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2017 marks a new year and new team for the Buffalo Bandettes

Jan 2, 2017 | Entertainment, Sports Scene

By Lauren Kirchmyer

 For the purpose of privacy, no last names will be used in this article.

The Buffalo Bandettes have been wowing crowds with their sassy and strong dance routines for 17 seasons. As the premiere dance team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the only professional dance team in Buffalo, NY, the Bandettes perform in “Banditland” at every Buffalo Bandits home game at KeyBank Center, which seats over 19,000 fans!

This season marks the second season under the direction of Mandy, who wanted to bring the dancers’ reputation to the next level.

“It’s really cool to see the technical aspect of the Bandettes turn from more of a cheerleading squad, which we had the reputation of, to a professional dance team,” said Mandy, who is also in her fourth season dancing with the team. “Some of us have cheer backgrounds but our priorities growing up were dance. We’re a full team of dancers.”

Mandy also updated the team’s uniforms this year, such as new dresses, white wedge sneakers and pom poms.

This year’s squad of 10 dancers comes together twice a week for two hours each practice to learn and rehearse about a dozen routines. They also come together once a month for team work outs.

“It’s very time consuming and a lot of hard work, but we really take pride in what we do,” added fellow dancer-director Jennifer. The Chicago native, who is in her third season with the team, experienced her first Bandits game the first game she performed at.

“When I moved to Buffalo I knew nothing about lacrosse or the NLL,” Jennifer said. “The atmosphere is amazing. It’s a delight being around all the fans and the team. If I ever stop dancing I will always come to games and be part of Banditland.”

On a typical game day, the Bandettes arrive at the arena about four hours prior to face off. After stretching in their dressing room, the girls take the field and rehearse four routines in one hour of time.

“My favorite part about dancing is being sassy and being able to bring my personality out on the field,” Mandy said. “I feel very athletic and very powerful, which is a cool feeling to dance in front of thousands of people.”

Around 6 p.m., the girls go into the arena’s lobby to interact with fans for an hour.

“The best thing about being a Bandette is seeing the little girls, the fans that want to be you,” Jennifer said. “They’re so excited when you come out there.”

Right before the game begins, the dancers hit the turf to perform for the first time. After their routine is over, they catch their breath then return to the field with the Bandits and their opponent for the National Anthems of Canada and the United States of America.

During each of the four quarters, the girls dance “stingers,” two counts of eight of choreography, to music that plays as the Bandits play on the field. They also perform full routines three more times throughout the game, between the first and second quarters, during halftime and between the third and fourth quarters.

December 30, 2016 was the home opener of the 2017 Bandits season, and rookie Amanda was excited to take the field for the first time.

“I am most excited about seeing and meeting all the fans and sharing some Buffalo pride and support,” Amanda said prior to her debut. “I had no idea it was going to be this much fun. These girls are awesome and so down to earth. This has been the best team I have ever been part of.”

Outside of performing at Bandits games, the Bandettes enjoy connecting with the community. From ringing bells at the area malls for the Salvation Army at Christmastime to selling raffle tickets at benefits to performing at events like Dancers Give Back to help raise money for cancer research, the team loves to be involved with giving back to the city that gives them so much support.

One of the organizations they teamed up with this year is Danceability, an individualized dance, fitness and movement program serving the special needs community. The Bandettes will be joined by dancers from Danceability for a performance at a game in February.

“It’s Danceability’s 10-year anniversary so I’m really excited to have them on the field with us,” Mandy said.

The Bandettes also look forward to giving girls ages 5-17 the opportunity to be a Bandette for a day with their Junior Bandettes program. This year the juniors will perform a routine with the team at a game in January.

“Most of them are already Bandits fans so they love that they can come out on the field and dance with us for a game,” Jennifer said. “It really brings sparkle to the whole program.”

If you would like to learn more about the Buffalo Bandettes, check out their fan page on Facebook!

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