Swing Niagara!

Rene Lipman & Randy Payne competing in the Advanced J&J.

Swing Niagara Dance Championships is the Premier Swing and Hustle dance event held every year in Buffalo, New York.

It draws large numbers of the most wonderful dancers primarily from New York State and Canada - but also many from all over the USA and, this year, even a couple from Iceland!!!

Pictures courtesy of Sam Westover
http://sanderling.smugmug.com

 
The event featured many lessons offered in west coast swing, hustle - and even classes in hip-hop and zumba. The instructors were world class. The atmosphere at the event was special. Everyone was veryexcited to be there! 

There was lots and lots of social dancing - even with all the competitions going on.  The floor was really easy to get to and to find a partner. Many of the people who attended the Toronto Swing & Hustle Championships were there and delighted to see each other again.  The July mood in Toronto survived until September!

Nobody teaches better than Mario Robau and Angel Figueroa.

They may not be young and new and all sexy – but every class they teach – everyone gets EVERYTHING! The material these guys offer is regurgitated all over the world, year after year.

Their lessons are packed with guys, they rotate frequently and we all walk away with stuff we can use Now!!!

http://www.angelanddebbie.com/
http://www.marioswingdaddy.com/

The young and new and all sexy teachers included Michael Kielbasa, Jessica Cox, John Lindo, Melissa Rutz, Arjay Centeno, Stephanie Batista, Mike Topel, Nelson Clark.

These people are fun and we learn a lot - but they are more about style and evolution. They leave us with a lot to think about, admire and something to try to emulate.

It takes patience and time to change our bodies.  Both styles of teaching are really stimulating.

But, more importantly, Louise Gour was a wonderful Floor SuperMom! Louise and Bob, from Ottowa, Canada, are people everyone loves to see at these events. They are the friendly, kind faces.

We are very happy to see them begin to teach and get involved in the competitive process. http://www.bobaloudance.com/

For those who don’t know much about competition. There were lots of wonderful “ProAms” for students to become initiated with their trusted teachers. Couples may participate in “Strictly” and just dance to the music. “Masters” is great for those over 50 – though many were serious contenders with younger people in other divisions.

Jack n’ Jill winners!

 

Newcomer:

1st - Kyle Fitzgerald & Maggie Jarmolwski

2nd - Mineh Ishide & Judalyn Weeks
3rd - Jason Ng & Jade Crawford
4th - Colin Stobo & Jennie Hartman
5th - Frank Blakemore & Angela McCoy
 

Novice:

1. Brian Linaine & Anna Roguero

2. Nicholas Valaroso & Gudrun Maria Jonsdottir
3. Lawrence Bunde & Sarah Morgan
4. Scott Pulling & Laura Ciabarra
5. Larry Hough & Amy Manning

To Maria Cirino, “Imma Bee” by the Black Eyed Peas conjured up visions of beehive life in her team presentation in which the girls dressed up like sexy Bees and bumbled (not to be confused with “bungled”) a little samba, a little cha-cha and some west coast swing. This original routine was choreographed and taught by Maria, herself, showing an interesting range of Serious talent.  Picture: Queen Bee Maria Cirino.

Rising Star is a category for couples with routines. Four couples of mixed ages competed. Guess what? It wasn't the young and beautiful couples that won!  It was the older and more beautiful Rene Lipman & Tommy Gibbs!

These two prove that age ain’t nothin’ but a number! They astounded the audience by performing to the Leo Sayer tune "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing." Choreographer Danielle Blouin splashed a little “Saturday Night Fever” in the mix.




The crowd was on their Feet – the Room was Electric – and when Tommy Slapped Rene’s Booty at the end – John Lindo was shocked into hysteria!!!

A major highlight of the entire event was the Bill and Yuna baby dance. How did these two land a child this sweet? Learning to spin and feel the music in a sling attached to Yuna while dancing with Bill is a heck of a way to begin training a major talent. My table-mate jokingly remarked that baby Jessie would get out of Novice before we do!

As a matter of fact, as Bill MC'd the event, he carried Jessie in one arm, like a second Heart almost surgically planted onto his body.

Perpetually dressed in pink – she quietly gazed at him and out to the audience. Princess Jessie seemed to know this is her kingdom. http://www.dancepros.net/

The event was held at the Adams Mark in downtown Buffalo. The hotel has a reasonable restaurant, an excellent bar and for most other purposes - is ok. But, the location is not so great.  I understand that moving the event is not easily done. Until then, we’ll have to continue Begging for towels, Dodge homeless people pilfering cigarette buttes left by guests in front of the hotel (do you need another reason to quit?) and make do with the limited choices in the area.

Even though there isn’t much to see in old Buffalo, walking down Delaware Street to Chippewa there is a bit of a funky area featuring some interesting cafes, bars, theatres and galleries (and a Starbucks). 

Across the street, is “The Spot,” which offers Wonderful baked goods and a sandwich selection, there is a Stunning wall sized mural by Tim Gaska painted in 1996 which appears to be a fantasy representation of

downtown. http://www.spotcoffee.com/

Niagara Falls is not that close and a car is necessary. However, if you can get there, it is well worthwhile. Especially at night. Colored lights are focused on the mist until midnight. During the day, it isn’t as touristy as Americans might expect. I really like sightseeing in Canada. Nobody tried to sell me anything at the Falls!

All in all, Maria put on a hell of a party. When everyone is nice, the music is amazing and the competitions are fair – we all have a good time. That’s all we really want.   (Except, of course, to make finals!!!)

So Thanx Maria – for giving us a chance to meet and dance and share our lives in a way that few people ever get to. I wouldn’t know so many awesome people from upstate New York and Canada if it wasn’t for you! http://www.syracusewestcoastswing.com/

 And Thanx Sam and Shelley for the great pics!