CASH BASH 2014

Arriving at Cash Bash is a lot like coming home for the holidays in some childhood TV series like “The Waltons” or “Mayberry.” 

This convention is about west coast swing and hustle … set in a time and place filled with kindness, generosity and camaraderie.

Thanksgiving can be a difficult time for many of us.  Very often, this holiday only reminds us of lost loved ones and all the good and bad times.

Cash Bash redefines Thanksgiving by providing a welcome place, a dance family and a whole new way of celebrating.

The Mid-west is a very different environment from the rest of the regions. 

It feels like it has retained more of the original Americana ... traditional values, behaviors and priorities. 

Add the Canadian politeness and introspective viewpoint and it seems like a "brave new" and gentler world.

Cash Bash is held in at the Hilton Hotel in the Cleveland suburb of Twinsburg. 

(The name is a derivative of the C.A.S.H. Club which stands for Cleveland Akron Swing and Hustle Club.)

This is the BEST event hotel that I have experienced … in all of the conventions I have EVER attended!!! 

Staff spares no effort … food is a delight (ditto the wine bar) … gym (incl pools) are open all night … the ballroom floor is wonderful! 

All kinds of restaurants, shops and less expensive hotel options are nearby.

Tina Price and Ernie Virden

More importantly, when I walked thru that door on Friday afternoon … 

I was greeted  heartwarmingly. 

“Hi!” “Great to see you!” “How have you been?” “Glad you could make it!” 

This is a place where "people know your name" … and "they're always glad you came."

The Pros are carefully chosen. It's not enough to be a good teacher ... nor a spectacular dancer. At Cash Bash, the most important quality in a pro is their ability to connect with the dancers.

Bruce Baker and Stephanie Risser

The list included:

Robert Cordoba, Angel Figueroa, Matt & Crystal Auclair, Jason & Miklic & Sophy Kdep, Jason & Annmarie Marker, Doug & Lori Rousar, Fred & Leslie Price, Lori Rousar, Tina Price, Bruce Baker, Stephanie Risser, Erica Smith, Jim & Marlene Call, Tim Johnson & Becky Larson. 

DJs included: Victor Lovieira, Katie Fallon, Fred Price, Robert Cordoba, Toni Carrol and Tim Johnson. 

MCs included: TJ Bednash, Robert Cordoba and Victor Loveira.

Matt & Lana Duss; Charity Dance

I arrived on Friday just in time for Matt Auclair’s workshop and it was worth the rush … 

and dealing with snow squalls and freezing temperatures on my 7 hour drive from New Jersey. 

Matt was ill … but he's like Superman with "powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men." 

We've seen Matt dance injured … sick … tired. Regardless, his lessons are always more interesting and fun than anyone else.

And, being a perfect husband, he made Crystal, who was even sicker, stay in bed.

Later on, the traditional Hor D’Oeuvres party did not disappoint either! This particular Hilton knows how to feed people. 

Appetizers …forget it … this was dinner! 

Platters of meats & cheeses, fruits, crackers, veggies & dip. Only my Mom fed me better!!!

There was staff wandering the ballroom with trays of all the best finger food: chicken on sticks, bacon wrapped chestnuts and other assorted goodies.

It was so great to see everyone!

Especially my dear friends Greg & Jean Polychenko. 

I had been sidelined since the summer with a shoulder injury and expected to be out of commission til next February. 

At the last minute, I decided to try to make it and contacted Toronto pro, Joanna Swanson (who had 5 tables). 

How curious it was that she happened to have 1 seat left.

Opening ceremonies always features the National Anthem. 

I am grateful that Cash Bash is one of the remaining places that still takes a moment to honor our country. 

How about a suggestion...  

We’ve got a lot of great singers and one famous concert pianist among us. Why not have them perform live?

Next year, let's get Lura Johnson to play. You must know her by now … she’s played Carnegie Hall. And there must be someone among us who can sing.

At the start of the night we were treated to one of the most memorable events of the weekend. 

Matt & Lily Auclair performed for us. 

Lily has been dancing for us since she was 4 years old. 

Now, at the ripe old age of 7, she is performing. Lily keeps time, knows her part and exudes charm. 

Shirley Temple meets west coast swing!

How about this spontaneous highlight!

We caught a social dance between Angel Figueroa and Shelly Saxena’s little boy, Liam! 

(Shelly is a very successful dance teacher in Toronto. http://shelleydance.com/) 

Angel is one of the finest dance teachers the world has ever known. New York City has never been the same since he left. 

We were treated to a performance by the Markers. 

Their danced their new routine to “500 Miles.” 

This is a testimony to their love and marriage. 

Unabashedly, the "Magic Markers" gave their souls flight while out there on the floor. 

They are two of the greatest teachers I have ever known and all their students love them.

Jason Miklic and Karen Black Shaw

A Cash Bash tradition is the Charity Dance.

This could be the MOST important part of this whole event since the money is donated to Alzheimer’s. 

I just hope that this gift comes back to us older dancers!

We love this highlight because all the pros get out there and we can dance with everyone.

Angel with Erica Smith

Robert Cordoba surprised everyone by whipping out $100 contribution for a round of pros dancing with Angel. 

Everyone went nutz up there and we were just delighted with their antics!

When Angel performs, there is joy radiating from his face.

I was very privileged to live in NYC when Angel was co-owner of Stepping Out Dance Studios. It was the place to go and many of us learned long lasting skills in his classes. 

The Advanced/Allstar Strictly followed and was done as a final. Erica Smith & Wesley Brown won 1^st place. We could have told the judges ... it was obvious! 

They were charming together because Wesley is young, talented and benefits from Erica’s depth of training and skill.

AND, you know they had to be exceptional to beat these 2^nd place winners:

Nelson Clark & Dallas Radcliff set the room on fire. 

These two need to get a rooooo…tine!!! 

It’s not too often that Nelson finds a dance partner strong enough to share the floor as an equal. 

Don't underestimate Dallas. She looks like Rhianna … and acts like the CEO of AT&T! 

Katie with Michael Stern

The music was so far off the Roof this weekend … it could have left the planet. Usually Victor Loviera is the star of the DJ booth …

but this weekend he was playing in his own league. 

Toni Carroll and Katie Fallon (above) are AAAmazingly good. Every single tune was inspiring. 

We love Tim Johnson and that’s not news. 

Fred with Lori Rousar

But Fred Price? 

There’s a Dark Horse for you!

I didn’t know what to think … 

he was different … 

but he made me want to hear more.

Shelly Saxena & Jim Chow

Saturday is competition day.

Breakfast at the Hilton is as big of a deal as the rest of the event highlights. 

All the eggs, bacon, potatoes, hot cereal, homemade strudel, fruit, ect., we could ever want. The lobby is strewn with dancers … some disheveled from sleep … pigging out like it was their last meal. 

Indeed, facing the judges in a few hours, perhaps that feeling is justified!

Matt crawled out of his deathbed for a 9am workshop. The room was packed for him. 

Even me, the last person to be dancing at 9am, was in attendance. (Are they nutz?)  We were there because every AAAuclair lesson yields an epiphany.

The main event is always the J&Js. 

The music for the comps were never better … in all the comps … in all my years … in all the regions than on this particular Saturday. Thank you Katie … Thank you Toni. We were inspired. We were enchanted. We were doing our best. 

Strictly Hustle

That playlist should be immortalized … and the WSDC should make it required reading for DJs everywhere. These girls know what they are doing.

We were all shoo’d out of the ballroom after that so dinner could be set up. This is another MAJOR highlight of the event. Everyone gets all gussied up and returns for picture taking, a lovely sit-down dinner and ballroom dancing.

Fortunately, I got to spend the dinner hour with 2 of my favorite New Jersey friends, Constance Brown and Karmilla Zhou … and Michigan & Illinois finest teachers Beverly Solazzo & Joann Podleski ... as well as the Pennsylvania’s impressive teacher/dancer and Civil War reenactor: Keith Stremmel.

Nelson with Clare McDowall

And, also joining us was … the outrAAAgeous Nelson Clarke! This guy is one of my most FAAAVORITE dancers in the whole world. Nelson recently moved into Toronto from someplace in the Canadian sticks.

Nelson, inarguably, could be a major influence in the west coast and hustle world. They'd love him in California!

However, Nelson really wants a career in the fashion industry. At least people everywhere will dress better because of him!

Most people have some ballroom dance in their backgrounds. 

Many of us enjoy spending time in the dance studios ... sort of like the nightclubs of the new millennium.

Plenty of 2-steps were played as well as waltz and cha-cha. 

Everyone was up and dancing. 

Nothing like a salsa with Angel & Maria. 

Even adorable Toronto NEWLYWEDS Giselle Jagai & Mike Khad tripped the light fantastic!

Rising Star routines were performed after dinner. Every one of these people deserves their points, acclaim and respect. 

All the routines were very good. But Marlon Jenkins & Nicole Zwerlien were in another class. They danced to: "Back to Black." These two belong with the Champions.

When they dance, they give everything to the performance. 

There was cake for everyone to celebrate the 15^th anniversary of Cash Bash. 

Ernie Virden, our event director, tried to find me to get a formal picture but I was occupied elsewhere. 

Nevertheless, the siren call of food reached me in the nick of time!

After that, we had the WSC Advanced JJ finals. 

So much fun! I think these dancers are a much higher level than most of the country … except ... maybe California … and bring tons skill, variety, interest and charm to the floor.

Lawrence Bunde swooped into Cash Bash from the US Open where he placed 2^nd in the Advanced JJ. He drew the charming Gwen Bugnot (David Ward’s better half.) We love Larry. He has been kind and humble while climbing his ladder of success.

See this girl right here? That’s Nicole Szulc dancing with my Pittsburgh pal Chris Edwards. 

She won 1^st place in Intermediate JJ at Tampa Bay Classic. 

The girl worked hard and paid her dues. Cash Bash was her first Advanced competition. 

But the winners of this division were Marlon Jenkins (outstanding DJ) and Melissa Pylant. 

This girl was an untrained dancer who was developed by Jason Miklic. 

She went from Novice to Adv in 3 years. 

Pick a teacher by the success of their students.

The All-Star WCS JJs were held next.


David Ward & Erica Smith got 2nd. 

A whole bunch of us did not agree. They were AAAwesome.

David is a natural showman. When he was climbing the divisions in the New England comps ... they referred to him as "the Kid."

Therefore, the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD for 1st place goes to David & Erica.

Maria Ford & Nelson Clarke got 3rd.  

The quality of their dance said much more about them.

A whole bunch of us also did not agree again. 

The class and depth that these two bring to the floor is Champion level. 

Maria is in a class of her own. She's a star with everyone she dances with and encourages us all.

Keith Stremmel and Daria M., did a HeLLuVa job out there. 

I was really impressed with the excellence of their dance. 

They were fun to watch and I'd really love to see more.

Robert Cordoba & Allison Brown

And then we social danced the rest of the night. 

Fair amount of 2-steps were played too. 

Everyone danced with everyone. 

It's especially pleasant because people know floorcraft in the Mid-west. 

Jason Miklic & Tal Shichor

The pros came out to play … as they always do in the Mid-west. No one is more friendly and kind than Jason Miklic. When he dances with us … it’s a dance … not a teacher evaluation. That’s why we trust him. 

Matt & Lily Dancing a 2-Step

The music was so amazing that we could not stop. 

Then Fred Price took over. 

Very different style with lots of fresh tones and grooves to work out.

What a great night of social dance. Like being in a river of music and vibration.

Sunday is usually all about finals. But first, were the ProAm routines. These people spend time, money and put themselves on the line … and they deserve our respect and acclaim. 

This is how REAL dancers train themselves. 

Gotta hand it to Michigan Pro Joann Podleski. 

She created a routine for Elias Hodge to:
“Best Day of My Life.” 

Sunday surely was! They got 1^st place. 

Then, Elias went on to take 1^st place in the Novice J&J with Toronto Clare McDowall.

Good job Joann. Like I always say ... pick a pro by the success of their students. 

Matt Auclair is the king of the ProAm routine. 

A teacher by profession, he has a home studio and a 2 year long waiting list for new students. 

Tobi Oberman is one of his gals. The routine they put on the floor: "Mack the Knife" was perfect for Tobi.

Loved the outfit! Matt has taught her well. She is comfortable in front of an audience. 

The material was appropriate, with enough challenge, and yet avoided being old-farty. They took 2^nd place.

Matt and his student Claudia Bliel took 3^rd with their routine to:
“Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” 

Claudia lives in Michigan and has to work with Matt long distance since he’s in St. Louis.

That’s how good of a teacher Matt is. He doesn’t have to be in the same town to produce winners. 

Matt created a piece of material that was varied and challenging … and Claudia made it look effortless.

Matt needed a break so Becky Larson, the event videographer, and her student John McKinney performed their routine to: 
“For What It’s Worth.” 

It was worth A LOT! 

We all love John. The kids are inspired by him.

He’s so full of a timeless enthusiasm for the music and a joy to watch. Becky has done a great job working with him. We drew each other in the Open Masters JJ final and placed 5^th.

Here’s Matt again! This time he brought onto the floor, Tal Shichor from Toronto. Their routine was done to “Wings.” 

Once again, Tal has to travel to get time to work with Matt and make the best of her opportunity. And she did. 

We were all impressed. If there were flubs, we didn’t catch them. Tal performed with (seeming) ease and comfort.

And then there is Dallas – the Maverick. She ProAm’d her student, Monica Kedizora to “Amazing.” 

And that’s what it truly was! I like a chick with the gutz … skill … and strength to train another woman, get her up on stage and lead her as well as any other leader. Monica did a great job. It was clear that she is being trained well. 

But what the heck is Dallas still hanging around in the Mid-west for? Gurl … you can make it in CALIFORNIA!

Jo with Nelson

Many of us left a little early because there was a storm blowing in and we were afraid of hitting snow on my way back thru the mountains so there was no one to photo finals. 

I’ll just give a shout out to Joanna Swanson … 

for making finals in in Intermediate.

And another to Tal Shichor & Randy Peters for making finals in the Intermediate Strictly.

It was hard to leave. I never know when I’ll see my Mid-westies & Canadian friends again. Their friendships have been the true treasure of my travels.

Christine Miller and Randy Peters

And I've got to say, these Mid-west conventions are the best in America. It's impossible to find fault. Everyone is nice, the music is AAAmazing, the workshops are enlightening, the Pros are kind and available. The comps are always fairly judged. There's no cliquishness to spoil the atmosphere. 

As I started to walk out the door, I heard the echo of the Waltons saying good night in my head. Such a comforting memory of my own childhood at the end of (some) days. I am really grateful for Thanksgiving 2.0.

Thank you … Fred Price & Tina Price for creating this very special event. 

Thank you Ernie Virden for keeping it going with such amazing standards.

Good-night Jason-boy

Good-night Ernie-boy.