Event Report: 2010 JG Line Dance Marathon
We arrived "home" to the Sheraton in Raleigh-Durham. The free shuttle from the airport to the hotel is very efficient and it's a pleasant drive to the event with friends that get picked up at the different terminals along the way. I just love this hotel for an event. They have the greatest staff that even remembers your name from year to year, are always smiling and happy to help, always have water out and never make you feel like they will be glad when you GET OUT OF THEIR HOTEL!!! LOL. The restaurant and cafe always have food available at reasonable prices (breakfast buffet in the $10 range with personally-cooked omelets if you would like) and a huge buffet for dinner for under $12. This is a HOTEL, folks. The food is really good and the service is fast and efficient. As soon as you walk in, there is a huge, comfortable lobby with tables and chairs, couches, the check-in desk area, and a very nice bar and restaurant all in one cozy central area. It's just the perfect place for a huge dance event like this. People just sit around and visit between classes or if you prefer to have some "alone" time, there are couches and chairs all throughout the hallways leading to the ballrooms. There's a large Jacuzzi area and pool outside in the beautifully-landscaped grounds. The ballrooms are all convenient and the air conditioning for me was PERFECT. Everyone else but me was freezing but since it's all about meeeeeeeeeeeeeee I was really happy all weekend. LOL. Even the bathrooms were immaculate all weekend. This hotel deserves a special badge of merit and I hope you will write them and tell them how much you appreciate them and mention any special people that were especially helpful. We even know the names of the shuttle guys who are always so willing to take you to the mall or the grocery store or the steak house or Cracker Barrel or wherever you want to go. It truly is service with a wonderful attitude that doesn't happen many places nowadays. I was talking to the guy in the gift store and he has been there for 21 years and also one of the wait staff has been there for 20 and that was just two people I asked.
Jean's staff, along with her co-directors, Pepper and Adele, did an amazing job. From the clipart in the brochures leading up to the event to the artwork that Stacy does incorporating each year's theme, to the hundreds of balloons, to the little candies throughout the hotel to the step books in binders that were ready at the very beginning of the weekend for those who had ordered them, to the registration desk that is fast, friendly, and efficient, to just every little detail during the weekend. It's just amazing to me that every year it is better than the year before. If you didn't get enough dancing in this weekend, it was just because you didn't dance enough -- not because you couldn't. The ballroom DJs, "Wildman" Louie St. George and DJ Jam in the main ballroom, "Big Dave" Baycroft manning the review and one of the open dance rooms, "Big Sexy" Joey (who did a fabulous job in the open room all weekend and played everything anyone asked for), Debi Bodven and Gale Erskine who kept the beginners hopping were all amazing. Oh, and I love all the bios in the step books of each instructor. I should have had those when I did the trivia questions and I would have had even more!! I talked to quite a few "newbies" that loved having lessons and dancing in the beginner's room and I had so many people come up to me who had never been to a big event before and they just loved it.
The workshop DJs kept all the lesson rooms running on time and efficiently, Rick Dieter, Speedo Deskins, Bill Lorah, Mike Lorah, Ray McNeal, Hal Payne, Walter Tallman and Mike Thompson. Thanks to you all for making our learning even more fun.
The staff is too large to mention every one of them but THANK YOU to each-and-every one of you for a spectacular job. From the Support Staff, Registration, Marathon Products, and the huge volunteer staff. You are just the best.
I love the way the schedules are posted on large boards outside each ballroom so you don't have to keep finding your glasses to see what's going on all day long. There is a reception on Friday night for the staff that is such a nice touch and Jean makes sure her staff has plenty of sodas and don't get hungry.
Oh, and one of the highlights of the weekend for me was seeing Jim and Kathryn Harvey and watching Jim do his own interpretation of every dance. I miss having Jim at the events and he STILL knows every dance. I asked him how he does it and he says he practices upstairs until Kathryn throws him out and then goes downstairs and dances. They both look great and it just made me so happy to see both of them. I know people ask me all the time about them so now you know. Also Mas and Kaz just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary and I meant to mention that at the Cookie Party and missed doing that so congratulations to them and thanks so much to Kaz for always doing such great photographs.
THURSDAY:
The first class I took was Joey Warren's Stoked taught by Nigel Amon, who happened to chip his tooth with the microphone and Jill had to fix him up in the lobby. You have to look at the pictures. LOL. He didn't look too brave. It was only a tiny little chip so nothing serious. Thursday is the day for teaching popular dances but they are taught be anyone other than the choreographer whereas the rest of the weekend you MUST be the choreographer to teach the dance and there are so many dances I wanted to learn and a few I hadn't seen before. Dee Musk taught GAVE IT ALL AWAY AND UNDERCOVER, two dances that are doing really well in the UK and haven't quite made it here yet. Mona Puente taught MURDER MY HEART by Neville and Julie. This one got lots of attention. Nancy Morgan taught EASY DOES IT that people will be taking back to their classes and clubs. Johnny 2-Step taught FIESTA, an upbeat, fun dance by Robbie McGowan Hickie. Christopher Petre taught THAT MAN. I didn't get to see this one. I heard lots of good things about ROCKIN' THAT BODY BODY, a Michele Perron dance taught by Ruben Luna. Lynne Martino taught BMT Rumba. There weren't reviews for Thursday so I didn't get to see many of these dances. Some of them I did know or had heard about beforehand. John Robinson taught ALEJANDRO. I loved this music. It reminded me of ARGENTINA by Maggie, a dance that I'm seriously disappointed didn't stay around. I loved that dance and we did it about three times. BRYAN MCWHERTER taught DHSS, an old favorite. Nigel Amon taught AMERICAN HONEY, another of Neville and Julie's to a beautiful song. Speaking of Nigel, he is a great teacher and I always know he's going to pick something special just like I always know Marilyn McNeal is going to pick something special and she did it again with ONE LAST DANCE. This is really a lovely NC 2 done by two people who dance with Niels Poulsen. Beautiful music and dance. Kathy Brown taught PASS ME A COLD ONE, a very cute country dance. Guyton taught KINDA BUSY, a favorite of the weekend for many people. It will be another hit for Craig Bennett, I'm sure. Mona Puente taught Neville and Julie's SUGAR CANDY. I heard a lot of people who liked this easy-ish one. Maurice Rowe taught QUARTER AFTER ONE for those of you who didn't know it yet. This is a giant hit everywhere. Arlene Verity taught WHERE I BELONG. This dance consistently gets votes on my survey. Karen Hedges taught AMERICAN SATURDAY NIGHT. I didn't see this one. Big Dave taught another really popular one by Maggie called INVISIBLE GIRL. Frank Trace taught GO MAMA GO. Beth Carole Beach taught DANCIN' DREAM CHA CHA and Carol Shackelford taught COWBOY MAN. After those teaches JUST ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON, there was, of course, the Thursday night party with DJ Jam and Wildman Louie in one room, Big Dave in another room, and the Beginner Workshops and Line Dance Party with Debi and Gale all running as late as anyone wanted to say up. Whew, and we hadn't even gotten to Friday yet.
FRIDAY:
I wanted to mention that I liked seeing some new, young choreographers teaching at the Marathon this year. It always thrills me to see these young people get a chance to teach at events and watch them mature as people and dancers over the years -- well, some mature and others regress. LOL. Jean always tries to do this at the Marathon and it's such a thrill for them to be invited and for us to get to see them for the first time. The day began with Pepper emceeing the previews and she amazed me the way she got so many dances done in a hour but she did it and ON TIME and made it fun in the process!! Wow, what a woman. The morning started off with John Robinson's SO SEXXY. This is such a cute dance. One of my favorites of John's in a long time. Guyton Mundy taught MY DNA and this one didn't have arms and looked fun to do. Tajali Hall (pronounced TAJ-A-LEE) taught BODY BOUNCE. I heard so many compliments about her this weekend. She did a great job and had some really good dances. She reminds me of Natalie Mundy when she dances and caught on so fast to every dance. SUNGLASSES was the most popular and her class was packed for that one. Rob Glover and Brian B both did technique classes during the weekend and I hope lots of you took advantage of learning from these great teachers. I love their seminars and always realize just how much I don't know when I come out of them. LOL. Dan Albro taught I SWEAR and GET THAT FEELING. I think GET THAT FEELING was the one that had the cute heel turns. He and Kelly are another couple that write some great country dances that are perfect for classes and clubs. One of my favorites of the day was Michael Barr's Dog-Gone Blues. What a great west coast dance this is. I think this should be a huge dance. Guyton taught MASH UP and his fast, cute CRAZY DEVILS. Another of his kind of novelty dances that he does so well. Debbie McLaughlin had another big class for OH, RUBY. My pick for dance of 2010 so far. This is a really wonderful dance and it absolutely filled the floor. Daniel Trepat's SHOOP is another cute dance that would be well-received in lots of classes. I heard so many people talking about how happy they were that Bracken Potter brought back UNDER YOUR SPELL. It was and still is a floor filler. I liked PEEP SHOW by Lawrence Allen so hope this gets taught somewhere again. I had to take a break this hour.
Michael Barr taught his already famous dance, RAIN AGAINST MY WINDOW and COVERED IN KISSES. I took Dan McInerney's BLOWN AWAY and I thought the title totally fit the dance. LOL. It was a favorite for a lot of people, including me, but I just have to practice it until I don't dance it like the title. It's one of those that I got to wave to people as they are turning and moving and I'm standing there going, "Huh?" Zac had some good dances this weekend, too. He taught a fast, cute one called LUV'N ME and I like the song where it goes OOOOOOOOOOOO. Christopher Petre taught his dance, STAMINA. This is a dance that is getting missed by a lot of people and it shouldn't get missed. Check it out. I like this dance. Dee Musk taught ONE DAY YOU WILL. Nigel said this dance is very popular in the UK. Niels Poulsen taught a fast waltz to really good music called YOU KNOW ME. Niels is always popular and helpful and just fun to have teaching at events. He is always willing to help anyone who asks and he's just a nice guy and besides that, he's tall so you can find him in the front of the room. LOL. One of my favorites for an easier Int was Michele Burton's ZENYATA'S WALTZ. This dance should be popular everywhere. Joey Warren's funky PLAYBOY was a popular class. Dan and Kelly Albro did a nice patterned partner dance called RED WINE to great country music. Scott's new one MURDER MACHINE is a fun, fast dance that will take a little practice but is doable for most people and I think this one will continue to be taught and danced everywhere. All of Scott's dances are phrased so perfectly to the music that you can't help but love doing them when you learn them and he does it again and again and that's what makes his dances worth the effort to really get them down. This one is certainly no exception. Jordan Lloyd taught SAYONARA, a funky dance that had some really original moves in it. That was what impressed me most about Jordan with all of his dances. He did things in every dance that I had never seen before and personally he is a very nice young guy. He seems a little shy at first but you can tell by the way people support him and just like being around him that he is a keeper!! Bracken did a class on her CARDIOLINEDANCE which she said is kind of a Zumba exercise program incorporating line dance. Guyton taught IMMA BE. This dance was choreographed by Guyton, Pim Van Grootel, Will Craig, Daniel Trepat and Ryan Lindsey and you could just tell by the enthusiasm Guyton had for this dance that it is one of his favorites to do. It filled the floor and didn't look too difficult. The music is infectious the more you hear it. I predict this will be a big hit and I decided after seeing it a few times that I'm going to have to learn it. Karen Hedges taught GIDDY ON UP, GIDDY ON OUT that is a really cute country dance to great music. I liked Shaz's HOT OUT THE BOX to a great Adam Lambert track. One of the most requested dances of the weekend was Daniel Trepat's JAMBA JUMP. It's fast, easy and the music just wants you to get up and DANCE!! I love having Daniel around. He is just fun and energetic and keeps bringing one good dance after another that appeals to everyone from the kids to the senior classes. He's friendly to everyone and is just a joy to have around. Maurice Rowe taught HUSTLE AND FLOW. I can't wait to learn this one at his class. Ruben Luna taught a nice, sexy cha FORTY CHA and also REGRESSA which we do consistently in Florida. Tajali Hall taught YOU FOUND ME. Niels Poulsen taught a good country dance called SWING TIME and EVERYBODY SWING. Both Beg/Int dances for you to check out. ROB GLOVER TAUGHT TIC TOK DROP, a funky dance that appeals to everyone. I'm going to learn this one because it's danced and requested a lot and doesn't look too difficult. Will Craig taught two more good ones, LOVE SONG and SUMMER BOYS. I loved the music and I liked all of Will's dances this weekend. He isn't one of those "out there" people -- at least in public -- so you have to pay attention to his dances but you should be paying attention because he keeps putting good dances out there and I keep hearing more and more comments about how people like them. Will is another choreographer who has a background in couples dancing and you know I think that makes a big difference in how a dance feels when they are choreographed by people who come to line dancing with that background. You body just gets to do what it wants to do and it makes all the difference in the way the dances feel and the way they get into your memory.
Friday was a busy day because Michael and Michele did their seminar and they are going to send me a report about that. I heard it was really a good one and they had a good turnout. The COOKIE PARTY was also on Friday and we had a great turnout and wonderful cookies and we had fun learning lots of trivia about lots of people. I'm going to put the questions here and let you think about it while you read the read of the report and then I'll give you the answers at the bottom. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and I wanted to thank the NTA and Karen Hedges for providing the badge holders for the darling cards that Jean had done for all of the attendees. Thanks, everyone, for coming and thanks to Jean for providing the cookies and beverages and some people even brought cookies to share. It is so nice being able to just have a little social hour and meet each other and put faces and e-mails and names together.
DANCER TRIVIA QUESTIONS (ANSWERS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REPORT).
If you have more trivia questions, send them to me and I'll keep them for next time. That was FUN!!!
Why wasn't Hannah Jones at the Marathon?
Where is Amy Christina-Sohn from?
Who is Maggie Gallagher's biggest fan?
What do Max Perry, John Robinson, and Johanna Barnes have in common (other than being great choreographers)?
Who can sing exactly like Elvis Presley?
Who started the name tags with the oranges on them?
Who own a black 1958 Chevy Impala previously owned by Jay Lino?
What does Jill Babinec do for a profession?
And what did he mom want her to be when she grew up?
What do Jo Thompson, Dari Ann Amato and Debra Blevins have in common?
Who worked for Camelot Music for 30 years?
Who was a semi-pro bowler before they started line dancing?
Who starred in a B movie about a killer clown. The name of the movie is Ashes to Ashes.
What did JoAnn Brady do for a living?
Who was a trauma assistant and taught Latin formation teams?
What instructor has two 14-inch titanium rods in her back and has a dance studio on the 2nd floor of her home, with a slide leading down to the 1st floor?
What did Lizzy Clark do for work in the past?
What does Robbie McGowan Hickie do?
What TV show did Barry and Dari Ann Amato host?
Who graduated from college with an engineering degree the same year her son graduated from high school?
What did Ray McNeal do before he retired?
What two dancers are pantomime artists?
What does Diane Petoskey do for a profession?
Who was a Specialist 1st Class in the Military?
Who is a crime scene investigator?
Who was a Chippendale dancer?
What classically-trained ballet dancer performed on stage in London in May Fair Lady, Chorus Line, Cats and is also an artist?
Who competed in the Miss Durham contest?
What two dancers are working on their Ph.D.'s in Systems Engineering and what will one of them be known as after she gets hers -- oh, yeah, and they are getting married?
SATURDAY:
After the previews -- done again on time with Pepper's organization on Saturday morning -- the lessons got into full swing. Some that I noticed were: SUNGLASSES, Tajali Hall. I took this class and she did a really good job of teaching this dance that looks way more difficult than it is to learn. It filled the floor this weekend. I took Dan's class for COROZAN CHA. Lovely music and nice cha. Hope this one stays around. Michael Barr's IT'S AMAZING has lots of circular movement around the floor and beautiful music. I loved the look of Niels Poulsen's FIREFLIES. I took a break this hour but Diane Poole and Nigel both took the class and loved this one that stood out to me during the previews. Ruben's HEY SOUL SISTER is continuing to rise and I heard lots of people who like this one. Jordan Lloyd's CAUGHT SLIPPIN was a funky dance with some very original moves. I'm sure this will be popular with the funky crowd. I actually liked all of Will Craig's dances from the weekend and they were getting quite a bit of buzz. Scott taught his beautiful new NC2, TROUBLE IS. I really, really liked this one. Reminded me of FEEL but even better. Saturday's were TROUBLEMAKER AND WALK THIS EARTH. Daniel Trepat's NONONONONO NOTSO was requested a bunch and is a fun dance. I like the Reggae-feeling music. Michele Burton's VALENTINO has great music and I loved the way it was phrased to the music. Dan Albro demoed SO SATISFIED. What a cute country dance! You really should take a look at this one!! Nancy Morgan taught some good dances that are great for clubs. No one does them better. She taught FOOTWORK JACKSON and RIDGE DANCING and I didn't write down the one she demoed but will try to find it in the videos. She always does dances that work well in the clubs so check hers out. Guyton taught BLAH BLAH BLAH. I like this dance. It reminds me of some of the first dances Guyton did that I wish he would bring back. At the time he first taught people couldn't really do his dances but now they could and there were some really good ones. Debbie McLaughlin has another hit on her hands with BE BACK SOON. It has a lot of counts but is one wall and everyone told me that they loved it. I really like the music for this one and Debbie is another master of phrasing dances to the music. She may be new on the dance circuit here in the U.S. but I think she is going to be around for a long time. I have enjoyed watching her dance for a few years and I'm glad she is now putting her dance skills into choreography. Juliet Hauser taught WALKIN' THE DOG. This is another cute dance that consistently gets votes on the survey. Rob Glover taught LITTLE RED CORVETTE, one of my favorites for quite awhile. It just feels good to do and I never get tired of it. Maurice taught RARE FORM. He didn't get enough exposure for this dance because of other dances being taught the same hour but this is really a fast, interesting dance that is not difficult but is really fun. Phrased perfectly to the music as most of Maurice's dances are. Lawrence Allen taught STRUNG OUT. I heard lots of good comments about this dance and it looked good on the floor. Shaz Walton taught HYPNOTIZED. Great music and this dance will appeal to a lot of different tastes. FRANK TRACE taught two new easy dances called GET REAL and FLIP FLOP & FLY. Michael Thompson taught Orianthis' Dilemma. This was a collaborative effort by Michael, his mother, Leslie, and their Sunday class in Georgia. This is a really good dance!
I don't think it was taught but I saw UNDER THE SUN by Sue and Kathy and it's a very cute dance. The song reminded me of an upbeat song that would be in a kid's movie but since I don't have a kid, I don't know which one. There was a lot of buzz from people every time it was played. You know, "What is that dance?" buzz. Every time it was played it caught my attention so check it out. Another dance that filled the floor that I don't know yet is NY CHA by Neville and Julie and I just love this music. I'm going to learn it before I go to Orlando. Another really cute country dance/upbeat country track by Suzanne Wilson was COUNTRY AS CAN BE. I don't think it was taught.
The show on Saturday was short and sweet . The puppet this year was Dr. Flucker Flammer. I really don't know how to spell that one!! It was soooooooooo cute and the banter between The doctor and Pepper was priceless, as usual. The show started off with the Lorah Brothers, who have been around for a long time and it was fun seeing them again. Frank Trace was personally delivered his Crystal Boot Award for MAMMA MARIA by Big Dave and he was thrilled. I had never seen one of the awards up close and it was really beautiful and Frank was so thrilled. Congratulations to someone who truly deserved the recognition for writing some fun dances for beginners. He writes other dances but he is just so good at doing dances that the beginners love. Nurse "Malpractice" McWherter was so cute!!! There were birthday congratulations for Stacy Garcia, Maurice Rowe, Jeremy Pack, Lesley Brown and a few other people I didn't get their names. Next up was Nancy Morgan being revived with a little West Coast Swing by Johnny 2-Step. Daniel Trepat performed a funky routine, moving parts of his body that most people don't even know are there. Brian B. did a wonderful performance. I always am happy when he dances, especially for the people who have never seen him before. We take for granted just how wonderful a dancer he is and after all these years, I still love watching him dance and he always gets better than the last time. The show ended with a live performance by the country singer, DAVID BRADLEY, and there was a group dancing to his song, Soak It Up, which was choreographed by Mary Beal. After the show the murals that are painted by Guyton to benefit the kids' group on Orlando called the Pop Shop, were given away at the raffle. I won one that looked just like Big Dave so I gave it to him to display in the UK because I thought more people could appreciate it at some of the events there than could enjoy it in my living room. LOL. Guyton is so talented and it's a lot of work to do the murals that are hung in all the dance rooms during the weekend and I look forward to seeing them each year. The big drawing of the night, of course, is the puppet he sews for the event each year. I will have to find out who won it this year but just to let them know -- I'm jealous!!! I just love his puppets. Be sure and look at the pictures.
After the show the party continued in the line dance rooms. There was the beginner workshops and Line Dance Party with Debi and Gale and Big Dave manned the review/open dance room in one ballroom and Louie St. George kept the party hopping in the main ballroom. People stayed up late and partied as we always do on Saturday night. I had a great time.
Of course, the BIG EVENT on Saturday night is the parade. What wonderful costumes there were. You simply have to look at the pictures. I loved all of them and Nurse Neils and Nurse McWherter were priceless. I also love the lawyer who was part of the really neat ambulance crew. He was handing out his cards to everyone who would take one. LOL. There were babies and one group you had to appreciate from behind. You'll see what I mean when you look at the pictures. I'm still wondering how these people get their costumes to the event on a plane. All of them were just great.
SUNDAY:
I left in the morning on Sunday but everyone I talked with had a great time and I heard a LOT of people stayed and danced and just had a wonderful day together on Sunday. There is always a little pizza party on Sunday evening so plan to stay over next year and enjoy ANOTHER great day at the Marathon. One that really looked good was FREEDOM by Nancy Morgan and Bracken Ellis. I loved the music and it was a cool-looking dance. I also heard good comments about TOO COMFORTABLE by Jordan Lloyd. I really also like Maurice's I LOVE LUCY. It would appeal to a lot of people and has great staying power.
One of the highlights on Sunday is the competition. Here's the results (Thanks, Stacy, for keeping track of them). Congratulations to all the competitors -- winners and runners up.
CHOREOGRAPHY WINNERS
COUNTRY-NEWCOMER/NOVICE
Farm Yard Dance - Lindy Bowers - 1st
Anything Goes - Lynne Flanders & Gerard Perraud - 2nd
I Like My Cowboys Ugly - Janis Graves, Lindy Bowers and Sue Ann Ehmann - 3rd
Shady Grove - Vickie Schermbeck - 4th
Since You Brought It Up - Rainy Dae - 5th
NON-COUNTRY-NEWCOMER/NOVICE
Skinny Jeans - Helen Walker - 1st
Little Miss Kiss - Sue Ann Ehmann - 2nd
COUNTRY-INT/ADV
One That We Can Dance To - Rainy Dae - 1st
Chasin' Long Legs - Janis Graves, Lindy Bowers, Margaret Koll, Rose Knosp, Gail Smith, Larry Bass - 2nd
NON-COUNTRY- INT/ADV
Deck Dancin' - Helen Walker - 1st
Run The Show - Holly Brewster - 2nd
In the Ayer - Vickie Schermbeck - 3rd
Love Guarantee - Sue Ann Ehmann - 4th
I Want Your Ugly - Lois Rivera - 5th
ABC
Been There Drunk That - Lindy Bowers & Janis Graves - 1st
Hey There - Ginny Sheridan - 2nd
PRO-CHALLENGE CHOREOGRAPHY WINNERS
Oh Ruby - Debbie McLaughlin - 1st
Regresa - Ruben Luna - 2nd
Don't Let Go - Steve Lescarbeau - 3rd
Try Try Try - Bracken Ellis Potter - 4th
Soak It Up - Mary Beal - 5th
DANCER TRIVIA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Why wasn't Hannah Jones at the Marathon? Because she is the body double for Hermione in the Harry Potter movies now being filmed in England.
Where is Amy Christina-Sohn from? Singapore
Who is Maggie Gallagher's biggest fan? Derrick Walker
What do Max Perry, John Robinson, and Johanna Barnes have in common (other than being great choreographers)? They are excellent singers.
Who can sing exactly like Elvis Presley? Neville Fitzgerald
Who started the name tags with the oranges on them? Lou Ann Schemmel
Who own a black 1958 Chevy Impala previously owned by Jay Lino? Linda Long
What does Jill Babinec do for a profession? Dentist
And what did he mom want her to be when she grew up? OB/GYN
What do Jo Thompson, Dari Ann Amato and Debra Blevins have in common? They competed in the Miss America Pageant
Who worked for Camelot Music for 30 years? Frank Trace
Who was a semi-pro bowler before they started line dancing? Scott Blevins
Who starred in a B movie about a killer clown. The name of the movie is Ashes to Ashes. John Robinson
What did JoAnn Brady do for a living? Special Education Teacher
Who was a trauma assistant and taught Latin formation teams? Dee Musk
What instructor has two 14-inch titanium rods in her back and has a dance studio on the 2nd floor of her home, with a slide leading down to the 1st floor? Mona Puente
What did Lizzy Clark do for work in the past? Worked in an undertaker's establishment
What does Robbie McGowan Hickie do? Sells antiques
What nationally-televised TV show did Barry and Dari Ann Amato host? Wild Horse Saloon
Who graduated from college with an engineering degree the same year her son graduated from high school? Janet Wallace
What did Ray McNeal do before he retired? Circuit Court Judge
What two dancers are pantomime artists? Dee Musk and Rona Kaye
What does Diane Petoskey do for a profession? Medical Doctor (doing consulting work)
Who was a Specialist 1st Class in the Military? Louis St. George
Who is a crime scene investigator? Dallas Proveaux (Stacy's mom)
Who was a Chippendale dancer? Ruben Luna
What classically-trained ballet dancer performed on stage in London in May Fair Lady, Chorus Line, Cats and is also an artist? Shaz Walton
Who competed in the Miss Durham contest? Jean Garr (And did you know she loved to garden? Also, the deer family love the taste of her pansies and day lilies and kept eating them, so besides doing everything for the event, they replaced the empty foliage with silk day lilies so she could still enjoy her plants. )
What two dancers are working on their Ph.D.'s in Systems Engineering and what will one of them be known as after she gets hers -- oh, yeah, and they are getting married? Pepper and DJ Jam. She will then be Dr. Pepper. LOL. I would like to take credit for that line but she had figured it out before me. Wah!! I hate missing a good line like that.
UNTIL WE MEET AT THE MARATHON AND OTHER EVENTS AGAIN:
I add this paragraph for every year's report but I will say it again and I hope you will really think about it, not only for the Marathon, but for every event you attend, whether you have a perfect weekend or have a little problem here and there. PLEASE take the time to write a review and to personally thank the directors and their staff for allowing us to have such a wonderful experience. I want you to remember that there is so much to do -- from negotiating with the hotel, hiring the instructors, worrying about getting enough people to pay the bills and knowing that if they don't come they are going to go in the hole, getting the instructors from the airport to the hotel, deciding on the decorations, laying the floors (which is a massive job), getting all the brochures done leading up to the event, organizing the vendor spaces, setting up all the sound systems, making sure the hotel staff is doing what they need to do for a dance event, planning the hospitality room for the instructors and volunteers, arranging for things like the Cookie Party and the welcoming reception, planning everything for an entire year, getting the registrations posted and confirmed, dealing with a million questions and doing the schedule, which is also not easy, as you can imagine, cleaning everything up afterwards and making sure that any problems or issues are dealt with during the event. Every time someone will come up to me and complain about some petty little problem they had during any weekend I just look at them and think DUH!!! I'd like to see you pull this off!! LOL. I remember the days when there were NO events to complain about.
As you can see from this clip, people danced until the entire floor was evacuated -- literally. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGcVtoJvwH4
MY VERY INFORMAL LITTLE SURVEY WHILE PEOPLE WERE WAITING IN LINE ON SATURDAY NIGHT TO GET INTO THE BALLROOM.
I sent a notebook down the line and these were the votes. Remember this was Saturday night so the Sunday dances hadn't been taught yet. It will be interesting to see how the dances do as time goes by
| 11 Sunglasses 8 Dog-Gone Blues 8 So Sexxy 6 Oh, Ruby 5 Forgiveness 5 ICU 5 Rumba Breeze 4 Shoop 4 Soak It Up 4 Valentino 3 Alejandro, 3 Fireflies 3 Hey Soul Sister 3 Imma Be 3 It’s Amazing 3 One Last Dance 3 Love Is Like the Sea 3 Murder My Heart 3 No Salvation 3 Sugar Candy 3 Tik Tok Drop 3 Trouble Is 2 Blah Blah Blah 2 Don’t Let Go 2 Flip, Flop and Fly 2 I’ll wait for you 2 Invisible Girl 2 Knocking on Heaven’s Door 2 Nonononono Notso 2 The First Thing |
2 Under Your Spell 2 Zenyata’s Waltz 3 Acapella Alright Girl Be Back Soon CelVis DNA Each Tear Forty Said Giving It up Holding It Down Honky Tonker Hustle and Flow Hypnotized I Swear Kinda Busy Luv N Me Morning After Pokerface (not taught) Rockin that Body Body Run For Your Life Desert Walk Shoop Someone’s Gotta Go Stamina Strung Out Swing N Cha Timeless 3 |