to the West … COAAAST SWING!!!
This event was a joint effort by directors (and best friends):
Crystal Auclair
& Katie Slater Hicks
& Katie Slater Hicks
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| Rebecca Ludwick & Jon Young |
"Meet Me" is a DOWN HOME convention ...
all warm and friendly.
Many of us might not succeed at Swing Diego or MADjam
but we get a real shot at “Meet Me.”
but we get a real shot at “Meet Me.”
The majority of attendees were Mid-westies but the event is growing like CRAAAZY!!!
More and more people are attending from neighboring regions and abroad every year.
St. Louis is a great dance destination... one of those places we've heard of and meant to see ... but never got around to.
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| Arch stands behind the "Dred Scott" Courthouse |
The signature “Arch” stands over a fascinating collection of underground exhibits detailing the
western expansion.
Back in the day, people came from Europe dreaming of homesteading out west.
There was a whole "Wagon Train" industry that developed around this ambition.People traveled to Illinois, crossed the "Mighty Mississippi" River and upon arriving
in St. Louis, they would buy a piece of land and arrange to join a group to head out west.
That's what the Arch signifies.
Not only that ... even Lewis & Clark slept there ...
This is the land of Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer’s adventures ...
This is where the north stood up to the slavery of the south.
All the years of my childhood watching westerns on TV, all that history stuff
in school ...
All the years of my childhood watching westerns on TV, all that history stuff
in school ...
I didn't really get it until I stood under the Arch.
There is lots more to tell about the history and traveling in this place.
FIRST … let me tell you about this AAAstonishing dance convention!!!
FIRST … let me tell you about this AAAstonishing dance convention!!!
The event began with an emotional tribute to Jack Carey.
A legend in the dance world, Jack passed away recently.
The guy made an immeasurable contribution.
Everyone had a “Jack Carey” story.
Pondering how it is that someone becomes a "legend" ...
well, in this case Jack Carey just did what he loved. He didn't think about this as work, nor did he concern himself with the cost of it all. He certainly didn't think about his eulogy!
He just lived into his dreams.
well, in this case Jack Carey just did what he loved. He didn't think about this as work, nor did he concern himself with the cost of it all. He certainly didn't think about his eulogy!
He just lived into his dreams.
Victor Loviera, Ruby Lair,
Ruth Gilbert & Tim Johnson.
They kept us dancing till all hours of the night!!!
Each song was better than the one before and it never stopped.
This is the single most important event quality.
Forget it if they can't bring the TUNES!!!
What a cast of teachers!
Angel Figueroa was Head Judge and then there was ...
Matt & Crystal Auclair,
Matt & Crystal Auclair,
Beata Howe, Doug Rousar,
Jason Miklic & Sophy Kdep,
Jason & Annmarie Marker,
Rebecca Ludwick & Kris Swearingen,
Jeanne DeGeyter,
Bryan Jordan,
Shawn & Kristen Moody
and Brennar Goree, rounding out the talent.
These are the BEST teachers.
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| Bryan Jordan & Jeannie DeGeyter |
Most people who competed at this event were PROTÉGÉS of the staff.
Everyone is getting really good and no one
seems to spend a particularly long time in Novice.
The teachers are frequently on the dance floor and accessible.
Desert City Swing was flooded with Europeans and Asians who seemingly swooped in to collect all the trophies.
(Lots of talent around the USA that should have been there.)
I'd like to see more Mid-westies in Phoenix and California.
The teachers at “Meet Me” can confidently send their
Westie-chicks to give-em’ some REAL competition!
Thursday night opened with live blues by
Brother Yusef.
out en masse for the occasion.
come on Thursday night.
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| Natalie Gorg & JC Bryan |
The party was in full swing by the time everyone else finally showed up on Friday!
Everyone in the Mid-west region is always
sooooo happy to catch up with each other.
sooooo happy to catch up with each other.
AAAnticipation … reconnecting … sharing that 1st dance.
Oh yeah, Strictly prelims were also held.
And, lots of social dancing – and finally – pizza!!!
What we did and how we danced ... mattered to the judges.
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| Etta Berkland & Andrew Moreley, Int J&J Finals |
Crystal & Katie understand how to rotate dancers and move them about so that they have the best opportunities.
Not making finals isn't because of poor (stupid) organization or favoritism.
Here, people keep trying and eventually get really good. The community and local pros are very supportive. No one gets discouraged and gives up.
Here, people keep trying and eventually get really good. The community and local pros are very supportive. No one gets discouraged and gives up.
In the Mid-west, succeeding or failing is an honest outcome.
in the morning!
But, the main event is always the Jack n’ Jills.
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| Crystal Auclair & Dwight Miller |
The only problem was:
No Masters!
It's a gift for those of us who've paid our dues ... paid our taxes ... and paid for everyone else!
old age.
It can be very difficult to compete against young ... and even classically trained dancers.
Often, it's Masters Division that gives the older dancer the early opportunities and additional chance to be seen. This is also a place to develop self confidence.
(Masters is likely to be on the schedule next year).
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| Lori Rousar & Marc Carter |
The ProAm Strictlies were held after the Jack n' Jills.
Local teachers presented numerous students.
This is a great way to learn to compete and show our true skills and abilities.
ProAm Strictlies and routines are a way of life in the Mid-west.
These local pros really know how to develop a dance student so that they reach their full potential.
Scores give dancers an idea of where
they fit in the scheme of things and how it's going over time.
After a day like that, my best Toronto gal-pal (Elaine Royds)
and I were Hungry!
The hotel restaurant, which looks like Pier 1 Imports, has a
great rep.
But, there was only one place that would do it for us.
It's kinda kitschy, old-timey and hokey …
and I LOVE THIS PLACE!
It's exactly the right time and place for a S’mores milkshake and a BBQ burger smothered in bacon.
The cheerful décor is all red & white and the wait staff always has a pleasant attitude.
After our massive and AAAstounding pig out, we were ready for more DANCING!!!
There was lots of social dance built into the weekend. The performances did not go on too long and were really worth watching.
Videographer Becky Larson puts out a GREAAAT work product!
She sits on the floor, in the middle of everything ... like an actual participant.
That's why she's so on target with her videos and photos.
Becky and DJ Tim Johnson are well known dance teachers in the Detroit area.
http://momentsofdance.com/
The evening actually started out with ProAm routines. These people don't know how lucky they are to have so many great teachers. A lot of places have no decent pros. In my region, Dave Damon & Yuna Davitan are the only ones doing this kind of thing north of DC. And their students ROCK!
I always love to watch Matt AAAuclair ... with his MAAANY students. He puts them 1st and makes them feel successful.
Priyanka Chopra.
Heather was FAAABULOUS!
And her children, mother and charming fiance
(Joe Thompson) were there to see it!
Her kids were sooooo impressed.
They'll never forget seeing their mother up there on the stage performing like star.
Now, that's the way to encourage kids to dance!
Melissa Rollins was on a roll!
She was HOT in the Pro Strictly with Texan Trent Haynes.
Also, she performed with her student Chris Bacon, to
"Lights" by Corey Gary.
Melissa may be a rare beauty but she made Chris the Superstar!
This girl is another one of the BEST teachers unknown outside of the Midwest.
Everyone Melissa touches turns to gold.
I've witnessed the magic she can create with all levels of dance students. Melissa teaches in the Detroit area. http://www.melissa-rollins.com
The STAAAR of the Rising Star division is Mordecai Fayas, a guy who is not your usual Fred Astaire type.
Nevertheless, the Man Can Dance!
They won 1st place out of 10 entries.
But that's not the point.
We get the feeling that is it only the young and beautiful who succeed.
Well, sometimes the not-so-young and beautiful can RISE to the top!
Well, sometimes the not-so-young and beautiful can RISE to the top!
Billy has become one of the most important hustle teachers in
New York City, honing his craft at Dancesport and Stepping Out for over 15 years.
But, teaming up with Veronica ... will turn out to be the smartest thing he ever did.
Billy and Veronica are setting new standards for the
hustle world.
The pros are our idols and when they draw each other at random ... anything can happen!
All the dances were wonderful but the one that stood out above the rest for me was:
Gary Jobst and Kristen Moody.
Just call them: Mr. & Ms. Smooth.
Sunday morning held more workshops, since the late night dancing was so good, many of us slept in ...
only rising in time for the Pièce de résistance, i.e.:
"$10 for 10 Minutes with the Pros."
Lewis Chan (right) said:
“This was definitely a highlight! The pros gave top notch instruction, delivered in an efficient and friendly manner. The monies raised went toward development of west coast swing for local youth. Kudos to the organizers for the excellent initiative and to the pros who donated their time and expertise.”.”
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| Chinny Hoan & Bryan Jordan |
Sunday afternoon was all about finals
and more social dancing.
We enjoyed spending time with friends.
The atmosphere was
very comfortable ...
a perfect ending to quite a memorable dance weekend.
Awards, shockingly, were early!
But, unfortunately that also brought an end to the event.
Saying "so-long" to my favorite Mid-westies is always bittersweet.
I have made wonderful friends in this region. What a treasure it is to be able to pop in and spend the weekend in their company.
Instead ... we say:
"See ya at Tampa Bay!" ... "See ya at Cashbash!!"
"See ya at Spotlight!!!"
The Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel was a great choice because of its' proximity to everything. There were quite a few restaurant options within walking distance:
Jack In the Box, Waffle House, Steak & Shake, Denny's and Rally's.
Jack In the Box, Waffle House, Steak & Shake, Denny's and Rally's.
There is all kinds of stuff to spend the day doing in St. Louis. Mark Twain riverboat rides, hop on & off buses, museums, parks.
The free shuttle happily provided transportation to the Metro Station (subway) and it was simple to get downtown and see the sights. Public transportation is very sophisticated in St. Louis.
We purchased day passes for $7.50 and used them for the trains and buses. The train took about 30 minutes to deliver us to the St. Louis ARCH!
Visiting the ARCH is a once in a lifetime experience and should not be missed. http://www.gatewayarch.com/
Completed in 1968 and maintained in the original style, there is a unique transport system consisting of egg shaped pods which hoists groups of 5 to the top with a sort of metal pulley system.
It was Disneyland-esq., or like something out of a 1960's movie spaceship?
Once on top of the ARCH, there is a low and narrow viewing area with little windows. One side faces Missouri and the other faces Illinois.
The ARCH is 630 ft. at its base and 630 ft. high.
Under the ARCH is a fascinating exhibit area detailing the western expansion.
Standing by the Mississippi River ... I could hear an echo from the old TV show "Wagon Train."
Every episode started with Ward Bond yelling:
"Wagons Ho" ... as they all headed off in search of the American dream.
Not too far from the ARCH is the historic courthouse where the
Dred Scott decision process began.
This landmark decision struck an important blow against slavery.
Basically, Dred Scott was a slave who had been trained to assist U.S. Army Surgeon Dr. John Emerson.
Dr. Emerson took Dred Scott into the state of Illinois which did not allow slavery. In ignorance, Mr. Scott returned with his master to Missouri.
Later, Dred & Harriett Scott found about about the Doctrine of "once free, always free" and decided to sue for their freedom.
The courthouse is where the legal battle began. It took the rest of their lives before the Supreme Court ruled in their favor.
Standing in that majestic courthouse, I marveled at how two born and bred slaves had the chutzpah and bucks to wage that vicious fight.
Dred Scott decision process began.
This landmark decision struck an important blow against slavery.
Basically, Dred Scott was a slave who had been trained to assist U.S. Army Surgeon Dr. John Emerson.
Dr. Emerson took Dred Scott into the state of Illinois which did not allow slavery. In ignorance, Mr. Scott returned with his master to Missouri.
Later, Dred & Harriett Scott found about about the Doctrine of "once free, always free" and decided to sue for their freedom.
The courthouse is where the legal battle began. It took the rest of their lives before the Supreme Court ruled in their favor.
Standing in that majestic courthouse, I marveled at how two born and bred slaves had the chutzpah and bucks to wage that vicious fight.
It was a lovely southern September day and my friend and I wandered about the downtown area to see the gardens ... fountains ... and unique views.
Everyone raves about the local "Fried Ravioli." While site-seeing my friend and I decided to make that our lunch.
"Fried Ravioli" is to St. Louis ... what "Ceasar Salad" is to Tijuana. A famous mistake!
The "Ceasar Salad" originated on a hot day in Tijuana ... all the restaurant chef had on hand was lettuce and canned sardines.
The story is more interesting than the food.
Whadayawant? I'm from New York City!
"Fried Ravioli?"
FUGETABOUTIT!
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| Chris Edwards & Jena Mabrey |
There is lots of social dancing (west coast swing and country) including lessons in St. Louis.
Check out the action at:
http://www.stlrebels.com/
There is something very satisfying about attending this particular event.
People are very friendly and warm.
Every song is inspiring, the competitions are fair and everything that matters is done right.
This is one of those events that should be on everyone's bucket list.
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| Jean & Greg Polychenko, Elaine Royds & Me |
To all my readers out there in
West Coast Swing Land,
until you come to the Mid-west ...
West Coast Swing Land,
until you come to the Mid-west ...
you haven't tried the best!
Crystal & Katie!
fine human beings.
Discovering your world has changed mine!
