Get A Really Good Social Life!

Glenn Miller is the Barry Gordy of  west coast swing!

This MAAARVELous dude organized a SUPREME event with A+talent … SMOKIN’ DJs … endless TEMPTATION to dance … and the most WONDERful attendees …

IT was a dance event MIRACLE!!!

Swing Dance America is a hybrid.

A little like those gigantic old skool events with a zillion people and way too much too much competition …
tempered by the warm and kind world of the Mid-west.

About 800 people attended this year – regional and international – yet it was still down-homey.

Yeah – there was too much competition (alot was smooshed into Saturday) and the performances got a little monotonous.

Yup – the schedule was like a Rubic Cube. Nothing was on-time. And, we didn’t really care. There was soooo much more that was right and Barry special about the event.  (Hey, a creative genius has to try things, right?)

How can we complain when there is a Marquee like this!

Robert & Nicola Royston, Matt & Crystal Auclair, Luis Crespo & Jennifer Pasetes, Sean McKeever & Courtney Adair, Stephen White & Sabrina Paxmann, Sam & Lisa West, William Mattocks & Lasonda Campbell, Nino DiGiulio & Dawn Lara, Ben Hooten & Deborah Szekely, Mike Konkel & Sheli Schroeder, Barry Jones (Texas), Billy Marti, Veronica Castilla, Stephanie Risser, Lori Brizzi, Alex Kim (Los Angeles), Jaime Serna.

The Mid-west has a WONDERful cast of regional pros.

ProAm Strictlies play a big part in helping teachers develop a following of students.

Teachers don’t struggle to make a living the way they do in the northeast and dancers don’t suffer because there aren’t adequate and skilled pros. 

Legendary local pro Bob Budzynski (left) set a heck of an example!

Bob with Am Jean Polychencko

Nino DiGiulio - the owner of the very popular dance studio “May I Have This Dance” in Chicago -  is a BIG Mid-west favorite.

He was named top teacher at the event and seems to have his own fan club!

Everyone I meet in the Chicago area has either taken lessons or attends these dances. 

Chicago dancing is lots of fun!

http://mayihavethisdance.com/

DJs included:

Victor Loveira, Ruth Gilbert, Steve Neeren, Tim Johnson, Carpio Robles.

From her first spin, everyone was asking about Ruth.

Tim Johnson sets a high standard in the Mid-west - lots of  fresh music.

 Carpio - what can I say – the guy addicts you to his sound (and everbody just likes this guy, too).

But its Victor we LuUuVvv
the most!!!

When HE DJs the comps, everyone gets sooooo excited! 

Carpio with Kendra Zara

The Thursday night party was definately worthwhile.

Really enjoyed quality music and dancing  - but more importantly – my dear Mid-west and Canadian friends were beginning to arrive.

Catching up with these people and sharing a little dance time is a precious treasure.  

Friday afternoon offered the most workshops starting at noon and ending with a 7pm intro into the world of Barry Jones.

This BIG Texas sized guy is a BIG deal in the country of Texas but many of us were unfamiliar with him.

His lesson was fun, fast moving and interactive. Hopefully, he will become more comfortable and fall into the the Mid-west friendliness zone.

Everyone always enjoys a Luiy Crespo workshop. The guys always get the material and the gals – get the view! 

Jennifer Pasetes - his sizzling chica - has got some kinda skillz!!! Why have we never seen these syncopations and stylings before?

Liked the gurl. Upfront and straight forward. Certainly not just another pretty face. It’s really cute how  Luiy is truly in LUUUVVV! 

(Shoulda seen what happened when her hair fell in her face during a demo. Luiy was reduced to a babbling …. duh!)

Lasonda Campbell is the WIZ! Thanx Glen for bringing her. Everyone luuuvvvs this spectacular teacher.

She gave a serious and effective technique class. The SFACTOR Troupe creator and choreographer has a whole new thing goin’ on and we’re glad. WCS is moving into a new era and she’s big part of that. I first met up with them at Dallas Dance (the only thing good about the event).

They came to Swingin’ New England once and really impressed with the quality of their character. http://nsdcdance.com/display/lasonda-campbell/

Matt & Crystal are everyone’s #1 favorite teachers. 

Nobody – even Robert Royston – is funnier!

Crystal’s technique ooooozes out of her and we learn just by watching.

We never tire of watching them.

Most importantly, people luuuvvv them because they are kind to their students. All of which get thru novice!

It is a true privilege to be in their classes.

There was no end to the comments I got about Stephen White & Sabrina Paxmann.  

They approach teaching with a behaviorist model of positive reinforcement.

By encouraging individuality and praising the good things, teaching is more effective.

They go out of their way to ask people to dance and make us ALL feel successful. 

Currently I’m not into hustle – however, I heard raves from my friends about their workshops.

Being a long time hustle guy, Glen knows what he’s doing when it comes to hiring these people.

I met Billy Marti about 15 years ago when he taught at Dancesport in NYC.

The guy has always been a very popular teacher.

Luuuvvved the open bleacher-type seating.

What a MAAARVELous idea!

It was easy to move around and mingle. The room flowed and it was possible to sit with lots of different people all thru the convention.

Everyone could see everything this way and it was much more fun to photograph.

Friday night was packed with competitions (and frequent enough breaks for social dancing).

There was “Just Hustle,” Intermed/Adv/Allstar Strictlies showcase, awards and … ice cream.

Whew!

They like to do dessert in the Mid-west on Friday nights because most people drive in and they stop for dinner.

Stephanie Risser with Billy Marti

Robert & Nicola‘s routine was definately the most memorable of the Classic pieces.

Luuuvvv the HAAAPY!

Nicola is more joyful than she’s been in a while.

Mrs. America good looks (even without make-up). Lots of comments about her sense of humor.

She is Not Robert’s “straight wo-man.” WONDERful comedic timing!

Saturday was tough.

We fortified ourselves with a SuperDuper pig out at the overpriced breakfast buffet.

I’ll say this, you sure get what you pay for here. Was that ever good!

And, it’s true! The girl is naturally skinny. I got to witness Nicole Szulc actually eating!
(She went for 3rds.)

Competitions started at 12:15 pm with the ProAm Strictlies.

At least 100 people participated.

This is a very BIG DEAL in the Mid-west and the reason why dancers get really good.

The judges take great care and scores are released at the end of the event.

Stephen White is a wonderful ProAm teacher and I want to recommend him.

There is a great deal of restriction in this genre that forces us to conform and makes us self-conscious. At some point, we should be able to be confident in our technique and let our soul soar.

Stephen with Donna Arvans

That’s the talent that Stephen has. My whole day went better because of him.

 

Unfortunately, after all of that, most of the judges were replaced before the Jack n’ Jills.

Double DAMN!!! One of the reasons for doing all this stuff is so we can get the judges to look at us!

How are we to be noticed in that sea of beautiful girls?

 It was quite dissappointing.

And another thing, it is only polite to hold the Masters J&J first

… instead of  LAST! 

Age before beauty!!! 

 

 Wayne Rohr with Jennifer Vaughn

Newcomer Division is finally arriving in the Mid-west. It’s becoming a standard everywhere I travel.

Glen was worried they wouldn’t have enough entrants.

He ended up holding registration open to accommodate demand. Many events now require Newcomer points to dance in Novice for a lot of reasons.

Anyway, nobody is in any hurry to jump into Novice. It’s called “Hell” for a reason. 
75% don’t make it out alive. 

All finalists in Newcomer got written feedback from the judges – and a great deal of care was taken. Glen can stop bombarding us with advertising for SDA – this will do the trick.

Offering feedback is like water in the desert. People dying of thirst will crawl there if neccessary.  But, Glen really needs iPads instead of scoring sheets for the judges.

Saturday night drove us up the ying-yang!

One competition after another. 

 Geez!!! Yeah, there were frequent breaks for a song or two so we could shake the bones.

But, there is a point at which we don’t care any more.

I don’t even remember half of what I saw …

except this … Rebecca Ludwick &
Kris Swearingen). 

 

ProAm routines, Rising Star routines, Masters routines, Hustle routines, Open Classic routines and even a Team division …

which was the frankly was the best part of the night.

Routine-a-rama!

Matt Auclair with
Christine Miller

Give me S-Factor any day!

Always creative and original.

Luuuvvv the enthusiasm and style. 

Really want to see them get on “America’s Got Talent,” they’ll get my votes!

But – wait – there was even more (sic)!

We had Champion Strictly which would have been appreciated more if we weren’t tired of sitting thru all the performances.

Victor Loviera had a good idea though: he created a theatre in the round (like at Spotlight) and everyone got up close. Luuuvvv Rebecca Ludwick.

(pictured with Brad Whelan).

Everyone agrees, she’s the next BIG THING!

Breakfast was served sometime after midnight. 

I lost all track of time at this event. There was no Central Time Zone here.

SDA is another world and most of us understand that we’re livin’ on Glen Miller time. 

There were more workshops on Sunday but frankly, my brain was too fried to even attempt it.

All finals were held as well as the Cross-Over J&Js.

In my un-humble opinion this belonged on Saturday night in place of the Champion Strictly. It was more of the same – but far better.

After awards, everyone tried in vain to recover from the extreme exhaution.

A lot of people went out to dinner but I had to stop and enjoy the view from the Adirondack chairs set up in front of the hotel.

Spring is coming quite late to this area and most trees don’t even have leaves yet. There is something indescribable in the air in Wisconsin. 

Really luuuvvv it there.

The Sunday night party was mostly a bust. 

But a few of us got together and some of the pros popped by for a while to dance and entertain us.

Saying good night was not easy. But, we did not say good bye.

Instead, we said “See ya at Michigan Classic!”

At first glance the hotel seems like a PinthA to travel to. It’s out in Wisconsin – seemingly – in the middle of nowhere. But that’s the beauty!

When else would we ever get to spend time at a resort at Lake Geneva!  Glen provided reasonably priced shuttle services from the airports ($28 each way). The big secretis that it’s not far really far from Chicago!

Some of us just flew into O‘Hare and very kind Mid-westies picked us up. The resort is on the Illinois border of Wisconsin – about 1 ½ hours from O’Hare. It’s a great ride, too. Shopping and restaurants (grocery stores – the rooms have refrigerators). My friend Donna and I pigged out at Steak & Shake!

Like the song says: “Money, That’s What I Want,” the resort nickel & dimes you for everything from parking fees (bad even with the discount) to charging for use of the “business center” but there is still quite a bit of value.

If you can find time for it, there is the spa-pool facilities.

Don’t ever try to walk down to the lake.

The hotel security is a bunch of A-Team wanna-bees!

It was just a little misundersanding.

Gotta get those photos! There I was, having a wonderful time walking barefoot over the lush golf course and enjoying the views.

Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that the Golf Shop was a branch of the CIA! 

The power-mad security guard raced across the green in her SuperDuper golf cart like she was going to arrest me for terrorism.

When I tried to explain, she actually called ME a liar!

I‘ve said it before and I‘ll say it again - ”if I don’t tell the truth all the time then nothing I say matters anytime. (Whether you like it or not.)

It was a HeLLuVa weekend and gotta say, nothing can spoil it! SDA and Glen Miller possess the one quality that is more important than anything else. Mid-west character.

It was MAAARVELous to be able to spend time with these people. And, Glen promised to make the schedule better next year.

This region is a MIRACLE of warmth and friendliness. The teachers care SUPREMEly and people go out of their way to make us feel at home.

“For Once in Your Life” come to the Mid-west and experience the way a dance convention should be.

Glen – I‘m impressed.

For what it’s worth – ya got the iTwirl recommendation!
http://www.swingdanceamerica.com/

  CHICAGO CLASSIC … Like It’s Guests … 

Is In a Class of It’s Own!!!

There was NO end of Fun.

It was an “all you can dance” weekend.

Never before have I come home sooooo exhausted!!!

The event was interesting.
 

It was not a big, splashy, exciting convention like Madjam.

Instead … it was smooth. 

There was a kinda vibe – an easy going feel. 

 Like time and place didn’t matter – only dancing. 

Everything rolled out with a kind of flow.

Most of the A+ and regional pros were there:

Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann, Tessa Cunningham & Myles Munroe, Robert & Nicola Royston, Kyle Redd & Sarah Van Drake, John Lindo & Jessica Cox, Brent & Kellese Key, Luis Crespo & Taletha Jouzdani, Ben Morris, Matt & Crystal Auclair – as well as some who just came to perform or ProAm – Lemery Rollins & Greg Scott, Maxence Martin, Jason & Annmarie Marker, Jason Miklic & Sophy Kdep.

 

The event started with the National Anthem. Every event I’ve attended in the past 6 months has added this feature.

Thanx! Never hurts to be reminded that we are good Americans regardless of the media blitzing corporate greed, gun wackos and petty politicians.

Grace Killelea emcee’d and what a pleasure that was. The gal is Funneeeee!

She ripped Brent Key‘s annoying RED bow tie off of him before he went out to dance in the Champion J&J. People don’t realize - at first - that he’s just as wacky as Kellese!

Grace kept reminding people to be nice. She’s right  – the thrill of Victory and the Agony of da feet only lasts a little while.

Kindness lasts forever.

My favorite DJs were spinning the tunes all weekend.

DJ Hall of Famers
Beth Bellamy and April Prince as well as budding SuperStar DJ – Ken Dillard.

We could really tell the difference in the music with each DJ shift.

Beth plays more swing. April is more contemporary. Ken is more classic. All these peeps can read a room like a (Chicago) Classic!  

April and Ken have a fabulous mid-week venue in Chicago: Galaway. http://westcoastwednesdays.com/

All the Mid-west convention directors give a damn about their attendees.

Our competition fees are not merely donations to the event.

There is something for everyone:

Masters Strictly & J&J, regular Strictlies, Newcomer J&J as well as the rest of the curriculum.

Most importantly, everyone participates in the ProAms.

This is WHYthese dancers are getting thru the divisions and learning floor craft. Everyone is really good – and people are really happy.

Nobody is crying about never making finals. People are not giving up because the J&Js amount to a hopeless fantasy. These teachers know how to teach.

 

Originally, I checked out the Mid-west because my AAAmazing friends – the Torontoes – recommended it.

These peeps are the best dance friends in the
whole world.

While other communities are busy fighting over petty BS … snubbing newer dancers … overcharging & underwhelming,

THE Torontoes are warm & fuzzy and FUN! 

A major highlight of the weekend was
my invitation to the most exclusive, spectacular and chic Saturday night dinner party!

No, it wasn’t a hoity toity invite from the event directors.  And, no, the A+ list pros didn’t include me!

Where I went – was sooooo much better! It was a pizza party with the Torontoes! 

People can be judged a lot of ways. Name recognition, accomplishments, titles - but BEING NICE?  
These peeps place 1^st here at  iTwirl central!!!

We had a blast just enjoying pizza, previewing Julie Epplett &
Larry Hough’s SMAAASHING new routine (It’s a Beautiful Day) and hanging out.

 Even Sir Robert and Lady Nicola of  Roystonville stopped by. 

BIG Kudos to Nicola. The gurl is an interesting phenomena.

She belongs to an alumni
of dancers who entered this scene back in the day at Denim & Diamonds in Manhattan. 

That was about the time Deborah Szekely was a cocktail waitress, John Lindo just turned up …

And looooong before she met Robert.  

Anyway, the gurl’s been up – and she’s been down on those judges’ scoring sheets. 

Unlike the unmarried Lemery Rollins and Jessica Cox who can prance about in red bottomed Luiey V.’s beautifully – for a little while longer - Nicola has other priorities.  

3 children (including Robert) and endless nose wiping, stinky butt cleaning and monotonous PTA meetings do not provide a lot of dance time.

But - She’s BAAAAACK!

The gurl danced better than I’ve seen in a long time. We’ll see more participation as her children grow.

It’s like what F. Scott Fitzgerald said: “there are no second acts in America.”

He meant: reinvention is actually a unique blend of talent, skill and life experience.

  

There was a lot of social dancing at this event – and a lot of competition - and a lot of performances - and NOT A LOT
of time for sleeping and eating.

But we persevered!

The biggest surprise was running into the Phoenix, AriZona west coast swing HEAD HONCHO …

Robert Campos!

This guy is a caliber of a teacher on the level of Mario Robau.
 

He gets 100+ students every Tuesday night for his lesson and dance at Paragon Dance Studio.

http://www.paragondance.net/

Everyone loves Robert in the whole state of AZ!

ALL the girls at Chicago Classic said he was their favorite dance partner of the whole convention. 

(My buddy will be at Boston Tea Party next.) 

 Everyone does routines in the Mid-west. ProAm, Rising Star, Showcase, Classic, Masters – which is a big reason why everyone becomes really good.

(I am sooooo Jealous!)

There are way too many routines at all these conventions to comment on each one. Since I am able to get out there 6 or so events a year, each article will feature one or two standouts.

Jason Miklic and his beautiful student Faith Musko performed to: 
“Climax.”  

Wow!

The girl is dancing like a pro.

When I thought back acoupla days later -
this is the ProAm routine that I actually remember and want to see again.  

I loved it!

Robert Royston and his charming student Michelle Fisher treated the Mid-westie audience to their interpretation of …
“The Big Bang.”

  

 

It was a little different from what the local community is doing and refreshing.

The performance surely helped get Michelle into the Master’s finals!   

 

 Rising Stars Scott Mehlberg and Tatyana Zavyalova danced to
“I Want You Back.”

They won 3^rd place at Madjam. 

I was very 
curious to view these two Future SuperDUPER Stars.

Scott is a young man who seems more like he could be driving a tractor through a corn field.

Looks sure are deceiving! He takes the stage like he was born on it.

Tatyana is obviously a trained dancer.  But Scott? That’s talent! 

Scott was the 1st person I met upon walking into my first Mid-westie event: Michigan Classic. (An AAAwesome event) http://www.michiganclassic.com/

What an introduction! The guy gave me a wonderful dance and we’ve been 
friends ever since.

Some people can be intimidated in a new place (not me, of course). Don’t worry about a thing when you come to the Mid-west!

The Masters Routine standout was Wayne & Cynthia Rohr but they only placed 3rd.

I don’t know what the judges were smokin’ …

but these peeps got ROBBED!

The Rohrs get the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD!

To Heck with the Judges!!!
  

For the most part – the Jack n’ Jills were done with care and consideration. While Newcomer division is becoming more and more a staple, people are still allowed to place themselves there they think they belong.  

If they are good enough for Novice, I say – prove it!

Also, the circle should have been rotated.

People in the corners got stuck and were at a disadvantage to those in the middle.

Maybe it is easier for judges to find people but the contests cannot be at their convenience.

The majority of  attendee$ are in the lower divisions.  It’s their money - give them value –  even if the judges have to work a little harder.  

We work hard for our money, too. I did, however, notice the judges made every effort to go to the corners and look at people.

They kept a pleasant face and demeanor. 

Doug Rousar – head judge extraordinaire – came over and gave the Novice girls a Pep talk.

It was the first time – in all my travels - that anyone treated us with such kindness!

 

Congratulations to:

Newcomer

1. Shimpel Muraoka & Lindsay Burkely
   (Pictured here)
2. Jon Young & Jennifer Hutchinson
3. Brett Stacer & Ali Reilly
4. Matthew Freesbersyser & Jennifer Czeck
5. Karl Dunajcik & Anne Dunajcik

 Novice

1. Pavel Pavlov & & Sarah Sheaff
   (Pictured Here)
2. Bruno Boyer & Jocelyn Lopez
3. Jean-Pierre Sachs & Nicole Skelly
4. Jonathan Villar & Shelby Vandenberg
5. Richard Falls & Amy Laederach

There were the usual Strictlies on Friday night. But, also, there was Master’s Strictly!

Thank you Robert Klevin for being my partner. 

It was fun to be the 
Purple People.”
(That’s what everyone called us!)

Quite a few older people participated in this division since it was much less intimidating than trying to compete with the kids.

Besides, when everyone else is the same age, we are all kids!

In Pro Strictly it has become common to switch partners. There were some very interesting combinations.

Matt Auclair and Nicola Royston were excellent together. 

Sure, anyone can dance with Matt.

Sure, all his students become spectacular.

Sure, he’s a star when dancing with Crystal – his partner for a million years.

But, performing with Nicola?

They BOTH showed us SOMETHING! 

 

Robert Royston with Rebecca Ludwick was another revelation. 

Quite a few A+ Pros agree, this gurl is the next Big thing.

There is something Audrey Hepburnish about her.

Their performance was very sweet. Kinda like an uncle …

dancing with his 
favorite niece.
    

Classic Division was as professional
as can be.  

Ya got all the usual suspects – including Jordan & Tatianna with their latest piece to: “Somebody That I Used to Know.”

It was a big RAAAVE on Facebook
last week …

and a bigger thrill to see it live.

But don’t they belong on Broadway?

We love to watch them but we are happy to share with the rest of the world.

 

 

Then there was the 
FRENCH Connection!

Sebastien & Blandine performed to “Skinny Love.”

If you didn’t already know they were French – this gave it away.

Sebastien is like a French George Clooney – very hard to watch the performance when a
guy is THAT HoT!

But … as good as the routine was… 

the spectacle of Blandine dancing with John Lindo in the Champion J&J was even better!

 Lindo never
fails to impress!

 

The Auclairs, Markers, Uspenskies, etc., performed too.

It is their territory. 

Of course everyone loves them since they taught most of this bunch.

What I’d really like to see is them perform in Boston and show what pros can actually do!

 

The Champion J&J was a whole ‘nother ballgame. There were unlikely combos making magic!

Nothing I say can adequately describe Crystal Auclair dancing with Myles Monroe.

(Except maybe …

VaVaVa Voom!)

That was some serious (dance) chemistry.

As great as they dance with their own partners, this performance begged for an encore. 

Jill DeMarco danced with Brent Key and I’ve never seen her better.

The gurl was John Lindo’s first partner back in the mid-90′s when he first arrived in NYC.

It was a cold and rainy night when John … emerged … from the dark city streets.

As he walked into the room, there was an aura of greatness surrounding him. John spoke with me briefly – mentioned he transferred from Texas with AT&T - then turned toward John Festa in the DJ booth –and stepped into his future.

I don’t care that Jill and Brent didn’t place.

They were impressive, nevertheless. 

The one dissappointment I heard repeadedly from the attendee$ is the dissappointment that there was no charity dance. Some people are intimidated to ask a Pro to dance (not me). This feature breaks the ice.

This event is not Madjam.

It is not huge – nor splashy.

Instead, it is homey.

What makes the event so worthwhile – is the people.

Everyone is sooooo friendly and kind.

All the dancers - at all levels - make a serious effort to dance with everyone. Young people are nice to old people.

Advanced dancers are helpful to newer dancers. The local pros take a concerned interest in their students.

 

 The event was held at a Hyatt Regency by the airport (free shuttle). 

It was like something out of the Jetson’s cartoon!  We were very comfortable and it was quite easy to stay inside all weekend!

There is a train into the city, however, right in front (Chicago trains are easy to figure out). 

There is a Starbucks in the lobby with sandwiches, snacks, frozen food and a microwave.  The rooms have fridges too. 

Getting to the event from NYC on Friday was no easy task. There was a Blizzard! I dragged my roller bag thru a snow drift anyway.  My face was massaged by snow pellets. It took all day to get on a flight (actually, I met an elderly couple in need and gave them my Stand-by).

Coming home presented more airline problems. American Airlines doesn’t need a blizzard as an excuse to be incompetent.

This was tough because I was sooooo exhausted from non-stop dancing and barely managed to navigate the airport.

I bitched and moaned and said: “never again – no dance convention is worth this!”

The next morning … I found myself practicing on the way to work and smiling at the memories of the weekend.

 My fun Strictly partner – catching up with my dear Torontoes – hanging out with my friend Donna Arvans – dancing with my wonderful Mid-westies.

This is what it means to: “Get A Really Good Social Life!”

So, Nancy Tuzzolino and Jim Becker, I guess I’ll be back next year!

http://www.thechicagoclassic.com/

For a rare time in my life . . . 
I am speechless . . .

     (or maybe I’m just a little sleepy) after an extrAAAordinarily kick butt West Coast Wednesday evening (WCW) at Galway Bar in Chicago.

Levi Laroco, Heather Fronczak,
Marina Moeller & Vernon Hagel

I believe we had almost 100 people this evening to kick off our spectAAAcular annual dance convention “Chicago Classic.”

http://www.thechicagoclassic.com

If there were a theme it would have been “International Love.”

We had people visiting from all over – Texas, Indiana, Brazil, France.

 Melissa Greene with Brazilian guests.

  

Not to Mention: a visit by one of the top photographers on the west coast swing circuit, Brad Whelan.

Fun?

Oh Yeah!!!

Energetic?

You know it!!!

 

 It would not have been possible without:

U.S. Open Champion Gary Jobst – (on right with Natalie Hoyle) teaching a GREAT west coast swing lesson.

Dancers soaked up his words and (in this instance) even added a little Latin style.

April Prince kept the crowd dancing from the 1st song until well past midnight at this weekly dance which she started almost three years ago.

April was inducted in the 2012 West Coast Swing DJ Hall of Fame.

April dancing with Brazilian guest:
Roger Ferreira Batista

Melissa Greene graciously provided transportation for the French and Brazilian contingent to and from West Coast Wednesday.

Christine Edison 
provided transportation 
for Brad Whelan.

Gracie Grace &
Bennie Vonmur provided
“Man” power . . . helped with the setup and takedown for the evening.

Ro-Ro Rossitto & Amy Wright

the ““DoorMan Duo“ . . .

when our regular door person (Bryan) couldn’t make it.

And … as always …
the CROWD!

Without our patrons and FRIENDS there would never be DANCES!

Donna Arvans & Jeffrey Forth

Thank you: 

Heather, Gina, Vern, Carlos, Jen C., Carmen & Rosa, Joyce, Dennis, Thomas, Natalie, Jamey, Alisa, Christina, Tonita, Izabela, Ed, Donna, Rich, Nan, Jen S., Don, Jeff M., Marina, Michael, Karen, Robert, Monda, Jeff F., Levi, Nicole, Kelly, Ray, Beth, Joy, Scotty and . . .

everyone else – for contributing to one of the most special and memorable evenings of the year.

“Indiana” Jeff Mumford with guest.

Galway is a typical Irish pub kind of place with lots of space to dance . . .

as well as cozy nooks to chat with friends and even a pool table.

West coast swing has always been the kind of cool vibey dance that feels right in a bar.

Wayne & Cynthia Rohr

Anyone visiting Chicago or new to west coast swing – we extend an invitation to you – please come and dance with us!

http://www.westcoastwednesdays.com/

Editor’s Note: Ken Dillard is a Premier Mid-west DJ, Photographer and April Prince’s partner with the Galaway Wednesday venture. 

Doug Rousar is to the dance world what Phineas T. Barnum was to the Circus!

Spotlight Dance Celebration in Toledo, Ohio for the
New Year’s holiday was an extrAAAvaganza of never ending entertainment and participation!!!

       Like “The Greatest Show
on Earth” …

Spotlight 2013 is unique!!!

Three days and four nights of
non-stop dancing –

and not a dull moment!

It was an opportunity to see my wonderful Mid-westies
and AAAwesome Canadian dance friends. 

Party animals of the Universe! 

Happy to report – it is possible to have too much fun. (OOOh – my aching back!)

It wasn’t just a rehash of the other conventions, either.

Doug came up with a whole bunch of new and creative takes on the same old acts …

  There was tons of social dance …

AAAstonishing workshops,

entertaining and fresh performances,

the BEST music selection, and 

EVERYTHING was always on time and ran smoothly.
(NO backroom brawls, either!)

The MAN should be running the USA – AND the big banks – AND the United Nations.

HELL – Doug could run the planet and what a better world world this would be!

At  the outset – I must thank the Rousars for adding the National Anthem to the event kick-off.

Let’s TRY to remember who WE ARE – and that’s NOT – the gun wielding, war mongering, greedy, arrogant people we keep hearing about on the news.

We are the people who built this country on Life – Liberty –
and the Pursuit of West Coast Swing!

Check out the talent: Debbie & Angel Figueroa, Matt & Crystal Auclair, Annmarie & Jason Marker, Jason Miklic & Sophy Kdep, Art & Colleen Uspensky, Brennar Goree, Rebecca Ludwick & Kris Swearingen, Taletha Jouzdani, Nino Diguilio & Dawn Lara, Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlow, Billi Marti, Erica Smith, Stephanie Risser, Jeff Mumford & Leah Burkman, Chris & Melissa Moy and Tim Johnson.

My readers from the east coast and southwest need to understand that these teachers TEACH the BEST!

Are they the biggest names in the biz?
 No – and we don’t care.

They tried a whole lot harder than all those phoney-baloney 
California lemons.

  

Sarah Van Drake says these conventions step us up in dance skill.

Well, THIS CONVENTION brought us up a whole flight of stairs!!!

 
 

These teachers are not spoiled by success and hopefully they never will be. 

LuUuUuVVV that the Rousars give up-and-coming teachers and DJs an opportunity to showcase what they can do.

Jeff Mumford made his national teaching debut with Leah Burkman.

California is soooo passé and over-rated!

The talent of the future is coming out of the corn fields!

Indiana Jeff will make his state the next WCS mecca!

Imagine dancing in a crop circle!

Hey Indie Jeff - get Doug to help you start a convention so I have an excuse to check out your state!

Can’t mention everyone and everything but I’ll get to it in the future.

Instead, I wish to memorialize my favorite parts …

and share them with the unfortunate slobs who could not be with us.

We were thoroughly entertained whenever there was a competition or performance – but it wasn’t long before we were up and dancing again.

The music: OMG!!!

My personal fAAAvorite was holding court all weekend –

Victor LovierAAA

My other fAAAvorite DJ – Beth Bellamy – was spinning alot (luv this gurl).

And then there was my original fAAAvorite DJ, Tim Johnson, pushing the tunes every time I looked over.

Oh, and it was truly wonderful to hear the sounds of my fAAAvorite DJ, Mineh Ishida!

And then there was my new fAAAvorite, Marlin Jenkins, who also recited some impressive original poetry.

This kid loooooks pre-law but don’t let it foooool you!

He’ll be just as successful AND a gooood person!

This event kicks off with the most IMPORTANT part of the entire weekend:

ProAm Routines

Everyone is getting thru Novice in this region because of the significance placed on the development process.

It’s how people become really good and why they win competitions.

Youth and favoritism are not blamed for failure here. Dancers do not get frustrated and give up (as much).

Jennifer Vaughn performed to “This is a Man’s World” with Matt Auclair who has a 2 year waiting list for new students
(his girls always win everything).

This chick is simply AAAwesome and has the respect of her peers. She beats everyone in Masters frequently, too.

 BreAAAthtaking!!!

Steven Krieg performed with AAAnnmarie Marker to “Folsom Prison Blues” and it was impressive.

GUYZ out there will be lining up to work with her.

She and Jason are stAAAgeringly good teachers, i.e., technicians.

All of the ProAms were GrAAAnd.

Faith Musko with Jason Miklic – Marina Moeller with Brennar Goree (left) – Matt Auclair with Christy Parker. 

I’ve written about them before and will again.

They just keep getting
better and better.

I am soooo jealous!

Phineas reinvented the side-show.

He made the Siamese Twins famous!

Doug has just as unique of a talent to turn competition into a side-show.

Yeah, there were the same Jack n’ Jills and Strictlies in both hustle and west coast swing.

But, also there were Masters J&J, Masters Strictly, Rising Star, Classic, Mixed Bag J&J, Pro Strictly, Pro J&J Routines and Bookends.

Another show starting any minute and lots of dancing in between!

Newcomer Division was certainly changed in the 6 months since Michigan Classic. (Doug’s other event.)

Newcomer is becoming a bona fide division in the midwest.

In half of the country, people are being stopped from entering Novice Division unless they have completed their Newcomer points.

We feel that it is essential to develop basic skills and confidence.

Novice is called “HELL” for a reason.

Most people don’t get out alive.

Besides that, some of us earned the right to dance in Novice and we don’t appreciate people cutting in line. It was appalling to hear that some local teachers had the unmittigated gall to advise their students to commit this egregious act. Shame on them!!!

Good on you Doug Rousar for respecting Newcomer Division …

You‘re a mensch!!!

Masters Division at Spotlight was particularly strong. Many of the participants are teachers and have been dancing half their lifetimes.

Age 50 is the new 40! A lot of these people are in better condition than the young kids. We love this division because it is so different and kitschy.

You might get a beginner – and you might get Genieboy!

By the way, Genieboy is practically a fixture on the east coast but he’s not that well known in the midwest. As soon as the guy hit the dance floor, girls were asking me who he was.

Man-oh-Man! Soon, he had the those gurlz swooning!

That’s not all!

Doug came up with the best idea ever for a competition.

Forget the Big Top
elephant act!

 Never mind
the Flying Wallendas!

We had Pro J&J
Routines!!!

On the first night, the pros drew a partner and developed a routine to be performed later in the weekend.

To avoid any attempt at seriousness, it had to include stuff from videos of classic routines staring the most famous pros!

It was mAAAgnificent and demonstrated the depth of their talent to dance AND ability to entertain. 

There’s even more! ProAm strictlies.

This is the most important category that anyone ever came up with.

They are just beginning to move into the northeast …
   by GI-NORMOUS DEMAND! We all get soooo much out of this process and the events make a lot of money.

It’s a WIN-WIN!

 

Check it out, Larry Hough is working his way thru the Intermediate level WSDC points.

The guy ProAm‘d 3 students (Larry is AAAwesome). Carolina Amendola, won 2nd place in the Newcomer J&J. (left)

There are not enough teachers in Toronto and the entire northeast.The same situation exists in New York. 

Please listen – all my readers out west - who are starting to teach. Don’t go to California! We need you here!!!

The Jack n’ Jills are hard. We want to earn our points because that’s the kind of people we are – goal oriented.

LuUuUuved the judges! They can keep a straight face and even be kind. They care and really look at us in every dance – it’s impressive. People do not want to feel like their entry fee is nothing more than an event donation.

We truly felt we were evaluated carefully.

Congrats to the Winners

Newcomer

1. Doug Nofzinger & Katrina Verey
2. Dominic Bernard & Carolina Amendola
3. John Zonicle & Sophia Gutterman
4. Michael Cooper & Marjorie Kyle
5. Stanley Moody & Veronika Doma

Barbara Ellen White &
Brett Stacer (Newcomer Finals)

Novice

1. Todd Coulthard
     & Catherine Jones (left)
2. Michael Peascoe & Noelle Sereis
3. Richard Falls Jr. & Abby Steele
4. Damon Lampley & Etta Berkland
5. Thomas Clyde & Adriana Harris

Check it out!

Catherine Jones is no spring chicken … and she won 1st place!

Gotta mention about hustle – WOW! The dance is growing in popularity.

Stephanie Risser is sooooo good!  

She makes me want to start that up all over again.

It used to be that there were comps but nobody really social danced. Not anymore.

Leaders actually ask which dance we’d like to do and it’s common to see both styles on the social floor.
http://stephaniedance.com

Why hasn’t Doug invented the parent/child dance-off? 

We never tire of watching Matt & Crystal perform.

It’s about time Lily joined the act!

Let’s see Jason & Sophy dance with those two beautiful dolls – and if they are too small to keep up – how about a routine using strollers?

I‘ll bet Rebecca Ludwick can come up with something brillAAAnt to do with Ilyana.

All AAAntonio has to do is be himself with Debbie and Angel to entertain!

Another reason the most spectacular new dancers are coming out of this region is because of Rising Star. Every time I see these performances, I am struck by how special it is to reach these heights. I was quite dismayed to hear that most people in Arizona didn’t even know what Rising Star is.

Hieu Le &
Natalie Gorg – performing their routine to “Unfold” (left) – are in another class entirely.

(Hieu graciously told me he felt lucky just to hold Natalie’s hand).

 

 

In the 4 midwest events I’ve traveled to this year, I have watched Michael Saloka & Nicole Zwerlein soar
in skill.

Chris Edwards & Amy Lee (right) premiered a routine at Cash Bash to “Hazy” by Rosi Golan and choreographed by Jason & AAAnnmarie.

Seeing it 6 weeks later – what a difference!

In Classic Division we again got to see that sizzling routine by Matt & Crystal to …

“If You Don’t Know Me.” 

The whole world should
see this one.

Their love comes thru and I am always struck by the tremendous tragedy …

that they are not on Broadway!

Rebecca and Chris performed to“Gold.”

This couple won 5th place in the NASDE tour at the US OPEN.

People (event organizers) are beginning to ask me about Rebecca.

For sure, she is headed for west coast swing stardom.

Rebecca has the same kind of talent as Deborah Szekely.

Deeper – wider – enduring.

Like I keep saying – the gold is not in California – it’s in the Mid-west!

Luuuuuved Bookends – a same gender Strictly.

At Swingin’ New England in November the performances were a bit raunchy. Here, they were good natured fun.

There was a charming piece by Billy Marti and Corey Flowers to “Singin’ In the Rain.”
(I didn’t know Billy could tap dance!)

There was a comical performance by Matt and Brennar - reinventing previously done routines.

It was a parody – and in particular – picked on those qualities that are easy to hillarify.

It was just so well performed that we couldn’t mistake who Matt and Brennar were imitating!

But what is important about this is that we love people who can laugh at themselves!

The Swifter Sisters should have won (in my own opinion). It was a dancing floor mop performance! 

I‘m a big fan of Beverly Solazzo (teacher at May I Have this Dance in Chicago).

The reason why this routine was brilliAAAnt …

     was because it stood on its own.

We don’t need to know anything to enjoy this one and it should go on Utube!

 New Year’s Eve was FAAANAAASTIC!!!

People dressed up like it was the Academy Awards. We sat together at dinner and realized how special it is to be out like this instead of home petting the dog.

I am proud to say …

 I did NOT have a quiet New Year’s Eve!!!

Was dinner “primo swag”? Well, not exactly.

But, who cares! It’s not the kind of thing that matters.

Afterward, Matt led a “free-style” party so that non-dancing friends and relatives could join in.

What a great idea!!!

Besides, we couldn’t dance in heels and dresses so we might as well Wobble!

Also, people formed a circle in which people just did about anything.

Freedom! Lily ran back and forth.

The local “Sex in the City” WCS gurlzzzz wowed us!

Everyone just let down their hair and relaxed.

The stroke of midnight
held desert and champagne.

We toasted to wonderful memories and looked forward to MORE in 2013!

Special thanx to Joanna Swanson for turning me on to this region.

The east coast is great but I was frustrated and could not improve my dancing. Not only did I find wonderful teachers in the Mid-west but I found a BRAVE new world.

Doug’s events are not the only ones in the Mid-west. (But – they might be the best!)

The region holds quite a bit of opportunity to grow dance skills, make wonderful friends -  and have more fun than anywhere else!

We get taken care of in the Mid-west, too.

Midnight buffets come with the pass.

Saturday night we had breakfast and it was really good. Sunday night was a desert buffet.

People thought it was going to be more breakfast and were disappointed.

It isn’t that they wanted breakfast – it’s that they are used to this idea and are too busy for a sit-down dinner.

So people only snacked and depended on the midnight meal. Pizza would have been perfect.

We need protein, not sugar. But – something different. (Chinese? Mexican?)

Another feature of this event that is highly appreciated and makes sooooo much sense is daily awards. Instead of a marathon of results at the bitter end that go on ad nauseum, we got the results the same day.

And Doug posts them right away too. That’s organization!

Doug and Lori heard all about the hotel issues …

     so don’t let horror stories stop you from attending the event.

     However …

Packing for this convention might require preparation for an extended Artic expedition!

This place is all glass and there are cracks in the doorways letting in enough cold air to make it feel like Siberia.

The staff tries to their best and has a great attitude but – clearly – the manager must have just transferred from Stalag 17!

Bring lots of extra sweaters and maybe glue some suede to your heaviest winter boots so you can dance with getting frostbite on your toes!
(I’m kidding, the hotel has been bought and will undergo rennovation.)

The good part is the ballroom space and dance floor was mAAArvelous.

The stage curtain is WHITE makes people look and feel good.

Downtown Toledo is not a bad place and there are fast food places and shops nearby.

It would be useful to have a map and/or list.

Transportation arrangements from the Detroit airport to downtown Toledo (40 minutes away) became a valuable part of the whole experience.

It was my privilege to be picked up by - Melissa Rollins – who is a makeup artist and local pro (and Doug’s dance partner).

The girl is beautiful outside - AND inside!

It was heartwarming to see her beautiful home and meet her wonderful husband, lovely daughter and charming son.

The best part – for me – was meeting the rabbit and dog!

We also drove in with Angel and
Debbie Figueroa.

I am AAAwe-Struck to report that Angel is a full-fledged Puerto Rican cowboy!

Hee-HAAAw!

Wonder how long it will take for him to get a twang in his voice?!

Luuuuuv these two and it was a pleasure to catch up.

Once upon a time, Angel was part owner of Stepping Out in New York City.

That’s where I learned to dance and to this day - everywhere I go - people lament to me about those wonderful days and how we learned everything important from him . . . REALLY .

People have said that to me with tears in their eyes.

The ride back to the airport was courtesy of Divy Ravindranath.

This guy is moving to California, which is lucky for me because I’m out west a lot.

We rode with Bryan Jordan and his lovely wife, Catrinel, who actually hails from Romania.

Bryan is director of Swingapalooza near Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

I really didn’t know much about Bryan but I did notice how friendly and helpful he was on the dance floor.

Most people don’t get to other regions – I’ll have do some investigative reporting!

 

Flying during the holidays is risky … but worth it to me because of the wonderful Canadians who always make me feel included – as well as my happy experiences in the Mid-west.

And I spent the holiday with my dear friends – girls I never would have met in New York City.

Hey – Doug and Lori, 

I‘ll be seeing you guyz at every Mid-west event I can get to! 

http://www.rousardance.com/