Toronto Open Swing & Hustle Championships 2014

"Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name ...

and they're always glad you came!"

From the minute I walked into the event hotel for the TORONTO OPEN SWING & HUSTLE CHAMPIONSHIPS, this is exactly how I was made to feel.

Robert Cordoba & Rita Betro

This convention is special ... it's a place I've only visited a few times and yet they welcome me with such BIG and OPEN arms. 

TOSCH is not a big, splashy event like "SwingDiego" or "Madjam." It is small and intimate. Everyone supports each other and there are many opportunities to be successful. 

Mike Topel & Emily Pike

The Thursday night kick-off party was AAAwesome!!!

No other event that I've attended has had this good of a start!!! All the pros were lined up and easels were set up to list our names for dances. It was a wonderful ice-breaker and this really put everyone in a great mood! 

Sharon Cai & Dave Damon

There was quite a cast of pros and I was told that several of them called and asked to be on staff! 

Check the WCS staff: Arjay Centeno, Robert Cordoba & Amanda Warren, Courtney Adair & Sean McKeever, Beata Howe & Terry Roseborough, Mike Topel, Dave Damon & Mariel Manzone, Dallas Radcliffe, John Kirkonnel & Alyssa Glanville.

Hustle pros included: Billy Marti & Veronica Castilla, Erica Smith and Tina Price. 

Lindy Pros included: Didier Jean Francois, Marie-Anne Rochon, Chrissy Bridgeman Sayeed, Luis Arrudondo, Natalie Grane, Jon Tiegert & Jenna Applegarth (above) and Allan Hock. 

48 workshops were offered over the entire weekend and there was a very high level of participation. Something for everyone ... styles of dance as well as levels.

Robert with ProAm Student, Sharon Cai

Robert Cordoba, who is currently teaching with Amanda Warren, taught with the polish of a World War veteran. The guy was always in a class of his own but we could really appreciate him in this setting. Everyone offered excellent lessons but Robert made me feel like we were in California. 

The event opened with a "COLT" performance. What a nice idea! COLT means: Celebrating Our Local Teachers. We were treated to a show starring all the local pros. 

Pictured above is Joanna Swanson (dancing with Billy Marti). This girl teaches classes, ProAms leaders and followers (both Strictlies and routines) and is a very popular local DJ. 

ProAm Strictlies followed and there was quite a turnout. This is a really good way to encourage people to work with pros and support this effort.  This teaching tool is spreading across the country like wildfire because it is successful. Pictured above is local teacher Sean Browne and his student Alexandra Jakuboski.

After the Friday night awards, three rooms were opened up for social dancing: Hustle - WCS - Lindy.

The joint was jumping! 

Saturday is Jack n' Jill day almost everywhere. 

This has become the tradition and everyone looks forward to getting dressed up and participating in this special challenge.

Mary Adams, event director and owner of "You Can Dance," had several students who did very well. 

Earlier in the week, the Auclair & White Intensive Dance Camp produced several winning competitors as well. The Toronto scene is certainly doing the right kinds of things to make their dance environment successful. 

It is important to note the Newcomer placements. 

This is where self-confidence begins. 

1. Vincent Mok & Debi Ireland
2. Jeffre Perz & Rachel Curran
3. Christian Gagne & Eliz Romero
4. Steve Randall & Katherine Richardson
5. Matthew Bayot & Katheryn Morton

Steve Randall, one of Mary's star pupils at "You Can Dance," won 4th place with Auclair & White Dance Camp graduate: Kathryn Richards (above). It was her first competition. This accomplishment was particularly important.

Steve said: "It was great getting back to dancing after winning my fight with prostrate cancer. TOSCH was the perfect way to do it as I had all my friends there to encourage me. As a result I finished with my great partners - 4th in the Newcomer J&J, 9th in the Newcomer/Novice Strictly and 5th in Masters Strictly."

In addition, Debi Ireland, Jeffrey Perz, Eliz Romero and Matthew Bayot are all students at "You Can Dance."

It was no surprise that Mary's student, Kyle Fitzgerald, placed 1st in his ProAm J&J with Courtney Adair. 

Furthermore, he took 3rd in the Intermediate J&J with Amanda Clark. 

Clearly, Kyle is a pro in the making. 

One of my camp roommates, Dominic Bernard, took 1st place in the Novice J&J and is now Intermediate. 

It was a thrill of a lifetime to hear his name called along with his partner: Yvonne DiSilva to go up and get their medals.

I watched Dominic metamorphisize during the 5 day intensive. 

He went from an immature leader ... smitten by the music ... to a leader who is master of his domain. 

One of the most charming and delightful people the world has ever known, Carolina Amendola, won 2nd place in the Novice J&J with Steve Csuth and is also now Intermediate.

She said: "This event is truly special because of the atmosphere. Of course, it is filled with Canadians and many dancers from Toronto. It is just wonderful how we all scream and cheer for each other. We want everyone to do well and reach new heights. I am so lucky to be a part of such a warm an supportive west coast swing dance community in Toronto. For all these reasons, this is one of my favorite events."

1st Place in Intermediate went to: Alexandra Jakuboski & Christoper Muise, who is a professional ballroom instructor from Boston. 

Alex is another graduate of the Auclair & White Dance Camp. 

She also underwent an interesting metamorphosis at the Camp. 

At the beginning we could see the 1st stages of coming out of her cocoon and in 5 days emerged as a magnificent butterfly!

Ken Muntz & Catherine Jones

My favorite division is Masters. This is a true gift because it provides a 2nd opportunity for older dancers to show what they've got. Often times, this is where us beaten-down veterans of the adult world can come to plump up our self-esteem. 

We paid our dues ... we paid our taxes ... now we want to dance!

Congratulations to Gairey Richardson, Camp graduate for 1st place with Judy Arnold who is an alumnus of "You Can Dance." 

Judy also got 3rd place in the Novice J&J and 4th place in the Jill & Jill as a leader. 

Saturday night is routine night! 

This is becoming a big deal in almost every region. People are realizing that to be really good, it requires some WORK! 

Shelley Saxena appeared with Steven James with a routine choreographed by Arjay Centeno to "Little Things." The piece was perfect for Shelley and Steven. 

Arjay will never be the level of dancer and teacher that comes close to his talent to choreograph ... and Shelley Saxena perfectly proved that point.

By the way, Shelley is a very popular local teacher with a venue on Sunday nights. 

Be sure to stop in when you are in the area!

Shelley also performed a ProAm routine to "Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink with her student, Lewis Chan. This guy is going places! 

Lewis has a son who is an Olympic skating champion. He knows what it takes to be great. We saw this routine a few months ago at Chicago Classic. What a difference! 

Lewis also placed 2nd in the Masters J&J with Maru Hutchins (left), made Novice J&J finals and placed 3rd in the ProAm J&J with Courtney Adair.

The highlight of the evening for me however, was that STUNNING performance by Greg & Jean Polychenko! I love these two people. No one has worked harder and come as far in the dance. They are a joy to watch and I believe they have many surprises for us!

Dominic and his wife Lauren, social dancing.

There was always plenty of social dancing but after awards, all three ballrooms opened up. Everyone danced with everyone. It was that kind of event. Comfortable and friendly.

Sunday was Strictly Day! I couldn't stay til the bitter end. Prior to coming, I had hurt my shoulder and was a bit weary at that point. 

I gave my wonderful Strictly partner, Ken Muntz, away and he placed 1st with my friend Kim Joseph (left). At least something good came of my injury.

***

The hotel is an airport Sheraton and quite comfortable. It is more difficult in Canada to get a hotel deal for a dance convention and so everything is a little more expensive. 

However, an international pass (and price) is offered to us American "foreigners!"

It is quite easy to go into downtown Toronto from the event hotel. Right in front there is a bus stop which drops at the subway. 

This station is at the entrance of a gigantic shopping mall. 

There are plenty of dining options within walking distance from the hotel. 

Mary and Lee Ann arranged for discounts at Montana's and Jack Astor's. 
http://www.montanas.ca/

Renting a car, however, is worthwhile because there is quite a bit to see and do. Rentals are inexpensive and most credit cards come with international car rental insurance which cover everything.

Mary Adams and Lee Anne Clelland are wonderful event directors and I was impressed. They took a personal interest in their guests' travel arrangements. All of our problems were soloved! http://www.youcandance.on.ca/ 

My room accommodations were arranged for me personally by Mary. By coincidence, I got to share with 3 friends ... including fellow photographer and collaborator: Steve Randall. It was also great to catch up with my buddy, Kim Josephs. Rounding out our warm and fuzzy quartet was the lovely Cheryl Foster. 

We sure had "Fun!"

Steve Randall with Barbara White

When I was trying to leave the event, I found myself becoming a little emotional. It is so easy to get attached to these wonderful Torontoes! 

On the drive home the old "Cheers" TV show song popped into my head:

"Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name ... and they're always glad you came.

Be glad there's one place in the world, where everybody knows your name ... And they're always glad you came." 

Thanx Mary and Lee Anne for a wonderful event and special weekend! 

For more information about "You Can Dance" and their upcoming workshops with John Lindo and Jessica Cox (September 26-28): http://www.youcandance.on.ca/