SHOWDOWN REPORT 2010
We had another great year at the LINE DANCE SHOWDOWN. There was a huge crowd here for Thursday night and we danced until early in the morning. Everything was super organized, as Jen and Jason's events always are, and we had a special treat to have Big Jim here for most of the weekend. Jim always competed and on Friday night, there was huge tribute to him when everyone was wearing a mask of Jim's face to simulate his competing. It was very touching and everyone did a great job. I loved that there was so much open dancing at this event. There were also a great variety of dances taught for every level. On Friday night we did a mix of classic and new dances and every dance that was taught was played so that everyone could do it with the instructors. This was Jo Thompson's first year at this event and we did a lot of her dances and she was up dancing late into the evening along with many of the instructors. Here's the list of instructors that were here this year.
Barry & Dari Anne Amato, Forty Arroyo, Scott Blevins, Tom Clemons, Will Craig, Dancin’ Dean, Zac Detweiller, Bracken Ellis, Rob Glover, Steve Lescarbeau, Jamie Marshall, Rachael McEnaney, Debbie McLaughlin, Rosie Multari, Guyton Mundy, Debi Pancoast, Sarah Preston, John Robinson, Sydney Smyth, Amy Spencer, Joe Steele, Jo Thompson Szymanski, Daniel Trepat, Pim van Grootel, Junior Willis and Amy Zack.
They all did a really good job and I tried to take as many classes as my little brain would hold. Thanks to Jen and Jason and their great staff for always making this event run so smoothly and congratulations to Trish for having a baby on the way!! She will be such a great mother and she is so excited and we're excited for her. A special thanks to the DJs; Louie St. George, Dan DeLisle, John Lindsey and Jill Babinec. I thought there was such a great variety of music played this weekend and we were able to dance lots of old and new dances and it was just fun.
Saturday builds up to THE SHOWDOWN and this year there were ten entries and all of the were just wonderful. I think it was the best EVER and it was difficult to decide who to vote for. The Amatos won first place but there were truly all winners this year and I really hope you will order the videos of this event so you can experience the show for yourself as well as see every, single dance that was taught. CJ is the best in the business for producing videos and there were so many good dances taught at this event that you will be glad you have them to practice with or learn from. You can order them by contacting contactcjtodj@aol.com. Here's the trailer (like the previews at the movies) of what is on the video and things to come next year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sEzhOcBL94
THE SHOWDOWN RESULTS: You were all WONDERFUL. Thanks for all the work every single one of you put into these performances. It was the BEST Showdown competition yet!!
1ST PLACE BARRY AND DARI ANNE AMATO, $1500
2ND PLACE JO THOMPSON SZYMANSKI AND RACHAEL MCENANEY, $400
3RD PLACE ROB GLOVER AND JOSEPH, $300
4TH PLACE THE BLUNDY SISTERS, $200
5TH PLACE IRENA AND ANT, $100
Also in the competition and you were all great, too! I loved seeing Amy Spencer's young students perform.
Pim Van Grootel and Daniel Trepat
Amy's Kids
Adam & Kerri
John and Junior
The demos for Friday were done on Thursday night and here are some that I saw and liked, heard about from others, or took the class. Oh, and you know how I'm always looking for the WOW dance of the weekend. Well, I found one this weekend in OH RUBY, by Debbie McLaughlin. She had a HUGE class for the 5 pm class on Friday and everyone really liked this challenging dance. She did a good job teaching it and it will be done a lot at upcoming events. If you order the video from this event through contactcjtodj@aol.com, you will get a short teach of the dance along with all the dances done this weekend and you can enjoy the show in the process. It will be well worth it. I'll be posting a note when he has them ready to ship and nobody does a better job so I highly recommend CJ's videos. The info to order the videos is at this link: http://www.worldlinedancenewsletter.com/CJsVideos2009.html
FRIDAY'S DANCES:
Poetry, by Barry and Dari Ann Amato. I really liked the music and it is a dance with the speed of something like Poker Face.
Rise, Daniel Trepat. Beautiful music, "You Raise Me Up," by Westlife. This one has lots of flowing arms.
Wishing on a Star, Paul McAdam, taught by Rona Kaye, Music by Paul Weller. I really liked this cha.
Come On and Tango, Islandy music with a Greek feeling. Don't ask me how I came up with that but that's just what I thought when I watched the demo.
Sentimental, Rachael M. This dances was one of the favorites of many people, including me. Maurice has been teaching it at Roundup and it's a favorite there, too. Well worth learning.
Change, Junior Willis. Beautiful NC2. I'm taking this at the next event.
Bracken Ellis taught Break Even and Hey Soul Sister by her and Ruben. This was another favorite of the weekend.
Scott Blevins taught Hey! Mama. This one is still filling the floor. This was Scott's and Deb's 22nd anniversary and Jen and Jason surprised him by flying her in Friday night. It was cute!! Congratulations to you both!!
John Robinson taught Strung Out. I really liked this funky, fast WCS-type dance.
John also taught Amy Christian-Sohn's Party in the USA. This is really a darling, easy dance with some of Amy's styling that she is becoming more and more known for. I think this dance would appeal to a lot of different levels and ages. Give it a look.
Dean taught Abidi-hi-bidi-hop hop by the Kinsers and Mark Furnell. This is a really interesting contra dance that also filled the floor. Dean said it is so much fun to do and everyone that took the class really liked it.
Rosie Multari taught a country dance called Givin' It Up and Baby It's True. Rosie always teaches good dances and I particularly liked the Jersey Girl, Cha. What a cute dance and it was fun actually seeing some of the Jersey Girls doing it with her on the floor. This is another that would appeal to many levels and ages and is just that kind of music that makes you feel like you're on vacation.
Jo Thompson Szymanski taught September (disco-type music) and Tips to Spice Up Your dancing.
Guyton Mundy taught Blah Blah Blah. I liked this dances because it was easy and reminded me of some of Guyton's earlier dances that I always want him to reteach. I loved some of the his earlier dances and they were ahead of their time but everyone would be able to do them now.
Steve Lescarbeau taught Quarter After One. This dance is filling floors everywhere. I still don't know who Levi is but maybe someday I'll find out. Steve and Lou Ann said they actually had corresponded with him and I think they said he lives in California. Hope someone tells him how well his dance is doing.
Jo also taught Doggone Blues. Another really cute dance by Jo.
Rachel taught She Will be Loved and I loved this dance. Not easy but the type of dance that I always love of Rachael's and she did a super job of teaching it. I hope I get to do it enough this weekend to keep it in my head.
Zac taught 3 Song Break. **
Forty taught BMT, *
Will Craig taught Love song. I really liked this dance and will take it at the Marathon. It was taught at the same time as She Will be Loved and I knew I wanted to learn this one before I came. Good one, Will.
Debi Pancoast taught Jive Walkin', a great blast from the past.
Rob Glover taught Little Red Corvette, another one we have been doing at the Roundup but it fairly new on the circuit. This is a great dance. I hope you find the time to learn it and teach it. It's one you won't get tired of doing and will be around for a long time. Scott taught it to us when he came to the Roundup and it's a solid favorite.
Jamie taught Body Language *
Pim Van Grootel (one of the three people who came with Daniel Trepat -- and what a nice group of friends he brought. We loved them and Pim is also an awesome dancer.) He taught Soul Man, but not the same Soul Man music you would think of *
Joe Steele taught Askin' Questions by Larry Bass. This one has been doing well on the survey.
Jo taught Have I Told You Lately. This is a beautiful NC2 that I had learned in Ocala when she was there but many people told me this was their favorite of the weekend.
Amy Zack taught a classic, Fallsview Rock.
Barry & Kari Ann taught Stand, another beautiful dance that lots of people mentioned on their list of favorites.
Daniel Trepat taught Mi Rowsu. The music has an islandy feel of something like Toes.
Guyton taught Crazy Devils, a really cute, 64 count, easy dance that's easy to remember to music that will appeal to everyone and has the feel of some of his great country favorites. He also taught Hands On but I missed the demo of this one.
Rosie taught Jersey Girls which I mentioned above. You should definitely give this one a look for your beg-int classes and it's just cute for any class.
Junior taught Battlefield.
Bracken Ellis Potter brought back her classic, Under Your Spell. This is also a beautiful dance if you never learned it.
Debbie McLaughlin taught the WOW dance so far of the weekend, in my opinion, Oh, Ruby. The class was packed and she was so scared since this is the first time she had taught at a US event and every instructor was in this class, or most of them, so I'm sure it was a little intimidating but she did a fabulous job and got a huge round of applause at the end as well as when she demoed it on Thursday night. The word was out to not miss this class. It's a little challenging because of the parts but the steps themselves are not difficult and it hits the music PERFECTLY!!
John Robinson taught Americano which is another great dance but it was on at the same time as Oh, Ruby. Rachael taught this in Ocala but I needed another lesson so hope someone teaches it at the next event where I'm going -- The Marathon. It looks so great on the floor. This is probably not a one-teach dance but I think it is going to grown in popularity as time goes by.
Forty taught Westminster Boogie to a great Michael Jackson song. Forty always bring her unique styling to any dance.
Amy Christian-Sohn taught Sisters. I didn't see the demo, though.
Tom Clemons taught Make Me Groove. Lots of sexy moves in this one.
The dinner on Saturday night was attended by a large number of people and the food was really good. There was a good selection and the desserts were yummy. We had fun at our table with old and new friends. The seating order was done by drawing a number, which I appreciated greatly. I want to eat and get on with the dancing and show. LOL.
SATURDAY DANCES:
Shoes of Another Man. This one filled the floors. I hope lots of people who didn't know it already got to learn it.
Boondocks and That Thing You Do, Barry and Dari Anne Amato. Both cute, easy dances.
Luv'n Me, Zac Detweiller, Disco-type music with a cute little butt move.
PP Crazy, and cute beg dance to music that reminded me of steel drums in the background.
Rapper's Delight, Rachael McEnaney. I even took this class and other than the arms it's not too difficult. It was very popular this weekend.
So Sexxy, John Robinson, cute with country music.
Simply Irresistible, Sarah Preston. To Elvis' Burning Love music so you know this one rocks.
Baila Volare, Forty Arroyo. A great Latin, high energy dance from Forty.
Broken Stones by Dee Musk, taught by Steve Lescarbeau. I have wanted to learn this easy little dance for awhile -- in fact, I was going to teach it in our class when we did our class. Islandy-type music and interesting but easy dance.
No Salvation, Scott Blevins. I took the A part of this dance and decided I would learn the B when I got the A down. LOL.
Tigger's Jumpoff. Amy and Roberto make this dance look so cool.
Wild Night, Amy Christian-Sohn. Great mu. sic and I had lots of good feedback from people who took this class.
Silly Game, beginner dance to 50's sounding music.
Tic Tok Drop, Gyton Mundy and Rob Fowler, another one that a lot of people knew. It's an easier Guyton funky dance that was requested a lot.
Rhyme or Reason., Rachael M., a good country dance and would be great for clubs.
Hey! How You Doin' by Tom Clemons. Tom did a couple of dances and I liked both of them.
Hands Up, taught by Chirstoper Petre. You know this one is good since it's being done everywhere.
Skinny Dippin', cute and country.
Faith and Desire, Johanna Barnes, taught by Scott Blevins. One of my favorite dances at the moment. You should definitely learn this one.
Troublemaker by Will Craig. Will is on a roll. This is a good dance to peppy music.
Get On Down, taught by Dancin' Dean. LOTS of people liked this dance. I hope I get to learn it at the next place I go. The competition was going on at the same time and I wanted to see it.
PREVIEW OF SUNDAY DANCES took place at 2 pm, which I thought was a good idea since the show on Saturday was going to take up time.
Regressa, Ruben Luna, taught by John Robinson. This is a really good cha and it filled the floor all weekend. Not too difficult and great music.
ICU, Junior Willis. This is another dance getting votes on the survey.
Wave on Wave, taught by Amy Zack. This is a classic that I never get tired of doing.
Fortune Foxtrot, Jo Thompson Szymanski. This was a favorite of many people this weekend. I heard it over and over again how much they enjoyed the class and the dance.
Jamba Jump. Daniel Trepat. What a cute, upbeat dance. It is absolutely infectious.
People are Crazy, Will Craig. Great country song.
Let's Get It Started, Guyton Mundy. I was glad to see him teach this blast from the past and now even more people know it.
Stamina, Christopher Petre. I really liked this dance. It has the tempo similar to Poker Face and I heard lots of good comments about it. I hope he teaches it at the Marathon.
Feel a Bit, Forty Arroyo. A good beginner dance by Forty who makes every dance look good!!
SUNDAY DANCES
I left at noon on Sunday and didn't really take any classes on Sunday but I did watch the demos the previous day.
Platanos, Amy Spencer
Your Eyes in Mine, taught by Dancin' Dean
Hollywood Doll, taught by Dancin' Dean
I Need To Know, Amy Christian-Sohn
Umbrella, Amy Christian-Sohn
Moonlight Madness, taught by John Robinson. This one filled the floor when it was taught.
Gigolo Masculine, taught by the Amatos
What U Wanna Do, taught by Rona Kaye
19 and Crazy, Christopher Petre
2X Trouble, Guyton Mundy and Michele Perron
Sing A New Song, Jo Thompson Szymanski
French Girl Shuffle, Jo Thompson Szymanski
Groovy Little Dance, Joe Steele
Giddy On Up, Giddy On out, Jamie Marshall, cute dance with funky-country music
Stupid In Love, Rachael McEnaney. I learned this in Ocala and it's a GREAT dance.
Chica Boom Boom, taught by Sarah Preston
Cheeky Charleston, taught by Sarah Preston
A Soul Drummer for Notacha, Forty Arroyo
Another Quickie, taught by Debi Pancoast
Cold Blooded, Scott Blevins, one of his classic dances
3, Steve Lescarbeau
Oh, Donna, Junior Willis
12 Ounces, Junior Willis
Stuff You Gotta Watch, John Robinson, another floor filler
Traveling, Daniel Trepat, Elvis music to a fun dance
I Got A Woman, Pim van Grootel, nice dance.
Click on PLAYLIST (open dances) provided by Ruben Luna & Carol Craven to view or download.
THANKS SO MUCH TO JASON AND JEN (and Jaden) for another wonderful weekend in Massachusetts. They are moving to the Quincy Marriott Hotel next year (April 7-10, 2011) that is only eight miles from Boston and there will be a shuttle and water taxi available so you can go and visit the sites in Boston easily. They said the new hotel is really beautiful so plan to attend this event that is one of my favorites. We just always have a great time and everyone makes it a point to go every year. Oh, and I forgot to tell you about the raffle. There was a choice of either the 50/50 money ($462.00) or you could win a whole slew of passes to events, including a pass to The Showdown next year with a room included. That was a nice surprise for Cathy Montgomery from Canada.
 Back
To Top |
