Event Reports

IMPORTANT  --  Please note that these are OUR opinions 

 Event Report : "Chicago - windy city line dance mania"  

 4 - 7th Oct 2007

This was our first major line dance event in the US and if your going to start you may as well start with one of the biggest and best. The weekend was held at the Crowne Plaza hotel near O’Hare int airport in Chicago (well not so much in as near Chicago but more of that later)

We were already in the US on holiday so flew in from Tucson and arrived in Chicago at 5.00pm on Thursday, (the event started at 7.00pm) after a quick pick up by the courtesy bus we arrived, got our rooms sorted and registered for the event all went very smoothly. After a quick meal in the hotel restaurant we joined the dancing, which went on until 12.00. Only the main ballroom was open for the first night with DJ “Wildman” Louie providing the music. Have to say there were not that many dances that we knew most being a little too funky for us. (the main room stayed funky for most of the weekend)

We met up with so many people that we have been speaking to via the web and masses more who came up to mention our site and the videos, it really was great to get so much positive feedback all weekend. Special mentions must go out to Carol from World Dance Newsletter, Carolyn from Tucson and her crowd, great to meet you at last and Gerard Murphy who is way younger than we expected and Kaz & Maz I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures. Speaking of which the main comment I got during the weekend was – “you look so much taller than you do in the video’s” most thought I would be 5ft 6inch,(for those that don’t know us I’m 6’- 4’’)

Anyway on to the dance reviews, for those that have never been there are 5 ballrooms and classes are held every hour in every ballroom from 9.00am until 7.00pm most sessions have 1 dance some have 2. So an awful lot of dances are taught.

We learnt so many we lost track but here are the ones we really liked. They are only short reviews as if I did full ones I would be writing all night. 

Poison Paradise -- Scott Blevins -- a really cool funky 32 counter with no tags to Toxic by Mark Ronson 

Don’t mind messin’ --  Barry Amato  --  very easy 32 count low int dance that we loved, we got in the class by mistake not realising it was going to be an easy dance but it was really cool with an easy tag on walls 2,5 & 9. Music was Don’t mind messin’ by Big Blue Hearts. 

Do It --  Gerard Murphy  --  We had heard quite a lot about this dance before we came and so stepped into the class with high hopes and we weren’t disappointed. Its another 32 counter done to a beautiful track by Natalie Cole and just has 1 re-start. Well recommended. 

Everything’s Right -- Doug & Jackie Miranda --  We missed the teach of this because we went to the wrong room and as they all started at the same time by the time we realised we were in the wrong place it was too late LOL looked a great little dance and filled the floor every time it came on. 

Shades -- John Robinson --  64 count dance that was danced to “Futures so bright I got to ware shades” a hilarious teach by John who had the floor in fits of laughter from start to finish. The dance is 64 counts with no tags to this track but after we had learnt it we got to dance it to the original track “Truth hurts” by The Valadiers and it then has 3 re-starts. I liked this music a lot better as you could see from the words of the song why all the steps fit so well but John said this was no longer available so they had to change. A shame. 

No doubt about it –Neville & Julie – typical cool Nev & Julie dance. Only 32 counts with no tags ect. We taught this at class last night and most loved it (we knew they would) so I’ll not go on here. 

Isle of Paradise – Audrey Watson (taught by Christopher Petre) again one that we missed as it clashed with another session we took but we will be looking at this soon, music is by Blue Lagoon and it looked really great and again filled the floors when put on. 

Best for Last time 

Doors of Life – Michael Barr – Yes its been out a while but as the music is not available in the UK we had left it out. We now have the music from Michael and will be teaching this next week. It is a beautiful flowing waltz danced to music of the same name by Mariya Takeuchi. We did cheat slightly on this as we learnt it the previous Monday at Carols class in Tucson (where we taught them Guardian Angel) but nothing can prepare you for dancing this with Michael who is one of my all time dancing Idols (since Younger men {many years ago}) 

We did learn lots more, some we loved and some we were not so keen on but the ones above were our favourites. The way the weekend was held was non stop teaching in the day time and then social dancing at night (virtually no social dancing between slots) so it was very different to the way UK line dance weekends work. The evenings were split between “Wild-man” Louie in the main room (mainly funky / hip hop type dances) and a request room with a superb DJ “Jill” (sorry not got a last name) who kept the floor packed all night in fact as the nights wore on the room just got fuller and fuller. (she can also dance great as well)

Saturday evening is the Gala dinner and show, eating first in one room then transferring to the main ballroom for the entertainment. Lots of good dancing with Brian B****** (I’ve no idea how to spell it) and Rachael McEnaney (don’t think that’s right either LOL) but the best was saved for last. A Toy story section compared by Doug Miranda ( this guy can ad lib like a professional) featuring Guyton Mundy as Spider Man, Joey Warren as GI-Joe (action man to us in the UK) and Barry & Dari-Ann Amato as Ken & Barbie – this was fit to be on a stage in New York, it really was that brilliant I only wish I had my camcorder with me.

Sunday we took a break from dancing and went into Chicago, we have flown in here many times but never got out of the airport so this was a must. Here is the transport bit I mentioned at the top (hope you were taking notice LOL) If you are going to this event and think “I’ll nip into Chicago between dances” then be warned you have no chance. The train station is a 15 min walk away and the train takes around 50 mins (get off at Washington Station). Chicago is quite spread out and you will do a lot of walking between attractions. Go but expect it to take all day – it will. 

Graham & Kathy

Event Report : "Dancing Down Under -- 25/26th May 2007

Graham & Kathy

Event Report : Maggie "G" weekend  -- 23/26th March 2007

Hi All

Just returned from Southport at Maggie G’s Springtime weekend and so here is a quick write up (actually its not quick at all but quite long). Chalets were nice and clean and we were lucky to get one in close staggering distance from the event hall. 

First up I would just like to thank all the people who came up to us and commented on our videos and site, It was great to meet you all and thanks for your kind words inc many from Europe. It must be my 5 mins of fame LOL 

Friday night was a party night and a good mix of music was played all night. Maggie did a quick teach of her dance “Show me yours” which went down well, we had already taught this and if you want to see the video its on our site. We went to bed at around 2.00am as Kathy had worked Thurs night and had only had a couple of hours sleep. 

Saturday was the first workshop day with dances from Maggie, Nev, Lizzie Clarke and Gary Lafferty.

First up was Lizzie teaching one of her own dances “Nothing I can do” a 48 count west coast swing with 2 restarts (wall 3 & 6) Music was by Brushwood. The dance took some getting but was really different with some cool moves. No sheet was available for the dance on the day and I can’t see it on Lizzie site but I’m sure it will be on Dave’s later this week. 

Next up was Maggie who taught her new Irish dance “Celtic Reel” a 32 count low intermediate dance without tags. We really liked this dance for its fun factor the music is from a new CD by Glenn Rogers and was written especially for this dance. Maggie also reviewed “Show me yours” from last night. 

Neville was third and taught a superb 32 count night club two step called “What goes around” to music of the same name by Justin Timberlake. This is really cool music and as usual with Nev & Julie the dance fits perfectly. It does have a lot of turns though so will take a bit to master (even after a private teach from Nev LOL) 

Last to hit the stage was Gary Lafferty who taught his new improver dance “Candi Cha” to “Young hearts run free” by Candi Staton which takes you back to the 70’s Disco era including a – dance round the handbag – step a good dance if you have a beginner class, the floor was fun every time it came on. 

Saturday night was for us a bit of disappointment music wise with lots and lots of oldies being played. This is no reflection on Tim or Dave, as the floor remained full the whole night but just our view.

Maggie’s show time was as extravagant as ever with Irish dancing taking on American tap in a showdown first seen at Linedancer awards. 

Sunday was workshops again with more teaches than ever. 

Maggie started off with her dance One more midnight” which we had learnt a few weeks ago when Maggie was in Preston. The dance is another easy intermediate / high beginner to Hal Ketchums track of the same name and is 64 counts with no tags or restarts. 

Gary Lafferty’s second dance was his new intermediate waltz “Eleganza” to “So she dances” by Josh Grogan. The dance has 2 re starts on wall 4 and 8 (both in different places) We have still to make our minds up about this but expect it to be a grower. Some of our class who were with us absolutely loved it. 

After a break for lunch Maggie again took the stage to teach her third and best dance “Is it so?” to Say it isn’t so by Garath Gates. This was a 32 counter ( 47 steps) with a very easy tag after wall 2. Just about everyone we spoke to loved this dance 

Almost straight away Nev was up to teach his 2^nd dance which he finished writing that morning. The dance is called “Show me what you got” but the spelling may change on this. There is no sheet at this moment (I had to write my own but we should have it tomorrow if Julie nudges Nev hard enough. The dance was brilliant and quite easy (for a Nev dance) but fast. Music was Cowboy up by Jill Johnson. 

By this time the afternoon was running way behind schedule but there was an impromptu teach put in by Roy Verdonk, We missed the start of this as we were talking so decided to sit out, sure someone will write about it in another review.

 Last up was Lizzie Clark to teach Daniel Whitakers new one “Max Factor” which we taught in last weeks class, again video is on our site for those that care to look. This seemed to be going well but by this time we were having to pack up to go home as I am back at work at 7.00 tomorrow morning. The others from our class were staying for tonights party so we will hear about that on Tuesday. 

The only problem we have now is which to teach on Monday.

 Graham & Kathy

Event Report : Our 11th birthday  -- 20th Jan 2007

Full Report  Click

Graham & Kathy

Event Report : Sunday day out  -- 26th Nov 06

Event Report : Robbie McGowan Hickie at Leeds  -- 30th Sept 06

Event Report : Peter Metelnick at Preston  -- 29th April 06

Event Report : Oli Geir at Nottingham  --  March 06

Just a quick review of this weekends workshop in Nottingham with Kate Sala, Robbie McGowan Hickie, Jules Langstaff and Oli Geir (from Iceland) Nice to meet up with so many friends there (Andrew & Sheila / Pat Stott / MT Groove - who did a great Demo)

The venue was Cotgrave welfare club at Cotgrave just outside Nottingham which was a great club with good floor, bar and hot drinks & food all day long even if it was a bit slow getting there. (I have never seen so many speed camera’s in one place)

Seven dances were taught in the afternoon workshop including a preview of the new one from Kate / Robbie called “MOJO”.

First up was the star of the day Oli Geir who I had never heard of until today who taught his number 1 dance from Iceland “Walk on Ice”. To be honest when he taught this we thought it was poor but as soon as the music came on (It Hurts by Lena Philipson) it took on a life of its own and I still cant stop singing it, really fun dance to start of the day.

Second on was Robbie who taught “Come Here you” to Carlene Carters track of the same name. This was a cool 64 counter that fits the music really well, just 1 re-start that did feel a little odd but a great dance to great music.

Kate came on next and taught an Ed Lawton dance but I didn’t catch the name and the sheet was not in the booklet we bought maybe someone else can help?? It was an easy 32 counter which was OK but not really to our taste. She then walked through my favourite dance of the moment “Sweet Addiction” as quite a few did not know it. If you haven’t done this yet you really should take a look.

Oli was back up again next to teach his new one “O-Zone” to “Dragostea Din Tei” by O-Zone (available on Now 58) This was my dance of the day even if it was tricky and seemed far longer than its 48 counts. A great dance and good music – Give it a try.

Jules Langstaff came on next teaching her dance Zero to Hero a 64 counter to the song of the same name by Sarah Connor. It took a few goes to sort out the tags on this dance but it had some cool moves and fits the music well.

Robbie came back on again in place of Kate (who had a bad throat and was struggling with her voice) At the last moment they decided to teach their brand new dance (released 1st April) “MOJO” Again the music was by Sarah Conner (with alternative “Deela” by Azua Azua ) This was a cracker of a dance and will be a sure fire hit when it is released. 64 counts with no tags or re-starts but quite fast in places this will appeal to most dancers.

Finally Oli came back on to teach a great little dance called “7 Heaven” to Margaritas & Senoritas by Brushwood. This was written by Oli & Kate and is in the booklet as Beginner/Intermediate but I would rate it as Intermediate. A lovely dance to a great track, lots of room for interpretation and style.

Off to the pub after all this for a great meal then back for the evening dance.

Music throughout the day was split between Robbie, Kate & Jules who managed to keep the floor full virtually all the time. All the new dances were danced again in the evening and it was good to see that they were not re-taught. It is a real annoyance to spend the entire evening social sat down whilst the dances are taught to those who did not attend the workshop.

A great day well worth the 2 hour drive home. Look forward to the next one.

Graham & Kathy

Event Report : Awsome at Preston  -- 21st Jan 06