UP Greenlights its First Dance Pilot: "Dancin' the Dream"

ATLANTA, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- UP announced today it has greenlit its first-ever dance docu-series pilot, "Dancin' the Dream." The series will follow eight diverse, highly-talented, young aspiring stars as they go through grueling dance classes to perfect their craft, and reveal the sweat, desire and emotion that goes into their intense training, along with its impact on relationships with family, friends and each other.  Production is currently underway in Atlanta– "Hip-Hop's center of gravity," according to The New York Times – on two half-hour pilots produced by Crazy Legs Productions, which produces the new hit series "The Prancing Elites Project" and "Dance Crash."  The debut episodes of "Dancin' the Dream," which feature pop sensation singer/songwriter Leona Lewis' hit single "Fire Under My Feet" and singer/YouTube sensation Jade Novah's upcoming single ""Blood, Sweat & Tears," are slated to premiere exclusively on UP in Fall 2015.

"For anyone who has ever wondered how top performers like Bruno Mars and Christina Aguilera got to where they are today, this series will help answer that question through a new generation of immensely talented, hopeful stars," said Amy Winter, EVP and General Manager, UP. "Dancin' the Dream' will give viewers a true sense of the effort that goes into becoming a 'star,' the sacrifices that must be made, and relationships and bonds that grow or suffer along the way. As the leading network for compelling content for you and your family, we are proud to unveil 'Dancin' the Dream' as the latest example of our commitment to produce original series that move and entertain."

"Dancin' the Dream" follows eight of the hottest young dancers, ranging in age from 9 to 15, as they train in every genre imaginable with top Hip Hop dancer and choreographer, Kiki Ely, at her Atlanta-based studio, "ATL Takeova." She and her assistant, Beejay Harris, a professional dancer for 12 years, offer the kids Master Dance Classes and prep them for a variety of entertainment auditions and professional engagements, ranging from film and TV to music videos and concert tours in Atlanta – a city on the cutting edge of dance and choreography. 

Each episode of "Dancin' the Dream" will follow one or two of "Ely's kids" as they juggle their family lives, schoolwork and professional dance training. At times, the kids will work as a team on special performances, booked gigs or in competition against other dance studios. Other times, they'll be asked to compete against each other for one coveted spot in a show. Ultimately, Ely and Harris have forged these kids and their parents into "a band of brothers" who work together to achieve their dreams. The stakes are high, as most of these families fully support their kid's shot at the big time. 

But no matter what the assignment, the kids, their parents and mentors will come together at the end of each episode for a final, jaw-dropping performance. The high-energy, exuberant performances may include a sudden flash mob for a charity event, a reinterpretation of a famous dance performance, dancing backup for a celebrated singer, or a music video that highlights an up-and-coming artist. 

Ely started her career as a young dancer in Atlanta and has since toured the world with some of the top names in the music industry, including Christina Aguilera, Ciara, Christina Milian, Brooke Valentine and others. A former choreographer and member of the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team, Ely has also choreographed for countless music videos and films, including Drumline, starring Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana and Orlando Jones.

UP presents "Dancin' the Dream," an UP Entertainment production in association with Crazy Legs Productions. Executive producers are Tom Capello, Keely Walker Muse, Tara Burtchaell and Alana Goldstein.

Follow "Dancin' the Dream" at:

• www.UPtv.com  and http://DancinTheDream.com
• Kiki Ely on Twitter @KikiEly and online at www.iamkikiely.com
• Beejay Harris on Twitter @BeejayHarris
• Leona Lewis on Twitter @leonalewis and online at leonalewismusic.com.  Download "Fire Under My Feet" on iTunes now: http://po.st/FUMF2, http://leonalewismusic.com/, https://www.facebook.com/leonalewis, https://twitter.com/leonalewis, https://instagram.com/leonalewis/
• Jade Novah on Twitter @JadeNovah, on Instagram @Jade Novah and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCst8Gt6zqxBpb_dyHHF_dXQ

About UP
UP is television's trusted entertainment brand dedicated to providing viewers with "feel good TV for you and your family."  UP uplifts viewers every day with premiere movies, original reality, dramatic and comedy series filled with compelling stories and characters with character. In keeping with its brand promise, UP's pro-social initiative, "Uplift Someone," inspires people to do simple, everyday acts of kindness. UP can be seen in 70 million homes on cable systems and satellite providers across the United States. Based in Atlanta, UP is a division of UP Entertainment, LLC which also operates gMovies, the first faith-friendly streaming movie service and provides sales and operations services to the ASPiRE network. 

Follow UP on the Web at www.UPtv.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UPtv, Twitter on @UPtv and Instagram at UP_TV.

About Crazy Legs Productions
Crazy Legs Productions is a leading developer of unscripted programming and branded content for film, television, and commercials. Their diverse array of series include "The Prancing Elites Project" for Oxygen, "Dance Crash" for OWN, "Swamp Murders" and "Your Worst Nightmare" for Investigation Discovery, "Hotel Amazon" and "Hidden City" for Travel Channel, "How to Live to 100" for Cooking Channel, and "Mega Dens" for DIY. Renowned for their cinematic storytelling, Crazy Legs Productions has been engaged by Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola, Comcast, UPS, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and others to produce content that promotes their brands.

About Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis exploded onto the scene in 2007, when she won the UK's prestigious Ivor Novello Award, and her RIAA platinum debut album "Spirit" hit #1 on charts around the world.  The album, which sold over 8 million copies worldwide, was buoyed by the quadruple-platinum "Bleeding Love" (#1 in over 35 countries). In the U.S., "Bleeding Love" was #1 for 4 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the biggest-selling single of 2008, which earned Leona the Billboard Music Award for Top New Artist of the Year.  She received three Grammy Award® nominations, and went on to record "I See You" (theme from Avatar) at producer-director James Cameron's personal request.

Her double-platinum Echo followed in 2009 (featuring "Happy"), then Glassheart in 2012 (with "Trouble" featuring Childish Gambino), and Christmas, With Love in 2013.

In addition to the Ivor Novello Award and the MTV VMA for Best UK Video (for "Bleeding Love"), Leona has won two MOBO Awards in the UK, and more than 20 music awards in countries around the world.  Her eagerly anticipated fifth album, "I AM", will be coming out this fall on Def Jam Recordings. 

About Jade Novah
Jade Novah is a multi-talented singer, versatile actress, and YouTube Sensation having garnered over 18 million views for her covers, comedic skits, and original music. Jade's unique fusion of Broadway musical and mainstream Pop/R&B have been praised by music enthusiasts and notable media outlets including Rolling Stone, Ryan Seacrest, Ebony Magazine, Perez Hilton, and more! 

Jade is set to release "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" from her highly anticipated debut album, "In Search of Me" which is slated to be released before the end of 2015. Written by Novah and long-time collaborator, producer Devin Johnson, "Blood, Sweat, and Tears" is an example of art imitating life as it takes listeners on a musical journey of Jade's road to success, and the trials she's faced along the way. 

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