Swingin' Into Spring

The man in the picture on the left is the GENIUS behind the greatest west coast swing dance event ever created - and a force that will change the way dance events are structured forever.  No more waiting until midnight to dance - yay! Or watching competition after competition - yay!!  No more boring stuff we don't care about - yay!!!

Ken Mercik threw out everything but the really good lessons (Angel Figueroa, Mario Robau, Mary Anne Nunez, John Lindo), the really good dancing, the Jack n' Jills and Strictlies, the "Instructor Jam" (an opportunity to watch Angel, Mario and Lindo dance together) - and - more really good dancing! 

Finally, an event promoter who gets it!  And its already having an effect on other promoters - because money talks.  Boston Tea Party had more dancing and that was a direct effect of the success Ken has made of listening to us and using his common sense.

The DJs were awesome.  Joe Mahoney really impressed everyone with his distinctive style of funky, fun music.  And John Lindo - what a gift the man has for music!  There were NO evening competitions - only a few workshops and then dancing until we limped out of the ballroom - swearing we'll need a hip replacement soon!

As good at this dance event was - the fact that it was in downtown Hartford was an even greater evidence of Ken's genius.  Amtrak runs express trains between DC and Boston.  Peter Pan buses drop off at the train station - a short walking distance from to the Hilton Hotel.  There was an airport shuttle for our friends from all over the USA, Canada - and even a girl who came from New Zealand!

Downtown Hartford is a great place.  The Capitol Building is down the street and you can watch Congress in session.  Many people visited the Connecticut Science Center and Wadsworth Museum.  The antique carousel in nearby Bushnell Park opened on May 1st - a great way to take a break - as was evidenced by the number of us 30+somethings riding the wooden ponies! 

And there are many restaurants, bars and coffee places nearby.  You can't beat the pasta creations and wine list at Salute.  http://www.salutect.com/ 

Another awesome choice was City Stream Microbrewery Cafe with homemade beers, hard cider and rootbeer.  Quite a few people from the event went to replenish and fortify!  http://citysteambrewerycafe.com/

If you want to know more about what's going on in Ken's world - the Connecticut west coast swing dance scene - or about attending Swingin' Into Spring next year:  http://www.djkenm.com/

The event promises to be even bigger.  This year the hotel sold 350 rooms - up from 275 the year before.  Ken said he will bring more pros to give workshops and add another ballroom.  If you attend no other event all year - this is the one to make it to.  You can't learn more, dance more or have more fun. 

Swingin' Into Spring is the Disneyland of west coast swing!