Well, we had a fun time at the pre-cruise Tampa Dance Camp this past
weekend. There was a really festive mood with everyone coming together
to dance and excited about going on the cruise. There were a good mix
of couples and line dancers (probably 2/3 couples and 1/3 line) and
it didn't have so much that feeling of THEM and US that is way too prevalent
when we get together. The only time it could have been a little better
was later on Saturday night when a lot of the line dancers left and
it became more of a couples thing in the line dance room but I think
if there had been a little better direction about sharing the floor
and a selection of music played that we both could have danced to it
would have fixed that little problem. I used to like it when people
would stay up later to dance with us and I haven't seen that happening
as much at the last few events so take a nap people so you can stay
up and dance!!!
It was nice to see some of the couples dancers line dance (and some
of them were EXCELLENT) and to see the line dancers taking some swing
lessons. We took a couple of them, a beginner West Coast class from
Debi Dillow which was excellent and full and another one from Jordan
Frisbee and Tatiana and the last part of a class with Robert Royston
on musicality which was very interesting and would have been interesting
to choreographers for sure.
The ballrooms were in a separate little building and there were two
good-sized dance floors, one for line and one for couples, and they
seemed to work out well for this year. I don't know how well it would
work for larger numbers because both floors were comfortably full but
it wasn't too crowded and the floor was good. It would also be good
to have enough room to have open dancing more during the day because
I don't know about you, but I really like that when we are at events.
I enjoy taking lessons but I also enjoy just as much open dancing and
since you know it's ALL ABOUT MEEEEEEEEEEEEE, I hope every event director
will work on that. LOL.
Louie was the DJ in the line room (and Louie celebrated his 40th birthday
on Saturday and so did Diane Poole) and there was another DJ in the
couples room -- sorry I didn't get that name. I'm sure everyone is having
a great time on the cruise and it was nice to meet people from all over
the place that I had never met before. A lot of them I talked with at
the free continental breakfast (which was very nice, by the way) at
the Comfort Inn and I think there was also one at the Holiday Express.
There is also an excellent steakhouse right in front of the hotels and
lots of people went there for dinner. Some of the classes were in the
restaurant part of the Holiday Express which worked out pretty well
except it was very hot in there until the doors were opened. I just
think if this gets any bigger it needs a larger venue in maybe one hotel
with a central-type meeting place/bar/restaurant area but this was Gasparilla
Weekend in Tampa which is like a big Mardi Gras-type celebration with
thousands of people here for the parade so hotels are scarce in Tampa
on this weekend and I don't think anyone knew how this was going to
work doing a workshop before a cruise but I thought it was a really
good turnout and I had a lot of fun and I think the anticipation of
going on the cruise gave a really happy feeling to the weekend so I
thought it worked out really well. Oh, and the show on Saturday night
was short and awesome -- my favorite two things -- short and awesome
-- and now LET'S DANCE!!! It was a treat to see such talent from both
the line and couples dancers and to see how far we have both come in
the last few years. It's really quite amazing and impressive.
Now, on to the line dances taught but there were really good couples
teachers there and I'm sure someone will write and tell us about them
too. I didn't attend all of the classes but I'll tell you about the
ones that were taught or I took or saw. Hope I didn't miss any.
MAX PERRY TAUGHT:
UP, SIDE, DOWN -- Is saw the demo of this dance and it looked fun and
upbeat with some easy arm movements. Everyone was laughing and having
fun doing it.
FUNKY CHA CHA 2 - This was taught in Tampa and I heard lots of good
feedback about it. I am partial to the original Funky Cha Cha but haven't
learned this one yet.
LIVE AND LET DIE (Int/Adv)
40 DAYS
KATHY HUNYADI
IT'S NOT THE MOON THAT CRIES, (Low Int). I wanted to see the demo on
this one and missed it.
MARILYN MCNEAL
MACCA MAMBO (easy int) Marilyn was at a special function with her husband
so I didn't see the demos of these two dances but Marilyn always picks
good dances and I'm sure these were no exception.
RACEY LACEY (int)
DEBI DILLOW:
BANJO BOY (Int) - This is a really, really cute dance with beginner
clogging moves in it. I took the class and it was easy to learn with
Debi teaching it and
is just a fun little dance. Give it a look.
FUNKY CHA CHA CHA (Int).
We also took Debi's beginner West Coast and it was really a good class.
RACHEL MCENENY
TWISTED - This is an interesting Cha-Cha with a spiral turn that feels
good. I liked this one.
ATTITUDE -- I wanted to take this one but it was taught on Sunday. It's
an adv dance to country music and I heard good reports about it and
heard about it before the weekend. I'm sure she will be teaching it
in Boston
JOHANNA BARNES:
IN A HICK TOWN -- this is an easy country music dance that is great
for beginners and country bars.
NAUGHTY - This is one of my favorite dances of Johanna's and really
didn't get taught enough the first time around so I was glad she brought
it back this weekend.
GEEK IN THE PINK -- I really love the interesting music that Johanna
used for this dance. I was trying to picture what the dance would look
like from just listening to the music and I think Johanna did a great
job of interpreting it so be sure and take her class in Boston. You'll
like it and it has some new funky moves I haven't done before but it's
only 32 counts and not hard to learn.
INFATUATION (Int)
C'EST LA VIE (Easy Int)
GUYTON MUNDY:
DROP THE HEAT -- well, I've already told you before that this is my
favorite dance of Guyton's since Playa and it was done a lot this weekend
and I'm sure it will be done a lot in Boston.
HAPPY HOUR
PAULA MESSIER:
Barry asked Paula to pick some good beginner dances and all of her classes
were full and it was good for the beginner classes that most of them
were opposite pretty advance dances so everyone got to take the level
they wanted.
IT'S CHICO TIME Glynn Holt Fun, upbeat, very easy dance. Used it at
Barry D.’s event too & they loved it. Non country
DISCO INFERNO– Ernst Roggeveen Beg.+ (beg. can uses easy walk
backs instead of mashed potatoes).
BEAUTIFUL BOY – Larry Bass Beg +. This is very pretty music and
is getting a good reception at the Roundup.
LOUISIANA KICK – Bill Bader Fun, country song, no tags, etc. Fast
but very “doable.” Is that a word??
VIVIENNE SCOTT
DANCIN' SOMETHIN' RIGHT - Beg/Easy Int
DON'T LET GO - Easy Int.
JUST 4U (INT)
SOFT & SLOW (Easy Int) -- I've heard lots of good reports about
this one.
KATHY BROWN:
BOP THE B, Kathy Brown and Lindy Bowers -- this is just an easy, fun,
peppy dance that everyone loves to do and every time I've seen it taught
the class applauds so it's just one of those dances you just feel happy
doing.
RUN IT - This is an int little funky dance
SCOTT BLEVINS
MELTDOWN -- I really like this one of Scott's and think it's gonna be
a big hit -- in fact I really liked both of the dances he taught and
I know they will be done a lot in Boston and at upcoming events.
FRICTION ADDICTION -- Like, I said, I really like both of these dances
and if you want to do them when they are played a lot in Boston, I would
suggest you take the class.
NO REGRETS -- I had learned this one before but was glad to have a reteach
because I NEEDED IT!!!
BARRY DURAND
SUNSHINE, Barry Durand - We learned this at Roundup when Barry visited
and it's a good dance to super music.
SUNDAY MORNING, Barry Durand - I also learned this at the Roundup and
love the steps in this one. I'd love to try this one to some really
fast music just for fun because the steps would just be fun to do fast
as well as to this music.
SPIDERMAN, Barry Durand. This is a really darling dance. It would be
GREAT for a novelty demo dance and even greater for a demo dance for
kids but it is so fun to watch and when the whole class did it together
it was priceless. You can see the video on mydancelesson.com but you
really have to see it done with a group to truly appreciate it. I can't
wait to see it done again.
Everyone is back from the cruise by now so hopefully we will be getting
reports. Thanks, Barry, for a fun weekend!!
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