So You Think You Can Dance Canada's impressive Montreal auditions

CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada (SYTYCDC) will reveal its top 20 performers on Tuesday night, July 5 (8 p.m.). But a few days ago we finally got to see the Montreal auditions, which took place back in November at the Theatre St. Denis.

Quebec is known for its strong ballroom tradition, producing SYTYCDC alumni Francis Lafrenière and Claudia Primeau, Danny Arbour, Vincent Desjardins, Yonni Fournier and of course season one winner Nico Archambault. The fact that Dance began airing in June this year pretty much nails the final coffin in Canadian Idol, which has still never been officially cancelled by CTV.

Ballroom dancer extraordinaire Jean-Marc Genereux was in the judge’s chair along with Blake McGrath, Luther Brown, Tre Armstrong and guest judge Mary Murphy. The one hour episode was extremely well edited and included some great performances.

West Islander Jenny Dailey was back for the third time. Her twin sister Jayme Rae finished in the top four two years ago. Jenny did not make the cut again last year in a heartbreaking moment in which Genereux encouraged her not to give up. Well she is back and I have to believe this time the judges will pass her through. Then it is up to the Canadian viewers.

JP Dubé was another interesting candidate. They showed him juggling, driving a unicycle and of course dancing. I am pulling for him as well. Check out his audition here.

Isabelle Lefebvre was shown with an interesting cheerleader: her mom, dressed in a real clown outfit. Yes her mom is a professional clown like you see in the circus. Isabelle presented something unusal- something called tribal fusion. It combines belly dance with flamenco, Bollywood, Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance) and popping."If I'm a little caught up because you're so cute and beautiful I still have to do a job and my job is to say you are frickin' good," said Genereux.

For some comic relief, 56 year old one-time USA Olympic heavyweight boxer Milford Kemp was given some stage time. Attired in a cowboy outfit, his performance was indeed good for a few laughs.

Tune in Monday, July 4 at 8 p.m. for a two hour episode, followed Tuesday by the unveiling of the top 20.

Log on to www.dance.ctv.ca for many more details.