This Bay Area competition was my first competition here in the US when I started to compete seriously. Back then, I danced with my then instructor, and now friend, Jim. A couple of years later I was back, competing in my first promising Amateur partnership, with then-partner, Dan. With a few more years in passing, here I am again with new partner, and former coach, Danny!
In some ways, I felt more pressure to place well than even at Nationals. The whole studio was watching - Jim with his students, Danny's students, and my students! We danced really well, though, I actually managed to relax on the floor and I can say that I danced almost as well at the event as I do in practice. Some days, the gap in practice and performance is so vast, but I really feel as though its closing now.
We placed 1st, but more, we looked completely different from all of the other couples on the floor, so I am told. We were applauded even as we left the floor. We dance our personalities, we dance how we feel - and people love our art.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
The 15th (?) Sacramento Dance Marathon, Sept 2008
I'm catching up on all of my blog entries for the past few competitions! Its already January '09, and I havent written up since September. Its been a little busy around here.
This competition will be the last held here for a little while. Its been stressful to put together a competition with little support from the other studios here in Sacramento. With each competition that we held here at Ultimate Dancesport, competitors from outside Ultimate Dancesport have dwindled. This competition may as well have been called our 'in-house', because it was only our students who supported it.
Only through collaboration and mutual support can Sacramento's dance community grow (as it once did just a few years ago, making Sacramento, not the Bay Area THE dance capital of Northern California). This cannot happen with the prevailing attitude of each studio for itself.
Regardless. Our students did really well and had a great time. I didnt have the chance to MC because I danced about 60 entries with CT, Bernie and Spencer. A personal record, at least for now. I had a great time too. At our last competition, I danced between 20 and 30 dances and didnt even feel tired. I want to catch up to the male teachers who regularly dance over 100 dances in a competition!
Our next competition here is scheduled for Fall 2009. We are currently planning to host dancers from Israel, Russia, Belarus and Canada. If the plans go ahead, it promises to be an amazing competition.
This competition will be the last held here for a little while. Its been stressful to put together a competition with little support from the other studios here in Sacramento. With each competition that we held here at Ultimate Dancesport, competitors from outside Ultimate Dancesport have dwindled. This competition may as well have been called our 'in-house', because it was only our students who supported it.
Only through collaboration and mutual support can Sacramento's dance community grow (as it once did just a few years ago, making Sacramento, not the Bay Area THE dance capital of Northern California). This cannot happen with the prevailing attitude of each studio for itself.
Regardless. Our students did really well and had a great time. I didnt have the chance to MC because I danced about 60 entries with CT, Bernie and Spencer. A personal record, at least for now. I had a great time too. At our last competition, I danced between 20 and 30 dances and didnt even feel tired. I want to catch up to the male teachers who regularly dance over 100 dances in a competition!
Our next competition here is scheduled for Fall 2009. We are currently planning to host dancers from Israel, Russia, Belarus and Canada. If the plans go ahead, it promises to be an amazing competition.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
1st Olympic Stars Dancesport Championships, Toronto, Canada, Sept 2008
There was no time to celebrate...it was ANOTHER 4am start to get from the hotel to Orlando Airport, to catch a 7am flight to Chicago, and then on to Toronto!
Our studio was invited to participate in the 1st Olympic Stars Dancesport Championships held in Toronto, Canada. Being the only studio to attend from the whole of the United States, we got to represent the country.
Just as well, because one of my colleagues won the Top Teacher Award, and one of our students won the Top Student Award!
It was a whirlwind tour because we had to fly back the very next day on another of those awful 7am flights. Although I didn't get to go and see Niagara Falls, or experience the 287 (?!!)-shop malls, we did have the most hospitable welcome from our hosts, and we look forward to the 2nd Olympic Stars Dancesport Championships next year.
Our studio was invited to participate in the 1st Olympic Stars Dancesport Championships held in Toronto, Canada. Being the only studio to attend from the whole of the United States, we got to represent the country.
Just as well, because one of my colleagues won the Top Teacher Award, and one of our students won the Top Student Award!
It was a whirlwind tour because we had to fly back the very next day on another of those awful 7am flights. Although I didn't get to go and see Niagara Falls, or experience the 287 (?!!)-shop malls, we did have the most hospitable welcome from our hosts, and we look forward to the 2nd Olympic Stars Dancesport Championships next year.
2nd Place at United States Championships Sept 2008!
As you gather from the title, we did rather well!
After the time I had taken out of training, I hadn't planned to attempt the United States Professional-Amateur Championships in Orlando, Florida this year, but after training for just a couple of months, we thought, 'Why not?!'
It was a good attitude - I have a lot of competition experience, but never before at the National level. I didn't really know what I was in for, so in some ways, I was perhaps less nervous than I might have been.
Nationals was interesting...unlike other competitions, there was never a break in the events, so until we took that first step in the Waltz, we had no idea whether the floor was 'sticky' or 'smooth'. Being spoilt at our studio in Sacramento, where we have the largest and smoothest floor in town (its bamboo, and its gorgeous to dance on!), we realized instantly that we'd have to adjust the way we moved in order to do anything on this floor, which was really sticky (I heard a fair few complaints from others too).
That, and in order to get through the number of events, they split the floor into two halves, and so we had to 'fold up' our routine just to make it all fit! It was definitely interesting.
Our first event was at 8 in the morning, and our last event was at 2.30 in the afternoon. We had the customary wait of a couple of hours before the awards for our events were presented (pictures to come!!!), and it was all over for the day....for that day, at least....
After the time I had taken out of training, I hadn't planned to attempt the United States Professional-Amateur Championships in Orlando, Florida this year, but after training for just a couple of months, we thought, 'Why not?!'
It was a good attitude - I have a lot of competition experience, but never before at the National level. I didn't really know what I was in for, so in some ways, I was perhaps less nervous than I might have been.
Nationals was interesting...unlike other competitions, there was never a break in the events, so until we took that first step in the Waltz, we had no idea whether the floor was 'sticky' or 'smooth'. Being spoilt at our studio in Sacramento, where we have the largest and smoothest floor in town (its bamboo, and its gorgeous to dance on!), we realized instantly that we'd have to adjust the way we moved in order to do anything on this floor, which was really sticky (I heard a fair few complaints from others too).
That, and in order to get through the number of events, they split the floor into two halves, and so we had to 'fold up' our routine just to make it all fit! It was definitely interesting.
Our first event was at 8 in the morning, and our last event was at 2.30 in the afternoon. We had the customary wait of a couple of hours before the awards for our events were presented (pictures to come!!!), and it was all over for the day....for that day, at least....
Monday, 19 May 2008
SAMBA NITE SUCCESS!
Samba Nite was a huge success! We started with a bit of academic stuff about Brazil and the origins of Samba. After that, we were treated to a demonstration of drumming from Ray. Little did we know, but we were just about to become his backup band! One by one, more drums appeared and Ray taught us how to work with the samba beat. I think we were good....maybe we'll put together a CD...??
We ended with a lesson in dancing Ballroom-style samba, a whole different animal from the samba danced in the streets of Brazil during carnivals. I'm so proud that everyone picked up the routine really well. We did:
1. Box (1a2; 2a2; 3a2; 4a2)
2. Botofogas (5a2; 6a2; 7a2; 8a2)
3. Whisk (1a2; 2a2; 3a2; 4a2) - dont forget to change your direction on the last count!
4. Promenade samba walks (5a2; 6a2; 7a2; 8a2) - with a close of feet and face partner again on the last count.
...and you are back to the beginning to dance box again.
Thanks to everyone who came and all of the generosity!Along with the raffles and games, we raised 97.65GBP for Age Concern and had a lot of fun.
DANCE BEYOND IS TAKING A BREAK FOR THE SUMMER. I'M HEADING TO THE STATES TO COMPETE, SO I'LL BE KEEPING YOU POSTED ON EVERYTHING I'M UP TO OVER THERE. PLEASE DO WATCH THIS SPACE - SOME PRETTY FUN STUFF COMING UP....!!
Monday, 12 May 2008
Samba Nite!
This Friday night, I'll be holding a special Samba lesson as part of a mini-symposium on the Samba itself. You will have the chance to hear some authentic-style Brazilian Samba drumming as well learning the steps to dance.
Stuff to note:
- its £3 and all proceeds go to Age Concern
- we'll have some food and drink, but it would be great if you could bring a little gift to raffle (like a Secret Santa - everyone wins, yay!)
- starts at 7pm, ends at 9pm. If you'd like to, some of us will head to the Empire afterward to dance the night away!
Do rsvp to let us know if you can make it. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Dance Like the Stars Masterclass at Fitness First in Bangor
On Friday May 9th, Fitness First in Bangor organised a dance masterclass with me (!) to raise money for their favourite charity, The British Heart Foundation.
It was a superb event with a great turnout. By the end of the hour, we had a roomful of people dancing the flirty Cha Cha, the dramatic Tango, the beautiful Waltz and the crazy Jive!
Watch this space for news of my exciting Samba workshop coming up later this week....
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