Last weekend, Connecticut's most UNIQUE dance venue featured the AAAmazing MIKE TOPEL!!!
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| Tom Gendrachi & Gloria Rothstein |
For 13 years of Saturdays, Tom has invited quality teachers to give workshops while he and his staff prepared AAAbsolutely excellent meals for us to enjoy.
Many of these pros rarely get invited to our region.
This was followed by very fun evenings of social dance.
Tom invited Mike because we judge a dance teacher by the success of their students and by the way they treat their students.
It's difficult to find a dance teacher comparable to Mike.
He offers outstanding instructional capability in the most sensitive and caring way.
But even more important ... Mike dances with every single person ... and I guarantee you he is a better leader and follower than anyone you will ever dance with!!!
Workshop
1: Origami Originals
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| Tony Kord & Vivian Young (NYC) |
Mike showed how to take basic patterns and dress them up with hair brushes and various folding motions inspired by "Origami" paper folding.
Workshop 2: Constant Connection in Ducking Moves
Most followers hate ducks. It messes up our hair!
"Mike Topel led a workshop in which we learned how to properly lead and follow dips. He did a good job of making sense of what we commonly see but don't always know how to perform." Vivian Young
Only Mike could find a way to make ducks fun. He added "hair" styling. In the lesson pattern, the follower is shown how to dramatize using hair flips. Now I can't wait for my next duck!
Most followers hate ducks. It messes up our hair!
"Mike Topel led a workshop in which we learned how to properly lead and follow dips. He did a good job of making sense of what we commonly see but don't always know how to perform." Vivian Young
Only Mike could find a way to make ducks fun. He added "hair" styling. In the lesson pattern, the follower is shown how to dramatize using hair flips. Now I can't wait for my next duck!
Workshop 3: Seriously, How to Dip, Drape and Drop
This was the major highlight of the event. I have never seen a teacher conduct a dip workshop as effectively as Mike. Followers love getting dipped!
This was the major highlight of the event. I have never seen a teacher conduct a dip workshop as effectively as Mike. Followers love getting dipped!
... and leaders know this.
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| Randy Payne (Boston) & Mindy Carter (Hudson Valley) |
Usually, all we get from lessons are more boring patterns.
And sometimes we get tidbits of technique. But when has anyone attempted a workshop of this scale on DIPS?
"When you have technique taught so clearly by Mike ... and Randy Payne for a leader (who is so attentive to every follower) ... ding a dip is all fun and no worries!" Mindy Carter
Mike then proceeded to speak on the subject of how to fall and get back up. He told us a story about the time Ben Morris drew Deborah Szekely in a J&J. What should have been a WIN ... was a disaster!
The punchline of the story was not that Ben dropped Deborah. It was not even that Ben attempted to help Deborah up without getting up himself and made it all worse. The PUNCHLINE came when Mike told us how Ben finally got off Deborah and she then extended her hand for assistance ... in the manner of the Queen she actually is!
The menu:
Salad: Romaine w Marcona Almonds &
Cherry Tomatoes
Soup: Roasted
Pepper and Corn Bisque
Main Course:
Carmelized
Onion-Butternut Roast with Chestnuts
- and -
Eggplant-Potto Moussaka with Pine Nut Cream
Eggplant-Potto Moussaka with Pine Nut Cream
Dessert:
Pistachio Apricot Basmati Rice Cookies
In case there is anyone on earth who doesn't know ... Tom is the inventor & manufacturer of the "Muffkie" ... which are healthy muffin-cookies.
Gluten free, low in sugar and made from pistachios, whole rolled oats, butter, dried apricots, stone ground whole grain rice and white whole wheat flour, they are actually (surprisingly) quite good.
http://www.muffkie.com
8:00 - 9:00 Rhythm in Your Blues
Most people struggle with slow, bluesy music when dancing west coast swing. What we dance to today is largely contemporary and we are taught patterns by connecting them to the specific beat.
Blues, however, tends to have long and drawn out brass and/or string based notes (sans drum beat), i.e., the linger of a violin, the wail of a sax and the sob of a muted trumpet.
What the heck are we supposed to do on 7&8 when there is no beat? That's what this workshop covered.
And ... let me tell you ... it was interesting! The workshops turned out to be all about technique because it takes control to hang on til the end of a very looooong note!
The epiphanies were bouncing all over the place.
The dance that followed was DJ'd by both Tom and Mike. There was at least 125 people for the dance and we estimate over 100 participated in the workshops.
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| Naomi Marinaro & Steven Currier |
"Great time with Mike Topel ... his workshops were challenging and fun.
During the social dance, he danced with everyone.
Mike also came a day early and attended the local Friday night dance.
He even took the workshop that was taught by the Subeys.
What a fun pro!" Naomi Marinaro
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| Gloria Rothstein (NYC) ... Patty Grey (Hudson Valley) |
This should be a message to event directors. I was told by event attendees that they specifically came to DanceGourmet because they are TIRED OF THE SAME PROS who keep being brought in AD NAUSEAUM!!!
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| Mike & Tatyana Bills |
Mike danced with everyone.
No teacher has ever been as gracious.
It takes compassion to make a dance feel good for every type of dancer.
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| Jerome & Bonnie Subey (Left) ... Tom, ME and Mike |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63bM3kt-aXc
A little later, Mike danced with Jerome Subey ... as a follower. All I can say is, as far as I'm concerned it was heartbreaking!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hVP8T8lPmM
 Kara Voiland, Chair Dancing |
Kara is in a wheelchair but that doesn't mean she can't dance, too.
And Mike showed her how to move in a way that she is able.
As my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Starr, used to say: "Never say you can't do something. You can do anything ... even if you have no arms or legs ... even if you can't see or hear ..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ3Ryhacinc
Formerly a martial arts instructor with a 2nd degree black belt, he started line dance in 1992 and turned to couples dance shortly after.
Trained in most styles, including cha-cha which is his favorite, Mike has also studied ballet, jazz and hip hop.
(I sure would like to see him perform a Grand Jete in tights!)
Hint #1: He was raised on a farm in Wisconsin. (So he knows how to milk cows!)
Hint #2: You know how we all depend on the Help Desk at work? All the times that our computers screens mysteriously disappear ... stuff gets lost somewhere in the ozone ... and none of the software acts right ... well ... Mike was the Help Desk guy who saved the day!
Mike began teaching dance classes in 1994 and in 1998, he finally had enough of all of our hysterical computer crises and quit his day job to teach and perform full-time.
For the past 21 years, Mike has continued to perform, compete (UCWDC to Division 1), judge, MC, DJ, and teach (and he’s got ProAm students with expertly choreographed routines).
If you happen to be visiting Austin, TX, stop by Austin City Dance Club, any Tuesday. Mike will gladly dance with you!
austincitydanceclub.com/
There seems to be a rumor going around that Tom is ending the DanceGourmet venue. So, a cake was bought and a gracious "Thanx for the Memories" was said.
But, closing up DG?
Tom, however, needs to take a break and put the event on hiatus. His "Muffkie" business is taking off!
Since bringing in the lovely Yenni Setiawan into DG last year, Tom has developed a business relationship with Warren Pino (Yenni's fiance and one of the BEST dancers).
Warren has a marketing research firm and it looks like Tom is about to get RICH!!!
http://itwirlland.blogspot.com/2014/10/yenni-setiawan-comes-to-dancegourmet.html
So, stay tuned folks ... next spring we are likely to get a BIG announcement!
This event was held at the Polish Home (located at 9 1st St., Windsor Locks, CT., which is near Hartford). DG used to be at the Circle of Life Ballroom but circumstances have changed.
The place feels like a New England apple “barn” … with high ceilings and wide open and airy space. There is a good dance floor ... tables ... music ... the kind of place that's just perfect for moving around in our jeans and broken-in dance shoes.
But, it doesn't matter to us whether it's a fancy ballroom, dive bar or church hall. As long as its fuuunky!
Connie Brown (Philadelphia) and I (Jersey City) stayed nearby at the HillPoint Hotel & Conference Center in Windsor Locks, CT.
www.hillspointhotel.com
Friday night, we ventured into the nearby Jamaican neighborhood) for takeout at … The Jerk Pit Cafe.
From the outside it looked like an auto repair shop.
It was quite an experience ... every green /yellow /black knit hat covered head head swiveled quickly as we walked in. There was a decided Caribbean lilt in their speech. I felt like I was on vacation!
www.jerkpitcafe.com
Later, we heard that the neighborhood can be dangerous. But, not to worry since it was obvious that Connie is of Jamaican descent.
"I like the way Mike explained technique; the humor and practicality of it made it easier to remember." Constance Brown
And the food ... OMG!!! It was worth our lives!
I don’t know about Connie's Jerk Goat ... but I had the most AAAmazing ribs! (I'm just glad I didn't find out they were from an Ox until after I ate!)
Also nearby is Buckland Hills Mall. Forget the Jamaican neighborhood ... this place is where the real danger is!!! Every store we love is located there ... and a few I didn't need to discover.
The timing of this event was fabulous! New England was showing off it's fall colors most generously. The jet stream has changed and the sky was clear and bright. It was a beautiful weekend.
Tom offered a comprehensive price which included workshops, dinner & dancing for $75
($55 students.)
Individually, each workshop was $15; dinner was $15; and the dance was $10.
ThAAAnx Tom, for bringing the teachers and lessons we want to us!
ThAAAnx for creating a delightful fall meal. This dinner was every bit as special as a holiday meal over Thanxgiving or Christmas!
ThAAAnx for an AAAwesome dance party on Saturday nite!!! It was soooo fun to dance with everyone, including MIKE!!!
What a pleasure it was to spend a Saturday at DanceGourmet!
http://www.dancegourmet.com/
But, closing up DG?
"If you'll buy that ... I've got some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you!"
(aka George Straight)
Tom, however, needs to take a break and put the event on hiatus. His "Muffkie" business is taking off!
Warren has a marketing research firm and it looks like Tom is about to get RICH!!!
http://itwirlland.blogspot.com/2014/10/yenni-setiawan-comes-to-dancegourmet.html
So, stay tuned folks ... next spring we are likely to get a BIG announcement!
This event was held at the Polish Home (located at 9 1st St., Windsor Locks, CT., which is near Hartford). DG used to be at the Circle of Life Ballroom but circumstances have changed.
The place feels like a New England apple “barn” … with high ceilings and wide open and airy space. There is a good dance floor ... tables ... music ... the kind of place that's just perfect for moving around in our jeans and broken-in dance shoes.
But, it doesn't matter to us whether it's a fancy ballroom, dive bar or church hall. As long as its fuuunky!
Connie Brown (Philadelphia) and I (Jersey City) stayed nearby at the HillPoint Hotel & Conference Center in Windsor Locks, CT.
www.hillspointhotel.com
From the outside it looked like an auto repair shop.
It was quite an experience ... every green /yellow /black knit hat covered head head swiveled quickly as we walked in. There was a decided Caribbean lilt in their speech. I felt like I was on vacation!
www.jerkpitcafe.com
Later, we heard that the neighborhood can be dangerous. But, not to worry since it was obvious that Connie is of Jamaican descent.
"I like the way Mike explained technique; the humor and practicality of it made it easier to remember." Constance Brown
And the food ... OMG!!! It was worth our lives!
I don’t know about Connie's Jerk Goat ... but I had the most AAAmazing ribs! (I'm just glad I didn't find out they were from an Ox until after I ate!)
Also nearby is Buckland Hills Mall. Forget the Jamaican neighborhood ... this place is where the real danger is!!! Every store we love is located there ... and a few I didn't need to discover.
($55 students.)
Individually, each workshop was $15; dinner was $15; and the dance was $10.
ThAAAnx Tom, for bringing the teachers and lessons we want to us!
What a pleasure it was to spend a Saturday at DanceGourmet!
