Summer Hummer!

Summer Hummer is the brainchild of Bill Cameron - a brilliant reinvention of partying! The event is the *STAR* of the summer season every year on the east coast. Sure, there is great Dancing (more than last year), excellent lessons from the best Talent in the west coast swing world - BUT - more importantly - nobody throws a better pool party! 
      

Photos courtesy of Geoff Pan - http://www.dancespring.com

At least 1000 people turned up in Framingham, MA for this spectacular annual event.  Some coming from all over the US, Canada and Europe - proving dancers will go anywhere to learn from such superstars as Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollman, Parker Dearborn & Jennifer DeLuca, Robert & Nicola Royston, Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake, Arjay Centro & Melissa Rutz, Myles Munroe & Tessa Cunningham, Ben Morris & Melina Ramirez and Jessica Cox!

There was a lot of competition - which people complain about - but there was also more social dancing built into the schedule this year. Most people felt the dance floor was larger and easier to access. There was a general feeling of lightness and friendliness in the atmosphere.

Some competitions are boring - but this year - not Rising Star!  The winners - Rob Glover and Sammie Fernandez - performed a routine to an oldie but a goodie - "Tainted Love."  The room was on FIRE!  They did everything - up and down - on the ground - in and out! The crowd Jumped Up and Cheered! 

They deserved to win - HELL - they deserved a category of their own!

An interesting couple relatively new to the east coast are Jake Haning and Taletha Jouzdani out of Austin, TX. They did an amazing routine to Susan Tedeschi's "It Hurt So Bad."  Taletha tells me they would just LOVE to teach in New York City!  Anyone out there listening?!  http://www.jakeandtaletha.com/

Local favorites in New York and Connecticut, Erik and Anna Novoa, showed us their Classic routine set to Aretha Franklin's "You Made Me Love You."  All I can say is: Wow!  We are all so glad this couple met. They create something special every time they grace the floor. It is apparent that Anna is truly the half that made Erik whole. http://www.swingshoes.net/

The WSDC Jack n' Jills are always a highlight because they are so challenging and everyone has the goal of earning points.  And it can be fun - you never know who you will get or how it will go.  An exhilarating stress! 

Congratulations!

Newcomer

1st - Andrew Mastin/Stephanie Courtemanche

2nd - John Nye/Mary Harvey

3rd - Anthony Perrochi/Megan Webb

Novice:

1st - Stanley Seguy/Laetitia Blanchet  

2nd - Justin Spencer/Kelli Killgore     

3rd - Jerome Fernandez/ Kiona Leah 

This pic is courtesy of Jun Ogata

The pool party was spectacular. Bill is really in his element here!  He put out a decent size dance floor, got Wildman Louie and Ken Mercik to DJ - and - Robert Royston MC'd.  There were a couple of grills going in the corner filling the place with the fragrance of burgers.  It was impossible for this vegetarian to resist.

But, more importantly, the bartenders could really move it! 

The sacred Summer Hummer traditions continue to be observed at the pool party: hula hoop contest (in which the smallest child beat every adult), the corny limbo contest and even more corny: karaoke.  There was also some rapping by Robert Royston - but we won't go there!  Best of all, there was a wonderful show put on by a youth group.  No doubt they are simply racing by us to stardom!

The Sheraton Framingham was okay - but after staying at the Newton Marriott for NE Dance Festival - it was quite a let down. (See my last article.) Once again we are stranded in the boonies with only a Dunkin' Donuts within walking distance to save us from the hotel's overpriced food and all-you-can eat buffets.  Not everyone wants to stuff themselves 2 or 3 times a day!  And the coffee - ya know Bill - at these events its a priority. No hotel should be chosen that does not have a Starbucks!

Summer Hummer is a great event because of the timing.  By the end of the summer everyone is really ready for a party.  And Bill gets it - we want more social dancing - which is an issue that has kept people away in the past.  May as well add even more social dancing and forget about the schedule all together.  We are happy just dancing to great music. And, at a Bill event, nobody expects anything to go on time anyway!

For information on Summer Hummer next year or his other activities, check out Bill Cameron's site:  http://www.dancepros.net/ 

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