Swing Niagara





Sue Heintz & Ken Lemoire

Picture Courtesy of Jim Chow



 I Drove All Night to Get to You, Swing Niagara – through torrential downpours – down dark and lonely roads.
But it was worth it.

Maria Cirino, everyone’s favorite event organizer, made "Diamonds from Rain"!

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

SN is not a big and splashy extravaganza.

It is small and kitschy, cozy and warm.



Swing Niagara, Toronto Swing & Hustle Championships and Cash Bash in Cleveland feel like one dance convention in three parts. Thank Goodness! So Lovely to see the same people again and again and again!



Wobble Baby Wobble!
Picture Courtesy of Jasmine Williams

When the Toronto event in July ended, people did not say goodbye.

Instead, they said “I’ll see you at Swing Niagara.”

The July mood in Toronto survived until September!

Picture Courtesy of Jim Chow

Most of these wonderful dancers are from the Rochester/Syracuse area and Canada.

But also there were quite a few traveling dance nutz from New York City, TEXAS, New England and the DC area (and even a few from Europe).
Jasmine Williams, pictured on the right is from Dallas, TX.

She is VERY WELL KNOWN for her photography and charm!  

When Jas walks into the room, it is never quite the same again.

Dancing with her is DJ "OldsKOOL," i.e., Andre Danis from Ottawa.  (He’s very well known for his charm, too!)



Ronnie DeBenedetta & Brandi Tobias
Picture Courtesy of Steve Randall

Featured teachers included Mario Robau, Arjay Centeno & Jennifer DeLuca, Ronnie DeBenedetta & Brandi Tobias and Stephanie McHenry.

Brandi and Stephanie offered many ideas to help evolve our dance.

Mario has a timeless gift for staying current – fresh – AND funny!

When he is 100 years old, I’ll bet he’ll be shuffling along with his walker to these events and his classes will still be packed!

Mario Robau is the gold standard – the lessons are

full of leaders and everyone always gets everything. 



Billy Marti & Maria Ford
Picture Courtesy of Jim Chow 



These local pros gave AAAwesome lessons too:

Billy Marti, Maria Ford, Stephanie Risser, Mike Topel, Nelson Clark, Julie Epplet are all amazing dancers. Veronica Castilla offered very popular salsa lessons.

But as teachers - they really reach their students. 

They are the heart of our dance community.



Picture Courtesy of Jasmine Williams



We had all these SUUUPER-DUUUPER BIG shots ...

More importantly, Louise Gour was a wonderful Floor SUUUperMom!

LouLou and Bob, from Ottawa, are people everyone LUVS to see at these events.

They are friendly, kind faces.

http://www.bobaloudance.com/

Hopefully, one day, we'll have the Ottawa Swing Dance Championships?

Anna Reguero & Keith Chow
Picture Courtesy of Jim Chow

It's great to be back on the civilized east coast for a Jack n’ Jill (see Dallas Dance).

If there is a doubt that the old west lives on...

Just participate in one of those cattle drives they call a Jack n' Jill.
 

Very uncomfortable.

At SN, the whole thing was done with MUCH more care and concern.

Judges took time to look at each person – really look – not just glance over and tick them off.

Jack n’ Jill Winners! 

Jason Laska & Sae Young Jeong
Picture Courtesy of Jim Chow

Newcomer


1^st  Martin Tamme & Caitlyn Picard

2^nd  Jason Laska & Sae Young Jeong

3^rd  Bill Bray & Chinny Hoan

4^th  Ken Lemoire & Julie Broskey

5^th  Jeff Wormald & Liz Gilbert

Novice

Jason Ng & Stephanie Courtemanche
Picture Courtesy of Jim Chow


1^st  Jerome Subey & Gwendoline Bugnot

2^nd  Kyle Fitzgerald & Gretchen Eiferle

3^rd  Jason Ng & Stephanie Courtemanche

4^th  Billy Marti & Linda Frasta

5^th  Jean-Paul Marchand & Jennie Hartman



Picture Courtesy of Jasmine Williams

In the group category – nothing will EVER compare to Maria Cirino’s “Ima-Bee” outrageous performance.

However, she came up with a dancing nun routine that was funny, charming and delighted the audience!



Picture Courtesy of Steve Randall

Julie Epplet & Larry Hough raised the roof with their routine to “Come Get Higher” by Matt Nathanson.

This was definitely the highlight of the night.
People were on the floor whooping and hollering!

Once again, this Masters category routine beat out everyone in the Open Rising Star competition.

There is nothing quite like witnessing a spectacular performance – by people you genuinely like.

Joanna Swanson and Maria Ford with their Students
Picture Courtesy of Steve Randall

There were quite a few Pro-Ams and just about everyone entered at some level - in both west coast swing and hustle.  

The enthusiasm surrounding this category is the reason why so many dancers are becoming really good in Canada.

Picture Courtesy of Jim Chow

Joanna Swanson is a very popular Toronto teacher.

She premiered 9 students in 11 contests.


Toronto received the ProAm Cup because of Joanna and the many other Toronto teachers bringing their students to this event.

Jaclyn Chantler performed in hustle and said:

"Joanna is a wonderful teacher who has an innate ability to bring out your inner dancing diva.  She can make even the most nerve racking experiences fun."

These are the teachers we need in our dance communities.
People who Inspire us. 

Picture Courtesy of Steve Randall

Maria Ford - a MAJOR influence in Ottawa - featured 12 students.
 
Danny Ho performed in hustle and said:

"Before the Pro-Am, both David (Ward) and Maria encouraged me and when I was on the floor during comps...Maria's smile and gentle following put me at ease.

Even if I missed a beat or step, we both kept going and at the end her words made me smile and feel confident even more... "Danny, I'm proud of you."

Swing Niagara is a fall vacation. Drive across Pennsylvania on I80 and enjoy the fall color. It is easy - no major cities and traffic - just scenic countryside. At Williamsport, turn north on US15 for quite a scenic sidetrip. On US20A/RT78 there is a 35 mile stretch of road in the heart of Americana.

Farmland, roadside fruit and vegetable stands. antique shops, cafes with live music and even cows!

The Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo offers a central location with quite a bit within walking distance.

Check out the “The Spot.” Wonderful baked goods and fabulous coffee - outrageous breakfast sandwiches!

The place is filled with original art for sale, comfortable chairs and sofas and a Stunning wall sized mural by Tim Gaska which appears to be a fantasy representation of downtown.

Definitely one of the most special places – anywhere.
 http://www.spotcoffee.com/

Another very special experience is the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery in downtown Buffalo.

This building has been there since 1841 – when the area was “the most evil mile in America.”

Besides offering amazing beer and stick-to-your-ribs food, it is actually a church on Sunday mornings.
http://pearlstreetgrill.com/

Niagara Falls is not that close and a car is necessary – although there is a city bus available if you have the time.

Visiting the Falls at night is very special. Colored lights are focused on the mist until midnight.

During the day, it isn’t as touristy as Americans might expect.

Sightseeing in Canada is very different, no pushy sales people at the Falls!

All in All, Maria put on a hell of a party. When everyone is nice, the music is AAAmazing and the competitions are fair, we All have a good time. That’s all we really want. 

Maria Cirino...

for giving us a chance to meet and dance and share our lives in a way that few people ever get to.

After attending some yucky events elsewhere – I realize how lucky I am to have the opportunity to know and dance with so Many AAAwesome people!http://www.swingniagaradance.com/