a few of my questions via email while
on the road in Brazil:
Jennifer: At last year's
DanceStar USA Awards, you were one of
the main two hosts: what was that experience
like?
Roger Sanchez: it was definitely
very cool. i have presented shows 4 mtv,
but this was my first award show. i didn't
get nervous, but it was hectic!
Is there anything you learned from
last year that will make this year different?
i'll be presenting an award, but not
the show... lots easier! : )
What kind of effect (like recognition
from the public or professionally), if
any, did you notice after presenting at
last year's DanceStar awards?
i got lots of compliments, but it hasn't
necessarily changed much
What's your favorite and least parts
of music awards shows?
the best parts are that everyone u know
& some u don't are usually there & that's
cool, unfortunately sometimes the award
aren't exactly accurate as 2 who they
are given 2!
You just won a Grammy for Best Remix,
and the same remix is nominated for the
2003 DanceStar Award for Best Remix! You've
posted a lot about the experience on your
releaseyourself.com
message board, but if you had to sum it
up in three words or less, what was it
like?
surprising, amazing & hella good! ; )
Thanks Roger!!!!
Don't miss Iio performing live at the
2nd annual DanceStar USA on Wednesday
March 19th on the sands of Miami Beach,
Florida. They are also in the running
for the prestigious Record of the Year
Awards for "Rapture (Tastes So Sweet)".
Read our full Iio interview
here.
Next week we'll have our interview with
Saeed & Palash, nominated for "Best
Breakthrough DJ". You can find a
complete list of nominees on the dancestar.com
website.
Check back at Raves.com the week after
the show - we'll also have lots of photos
and video from the red carpet and backstage
with the winners!
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