LINE DANCE SHOWDOWN 2008
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
FROM: Rhoda Wong, MA cpcuau at hotmail.com
Thanks Jenn and Jason Cameron for another fun-filled weekend. We arrived Thursday and stayed till Sunday afternoon. Made a plan to take 10 classes and to remember at least 3 well enough to try at home. Favorites - Phenomenom, Where I Belong, What Love Is, Big Moments. Classes included:
Friday
NO DIGGITY- Paul McAdam, int, steps and timing were difficult especially in the middle sequences, smallish room was hot and too crowded to move around, and you needed to be able to cover some ground to learn the middle sequences.
WHAT LOVE IS - Rachel McEnaney, int/adv, lovely music and great dance
BAM-A-LAM - Guyton Mundy and Joey Warren, int, music makes you laugh, fun dance
PHENOMENOM - Paul McAdam, int, cool, nice combinations, attitude
THOSE APPLE BOTTOM JEANS - Joey Warren, hip dance, very popular
(had to be a spectator by this point, since my legs and brain were worn out)
Saturday
IT'S MURDA - Neville Fitgerald, int, nice combinations,
HIP HOP FLAVA - Amy Spencer, hip hop technique class, I was shy about joining in so sat out and watched. The class had a good time and looked happy. Good tips with explanation and demonstration by Amy and students.
WHERE I BELONG - the Amatos, int, pretty NC2 with tricky turning sequences, but well worth it
SAUCY SALSA - Robert Glover, int, fun and energetic, took this especially hoping to see salsa styling from Rob who taught a technique class last year in Cuban Motion (still working on the moves).
Sunday
BIG MOMENTS - Rachael McEnaney, int, once you get the first 8 counts, it becomes easier, another nice one
Hotel - The Framingham Sheraton was renovated since the last visit in 2007. Rooms were comfortable, with good hot showers, quiet and dark for resting.
Dining - For quick, affordable and better than hotel dining we went out to a Chinese restaurant .5 mi toward Boston Rte 9 W from the hotel (thanks Alan and Carol). Also, there were more nearby restaurants, a CVS drug store and a Super Stop and Shop supermarket starting a mile towards Boston on Rte 9 Efrom the hotel. Discovered an easy exit into traffic from the hotel going out left turn to Carolina Ave, and intersecting with Rte 9 East and West at a street light, thus avoiding the 50 mph speeding traffic at the hotel entrance on Rte 9.
Dancing - The ballrooms were sometimes a little on the warm side, but made tolerable by wearing lightweight clothes and dressing in layers. Sound Systems were loud and clear enough. There was a small platform stage for the teacher which made for an improvement but wasn't always used. Maybe the teachers found the stage was not big enough.
The dancing areas were a little more spread out, but we still could have used more space in some of the more popular lessons. The floating hard wood floors were terrific. The sound system was fine. And our DJs Louie and others kept the floors filled with dancers with very popular classic and new dances from the teaches and social dancing.
Some pluses from attending this event - meeting up with Carol, whose newsletter and quips we enjoy daily, dancing with some folks that we see yearly who live far away (NY, NJ, Toronto, FL, IN, CA, Mid-Atlantic) but travel great distances to Boston, dancing with those from across the pond who seem to know many of the new dances before arriving, and learning something new. We as dancers appreciate those who make this weekend possible. It is well run, has lots of support from many volunteers, talented teachers and DJs and videographer and generally friendly folks who share a passion for line dancing.
CJ, who always does a wonderful job with the event videos will be posting the information soon on how to order them but you can write him at contactcjthedj@aol.com if you just can't wait!!! This is a video that you will definitely use!!
Looking forward to seeing you next year.
FROM: danxinlines@comcast.net
I have not written a note to the newsletter although I do love to read it.
I took Boo-Taaay from Amy Spencer on Sunday at 11 am.
I have to say this was the BEST teach, Amy broke the steps down and also gave us the Hip-Hop names. I had the most fun taking this class, I believe the whole class had fun, those in the room not taking the class had fun too!!
If you have the chance to learn this, DO SO!
Beverley Gallie
NOTE FROM ME: I totally agree. She did a wonderful job and made it so much fun!!
FROM: sk8ingrn@yahoo.com
As for the Line Dance Competition Results, I can give you the basics...
I'm Erin McCarty. I took 1st in the Novice Open. Ann Morse(?) 1st in Novice Silver
Jim Stankewiscz 1st in Intermediate Open and Sabrina ? 1st in Advanced Open, Amanda DeLisle 2nd Advanced Open.
FROM: Tom Clemons
Thank You from Tom Clemons
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that attended the Boston Line Dance Showdown. Thank you for the support and hospitality I felt from all of you. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and made my first time instructing at a major event very memorable. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces.
This was my first competition and the support from the crowd made it effortless.
Thanks again to you all and hope to see you on the dance floor soon.
get up and dance!
Tom Clemons
tomflyboy@aol.com
www.dancintom.com
FROM: John Korman page-me@comcast.net
Still tired from the Boston Linedance Showdown, the only thing keeping me awake is Dunkin’ Donuts coffee! As a first time attendee to this event, I had a blast! It was great to catch up with friends made along dance travels from CT, MA, MI/Singapore, FL, AZ, IL, PA, KY, CA, Taiwan, and other states and countries. The instruction of dances surpassed my expectation of “pure funky” as the event offered all kinds of dances and music. It was great to see choreographers share their latest creation as well as bringing back old-time favorites such as MY NOISE and M.J. MOVES (I did learn M.J. MOVES and this was one of my top 3 newly learned dances of the weekend). I hope more and more choreographers and instructors continue to do this at all events for the benefit of those who started on the dance scene in the last 2 years or those who never learned the “classics.” The classic competition and original choreography was great. A “well done” to all competitors, and special kudos to Big Jim for dancing…well…at least competing I SCREAM. Congratulations to Miss Pam Leader (hometown gal) for her winLIE IN THE SUNI can see this being the next QUANTUM LEAP (it was especially fun and an honor to dance during her competition). The Showdown was wonderful with the storylines and dancing from all participants, especially Guyton and his dance partner from Atlanta, GA (Hillary?) who choked up some audience members, while Lee Easton and Sydney Smith made us remember childhood superheroes. Rachel showed us how to delay for 7 minutes greeting your date at the door, while the three funky guys showed off more “gyration.” Whether you’re a boy or girl, everyone remembers Ken/Barry and Barbie/Dari Anne who once again outshined; Paul, leave Barbie’s hair alone! Congratulations to all!
Yes, I am crazy – taking one workshop per hour so I could be exposed to the dances from the choreographers themselves:
SADDLE UP SHAWTY (mundy) – Thursday night bonus teach with special guest, Mikel Knight and Jellyroll who sang this song live after Guyton taught the dance. Love the third set of 8 counts…Yee-Haw…and one easy restart. Country-only venues, this one’s for you.
NO DIGGITY (mcadam) – great song, choreography matches to a “T” and that ain’t no shiggity. There are some tricky spots due to the counts. This was my third exposure and second teach to this dance and well worth it. Thanks Paul for covering for the unfortunate Amatos who were struggling with luggage issues. Highly recommend learning, played nightly in open dancing.
WHAT LOVE IS (mcenaney) – fast NC2 than most, but once again the dance matches the beats of the music perfectly, especially the second set of 8. Odd start, but the ending blends well into the beginning. The song by Mary J. Blige is growing on me and so is this dance. Don’t let the alternating endings drive you away. Find out what love is and learn this dance.
GET ON THE FLOOR (robinson) – world premiere teach of John’s latest dance to Johnny Gill’s, “The Floor.” Never heard this 80s song, but glad there is a dance to it now. One easy restart which the music builds up to. Fun dance all around, especially the squaaaaaat section which hits the phrasing of the music. So Get On The Floor and have fun with it!
PHENOMENON (mcadam) – another well-choreographed dance from Paul. Although there are not many lyrics from L.L., the dance goes great and the song grows on you. No tags or restarts…it must be a Phenomenon.
THOSE APPLE BOTTOM JEANS (warren) – whether you are wearing Apple Bottom Jeans or jumpsuit pants like me, well choreographed to the popular hit song by Flo Rida. Because this was learned Friday it did not stay with me throughout the weekend, but will work on it at home come my next event. I just hope Apple Bottom Jeans don’t go out of style too quickly…just get LOW, LOw, Low, low.
REECES PIECES (rowe, jeff) – another dance to a Brittney Spears song (hint…must get this album). Although taught by Eve Yeaton, both Maurice and Jeff were in class offering moral support for those who dare get up (or have not yet gone to bed) for this 09:00 teach. Fun dance without tricky steps or sequences.
SMOKIN’ CHA (robinson, szymanski) – well-choreographed by the John & Jo duo to a country-type song. I like how there is a mixture of dance stylesrumba and cha-chaincluded changing the counts. Learning this dance changed my liking of the song as well. Get On The Floor with this one too!
THROW IT ON ME (mundy) – classic funky Guyton choreography and song that is fast and thankfully only 2:11 in length. He’s right, dancing this back-to-back will put someone in the hospital! Don’t throw in the towel just yet. Challenge yourself with this dance. Once the steps are broken down, it is not that hard, just work on speed, which apparently I did not do enough of or I would not have thrown myself on the sidelines Saturday night. Wait for Easterns!
GET MY DRINK ON (mundy) – learned this in FL earlier this year…heck…he choreographed it in front of me at the Ocala workshop! Fun, fast-paced dance to the country song by Toby Keith. I had to retake it as a refresher since it is not consistently danced locally. Leave your arm and hand bits to THROW IT ON ME and break out them country-line-dancin’ boots for this one…just leave your drinks on the sidelines. Country-only venues, this well choreographed dance is for you.
BABY COME TO ME (fitzgerald, harris) – love the song, but never learned it at one of the US events until now. No tricky dance steps, other than 2 restarts which the music builds up to. Once you’re comfortable with the dance steps, you’ll be singing to the song like Neville did in class having your baby come to you.
WHAT Y’ALL CAME TO DO (schrank) – Fun, fast-paced dance to a great Aretha Franklin song of the same name. No tricky steps or tags/restarts from this R&B/Soul song with a good beat by the Queen of Soul. Good dance to learn to top off the weekend.
GIMME MORE (warren) – fun dance to a now-classic/event dance, played nightly during open dancing at these large events. From the sidelines it looked much harder that it is. Joey did a great job of working with the tired, Sunday crowd, and we all had it by hour’s end.
M.J. MOVES (perron, szymanski) – a great, fun dance all around. Even with CD problems, Johanna did a good teach to the still tired, Sunday crowd who mainly wanted a refresher, whereas I never learned it before, and I am glad I did now! Did not find anything difficult with the dance, although some may find the second set of 8 the trickiest from whole counts to syncopations and back to whole counts. By hours end, everyone mastered it. Love the song by Drizabone!
Played during nightly open dancing: FIRECRACKER, AMOR DE HIELO, WHATEVER HAPPENS, POETRY IN MOTION, CHARANGA, CRAZY FOOT MAMBO (most played), FEED THE FETISH (most played), SO GLAMOROUS, DREAMIN’, FUNKAFIED BLUES, IRISH STEW, AIN’T GOT NO MONEY/W.T.F., LET’S GET SAVED, NO DIGGITY, BAM-A-LAM, HAVE FUN GO MAD, EAST-TO-WEST, APPLEBOTTOM JEANS, FREAKY SKILLS, WHAT LOVE IS, LAST MINUTE, PUCKER UP, IT’S MURDA,
FROM: Robert Mah
Just some quick notes on Boston Line Dance Showdown. It was my first time to this event.
I have to say BRING IT got under my skin. After Paul taught it I requested it Sat. night. I woke up Sun. morning thinking that I need to do that dance again. It’s quite unique, very fast but really goes to the music once you get the basic moves going. Louie told me Sunday, “You won’t be able to do it without Paul”. I think he had left early. Anyway the group got through it not only once but twice by helping each other. I think it looked pretty good.
Other popular dances that I liked were WHERE I BELONG, MORE THAN LIFE, WHAT LOVE IS, PHENOMENON and IT’S MURDA.
I didn’t take any technique classes but here are some memorable moments during classes: Johanna while teaching MJ MOVES said, “Push your comfort zone. Continuously extend your body motions for new muscle memory.” Rob Glover suggested keeping your “third” eye in your chest pointed forward, improving frame and for me breaking the habit or watching everyone else during a dance.
I took LOST from Sydney as the first class on Fri. I wish I had requested it in open dance because I liked it and any requests I made from the taught list got played within 2 or 3 tracks.
Robert Mah
Toronto, ON
Canada
http://oldhat-2u.blogspot.com/
FROM: Dancin' Dean
Want to send a big thank you to Jen and Jason on a great weekend in Boston. Also a big thank you to all that came to my class and who purshased shoes. I had a great time as was nice to see some old frineds. I’m looking forward to the Florida Masters. See ya then.
Thanks Carol for all you do. I appreciate it… It was nice seeing ya all too. Take Care Sweetie…Hugs
FROM: Jen & Jason Cameron
We just wanted to THANK all of you that came to the Line Dance Showdown!!! The event was a huge success and we could not have done it without you. Please mark your calendars for April 2-5, 2009. We will be back at the same hotel. If you did not make it to the event and would like to purchase the video (Workshop and/or Showdown Competition), please visit the web site at http://linedanceshowdown.com/videos/ Each year, the SHOWDOWN COMPETITION gets better and better. It's truly AMAZING what talented people we have in our line dance community! Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Jen & Jason Cameron
www.LineDanceShowdown.com
www.FloridaMasters.com
THE LIST OF DANCES TAUGHT WITH DEMONSTRATIONS/TEACHES ARE NOW ON CJ'S PAGE AT THIS LINK:
http://www.worldlinedancenewsletter.com/CJsVideos.html
Information about how to order them is also on this site. |
