What a fantastic event......I believe it gets better every year. A big hand to Arline for running such a well organized event.
I wasn't able to make the Thursday night dance party but heard it was wonderful. I did get there early Friday morning and registration was so smooth. I made it to the first class of the day and decided to spend the weekend in the beginner room to pick up some new information for our Steppin' Out program....my intermediate class dancers went to all the other classes and have let me know some of their favorites.
First class was Rita Arnett with her dance "Because of You"....Rita is from Florida and I was glad to finally get to meet her. Her dance was a nice start for the day - 64 count, improver level, and to a great remake of Kelly Clarkson's song by both her and Reba.
Took classes from Bracken Ellis (loved Swingin' Single to the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy song) and Arline Winerman. I got to see Bill McGee's choice to teach and hated that I missed his class......"Boom Boom Boom" looks like the most fun on the floor and I will have to learn this one! Took a class in the afternoon with Mark Cosenza and learned "The Elvis Blues".....tons of fun with this one and I really liked it to the faster choice of music. Everyone learning this one was asked to perform it with Mark during Saturday night's show. After Mark's class, Michael Barr came into the room and taught "Operator 4-1-1"......the entire class loved this one and Michael is one of the best instructors. My first teach was in the next slot and I taught "Barking Up the Wrong Tree" and "Just Jazzin'" before our instructor meeting. Previews for dances being taught Saturday were at 7pm in the main ballroom followed by hours of open dancing! Reviews of Friday's teaches in the other 2 ballrooms followed by open dancing. I danced until about 1:30am and then Jan, Elaine, and I sat up half the night in our room talking.
I had the first time slot Saturday morning and taught "Shy Waltz" (Ann Hewitt) and "Best Foot Forward "(one of my own) to a packed floor..I couldn't believe that that many people were up after such a late night and all ready to dance again. Shy Waltz gave some of the beginners their first taste of a tag and they all did great with it. I meet several instructors in the beginner room that morning, all with the same agenda - finding new, fun beginner improver dances for their classes. John joined me in the morning. I got to dance "Gravity" with Bryan McWherter (one of his teaches) - I had already taught this one to my intermediate class and we love it......was nice to dance it with the choreographer. I met Vivienne Scott from Canada (what an absolutely lovely lady!) and got to dance her dance "Ami Oh" in open dancing.......loved it! (This was my first teach for the improver group on Tues after the event) I'm sure this will be one that the Steppin' Out dancers will love. Her dance "Cool" was also a good one to a country song. I took Junior Willis' class - his songs were country and as a bonus, I started teaching at a new country bar last Thursday. Junior's dances are so much fun to do.... in talking with dancers standing around me, we discovered we were split on favorite of his two dances, "As If" and "Hey Junior". He did have the entire class laughing when he taught us how to do "Tennessee Body Rolls"......just remember - "Head, boobies, butt".....you had to be there. <<grins>>
I had a chance to meet up with old dance friends - loved seeing Pepper and DJ Jam, Max and Kathy, Guyton, Bill and Linda McGee, Jackie, Zach, Sandy Schoenberger, I finally got to meet Robbie McGowan Hickie - he's one of my all time favorite choreographers and Big Dave - I'm always on his web site! DJ Olivia worked her magic in the beginner room keeping everyone dancing and playing tons of requests.
I met Sandy Larkins, choreographer of "Walk the Line", one of my and John's all time favorite dances and we got to dance it on the floor with her....Sandy and I are going to get together and try writing a new dance.
We had the early dinner seating and sat with a group of fun dancers from New York along with Michael Barr...wonderful food and conversation. John and I ended up with front roll seats and enjoyed the open dancing before the Saturday night show...we danced both new and old favorites, including "Razor Sharp" - I know I'll always love that dance!
The show had us clapping, toe tapping, and rolling with laughter.... Pepper on Roller Skates, Arline and Barry swinging and holding on to Arline's falling skirt, Brian B.'s amazing dancing, Neville's singing "NElvis" songs with the back up dancers, Christine Bass' dance team, the Brit Pack with Big Dave/ the beach guy, and Mark's Elvis Blues...and I even remembered the steps<<2 points for me>>
John and I won the 50/50 drawing......helps cover our hotel stay....even better - we won it last year too!...I think we better go again next year, don't you?
After open dancing again Saturday night, John and I fell into bed after 1:30am again. About an hour later, the fire alarm went off.....we were on the 8th floor in the tower section, and had to walk down 8 flights of stairs (more tiring going back up<<grins>>) Thanks goodness, a false alarm.....but the alarms in the tower section didn't want to stop....they continued until after 4:30am. Sunday morning came too early.
More classes that day. John and I left early.......John had to drive home and then on up to Ft. Walton Beach for work. I came home to rest and smile at the new memories.......a perfect dance weekend.
Teaching "Just Jazzin"
Michael and Terri
Arline teaching "How Long"
The Show Gang
