Houston's New Rockets Dance Team

On October 6, 2017, Tilman Fertitta, chairman of the board of regents at the University of Houston, became the new owner of the Rockets franchise. As the summer of this year, the Rocks has been completely rebranded with a new logo and jerseys. Also including the dance team formerly known as the Houston Rockets Power Dancers. This post will be a pillar page covering the history of the dance team along with their evolution of their looks along with pros and cons of being on a professional team, how to prepare for the audition, and also tips.

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History of RPD

The Rockets Power Dancers have long been fan favorites at Rockets games and in the Greater Houston area for their tremendous energy, hard-hitting routines and love for the game with the help of their coach and former Rockets Power Dancer, Natalie Alvarado. This world-class group of dancers has inspired Rockets fans in rooting for the home team since the 1994-95 season. The team comprised of business professionals and students perform at all home games and at numerous community, corporate and private events. The dancers join with the Rockets players, coaches and business team to help make a difference in the lives of children in the local community. In addition to the time they spend with fans at local events, in recent years, the dancers have been proud to represent the Rockets at the NBA All-Star Game, as well as at international events throughout mainland China, Hong Kong, and many more exciting places. These versatile ladies have been featured on SportsCenter, CNN, Fox and FSN, as well as in Sports Illustrated, Maxim and Complex magazines. The Power Dancers have recently had their audition for the 2019-2020 season and revealed the new members along with a new name, the Clutch City Dancers.

Throughout the years, the dance team has personified women with an edgy and sexy look mainly with a two piece set of a top and hip hugging bottoms along with themed costumes they wear for games with the choreography remaining the same.

"Reliant was the sponsor. With that came the word 'power' being implemented into the name,"entertainment director Natalie Alvarado told the Chronicle."We are moving forward with a championship-caliber team and we want to represent them. Therefore, we renamed the brand," Alvarado said. "We have Clutch the Bear and, now, we have the Clutch City Dancers." I would describe their new look as the girl next door; possible could be another component of rebranding. I have been known about this team for almost two years and I do agree that rebranding is always fresh and exciting but with the electric choreography that they do, the dresses in my opinion are not practical; however, it's still cute!

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The Pros and Cons of a Professional Sports Dance Team

Okay, I'm going to be honest with y'all. I auditioned this past summer for the new Clutch City Dancers but was unfortunately cut after the second round out of three. On the other hand, I did learn a lot of pros and cons of being on an NBA team though the coach. Let's start off with the pros: stating the obvious, that you get to prance around in these cute outfits for every game, you're being paid to do what you love, having the opportunity to travel around the world to experience different cultures and perform at special events, you're able to create a bond with different kinds of intelligent and beautiful women, and lastly to be on the best NBA team in Houston! Now with every rise is a down fall. The only con about spending almost all of your time on this team is that they are only paid minimum wage and every year they decide to re try out and make it, their salery is increased by a dollar. This particular situation has caused a lot of problems within a lot of sports dance teams. Lately, NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings, are slowly eliminating all-female dance squads, which could be a response to pressure for better pay and working conditions.

Now all of us...maybe some, know about the often imitated but never equaled Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. With their famous uniform and their remarkable high kicks, the have became America's team. However not everything is as good as it seems. DCC has a tv show called "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team" broadcasted though CMT. It shows the audition process from picking 36 women out of 500 that show up on the first day of tryouts. Each round becomes more hard and intense, so making the team is a huge honor. In June of 2017, a former DCC, Erica Wilkins, opened up about suing the team for lost wages. She revealed to the New York Post that her annual earnings was around $4,700 after taxes! In the suit, Wilkins claims that the dancers earn less than the mascot, Rowdy, who reportedly makes $65,000 plus commission. Meanwhile, the cheerleaders are "paid $8 per hour for practices — just above minimum wage — and flat rates for games and appearances, such as calendar signings." She’s not the only ex-cheerleader who wants to demand change. Before this incident, five former Houston Texans cheerleaders sued their team for failing to compensate them fully and for creating "a hostile work environment". Former cheerleaders on the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints have also filed similar complaints. It's hard to do something you love when you truly can't be compensated for all the hard work that is put into it. These organizations require so much out of the participants and it is quite unfair to be treated the way these ladies do.

https://nypost.com/2018/06/17/dallas-cowboys-cheerleader-reveals-why-shes-suing-the-team/

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How To Prepare For The CCD Audition

In order to prepare for a team like the Clutch City Dancers, you need to do your research! Just like any other job you apply for, it is necessary to come acclimated with what you plan to get yourself into. For expample, things you should become familiar with are the history of the team and ESPECIALLY Rockets trivia. "We expect anyone applying to know about the organization and the team. We also look for poise confidence, work ethic and the same things any other employer would ask for. It's more than just their dancing abilities. They're applying for a part-time position with the Houston Rockets," Alvarado said to the Chronicle.

Toward the end of the season, the Clutch City Dancers holds a total of four audition prep classes at the University of Houston's recreation and wellness center. It is very important to at least get a taste of what the team is bout and what kind of choreography will be taught the day of the audition and after, take advantage of the opportunities to ask questions for more details about the audition and also make sure to pay attention to any information about the Rockets for they will test your knowledge once you advance into finals. Lastly, eat well, go to a variety of dance classes, and work out! Preparing for an audition physically and mentally is very important. You need to make sure that you are putting healthy and energy boosting foods into your body in order for you to feel light the day of auditions. Going to a variety of dance classes can improve your dance technique and to practice picking up choreography faster because the audition pieces are only taught in 15 minutes! Working out is essential in preparing for any dance audition. It is critical for build your stamina in order to considered for a spot in the next round and eventually on the team.

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Tips For The Day Of The Audition

Now there is no secret formula to this. I have asked this question a lot and received the same answer each time:

1. Believe in yourself

2. Calm down

3. Exude with confidence

4. Smile

5. Have fun!

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In closing, rebranding is always for the better. I hope that dancers and viewers of this post can continue to shed light on the mistreatment of compensation because we are just as important to creating a lively environment for any kind of event. If only everyone appreciated dancers like Missy Elliott, “When y’all get on the stage with these artists, y’all are not just props. Y’all are the icing on the cake, y’all are the beat to the heart."