JG2 LINE DANCE MARATHON 2007
The Marathon was just that -- as always -- so many lessons - so little time. As soon as you arrive, if you're flying, there's a free shuttle to the hotel. This event is such a joy to attend because everything is so well organized and they have a wonderful staff that works tirelessly to make everything seem effortless. From the moment you walk in the door, the theme for the year is evident. This year we had knights and dragons and maidens and everything Medieval. Guyton did all the large banners that were auctioned off on Saturday night so each classroom had artwork to maintain the feeling of being in a different era. Balloons adorned every column and room. The hotel is perfect for this event with lots of large ballrooms for the classes. There are usually five lessons every hour with open dancing all day long. They have DJs in the open dance room all day and classes for all levels. They have the dance previews each morning at 9 am but James and Jean are thinking about changing at least one to the evening next year. I know it's difficult to keep everyone happy with the time of the reviews but I know there are more people watching the reviews at night and I don't like to get up that early and since it's all about meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, I would be happy if they did it. LOL. One of the reasons this event has gotten better and better over the many years it has been going on is because they actually read and incorporate the suggestions. Pepper did such a great job of getting people on and off the floor that it was fast and efficient. I love watching the reviews because it's so much easier to decide what classes will appeal to you.
There is a bar and restaurant in this hotel and a little deli-type place to get food. Many people take the free shuttle to nearby restaurants and you can also order in food from restaurants in the area. There is a coffee station in the mornings so you can grab a quick cup before classes start and I had breakfast in the dining room every morning which was quite reasonable (under $10) and a huge selection. I like the lobby of this hotel because it's such a great place to meet before and after classes and everyone walks through there going to and from their rooms so you have time to meet new people and talk with old friends. I think these "meeting places" at events really make the difference in those that feel comfortable all weekend. There's a wonderful pool and hot tub at the hotel so if you want to just relax by the pool morning or night, it's there for your enjoyment. There was always cold water in all the classrooms and always in the ballroom and the staff was very accommodating and cheerful. It must be a good place to work because they have so many of the same people working there year after year.
There were over 700 people here this year and lots of new faces that I hadn't seen before. I noticed there were many more young people here this year and many, many people from Europe and Asia. We had a tropical storm move through Florida and North Carolina and other than having to buy a new air conditioner when I got home because mine got hit by lightening, there was no other damage, thank goodness. One of my friends left to go home on Saturday and she said there were a bunch of people on her plane who got sick because of the  turbulence. Thank goodness I wasn't on that flight!! Julie and Neville flew back to Tampa and left for home from the airport and I loved having them at my house before and being able to dance with them all weekend. There were lots of "The Neville Made Me Dance It Shirts" to greet them when they arrived. I got there Wednesday night because I could not face leaving on the 7 am flight on Thursday and when we got there, there were lots of people who had flown in from far-away places so we had a good time Wednesday night. Nigel and Hanna were there after a little vacation in Mexico so they were all dressed in tropical colors for the weekend.
All the lessons started at 2 pm on Thursday. This day is reserved for people to teach popular dances that are not their own but are dances that are being done and popular around the world. The entire schedule is posted on this page so just click the button and you can see every dance that was taught and I think you will be amazed at all the dances done. Be sure and look at all the instructors that Stacy dressed in period costumes. She really worked hard on this and I loved the way she matched the people with the personalities of the outfits. Thanks, Stacy, for all the work you put into this. It's awesome!! The Thursday night party was huge, as it always is at this event, and with a 4100 SF Dance Floor in the main ballroom there is plenty of room to dance. All day each day there is a separate room for all the open dancing you could want with DJs playing your requests. We would go in there and if an instructor were there we would get them to do a quick wall so we could dance what we had learned. All the schedules for each day are on large boards in the hallways so you don't have to be fumbling through your things to find the schedule and I don't have to put on my glasses to read it.
Friday was more classes and that night we had the WHO'S TURNING 50 PARTY and we celebrated other  birthdays too! There was a huge plastic cake and black balloons and everyone who is or was turning 50 this year was cheered. Want to know who is turning 50? Well, there's James and Max Perry and Nancy Morgan and Johnny 2-Step. Turning 40 was John Robinson; Turning 70 was Jeff Bartholomew and Turning 80 was Ed Cagley. Attendees turning 50 (who came forward) Tom Cuthel (NY), Debbie Walsh (PA) and Frank Trace (OH). Happy birthday everyone!! The Line Dance Party started at 8 and when I went to bed at around 2:30 there were still lots of people there. Louie was the evening DJ and he played until the last person said ENOUGH!!! We did all kinds of dances from really old to really new.
Saturday was more lessons all day leading up to the Show and Parade on Saturday night at midnight. The show was just the right length with lots of variety. Pepper did a great job as Emcee and talking to Relic, the puppet, that Guyton made and raffled off after the show. Brian B did a wonderful routine, as always. It's so special to see him dance and to see such wonderful technique. For many people it was their first time seeing him and they were so impressed. Pepper performed her competition routine flawlessly. Lillian Lo from Hong Kong did a Chinese ribbon dance in a beautiful costume. The highlight of the show for me was Gerard, Junior, John Robinson, James Gregory and Kathy Hunyadi doing Kathy Hunyadi's and Gerard Murphy's cute dance SUPERMODELZ. It was really funny to see everyone doing their runway thing. I think Gerard may have missed his calling. He was GREAT!! In fact, all of them were GREAT. There is a really good picture of them in the photos from the event so check them out. We also had performances from Johnny 2-Step, Liz Clarke and Lanie; Zac Detweiller, Michelle Jackson, Bracken Ellis and Nick; Max Perry, Liz Clarke and Lanie.
There is dancing after the show and the highlight of the entire weekend is the parade at midnight. You will not BELIEVE the awesome costumes that people put together for the parade every year and I think this was one of the best if not THE best. The costumes were absolutely gorgeous, funny and amazing. Be sure and look at the pictures but they do not do it justice. You simply have to be there to appreciate the work and the ambience of the parade. It is fantastic.  People go to a lot of trouble to participate in the parade. The winner this year was the dragon. See if you can figure out who the wizard is standing next to him in the pictures. Bet you can't. I'm sure that people are already thinking of what they will be wearing for next year's theme BOOT CAMP with everything military. I always try to imagine what everyone will do and they ALWAYS surprise me. Can't wait to see what they come up with. I loved Junior's costume and he looked so handsome in it and all the women who had these beautiful gowns.
We partied even later on Saturday and I have to say how happy I was with how cool it was in the ballroom. You know how I hate to be hot!!!! It was perfect. There is also plenty of seating in the main ballroom so you don't have to look for a place to sit. I had to leave around 11 am on Sunday so didn't see the dances being taught that day. Before I left I watched the amateur choreography competition and the room was packed. This is such a big draw at events and I just love watching it. There were some very good dances done and I was very impressed with a 15 year old named Seth Lilly who entered two really excellent funky dances. I think they are posted on the new dances with the videos. Everyone did a good job and it was good to see such quality dances being done in that competition. The pro competition was after I left but I will post the winners of both.
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THE ORDER FORM FOR THE DVDs WILL BE POSTED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND I'LL SEND IT TO YOU IN THE NEWSLETTER AND ON THE LISTS. AND NOW FOR THE DANCE REVIEWS.
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AND NOW FOR THE DANCE REVIEWS. I could not take all the classes and I tried to take notes during the previews but I lost the one for Friday, Duh. I'm sure everyone will be writing in with their picks but I'll mention a few that I either saw and liked, took the class, or kept hearing about from my little informal survey.
DANCES TAUGHT: Here is the link to the complete schedule http://worldlinedancenewsletter.com/Sked_Jg2LDM200701.html
and if you don't think this event deserves the name of JG 2 LINE DANCE MARATHON, you haven't looked at the schedule yet. I asked quite a few people at the event what dances they liked and I'll share the ones I liked. There are DVDs being sold of every dance taught that you can order as soon as the form is posted. I'm sure there will be lots of people ordering them because there were so many great dances taught over the weekend.
THE HITS OF THE WEEKEND (IN MY OPINION)
HICK CHICKS, Guyton Mundy. A really fun, easy country hippy hoppy dance but not too hippy hoppy to great music. I think Guyton does these dances so well and they always are popular with everyone. If you liked CLEAN UP TO THE ELBOW and A LITTLE SOUTHERN COMFORT, you will really like this one too.
GET BIZZY, Neville Fitzgerald and Julie Harris. This is the type of dance I like best from Nev and Julie. It's fun, intricate and not too difficult to great music. What more could you ask for.
PUCKER UP, Scott Blevins. This is a 104 count dance (or something close to that) that is all west coast. I took the class and even though it's long, it's not difficult. It's just long so you have to remember it. What I liked most about this is that it's long enough to truly get the feel of actually doing west coast with a partner and certainly many of the moves could be done that way. I think this is going to be a big hit for him.
DO IT, Gerard Murphy. I know this isn't a brand new dance but it really is a great little dance that anyone can do to super music. It's one that I don't think I'll get tired of doing because it is just interesting enough to be fun over and over again.
SHOW ME WOT YOU GOT, Neville Fitzgerald and Julie Harris. This is a peppy country dance that was played and danced a lot. I heard many people come up to Neville to tell him how much they liked it.
TAINTED LOVE, Joey Warren. I didn't take this class but all my friends did and they loved this advanced dance. I think this will be a hit with the experienced dancers. Joey makes everything look good but this one looked great in the demo.
BRING IT ON DOWN, Guyton Mundy. This one is very popular with the funky crowd. It's quite a production and looks great on the floor, especially the "clappy part." I probably won't be learning this but I told Guyton I would be a clapper. Someone has to do that when someone else is doing something so that's my function in this dance. LOL. Everyone told me it's not THAT hard but I don't believe them.
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 DANCES I SAW, HEARD ABOUT OR TOOK CLASSES FOR. I know I missed many good dances but I just am telling you about the ones that jumped out at me.
ICE, Shaz Walton, taught on Thursday by Nigel Amon. I really liked this funky dance and Nigel did a great job teaching it. I know it's been around for awhile in the UK but I don't think it's been taught much here.
OCTAGOGO, by Scott Blevins. I took this class and this is a fairly easy dance for Scott. I have to do it more than once but I liked it. I thought the music was good too, although someone told me the words are a little racy. I never can take a class and listen to words to the music so you'll have to find that out for yourself or maybe there will be a cleaner version.
JJ JAM, Junior Willis. I took this class in Boston and it's a fun dance.
BOARDROOM, Maurice Rowe. This is a really good, funky dance. I'm taking this class at the Florida Masters. I think this will be a hit for Maurice and I'll tell you more about it when I take the class. SUPER MODELZ, Kathy Hunyadi and Gerard Murphy. This is a really fun dance that was used in the show on Saturday. I don't know that I will ever be able to do it without thinking about how great that little group looked doing it.
CHEATIN MYSELF, Guyton Mundy. This is an easy cha by Guyton that feels great to the music he chose.
NACHO DADDY, Scott Blevins. Cute, easy dance by Scott that everyone told me they loved. I was saving my Scott energy for the long one so didn't take the class but I saw it in the previews. I hope he teaches it again at the Florida Masters.
LAST MINUTE, Joey Warren. This isn't new but it hasn't been taught everywhere and it is one of my favorite dances at the moment so if you haven't learned it, you should. Reminds me of POETRY IN MOTION, another of my all-time favorites that was danced to different music this dance and I loved the music. I'll have to find out what the music was. Gives it a different feel but it's just a great dance.
REVIVAL, John Robinson. This is to music that feels like a revival and is vintage John Robinson. I'm sure this will be taught a lot.
CAN'T STOP A RIVER, Peter and Alison. This one is moving up the survey and was done quite a few times this weekend.
Pepper did a number of dances this weekend but I lost my notes so don't know which were which. I hope others will write in about the ones they liked. Pepper is another person who does consistently good dances and she doesn't get the recognition she deserves.
BEING WITH YOU, Alice Daugherty and Tim Hand. This is a very cute contra dance that people were loving.
BURNING, by Cato Larson, taught by Lou Ann Schemmel on Thursday. This is a beautiful dance to beautiful music. Just go to the video page and you can see for yourself. I had been wanting to learn it and was so happy it was taught.
CAPTURED BY LOVE, Thursday taught by Kathy Brown. This is an easy 24 count dance that people really enjoyed learning. I had seen the video on our site awhile ago and just thought it was a good dance.
SOUL ENERGY, Michele Perron, taught by Lou Ann Schemmel. This one is done already in Florida but I don't think it's been taught everywhere yet. A great west coast-type of dance that is moving up the survey.
BODY TO BODY, taught by Mona Puente on Thursday. This is another one that has been around awhile but not taught much here. Nice dance.
RUN THIS, taught by Lou Ann Schemmel on Thursday. I planned to take this class and have no idea why I didn't. We talked about it for days before and then I didn't go. I have no idea why. It was done quite a bit this weekend and I think this one is just going to keep going and growing (by Paul McAdam).
CROWN ROYAL, taught by Kathy Hunyadi on Thursdat. This one is popular already but if you haven't learned it yet, you should. Great dance that will be around for a long time (by Frank Cooper).
TELL ME, Neville Fitzgerald on Thursday. This is by Neils Poulson, I think. I liked this dance a lot. Not easy.
MAX FACTOR, taught by Gerard Murphy on Thursday. This one is slow to take off for some reason because it's good music and a fun dance. I think more people will be teaching it now.
STILL DIRRTY, taught by Joey Warren on Thursday. This is one of my favorite dances at the moment. It just feels great doing this funky dance.
LOCO, Christopher Petre. I took this class and like this 64 count Latin dance very much. The music reminded me of the energy of NOW OR NEVER and it's just a nice int. dance that almost any class would enjoy. I hadn't taken a class from Christopher before and he did an excellent job. His other dance, BUTTERBEANS, was a favorite of many of the people I asked in my little information survey.
MOOTOWN BOOGIE, Michael Barr. This one was another one that was energetic and the favorite of many people I asked.
SHADES, John Robinson. Cute easy dance that I liked in the preview and kept hearing about. MAKE YOU WANNA, Joey Warren. it was a good dance.
HOT DAMN, J.P. Potter. This one is on our site and it's another good dance from J.P., someone who consistently produces good dances.
CRUSH, J.P. Potter. Another of my all-time favorite dances that was way ahead of its time. If you never did this dance, now is the time. It's as special today as I thought it was when it was introduced long ago. I'm sure it wasn't done much when it was introduced because it was pretty difficult for that time. Now it's just pretty. Give it a try. I always pay attention when I see one of J.P.'s dances because he's one of the people who really understand how to choreograph a dance that fits the music and feels great when you do it.
UNTITLED WALTZ, Maurice Rowe. This is a very nice dance with some really interesting moves. I'm taking this class at the Florida Masters. I liked it a lot.
HE KEEPS ME, Nancy Morgan. This is a beautiful waltz and I heard she had a full class for this one. WATCH ME SHINE, Lizzie Clarke. This was one I liked in the preview and a LOT of people told me it was one of their favorites of the weekend.
MEAN OLD SAL, Alice Daugherty and Tim Hand. This was a cute little dance by this couple who consistently produce good dances and don't get the attention they deserve.
GIVE IT TO ME, Maurice Rowe and Rob Glover. I took this class again and like this dance. I just can't remember it as soon as I get out of the class. I guess I'll have to have Maurice give me a private lesson. It's pretty easy and funky and the first one with "hands" for Maurice.
KENTUCKY FLATROCK STOMP, Nancy Morgan. I've told you that this is my favorite of all of Nancy's dances for many years and apparently many of you listened because she had a big class for this one. It's a great club dance and just fun to do.
A LITTLE RESPECT, Kathy Hunyadi. Interesting dance and I loved the music.
SWING BELLA BELLA, Max Perry. Good for your beginner classes. Slow and easy.
THOSE DAYS, Bracken Ellis & Zac Detweiller. I can't remember what it was like but I gave it stars so I liked it.
WHAT GOES AROUND, Neville Fitzgerald and Julie Harris. This was my second favorite of theirs after Get Bizzy.
SEVEN LITTLE GIRLS, Dot and Ed Cagley. Very cute song and easy dance.
SOME PEOPLE, Steve Lescarbeau. This is one of the dances that has won choreography comps and I love the music.
COME A LITTLE CLOSER, Joey Warren. Easiest one he taught.
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MOST OF ALL thank you, James and Jean, and all your staff for making this another stellar year at the JG 2 LINE DANCE MARATHON. It's always been one of my favorite events and it has a special place in my heart because it was the last event Bucky and I attended before his accident a couple of weeks after last year's event. We had such a wonderful time there last year as we have had every year we've gone and I am so grateful that we were there and I am able to have so many happy memories of our last event together. I hope to have many more years of going to the Marathon and if you haven't been yet, you're missing a wonderful experience. Hope to see even more of you there next year.
Carol Craven
Clip arts provided by Jean Garr
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