Sunny weather
in the Tampa
area during the 1st week of February was scarce with more rain than I would have liked, but – the dancing
was hot n plentiful! I combined a Florida
family vacation around the Tampa Dance Camp weekend, and ended up dancing EVERY night whilst I was there – clever eh?
I thought so – but let’s not ask my husband ;) We did
get in some of the neat tourist sights during the day too. Poor Florida
weather is still far better than winter in Michigan.
The Dance
Camp, hosted by Barry Durand & Anthony Lee, covered the weekend prior to the Dance Jam Cruise, and like the cruise, mixed
Line & Couples lessons & dancing.
While
not huge if compared to today’s “Mega” events, it was well attended and offered plenty of top notch
instructors and lots of dancers to fill the 4 rooms during lessons and open dance.
I didn’t stay at the hotel but it seemed to do nicely, although if attendance increases by much, a new spot would
likely be needed.
The
dance basics: Floors, sound, temps, & space all were taken care of. Events/functions that come close to capacity is a GOOD thing I'm
thinkin'. Congrats on a successful event to every one involved in making it happen. Barry did a nice job of makin
folks feel welcome too.
There was
a good mix of people from all over, surprising to me – ran into fellow Michiganders Bev & Marlene, even
snowbirds Don & Barb and Nancy came out on Saturday too – gals from Toronto, California - all over really –
how cool, given travel distance!
The
Saturday night show was good, a lil bit o line - a lil bit o couples, a lil bitty make-over for Guyton...all were exciting
to watch and like Carol said, “Short & Sweet”, just as we prefer the evening shows to be.
The ONLY
comments I heard about the weekend that could be done differently in the future were: some folks got a
bit confused by the “open/close/open/close” of the room divider – I s'pose it depends on perspective. To me it just appeared as an equitable division of dancing space and time. Also not all of the dances got demo'd....
Louie, the birthday boy was celebrating the BIG 40, and did a good job keeping most everyone happy mostly all
the time, and frankly, that's the best anyone can do or should expect. I thought he did great - like always! Happy Birthday Louie!
(Perhaps we
sometimes forget that what's right for you – is probably the opposite of what's right for the next person down
the line. At events there is ALWAYS music playing constantly, whatever
it is at the time – USE IT! We’re dancers, with minimal effort – we can choose to dance – that’s
exactly what we did :)
I had fun
with a few of the couples lessons, for the complete list of instructors and what was taught see the schedule on Barry’s
site http://www.dancejamcruise.com/
Line
instructors included: Johanna Barnes, Scott Blevins, Kathy Brown, Debi Dillow, Barry Durand, Kathy Hunyadi, Paula Messier,
Rachel McEnaney, Marilyn McNeal, Guyton Mundy, Max Perry, & our own semi sorta hometown girl Vivienne Scott.
All the
dances appeared to be well received, here’s my picks from some of the newer stuff that I saw. I didn’t get the step packet – so from limited memory…
NO
GUTS, NO GLORY (challenging, event diehard stuff)
*Shake:
Guyton Mundy – Already solid in the workshop setting – nice routine appearance on the floor, plus its just fun
to do :)
Funky adv
dancers will enjoy playin’ wit it.
*Attitude:
MIL - The 1st set of 8 is delish! Sets off the WHOLE attitude nicely. This is a great song, that I hoped a dance
would come along to do it justice – this one does. It’s substantial
and satisfying – rather unusual for a country track eh? I hope int/adv
instructors decide to teach it for those typically funk lovin’ classes.
*Live
& Let Die: Max Perry – I wanted to see this, do watch for it, especially after the positive word
from the Crystal Boots showing. I heard the workshop class didn’t quite
get through it all, but routines go that way. I've always been partial
to routines - Max does ‘em so well. Frankie the brave is gonna
be teaching it soon so I’ll be seeing it shortly J
More for mainstream
class variety - Intermediate
*Geek in
the Pink: Johanna Barnes – This dance was well liked and fun to do - with a nice swing move incorporated. I think it was its debut
showing?? Be sure to catch it in Boston.
I plan to teach it soon.
*Drop the
Heat: Guyton Mundy – Showed well on the floor, with just a bit of Guyton’s arm styling, for a good straight intermediate
dance fit, that’s not over the top for us older gals ;) Ya might wanna
fade the song out….
*Twisted:
MIL – Nice solid 8&1 cha, music n dance set off well. It has a
spiral that can be modified to make it more seasoned high beginner doable for more of everyone on the floor…another
long song...they work right nicely together. Taught this one already –
going well.
*Sunshine:
Barry Durand – Great song! I heard a some mixed feelings, but for me it felt nice with a few minor
modifications, give it a try and just make it yours cuz it'll work nice. I plan to teach it - as choreographed ;)
Just 4 U:
Vivienne Scott – This had been done previously in my area and gone well – Give it a go if ya haven’t done
so already.
End Of the
Road: Rachael McEnaney – Mostly basic waltz patterns with repetition so it’s not hard given the length, and it
has some neat sets of sumthin’ different that'll keep it interesting.
Racey
Lacey, Peter & Allison taught by Marilyn McNeal. I haven’t seen this
one yet but heard good feedback from folks that have already taught it, both in MI and Fla.
Friction
Addiction: Scott Blevins –IF you’re wondering about the song (I was) – just put the steps to it –
it all frictions out somehow…just like Scott’s dances always do :) All of Scott's dances were floor fillers.
SOS: Carole
Daugherty – Scott taught this one late on Sunday. My thanks to him and to those who gave it a go! It’s entered in choreography at Ft Wayne…
Easier
Intermediate/High Beginner range
*Up,
Side, Down; Marthe Thibeault, taught by Max. Happy lil dance done to a good remake
of the disco classic. It’s a fun teach, and going well with my classes
too J
*40
Days: Max Perry – Real cute! Got some phrasing and unique patterns that
work the music very well – nice song too!
*It’s
not The Moon That Cries: Kathy Hunyadi – Slow and relaxing – a good one for a warm up/cool down dance. I think the song has a Toby Keith kinda sound – tho so far no one’s agreeing with me
;)
*Banjo Boy:
Debi Dillow – Peppy dance to a hick-hop-ish funny country song – will be giving it a look.
*Soft &
Slow: Vivienne Scott & Fred Buckley – Lovery country cha track by Josh Turner.
*Dancin’
Something Right: Vivienne Scott – I didn’t see this one but it’s to a nice country track getting lots of
airplay, by Billy Currington. Lot's
of Viv's other stuff should be making the rounds after her Fla tour as well :)
*Bop The
B: Kathy Brown – Lively good fun - both the dance and the song, Bop the Be done by Billy Swan.
*Beautiful
Boy; Larry Bass, taught by Paula Messier. Caught this one at the Round Up, a
flowy rhumba, done to a lullaby by Celine Dion.
Paula also
taught Chico Time, Louisiana Kick, & Disco Inferno. Check those out for beginner
classes, I'll be looking at em.
Oh - If
yer ever scouting for quality beginner/high beginner stuff – check more of Larry’s work, he has a knack for keeping
it easy without getting boring.
I’m
sure I left a few goodies out – check Carol’s report for her top picks.
She's got pics up and a review too.
www.worlddancenewsletter.com
All in all
it was a fun weekend with lots of dancing, and socializing – can’t complain a bit about that! I expect it will be just as nice again next year – watch the usual resources for information.
