You’re
probably wondering what the attraction was of going to Boston in the dead of winter, especially coming from the cold & wintry north
of Michigan & Canada ourselves.
Beyond
the wunnerful "high" us workshop junkies get from any dance event, this one had 2 unique extras.
So special in fact, it enticed about 20 of us locals to keep on the down jackets, n bundle off to
Boston for a mid-winter break ;)
The
2 big draws being, MIL & The Showdown!
To
begin with…
MASTERS
IN LINE!
(Known
as MIL, comprised of world renowned
dancers/champions/choreographers/instructors;
Rachel McEnaney, Paul McAdam, Rob Fowler, & Pedro Machado.) They were absolutely FABULOUS!
We seldom get the opportunity to learn MIL dances from these folks, especially while in the States.
That alone, for many made it worth the trip.
It was great getting their stuff 1st hand from them,
accompanied by their charismatic personalities and magnificent talent!
Then
to top that off, we were treated to not ONE, but TWO nights of performance routines! I
could ramble on & on & on about how fantastical n awe inspiring they are as dancers and showman, and about what
a sheer pleasure to watch they all were… Their performances included solo spotlights and ensemble pieces that showed off their many impressive talents,
including most rhythms and styles – funky n hip hop to graceful ballet – lighthearted comedy to dramatic
theatrical interpretation. Everybody just loved 'em to bits! Let's sum it up by saying...
The
name says it all – MASTERS IN LINE!
Do
catch them sometime yourself - whether here or abroad. (MIL will be returning to the States again later this year in Vegas, over Labor Day! Contact Director Jamie Marshall
for more event info)
IF
that weren’t enough…
Attraction Number 2 - The Showdown!
This was especially exciting! Unless you're fortunate enough to attend a "Worlds" type event...
(Insert my own personal pouts n whines here :(
You don't often get to see this MANY of this caliber of routine at events out n about.
This was the ONE and
ONLY evening "open dance time" show that I didn't hear folks complainin' about. Usually, no matter how fantastic
the show is - people tend get antsy makin' like wall flowers, and grow impatient waiting around for our turn to
dance.
NOT this time!
(So I'll skip da Cardinal Rule Sermon ;)
The shows kept everyone
glued to their seats - or standing at attention, by the
"Stars" doing things most of us can't even fathom doing ourselves, and by making emotional connections - from making ya laugh or sending shivers up n down your spine!
Basically, The Showdown
is a 4 minute routine dance contest, with no rules and cash prizes - taken on only by the best of the very best!
Lemme break it down
into a Top Ten format - as there were 10 competitors. Rank & Placement and who was judged "Winner" I've decided
to set aside. ALL of the routines
were excellent and would have "wowed" any crowd. I'm glad each
n every one of the participants choose to give it a go! The total Showdown package amounted to a Grand spectrum of dance variety. No two were alike, all were immensely
entertaining to watch and would have been standing ovation material in their own right. Hip Hip Hurrahs for
em all!!!!!!!
THE TOP TEN
10. Stephen, or Kris,
or ???? from the UK ~ Geez, sorry I don't remember his
name, Watch for this delightful youngin' to be a big up n comer in
the very near future! He's a charming dancer, spins like a top, and made every second of his aerobic
routine look like a leisurely Sunday stroll in the park - always with a smile on his face. He was the absolute
definition of high energy & enthusiasm - set to music.
(Sumbunny please fill in
that name blank for me!)
9. Junior Willis ~
Junior showed us how "opposites attract" with a routine
that had a lil bit o' Country n a lil' bit o' Funk-N-Roll. His performance highlighted his mighty fast footwork
& clogging talents, along with his mighty fine booty shaking abilities...Like always Junior got the
gals all asmilin' and aswoonin' ;)
8. Cody Stephens ~ Cody's another up n comin' youngin' who showed us a wild
n woolier side by comin' out tie dyed
n wiggified. He treated us to a melt in your mouth performance! I think he must eatin' a lil snap crackle
n pop with his wheaties in the morn to be able to do all the poppin' n lockin' things he does with his shoulders.
7. Brian Barakauskas ~ Brian always gives such flawless performances...
so much so that we kinda take em for granted. Brian managed a Valentine's number that was both wonderfully
romantic, and comically tragic that just plain WORE US OUT laughing so hard!!!! (I won't give his
hook away - ya need to buy the vid ;) http://www.linedanceshowdown.com/videos/
6. Barry Amato ~ Barry's specialty is makin' every dance appear
like a full scale staged production - with the look of no set up at all.... He did a loverly Singin' In The Rain
Hollywood montage that comes as close to livin' proof of reincarnation we'll prolly ever see - with or without the umbrella
;)
5. Max Perry ~ Max's movements are typically so smoooooooth even
when not performing that he seems to be dancing ALL the time. Max did a routine for us that was a lil' out
of his usual glitz n glimmer n shimmer character that we're so accustomed to. Anytime he breaks out
of the norm is a great time!!! He makes a dandy Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy -Hops & all - I just luved
that!!!!
4. Hypno ~ This would be the most difficult routine to catagorize
- it's a bit out of our realm of dance style. Hypno does things that are physically and anotomacally impossible
- while appearing to be with the greatest of ease no less! He did a Conception to Birth performance piece that should
hold a place in the Guinness Book. (I'm purty sure his was the only performance that received a standing ovation
from ALL of the judges!)
3. Rachael McEnaney ~ You GO GIRL! Rachael was the only girl to
take on the challenge at this event. She stood/twirled/spinned/rocked in a class of her own. Her movement is
amazing to watch! She dances through every bit of her body, from head to toe, and her performance
had just as many parts.
2. Joey Warren ~ Here's another big up n comer youngin! Joey
got zapped by the Murhpy's Law effect during his routine... BUT after the power was returned he came back out even stronger! He
showed the true mark of a winner & professional by stayin "In The Zone." Great on him!
1. Spirit (Team Mundy) Guyton and Company brought out a new team member
named Spirit, I think it's a puppet??? Anyway... the dancers/operators skillfully
controlled and brought to life this child sized dummy in a routine that made us think we were watching - A
real live Dancer! Most unique!
While I imagine the videos are marvy...YA JUST GOTTA SEE THE MASTERS & THE SHOWDOWN LIVE to get the full effect!!!!
Check out comments for this year's and get info for future events
at:
http://www.linedanceshowdown.com/
NONE of the pics I took turned out post worthy...The folks at Shorewings got some loverly shots - check em out & thanks!http://www.shorewings.com/showdown2004/index.cfm?imagenum=2
Dancers Comments or Next Year's Wish List...
-
Step sheets available inside the paid classes. (Perhaps the event could provide a folder and class participants could make up their own workshop
books as they go along from the classes they take - Like a "Take It n Make it" pack ;)
-
One room kept slotted just for open dance during the paid workshop
slots. (Dancers said were lookin' for a place to chill n hangout when not attending a session, without going
back to their rooms, or the bar/lobby etc.)
There were some negative hotel specific rumblin's - since it'll
be at a different venue next year... no point in even yakkin' about 'em eh?
The concensus heard from most everyone over the weekend
was rilly postive and most thought it was juss plain wunnerful, and they can't wait for next year to be
back!
While the folks from our area enjoyed themselves immensely, I don't think
it'll be placed in the "Must Do" event rotation, SIMPLY due to the cost factor. I do hope we're
able to make it back again in the near future!
Thanks to Directors Jason and Jeniffer and their staff for having us
out to play. A couple of the other hi-lites were...
-
A Sunday evening room for dancing' & playin' n carryin' on.
-
Shuttle service from the airport (Tho the Clio-Ganders had glitches with it :(
-
A chance to re-watch the taped Showdown etc. Sunday.
-
An OPTIONAL dinner ticket
-
CASH~MONEY~$$$ for Showdown Rankings!
Finally, Thanks to
ALL of our very own US instructors who did an equally fantastic job of entertaining and teaching us over the weekend!!! Aren't we lucky to have our own Masters right here at home!
My Personal Event Top Ten
10. Fab directions home (Thanks to Louie :) AND makin' my flight Thanks
to "Hold That Plane" Liz!
9. Team smilin' faces :) Thanks to the Clio-ganders and
the Canadian-ganders, n the rest o' the smilin-ganders, for helpin' me out :) Especially Denise Stone for takin the floor
wit me :)
8. LATE NIGHT LOUIE (Like Always) and the later night debriefings
- the perfect nightcap!
7. Seeing The Cruise Posse Girls again - I'm glad yer
all havin' fun so much with it - ya'll rock! (They played with me on that ~~~ cruise a few years ago, and I hadn't seen
em since :)
6. The night time, revvin' their engines, smokin'
their tires youngins! Actually, this event had more young peeps than any I've ever been to - DAG! They
can dance! They were nearly as fun to watch as the shows!
5. I can't resist - "Hale Yeah!"
4. Sunday night's open mic n karaoke night - too much fun n sillyness!
Thanks to wannabe Monty :)
3. The "lawnmower", The "shower", "feed the pigeons", etc... Thanks
John and variators!
2. MIL! MIL! MIL!
1. THE SHOWDOWN! The number 1 reason for Boston on Valentine's!
Awww can ya feel the luv ;)
See ya at the next one - until then - enjoy every dance!
Oh - if ya can fill in some o' the missin details, or have pics to share...pass it along - please n thanks
:)
