April
Mania Dance Fiesta
Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, K.L.
15th April ~ 17 April, 2005
WE'RE
GONNA HAVE A BLAST!
Report by Happy Khim
Juz got out of deep slumber after a week of chaperoning our wonderful friends, Barry, Guyton and his lovely wife Natalie plus sweet Rachelle. We had the promised BLAST — the April Mania Dance Fiesta weekend (April 15 — 17, 2005) was a sold out! The event was featured in our number one local daily, The Star on Friday; and enquiries plus registrations came streaming in non-stop since 7.30 am!
And yes, we admit we kept stuffing food down their throats, so that we ourselves could remain in shape When I first met them at the airport on Monday 10pm, these poor dears were all tired out as a result of their week in Japan and they did not sleep during the flight. Barry has his usual twinkling eyes and smiley face. Guyton was captivating with his arms tattooed in Mandarin and Japanese — Live, Love, Dance and he roared We’re Gonna Have a Blast. After checking them in to the Pyramid Tower @ Sunway Lagoon and they had a good sleep, all 4 of them were like balls of energies — ready to live, love & dance! We got them to Kuala Selangor Fireflies Santuary, eat eat eat, shop shop shop at the Summit and Chinatown in KL City. Wow, besides dancing, they shop well too. In between, Guyton and Barry had to work — there were various private lesson sessions being organized for them.
The venue, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel was the perfect setting for the event. By Friday 1.50 pm, our line dancing friends from Singapore brought by Robin Sin arrived in 2 huge coaches. We had our hospitality desk ready to welcome them with registration packs, mystery gifts and room keys so that they get to freshen up. And they are fast — next minute, they are looking for eating spots and shopping all at Sunway Pyramid, which is annexed to the hotel.
The Opening Nite Jamboree kicked off at 7pm with an easy dance teach by courtesy of Robin Sin — Ka Boom choreographed by Robin Sin to the music "Those Magic Changes" by Sha Na Na. from the Grease soundtrack. The dance floor was filled within an hour with non stop dancing to a list of more than 60 music ranging from pop, country, funky, oldies — that appeal to all levels needs. Guyton put life into mundane stuff like lucky draws; but putting up comical acts. Everyone was in stitches with his funny antics; and have a great treat watching Barry & Guyton together with Natalie & Rachelle giving a sneak preview of the dance teaches for the next day.
We called it a night when the clock striked midnight; in order to have an early start the next day. Saturday dance workshops opened from 9 am with Robin Sin doing complimentary teach of Shark Bait, choreographed by Stephen Sunter (UK), a 32 Count, 4 Wall Intermediate dance to ‘Car Wash’ by Christina Aguilera. The hall was filled to the brim and the dance well received. Next door, Malaysia’s Jolene Pearly Vun, a local choreographer from Penang (northern state of Malaysia) taught Moonlight Coaster to "Moonlight Shadow " by Mike Oldfield a 64 Count - 2 wall, Intermediate line dance. She also did a fun 32 count, beginner dance, Making of India choreographed by Edwin Cheow to the music Made in India. Both were well received, with the latter having interesting Bollywood hand and arm stylings!
Barry & Guyton swing into action by 10 am. Barry did a marathon teach session — doing 3 dances within 45 minutes. His choice of easy beginner dances such as Key Lime Pie, Mockingbird and Body & Soul was excellent to start off the morning. Soon, he had everyone with a bright sunny smile and no groans were heard at all. After a 15-minute break, Barry took the challenge of teaching Atlantis choreographed by Jamie Marshall & John Robinson. He did a great job in getting everyone to do the funky applejacks, and final verdict is that, Atlantis is going to be a floor filler here along with the other dances being taught last weekend. After another short break, Rich Girl, done to Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani, is another favourites to the beginner dancers. Barry was such a patient and observant instructor — that he could boost the confidence levels of the many participants who are beginners and got them dancing well to the rhythms.
Next door, Guyton could be spotted doing his trademark stuff to a packed dance hall — Lose It. The participants sportingly were singing the chorus Aah-Aah-Aah-Aah-Aah and there were so much gayful laughters all around. Next, he did The King, which as he promised, is not a hard dance. Not by the way he systematically teaches it. Sum’n Sum’n was another hot favourite, and though the dance has been learnt and taught locally, many still packed in to learn to do it the Guyton way. Cadillac Ride was a big treat to the participants — seeing Guyton doing the knee spin in our very own eyes! He is simply amazing — no one dared to try it — and it is so much more enjoyable, just watching Guyton in action. We could never tire ourselves —his glides and arm/hand rippling motions are just so transfixing and entertaining. If only we could clone and have a copy of him here.
There was a lunch break followed by dance teach repeats so that everyone gets either to do a revision of the dances they learnt in the morning; or catch up on those that they missed earlier. But there were a big handful who skipped the lunch to catch up with Robin Sin (who over-ate, my doings again!) who taught Invitation to Party aka Foo Foo, choreographed by Michelle Perron. It was well received with great music track. Jolene Tan taught Butterfly, another one of her choreographies with graceful finger movements.
By 5.30pm, we were all scrambling to have a quick shower and have a change of clothes. Dancing to a list of 90+ music starts at 7.30 pm; and guests/participants with many walk ins packed the dining hall lined with sumptuous spread of international buffet food. By 8pm, the guests were all hungry and Guyton announced ‘Eat!’. There were huge array of 10 types of appetizers, with Spicy Chicken Broth as the soup of the day, 8 different types of hot dishes, Roast Ribeye of Beef with Grain Mustard Sauce, 6 types of desserts including my favourite, Tiramisu.
The highlight of the Saturday Night was the showcase. Barry & Rachelle did a cheeky Salsa that kept our eyes glued to them. Bronya Bishorek did a medley of her choreographies. Next, Guyton and Barry did a timeline each. They had all of us in stitches; for the first time, we saw Guyton in a long sleeved jacket less his cap and glasses. What a total makeover — we decided we like Guyton the way we know him and not the ‘normal’ look. Barry was ‘graceful’ in the full black skirt and we were laughing with tears. Jolene Tan did Dikir Puteri to Malay traditional song, another one of her choreographies. Then the girls, Natalie & Rachelle teamed up with Bronya Bishorek & Leong Mei Ling of Wild West Babes to put up a medley of line dances. There was a huge cry for encore as the crowd were so enthralled by their performances.
The night of dancing continued up to 1.30 am, and the dance floor was still filled even at that time. Dances were a good mix for beginners up to advanced dancers; to ensure that no one is kept sitting warming up their chairs for too long. What a great night — DJs Ghandi and Eric who did the count in were simply marvelous.
Sunday morning had Barry and Guyton up by 10 am to do a 3-hour techniques workshop. Once again, the hall was packed with participants who are new to line dancing and experienced instructors who came to learn Cuban motion, releasing balls (of feet) to waltz more gracefully and how to be more like Mr Funky. All apprehensive feelings that techniques workshop are heavy boring stuff were dispelled. Barry taught us to do spotting to his popular Bounce (one wall, 8 count — real funny).
The event came to a close by 1pm, with our Singapore friends getting ready to check out, have lunch and board their coaches at 3pm. So soon, we were already missing our friends who came from all over the nation — Central, North, South, East Coast and Singapore to join us. The general feedback was that there is something for everyone — and we were happy, as Barry, Guyton and us have worked hard to ensure this workshop is NOT solely for instructors — but for everyone — whether they have danced before or not, beginners, advanced or serious dancers.
We rounded up the day by taking Barry & all for more shopping at the Summit and another sumptious meal with fresh mango juice and satay (barbequed meat on skewers). 24 hours is certainly not enough, they have to try to pack with eyes half shut and be ready to be whisked to the airport by 8am the next morning.
30 hours have passed since I bid them farewell at the KLIA airport; and I am still missing them. My cellphone and mail box is still swarmed with lots of mails, calls and SMSs asking for the date of the next event.
Barry, Guyton — let’s talk and set a date. You have a safe flight back to US (and not Britain as the local press wants you to be).
Thanks for the mountaneous fun that we have had, and HappyFeet/Bizcat welcomes you all anytime.
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