Grizzlies to hold regional tryouts for 2008-09 Dance Team; inviting fans to name the team
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Memphis, April 11, 2008 – For the first time this summer, the Grizzlies will be taking the search for their 2008-09 dance team beyond Memphis. In addition to local tryouts in Memphis, through the month of June the Grizzlies will be traveling to Jackson, MS, Nashville and Little Rock searching for talented dancers to help comprise next season’s dance team. Fans also have the chance to select a new name for the Grizzlies Dance Team.
“Our goal is to make the Grizzlies Dance Team the premier squad in the NBA, and to achieve that goal we want to see as many potential dancers as possible,” said Grizzlies Dance Team Choreographer Tamara Moore. “We know there are lots of talented dancers throughout the region, and this is their opportunity to be discovered and get a chance at the NBA.”
The first audition will take place in Jackson, MS, on Wednesday June 4 at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. The Grizzlies will then hold an audition in Nashville on Saturday, June 7, with the location to be announced closer to the date. The final out-of-town audition will be in Little Rock on Wednesday, June 11 at the Apostolic Activity Center at 6 p.m. For each audition, there will be a pre-audition class dancers can take the night prior. Find locations, times and other details for each class.
Memphis dancers will then have their shot on Saturday, June 14, at the Methodist Healthcare Practice Facility at FedExForum beginning at 9 a.m.
Dancers interested in auditioning should see the full list of additional classes and workshops they can attend in advance of the auditions, what to bring to the auditions and the requirements of the position. They can also call the Dance Team Hotline at (901) 205-1411, or send an e-mail.
Once the first round of auditions is finished, select dancers from each of the regional auditions and the Memphis audition will take part in the finals on Thursday, June 19 at Bluesville at Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, MS at 7 p.m. The final audition is open to the public. The 2008-09 Grizzlies Dance Team will then make their public debut at the Grizzlies NBA Draft Party at FedExForum on Thursday, June 26.
In addition, the team is holding a contest inviting fans to submit names for the dance team. Beginning today fans can submit their entries online. On June 16, the Grizzlies will select the top entries, and fans can vote on their favorite. The new name for the Grizzlies Dance Team will be revealed at the Draft Party on June 26.
The fan who submits the winning entry will receive a pair of Grizzlies season tickets for 2008-09, and dinner with the entire Grizzlies dance team.