Event Report: Fun In The Sun, Orlando, Florida 2010
I was so busy getting ready to go to FITS because of work and just stuff that I was really dragging myself to get ready. Once I got on the road for the 90 minute ride from Clearwater to Orlando, I was finally feeling like it was going to be a WEEKEND and I certainly wasn't disappointed and as soon as I walked into the hotel lobby, all the "stuff" I had on my mind just seemed to disappear in the coolness of the lobby and friends waiting for the dancing to begin on Thursday night. We went out for an early dinner and then got back and got ready to dance on Thursday night. I like where this hotel is situated -- very close to the airport with a free shuttle every half hour and a wonderful staff. There was one guy who worked there that was absolutely fascinated by line dancing. He got off work at 7 and told me he was supposed to meet some people for dinner and he skipped it to find out where to learn to dance. He told me it was the friendliest group he had ever seen at the hotel and that we were having so much fun that he was going to start taking lessons this coming week. I think we might be seeing more of him. LOL. They have a bar restaurant and a more formal restaurant in the hotel as well as a Starbucks-type cafe with upscale muffins, yogurt, all kinds of coffee drinks and smoothies and there was also food in the hallway for a quick lunch and it was all very reasonable and good. There are many restaurants closeby for people who wanted to go out to eat and, of course, we are in Mickey's neighborhood so if anyone were looking for other types of entertainment they certainly came to the right city. As soon as people started arriving I saw Big Jim, who has shaved his beard and looks terrific as you'll see in the pictures. He had been to the Keys with Jen and Jason the week before and they looked tanned and rested -- well, tanned -- how can you go to the Keys and party and then get ready for an event and then party some more -- but they all managed as only Jen and Jason can do. I always love their events because it feels like you are at home and decide to invite 200 plus of your favorite people over for a little get-together. It is so well-organized and relaxed that it feels like it just happens and I think that is an amazing feat but it happens over and over again so I know it's not accidental. They never seem stressed or hurried or everything they should be so I think there has to be a secret and I'm going to find out what it is after I do a few more years of observing it happen. LOL.
Thursday evening started with a full floor of people just wanting to get on the dance floor and do their thing. They had the previews emceed by Rob Glover, who continued to amaze me with his skills at making anything he is emceeing just look effortless and yet be so much fun. He's even learning to speak English so we can understand most of what he says. LOL. One thing that truly impressed me this weekend was that THE ENTIRE WEEKEND the instructors were out on the dance floor dancing their dances and everyone else's dances and just having fun at an event with all of their fellow teachers and everyone who was there. They were friendly and accessible and danced even later than me and that was LATE!!! Louie did a fabulous job as DJ and even was announcing the next four-or-five dances that would be coming up so you knew if you had time to go get a drink or run to the restroom or do whatever. I really liked that. Of course, every time he would say that I would want to do four of the five!! Everything from new new dances to old old dances were played and there was always someone who would remember the dances so by the middle of the song you could finally realize that you actually could remember most of it. Did I tell you how much I loved the floor? I always hate that feeling of doing a half turn and feeling my shoe only do a quarter turn and that didn't happen to me the entire weekend. What a treat. Another thing I noticed about this event as well as the Showdown is that there are so many young people who show up that I never see anywhere else. They know all the dances and just are a great addition to the event and just bring an extra level of energy and, besides that, you know that getting young people involved in line dancing is one of my pet goals in life because they ARE the next generation of dancers. I don't know who teaches them or where they come from but I hope they keep doing what they are doing because it makes me happy to see them out on the dance floor.
Stacy gathered as many of the step sheets and videos as possible and the link will be on the report page. Thanks, Stacy. No matter what I say about dances, a picture is worth a thousand words and since there were no bad dances taught, the ones that stood out were the ones that I just saw more people on the floor doing them. Here is the schedule for the weekend so you can kind of see what was taught and when.
http://www.floridafuninsun.com/
HERE ARE SOME OF FRIDAY'S DANCES THAT I SAW AND LIKED OR WERE FAVORITES OF PEOPLE I ASKED but I'm not kidding about all of the dances being good so you really should take the time to give them all a look.
BUTTERFLY DAZE, Amy Spencer. This kind of jazzy music is another of the dances that Amy does so well. I hope we can get a video so you can appreciate it.
FIREFLIES. I took this class and really liked this dance. It fits the music beautifully. A little bit of a challenge but worth the effort -- oh -- and Neils was the "surprise" instructor this weekend and looked like he was having a wonderful time and everyone had a wonderful time dancing with him and taking his classes.
REDNECK ROCK N ROLL, Lindy Bowers taught this fun little easy country dance.
TROUBLE IS, Scott Blevins. Yippee!! I could do this lovely NC 2 this weekend. I was so proud of myself. LOL. It is a FEEL-type dance and just as good and I love FEEL.
LUVIN' ME, taught by Zac Detweiller. I liked the strong beat of this music and it is well-choreographed to fit the music.
THE FIRST THING, taught by Sandy Albano is another of Debbie McLaughlin's newer dances and was requested often and looked great on the floor.
RARE FORM, Maurice Rowe. This fast dance with the unusual turn is one to take a look at.
I RUN TO YOU, Rachael M. This is a nice country dance that is already filling the floors. I think this is going to be very popular and is an int so not difficult. I asked Louie to play POETRY IN MOTION last night just so I could watch Rachael dancing it. If you are ever where she is, it's a wonderful show. I just love watching her do it and then we had Maurice next to her so it was doubly entertaining. LOL
COMING HOME, Guyton. This one was filling the floor last night. Quite a few angles but everyone looked good doing it and it doesn't look tooooooooooooo difficult.
GOOD TO BE US, Rob Glover taught this cute dance by Darren Bailey & Lana Williams. I
liked the music and the dance.
HOT HOT HOT, Scott Blevins taught this and it filled the floor. Cute dance, upbeat music. I predict this will be a hit dance because it's not difficult and the music is -- well -- hot!! I liked it.
TROUBLEMAKER was taught by John Robinson. This is Will Craig's dance and I really wanted to take this class at the Marathon and didn't and I completed my record by forgetting what time it was and didn't take it this time, either. I really like this dance.
ONE LAST DANCE, taught by Marilyn McNeal. I took this class at the Marathon and retook the class this weekend and I think I can finally do it. This is a really beautiful NC2 choreographed by some students of Neils.
U A FREAK, Amy Spencer. This dance has been around for awhile but I think after this weekend it will get the attention it deserves. It's a very cute contra dance and everyone was having so much fun doing it.
HEY SOUL SISTER was taught by Junior Willis and you all know that this one already has topped the survey so everyone who didn't know it already got a chance to learn it and dance it this weekend.
TRY TRY TRY by Bracken wasn't able to be demoed but I saw it danced and this is a really cute beginner dance to great music.
*BE SURE and check out all of the beginner dances because if you are looking for some top-notch beginner dances to country and non-country music, everyone picked really good dances to teach and if you just go down the list and pick any or all of them, your classes are going to love you. I'm going to have to talk Ferrel Mazzato into sending beginner dances that she finds because she always finds these really good beginner dances and I know many of you are always looking for something new and fun to teach. She also manned the DJ booth in the beginner room all weekend.
Friday night started off with the demos for Saturday and then a dance-til-you-drop party until way into the morning. Did I tell you how much I loved having ONE main ballroom so everyone was together dancing all night long. I have never been a fan of two open dance rooms playing the same music for the int-adv dancers. I think it just messes up the momentum of an event but WHAT DO I KNOW???? I do think that having a beginner room is always a good idea.
SATURDAY:
FREEDOM, by Bracken Ellis Potter and Nancy Morgan. I had a number of people tell me this was their favorite.
JAMBA JUMP. I mentioned in the newsletter that I got up at 9 am to take this dance. Zac did a great job of teaching it and this one filled the floor every time it was played.
SWING IT, taught by Tom Clemons. This is a cute swing dance choreographed by Lily Sterns who is 83 years old. Very cute dance.
HUSTLE AND FLOW, Maurice Rowe. This is, of course, a hustle dance that would appeal to all classes. It really flows and is just a dance that will be done more and more as soon as people give it a try.
IMMA BE. I wish you could have seen John Robinson dressed up like a bee with his little hands flapping furiously as Guyton was trying to demo this dance. Guyton totally lost it and John furiously flapped while Guyton rolled around the floor laughing. It was really one of the funniest demos I've seen in a long while.
UNDER THE SUN was taught was Wendie Riggs and this cute little beginner dance was requested and filled the floor.
OH, RUBY, taught by Junior Willis. You know I love this dance.
EVERYTHING I DO, Rachael M. This is a beautiful dance.
SHOOP AND SILLY GAME was taught by Zac Detweiller. SHOOP is a fun, popular dance that everyone gets up to do and SILLY GAME is to kind of 50's Do-Wop music.
SOMEONE'S GOTTA GO is by Will Craig, taught by John Robinson.
MURDER MACHINE, by Scott Blevins. This is another one that was requested and danced a lot.
SUNGLASSES, by Tajali Hall was taught my Marilyn McNeal and you know this one is popular.
SNAP YOUR FINGERS, Rachael M. This was one of the biggest if not THE biggest dance of the weekend. It's really choreographed perfectly to the music and everyone was on the floor to dance it. I predict this one is going to be a big hit for Rachael as well as her I RUN TO YOU, which was taught on Friday.
STOKED, Joey Warren is a GREAT dance to music everyone will love. This one was danced to a packed floor. Part A is really easy and Part B is a little more difficult but everyone could do this dance with a little practice and you will love the music.
BE BACK SOON, Debbie McLaughlin, 133 counts but lots of repetitions and there isn't one step in this dance that you haven't done before. Scott did a great job teaching it and it was very popular both from this event and from the Marathon. I really like the music for this one and I'm sure it will be done at all the upcoming events.
MY DNA, Guyton Mundy. This one is one of my favorite-type dances of Guyton's.
HELLO DOLLY, taught by Maurice Rowe. I had heard a lot about this dance before the event and I think it will be very popular in the beginner classes.
The dinner on Saturday night was really good with baked chicken, salmon, salad, pasta, veggies, rolls and dessert, of course. Yum. If you registered for the weekend you even got a discount on the dinner. Also on Saturday morning the hotel gave a free continental breakfast for the people who stayed at the hotel. I thought that was a nice touch!!
The show on Saturday was really fun and I really enjoyed it. It started off with the Sweet and Sassy team coached by Christine Bass and they looked sharp in their hats and western wear. Next Nichole Blake sang Giddy On Up, Giddy On Down. She's only 16 years old and what a talent. She performs with the Chili Chicks on their tour. Speaking of the Chili Chicks. They were the second act in the show and WOW!!! they were GREAT. I hadn't seen their routine from Worlds and it was just amazing how polished they were. Last but certainly not least was a theme of ANYTHING YOU CAN DO I CAN DO BETTER. There were two teams consisting of Guyton, Will Craig, and Joey Warren on one team versus Rachael, Junior, and John Robinson on the other team. They each performed a routine showing their skills as well as mocking each other as they performed. It was priceless and very very funny and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was sitting there thinking how lucky we are to have these six as well as the many other choreographers/instructors we have on the dance circuit at the moment.
I also want to thank all the staff who work so hard to make this event one of the most fun events, in my opinion. All the Florida people show up and support it and we just have a great time and this year there were more and more people from all over who came than ever before and they told me that would be back next year with friends. I hope you will attend, too. Just picture yourself dancing all day, dancing all night, sunning by the BEAUTIFUL salt water pool and enjoying the sights in Orlando. What could be more perfect?
SUNDAY:
I left before the Sunday lessons because of the stuff I left on Thursday when I had too much to do but I did watch the demos and the dances taught were:
WILD NIGHT by Scott Schrank.
CHANGE, Junior Willis
HEY! HOW YOU DOIN', Tom Clemons.
SAYONARA, was taught by Sandy Albano. I wanted to take this class but wasn't there. Wah.
ALEJANDRO, taught by John Robinson. I love this music and would have liked to take this class.
CARDIO LINE DANCE was done by Bracken Ellis Potter this weekend as well as certification classes/test.
LITTLE RED CORVETTE, Rob Glover. This always fills the floor in Florida and I never get tired of this dance.
RAPPER'S DELIGHT, Rachael McEnaney. I'm sure you've seen this funky dance by Rachael
Ferrell Mazzato taught two cute beginner dances to songs that we all know, WANNA DANCE and CECELIA. I always have to sing along with those two songs.
THE WAY YOU ARE, John Robinson
WHERE I BEONG, taught by Lindy Bowers and FARM YARD DANCE but country beginner dances.
BLAH BLAH BLAH, Guyton Mundy
BABY BABY BABY, by Bracken Ellis Potter. I really liked this dance. She's on a roll and I think you should check it out!!
SOME DANCES I SAW THAT WEREN'T TAUGHT:
CRY ME OUT. This one was requested a lot.
SMASH IT, by the Amatos. Good dance and it always catches my attention when it's done.
BE MY COWBOY, Junior Willis
I made a list of some others but I can't find it right now. I'll send them in the newsletter when I do find it.
In closing, I just want to thank everyone who came to have fun with us in Florida and to all the people and hours of work that goes into any weekend event to make them as much fun as this one was. A special thanks, of course, to Jen and Jason, who always manage to truly make you feel like you are invited to a great big party with your best friends. I can't wait to do it all over again next year with a few other events in between. I talked to so many people who haven't been dancing as long as some of us have and I really wish I could let them know how things were in the "olden" days when we had very few events and they were very far between. I was trying to think what is the longest-running event and I'm thinking the Line Dance Marathon. Anyone know of any others that have been running continuously that long? I know a lot of them that were and are no longer like the Boogie Woogie Boot Camp in Ft. Lauderdale and the Cape Cod Classic and a few others but I can't remember which ones, but I am so grateful that no matter where you live or no matter where you like to visit, there is a line dance event to accompany your trip and friends to share the experience with and we have to really thank the event directors for sticking their necks out financially and every other way to keep them going and growing and we couldn't do it without them and they can't do it without us so THANK YOU!!!