0:00:02 > 0:00:03Previously on The Next Step...
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Guess what? Elite snuck into another Regionals and won,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09which means they're coming to Nationals.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10What is going on, Amanda?
0:00:10 > 0:00:12I'm still at Elite.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15I can't believe that Amanda did this to us.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Who are those girls? LOD is Life of Dance.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22Yeah, they're definitely going to be our competition at Nationals.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36I can't believe it's almost Nationals.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41So much has changed at The Next Step since we won Regionals.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48The drama Amanda has caused, it almost tore the team apart.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49You feel ready?
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Yeah.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55But we got through it and now we're stronger than ever.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00All right. Well, the bus is waiting. So, let's go to Nationals.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03We're going to Nationals and we're going to win.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21We are arriving at Nationals and I couldn't be more excited.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26Everybody talks about it all year long and now we're finally here.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Wow, Miss Kate, there's so many more teams here
0:01:28 > 0:01:29than there were at Regionals.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Well, of course. It's every Regionals winning dance team.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35There were 32 teams at Regionals, 64 at Nationals.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38All of the winning teams at every region in the country
0:01:38 > 0:01:42come to Nationals. It's double the amount of teams.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45And by the end of the first round, half of them will be gone.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Every round at Nationals is an elimination round.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50And the first round is male soloist.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54If your male soloist doesn't win, then your whole team is going home.
0:01:54 > 0:01:55Kate! Bonjour.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58That French accent again.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01I want to wish you and your team a great best of luck this week
0:02:01 > 0:02:04at the competition. Eh?
0:02:04 > 0:02:07I just have to hold it in.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Bonjour, everybody. Good luck to you.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Hey, team.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12I do feel weird seeing The Next Step again.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15I didn't think they would qualify for Nationals after I left them
0:02:15 > 0:02:17with only nine dancers.
0:02:17 > 0:02:18I guess I underestimated them.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Hi, uh, I'm Kate. This is Phoebe.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Uh, we're here to sign in for The Next Step.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25OK, uh, form's right here
0:02:25 > 0:02:29and who will be your volunteers for the scavenger hunt?
0:02:29 > 0:02:31I'm sorry. What scavenger hunt?
0:02:31 > 0:02:34You could pick three of you and if you complete all the tasks
0:02:34 > 0:02:36on the list, you get tickets to tonight's Shawn Desman concert.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Shawn Desman!
0:02:40 > 0:02:44So, like, can anyone do the scavenger hunt for the team?
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- You have to be on the team. - Right. No. Obviously.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52But like, chaperones, teachers, owners, sisters?
0:02:52 > 0:02:53No.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58I want to do the scavenger hunt, but, apparently, I'm too old.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Whatever.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Great, thank you. All right, who's going to do it?
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- Yeah, I'll do it.- Great. - I guess I'll do it too.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- Three amigos! Perfect. There you go. - Sweet.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16I don't think Elite is the team we need to be worrying about.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18It's LOD. They won Nationals last year.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22LOD stands for Life of Dance,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24but everyone calls them Ladies of Destruction.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27They basically destroy the competition.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29They only have one male dancer and it's just
0:03:29 > 0:03:31so they can go through the male solo round.
0:03:31 > 0:03:32To the registration desk!
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Oh. Whoa. You all right?
0:03:41 > 0:03:43We were up against great studios at Regionals
0:03:43 > 0:03:45but the studios here at Nationals
0:03:45 > 0:03:48are ten times better. The competition is fierce.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Welcome to the 17th annual Absolute Dance National Championships.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41I'm your host, Chuck Anderson, alongside my esteemed
0:04:41 > 0:04:45colleague, Tre Armstrong, who's no stranger to these circumstances.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Having been in this arena before as a dancer and a judge,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51it's really awesome to be here just enjoying the show.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Tre Armstrong is a very big deal in the dance world.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56I mean, she's a phenomenal choreographer and dancer.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00She's worked with people like Jay-Z, Ludacris, and even Rihanna.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02How about the dancers at this very moment.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04What are they feeling right now?
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Well, over the next few days, they're going to be in
0:05:06 > 0:05:09pins and needles. They're going to be up and down emotionally
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and I hope that they didn't eat too much of a big breakfast,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13because they got to keep it down.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Let's get to the nuts and bolts of this competition.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Of course, six rounds.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21Male solos, then it goes to small group, duets, female solos,
0:05:21 > 0:05:26semifinals and then the battle for the Absolute Dance trophy.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28It's as simple as this, folks. It's one off.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31They go up against each other. The winner moves on, the loser...
0:05:31 > 0:05:34that dancer and his team go home.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Settle in. We're going to be here for five days.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39It's going to be a long journey but it's going to be a dandy.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Let's get this party started. Let's go to the stage right now.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44We're joined by Shawn and Sandra.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46APPLAUSE
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Welcome, ladies and gentleman,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55to our 17th Absolute Dance National Championships.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58We've got some amazing talent over the next few days.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01And we've got a special guest performance from our own
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Shawn Desman, performing at the Welcome Nationals.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10All right, though. Let's kick it off with our male soloists.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14I'm so excited to get on stage.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16I can't wait for that adrenaline,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18but my solo isn't until tomorrow.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23I guess that'll give me some time to go and check out the competition.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25And now we have our first male solo of the day.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Joanne Chapman School of Dance.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Let's see how he does!
0:06:29 > 0:06:33# When this sky just won't stop falling
0:06:33 > 0:06:39# When the world can't hear you calling now... #
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- He's pretty good.- Yeah.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45He's actually won Mr National Soloist last year.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- No way!- Yeah.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50So is the female competition just as fierce?
0:06:51 > 0:06:53You bet.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03Watching the male soloist round, is extremely intimidating.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06There are some phenomenal dancers here.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09I mean, we have great dancers too, but I don't know
0:07:09 > 0:07:11if it's going to be enough.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25Right now, we're doing our first mission for the scavenger hunt.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Basically, what we have to do, is to find this
0:07:27 > 0:07:30certain seat in the auditorium and take a picture.
0:07:30 > 0:07:3814, 13, 12, 11, 10... Tess.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Hello.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Of course, Tess and Amanda are in the exact seat that we need to
0:07:44 > 0:07:46take a picture in.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- I mean, of course. - You have to move.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- Why would I move? - So we can get a photo in the seat.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52I'm not moving.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54You know, she's just afraid that we'll
0:07:54 > 0:07:56take their spotlight at the party.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- Tess, just move.- Why? - It's fine.- No.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01You don't want them to make it to the party, do you?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03I mean, the party's just supposed to be fun.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06We don't need to mess with The Next Step all the time.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- So, you're not going to move?- No. - I'm done arguing with her.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12If she's not going to move, she doesn't have to move.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15But I'm still going to get my picture.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- OK, here we go. - All right. Yes. Work that.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23- Yes. Angle. Yes. All right, we got it.- Let's go, let's go.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Thank you so much, Tess. I really appreciate it.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31It's actually pretty funny seeing Emily on Tess' lap.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33I wish I had a copy of the picture.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47All right, all right. Number six.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Find a rack of costumes.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52OK. I think we got it.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54The scavenger hunt is going really well.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56I couldn't have asked for better partners than West and Giselle.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59I mean, they're so fun.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00- Oh, it's a riddle.- OK.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Basically, we have to figure out this riddle
0:09:03 > 0:09:06and we have to put the costume on and take a picture.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09This person keeps his sandwiches in a launch box.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- Launch box?- OK, don't worry. I got this. I got this.
0:09:12 > 0:09:18- OK, go for it.- Launch... launch box. Lau... launch box!
0:09:18 > 0:09:20He's a Frenchman.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22I'm really good at riddles in general.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- Nope.- No.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28It's like... launch. You go launch box.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33Oh, guys! Like an astronaut. Launch.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Oh! Launch box.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Astronaut. Of course. I knew that.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- Oh, right here. - Oh, there it is. Haha, sweet.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47That is the ugliest costume I've ever seen.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Which one of you two is putting it on, then?
0:09:52 > 0:09:53- BOTH:- You.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56I don't think I should be the one to put on the costume.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01I mean, that costume is not flattering. Nor clean.
0:10:01 > 0:10:02- Uh, no.- Awe, come on.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Does it look like a ballerina...
0:10:06 > 0:10:09You're putting on this astronaut costume.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11I agreed to put on the costume because West is always saying
0:10:11 > 0:10:14that you have to try new things.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17And who knows, maybe it'll be fun.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20I feel like Emily is a completely changed person.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Recently, she's been more happy and just more fun to be around.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28You know, she's actually really cool. You know, I like it.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- So... oh, oh.- Oh.- Come on.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33The next task is pretty easy.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35We just have to figure out this riddle and find a costume
0:10:35 > 0:10:36and put it on.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Although Emily looks like she's struggling a little bit.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Gloves.- Let them eat cake?
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- Marie Antoinette. - Oh. Perfect.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49- Yes! You're looking fab.- Got to go full out.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Guys, I just got a text. Max's dance is coming up next.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54I got to go.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57I like to think to myself as a level-headed person
0:10:57 > 0:11:01but if Amanda gets to see Shawn Desman and I don't...
0:11:01 > 0:11:02I'm going to scream.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17Now Elite lost region seven against The Next Step. We remember that.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20We thought it was the end of the line for them but no, not the case.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23They moved on to another region and then qualified,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26taking advantage of a loophole in the rules.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27Absolutely. And you know, Chuck,
0:11:27 > 0:11:32the dance captain actually used to be with The Next Step, so I hear.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Elite, opening up their run
0:11:34 > 0:11:37here at the Absolute Dance National Championships.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I'm really curious to see Elite's performance.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45I mean, their soloist, Max, wins at Nationals every year.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01But, soft. What light through yonder window breaks?
0:12:04 > 0:12:08It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Who is already sick and pale with grief,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19That thou her maid art far more fair than she.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Be not her maid, since she is envious.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- Is this Max from Elite?- Yeah.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Her vestal livery is but sick and green.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32Max's solo is particularly amazing especially because he's
0:12:32 > 0:12:36kind of communicating with his whole body and his facials, as well.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39And none but fools do wear it, cast it off.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42It's just he's a lot better than I expected.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44It is my lady, O, it is my love!
0:12:46 > 0:12:48O, that she knew she were!
0:12:48 > 0:12:51She speaks yet she says nothing. What of that?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Her eye discourses, I will answer it.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Max kind of has a little bit of Daniel
0:12:57 > 0:12:59and a little bit of Eldon in his dancing.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05He's graceful like Daniel but has the power of Eldon at the same time.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07It makes for a really good combination.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Having some business, do entreat her eyes,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- What if her eyes were there, they in her head?- He's good.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
0:13:23 > 0:13:27As daylight doth a lamp, her eyes in heaven.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Would through the airy region stream so bright,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32That birds would sing and think it were not night.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
0:13:41 > 0:13:43That I might touch that cheek!
0:13:49 > 0:13:53APPLAUSE
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- That was really dramatic. Fantastic. - Wow.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Man, I don't know how the judges pick the winner
0:13:59 > 0:14:05and now that the entire losing team has to go home, this is insane.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08And the winning team, the male soloist,
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Representing Region 17 moving his team forward to small group
0:14:12 > 0:14:15is Elite.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27It would have been nice if someone else eliminated Elite for us,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30but I'm not surprised. They came back even stronger than before.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45I'm down for this photo, too.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Whoa.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Right now, we have to get a photo with Shawn Desman.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53And this is the last mission on this scavenger hunt.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55We really got to make this happen.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Is this the line?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Yeah, this is totally the line.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02There's no way Shawn Desman's going to get through this whole
0:15:02 > 0:15:05line before his concert starts. It's impossible.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07We have to think of something.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10If we don't make it to this party, we'll never live it down.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- Oh, I just got a crazy idea.- What? - What if I acted like a celebrity?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15I'm pretty sure we can get to the front of the line.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17OK, that is a crazy idea.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19What? Celebrities talk to celebrities all the time.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- It's not happening, West. - I love it. I think it's genius.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- Let's do it.- What?- All right.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26I think West's idea is brilliant.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30I mean, if we play it right and pull out our best acting abilities,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32this could save us a lot of time.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36The fact that Emily agreed with it and she wants to go for it...
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I mean, it's pretty good to have someone on your side.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- Let's do it.- All right, take that off. Gather close.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44OK, let's do it.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47If we're going to make this work, we're going to need a costume.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50You know, something interesting.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57I can't believe people are just letting us borrow their clothes.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00This idea might actually work.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02You're The Compass. Recording artist. You're amazing.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- You're his fan. Security.- OK.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- OK, cool. - On three, hands in.
0:16:07 > 0:16:08One, two, three.
0:16:08 > 0:16:14Back it up, ladies. It's Compass.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- Too kind, thank you.- Everyone! Compass, Compass, Compass.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22All right, everybody. I need silence.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Hey, Shawn. How's it going? It's The Compass.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29You know I'm in town. You know, you probably don't recognise me
0:16:29 > 0:16:30cos of these cool shades.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35Yeah! Yeah, yeah. Compass. Yeah, Compass.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- Excuse me. - How's it going, man?
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Good to see you. You in town...
0:16:40 > 0:16:41Yeah, I'm in town for a couple of shows.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Shawn is completely falling for this. He has no idea who we are.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- Let's get a pic, man. - Yeah, let's do it.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50I'll take a picture. I'll take it.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51Sorry, just me and Compass.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Just me and Shawn, please. Thanks. Back it up.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55Smile.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59I don't want to admit it but West is actually pretty smart.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Good to see you, man.- Take care, man.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- Have fun with those autograph signings.- Bye, Shawn! Bye!
0:17:04 > 0:17:05Bye.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Having completed the task is the best feeling.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10I think the team is going to be so excited
0:17:10 > 0:17:12and we're going to have so much fun tonight.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Right now, we're all just hanging out at the Nationals party
0:17:25 > 0:17:27before Shawn Desman comes to perform.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30I'm so happy Emily, Giselle and West got the tickets.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I can't believe The Next Step showed up considering
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- they're the weakest team here. Right, Amanda?- Um, sure.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40I know I've messed with The Next Step before,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43but now we're at Nationals and I just want to win fair and square.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48You know, Tess, I'm pretty sure we already beat you so, bye-bye now.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- Run along. - Whatever. Let's go, Amanda.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- Bye, guys.- I'm happy that Emily, West and I were able
0:17:54 > 0:17:56to come through for everybody.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59But I'm even happier that we get to see Shawn Desman in concert.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Ladies and gentleman, Shawn Desman.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11HE SINGS
0:18:17 > 0:18:20After seeing how tough the competition is, this concert
0:18:20 > 0:18:22is exactly what we need to relax.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26HE SINGS
0:18:39 > 0:18:42I gave Emily a hug because, you know, if it wasn't for us,
0:18:42 > 0:18:47then our team wouldn't be here at this welcome party.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Most dancers will never experience what we're experiencing right now.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54It's incredible. I'm pumped. I'm ready to just... kill it.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Yo, Eldon is amazing.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08And I feel bad for anybody that has to go up against him tomorrow.
0:19:08 > 0:19:16HE SINGS
0:19:22 > 0:19:26Dancing at this party is... it's just so fun.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32You know what I like about Nationals?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34This is where greatness happens.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39HE SINGS
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Not going to lie.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01I'm definitely intimidated by some of the teams that are here,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03but it's OK.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05It just makes us stronger.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Nationals is just a whole other level.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17It's so much bigger than we could have ever imagined.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I have dreamed of coming to Nationals my entire life
0:20:26 > 0:20:28and now I'm here.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30HE SINGS
0:20:37 > 0:20:40We have been through so much as a group together.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41It's really been a ride.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50My adrenaline is just pumping.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54But tomorrow, Nationals is going to see what The Next Step can do.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57APPLAUSE