Virginia State Open!

Pictures Courtesy of Jasmine Williams

Last weekend an Awe-Inspiring Dance Event was held in Herndon, VA – an idyllic country spot not far from Washington DC. Several hundred people gathered to dance west coast swing, hustle, nightclub two-step and salsa all day and night long! There were many competitions and even more social dancing. It was the Virginia State Open and it was a Festival to remember!






Barry Durand sure knows how to kick off a party. He and Lisa Fay gave a lesson and then the dancing ran into the WEE hours – just ask Brian Kidd – who did an amazing job DJing swing and hustle for the event.

The lessons and competitions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday Wowed everyone. Classes were offered by Robert Royston (sans Nicola), Jason & Amy Barnes, Jake Haning & Taletha Jouzdani, Luis Crespo, Brian Gallagher, Billy Marti, Sabrina Paxmann, Dean & Dawn Garrish, Ken Roesel, Erica Smith, Gregory Scott & Lemery Rollins. They brought their favorite topics – a smorgasbord of technique, styling, patterns and concepts.

Dean Garrish & Lemery Rollins on left.




This was very much a competitor’s event. There were many small heats of individual ProAms in west coast swing, hustle, salsa and nightclub two-step. For newer dancers - and even legacy dancers - this was nirvana.  A chance to dance with their teachers and really, thoroughly show what they could do.

There was quite a bit of buzz over Erica Smith. In addition to going from Newcomer to Advanced in hustle in less than a year (and not much longer in west coast swing) and her impressive appearance on “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2007, she is also a U.S. Open winner.

Many of the followers, however, think her biggest accomplishment is her ability to teach. Everyone raved about her lessons and about how well she related to her students. http://www.thehustlingattorney.com/

Jason and Amy Barnes most impressed me. Every dance community should have a couple like this. Their lessons were clear, concise, useful, and contained nuggets of technique. But most importantly, they reached out to their students and really taught. And, in the ProAms, it was apparent that Jason’s heart really was in his job. http://www.dancinapolis.com/

One of the HIGHLIGHTs of the weekend was the Jason and Amy Barnes' Baby Dance. Since there seems to be a swing dancer baby boom, how about a new dance category: Baby Dancing!!!  Jason choreographed the "Rare Three Wall Line Dance" and strapped their infant onto Amy and danced!  That kid was clearly in heaven - it was better than a merry-go-round.

The ballroom was full all day and all night. There was lots of dancing in between competitions, too. It may have something to do with the fact that David Koppleman came from California to DJ and played some unusual and interesting music. It was all so Fresh!!!


The event was held at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel. It is in a beautiful spot in Herndon, VA - which seems difficult to get to for most people who are not local.



However, it was no challenge for this adventurous dancer with a rolling suitcase! Rather than subject myself to air travel, I set out on land and discovered its not so hard after all.

Two ways to go:

Train – Amtrak arrives at Union Station in downtown Washington DC and SuperShuttle will take you to the airport in 40 minutes for about $35. (Can pickup subway under the station - take Red Line to Metro Center and change to the Orange line to Rosslyn to get airport bus (see below).

Bus – Inexpensive express buses such as Megabus, Bolt, Washington Deluxe all drop off at near subway stops.  Megabus, for example (http://us.megabus.com)/ drops off right by Metro Center. Just get on the Orange line to the Rosslyn. The 5A bus ($6) to the airport is right outside the subway station. 

The area around Metro Center is very interesting and chic. There are shops and cafes to check out! 

At the airport, go in one door and out the other – hop onto the hotel shuttle and voila!

(Tip: have lots of singles and change. They have a system in which you must put money in first - then select location. You need your ticket to get on AND off.)

Some sad news! Barry Durand has moved to California. Quite a few people were visibly upset.

BUT - Dave Moldover, organizer of the stunningly successful MADjam event, is taking over Swing Fling and VSO!

 
Dave advised me that VSO 2011 will feature west coast swing, Lindy, shag and hand dance. There will be live music, DJs, late night blues and a soul room.  Fewer contests and lots of workshops, social dancing and a pro show. 

If you are like me and can't wait until VSO 2011 - Madjam is coming in March! For information on all the excitement:  http://www.davemoldover.com/