(Side
ramble – sorry – just can’t help myself….
This
has nothing to do with the event!)
There
are so many dances we read tremendous thunder n noise about. I have been SERIOUSLY
keeping’ my eye out to spot or track down those “soon to be floor fillers” both at Worlds and again here
at Ft Wayne (totally different crowds btw) Ummm guess what? I’ve yet to see the majority of those dances that are reported to be “Crackin’ sensations
promising to be the next “Classic” that everyone is doing or should be doing.
Written
hype, surveys, lists and e-word of mouth are great guides when scouting for stuff to present to classes – but let’s
not forget the social dance floor, where the mix is intended for every one from every where! If it truly is a dance of exceptional
merit or having mass appeal, regardless of the level, music genre, or choreographer, people will ask for it and you’ll
see it on the floor. Use your own judgment, talk to instructors & dancers
whose opinion you value and try to be an informed, selective consumer.
It seems
as if we’re evolving ourselves to extinction “Trying’ to keep up with the “Jones’.”
Statistically
speaking, with the sheer numbers alone – they ALL can’t be winners…why force them to the floor…. I
truly love where dance has taken us, but that journey has left many behind. As
with any thing endangered – care needs to be taken to protect it – why? Cuz it’s just good for dance! So before ya jump on a Band Wagon – check to make sure there really is one to
be boarded ;) Whew ~ I think I’m done with that soap box –
for the moment ;)
So NOW what’s left????
Something new in my review ~ The Personality Spotlight.
Cheers really go out
to THE Jamie, Barney, Barry & Dari Anne and the rest of their staff, along with all the instructors and volunteers for
the wonderful weekend! I hope when they get their energy back – they give
themselves a hefty pat on the back! Well done everyone!
I met Craig Bennett from
the UK for the first time
– charming young fella who fit right in smashingly with the late niters. He
was also spoken of very highly from his class attendees.
(Yeah, I’m still
keeping’ a low profile on that whole lesson attendance scene tho I'm kickin myself for not takin Dangerous ;)
Anyway, I don’t
think we’ve ever had the pleasure of his company out this way before – was rather nice playin’ with someone
new. Oh! Btw he smells just wunnerful
too – in case ya missed that – be sure to say hi to him at the upcoming Cool Country event or wherever you may
happen to cross paths!
I’ll be looking
into his “I’m Moving On waltz”, luv that song, along with his other works.
Best of everything to him in his US travels! Thanks for the directors
for bringin’ him out.
The Show Spotlight!
What a SHOW!!!! Last
year’s was great – this year’s was better! The biggest difference
for me watching seemed to be that the dancers had more significant dancing parts! For
a gang that works it all together with a short amount of learning and practice time – just shows what professionals
they all are! It was funny and clever and well done! My fave parts were – The Boxer Boys – The Flash Dance Girls – Wally & The Wallyettes
doing She Bangs - The dancin’ Dolly’s - The Fred Astaire Singing in the Rain – the large group numbers -The
Scarecrow While Away the Hours! My word! I liked it all!
Well done everyone! That’s such a great way to end a fantastic weekend – icing on the cake!
The Competition
Spotlight!
I’ve left the competition
ramble for last – skip over it if you’re not interested ;)
It was very nice to have
the comps back again after a year off, and well received with 46 dance entries.
Thanks again to the directors for listening!
It certainly was not
added as a small after thought either! It was given value and importance and
run very professionally. Which in return, I expect will be appreciated by competitors/choreographers,
so I’m looking forward to seeing even more entries next year! I hope they
don’t change a thing!
Personally, I felt this
was the MOST EQUITABLE of comps of any I’ve ever participated in. I’ve
lost and won at many different events…it’s a totally different game each time.
But there are always rules – which are rarely followed even when only slightly altered to fit the circumstance
- no matter what organization is putting it on.
I believe this event
held to their own rules better than any I’ve ever seen. Definitely
plan to give it a go at Ft Wayne if you’re just thinking about trying it for the 1st time. You can expect it to be fair, and I think that’s all anyone ever hopes for.
What none of us expected
were the NICE prizes given out. Winning dances ranked from 1st to
3rd place and awards given for each, as well as awards for ALL entries. Prizes
for the 6 division 1st place winners included: getting teach slots for their dances AT this year’s event
on Sunday, a BEAUTIFUL award plaque with their picture, event passes for next year and gift certificates or items from the
event venders.
Presenters Jamie and
Barry took time for photos in the auditorium, and made everyone feel special. After
all – there is some effort involved in participating. It was nice to have
that recognized accordingly. I doubt most folks enter with winning in mind,
most everyone agrees its all about exposure – but it sure is nice to have it mean something when ya do win, as odds
are, there will be are a lot more times when ya don’t!
The specifics for this
competition were outstanding!
The heats were broken
down to include all 6 of the primary divisions.
They had a FANTASTIC
and much needed small tag rule allowance.
NO yoke or other difficult
costume requirements.
Dances were scored on
relevant content by a highly qualified judging panel.
Based on, or comparing
it to stuff I’ve learnt or run across over the past few years, this was the most exceptionally run staging I’ve
ever seen. I only saw the results for the divisions I was entered in, but the
scores made sense - and not just to me, to others I spoke to that were not involvedl, as well as those entered!
I’m not trying
to be negative about competition – but it is somewhat of a “political” process.
Which is fine! You just
play whatever game that happens to be dealt that day, and ya know that goin in.
This game was a pleasure to play! I happened to take a 1st,
4th and 5th with dances I entered – but I honestly would be just as impressed with how it was
run if that weren’t the case.
Do check out the step
sheets in the book for choreography, as there were some nice dances presented in the competition. Some of those I remember liking, you might want to check out…and probably many more!
Woman by Paul Richardson
– Woman Maroon 5 - this was a mature choice in music for such a youngin - I liked it!
Smoke Em If You Got Em
by Bob Izral – Smoke Smoke Smoke that Cigarette by Willie Nelson - It's got a hook - I luv those :)
Turn Me On by Amanda
Beaulieu – The Way You Make Me Feel – M Jackson.
Amanda is from my neck o the woods.
Lifetime of Chance by
Jon & Gail Levant – Run For the Roses by Dan Fogelberg - Can go Pattern Partner too
Fiesta by Joey Fanell
– September by Earth Wind & Fire - I'd be interested in a new song cuz of Jo's
Smooth Heat by Nelson
Clarke & Cathy Jones – The Heat by Toni Braxton - We know these guys like to enjoy what they dance :)
Congrats to all that
participated! Well done kids!
Top Awards went to:
1st
Place Non Country Beg
Bounce, Bev Carpenter
~ Bounce Sarah Connor - Hers do well at Ft Wayne!
1st
Place Country Beg
Hangin’ On Tight,
Jan Clifford ~ Lovin All Night Patty Lovelace
Terry Leap's gang...
1st
Place Non Country Int
Summer, Bob Izral ~ Summer
Gonna Come Again, Supersister
Event
taught & past winner - several times!
1st
Place Country Int
tba
1st
Place Phrased Non Country
16 Tons, Jo & John
Kinser ~ 16 Tons, Tom Jones - taught out on the Circuit
1st
Place Phrased Country
Big Bang Theory, Carole Daugherty ~ Mission Temple Fireworks Stand, Sawyer Brown Yea I like
this one too :)
Oh –
btw – please don’t try to read, let alone dance my dances as printed in the step book – they are all muckled
up – check my site or kickit for the sheets.
