Dance Academy - Season 1 and Season 2 Now Available on DVD -- Review and #Giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these DVDs from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. The views shared are mine and mine alone.

THEY'VE GOT THE WORLD AT THEIR FEET,

but have they got what it takes?

THIS MAY, JUMP INTO THE FIRST TWO SEASONS OF TEEN NICK'S TWEEN SMASH, AS FLATIRON FILM COMPANY RELEASES FOUR SPECIALLY-PRICED 2-DVD SETS NEVER BEFORE RELEASED!

DANCE ACADEMY: SEASON 1, VOLUMES 1 & 2

&

DANCE ACADEMY: SEASON 2, VOLUMES 1&2

Street Date: May 14, 2013

DVD SRP: $19.95 ea. (2 Discs)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

"When you're sixteen, life is rarely simple. In fact, there's enough to keep you on your toes in normal circumstances. But what if you were also living away from home at the country's top dance academy? Meet Tara Webster, who grew up on a country farm, but has always dreamed of being a professional dancer. When she's admitted to Australia's prestigious National Academy of Dance, she feels like all of her dreams are about to come true -- but the school is tougher and more competitive than she ever imagined.

DANCE ACADEMY: SEASON 1, VOLUME 1

Far from home, and way behind on her dance training, Tara feels like a fish out of water, but she knows one thing -- she's not alone on this journey. In Sydney, she meets new friends, good-hearted Kat and good-guy Sammy, and falls hard for a new crush, Ethan. To round out her crew, there's "mean girl" Abigail, a more experienced dancer who sees Tara as a threat, and Christian, an adrenaline junkie with a troubled past. Together they manage the pressures of exams, crushes and dancing, all the while knowing that at the end of the year not everyone makes the cut.

DANCE ACADEMY: SEASON 1, VOLUME 2

Tara returns from the holidays excited to have been awarded a first year scholarship, but the rest of the year is full of challenges no one could have seen coming. The group continues to put all their effort into dancing, but along the way some battle eating disorders, struggle with their parents, overcome physical injury and even deal with big breakups. With the end-of-year Nutcracker performance approaching, can the Academy group pull it together? And does Tara really have what it takes to stand center stage?

DANCE ACADEMY: SEASON 2, VOLUME 1

It was a rocky first year, but ultimately Tara got everything she wanted: a place in the top dance school in the country, friends she'll know forever and she fell in love - twice! She even danced the role of her dreams. So Second Year should be a piece of cake. Right? In SEASON 2 VOLUME 1, Tara reunites with her friends and discovers the exciting news that they can all compete in a prestigious ballet competition, Prix de Fonteyn, to determine the best dancer in the world. Teacher Miss Raine spells it out for them: "Make no mistakes. Second Year counts. And you are all in competition." Everyone must work harder than they've ever worked before on the dance floor and in life.

DANCE ACADEMY: SEASON 2, VOLUME 2

Tara soared to great heights during her first year at the Academy, but by her second year she's learned that being on top - in dance, in life, in love - only makes for a long fall back down. In Season 2 Volume 2 the stakes are higher, the lows are lower, and the competitions are exhilarating. Tara and the entire crew must manage tragedy, relationships and the ultimate final showdown performance. Above all else, it's their friendship that held them together this long. Will it carry them through into their third year?

From the producers of TeenNICK's #1 series "H2O: Just Add Water" and nominated for an International Emmy® Award in 2011,DANCE ACADEMY is a realistic drama that follows this group of ordinary teenagers who are pushing themselves to the limit as they fight to achieve extraordinary things. Catch up on this TeenNICK fan favorite, currently airing in primetime! Each SEASON 1 and SEASON 2 2-disc set features 13 episodes and bonus behind-the-scenes clips or cast galleries!"

 

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My Thoughts:


I am always looking for more age appropriate things to do and watch with my 10 and 12 year old nieces, when they come to visit.  While most of my days are consumed with entertaining Savannah and Arabella, both under 3, I struggle to find things to do when the older nieces and nephews come to visit. So, I am always on the lookout for new and upcoming DVD releases, as well as fun games and toys for the kids to play with.  Oftentimes, I will ask the kids what they are watching, listening to for music, playing with for toys/games, etc.  This is how I was introduced to Dance Academy, which airs on Teen Nick.  I can't say that I am a frequent viewer of Teen Nick -- as most of the time the television is turned to Nick Jr.  But, when my nieces and come to visit, they love watching this channel.

A couple of weeks ago, I was sent a press release from the folks at Flatiron Film Co., announcing the release of Dance Academy: Season 1, Volumes 1 and 2, along with Dance Academy: Season 2, Volumes 1 and 2.  I knew two girls who would go crazy if they saw their Auntie had a screener copy of these titles.  :-)  And, last week, when my nieces came to visit for the day, I surprised them with the DVDs.  You should have seen the grins on their faces, and hear them tell me how cool I was. :-)

As my daughters napped, I sat on the couch with the girls and watched a few episodes with them.  I have always been a fan of dance shows and movies. Come on, who doesn't love "Dirty Dancing?"  I can't tell you how many times I have had to buy new VHS and DVDs, as I played the movie so many times and wore out my copies. :-)  After watching a few of the episodes that make up these two new DVD releases, I can see why so many tweens love this show.  Not only does this show the beauty of dance, and how hard you have to practice to become a great dancer, but as a parent, I love how they include a diverse group of characters -- making the show more relatable to tweens/teens.  The show also deals with many interpersonal issues that will also make tweens/teens take note, and hopefully watch and take in how the characters on the show handled these situations.

While I have only seen the first DVD, Dance Academy: Season 1, volumes 1 and 2, I have been filled in by nieces a few days later, about what happened on the Dance Academy: Season 2, volumes 1 and 2 DVD, as they watched it that night I sent it home with them.  I love seeing my nieces getting excited about shows like this one, and how this show does a great job in inspiring them to strive to be their best, and want to achieve amazing things. 

So, if you have a Dance Academy fan in your house, or are like me and always looking for DVDs to pick up and watch with your tween/teen relatives, these two DVD releases from Flatiron Film Co., are worth checking out. 

---GIVEAWAY---

One lucky reader will win Dance Academy: Season 1 and Season 2 on DVD, thanks to the folks at Flatiron Film Co.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these DVDs from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. The views shared are mine and mine alone.