Well, Arline and her crew did it again -- this year was even better than the year before. The theme was the 50s and the decorations were so cute!! Everyone got in the spirit with their poodle skirts and leather jackets and Elvis gear and it was just a big old sock hop all weekend long. The hotel, of course, greeted everyone with WARM chocolate chip cookies. I have never been to any event and been greeted by a warm chocolate cookie so I was happy right off the bat. Yum!! The rooms at this hotel are spacious and they have those huge feather pillow top thingies that just make you want to hop in bed and not get up the next morning. They also have shelves in the bathrooms to put "stuff" and they even have a little corner shelf in the shower to put shampoo and things. I usually am dropping everything in the shower because there's nowhere to put anything so this was special to me. I'm pretty easily entertained, aren't I? The staff at the hotel was very accommodating all weekend and I like the bar where you can order something light in the evening and the restaurant where you can either get the buffet or order from the menu all weekend long and the prices were quite reasonable. There is also a great little setup in the hallway for breakfast and lunch with fresh fruit and bagels and hotdogs and sodas and water and all that light stuff so you don't have to stop dancing and there's a big area where you can sit around tables and eat or have a cup of coffee during the day so it becomes the meeting place for everyone to sit and visit and just rest your feet. Everything is right in one area so you can get to all the classes and the open dance rooms and the food without having to walk any distance at all, which is another good thing!! There's also a little coffee stand right by the entrance to the door where you can grab a quick cup of coffee during the morning and afternoon. The weather was absolutely glorious (and usually is this time of year) but when it got warm during the day or when the ballroom was full the air conditioner was cranked up so you always felt comfortable dancing and you know I'm a fanatic about not being hot when I dance!!! I just thought they did a great job with the accommodations. Not only that, there is TWO large malls very close to the event and some other small restaurants so you can go out and eat whenever you want and there's a very high-end steakhouse (Charlie's) right next door so no matter what you wanted to do, it was easy to get to and find. The hotel is also very near the airport so it's a painless shuttle ride back and forth. I hope when you come next year you will plan to stay for a few days after. Someone is working on a package deal for accommodations and transportation and little side trips to Busch Gardens or golf or the beach or going to one of the other attractions in this area and you can also do whatever you want to do on your own so bring the whole family. The dinner on Saturday night was well organized with two seatings and you could put your names down for particular tables. I think the dinner was sold out, too. They always have the best desserts at this hotel!! I will tell you that the rooms are going to be available the middle of THIS month (November) so you should make your reservations EARLY. The hotel sells out every year. There are others close by but if you're like me, you like to stay at the host hotel so don't procrastinate in reserving your rooms for next year. There were a lot of vendors here this year and they all seemed to be doing a thriving business. I love having vendors at events.
The Thursday night free party was PACKED!! We had such a good time. There were two open dance rooms on Thursday which made it fun for both the int/adv crowd and also the beginners and both of them were hopping, one with Olivia and one with Louie. All the DJs did such a great job all weekend playing all kinds of dances. Big Dave was in a separate room doing reviews and open dancing. Olivia Ray had a third room that catered to beginners but she also played all requests during the open dance time so no one had an excuse not to be dancing. Previews of the next day's dances were held each night and that's always fun for me. I took sloppy notes while they were going on so I'll share my little tidbits as they were going on (below).
There were usually three lessons running during the day with open dance slots worked in throughout the day. I heard so many people comment on the variety of dances taught. When I did my little informal survey it amazed me at how many people's favorite dance was a DIFFERENT dance than the person I just asked. I think that says a lot about the caliber of dances taught. I also noticed that there was a good selection of easy dances and dances to country music so I'm sure that people will be bringing many of them back to their classes and clubs.
Friday night was the reviews and open dance until the wee hours of the night. I saw some really good dances, too, that weren't taught this weekend that I'll tell you about later. Saturday is always a special night at events and this was no exception. The dinner ran on time and then there was open dancing followed by the show. I don't know how I got roped into being in the show but I did. It was one of those things that was fun when it was over. LOL. I didn't think too many people would recognize any of us in blond wigs but I was wrong. The show was comprised of Pepper being a 50s carhop ON SKATES!!! She was good too. Ivan Mao did a really beautiful routine with his group of dancers following by Neville singing (yes, he was really singing) Elvis tunes. I loved his "hair." We were his backup dancers in the blond wigs. Christine Bass brought her team to perform and they kept the 50s theme going and Bryan McWherter and Michael Barr and John Robinson entertained us as usual. Bryan was the MC and he always does an excellent job keeping us entertained while keeping the show moving. Brian B. performed his routine and captivated the audience with his skills. The Brit Pack did a little 50s summer type routine with Big Dave lounging on a towel. The highlight of the show for me was Barry Durand doing a swing dance with Arline while trying to keep her skirt from falling off and throwing her around the floor. I was amazed that they both survived that one!!
After the show it was dance, dance, dance - reviews for the next day -- and dance some more until the even more wee hours of the morning. I was just getting ready to go to bed when the fire alarm went off and people were wondering if it were a false alarm or whether we should evacuate but then the public address system announced for everyone to leave the building at around two in the morning. Even though there were sleepy people in all kinds of attire, everyone took it in stride and stood around chatting in the parking lot once we realized it probably was a false alarm. We weren't out there too long before we were allowed to go back in so it wasn't so bad. I say that because I wasn't sound asleep when it went off. I might have had a little different take on it if I had been asleep and jolted out of bed.
There was a good turnout for the pro-am competition. You should really think about doing this next year. You really only compete against yourself and you are judged according to the job YOU do. I think every teacher should encourage their students to do this. It's such a good experience for people who want to compete but don't want to take the giant step of doing it alone. You just ask your teacher to dance with you and you can pick the dance or dances you want to do and put either a little or a lot into your costume since there are really relaxed rules. You dance the dances for about four judges and they give you a gold, silver or bronze rating so it's a very positive experience and the room is always full watching the competition. If you don't have a teacher to do it with, just ask Arline and she'll either do it with you or find someone who will.
I have to say thank you to Arline (who was everywhere at once making sure everything was going the way it was supposed to go) and all of her staff doing the decorations, which were magnificant, laying the floor and getting everything ready for the party. I loved the huge flamingo dressed in 50s gear and the little jukebox and all the decorations were just so unique and cute. Registration ran like clockwork thanks to Jennifer Cameron and the rest of her fun staff. There's so much preparation to do to get ready and we just think it happens like magic. They even had NAME TAGS!! I loved that. That's two events in a row that had them so I learned some more names this time. I just think it was a fabulous weekend and we are so proud to have this event in our back yard. So many Florida teachers and dancers are supportive of this event and it just makes me happy to see all the Florida people there greeting dancers from all over and feeling like this is "our" event. I hope it goes on forever.
Now for the dances!!! As always, I can't remember every dance or don't have time to take all the classes but I'll mention the ones that I took notes about or that people mentioned to me or that I saw. I know I missed a few of the demos so didn't mention them. You can see the complete schedule of dances taught at this link:
http://tampalinedanceclassic.com/
DANCES: (If there is an * before the dance, the video is on our site now)
*FREAKY SKILLZ, I consider this the WOW dance of the weekend -- and I don't see that many WOW dances. The music is funky and so is the dance but it's girly funky so you can enjoy doing the hips and all that stuff and still feel like a girl. LOL
*I'LL MAKE YOU DANCE, Neville Fitzgerald and Julie Harris. This was right up there on my picks for the weekend. It moves so well with the music and hits every aspect of the music in the way only Nev and Julie can do with dances that become everyone's favorites.
*BOOM BOOM BOOM, by Ross Brown. Bill McGee taught this really fun dance to music that reminded me of Hot Hot Hot. You could not possibly sit still when this dance is on the floor. It's easy enough to pick up on the floor but you really should teach it. It was one of my easy, fun picks of the weekend. All levels and ages will like it.
*GET ON THE BUS, Guyton Mundy. This is a really cute, really easy dance that is just fun fun fun to do. I don't think anyone does these kinds of dances better than Guyton and if you liked Hick Chicks and Southern Comfort you will love this little dance with the hopscotch and jumprope moves in it. Very creative and fun and the music is just terrific.
*OLD TEARS, Robbie McGowan Hickie. This one was another packed class. This was my favorite of the ones he taught and the music is beautiful country. I'm sure another hit for Robbie (who had BEAUTIFUL shirts) and was very nice and approachable.
*APOLOGIZE, Shaz Walton (if you liked Poetry in Motion, Let's Get Saved, Guardian Angel, you will like this one.)
*BETTER OFF ALONE, Dee Musk. Nice Waltz that is faster but not too fast.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, Neville and Julie. I learned this one in Chicago.
WALKING IN AND OUT, John Robinson. I watched John teaching this dance and he was having so much fun doing it and I was having fun watching him do it.
BROWN GRAVY BOOGIE, Scott Blevins, taught by Arline. A peppy little 50s-type dance
LETS GET SAVED, taught by Marilyn McNeal. She did such a good job of teaching this lovely dance. It was very popular and I think is going to be more popular as time goes on. It is a solid intermediate but it's worth learning. I REALLY liked it.
DOORS OF LIVE, Michael Barr. This one was the one that won my little dinner line survey. Everyone loved it. Once again, I missed the class but I saw it in the previews and it is a lovely dance to beautiful music.
THE DANCE, Craig Bennett. Love this Garth Brooks song and you know I love doing Craig's dances. I didn't get to learn this one but I will.
SHY WALTZ, Terri Alexander is an easy waltz.
BEST FOOT FORWARD, Terri Alexander. This is a peppy little boogie-type dance.
CLOTHES OFF, taught by Kathy G. This was the winning dance in Chicago and Kathy had a full class for this one.
ISLE OF PARADISE, the music and feel of this one reminded me of SEX ON THE BEACH. It was very cute and just a fun dance. Neville pointed this one out to me. He liked it.
SYMPHONY, taught by Bill McGee. My brain was too tired for this one but Teresa and Debbie from the UK loved it.
CHARLESTON FREEZE, This is country, cute, easy and I liked the little hops.
SHIM SHAM BOOGIE, taught by John Robinson (the perfect person to teach this fast, fun, dance.)
GRAVITY, Bryan McWherter. This is a really beautiful dance by Bryan and was the favorite of many in my little before-dinner line.
COME ON AND DANCE, Guyton Mundy. This one continues to be popular.
INNER VOICE, Dee Musk. Lovely NC2 to beautiful music.
BALLY'S MAMBO, another one taught by Rosie to an enthusiastic class.
DON'T CRY ON MY SHOULDER, taught by Rosie Multari. This is a good beginner dance.
AS IF, Junior Willis. County, good strong beat, good club dance, easy int.
HEY JUNIOR, Country, good club dance
LOOKIN FOR SOMETHING, Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris. This is one of Neville and Julie's new ones. It was a little fast when I first learned it but after I did the review it didn't seem so fast. I liked this one a lot. Britney Spears song, Everybody.
ONLINE AND WHAT'S A GUY GOTTA DO, taught by Rita Arnett. Both good beginner/int dances
NO TRICKS, Vivienne Scott, this is an interesting dance and people in my little survey liked it. I think it's a slower cha.
COOL, Good country dance.
DANCING IN LINE, Robbie McGowan Hickie. This one was a Latin music dance.
COUNTRY GIRL, Rob Fowler, taught by Zac. This is a really good country two-step dance that can be done to any two-step music.
SEXY OREO. This was the winner in Chicago of the team choreography competition. It was very popular this weekend.
QUANTUM LEAP, taught by John Robinson. Beautiful music.
CHARLESTON ROCK, Barry Durand. I don't think Barry got there in time to do this demo.
DA BUMP, this is a new cute one by Barry.
BETTER OFF ALONE, Dee Musk, beautiful waltz.
GET GET GET, Barry Durand. I took this class and I thought this dance was easier than it was. I love the way it hits the music on the GET GET GET part. I liked it a lot.
MY HEART IS DYING, Mark Cosenza. I saw this one in Chicago and heard good feedback about this one.
WTF, Bryan McWherter. A funky new one from Bryan.
TOY BOY, Rosie Multari. This was a cute, peppy dance.
RETURN TO SENDER, Another one by Rosie with a 50s flair.
TAKIN' OFF THE EDGE, Michael Barr, Another cute two-step dance.
MY ROCK, by the Mirandas and taught by Marilyn McNeal. This is a rousing gospel song and a darling dance that I told you about after Chicago. I really like this one.
ELVIS BLUES, Mark Cosenza. Another good 50s-type dance that kept with the spirit of the weekend.
DREAMIN, another beautiful dance by the Amatos.
SHE'S LIKE THE WIND, Craig Bennett. Well, I always love Craig's dances and this is no exception.
BRING IT ON DOWN, Guyton Mundy. A Guyton funky favorite.
BE BRAVE, Robbie McGowan Hickie. Lots of good feedback on this one.
BOARDROOM, Maurice Rowe and Zac Detweiller. I was happy to see this dance get some attention because I think it just looks so great on the floor and I like to do it!!
BRING IT ON DOWN, Guyton Mundy, a clapping, slapping, production wonder that keeps getting more and more people on the floor with each event. I enjoy watching this one and doing the arm movement at the end -- from my seat..
I saw a few dances that were just done but not taught that I REALLY liked:
DON'T PUSH ME, Maggie Gallagher. NOT GONNA BE, by Crazy Chris. MR. LUVER by Kenneth Johnson. DON'T KNOW WHY, Maggie Gallagher. HURT by Zac Detweiller and Natalie Mundy and IN THE AIR TONIGHT by the Kinsers.
Just one last thanks for another great TAMPA LINE DANCE CLASSIC Event. I know this is in our hometown area but I would encourage you to come even if it were waaaaaayyyyyy far away because it's WORTH THE TRIP!! Carol Craven
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