IMHO - Lotta

IMHO - CAN-AM 2003

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Event Co-Director Debi & Staff get the party started!

Thanks to those who took pics w/ my camera for me - for some reason hardly any turned out - makin' up for lack of pics wiff extra ramblin' ;)

I've gotten to see some of yours pictures from the weekend already - can't wait to see the rest :) feel free to share - please n thanks!

Four Points Sheraton - Hey! Who took the rest of the points?

Can-Am London, Ont, August 1st - 3rd, 2003

So much to yak about... where to start?

How 'bout with Frank's "Assembly Line" Basically that was a dance for the folks that assembled early on Thursday night for the event. Debi announced next year's bonus Thursday dance will be "officially" added & hopefully held in the main ballroom

(Check #1, n #2 for Debi, Gale & Dancalot)

The turnout was FAR larger than anyone expected

~ Psst thanks for comin' ~

Unfortunately, there wasn't near 'nuff room to try n combine Line & Couples. (Most sorry 'bout that for the couples who came to dance) Guess that just means the Thursday night dance was a HUGE success n will be bigger n better next year :)

Oh - The pizza provided by Dancalot was juss wunnerful!!!

(Check #3)

Cool eh! Are ya likin' the Canadian accent btw?

Anyway - do plan to come on Thursday next year and join us in da BIG ballroom!

Speakin' of ballroom ;} that reminds me...

Floor ramble about to commense.

Have ya ever noticed the 1st day or 2 at an event is always the worst for the floor? The rooms are usually too warm and the floors are allllll stickety-ickety.

Here's a suggestion ~ which may or may not work ;) for event directors.

I've learnt after a good "waxin", the longer the floor is "danced" the better it gets, to the point of bein' tooo slick even. I've also learnt if ya cool the room to 65-67ish, typical fer dancin'... as soon as evyone arrives n gets up n movin', the temp rises & the moisture in the air tacks the floor all to L.

IF you CAN get the room "hypercooled"

(yea-huh it might be a word ;) and drop it down to about 50-55, it doesn't suffer nearly as bad from the boost in humidity and doesn't get so hot either....

This weekend's event had the usual "Too hot, too sticky" complaints like just every other workshop. BUT lemme tell ya - Sunday, the rooms were tooooo cold n the floor was just fantastical!

SO, future event put'er on'ers... Test the theory out and good luck! Lemme know if it helps any.

BTW - Wax (available and janitorial supply stores) and talc were applied frequently and room temp eventually lowered - beyond that - there's nothing that can be done that I'm aware of. (Check #4)

K- back to Thursday's dancin'!

Frankie played off the "current" hit list that evyone is doin out n about and went from a request list to fill in. Most everything was played, he heard great feedback over all. The songs that weren't played were due to lack of music, or havin' been played earlier in the night.

(I was sposed to supply back up music, but I fo'got ALL my music n' had to send for back up for the back up ;)

Thanks Brad & Ginger for gettin' it for me!

YAY FWANKIE - ya done verra good! Thanks to them all for havin' us on Thursday for an extra chance to dance!

As for the hotel itself, The Four Points Sheraton, in London, CA, It's a loverly home away from home!

I din't hear any complaints - cept for my own ;) those rooms in 50s block are OUT there eh?

But they're rillllllly nice n decorated verra purty. (Sorry Denise - we couldn't get the blue chairs in the car either ;) Check-in was cake, service & food - both were excellent. Initially ya might think it's a tad pricey, but it's actually one of the nicest host hotels for events. At least from those I've attended. (Loverly Happy Hour snacks provided in the bar too ;) It's in a great location w/ lots of shoppin', great eateries like Crabby Dick's / Jack Astor's - sumpin like that ;) PLUS other great touristy stuff goin' on all over the place. It is also a fantastic meet in da middle spot for Toronto'ers n Michiganders to hook up for a weekend! Great too for Fwankie's dancers in London that don't require a room at all...

Gale Erskin, Co-Director and Andrew

John Kinser - Welcome from Omaha!

On wit the dancinalot!

Registration - total breeze!

Goodie bag! Yay! We got treats :)

Each packet included DANCALOT pens, n candy with a coupon for next year, schedules, maps, dinner bands, & a step book (sheets added later in the weekend were set out n easy to grab) (Check#5,#6) The early rate for an all inclusive weekend pass & step book was $90.00 or $80 w/ a group US.

Our instructors for the weekend included all the fave mainstays...

Scott Blevins, Max Perry, Kathy Hunyadi, Mark Cosenza, Eve Yeaton, Jo & John Kinser, Peter Metelnick, John Robinson, Judy McDonald, Frank Cooper, Jamie Marshall, Kevin n Rena Ward, Mike Bishop n Debbie Levesque, Dave & Linda Corke AND

DJ Wildman Louie (F stands fer ;) St. George!

Lots of rilly good stuff was taught this weekend. Over 50 sessions in all. (I doubled my event average crammin' in a whoppin' 6 sessions ;) Word is, a dedicated beginner teach room will be added next year (check#7)

I'm hopin' to cover AT LEAST ONE dance from each instructor from workshops. Diversity is always loverly eh?

My 1st teach choice is *starred*, dances already taught or being done locally are in CAPS. Each instructor’s teaches included:

Scott Blevins – Always his are a given...

BIDNESS, INFATUATION, *Who That*, CHEAP TALK

Max Perry – *WATCH ME NOW* I juss LUV this song to bits, it was my 1st teach...WANNA BE ME, WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW, So Fine, (If *Rain* & SIMPLY SUNRISE were taught over the weekend, I din't see em...

Plus the LineDanceSport session w/ Peter Blaskowski & Beth Webb on Sunday n Monday (I'm hearin' good feedback from folks who attended. The concensus is, it was very informative and they are looking fwd to more!)

Kathy Hunyadi – Texas Blue Eyes, JUST LIKE DYNAMITE, Bump & Hustle, *CAN'T GET ENOUGH*, Little Diva, Love Won't Let Me

Eve Yeaton – HOT TEMPTATION, *What A Feeling*, Everybody Dance Da Da Dum Dum, *DON'T KEEP ME WAITING*

Judy McDonald – *Cool Whip*, WHEN I LEAVE, *Sweet Memories*

Mark Cosenza - Palisades Park, LONG TRAIN RUNNING,

Tell Me Goodbye, *Start Walking*

Jo & John Kinser - *Any Night Club*, I'm Back Again, Everybody's Something, THE BEAT GOES ON, DANCE TO THE MUSIC

John Robinson - *31st of April*, *Love Struck Groove*,

Born To Be Blue, *No Parking Baby*, Goody Two Shoes,

Kevin & Rena Ward - RAISE YOUR HANDS, Tiki Hideaway, STITCH IT UP, *Another Chance*, What Does It Take, No CLue, Eye Can See Clearly Now,

Peter Metelnick - *Brokenheartsville*, Stardust Memories, In-Vince-Ible, To Dance or Not To Dance, One Wish, *Romantasy*

Jamie Marshall - *Out Of Control*, BS'n, Red Lips Blue Eyes, Back To You,

Fwankie Cooper - WHATEVER HAPPENS, *Mind Games*, West Coast Cha, 2 STEPS BEHIND

Choices galore! Quite a few listed and in the book, I don't member seein' - gonna check 'em out more my ownself. Plus there's TBA's not included above which were posted on room schedules (Check#8) Dancers are liking tons of stuff from the weekend. I heard great stuff about several dances from each Instructor :) Should keep us dancin' the latest n greatest for a good long while!

Sunday was an all review day with sessions slotted for each instructor. More on that later....

Frank Cooper , In the true spirit of Goodwill - Let the Mind GAMES begin ;)

Master DJ Wildman Louie St. George: "Bucklewhat?!"

Friday's dance was rockin' big time fun!!!

MASTER DJ Louie (what a pro!) played late, got in lots of requests n mixed in new teaches. Again, he treated us to dif music for "classic" dances most evyone knows. He ALWAYS does that soooo very well! While the response to this is mixed in my neck of the woods, I juss luv it n rilly look fwd to bringin' back his alt music ideas after he's DJ'd an event. I member him playin' Footloose for Jai Du Boogie, Ain't No Sunshine for Shiver n Shake, Mr. Bartender for So Addictive...

Saturday morning featured teach demos 1st thing on the schedule. I totally missed 'em but heard they were appreciated in that slot. Us rambler/reviewers -

uhhh mostly me n Mark ;) have suggested that for a lonnnng time now... Just so folks not interested don't hafta partake, AND cuz it doesn't use up open dance time. I hope they feature it again next year. (Yay for lissinin, Check # 9)

Saturday night's buffet dinner was delish, it's always been great in past years n it gets better as we go along. Four Points offers a wide selection and staff gets it together right quick! Set-up in the outer corridor reduced clean up/down time too. (Check # 10)

The demo routines timed out perfectly! Not too lengthy, and gave people a lil chance to settle a bit after good eatin' :)

Everyone had new stuff, I've not seen before, including The Kinsers, Max & Kathy, and The Wards. Jamie & John's couples routine was great fun!

GO FWANKIE you shy thang you! Yay for the couples too! Mostestly cute :) The biggest surprise had to be Louie's Grand Splittin' Finale! What other hidden talents lay beneath all those funny hats???? There were a few songs played in b'tween the formalities to break the down time up - those filled the floor.

Oh - yanno what else was rilly great?!?!?!

NO OVERPLAYS!!!! I don't 'member hearin' anythang played more than we wanted...we did our faves just enuff to keep em faves...

Now for 'nother side of Saturday's open dance - rut ro -another sorta side ramble too...

As you prolly heard - some folks were less than sasified with the open dance. I hafta say it was shorter than most expected.

I give Debi & Gale tremendous credit for tryin' sumpin new (Check #11) How else ya gonna find new stuff without giving things a try? In theory, it was sposed to be a quickie walk of the day's teaches, then danced to music. Afterall, yanno how brain dead ya are by that point in a weekend, not memberin' the names of the dances, let alone how to do em...

The 1 wall walks sorta evolved into mini teaches for most instructors. (Who, I'm sure just wanted folks to be able to dance the dances.) Multiply that by ALL the instructors times ALL the dances - just took toooo much dance time - leaving folks waitin'.

I bet some loved it, but this time, I think the majority wanted to juss dance.

What's that cardinal rule again? Don't take up too much open dance time - for ANYTHING.

Including...demos, walk thrus, awards, etc no matter who n no matter how....dancers juss wanna dance!

One point heard was, "If Sunday is an all review day - why use open dance time to review?"

I'm thinkin' it was one o' those thangs that after it got goin' - ya just had to ride it out...

It woulda been unfair to cut instructors that hadn't gotten their "turns", after some already took theirs. I don't think anyone anticipated it would take so long for those itty bitty 1 wall walks.

While it didn't turn out as intended, there rilly wasn't much to be done for it. Apologies were graciously made - input & criticisms were certainly heard.

So - There's only one thing left to do....Make the best of it and CHOOSE to enjoy yourself!

Ya coulda Cool Whip'd yourself silly off in the corner ;) That was most cute!

Beyond that... just get over it!

Sound a lil harsh eh????

I was surprised by some reactions... EVERYONE has the right to voice their opinion...in this case a lil diplomacy mighta been applied best. We all KNOW dancers are truly the nicest folks on the planet. Maybe next time, our enthusiasm will be matched by our grace and charm...

Ummm, off the dancefloor anyway, for a few of us ;)

There's different sides when folks don't agree. The fact that some seemed to fo'get was, The ONE GOAL of any HOST/DIRECTOR and DJ is to give everyone a great time!

NO ONE EVER, NOT EVER deliberately sets out to make anyone unhappy!!!!

EVER!!!!!

Usually a good time is accomplished by keepin' the majority of folks happy the majority of the time. With that rule - there's gonna be some that aren't ezactly thrilled with the results.

But afterall - It wasn't the "Last Supper"

WE WILL, and DID HAVE MORE CHANCES TO DANCE!

Louie went beyond closin' time w/ requests. (Hope dat turned out ok for him in respect to future events)

He & John R. did a great job peppin' us up wit da happy hats ;) n playin' as many as he could squeeze into the rest of the night - Yay for them, yay for us - we did get to dancalot!

Plus, ALL that open dancin' done on Sunday - ah ah ah that wasn't originally scheduled...

Where do ya spose it came from?

Oh ok, I'll tell ya ;)

Conscientious directors tryin' to show ya'll a grand time!

(Check #12, let's check #13 too - we were fortunate to have directors do what they could during the weekend to rectify somethin' within their power) Thanks to them both!

So to sum up the open dancing - there were parts that were a lil disappointin' for some - but there was a WHOLE lot more to be overjoyed about! I'm in the latter group :) (Check#14)

Eve explains to Denise exactly how she earned the shirt ;)

Confessions of a dance addict: "Please, forgive me. I've forgotten Dangerous" ;)

So let's think a sec... How can this be thought of as positive? Cuz we got the chance to make suggestions & comments for next year...

Here's my suggestions ;)

*Perhaps a separate room/area for the quickie walks with a schedule similiar to what was used. After which they all come back n go to music... If the instructor only gets one reviewed - the show still goes on...

*Ahhh~~~ Here's one for the thickest skinned DJs ;) cuz dis'll put him/her in a hot seat fo sho'!

Mic the instructors for their turn - not for review - go to music n have em "call" the 1st wall only - if anything other than that takes place - the dj pulls the plug... hehe - Yea that would prolly create all sorts of havoc n mayhem ;)

Team Bucklehuck Support :)

What's left? The choreography competition! Glad I got up for it ;) There were great dance entries, and group of rilly terrific ppl struttin' their clever stuff this year!

Most are pictured below (Cept for Peter & Beth, n Jo & John - sorry their pics din't turn out :(

The competition took place early Sat morning - one great thing about it - No yokage! It was purty laid back as far as competitions go :) Not too many rules, just go out n dance. We all received comparision score sheets for the dances entered in their respective divisions. Placements were announced and plaques were awarded quickly Saturday night! (That's a real plus, from a competitor's viewpoint - you don't always get that info) (Check # 15)

DO give these sheets a looksie! The dances that caught my eye were:

*Any Nite Club: Kinser's - Very nice,versatile, pretty NC2 dance! Taught over the weekend. Awarded 1st in Non-country, non-phrased.

* I Dig Rock & Roll Music: Bahama Bob's, fit the music verra well. Awarded 2nd in non-country, non phrased.

*Get Back (In Line!): Vivienne Scott's, very cute n worked the lyrics for the country Beatles cover song just right. Awarded 2nd in country phrased. (We already dance her One Heart n fill the floor with it)

*Chixie Reel: Christopher Petre's, peppy Dixie Chicks number with lots of neat dancin' action. Awarded 1st in Country Phrased.

Drift Away: LineDanceSport/Peter Blaskowski & Beth Webb's, done to a great Uncle Kracker cover song, flowed pretty & entered in two dif divisions. Awarded 2nd Place in non country phrased.

*Bucklehuck: Mine :) Fun n ez to a catchy CHUBBY CHECKER song.... I'm amazed & tickled electric pink with the response for it!!! Whoda ever thunk it???Awarded 1st Place in non-country Phrased.

I'll take this space left from lack of pics to do sum serious thankin' ;)

~Thanks to Louie for playin' it during open dance over the weekend! Thanks to Liz n Ivy n evyone else for requestin' it!

~Thanks to EVYONE for their comments, hugs, n kind words AND for givin' it a go - hope ya have fun wiff it!

~Mighty big Thanks to the instructors who will be teaching it out n about!

~Thanks to the fantabulous gals that danced it with me: Heather, Denise, Ginger, Sue, Ivy & Pauline - Ya'll rock!

~Thanks from the very bottom of my heart to the newly dubbed "Team Bucklehuck Support" for all you do! Ya'll are the GREATEST!!!

~Thanks again to Kevin for the music...

I entered 5 dances in all - had to be up n movin' early anyway eh ;) I'm most happy with how they placed and heard lotsa good stuff about em ('specially White Out and Pillow Talk) from dancers! Thanks!

Thanks to Heather for dancin' em up with me! (Hallmark co-written w/ Heather has been gettin' nice feedback and its catchin' on well this way :)

I rilly can't express just how memorable ya'll made the weekend for me/us! Thanks once again to evyone, I truly appreciate it and feel very blessed!

Vivienne Scott, One Heart

I rilly can't put my finger on what made this weekend different from previous Can-Ams. There was definately a speical quality that we can only attribute to Dancalot. Soooooo many people told me how welcome they were made to feel thru-out and what great hosts Debi & Gale were. It was neat havin' so many newcomers at the event for the 1st time from all over the globe!!!

I hope they keep comin' n the event continues to thrive for many years to come! As ya'll can see with the newly made up ;) check point tally system, we've got at least 15 reasons to make this part of our regular workshops schedule. (Not even counting the awesome line up, great venue, & fantastic dancing, wunnerful peeps etc...)

These gals did everything they could before & during the event to ensure ya'll had a wonderful time!

Heck, they're prolly workin' out new ideas right this minute to make next year's event better than ever!

Absolutely this is an event we won't want to miss in the future. All the staff did a phenominal job, big thanks to them for their hard work and giving us another chance to dance!

See ya there next year, July 30th, - Aug 1st! Can't wait! (Thursday night too I think :)

Work! Work! Work it out Baby!

Work! Work! Yer drivin' me crazy!

I juss can't quit singin that song :)

A loverly follow up to one of my all time faves, Do Your Thing!

***My personal CAN-AM TOP TEN***

10. It's rilly close to home - how can you not go??? We juss luv local workshops!

9. All the extra goodies in our weekend packets!

8. Seeing lots of folks we haven't seen for a while n meetin' so many new funtastic people from dancefloors far n wide!

7. The late night die hard group and the "after hours" gatherings - always a grand time!

6. "Whatever Happens" has broke way past that "floor barrier" YAY for RON N LIZ!!!!!!

5. Crabby Dick's / Jack Astor's - luv that place!

4. The "Coopettes" or "Floopers" (however ya prefer) loverly rendition of "Do Me"

3. Dancin' n carryin on with our local diehards - hope to see yas out n about at EVERY event from now on! Yer ALL so amazing! Luv each n evyone of yas to bits n pieces!!! (You too weasle!;)

2. Frank's Mind Games - and the anticipation of such! Oh What fun can be had with very lil effort ;)

1. Shhh - no jinx ;)

Keep your end of July dance schedule open - Check www.dancalot.com for more info about next year's event. See ya there!

Be sure to read Viv's review with great pics at www.stayinline.ca

Look for Mark's write up at www.countryedge.com

Enjoy every dance!

(Gee, I never thought I'd ever say this...Any religious references contained in the ramble are purely coincidental and certainly not meant to offend anyone.)

Any problem in the world, can be solved by dancing."