Midnight Rodeo Winter Workshop
FROM: MARILYN MCNEAL, BoarsNestFarm@aol.com
WHAT A FABULOUS WEEKEND! The party began Friday night when many of you came to Midnight Rodeo to warm up the dance floor for Saturday. I did not imagine topping the crowd and excitement of last year’s event, but we DID it this Saturday with a record 173 dancers, plus instructors and staff, at our one day Winter Workshop with GUYTON, JUNIOR AND BILL MCGEE! We had an extraordinary group of Florida line dance teachers participating and the best mix of local and out of town dancers anywhere!
Saturday morning we laid extra dance floor, set tables, organized lunch and we were ready! Carla and Sally got everyone in the door in 17 minutes! That amazed me! With coffee and donuts we started this full day of dance and instruction! The atmosphere was electric!
LUNCH: We always plan to make your day more than just a workshop. “My Honey’s” barbecue was delicious, along with homemade baked beans, coleslaw, chips, pasta salad, tossed salad, and cake and brownies for dessert. Lunch was a nice, relaxing break before the afternoon kicked in with more instruction, followed by reviews of all the dances taught. Closed the club at 4:45 so we could be back by 7PM!
50/50 POT: We collected an incredible jackpot of $632. The “house” half was donated to our most appreciated connection to the entire line dance community, Carol Craven, to help maintain the newsletter that keeps all of us so well informed. Thank you Carol, for your continued commitment to the worldwide dance community.
Judy Chen (our special guest this weekend) and another dancer who’s name I missed, won and split the remaining $316.
PRIZES: We gave away several “green bags” given as fun prizes. Local dancer, Gayle Tillman won the Midnight Rodeo Annual VIP pass.
SPECIAL congratulations to winners of these upcoming 2008 events in calendar order: Jg2 and Girlfriends at Bonita Springs, Villages Workshop with Arline Winerman, Vivienne Scott and Marilyn McNeal, Villages Workshop with Scooter Lee, Jg2 Line Dance Marathon, Florida Masters in Line, Tim Gillis Fall Weekend, Tampa Bay Line Dance Classic, Windy City, and WORLDS 2009!
My sincere appreciation to those event directors who generously donated these passes. I was honored to offer these prizes and the lucky winners were thrilled to receive them!
GUEST INSTRUCTORS:
Bill started the day with Ooh Poo Pah Doo, followed by More Than Life and Cypress Shuffle – all good dances!
Junior had serious back pain and couldn’t “shake it” like he always does, but he managed to talk us through his dances, As If and Hot Stuff. Everyone loves Junior appreciated his efforts. We all hope he recovers quickly.
Guyton, as only Guyton can do, choreographed a brand new dance just for us and this event, to accommodate my last minute request for something country and cool. How does he do that?! Get My Drinkin’ On was an instant hit and I will have the stepsheet on my website later this week. He also taught his World’s hit, Bam-a-lam to a full floor.
THE AFTER PARTY: I was overwhelmed when 101 workshop dancers returned to the club Saturday night before 7:30 (more later) for reviews and line dance party at night! We had a GREAT time with all of you and danced 3 straight hours of requested songs. If you have pictures from your personal cameras, I would be grateful if you send us some. Our table cameras will be developed this week, so look for the pictures you took on our website!
SUNDAY MORNING: Breakfast in the Barn for several overnight guests was perfect, followed by a wonderful and much needed rain. Hope you all had safe flights and road trips home.
SINCERE THANKS to Guyton, Bill and Junior for being here with us, and to each and everyone of you who participated and made this event a great success. Personal and heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff, Carol, Nancy, Steve, Diane, Karen, Carla, Sally, Dennis, Jessie, Bill, Sean, David, Tommy, Gary, Jan and Brenda, who made it all “happen,” my twin grandkids and drink sellers, Katlyn and Brenna, (their tips will be used for the school trip to Washington D.C.) to my local Midnight Rodeo dancers who support my classes every week, to my wonderful husband who takes such good care of me, and to Midnight Rodeo owner, Dave Emrick.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE WITH US! IT WAS A GREAT AND MEMORABLE DANCE WEEKEND IN OCALA BECAUSE OF YOU!
NOTE FROM ME: I will be writing a report about the dances taught but Marilyn said it all here EXCEPT THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the 50/50 drawing and donation to the newsletter/website and helping me pay Stacy a little extra for all the work she does on the website. I was thrilled to see the turnout yesterday. Every time that happens at an event or seminar is a huge reward for both of us and for everyone who participates in getting the news out there and that everyone is all of YOU!! Thank you so much!! Carol
FROM: NANCY KEEFOVER
Just got home from the Ocala workshop. Had a great time. Marilyn
and her crew did a wonderful job. Ray and his crew fed us WELL.
And, as always Bill, Junior and Guyton are SUPER. Can't wait to go again next year. Nancy Keefover
FROM: LINDY
Actually, I don't know that I can add anything that hasn't been covered, especially about what a wonderful turnout there was and great prizes and of course, Ray's legendary lunch!!!! (worth the price of admission just for lunch alone!!) Marilyn and Ray and all of their volunteers always do a fantastic job on this event and it shows. I had to be a tiny bit late arriving and then had to leave early but I had such a great time and totally enjoyed all the new dances, and the open dance,,,(well, except Doors Of Life - which I love -but I had to watch while Tony danced it cuz I couldn't quite remember it well enough and it's too pretty to mess up), but most of all getting to see and visit with everyone again. It was a very special day. A very nice touch was that Marilyn had placed disposable cameras on tables and asked someone at those tables to make some random photos and then drop the cameras off as they left so that she could get them developed and send post them on her site!!! What a cool idea!! I also made some photos with my own camera and have already downloaded and sent them along. Thank you Marilyn and Ray and all who help make this a very special event that I enjoy every year and didn't have to miss this year either. Ya'll are the best!!!!
DANCE!!! :-) lindy
FROM: Dianna Bayless
My husband Gordy and I live and Sebring and try to make the workshops given my Marilyn McNeal as often as we can. This weekend was no different. It was great. The dances that were taught were great. We sure missed Junior Willis's dances due to his back problems but the two that he went over with us were fun. Our hats off to Ray again for the great barbeque he served us. It was great!!!! All the instructors did such a great job and had so much fun that it was infectious and we all had as much fun as they did. Looking forward to next year!!!
Dianna Bayless
FROM: JUNIOR WILLIS
I want to personally apologize for not being able to teach, dance, and have fun as I normally do. As most of you have heard or read by now, I had some major back problems this weekend, that almost didn't allow me to even attend the event. I had originally planned on teaching one of my new dances that I co-choreographed with Pepper, Too Little Too Late, but my back just wouldn't allow that.
I did manage to get through the weekend, holding on to the pole to teach, but I HATE that I had to do it that way!!! I really and truly apologize for that, but I sincerely appreciate your understanding.
What a group of dancers!! They even stayed on the floor just listening to me call the steps and picked up the dances!! WOW!!
I would also like to really thank Marilyn and Ray, first for having me there, and second for the love and support they gave me over the weekend!! You guys are the greatest!!
Now, to let everyone know what is going on.
I went to the Emergency Room yesterday morning, and then straight to my doctor's office. I have an MRI schedulued (but not for two weeks). My doctor is certain that I have herniated a few disks. Hopefully this will mend quickly so I can get back to the dance floor in my normal style!!
I will keep everyone informed of my progress, but for now it is just slow-go.
They highly recommended I not try to make the plane flight to England, but you guys know me, I will be there!! It may be more of a repeat of this weekend, but hey, I will be there doing all I can do!!
Thanks again for the love and support I received from everyone this weekend!! Love all of you dearly!!
Junior Willis
FROM: BILL MCGEE
Oh what a great time we had this past weekend in Ocala Florida at the Midnight Rodeo. It started on Friday and we danced the night away Midnight Rodeo style. Like most clubs there are the standard dances that the kids do there. Mike the DJ was very accomadating as he knew it wasn't his normal group of line dancers. Heck was that Guyton doing Swamp thing and Zjozzy's funk???
It was back to the club Sat. and we took turns teaching all day. Great group of dancers that packed the house. Ray McNeal fed the entire bunch with his world famous lunch... It appeared to me that everyone was having a great time all day and I think there were 100 of us back for Saturday night and reviews of everything that was taught and then just fun dancing the night away.
Thanks to Ray and Marilyn McNeal for having me again this year. It is fun to hang out with you guys. Thanks to all you dancers that joined us for the day/weekend. Like I always say, It's not as much fun dancing by myself. You all are special.
I almost forgot, If it wasn't enough serving us Lunch on Sat. we were treated to Sunday breakfast in the barn at the Boars Nest Farm, Ray & Marilyn's. What a treat.
--
DO IT ON THE DANCE FLOOR
with BILL MCGEE
Orlando, Florida
Fun Capital Of The World
407 422-7248
Please use my new email address below.
bill_mcgee1@bellsouth.net
Click below for the web site.
http://pages.prodigy.net/bill_mcgee/index.html
FROM: John Korman page-me@comcast.net
Last Saturday I attended my first Ocala event (all due to winning a free event pass while at FL Masters), and I hope to return in future years. I highly recommend this well planned and organized event, and all the postings are true--it's all in the B-B-Q!
Surprisingly, the venue was quite large and a beautiful hardwood dancefloor with two poles, that can be used as line dancer props! Friday night was not solidly packed with line dancers as many folks were coming on Saturday morning and remaining for open dancing on Saturday night. Guyton & Natalie, Junior & Don, and Bill were all there and each got on the floor (Junior would side shuffle from the sidelines when he could due to a back injury). The crowd was primarily from all over FL, but Judy Chen from China and us DC boys broke the FL connection.
All the popular dances from the Survey and some taught at WORLD'S were played throughout the weekend during open dancing. The best part Friday night once the bar crowd filed in was the DJ stumping everyone with Guyton's first line dance.....anyone know?
Well this is still a popular bar dance at Midnight Rodeo....it's a country song....by Travis Tritt.....
song is Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde.....dance.....is.....
Long Road to Richmond. After 4 walls Guyton remembered his own steps and lead the crowd (seems funny us line dancers know who Guyton is when most of the bar crowd had no clue).
Friday night was fun back at the hotel (Country Inn & Suites) to narrow down a song for Guyton to choreograph to, at 2AM, and to teach in 10 hours. Having never witnessed the creation of a dance, I was mesmerized at what choreographers like Guyton go through listening to the song several times, counting it, deciding tag/restarts or not, and then feeling the beat and steps. Although the dance is called GET YOUR DRINK ON (same song title by Toby Keith), it mine as well be titled ROOM200 since all of us present had a hand in its creation.
Saturday was well-attended with 130+ folks. I knew this event drew a lot, but did not realize just how many folks came! Many were at WORLD'S while others were not. Bill McGee taught some easy dances that packed the dance floor; these dances were good and for the mind after Junior and Guyton numbing some folks. Already knowing Junior's popular dances (AS IF, HOT STUFF) I assisted him making my way around the room for others to see my feet. Even with a back injury, kudos to Junior for still coming to FL, teaching and partying day and night with the crowd. Even with all the pain, the bar drinks hopefully healed some of it. After getting through GET YOUR DRINK ON, Guyton taught BAM-A-LAM and I was fortunate enough for this to be my 4th lesson so now I got it. I assisted around the floor along with Natalie, Donna, and Paul as needed. Those who attended WORLD'S were glad for a re-teach and those who were taking it for the first time, struggled, but stuck with it (yeah!). Everyone I spoke to liked the song, it's just practice. What a great time on Saturday night to have the bar all to ourselves until 10pm when the DJ mixed in line dances with couples music and then turned all the line dances over to the bar's popular dances (time to leave).
Sunday brunch was wonderful with the out-of-towners who attended. Needing to drive to Orlando to catch a 2pm flight, we could not stay long, but the food and barn's dancefloor were superb! I am sure there could have been a mini-Sunday social with the floor and crowd, but with a rain storm coming through we had to eat and run. Still great to catch up with everyone off the dancefloor and chat, getting to know one another.
If you are in the area next year, or those wanting to take an extended vacation like we did after WORLD'S, I would consider attending this awesome event; especially since WORLD'S is in Orlando next year. Just buy food during the day so if you get hungry at night after dancing you have something to eat. All the pizza and other delivery places close at 1AM in Ocala!
FROM: STUART STEELE
A huge Thank You to Marilyn and Ray McNeal for the fabulous workshop in Ocala, FL this past weekend. The open dancing Friday and Saturday evenings, the workshop Saturday, Ray's barbeque lunch Saturday and the breakfast Sunday morning for out-of-towners were fantastic. Marilyn and Ray are the best hosts you will find at any gathering and they bring a lot of class to the line dance community. A big thanks, too, to the instructors (Guyton Mundy, Junior Willis and Bill McGee) who not only provided great lessons but were there for the open dancing Friday and Saturday evenings.