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| Irina Palaszeski & Ricky Barfield |
John Wheaton is the Walt Disney of the Dance World!!!
This FAAANTASTIC dance event is conveniently located a mere 2 miles from the Disneyland Theme Park.
"Frontierland," "Fantasyland," "Adventureland," and "Tomorrowland," are great attractions ... Jack & Jill O'Rama has become ... "DANCELAND!"
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| Benji & Jessica Cox |
People came from all over the USA and world to spend 3 days (plus a day to visit Disneyland).
They wanted to experience the endless thrill rides of the Jack & Jills, be entertained by the only characters funnier than Minnie & Mickey ... and dance in the vortex of an ultraviolet GLOW.
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| Mary Ann Nunez and Intensive Members |
This is the place to finally get a clear understanding of "rolling count," "measured movement" and "body flight." The day included lessons, drills and discussions to help comprehend this art form.
However, what truly makes this experience so profound is Mary Ann's personal critique.
Best of all, for those of us living in other regions, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to spend the day getting to know Mary Ann. I found her to be very kind and charming.
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| Michael Kielbasa & Tara Trafzer |
Instructors and Judges…
Benji Schwimmer & Torri Smith, Jason and Yvonne Wayne, John Lindo &
Jessica Cox, Michael Kielbasa & Patty Vo, Ronnie Debenedetta & Brandi
Tobias, Sean McKeever & Courtney Adair, Martin Parker, Mary Ann Nunez, Sonny
Watson, Michael Kiehm & Sue Fries, Phil Adams & Mindia Robin.
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| KZ & Carrie Lucas, Sophisticated Finals |
Ben McHenry, Carrie Lucas (above), Chris Dumond, Demetre Souliotes, Donnie Carl, Gary Jobst, Hannah Conch, Malia San Nicolas, Nick King, Nicole Clonch, Samantha Buckwalter, Tara Trafzer, Victoria Henk
Head Judge… Stan Jaquish
DJs included ... Forrest Hanson, Helen Tocco, John Lindo, Jack Smith, Larisa Tingle and Shaheed Qaasim.
Friday night featured LIVE music with the Danny Maika Trio and Kurt Hunter.
Friday night featured LIVE music with the Danny Maika Trio and Kurt Hunter.
Saturday Night Special Guest "VDJ Nobody" on the turntables (with Benji rapping).
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| Brad Whelan & Stacy Kay, Champion JJ Finals |
but it's the "Pixie Dust" that magically turns a typical event into a dancing theme park comparable to DISNEYLAND.
I bet most people don't know that Walt, himself, was a swing dancer!
The man would be proud to see his legacy take on a whole new meaning.
The man would be proud to see his legacy take on a whole new meaning.
There were workshops on Thursday night with Ben Morris (event director) as well as the always popular John Lindo & Jessica Cox.
John & Jess:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_My5DFwktc&feature=youtu.be
Also, there was a Newcomer type competition called WCS 101 which did not include points. The idea is to allow people to participate in the Novice division as well.
But, I missed it all since I was in transit across the country. The trip from New Jersey to LA is no big deal ... but getting to the hotel from LAX is!
No matter. Since I live on the east coast ... my goal for Friday was to spend the whole day taking workshops with the best pros no one ever heard of back east!
The day started with Martin Parker (above) and it turned out to be my favorite workshop of the whole weekend.
Nothing is ever better than simplicity. Everyone got everything. He cleaned technique, offered do-a-ble right arm styling and gave a wonderful option for 3& on the sugar push.
Ahhhh! Instant gratification!!!
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| Photo by Doug Silton |
I would never miss a lesson with these two. It was such a privilege just to have an hour with teachers of his caliber!
He and Mindia split the leaders and followers and teach separately.
Both Phil and Mindia are meticulously detailed and consummate professionals in their delivery.
http://www.philandmindiadance.com/
I also participated in workshops with Ben Morris (superb hour of whips), Torri Smith (kick ass ladies styling class), Sonny Watson and Brandi & Ronny.
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| Torri Smith & Aaron Lorenzen, Jackpot Finals |
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| Gary Jobst & Heather McPherson, Sophisticated Finals |
Gary Jobst dancing with Tara Trafzer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aviSWSDJoDs&feature=youtu.be
This is fast becoming the thing to do. The 5 hour program is designed to offer tools and "insights of fair judging," attempt to teach “what to look for” in every level, prioritize criteria and score using “Relative Placement” as well as other scoring systems in place today.
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| Kai Qu & Rosemary Whitson |
Thru out the night there was plenty of social dance ... and then the party really got started!
One of Ben's innovations is the addition of live music with the Danny Maika Trio and Kurt Hunter! They are always a crowd pleaser. The music is easily danceable and gives a different vibe.
Friday night:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK1m21__fVE
Saturday workshops started with Yoga. This is becoming a standard everywhere.
Jason & Yvonne Wayne (Yvonne pictured above) always give such a good workshop! It's just the FUN place to be. Lots of rotation, expert demonstration, clear explanation ... but it's the close I always enjoy the most.
Everyone picks it up quickly. No matter what we didn't get in class, we got that!
It leaves everyone in such a good mood.
Jason dancing with Kara Frenzel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFsobotgouI&feature=youtu.be
Since the day was packed with Jack & Jills (I registered for everything) I confess that I went out for breakfast instead of taking more workshops. But, Mary Ann Nunez and Benji packed the ballroom.
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| Patrick Plagens & Sue Fries |
50 is the new 37!
The Master contestants of today have completely reinvented this division. Maybe that's why contests everywhere are exploding with participation.Frequently, and California in particular, competitors are dance professionals, former athletes and have trained (and competed) in a variety of styles.
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| Nicole Szulc |
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(Now, there's and obscure fact! Appreciate it if any of my readers will contact me with details.)
The All American was designed to be an open competition in the original style with only a one partner draw. She ran the event briefly and then Jack & MaryAnn Bridges (original owners) resumed. The Bridges are also the originators of the US Open.
JJO was designed to be the fun event for older people (the US Open was created for the new and innovative). There were 50s and 60s Jack & Jills, but it was not about the music. Instead, it was set up for those who started dancing in the 50s and 60s!
As time went on, the numbers of these dancers dwindled. MaryAnn was no longer interested in running JJO and John Wheaton rescued it from certain doom.
David Koppleman researched the era and created a playlist of treasures.
At that time (2007) the music was very contemporary. The Stars of today were starting out then and wanted to dance to the music they heard on the radio. Sarah Van Drake mentioned this during a class. Since then (and maybe partly because of JJO) ... classic swing has come back into vogue.
Anyway, the playlist that David developed was a labor of love and that's why the 60's All American at JJO is a TRIBUTE to David Koppleman ... who died in 2012.
In truth, all weekend the music leaned toward 60's classics because that's the way "Walt" Wheaton wants it!
These games of chance (Jack & Jills) provide special surprises much of the time.
Check out who Gretchen Eiferle got in the All American! She and John Lindo went all the way to the finals.
This was such a special occasion. Gretchen told me that she was actually introduced to this art form by Brad Whelan.
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| Andrew & Patty Vo, 1st place Sophisticated |
Sophisticated was a lot of fun. Many dance professionals are in this age range ... between 35 and Masters. It was another opportunity to draw a pro.
And I did.
Andrew Opyrchal (above) was unfamiliar to me. A nice west coast Canadian guy ... and my dances with him were the very best of my whole weekend.
The last two contests on Saturday were the Male and Female ProAm Jack & Jills.
There are sooooo many dance professionals in California! Amazing dancers we have never heard of on the east coast and in the Mid-west. This is such a wonderful opportunity to dance with these wonderfully trained professionals.
Participating in these competitions was so much more fun because everything was on time and organized well.
Dinner Break!!!
My good friend, Kai Qu (from Toronto) and I fled to pig out at Joe's Crab Shack!
Nothing but bacon wrapped shrimp, dirty rice and a Hurricane would do after like a day we had!
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| Shay Patel & Swan Wang, Sophisticated Finals |
Contests started up again at 8:30 pm with the 60's All American finals, Strictly prelim & finals and Sophisticated finals.
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| Tip West & Tevya Dobvish |
Tip West, a Hopper from way back, wasted no time grabbing Tevya and jumping right into an enthusiastic Lindy!
Too bad that couldn't have been turned into a full fledged jam.
Everyone was up for it!
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| Jonathan Rogul & Faith Musko |
In California, the level is so high ... it's more fun to watch these 2 divisions than participate!
There was a Cheer Challenge. Locals against visitors. And the locals took this seriously and organized their team ... complete with T-shirts.
The winner was a no-brainer but it shows who is attending the event and how well integrated this dance community really is.
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Just like at Disneyland, the attractions just keep coming at JJO! The GLOW party was sponsored by Betty Whyte (above) one of Ben Morris' students. There glow sticks, bracelets and paint. What made this so FUN was that the GLOW concept was combined with A club type DJ ... "VDJ Nobody."
Sarah Piddington said: "Damn, Jack & Jill O’Rama throws an AMAZING party! VDJ Nobody (John P Kades) playing a phenomenal set at the Glow Party. Well done, Ben Morris and John Wheaton!!! I’ve never been to a dance event like this. Holy Wow!"
It should also be noted that Benji is a pretty decent rapper!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBn3-J_aLOg
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| Larisa Tingle & Andrew Shellard, Jackpot Finals |
Larisa & Tony Schubert are now on staff at Starlight in San Diego.
http://starlightdance.com/
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| Benji & Torri |
Mimi Johanson of GlobalDance.tv (event videographer) kindly invited me onto her platform to photo from that vantage point.
This way I was able to include the whole scene, i.e., judges and audience as they watched a spectacle more spectacular than the Mickey Mouse Parade!
Benji in prelims:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMWxQNC4HSk&feature=youtu.be
Everything exists within walking distance including car rental places.
SNA (John Wayne Airport) is nearby but the risk of missing a connection in a smaller airport is likely. There is a greater likelihood to arriving into LAX when you expect. The trade-off is with the shuttle services to Orange County.
This time I took SuperShuttle since the Disneyland Bus seems to be having issues (doubled prices and cut schedule in half).
Primetime is another shuttle service. I have not found it to be reliable.
Near the event hotel, there are numerous bargain hotels as well a masseuse, Target with a grocery store, Del Taco, Subway, liquor, etc.
There are several restaurants near the event hotel, too. Outback Steakhouse, Red Robbin and Joe's are in one corner. On the other is Chinese and Mexican. Down the street there is Italian. But the FIND is Joe's Italian Ice Cream. This is the real thing ... and worth every calorie!
http://joesice.com/
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| Picture Courtesy of Mike Carringer |
Lots of people from other places don't necessarily know how to do Disneyland or have friends to share in this experience.
Faith Musko (above ... who is from Pittsburgh) said: "Disney Dancer Day was the best idea ever! Hotel was 5 min from park. We rocked WCS at the Mad T Party! Not something I will soon forget! Thank you all for making a girl from the east feel so welcome!"
Thanx to Ben Morris, a wonderful tradition has been created. There's lots of people in America who grew up deprived of Disneyland! Well, Ben will make up for that.
We get so much more out of this kind of experience.
Not being a huge event, it's easier to meet the local dancers and chat with dance professionals.
There is a real feeling of accessibility.
Carrie Lucas (above) said:” I could fill a page on how Amazing Ben Morris
is as an Event Director. He has so many gifts that keep giving. Artistry,
Creativity & Fun ideas are exponential! We all appreciate him so much. Ben
has made this event one of the Best in the World!”
Pam Meade (left) said:
"John Wheaton and Ben Morris kept us happy and energized the entire weekend making for fun competitions and fantastic late night dancing with both live music and DJ Nobody on neon night … and there was the Cheering Challenge, White Couches and Roses .”
"John Wheaton and Ben Morris kept us happy and energized the entire weekend making for fun competitions and fantastic late night dancing with both live music and DJ Nobody on neon night … and there was the Cheering Challenge, White Couches and Roses .”
It's a big deal to travel west for us east coast and Mid-Westies. Jack & Jill O'Rama is the place to commune with the real deal California westies. Everything is just soooo lighthearted and fun!
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| Ting Ting Wu, Kai Qu & Me |
JJO is the Disneyland of Dance!
