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Ni Hao Shijazhuang!

Upon my arrival in Hong Kong, the NBA presented me with a special request for my presence in Shijazhuang and Xiamen. This was a last minute grass root tour of these two cities in China. After a few days in Hong Kong consulting on the production and giving feedback on ways to improve, my life was back on another plane headed to China. I met with the NBA CREW in Beijing and immediately boarded a van for a 4 hour ride to Shijazhuang. We were greeted with so many fans! At two different venues, I spent a few hours watching the girls dance, giving my professional comments, and YES ME PERFORMING SOLO for all these fans. What an exhilarating experience to perform for the crowds and watch the girls wanting to be like an NBA Dancer.

In between these two venues I was escorted to a VIP ROOM, which turned out to be a Karaoke Room. Once again I sang with my NBA CREW our favorite songs (while we were waiting for the opening of the show). One in particular, which translates into “You Are My Superstar,” has become a ritual for us. It has one English phrase in it and that is my solo! I may not just become a Dance Star in China, I might become a Karaoke Star as well. HAHAHA

At an outside venue, hundreds of fans crowded around to watch. They chanted my name when introduced. It was overwhelming. After my performance, more autograph signing and photo sessions with the fans.

Then it was back in the van and on the road to Beijing. What a late night! Also I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to be back to the hotel and lay my head on my comfortable pillow.

Ni Hao Xiaman!

After a few refreshing hours of sleep, the NBA CREW was whisking me off to another exciting day. We were off to the Beijing Airport to board a plane to Xiaman. This is the city where the next show taping of “Dance Passion” will be held next week, and so today we will start managing the last grass roots event in this region. The girls who advance at this event will be one step closer to making it on the show.

We landed, checked in the nice hotel, and then attended the first event which was an outside festival filled with food tents and hundreds of people. Once again the girls performed, and I gave comments and advice as well as eagerly performed another SOLO. The crowd was amazing, and the photographers were everywhere! I finished with an autogrpah session for the fans. Long day, so China Style KFC in the hotel was our evening meal!

The next morning was all about teaching a training camp and giving feedback and input on their routines that they had been working on for days.

After a morning filled with dance, the NBA CREW surprised me again and took me to a “gourmet lunch” (Pizza Hut) on the 26th floor that over looked the beautiful Bay area. This was no ordinary Pizza Hut. The menu was so extensive, the view was breath taking, and the company was so pleasurable. Cathy and Doudou are part of my NBA CREW that are making this experience so memorable.

That evening I was taken back to the same festival to judge the finals of the competition. This was a HUGE production, dancing kids dressed as Tsingtao Bottles, B-Ballers showcasing their tricks, and of course the girls and I performed. The crowd was overwhelming!

After judging for hours, taking photos, taping press interviews, and signing some autographs, it was time to call it a day, but not until I tried the local delicacies, satay squid on a stick. Chowing down these tasty choices in the back of the car on the way back to the hotel was different but memorable. I longed for my comfortable pillow. I knew that I had to catch an early flight back to Hong Kong, but I also knew that I was gonna have a few days of rest.

Signing off for now.

Until Next Time,

SHANON