April 29, 2006 started out like no typical Saturday in Albany New York. It was the chosen day for dance enthusiasts from all over the capital district and four adjoining states to gather at Danceland Boomers, a beautiful local dance club and enjoy a day filled with social dancing, dance competitions, and performances highlighting our four featured dance styles. (Ballroom, Country, Latin and Swing.)

At 9AM that morning an excited group of volunteers started the transformation of Danceland to better serve the days agenda. We aligned rows of spectator seating, set up reception table, sponsor appreciation table and even a complimentary coffee and donut table. Now for the stage props, we brought in the awards podium, hung the event sign and put the finishing touches on our competitor’s grand entrance onto the dance floor. This was an exceptional arbor, Thanks to Joe. After reviewing the music with Myra, the general judging format with Louise, Paul, and Hershal, and Janine, our score tabulator, a quick meeting with Ruth our MC, and Maureen our floor coordinator, we were ready to start our very exciting Pro Am competition at 11:00 AM. Pro-Am heats ran smoothly with plenty of open dancing between the eleven dances available to enter. 30 competitors danced the 39 heats in 9 different divisions. Exactly one half of the competitors where brand new to the competition dance floor. At the conclusion of Pro-am we had a planned lunch break from 2-3pm, more open dancing, free pizza and ziti for everyone and acknowledged our morning competitors with there awards. After a brief warm-up our couples competition started and ran more smoothly than the morning session (The practice helped). Our many hometown and traveling spectators were treated to fantastic dancing, beautiful costumes and many different “flavors” on the competitive floor. I would personally like to thank all the competitors for there courage to participate, commitment to do well and your ability to make it loads of fun. Congratulations!

The next tall order of business was the 1 hr variety show scheduled to start at 7:30pm. What a show this was. If ever there was a night when everyone was on, this was it. We started the show with Mary Hoedemons Dance Camp performance team. Made up by Ruth & Les, Tim & Maryann, Paul & Holly, Myra & Vance. All did a wonderful job with there night-club, 2-step, west coast medley. You would never have known this was the first time these four couples performed together. Marys dance camp has away of bringing out the best dancer in all of us. Another first time collaboration between Tom & Alissa performing a breathtaking waltz with one graceful flowing movement after another. This emotion filled number was transcending. Dianne and I followed with our nightclub 2-step, duet style. Tera sung a beautiful duet with Josh Groban’s “To Where You Are.” Tera’s singing added her own personal feeling to an already emotional song. Dianne captivated our audience with her interpretive nightclub dancing. This combination of talents was a big hit to our full song performance. Gary and Connie delighted everyone with there cabaret performance to “Go Slow Honey.” Connies flexibility was amazing and personality added spice to a number filled with lifts and tricks. Next club Vance brought us “2 studs and 4 babes.” A west coast swing team made up of Bryan, Myra, Dave, Liesl, Crystal and team leader, choreographer Lyoni. This very entertaining performance showcased two different styles of west coast swing. First slow and sleek, then upbeat and moving. Original and personalized dance movements made this performance shine. Eric & Ann had everyone’s foot taping and head bobbing to a super, energy filled samba. What a beat, what hip action. They were having so much fun out there everyone should add this dance to there soon to learn list. Gerry & Precillia danced a very cute and funny routine titled “Who’s the Boss.” Precillias French maid costume invited a lot of interaction between the two dancers while battling it out to see who really is the boss. No surprises here. Precillia seemed to enjoy the upper hand throughout there entertaining dance skit. Staying in our theme of Variety, Paul & Louise treated everyone to a very sharp and crisp Tango-Cha Cha. Medley. These two show a special connection on the dance floor full of confidence talent and entertainment, they always have it together. Finally to wrap up our program I was thrilled to dance again with my long time competitive partner Loni. Like anyone who’s ever danced with Loni this brand new hustle routine was my pleasure. We didn’t miss a beat while all along Loni was showing off her trademark ear to ear smile. Thanks again to all 32 performers that made this show so great.

Time to relax and get started with what proved to be the best Four Style Open Dance I’ve ever been to (not to mention the only). Kidding aside Bob our DJ kicked it up a notch and served up a nice mix of request while making sure the dance favorites where played in the Four Sytles. There was a ton of energy, laughter and new choreography (not always planned) taking place on the dance floor. About 9:30pm it was time to initiate our 25 couple Jack and Jill. We paired up many different style and level of dancers all by chance, asked them to do there best with a cha-cha, salsa, 2-step and west coast swing. After some brief introductions and apologies in advance for what was about to happen with dances they didn’t know, everyone cut loose and pinned the fun meter.

I think many people were surprised to find out how much fun they could have by stepping a little outside there dance comfort zone. Thanks to so many dancers and volunteers for making this first time event exceed everyone’s expectations. Keep the weekend open for next spring as we plan to grow for next year.

Brian Sipe