| Dance on Sunset | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Reality |
| Created by | Bryan Leder and Frederick Levy |
| Developed by | Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz |
| Directed by | Paul Casey |
| Starring |
|
| Theme music composer | Cotrell Qualls and Jamie Newman |
| Opening theme | Move byMenudo |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Production location | Nickelodeon on Sunset inHollywood, California |
| Cinematography |
|
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production companies | Magical Elves Nickelodeon Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Nickelodeon |
| Release | March 29 (2008-03-29) – June 21, 2008 (2008-06-21) |
Dance on Sunset is an American dance and music series hosted byQuddus (Benjamin Quddus Philippe) onNickelodeon that featured dance routines, called the "Fresh-Squeezed Dance", designed to be performed by its preteen and teenage viewers. Choreographer Tony Testa and the show's dance troupe, the Nick 6, demonstrated each routine slowly, repeating it several times during the episode. An "advanced" version of each routine was featured on the show's website. Episodes featured musical guests, which includedAkon,Natasha Bedingfield,Miranda Cosgrove,Fall Out Boy,Fergie,Janet Jackson,Sean Kingston,Lil' Mama,Jesse McCartney,Menudo,Omarion,Panic! at the Disco andAshlee Simpson, as well as dancing by a studio audience. The show premiered on March 29, 2008, immediately after the2008 Kids' Choice Awards.[1]The name 'On Sunset' came from the production locationNickelodeon on Sunset on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The show was canceled due to low viewership. The series finale aired on June 21, 2008. The website has been discontinued & shut down as of December 21, 2017.[2]
Members of the show's dance troupe, at the time of the show's debut, ranged in age from 15 to 22. They were directed byTony Testa, a former choreographer ofJanet Jackson. The group consisted ofKaren Chuang, Johnny Erasme, Ashley Galvan,Shane Harper, Aubree Storm andHefa Tuita; the group was chosen with an eye fordiversity and differing backgrounds.
Karen Chuang was born on March 26, 1990, in San Jose, California. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in business economics from UCLA, where she was the executive director for its premiere hip-hop team, NSU Modern. She is now pursuing a career as a professional dancer and is represented by Clear Talent Group. Her credits includeGrey's Anatomy,Glee,The White House,The Ellen Show,Willow Smith,Cher Lloyd, andNicki Minaj's "Pink Friday Reloaded" World Tour (2013). She has danced alongsideLady Gaga at the 2013 MTV VMAs and in her "G.U.Y." music video, and performed with Kanye West on his "Yeezus" Tour (2014). She is also a member of Entity Contemporary Dance Company. Karen's technical background and diverse training create a unique hip-hop-inspired contemporary style, which she enjoys exploring and sharing with fellow dancers. She currently subs regularly at Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California, and Movement Lifestyle in North Hollywood, California. In addition to her artistic aspirations, Karen also has a passion for fashion and was an assistant to the PR Coordinator at Versace from 2011 to 2012. From 2023-2024, she became a backup dancer forTaylor Swift'sThe Eras Tour.
Johnny Erasme was born May 11, 1989, inFort Lauderdale, Florida. A former member of the JammX Kids, he appeared in the JCPenney commercial "Control Freak." His family moved fromNew Orleans, Louisiana, to California afterHurricane Katrina. He raps and plays guitar and has released a CD titled "Johnny E.".
Ashley Galvan a high-school senior at the debut of "Dance on Sunset", is fromVisalia, California. She started dancing at 3 and is schooled in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and modern dance. She received the 2007 Cover Girl Award 2007 for "Spotlight Dance Cup Comp". She has appeared in aKeke Palmer dance video, on theCBSKEWLopolis dancing competition "Dance Revolution" and in commercials and was also a background dancer in the remake of the movie Fame. She even competed onseason 7 ofSo You Think You Can Dance as one of the top 11 contestants. She also made an appearance in theGlee episode "Original Song" as one of the Aural Intensity singers.
Shane Harper was born on February 14, 1993, inLa Jolla, California. He was a principal dancer in the Disney Channel'sHigh School Musical 2, an extra in Nickelodeon'sZoey 101. He's ventured more into acting over the years, most notably as Spencer Walsh onGood Luck Charlie.
Aubree Storm born January 4, 1986, is anElburn, Illinois, native who trained in ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance at St. Charles School of Dance and the Lou Conte Dance Studio of Chicago. She was a dancer in Disney's "High School Musical" concert tour and was a dancer forAshley Tisdale in appearances on "Good Morning America" andLive with Regis and Kelly, and appeared as a dancer in the filmStep Brothers. She was also a member ofJin Akanishi's group of backup dancers, Jincrew, used for his concerts. She has also danced forWillow Smith,Cher Lloyd, andJustin Bieber as one of twelve dancers featured in hisBelieve Tour.
Tuita was born June 18, 1991, inSpanish Fork, Utah. He was a dancer in the Disney Channel'sHigh School Musical 2 andHigh School Musical 3: Senior Year appearing in various parts of the movie. He is trained in Latin and salsa dancing as well as hip-hop, jazz, ballroom international and funk. He was trained at Heart N Soul Dance Studio. He appeared in the movieUnaccompanied Minors, danced in two Taylor Vai videos and forRihanna. He's danced with multiple recording artists includingJennifer Lopez,Janet Jackson,Usher,Kylie Minogue, andChris Brown.
Episodes broadcast have included the following. Each features a playlist of five songs and usually includes at least one special guest. Each also features a new "Fresh-Squeezed Dance."
| Preceded by SpongeBob SquarePants 2007 | Kids' Choice Awards lead-out program Dance on Sunset 2008 | Succeeded by The Penguins of Madagascar 2009 |
