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| Robert Jackson & Connie Gauthier 1st Place Showcase |
Dallas Dance had its 25th Anniversary on Labor Day weekend. It was on the way to Desert City Swing in Phoenix – and despite the negative buzz - I decided to check it out because - hey – it’s a party!
Everyone says Texas is another country.
Well, the event was certainly different.
John Lindo’s Liberty Swing Dance Championships, the “Genius” Ken Mercik’s Swingin’ Into Spring, Fred Price’s Cash Bash, will spoil anyone.
Well, the event was certainly different.
John Lindo’s Liberty Swing Dance Championships, the “Genius” Ken Mercik’s Swingin’ Into Spring, Fred Price’s Cash Bash, will spoil anyone.
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| Jill DeMarco & Doug Rousar 5th Place Champions J&J |
Dallas Dance is a large event, held in a gi-normous ballroom. The whole thing takes up a lot of room – like dancing in a cold and impersonal outer space.
Texans must not get out of the state much.
It is remarkable how little they seem to be in influenced by the other events and organizers.
It is safe to say that visitors from elsewhere rarely place in the competitions at Dallas Dance.
The level is certainly very high. But also, their rep puts off many visitors.
And there are a lot of local contestants.
It is remarkable how little they seem to be in influenced by the other events and organizers.
It is safe to say that visitors from elsewhere rarely place in the competitions at Dallas Dance.
The level is certainly very high. But also, their rep puts off many visitors.
And there are a lot of local contestants.
But that’s not the only problem with this event!
Some of the pros seemed to drop in and out: Parker Dearborn taught on Thursday.
Various “A” list pros were all over but they seemed to be there just to compete.
Otherwise the advertized teachers and judges were: Jeannie Tucker, Jason Miklic, Heavy & Snowflake Grammer, Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely, Angel & Debbie Figueroa, Matt & Crystal Auclair, Shawn & Kristen Moody and Barry Jones.
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| Matt & Crystal Auclair 3rd Place Classic |
Some of the pros seemed to drop in and out: Parker Dearborn taught on Thursday.
Various “A” list pros were all over but they seemed to be there just to compete.
Otherwise the advertized teachers and judges were: Jeannie Tucker, Jason Miklic, Heavy & Snowflake Grammer, Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely, Angel & Debbie Figueroa, Matt & Crystal Auclair, Shawn & Kristen Moody and Barry Jones.
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| Tammy Brown & Matt Auclair 4th Place Invitational J&J |
John Lindo (originally from Texas) and Arjay Centeno live in New Jersey.
Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely live in Boston.
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollman, Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake, Jessica Cox, Michael Kielbasa are regular visitors.
Heck – Hazel & Tybaldt Ulrich came back to New Jersey from Texas after only a few months!
There was one lesson offered at an additional price each hour for a total of 4 workshops each day with the advertized teachers. We opted for the pool instead.
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| Social Dancing |
Everywhere else classes may be large - but often are small - enabling these super-duper pros to actually interact with us. They see how we are learning. They help.
We hear that Texas has superstars - and super events. So - Where's the Beef?
But that’s not all that was wrong at this event!
But that’s not all that was wrong at this event!
No table assignments. Every man for himself and you better get out of the way if you think you are going to sit down! You’d have thought seats were gold plated ass-hole holders! For cryin’ out loud - if you even came near a spot staked out by one of the locals – you learned how the cowboys got rid of the Indians!
And the so-called “better dancers” – those snoots scrambled to the relative safety of the corners to avoid dancing with the rest of us. Well, they did us a favor. The level was so high anyway that the leftovers were just fine to dance with! In fact, they were a delight!
And the so-called “better dancers” – those snoots scrambled to the relative safety of the corners to avoid dancing with the rest of us. Well, they did us a favor. The level was so high anyway that the leftovers were just fine to dance with! In fact, they were a delight!
Most events that I have reviewed had club tables and everyone was warm and friendly. I took this for granted until I witnessed Dallas Dance. In our world, we all dance together and are delighted just to spend time with our dance neighbors!
But that’s not all that was wrong at this event!
The Dallas Push Club doesn't seem to have received the memo from the World Swing Dance Council: there is now a “Newcomer” Division. 96 followers and about 75 leaders. This is ridiculous. It was like being in the musical version of “Rawhide!”
$28,000 in cash prizes was offered for the 17 categories of competitions (ad nauseum).
Big Whoop De Do-Do. The money is nice – and – sure, we're into growing and learning (bla-bla-bla), but at the end of the day - its the WSDC Points!
But that’s not all that was wrong at this event!
But that’s not all that was wrong at this event!
Fancy-schmanzy downstairs – but upstairs – what a dump! An over-sized, over-priced hole with outrageous parking fees!
It reminded me of a communist government building. Very ornate but empty-feeling.
Apparantly they overbooked and put us in a “handicapped room.”
Our attempts to get relief resulted in breakfast vouchers. Excellent buffet and the staff in the dining room really had that southern hospitality down! (But 3 days in that room?)
This “hotel” charges extra for a 3rd roommate. It is not the place for dancers. We are willing to spend – but heck – we've got a lot of WSDC events back east (currently 6). In Canada they are popping up like bean sprouts. And there is stuff like Desert City Swing, Cash Bash (Cleveland), Miami Dance Magic and Swing Diego.
The airport shuttle is $20 (nothing is free). And parking is considered a "bargain" at $15 a day.
We want to go everywhere - and we don’t want to spend all our money in the parking lot at the Fairmont!
That’s not all that is wrong with this event BUT:
Let's take time to mention the brightest spots. The team competition was amazing.
S-Factor was spectacular!
These peeps can dance and had everyone on their feet. Please bring this act east - west - north!
There is a big world outside the republic of Texas!
Our attempts to get relief resulted in breakfast vouchers. Excellent buffet and the staff in the dining room really had that southern hospitality down! (But 3 days in that room?)
The airport shuttle is $20 (nothing is free). And parking is considered a "bargain" at $15 a day.
We want to go everywhere - and we don’t want to spend all our money in the parking lot at the Fairmont!
Let's take time to mention the brightest spots. The team competition was amazing.
S-Factor was spectacular!
These peeps can dance and had everyone on their feet. Please bring this act east - west - north!
There is a big world outside the republic of Texas!
A highlight of my visit was running into:
America’s Next Top Model!
Angel & Debbie Figueroa are beloved teachers everywhere and have produced a budding superstar!Antonio is a charming, funny litle boy who is also a nice person.
The restaurant neighborhood near the hotel is in the original Dallas - before the current residents' ancestors kicked out the Indians. Somewhat touristy, it does seek to maintain the original atmosphere of the old west. There are horsedrawn wagons, historic tours and restaurants.
Hoffbrau Steakhouse – is fun. This joint has an old time bar serving beer and FRIED PICKLES! The authentic chicken fried steak was irresistible. And the fried pork chops! And the most amazing burgers! http://hoffbrausteaks.com/dallas-west-end
TGIF offers live music and Gator's Croc-n-Roc, Butcher Shop Steakhouse are among the many restaurant choices.
The music was excellent. I’ll say that! The floor was big and there was space to dance. One thing that Dallas Dance did right - they got the best DJs. Victor Loviera and David Koppelman were there – as well as Michelle Morgan who was very impressive.
Unfortunately, there is no website currently but Kay is based in Houston.
Karizmah Dance Shoes and Bling by Jane were other special vendor offerings that made it very difficult to pass by.
She has been performing, competing and teaching for over 30 years and is a powerful influence in the southwest. Everyone knows her in Tucson where she has a talent agency and teaches locally - as well as training judges. 
At one time she was a frequent guest teacher on the east coast. Like pearls, she never goes of of style. http://www.jeannietucker.com/
I would have liked to survey the local dance hotspots in Dallas but my guide, Jasmine Williams, fled in the wake of the dance community craziness. I don't care what the true story was. The whole place just didn’t feel welcoming and I was glad to go home to Arizona - where I was warmly welcomed by Mike Gadberry and Kirsten Radoff at the SPECTACULAR DESERT CITY SWING.
An event doesn’t need to be big to be good. It doesn’t even really need to have all the “A” list talent. What it does NEED, however, is friendliness. There are a lot of these events around the country – some are great and some have problems – but nowhere else is there such an attitude!
Angel & Debbie Figueroa are starting an event in Austin in April 2012. I'll be there and I'm betting they will redeem the whole state of Texas!
http://www.angelanddebbie.com/
http://www.angelanddebbie.com/
Patrick Dickerson said...
ReplyDeleteI read what you wrote...nodding my head at much of it. I was lucky -I'd spent 2 weeks in Houston staying with two really over the top wonderful people...who introduced me to a lot of other wonderful people...
When I got to Dallas, I had a lot of people I knew would dance with me. The organizers and emcees are friends, too...
Didn't stay at the hotel. Motel 6 - 10 minutes away...LARGE room with grea A/C, fridge, microwave for $35/night...and I parked on the street near the event hotel...
Again, had the advantage of knowing a lot of people...and got to dance with the incredible (and beautiful) Jeannie Tucker...and Victoria Ellington helped me show off ... many of the "corner" dancers danced with me, too...
There is SO much talent down there...it was sad to me to realize that I don't see them at many other events... I think the cross-fertilization is great for growth...
I haven't finished writing my wrap-up of my "Tour", but I can say I notice a LOT of regional differences in how WCS is done...and I LOVED being able to move from place to place...bringing things from one place to another...
A few years ago we swore off this event. Having attended in the past we were so discouraged at how disorganized the registration was handled for the comps. Ballrooms was hot and smokey. Music horrible and one of the MCs was constantly hollering in the mike...so annoying...and the judging does seemed to be slanted towards the Texans...that may not be totally true as they have great dancers and more numbers so it stands to reason they would place more...but, there are always a few that end up in the top and makes you scratch your head....we've been thinking about going back but your report has convinced us we are better spending our money elsewhere...some of the small events and certainly some in the midwest are so much more fun and better run...
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