New Year's Dancin' Eve!!!

There is only one way to ring in the New Year:
Joe Mahoney’s Infamous DANCIN’ NEW YEAR’S EVE!!!

A lot of people agree with me because the ballroom was PACKED with dancers from all over the world.

You’d have thought we all won the lottery!
What a way to start 2011!!!

Northeast dancers are very spoiled. We get the most amazing teachers!!!

Legendary Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely; Arjay Centeno (teaching at Dance Manhattan/NYC starting February); Bennar Goree & Torri Smith (beat Jordan & Tatiana at the U.S. Open); John Festa -check out his latest NYC venue!

Bill (& Jessie) Cameron – and the charming Stephanie Batista – just for starters.

Add Shawn & Kristin Moody to that list. From New Orleans with accomplishments too numerous to mention (U.S. Open – been there - done that) and 11+ years of teaching experience – its no wonder people raved about their classes. Everyone got everything and, more importantly, they had that southern way of making it personal.
http://www.dancearoundtown.com/

This pic courtesy of Jun Ogata


John Lindo – always the consummate professional – hopped off the surgery table and breezed right in to knock out a dynamite lesson.

He used the delightful Bob & Louise Gour to demo – told a few jokes – we danced and the time just flew by.

DJs included Victor Loveira and Ken Mercik – it doesn’t get any better than that. For the most part, Rob Glover and Marc Levitin MC’d the event and kept us laughing.

What a pair of characters!

Let me tell you about the New Year’s Eve dinner party!!! This was no cheapo affair! Loads of appetizers – salads – and what’s better on New Year’s than Chinese food? There was plenty more. A carving table provided turkey and roast beef.

And the desserts – OMG!!!

Thankfully we were not bored with a show on New Year’s Eve. Instead, we got to DANCE most of the night!!! There was a short improv consisting of three teams of pros and attendees – to devise and perform a short dance – and be judged by the audience. For the first time in her life Deborah Szekely was upstaged - and by tumbling toddler:

Grace Drzewiczewski!

At midnight there was the usual champagne, hats, horns and lots of kisses. But, the topper was the Krazy Konga Line!!! It takes tough times to really appreciate what we’ve got. People leaped out onto the dance floor and swept into a gigantic dancing caterpillar - fueled by the unique sounds of Ken Mercik! This went on for at least six songs – until Ken cut us off. My absolute favorite DJ! Always includes some fun and unusual choices on his playlist.


Saturday comps (Strictlies) began at 2pm - making it easier to attend workshops. The (dumb) mandatory competitor’s meeting was held at 3pm and so there was time to warm-up for the 4 pm J&J start.

We keep hearing the competitor's meeting is necessary - well its only for the benefit of the organizers.  Frankly, a person with a clipboard outside the ballroom to check people in is all you need.

Let's hear it for our newer competitors because this is just so damn haaaaard !!!

 Congratulations to:


Newcomer

1st -  Sebastian Gervais & Kristin Bianco
2nd - Chris Johnson & Brittni Rea
3rd -  Shawn Kelly & Melissa Quinones
4th -  Michael Piso & Jeannine Hartman
5th -  Daniel Fielder & Jo Ann Carino

Novice

1st - Sean Ryan & Lura Johnson
2nd -Nicholas Besnier & Gudrun Jonsdottir
3rd - Steve Yi & Natalie Kuzma
4th - Jim Chow & Marie Fabre
5th - Todd Irzyk & Rebecca DeRosa

I bet neither Sean Ryan nor any of the judges knew they were in the presence of music royalty. Lura Johnson is a world class pianist from the Baltimore area.
She’s played Carnegie Hall and recorded with YoYo Ma.

Plan on adding All-Star to her resume!!!

 New this year was the All American Jack & Jill. The proceeds went to Cancer research. We’re all for donating to charity – but let’s be real – we’re really after a shot at dancing with a Pro!

 Joanna Swanson (Toronto) got Bill Cameron!
Anna Reguero (Syracuse) drew Shawn Moody!

But some people are just too lucky. Deborah Szekely got Arjay Centeno. Guess who won (duh). For Crying Out Loud!!!

One of the best new features was the ProAms held Sunday morning. Each level performed in small heats – for three judges. Written feedback was provided. Robert Cordoba was awarded Teacher of the Year because of his “Purple Girls.” (Seven students.) At the end, I predict that Robert will be best known for the girls he trained (helped).

All Star was quite a spectacle.

1st place was Anthony DeRosa & Anne Fleming – these two should get a roooou-tine!

I’ve seen Anthony dance – and no one looks better with him than his lovely wife Rebecca (rising up the ranks quickly) - but there was something magical with Anne who sported a gorgeous head of hair.

To Hell with you #$@%* Cancer!

Another amazing dance surprise was Erik Novoa and Rachel McEnaney. Whoever gets Rachel is a sure thing anyway – but with the exception of Erik’s beautiful wife Anna, (very Fred and Gingerery duo), I’ve never seen Erik dance better.

Erik’s Broadway style and Rachel’s Judy Garland-esque panache was an unbeatable combo. They took 2nd both in the All American and in the All-Star.



There was just so much social dancing. Between lessons, during dinner, between comps, all night into the wee hours!!!

May I remind everyone that we have "Genius" Ken Mercik to thank for all of this - it was his idea first!!!

The hotel – Oy Vey!

The location is a P-in-the-A for people from out of town – particularly in bad weather. (Joe Mahoney, very kindly, tried to arrange transportation to and from the bus stop.) Once at the hotel, however, guests were stranded and dependent on the mall shuttle to go anywhere. Usually its not really an issue. BUT...

This hotel is (mis)managed by Bozo the Clown. 500+ swing dancers and yet they couldn't get their Starbucks open on the Saturday morning after New Year’s Eve!
What kind of maniacal monster is running the place?!

New Year’s Day, the breakfast staff was lost in space.  The hostess

said they didn’t expect so many people (she hadn’t heard about us). 

  

This is the restaurant in the hotel!

Worse, they were closed Saturday evening. Some set of priorities - the bar was open – with ONE waitress. It was jammed with hungry people. (Excellent bartender – an even better waitress).


But that’s the End of that Crummy hotel.

The Mahoney's have quite a surprise for us next year!!!

http://www.newyearsdancineve.com/

“Get A Really Good Social Life” strives to be positive. But, the hotel was so bad that I feel compelled to say so.



Everything else was stupendous! – marvelous! - perfecto!

In fact, it was one the best New Year’s of my lifetime.  And PLENTY of PEOPLE agreed with me!