Vegas, baby! What an experience!!!
We got out there on late Monday night. The event started at noon on Tuesday with registration and several technique and classic dance teaches. I didn't attend any of those (we played pickleball instead) and there were demos followed by open dance Tuesday night - which we did attend. 2 main ballrooms of great dancing with a beginner room just down the hall. (When we go again, I would consider going on Tuesday instead of Monday...)
Wednesday's classes included:
Agua Y Fuego (Verdonk, Sarlemijn, Trepat) and Howling At The Moon (Verdonk and Holtland) taught by Roy Verdonk. Cute dances - I think a little harder than my beginner class can handle, but we'll see; Do Something Crazy (the towel dance) - since everyone else had taken this class in Tampa, I knew I had to get it under my belt. Bought the towel, too!; Blessed (Jackie Miranda) taught by Ray Sarlemijn - AWESOME dance!!!; Keep It Groovin' (Thompson Szymanski/Blevins) taught by Jo - this is just a funky fun dance - really like it!; Neverland (Kinser/Luna/Lai) by Jo Kinser - not sure about this one - it may be one that I'll keep?; Gimme Gimme by Rebecca Lee - this is just a funky fun dance that will take a lot more work on my part before I have it!; and I wanted to take Kat Painter's "Boomerang" but my brain couldn't absorb her teach of the first dance in that block so I gave up and went back to my room. We went to see the show "Purple Reign" Wednesday night and then went to open dance after that.
Thursday's classes included:
Tonight by Ivonne Verhagen (very nice night club - improver level - will end up teaching this); Lemonade with Jo Thompson Szymanski (one of those HAVE TO KEEP dances according to everyone who took it! LOL!); and Risk It All with Simon Ward (not everyone's favorite - I liked it and will end up teaching it). We played pickleball in the morning so this was the extent of class time. Went to the show and open dance Thursday night.
Friday's classes included:
Gangsta Walk (Sarlemijn/Murray/Hadisubroto/de Kok) taught by Ray Sarlemijn (just a fun little dance); Keep It Groovin' (again - nice to have a refresher on this one!); Hard Workin' Man by Philip Sobrielo; A New Day by Ivonne Verhagen; Sound of Silence with Guyton (OMG!!! such a powerful dance! goosebumps every single time!!!). Friday was flash mob dance day as well - we all did American Kids out in the hotel lobby. That was fun! And again, show and open dance Friday night.
Saturday's classes included:
If I Wuz U (Neville & Julie) and EZ So Just Dance Dance Dance (Tina Foster) by Jill Babinec (these will be taught to my beginners); Sound of Silence (again); Till The Diggy Dawn by Will Craig (fun and funky - will most likely end up being taught); and then I ran between two rooms to catch Thinkin' Country by Simon (definite teach for Thursday) and 80's Model by Chris Watson (may also end up being a Thursday teach). Show and open dance Saturday night (with the goal of staying on the dance floor past midnight - we made it - it was 1am when we gave it up!). Again - a lighter load of classes on Saturday because we took the rental car back in the morning.
Sunday's classes included:
Heaven On Earth by Simon Ward (just an AWESOME waltz!); Back Home (Craig/Malenfant/Bunker) by Will Craig (might end up teaching this on Thursday); A Country High by Norman Gifford (this will definitely be taught on Thursday); and That Love by Will Craig (another dance of Will's with a million restarts). We watched football in the morning and I gave up the Packer game to catch a lunchtime, unscheduled teach of One Reason by Guyton (Mundy/Murray/Hadisubroto) - and I'm so glad I did! Another AWESOME dance! We went to the final show and open dance Sunday night - but we were so tired from the night before that we gave up the floor at about 10:30pm.
And then we stayed for a couple extra days (cheaper flights to come home) and spent Monday on the Strip, Monday night on Fremont Street, and Tuesday at Valley of Fire state park. A great couple of days playing tourist!
Returning home Sunday night will work just fine next time - by 10:30 Sunday night we were cashing it in after having stayed out so late the night before. Would be just as easy to be heading to the airport instead of our room.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Rachael Workshop October, 2016
October 22, 2016
Attended another Rachael workshop - I didn't walk away from this one with a lot of "have to" teaches/dances. They were all good dances - just nothing that really hit a spark for me. We learned Falling and Pull Me Closer - both of which are challenging dances. She also taught Italiano and Vegas Baby - both of which could be taught on Thursday. The remaining two dances were Looking Like That and Lost In You (her oldie's selection for the day).
I only have two more classes before the Vegas break and then the start of season - I think I'll wait to teach anything new until after Vegas and see what comes from there.
Attended another Rachael workshop - I didn't walk away from this one with a lot of "have to" teaches/dances. They were all good dances - just nothing that really hit a spark for me. We learned Falling and Pull Me Closer - both of which are challenging dances. She also taught Italiano and Vegas Baby - both of which could be taught on Thursday. The remaining two dances were Looking Like That and Lost In You (her oldie's selection for the day).
I only have two more classes before the Vegas break and then the start of season - I think I'll wait to teach anything new until after Vegas and see what comes from there.
Rachael Workshop 12/3/16t
Apparently I missed posting Rachael's workshop from October and also left out the Vegas Dance Explosion! I'll have to backtrack and do those later.
Today is about yesterday's workshop in Orlando. Another great day of dance!
Rachael taught 5 dances - 4 new ones and one of her "oldies" - Purple Rain (great dance!).
New dances included "Oops Baby" by Rachael and Cody Flowers; "Shady" by Fred Whitehouse, Amy Glass, and Darren Bailey; "Stomp Your Feet" by Shane McKeever, and "A Little More Love" by Rachael and Jo Thompson Szymanski.
All were really good - I expect to teach at least 3 of the 5 to my Thursday class.
Today is about yesterday's workshop in Orlando. Another great day of dance!
Rachael taught 5 dances - 4 new ones and one of her "oldies" - Purple Rain (great dance!).
New dances included "Oops Baby" by Rachael and Cody Flowers; "Shady" by Fred Whitehouse, Amy Glass, and Darren Bailey; "Stomp Your Feet" by Shane McKeever, and "A Little More Love" by Rachael and Jo Thompson Szymanski.
All were really good - I expect to teach at least 3 of the 5 to my Thursday class.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
September 14, 2016
Not dancing for three weeks has wreaked havoc on my mind AND body!
We returned from our trip up north on Sunday. I held class on Monday - and was in the hall early for early-bird practice. I needed step sheets for every dance - had no idea what I was doing - and we danced until 12:00... My EVERYTHING hurt!!!
Things started getting better as the class went on... Things got better yet with Chris' class Tuesday night... Things were better yet today for practice... We'll see how tomorrow's class goes! And Saturday's social! Yikes!
We returned from our trip up north on Sunday. I held class on Monday - and was in the hall early for early-bird practice. I needed step sheets for every dance - had no idea what I was doing - and we danced until 12:00... My EVERYTHING hurt!!!
Things started getting better as the class went on... Things got better yet with Chris' class Tuesday night... Things were better yet today for practice... We'll see how tomorrow's class goes! And Saturday's social! Yikes!
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Successful Event!
Whew! It's over! Didn't move a lot today - and from what I heard from others, they weren't moving much, either!
The "workshop/social" was a success! Tom and I have already made notes of some things we'd do differently if (IF!) we were ever to do one again. And I've asked others for their thoughts and am collecting those as well.
Lots of thankyou emails have come in today - all very nice comments about the day.
We danced all day... Had six teaches (I taught Frankie Fever by Maddison Glover to a room full of dancers!)... And ate, and ate, and ate.
We were so tired! I think we were basically done dancing about 9:00... I know I was alone in the building by 10 and home by 11 after cleaning up and putting things away.
But - it's done! I've now hosted my first line dance workshop event! It was fun!
The "workshop/social" was a success! Tom and I have already made notes of some things we'd do differently if (IF!) we were ever to do one again. And I've asked others for their thoughts and am collecting those as well.
Lots of thankyou emails have come in today - all very nice comments about the day.
We danced all day... Had six teaches (I taught Frankie Fever by Maddison Glover to a room full of dancers!)... And ate, and ate, and ate.
We were so tired! I think we were basically done dancing about 9:00... I know I was alone in the building by 10 and home by 11 after cleaning up and putting things away.
But - it's done! I've now hosted my first line dance workshop event! It was fun!
Sunday, August 7, 2016
The joys of a new wall!!!
So now we get to prepare for next weekend's workshop - by learning to dance all our favorites to a NEW front wall!
We've turned the hall around and have the front wall now facing the pool/kitchen - and will spend this whole week (starting with this morning's practice) dancing to the "new" front wall. Hopefully by Saturday, we've got it figured out!
I actually think it wasn't that bad once we got going... I know for me, whereever the music is becomes my front wall. So as long as my music is where I want the front wall to be - I'm pretty good. This week will be a great test!!!
We've turned the hall around and have the front wall now facing the pool/kitchen - and will spend this whole week (starting with this morning's practice) dancing to the "new" front wall. Hopefully by Saturday, we've got it figured out!
I actually think it wasn't that bad once we got going... I know for me, whereever the music is becomes my front wall. So as long as my music is where I want the front wall to be - I'm pretty good. This week will be a great test!!!
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
First - Ever Workshop!
You're hearing it here first!
Saturday, August 13
9:30am - 11:00pm
At least 5 instructors (hoping for 6) teaching 2 beginner/improver dances; 2 easier intermediate dances; and 2 harder intermediate/advanced dances!
$25 gets you breakfast goodies, sub-sandwich lunch, pizza/salad dinner, and a day/night of dance! (If you can't make the day, you can register for just the evening social for $5).
Registration form being worked on...
Hold the date! Get ready for an AWESOME day of dance!
Saturday, August 13
9:30am - 11:00pm
At least 5 instructors (hoping for 6) teaching 2 beginner/improver dances; 2 easier intermediate dances; and 2 harder intermediate/advanced dances!
$25 gets you breakfast goodies, sub-sandwich lunch, pizza/salad dinner, and a day/night of dance! (If you can't make the day, you can register for just the evening social for $5).
Registration form being worked on...
Hold the date! Get ready for an AWESOME day of dance!
Sunday, July 17, 2016
FITS 2016
What an amazing weekend at FITS! Kathy, Chris and I shared a room (with Chris' granddaughter Sawyer, too!).
Thursday night's open dance was great! Was on the floor until after midnight. Nice mix of music with no repetiton! John Robinson taught a dance to everyone Thursday night - "Orlando Strong" which he choreographed in tribute to the Pulse Nightclub shootings (a very emotional teach for John).
Friday's classes for me:
Why Baby Why (Maddison Glover) - which ended up being my FAVORITE of the whole event!
Funk N Feel It (Rachael McEnaney) - which I've already had - twice - but took again for more styling technique
Boys & Girls (Rhoda Lai) - another favorite but it'll need a little more work...
Fine By Me (Fred Whitehouse) - a funky, fun dance - but, again, needs more work...
Fragile (Guyton Mundy) - I really like this dance - but OMG! Needs MORE work!
Harden Up Princess (Simon Ward) - Sandy Albano taught this dance... Some people liked it; more, I think, weren't enamored with it...
Friday night we all went to Cheddar's for dinner! (If I'm at Cheddars, I must be in Orlando!) And then on to the dance floor. I didn't make it as long Friday night - I think I was back in the room by 11...
Saturday's classes for me:
Move, Keep Walkin' (Jamie Marshall) - cute dance
A Lesson In Love (Dee Musk/Simon Ward) - Sandy Albano taught this dance - my second favorite of the event. What a great dance!
We ordered pizza and salads and ate on the 2nd floor while Sawyer was at the kids pizza party and then was getting ready for the show. Rachael and Maddison were Peter and Piper (respectively) and the kids were the Lost Boys. Guyton, Will, Trevor, Scott, Fred, etc. were the pirates. Rhoda was an Indian Princess. John Robinson was the fairy... Cute show. The kids did a great job!
Lasted until just after midnight and then called it quits. But we did get some good dancing in!
Today's classes for me:
Move Like You Do (Trevor Thornton) - I really like this dance! First teach for Thursday's class!
Princess Cha (Maddison Glover with Chris Watson & Niels Poulsen) - really liked this dance! Will be a teach in the near future - possibly for both classes!
And we got a special private instruction from Bracken Ellis this morning on Handclap! A FAST dance that is just a whole lot of fun!
We hit the road about 2... Got home about 6... Great weekend! So much fun!
Upcoming teaches for Monday/Friday class: Why Baby Why, A Lesson In Love, Princess Cha, Handclap, Boys & Girls, and Harden Up Princess (if I have to).
Upcomng teaches for Thursday: Move Like You Do, Handclap, Princess Cha, and Move-Keep Walkin'.
And having Terry Baker come in from Arkansas for the weekend was a special treat!!! Fun to have her there and spend quality dance time with her!!!
Thursday night's open dance was great! Was on the floor until after midnight. Nice mix of music with no repetiton! John Robinson taught a dance to everyone Thursday night - "Orlando Strong" which he choreographed in tribute to the Pulse Nightclub shootings (a very emotional teach for John).
Friday's classes for me:
Why Baby Why (Maddison Glover) - which ended up being my FAVORITE of the whole event!
Funk N Feel It (Rachael McEnaney) - which I've already had - twice - but took again for more styling technique
Boys & Girls (Rhoda Lai) - another favorite but it'll need a little more work...
Fine By Me (Fred Whitehouse) - a funky, fun dance - but, again, needs more work...
Fragile (Guyton Mundy) - I really like this dance - but OMG! Needs MORE work!
Harden Up Princess (Simon Ward) - Sandy Albano taught this dance... Some people liked it; more, I think, weren't enamored with it...
Friday night we all went to Cheddar's for dinner! (If I'm at Cheddars, I must be in Orlando!) And then on to the dance floor. I didn't make it as long Friday night - I think I was back in the room by 11...
Saturday's classes for me:
Move, Keep Walkin' (Jamie Marshall) - cute dance
A Lesson In Love (Dee Musk/Simon Ward) - Sandy Albano taught this dance - my second favorite of the event. What a great dance!
We ordered pizza and salads and ate on the 2nd floor while Sawyer was at the kids pizza party and then was getting ready for the show. Rachael and Maddison were Peter and Piper (respectively) and the kids were the Lost Boys. Guyton, Will, Trevor, Scott, Fred, etc. were the pirates. Rhoda was an Indian Princess. John Robinson was the fairy... Cute show. The kids did a great job!
Lasted until just after midnight and then called it quits. But we did get some good dancing in!
Today's classes for me:
Move Like You Do (Trevor Thornton) - I really like this dance! First teach for Thursday's class!
Princess Cha (Maddison Glover with Chris Watson & Niels Poulsen) - really liked this dance! Will be a teach in the near future - possibly for both classes!
And we got a special private instruction from Bracken Ellis this morning on Handclap! A FAST dance that is just a whole lot of fun!
We hit the road about 2... Got home about 6... Great weekend! So much fun!
Upcoming teaches for Monday/Friday class: Why Baby Why, A Lesson In Love, Princess Cha, Handclap, Boys & Girls, and Harden Up Princess (if I have to).
Upcomng teaches for Thursday: Move Like You Do, Handclap, Princess Cha, and Move-Keep Walkin'.
And having Terry Baker come in from Arkansas for the weekend was a special treat!!! Fun to have her there and spend quality dance time with her!!!
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Dancercize!
June 29, 2016
Kathy and I had a little "dance exercise" session this morning - we danced for an hour and 20 minutes... Wouldn't begin to be able to come up with the entire list of dances we danced - but here's a good preview:
Big Blue Tree
Homegrown
Have You Ever Seen The Rain
This Is Me
Fly Like A Bird
Tuesday Blues
The Avener
Blurred Lines
Dock Of The Bay
How I Want Ya
Part Of The List
Foot Play
Extreme Love
Jesse James
Shots With Somebody
Lay It Right
Running
Ex's And Oh's
Way Down We Go
Cake By The Ocean
Right About Now
Suffer
Make You Move
There was a group of us that used to do "dancercize" regularly... But we haven't done it this year at all. It was fun this morning!
Kathy and I had a little "dance exercise" session this morning - we danced for an hour and 20 minutes... Wouldn't begin to be able to come up with the entire list of dances we danced - but here's a good preview:
Big Blue Tree
Homegrown
Have You Ever Seen The Rain
This Is Me
Fly Like A Bird
Tuesday Blues
The Avener
Blurred Lines
Dock Of The Bay
How I Want Ya
Part Of The List
Foot Play
Extreme Love
Jesse James
Shots With Somebody
Lay It Right
Running
Ex's And Oh's
Way Down We Go
Cake By The Ocean
Right About Now
Suffer
Make You Move
There was a group of us that used to do "dancercize" regularly... But we haven't done it this year at all. It was fun this morning!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Rachael Workshop June 25, 2016
WOW! Nothing short of incredible! A GREAT day of dance!!! We knew it was going to be fun with the playlist that was put together for the day - sooo many of our favorites had made the list - very few to sit down for! But then the teaches! Just wonderful!
Rachael started the day with an absolute beginner dance, "Judge Not". I'm not sure I'd classify it as absolute beginner - there's a restart, shuffles, point and flicks, and a turning jazz box - at least MY absolute beginners would freak out at something so involved - but it is a really cute dance! 32 count, 4 wall, with a restart on wall 5. The music is "Judge Not" by Billy Ocean. I will be teaching this to my Thursday class.
In the same teach period, she also taught "Funk N Feel It" (say that 3 times real fast! LOL!). This is a 48-count, 4-wall, intermediate/advanced dance she choreographed with Arjay Centeno (of Blurred Lines fame). This dance has one tag on wall 6 (a jazz box). Peppy dance with some pretty cool foot work in it. There are some "chugs" (which are these little "scoots" forward) and hops (which you can take out or take out some of the times if you don't want to do all that bouncing!) and a dance that I'll want to teach to the Monday-Friday class - after I work on it just a little bit more (the first 8 counts need a little more attention!).
Her second block of teaches included "Rock And Roll Music" and "Woman Up." Rock And Roll Music is a 44-count, 2-wall improver dance that I will be teaching to my Thursday class. The music is "Rock And Roll Music" by Bryan Adams. The entire dance is syncopated and really, really cute! (And very Rock And Roll King-ish!)
Woman Up is a 48-count, 4 wall intermediate dance to the music "Woman Up" by Meghan Trainor. I will be teaching this one first to the Monday-Friday class. There is a tag at the end of wall 5 which is simply repeating the last 16 counts of the dance. Another peppy dance that was a lot of fun!
Rachael's next teach was a dance choreographed by Maddison Glover, "Shake That." A phrased intermediate dance to the music "Shake That" by Samantha Jade featuring Pitbull. Section A is 32 counts and is always done twice. Section B is 16 counts and is always done twice. The step sheet says that there are 3 tags, but in reality, there are 2 tags and one of those tags is done once as a 1/2 tag. The sequence is not as cumbersome as it sounds... A-A-Tag 1-B-B-A-A-Tag 1-B-B-1/2 Tag 1-A-A-Tag 2-B-B-B-B. This will probably be the next dance I teach to the Monday-Friday class. Great dance!
The next teach was "Pieces" by Dustin Betts (music "Pieces" by Rob Thomas). This dance took 1st place in the Intermediate/Advanced category of the USLDCC at the 2016 Line Dance Marathon in Raleigh. A 32-count, 4 wall, Intermediate Night Club 2-step. What a beautiful dance!!! I think Brenda will be teaching this first at Debbie's class (and once I have another teach on it from Brenda, I should be able to bring it to the Monday-Friday class!). There is a tag at the end of wall 5, which is simply 2 walks forward. This dance can be a little directionally challenged, but if you mark your wall, you'll be fine. Really liked this dance!
And finally, Rachael wrapped up the day with a teach of her classic "How Come The World Won't Stop" which she choreographed with Paul McAdam back in April, 2003. This is a 64-count, 4 wall, intermediate dance to the music "How Come The World Won't Stop" by Anastacia. One restart on wall 3 - just a nice dance! And it appears during open dance at the events quite often. Again, will be one to bring to the Monday-Friday class!
Like I posted on Facebook yesterday.... All my classes are in trou-ble!!! Lots and lots of new stuff coming your way... SOON!
Rachael started the day with an absolute beginner dance, "Judge Not". I'm not sure I'd classify it as absolute beginner - there's a restart, shuffles, point and flicks, and a turning jazz box - at least MY absolute beginners would freak out at something so involved - but it is a really cute dance! 32 count, 4 wall, with a restart on wall 5. The music is "Judge Not" by Billy Ocean. I will be teaching this to my Thursday class.
In the same teach period, she also taught "Funk N Feel It" (say that 3 times real fast! LOL!). This is a 48-count, 4-wall, intermediate/advanced dance she choreographed with Arjay Centeno (of Blurred Lines fame). This dance has one tag on wall 6 (a jazz box). Peppy dance with some pretty cool foot work in it. There are some "chugs" (which are these little "scoots" forward) and hops (which you can take out or take out some of the times if you don't want to do all that bouncing!) and a dance that I'll want to teach to the Monday-Friday class - after I work on it just a little bit more (the first 8 counts need a little more attention!).
Her second block of teaches included "Rock And Roll Music" and "Woman Up." Rock And Roll Music is a 44-count, 2-wall improver dance that I will be teaching to my Thursday class. The music is "Rock And Roll Music" by Bryan Adams. The entire dance is syncopated and really, really cute! (And very Rock And Roll King-ish!)
Woman Up is a 48-count, 4 wall intermediate dance to the music "Woman Up" by Meghan Trainor. I will be teaching this one first to the Monday-Friday class. There is a tag at the end of wall 5 which is simply repeating the last 16 counts of the dance. Another peppy dance that was a lot of fun!
Rachael's next teach was a dance choreographed by Maddison Glover, "Shake That." A phrased intermediate dance to the music "Shake That" by Samantha Jade featuring Pitbull. Section A is 32 counts and is always done twice. Section B is 16 counts and is always done twice. The step sheet says that there are 3 tags, but in reality, there are 2 tags and one of those tags is done once as a 1/2 tag. The sequence is not as cumbersome as it sounds... A-A-Tag 1-B-B-A-A-Tag 1-B-B-1/2 Tag 1-A-A-Tag 2-B-B-B-B. This will probably be the next dance I teach to the Monday-Friday class. Great dance!
The next teach was "Pieces" by Dustin Betts (music "Pieces" by Rob Thomas). This dance took 1st place in the Intermediate/Advanced category of the USLDCC at the 2016 Line Dance Marathon in Raleigh. A 32-count, 4 wall, Intermediate Night Club 2-step. What a beautiful dance!!! I think Brenda will be teaching this first at Debbie's class (and once I have another teach on it from Brenda, I should be able to bring it to the Monday-Friday class!). There is a tag at the end of wall 5, which is simply 2 walks forward. This dance can be a little directionally challenged, but if you mark your wall, you'll be fine. Really liked this dance!
And finally, Rachael wrapped up the day with a teach of her classic "How Come The World Won't Stop" which she choreographed with Paul McAdam back in April, 2003. This is a 64-count, 4 wall, intermediate dance to the music "How Come The World Won't Stop" by Anastacia. One restart on wall 3 - just a nice dance! And it appears during open dance at the events quite often. Again, will be one to bring to the Monday-Friday class!
Like I posted on Facebook yesterday.... All my classes are in trou-ble!!! Lots and lots of new stuff coming your way... SOON!
Sunday, June 5, 2016
The Marathon 2016
The Line Dance Marathon 2016
THURSDAY
Manjaro is a Robbie Mc-H dance - not a frantic-paced one but a smooth cha cha. Probably my favorite of the day - yet not danced during open dance at all. Hmmm...
Shouldn't Be That Hard is a Neville & Julie dance and was the "bonus" teach at the Xperience. I didn't take it then - so figured I'd better take it now!
Twist Twist Twist has apparently been out awhile - lots seemed to know it. Fun but not a favorite of mine.
Bad Decisions is choreographed by John Robinson and Derek Steele (their bonus teach of the session was Uma Thurman - thought of Connie). Bad Decisions would be a Thursday dance. If I do anything with it at all. Questionable. (THURSDAY???)
1,000 Kisses was a kind of bluesy-jazzy dance. Not in love with it but Nancy was and I took it with her.
We went to previews at 8:00 last night - hmmmm. There wasn't anything that grabbed me. For an entire day! (Probably because I already knew some.) Today will be an interesting day - I'll take some teaches - but I'm not holding out a lot of hope for anything great to come out of today.
Biggest news of the weekend is the absence of Ria Vos (medical - nothing serious) and Leslie Thompson (who was scheduled to teach a dance yesterday that I was really looking forward to!) - also medical - could've been more serious than it ended up being. Scott was a basket case yesterday when he was finding all this out. He had some forewarning about Ria so he found replacement instructors for all her teaches - but not Leslie's.
I was on the dance floor until 12:30 last night - and then slept until after 7 this morning. Momentarily we'll head downstairs... I've got my eyes on a pair of shoes.... Boots seem to be the purchase choice this year. I just can't see myself wearing them... If I could just find a good, comfortable pair of shoes....
FRIDAY
Started the day with Junior Willis teaching Scott Schrank's "One Love / One Life". 32-count 2 wall dance with 2 easy restarts and 1 easy tag to a track by the same name. Very nice way to start the morning.
Took a break at 11:00 and moved on to Scott Blevin's teach of "Make You Move". This 144-count (yes, you read that right!) dance is really fun and not too terribly difficult. It will take a bit if refreshing, however, before it can be danced again!
Moved on to Joey Warren's "Get Out The Kitchen" at 1:00. I did make it through the A-B-C teach but then my head exploded and I had to walk iff the floor. There was nothing else that was going to happen. All communication between head and feet had been severed.
At 2:00, John Robinson taught Ria Vos' "Sound Of Your Heart." 64-count, 2 easy restart, 2 wall dance with a constant count of 1-2&3-4, 5-6&7-8 which made walking onto the floor for just the 2nd half of the dance all that much easier to learn the first half on the fly.
After that, couldn't do another step. Couldn't listen to another count. Slunk out of the dance area with my tail tucked!
Demos are at 5... Then we'll eat and head back to the floor.
Bought a pair of dance shoes - converse style with a dance sole. Great shoe! 😎
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
Started the day with Linda McCormack teaching "Aww Honey" - not an easy-peasy little dance! Very Meghan Trainor-ish - don't know if I'll put the time and effort into it to try and nail it or not.
Break at 11 (went to the open dance room and tried a few - we couldn't do No Man's Land; we couldn't do Love Me Like You Do. Failed!)
Next two classes were Scott's and Betsy Currant teaching Ria's dance. Scott did "Red Room" which was a 32-count, 2? Restart dance - nothing difficult... Might keep it... It was "OK" for me.
Betsy taught Ria Vos' "Nobody's Perfect" (choreographed with Kate Sala) - I thought it was OK. No one else did.
I was going to take break for an hour at 2... I ended up going to my room and sleeping through my 3:00 class (Rhoda Lai's "What's The Pressure") but I did get up for my 4:00.
Final teach of the day by Gary O'Reilly with "Just Have Faith". A little different music - the dance was cute - definitely a keeper.
Sunday's two teaches will be Hana Ries doing "If You Are" by Julia Wetzel and then someone will be teaching Ria's "Never Go Away".
"If You Are" by Julia Wetzel, as it turns out, has been on my "I think I might want to teach it" list since it came out. What a FABULOUS dance! It may be the very first one I teach!
"Never Go Away" by Ria Vos was taught by Rona. 32-count "skip the line-type" dance. I don't think there were any tags or restarts... If there were, they were easy. This will be a great Thursday dance.
Bonus! Since our flight was delayed (first by 2 hours and then they added yet another hour), we were able to take another class - Will Craig's "High On Loving You" which we learned at Floridance. I think I'll end up teaching this to the Thursday class. And, got to eat some lunch AND get some more open dancing in. Yay!
Shuttle to the airport at noon... (Well, how 'bout 3)... Flight at 3... (How 'bout 6)... Arrive in Lauderdale at 5... (How 'bout 8)... Home by 7 (yeah, right. More like 10 or later... We're gonna want to eat somewhere!). Whew!
THURSDAY
Manjaro is a Robbie Mc-H dance - not a frantic-paced one but a smooth cha cha. Probably my favorite of the day - yet not danced during open dance at all. Hmmm...
Shouldn't Be That Hard is a Neville & Julie dance and was the "bonus" teach at the Xperience. I didn't take it then - so figured I'd better take it now!
Twist Twist Twist has apparently been out awhile - lots seemed to know it. Fun but not a favorite of mine.
Bad Decisions is choreographed by John Robinson and Derek Steele (their bonus teach of the session was Uma Thurman - thought of Connie). Bad Decisions would be a Thursday dance. If I do anything with it at all. Questionable. (THURSDAY???)
1,000 Kisses was a kind of bluesy-jazzy dance. Not in love with it but Nancy was and I took it with her.
We went to previews at 8:00 last night - hmmmm. There wasn't anything that grabbed me. For an entire day! (Probably because I already knew some.) Today will be an interesting day - I'll take some teaches - but I'm not holding out a lot of hope for anything great to come out of today.
Biggest news of the weekend is the absence of Ria Vos (medical - nothing serious) and Leslie Thompson (who was scheduled to teach a dance yesterday that I was really looking forward to!) - also medical - could've been more serious than it ended up being. Scott was a basket case yesterday when he was finding all this out. He had some forewarning about Ria so he found replacement instructors for all her teaches - but not Leslie's.
I was on the dance floor until 12:30 last night - and then slept until after 7 this morning. Momentarily we'll head downstairs... I've got my eyes on a pair of shoes.... Boots seem to be the purchase choice this year. I just can't see myself wearing them... If I could just find a good, comfortable pair of shoes....
FRIDAY
Started the day with Junior Willis teaching Scott Schrank's "One Love / One Life". 32-count 2 wall dance with 2 easy restarts and 1 easy tag to a track by the same name. Very nice way to start the morning.
Took a break at 11:00 and moved on to Scott Blevin's teach of "Make You Move". This 144-count (yes, you read that right!) dance is really fun and not too terribly difficult. It will take a bit if refreshing, however, before it can be danced again!
Moved on to Joey Warren's "Get Out The Kitchen" at 1:00. I did make it through the A-B-C teach but then my head exploded and I had to walk iff the floor. There was nothing else that was going to happen. All communication between head and feet had been severed.
At 2:00, John Robinson taught Ria Vos' "Sound Of Your Heart." 64-count, 2 easy restart, 2 wall dance with a constant count of 1-2&3-4, 5-6&7-8 which made walking onto the floor for just the 2nd half of the dance all that much easier to learn the first half on the fly.
After that, couldn't do another step. Couldn't listen to another count. Slunk out of the dance area with my tail tucked!
Demos are at 5... Then we'll eat and head back to the floor.
Bought a pair of dance shoes - converse style with a dance sole. Great shoe! 😎
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
Started the day with Linda McCormack teaching "Aww Honey" - not an easy-peasy little dance! Very Meghan Trainor-ish - don't know if I'll put the time and effort into it to try and nail it or not.
Break at 11 (went to the open dance room and tried a few - we couldn't do No Man's Land; we couldn't do Love Me Like You Do. Failed!)
Next two classes were Scott's and Betsy Currant teaching Ria's dance. Scott did "Red Room" which was a 32-count, 2? Restart dance - nothing difficult... Might keep it... It was "OK" for me.
Betsy taught Ria Vos' "Nobody's Perfect" (choreographed with Kate Sala) - I thought it was OK. No one else did.
I was going to take break for an hour at 2... I ended up going to my room and sleeping through my 3:00 class (Rhoda Lai's "What's The Pressure") but I did get up for my 4:00.
Final teach of the day by Gary O'Reilly with "Just Have Faith". A little different music - the dance was cute - definitely a keeper.
Sunday's two teaches will be Hana Ries doing "If You Are" by Julia Wetzel and then someone will be teaching Ria's "Never Go Away".
"If You Are" by Julia Wetzel, as it turns out, has been on my "I think I might want to teach it" list since it came out. What a FABULOUS dance! It may be the very first one I teach!
"Never Go Away" by Ria Vos was taught by Rona. 32-count "skip the line-type" dance. I don't think there were any tags or restarts... If there were, they were easy. This will be a great Thursday dance.
Bonus! Since our flight was delayed (first by 2 hours and then they added yet another hour), we were able to take another class - Will Craig's "High On Loving You" which we learned at Floridance. I think I'll end up teaching this to the Thursday class. And, got to eat some lunch AND get some more open dancing in. Yay!
Shuttle to the airport at noon... (Well, how 'bout 3)... Flight at 3... (How 'bout 6)... Arrive in Lauderdale at 5... (How 'bout 8)... Home by 7 (yeah, right. More like 10 or later... We're gonna want to eat somewhere!). Whew!
Monday, May 23, 2016
Social in Pinnellas Park
Monday, May 23
We really had good time in Pinnellas Park yesterday at the Bayou Dance Studio. We got there early - but the music was already playing and people were already dancing when we arrived so we dove right in! Great requests all afternoon long - and it seemed like the DJ would've continued to play as long as there were people looking to dance. Awesome!
This was my first time attending this social - and it was really nice. Wooden floor to dance on, plenty of food (people bring something to share if they want and pizza comes during the afternoon), lots of beverages available and lots and lots of dancing!
Three teaches during the afternoon - Lindy Bowers taught "I Never Knew" by Simon Ward; Larry Bass taught "The Queen" by Guillame Richard; and Debbie Carpenter taught "Linger" by Neville & Julie (which we had learned at the Experience).
I taught "I Never Knew" right away today at class - one sure fire way of helping to remember how it goes!
We really had good time in Pinnellas Park yesterday at the Bayou Dance Studio. We got there early - but the music was already playing and people were already dancing when we arrived so we dove right in! Great requests all afternoon long - and it seemed like the DJ would've continued to play as long as there were people looking to dance. Awesome!
This was my first time attending this social - and it was really nice. Wooden floor to dance on, plenty of food (people bring something to share if they want and pizza comes during the afternoon), lots of beverages available and lots and lots of dancing!
Three teaches during the afternoon - Lindy Bowers taught "I Never Knew" by Simon Ward; Larry Bass taught "The Queen" by Guillame Richard; and Debbie Carpenter taught "Linger" by Neville & Julie (which we had learned at the Experience).
I taught "I Never Knew" right away today at class - one sure fire way of helping to remember how it goes!
Sunday, May 15, 2016
FloriDance!
May 15, 2015...
Just got home from FloriDance - my first time at that event. Choreographers were Trevor Thornton, Will Craig, Guyton Mundy and Amy Glass. The event is put on by Patrick Fleming..
There were two rooms with teaches taking place all day - I never went in to the "beginner" or "other" room so I don't know what was taught there. In the main room, there were six teaches during the day and one more in the evening at the social.
Guyton taught "Work From Home" which is a phrased ABCD dance choreographed with Roy Hadisabroto and Fred Whitehouse. I think I have parts B and C. A and D need some (a LOT) of work!
He also taught "Work Song" which is also phrased (AB) and choreographed with Klara Wallman, Roy Hadisabroto and Fred Whitehouse. An "easier" dance (if any of Guyton's dances can be classified as "easy") than the other one but not a dance I could just walk out on the floor today and do - it's gonna need some work!
Will taught "Right About Now" A phrased (AB) dance which may be my favorite of the weekend. He also taught "High On Loving You" which was a 48 count, 4 wall nightclub with several restarts. A pretty dance if you're in the market for a nightclub.
Amy taught "You Make It Real" - another "nightclubby" feel dance with an easy 6-count tag. 32 count and 2 walls. Pretty dance. She also taught "Sunshine In My Pocket" which may also be my favorite from the weekend. Again, a phrased (ABC) dance but fun and funky. Upbeat new music from Justin Timberlake.
The one teach I had from Trevor was "Coconut Water" - a phrased (AB) dance that I'm hoping my Thursday class will like. I need to work on it a little more before I teach it - but I think I'll bring it to them within the next couple of weeks.
We spent all day Saturday in workshops and then had Saturday night for open/social dancing. JP Potter was the DJ for the event. We had several dances played during the course of the night that we knew how to do (or used to know how to do and faked it really well!). Love going to events - the requests bring up dances I'd never think of on my own!
Just got home from FloriDance - my first time at that event. Choreographers were Trevor Thornton, Will Craig, Guyton Mundy and Amy Glass. The event is put on by Patrick Fleming..
There were two rooms with teaches taking place all day - I never went in to the "beginner" or "other" room so I don't know what was taught there. In the main room, there were six teaches during the day and one more in the evening at the social.
Guyton taught "Work From Home" which is a phrased ABCD dance choreographed with Roy Hadisabroto and Fred Whitehouse. I think I have parts B and C. A and D need some (a LOT) of work!
He also taught "Work Song" which is also phrased (AB) and choreographed with Klara Wallman, Roy Hadisabroto and Fred Whitehouse. An "easier" dance (if any of Guyton's dances can be classified as "easy") than the other one but not a dance I could just walk out on the floor today and do - it's gonna need some work!
Will taught "Right About Now" A phrased (AB) dance which may be my favorite of the weekend. He also taught "High On Loving You" which was a 48 count, 4 wall nightclub with several restarts. A pretty dance if you're in the market for a nightclub.
Amy taught "You Make It Real" - another "nightclubby" feel dance with an easy 6-count tag. 32 count and 2 walls. Pretty dance. She also taught "Sunshine In My Pocket" which may also be my favorite from the weekend. Again, a phrased (ABC) dance but fun and funky. Upbeat new music from Justin Timberlake.
The one teach I had from Trevor was "Coconut Water" - a phrased (AB) dance that I'm hoping my Thursday class will like. I need to work on it a little more before I teach it - but I think I'll bring it to them within the next couple of weeks.
We spent all day Saturday in workshops and then had Saturday night for open/social dancing. JP Potter was the DJ for the event. We had several dances played during the course of the night that we knew how to do (or used to know how to do and faked it really well!). Love going to events - the requests bring up dances I'd never think of on my own!
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
April 20 - Dance Xperience!
I had an amazing time at the Dance Xperience Orlando last weekend! Had never met choreographers Neville Fitzgerald and Julie Harris before, or DJ Dave Baycroft and wife Pauline. Great people!
There were 11 dances scheduled to be taught over the weekend - and then there was a bonus teach! Some of the dances I had been taught before (Part of the List, Die A Happy Man, You're So Beautiful, Go To Work, and How I Want Ya) which meant my brain didn't have to totally fry!
Everything I learned I want to keep! Joey taught "The Waiting Game"; Rachael taught "Feel Good" by Shane McKeever; Neville and Julie taught "Linger", "Girls Like", "Desperado", "Wearing Your Jeans" and the bonus teach "Shouldn't Be That Hard" (which I didn't take - but it shouldn't be too hard - hahahahaha!).
I have all these new dances which are competing in my head for which one do I work on to teach first! Ultimately, I think I'll end up teaching most of them - just need to figure out when!
There were 11 dances scheduled to be taught over the weekend - and then there was a bonus teach! Some of the dances I had been taught before (Part of the List, Die A Happy Man, You're So Beautiful, Go To Work, and How I Want Ya) which meant my brain didn't have to totally fry!
Everything I learned I want to keep! Joey taught "The Waiting Game"; Rachael taught "Feel Good" by Shane McKeever; Neville and Julie taught "Linger", "Girls Like", "Desperado", "Wearing Your Jeans" and the bonus teach "Shouldn't Be That Hard" (which I didn't take - but it shouldn't be too hard - hahahahaha!).
I have all these new dances which are competing in my head for which one do I work on to teach first! Ultimately, I think I'll end up teaching most of them - just need to figure out when!
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Sunday, April 10
First time on a dance floor since the social a week ago Saturday. Been down with bronchitis/early pnuemonia - couldn't do a thing.
With the Xperience Orlando coming up next weekend, need to spend some time this week building up my stamina for the weekend. Lost some valuable practice time - guess I'll know what I know and have to sit out the rest.
After the 2-hour practice this morning, I need a nap! Boy! My muscles certainly knew they hadn't really moved for a week! Yikes!
With the Xperience Orlando coming up next weekend, need to spend some time this week building up my stamina for the weekend. Lost some valuable practice time - guess I'll know what I know and have to sit out the rest.
After the 2-hour practice this morning, I need a nap! Boy! My muscles certainly knew they hadn't really moved for a week! Yikes!
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Sunday, March 20
Had the opportunity to attend Rachael's workshop yesterday in Orlando. She taught six dances - 4 of which I'd like to see continue, one that I would be happy to see continue but not sure that it will and the sixth was one that I need to work more on.
She taught: Die A Happy Man (the one I need to work more on), From the Ground Up (great waltz! - hoping Nancy will let me teach it to her class), How I Want Ya (not sure that it will go anywhere), Part Of The List (I'll teach it to Nancy's class tonmorrow), ST1 (I'll teach to Thursday class this week), and Young & Stupid (which is actually Fred Whitehouse's dance that I think Deb will teach on Thursday night so it has a chance to continue).
She taught: Die A Happy Man (the one I need to work more on), From the Ground Up (great waltz! - hoping Nancy will let me teach it to her class), How I Want Ya (not sure that it will go anywhere), Part Of The List (I'll teach it to Nancy's class tonmorrow), ST1 (I'll teach to Thursday class this week), and Young & Stupid (which is actually Fred Whitehouse's dance that I think Deb will teach on Thursday night so it has a chance to continue).
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Saturday, March 12
Oldies Workshop today with Larry Bass and Jamie Marshall.
Some good dances taught - including HAVE FUN, GO MAD!!! Yay! I'll teach it on Thursday just to keep it going.
Seems to be a tie between Cool Whip, What A Shock, and Crown Royal as the favorites of others in our group who attended. I'll have to look at those sheets again and see if any of them (I'm thinking What A Shock) are easy enough as a second teach on Thursday.
Larry taught Have Fun Go Mad, What A Shock, and Cool Whip. Jamie taught Bomshel Stomp, Crown Royal, and Sho 'Nuf. And Larry did turbo teaches on King Of The Road and Rhumba & Roses and Jamie did turbo teaches on Por Ti Sere and Picnic Polka. I might want to keep Rhumba and Roses around for the beginners - would be nice for them to have another rumba for floor splits on social nights.
Open dances for the day included Come Dance With Me, Beautiful Goodbye, Better When I'm Dancin', Askin' Questions, Ticket To The Blues, Girl Crush, Caught In The Moonlight, Bittersweet Memories, Baby Doll Waltz, Backstreet Attitude, Tuesday Blues, American Kids, Wagon Wheel Rock, Chill Factor, Happy In Love, No Man's Land, Rita's Waltz, and Ain't Misbehavin'. There were also some "pre-event" dancing taking place earlier in the morning - Imelda's Way, Love Me Or Leave Me, Bosa Nova....
We had a lot of our folks there - and some last minute cancellations: Cheri Booth, Linda Mains, Nancy Dixon. They would've had a good time.
Some good dances taught - including HAVE FUN, GO MAD!!! Yay! I'll teach it on Thursday just to keep it going.
Seems to be a tie between Cool Whip, What A Shock, and Crown Royal as the favorites of others in our group who attended. I'll have to look at those sheets again and see if any of them (I'm thinking What A Shock) are easy enough as a second teach on Thursday.
Larry taught Have Fun Go Mad, What A Shock, and Cool Whip. Jamie taught Bomshel Stomp, Crown Royal, and Sho 'Nuf. And Larry did turbo teaches on King Of The Road and Rhumba & Roses and Jamie did turbo teaches on Por Ti Sere and Picnic Polka. I might want to keep Rhumba and Roses around for the beginners - would be nice for them to have another rumba for floor splits on social nights.
Open dances for the day included Come Dance With Me, Beautiful Goodbye, Better When I'm Dancin', Askin' Questions, Ticket To The Blues, Girl Crush, Caught In The Moonlight, Bittersweet Memories, Baby Doll Waltz, Backstreet Attitude, Tuesday Blues, American Kids, Wagon Wheel Rock, Chill Factor, Happy In Love, No Man's Land, Rita's Waltz, and Ain't Misbehavin'. There were also some "pre-event" dancing taking place earlier in the morning - Imelda's Way, Love Me Or Leave Me, Bosa Nova....
We had a lot of our folks there - and some last minute cancellations: Cheri Booth, Linda Mains, Nancy Dixon. They would've had a good time.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Reading back over some recent old posts (haven't really said much of anything since December!) - I was wondering what dances have come along that I've really liked since the last time I posted anything. I guess Ain't Misbehavin' took off like a shot - that dance was an instant hit...
Wish I would've thought about posting something after the Scott Blevin's workshop in January - he did some good stuff there - Cake By The Ocean being the favorite.
And now people are back from The Big Bang and, for our group anyway, Spiderweb by Brenna Stith is the big hit. And for me - Spiderweb is one of those dances that I instantly fell in love with - the kind of "love love LOVE this dance" kind of love. The goosebumps - absolutely HAVE TO DANCE this dance kind of dance. It is GREAT! 72-count, 2 wall, one easy restart. Fabulous music of the same name. Brenna hit this one out of the park!
The other new one that I was just exposed to was "Heart In My Hand" by Debbie Rushton. I really like this one, too. Maybe because it's so challenging? Maybe because of the music and the way she just made it all fit. But I really like it.
I guess Joey Warren's "Go To Work" is another favorite - but nothing has hit me like Spiderweb. It's just a fabulous dance!
Reading back over some recent old posts (haven't really said much of anything since December!) - I was wondering what dances have come along that I've really liked since the last time I posted anything. I guess Ain't Misbehavin' took off like a shot - that dance was an instant hit...
Wish I would've thought about posting something after the Scott Blevin's workshop in January - he did some good stuff there - Cake By The Ocean being the favorite.
And now people are back from The Big Bang and, for our group anyway, Spiderweb by Brenna Stith is the big hit. And for me - Spiderweb is one of those dances that I instantly fell in love with - the kind of "love love LOVE this dance" kind of love. The goosebumps - absolutely HAVE TO DANCE this dance kind of dance. It is GREAT! 72-count, 2 wall, one easy restart. Fabulous music of the same name. Brenna hit this one out of the park!
The other new one that I was just exposed to was "Heart In My Hand" by Debbie Rushton. I really like this one, too. Maybe because it's so challenging? Maybe because of the music and the way she just made it all fit. But I really like it.
I guess Joey Warren's "Go To Work" is another favorite - but nothing has hit me like Spiderweb. It's just a fabulous dance!
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