Sucess in Baltimore

Friday

The original plan was to leisurely get up, briefly review over our class material, and then go to the Museum of Art and see the sites. However, this is not at all what happened. I woke up, but not leisurely (thank you cell phone and iPod going off at 7 am!!! And that was totally my fault), and we didn't briefly run over our material or see a museum, or see Baltimore. But no point crying over spilled milk!

Actually, the day was very successful. Kevin and I had a good warm-up, we ran through our class material and routine, and then had some great lunch at Py (a fabulous pizza joint). After that, we came back and did 2 half privates, and then got ready for the dance.

Dorry and Sommer headed out early and Kev and I took naps before the dance. This meant that we then had to drive ourselves to John Hopkins University. We made it to the campus just fine, but we had NO idea where to park. After taking in an unexpected view of the campus, we finally found a spot near a meter. Then we realized we didn't know what building it was in!

After wandering around, we found the Great Hall. The Boilermakers Jazz Band were playing and they were ON that night. Their sound and energy was great! Not to mention, the very lovely Naomi Uyama was there singing with the band. Even more fabulous was that Dorry & Sommer hired Naomi to teach the beginner lesson before the dance. Apparently this had never happened before. Word to event director who hire the Boilermakers: If Naomi is singing with them, you are SILLY to not hire her to teach your beginning lesson. For goodness sake, she is already there!!

So anyways.....Kev and I did some social dancing and then we pumped ourselves up for our performance. This would be the um-teenth time we would have done our "Swingin at the Cotton Club Routine", but we were still nervous. I don't worry about forgetting the choreography because my body will remember it as well as Kev will always lead it...but I was worried that I wouldn't have the stamina to get through it. It's not terribly long, but it's fast.

The performance went well and we were very pleased with it, however we were so tired afterwards that we headed home so that we could get into bed early. Fortunately or unfortunately Sommer and Dorry came home before we went to bed and then cooked us late-night breakfast. It was soooooooooooo good. Yum yum.

And then it was bed time.

New Years Eve

For New Years, Kevin and I spent our time in Boston at New Year's Dancing Eve, which was a cross-over event (meaning Lindy Hop and West Coast).

Joe and Kathey Mahoney put on a wonderful event. The contest ran smoothly, the award show/dinner show was awesome, and people danced the night away on New Years.

Some highlights:

During the dinner show, Arjay Centeno danced with his partner Melissa Rutz and Deborah Szekely, another superstar in the West Coast scene, did the best 3 person dance I have ever seen. Check it out here. Just watch it; it was amazing. I have a better appreciation for West Coast after this dance and am more amazed that one man could do so much!

On Saturday night I did pickle shots up in somebody's hotel room. I don't know who's suite it was, but I was invited it, pickles were cute, and about 20 of us grabbed a chilled shot of vodka, threw it back, and then munched on the pickle. I'll be honest, if you don't try this, you aren't missing anything.

I turned 24 that weekend. And someone remembered. And Kevin made sure I had a birthday cake and that I got sung to. It was the simplest, yet most fulfilling birthday ever.

I almost missed my flight back home because I hit snooze, or so I thought. It would have been the first plane I have ever missed in 10 years of traveling (that would have been due to me). Luckily Davis Thurber was kind enough to drive me to the airport.

Kevin and I got to close out the dinner show on New Years Eve.

I got to hang out with a couple named Dorry and Sommer from Baltimore, MA. They are some of the coolest, down-to-earth, funny, and brilliant people I know. If you don't know them, search them out and let them know that you found them on my recommendation.

Happy New Years!

And to all my friends, I wrote you notes and mailed them. Yes, mailed them. Not email, but mailed them. I don't know if you will get them though....perhaps there wasn't enough postage on them, or because they didn't have a sealant on them (and subsequently taped them), in which case I am betting the Post won't be merry or jolly enough to just send them. More to come on this.

Hop to the Beat - our workshop in Boston

So here is the run down of what was scheduled:

Both Kevin and Emily are stars on the social dance floor, in competitions and as performers. They are excited for this opportunity to share their talents and have put together a fabulous line-up of classes for all levels of experience. You won't want to miss this chance to learn some new moves, refine your skills and be inspired by this very creative and dynamic couple!

Rounding out the weekend will be our monthly dance, Uptown Swing, on Saturday, December 1 in Brookline. Features of the evening will include dancing to Shawn Hershey and the Fried Bananas and a dance performance with Kevin and Emily.

http://www.hoptothebeat.com/kevin_emily.html

Saturday, December 1, 2007
  Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

    A. 12:30-1:45pm Lindy Hop Fundamentals
       Starting at the beginning, Kevin & Emily style. For beginners and anyone wanting to review or refine basics.       (no partner or experience needed)
    B. 2:00-3:15pm Existential Funk? Buy a New Suit
       Going beyond the basics, a connection intensive.       (no partner needed, all levels)
    C. 3:30-4:30pm Take A Spin
       Variations, spinning, dynamic frame.       (intermediate+, previous experience required)
    D. 4:45-5:45pm Strut Your Stuff
       Styling for leaders and followers.   (intermediate+, previous experience required)

Saturday, December 1, 2007
  Brookline Tai Chi, 1615 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
    8:30pm-Midnight Uptown Swing Dance Club
                    Beginners welcome, no partner needed
                    Admission $15 ($10 with Student ID
                    Beginner Lesson (8:30-9:00pm)
                    Band: Shawn Hershey and the Fried Bananas
                    Dance Exhibition: Kevin St. Laurent & Emily Hoffberg


Sunday, December 2, 2007
  Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

    E. 12:30-1:45pm Victory in Boston
       Sweet as the cream pie from the city it's named after - a Jazz routine.   (non-partner, int/adv, but all levels welcome)
    F. 2:00-3:00pm Afternoon Delight
       Rubbing sticks and stones together make sparks ignite: Blues.  (no partner needed, int & int/adv, previous experience required)
    G. 3:15-4:30pm Cirque du So-LAME? Flashy, Flighty Moves
       Jam material to keep the crowd kickin'.       (no partner needed, int/adv, previous experience required)
    H. 4:45-6:00pm We ARE Lindy Hop - Fire & Ice
       A Lindy routine to heat things up and cool 'em down.   (partner required, int/adv & adv, previous experience required)

Our New DVDs!!!!

Each aerial is taught step-by-step using progressive exercises and drills with an emphasis on safety. Since all aerials are shown from various angles, we suggest repetitive viewing in conjunction with a video player that allows for frame-by-frame slow motion. The aerials are organized in two sets of three. Each set gets progressively more difficult while building on the same foundation of technique.



Become a better, faster dancer through superior technique, drills and exciting moves. Hop on the Dance Express and learn to keep your frame supple and dynamic while still using counter balance. An all levels video for beginner, intermediate and advanced Lindy Hoppers.







Whether you’re new to Lindy Hop or a veteran of the social, competitive or performance floor, this video will provide material and inspiration. Please use these moves and ideas as a springboard for your own creativity as well as the movement as a base for matching and expressing the music in your own personal way.