Toronto Open Swing Hustle Championships

What could be better than Toronto in July?  Escaping the “hot town – summer in the city,” I headed north last weekend to this magical Canadian city for non-stop west coast swing and hustle dancing! 

(Pictures courtesy of Steve Randall)

***Newcomer and Novice winners are listed at the bottom.

This SPECTACULAR west coast swing and hustle premier event lived up to my fantasy dance weekend.  What makes an event really good is current teachers, really good music (not having to wait until midnight to dance) and being able to go out and see the local sites.

What a Total Blast! Strolling the Harbour Front by day – dancing all night long! This convention is the epitome of friendliness. Canadians really know how to have a good time and showed it to their American cousins. 

Super stars of the weekend included Jason Miklic & Sophy Kdep (shown on the right), Myles Monroe & Tessa Cunningham, Mike Topel, Terry Roseborough and Tina Marie & Fred Price.

The lessons provided interesting, fresh, do-a-ble patterns and lots of technique to mull. And, sometimes, you can learn the most just by watching. Tessa is study in motion. She is so clear in her execution that you can pick stuff up just by observing.

DJs included Fred Price, Steve Miller, Joe Mahoney and OldsKOOL & DaCube. It was a great mix of musical styles – and collaboration. A bit different from American events.  In the USA the emphasis is often on hard-hitting contemporary. But this was very alternativo and R&B. 

It was - Kool and hip - difficult to sit out a dance - especially since everyone was so approachable.  Very few noses up in this rarified air!

TOSHC was really well run. Everything went on time and smoothly. Competitions were concise and fair.  There was plenty of social dancing. (Everyone seemed to get along, too.)  The Sheraton provided an excellent facility - treated us very well - and had a great bartender! Joanna Swanson took the event over just last November and and even so - proved that she has a blockbuster on her hands. Some people want to nominate her for political office!

                     Thanx Joanna!

The locals came out and got this event off on a great footing at the Thursday night friendly event kickoff party at "You Can Dance Studios." Head judge (and very kind person on the left) Mike Topol danced with all the girls.  Teachers Terry Roseborough, Julie Epplett and Nelson Clarke were all such a pleasure. 

Newbies R US were welcomed like long lost friends!

Taking workshops at this event was a bit like playing “Let’s Make A Deal.” Behind ballroom door number 1 was Terry Roseborough – a delightful Texas surprise. Terry teaches with the legendary Beatta Howe in Dallas. She could always pick 'em – we have her to thank for Kyle Redd. "Thorough Roseborough" was very fun, too.  Lots of jokes, stuff you can really do and kindness to the struggling dancers are this guy’s trademarks.

Behind door number 2 was a special local teacher, Nelson Clarke. This 18 year line-dance veteran has one heck of a bright future as a dancer and as a teacher.  He came up with the most neato stuff that we could all do - but looked really hard! His trademark is making sure everyone in the class got everything. 

My favorite pattern of the weekend was Nelson's very clever knee pop out of a whip that was totally leadable - and I bet us gals can ronde independently!  (Don't worry Nelson - if I kick anyone I won't mention your name!) 

And then, there was door number 3. How does one describe Myles Monroe & Tessa Cunningham? Simply put, these are the teachers we are most likely to be able to emulate. They use a common sense approach - referring to every day experience. It just made so much sense. That’s the kind of thing that gives the untrained dancer the feeling that they can do this even without 20 years of ballet training.

As for the competitions – the great thing was that at least half of the attendees participated in one category or another. There was an opportunity to try hustle, west coast swing - enter a ProAm or Strictly.  Because the event changed hands, there was some worry there wouldn't be enough competitors and they would loose their WSDC standing. 

But there was no need to fret! This swing community showed A LOT OF LOVE! When everyone around you is competing, its not quite so intimidating. People just jumped up and got in the game - instead of sitting on the sidelines.  This is a great place for newer competitors to get some confidence. 

Competition can be a lot of fun.  Where else can you wear rhinestones?  Outrageous colors?  Shop for trendy outfits in the "Teen" department?  Wear too red lipstick? 

Or - how about that loud Hawaiian shirt?  It seemed like a good idea at the time - but in broad daylight?  Well, its just perfect here! 

The accessibility to downtown Toronto was very a special feature. Usually these events strand everyone in the boondocks. Its an airport Sheraton – yet there was a bus stop right in front (#58 Malton) that delivers to the subway in front of the Lawrence Way shopping mall (with a grocery store).  You can be downtown (Union Station) within an hour for $3. Everything is walking distance or a short subway connection: the CN Tower, the financial and entertainment districts, Greektown, Kensington Market – and the Harbour Front!

The Harbour Front was my favorite: 10 minutes walking from Union Station there is this wonderful 22 mile harbor side park. Lakeside cafes, nature trails, bike and roller blade rentals, beaches, ferries to the islands -and - none of it was touristy!

I went to the Toronto Open because is was hot as hell in New York City and I wanted to dance somewhere Kool!  I knew hardly anyone when I got there.  It was mostly locals and a sprinkle from Buffalo, Boston and Syracuse. 

When I got back, I spent all Monday morning "Friending" on Facebook.  Never before have I left a weekend with so many new friends.  Not making finals (again) was a little easier because of all the special memories.  This is what dancing is all about.

http://www.toshc.com/

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!
     Newcomer Winners:
1st Place: Jean Paul Marchard & Alexandra Jakabowski
2nd Place: Kai Qu & Theresa Tunnel
3rd Place: Lionel Marks & Ronit Ferdman

     Novice Winners:
1st Place: Denis Gilbert & Catherine Quinn
2nd Place: Nick Valoroso & Gabielle Desmarais
3rd Place: Larry Hough & Julie O'Brien

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