Cheers
to everyone that helped put on the Move In Line event held Sept 15-17, in BEAUTIFUL San Diego. Bracken Ellis, (Director) and her perents Linda & Bob, (Sponsors) were wonderful hosts,
who also made sure we out-of-towners felt welcome beyond the 2 day event.
The workshop
held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, in Mission Valley, more than covered the dance basics with a HUGE 10,000 sq
ft ballroom, chilly temps, quality sound, and great instructors, plus superb organization in all aspects.
Bracken & Co went above & beyond with providing many personalized touches & services that complimented
the entire weekend.
Thursday’s
pre-party started off with a pot-luck social gathering. We enjoyed a fun evening
filled with games and lots of silliness, that gave us the chance to get to know each other better – maybe even a lil
too well in some cases ;) Hurrah! for my team, who rose and dipped to the occasion
displaying skills we NEVER knew we possessed ;) This really was a nice
way to start off the event – normally we don’t have much of a chance to spend time meeting people and chatting
with everyone - we’re usually so busy and focused on the dancing!
The day's
workshops and dances offered a nice variety meant to suit everyone’s preferences and blended well overall. The
request dancing, during the day and at night, was a mix for everyone too. Lots
of the current survey/list dances were done over the weekend as well as some classics.
Thanks to JP and Jeremy for keeping us on the floor! Thanks to local
instructors for offering coordinated teaches to their classes – it showed! It’s
so nice when folks are in sync locally! I saw very little "pocket" dancing (where small groups do all different
dances) overall during the event.
Dances Taught:
I’m describing
just a few (that I plan to teach), as many of the others are already well publicized, and previously taught.
Michael
Barr:
-
Second Chance Waltz:
An extremely versatile basic easy waltz that can be styled to a much higher level by folks if desired. This was on my to-do list after Ft Wayne. Oops - I never got to it – Glad to be reminded
again J
-
Cut A Rug ~ J Thompson
-
True
Home ~ S Shrank (Also being taught on the workshop circuit by John R. too – Congrats Scott!
Scott
Blevins:
-
Meltdown; Nice,
smooth dance, typically “Blevinesque” in style, (I think that’s a word ;) BUT it’s not so tricky that
it can’t be mastered by solid intermediates. Plus it's got a different “feel” from his current
floor fillers so it'll prolly have good floor staying power and not get lost in the mix...
-
No Regrets
-
Take
It To Da House; (We’ve always enjoyed this one - still bring it out locally from time to time - actually we do
most everything "Scott" in my area)
Michele
Burton:
-
Weather Network
~ Perron & Burton; Cool & distinct
west coast song Heavy Cloud, No Rain by Sting! It's one of those dances that's nice and doable as written for the majority
of intermediates, but some different patterns to play with and room to stylize. Listed as Int/Adv, but it’s
not hard...
-
Bandit’s Run ~ Burton & Hauser (Brand new - I missed
it, but the sheet looks intriguing & fun in a High Beginner dance - be sure to give it a look)
Carole Daugherty:
-
Relax
~ Mine & Frank’s newest dance written to a lil swingier version than the original of “Crazy
Little Thing Called Love” covered by Michael Buble. Thanks for the nice
comments! We also heard it “looks” phrased, but it’s straight 48 cts, and for the most part “Relaxed”
steps, plus a few zippety bits to hit the music.
-
Big Bang Theory
J.P.
Potter:
-
Life’s
Great ~ John Robinson; Nice lil “country” dance, with high & low step options that would dance well to other
quicksteps. I musta missed hsi release of this one - wonder why
John isn’t teaching this more in his travels? Perhaps
he will be????
-
Bobby
Jo ~ Rob Fowler - Nice beginner dance, written to keep on phrase with the music - but doing so sorta
takes it out of the true beginner realm...
Jeremy
& Jodee Oldham:
-
Don’t
Cha; Multiple dances to the Pussycat Doll track already, so here’s a floor split option. This one might get overlooked, but keep it in mind! It was nice, easy, n funky and would be VERY versatile down the road, especially in a bar/club setting,
with steps youngins would enjoy!
-
My
Humps; To My Humps by Black Eyed Peas – which is a Booty/Club song for sure! Another really easy dance that could
work to many songs.
-
Joystick; To Joystick by Dazz Band - oops missed this one too...
Kevin
& Rena Ward:
-
Solid Gold Cadillac;
Again, a good solid basic versatile dance. Fast & swingy and was done lots
over the weekend.
-
Another
Chance; This NC2 was a BIG floor filler in our area, that had long staying power – nice to do it
again!
-
Ole - also previously done our way
-
Gordita Linda ~ Max Perry (see comments)
Watch for Bracken’s full E.R. (Event Review Night) on her website coming in October I
believe. That's such a clever idea to help sort out the masses of dances...
Side Note: Can ya tell I'm into versatility? I love finding well
crafted upper beginner dances based on basic patterns that can be put to any other music used for current int/adv dances.
Call 'em "Today's Classics" for the average "I just want to have fun and be able to dance dancer" if you will.
Michele & Michael's "Midnight Rendevous" is a PERFECT example - I've yet to come across an 8&1 song that dance can't
be floor split with.... However it's done - we gotta give folks an
option for some standard, contemporary dances of quality they can dance to MUSIC and RHYTHMS - not just to
specific songs... email me if you're interested in some of my favorite picks to perpetuate as floor split standards...or
if you have any well tested suggestions.
Workshop Highlights!
The focus
here was truly on the dancers. I enjoy one room events as much as I enjoy the
big blow outs. They help keep us all together during open dance plus they’re more
cozy & intimate socially! I hope folks appreciate all the effort that
Bracken and everyone put into hosting the event. I
did!
Kevin and
Rena Ward were again voted the favorite instructors – 2 years in a row! Congrats
to them! Their lives are taking them in a different direction for now, as this
was their only workshop appearance this year. They concluded by teaching Max’s
dance, Gordita Linda and credited him for their introduction into the line dance world.
Thanks to both them and Max for sharing themselves and their creativity for as long as they have!
Best of
everything to them in their future! Hope to see them out and about again sometime in the future :)
We were
treated to so many extras during the week - very comparable to the add-ons you see at “mega” events…
The STAFF
and ALL the VOLUNTEERS were extremely kind and courteous all weekend! Thanks!
(As were all of the people in the service industry in San Diego in general - we had exceptional service as a rule during our
week long stay.)
CJ, did
the video collection – it's available for ordering! Contact him…he always does a great job with event
footage. Check out his still pics too - they're great! Perhaps he offers those for ordering too???
A very
nice show - not too short, not too long - was done by local talent featuring
“Chicago” and “CanCan” routines, along with the Move-In-Line
dance team and a zany instructor participation game.
Apologies
to my team mates - evidently plungers aren't my area of expertise ;)
Dance merchandise venders for shoes and shirts and all that jazz
from different groups were on hand. Plus, If you're interested in chair covers, (seat claimers ;) contact Bracken.
I've never seen those before...
Massages
– if you haven’t had one at an event before – JUST DO IT! For REAL!
Janine and
Marvin (I got mine from him so he's my personal endorsement) both were wonderful.
Even a quickie massage erases the tension from a long draining day of dancing and learning. Do make a point to treat
yourself next time they're available at an event, it's well worth it!
Shuttles
drivers were always on hand, offered to staff and attendees, and there was lots of shuttling to be done. They all
DID GREAT!
Tremendous
Thanks to: Maurice! May! Linda! &
James!
Sorry if
I've missed anyone. They worked very hard to show us a grand time!
Instant
dance request coupons – another cool idea!
A Saturday
after-hours gathering at a local dance club so we could play late if we chose to! How is it that some country
bars manage to keep the most FANTASTIC dances floors? Such a mystery ;)
The floor
was awesome and it was neat for me to see the geographical differences in club dances outside the workshop - very different
from Michigan...
Bracken
did a fine job providing extra perks for the instructors – from our snack bags and handmade gifts
to the home-style meals, complimentary massages and onsite RV hospitality room.
In the days prior to and after the event, Bracken & helpers also made sure we were able to see the sites and
often acted as our own personal tour guide. WOW! Thank you!
I had never
been out that way before, and that part of California is truly
spectacular and incredibly diversified.
This made
for a perfect dance vacation for both Frank & I, and we're delighted to have had the chance!
My own personal Top Ten
10.The pre-party gathering fun - plus those neat personalizable cups! (We don't have
those around here, psst...entrenreneur opportunity for someone looking...)
9. Meeting new folks and
seeing unexpected familiar faces like LuAnn, Donna & Maurice so far from home :)
8. The workshop! I love ‘em
all!
7. Debit Card 101 lessons,
I might jus git me one o' them thar cards - SOME day ;)
6. Sunday night’s bonus
outing, guided by Bracken & JP .
5. Dancing some older and
new dances I’d never done before WITH the original choreographers – I just luv that!
4. San Diego Zoo trip &
free passes – Thanks Sunny!
3. Dancing Frank’s Home so far
from home!
Go Fwankie!
2. The spectacular foliage! - it's
EVERYWHERE!! SO exotic compared to Michigan...can you say Pine tree ;)
1. I’m grateful and
honored to have been invited. Thanks so much for the chance to participate!
Look for more good things to come from Bracken and the Move In Line Dancers!
