My one word to sum up my experience at Tampa: CEMERLANG (Malay word for EXCELLENT).
My congratulations to Arline Winerman for successfully bringing together all the superb instructors and line dance friends from all over the world to Tampa.
The day I left, it was the festive season of Hari Raya Aidilfitri – a time when I would normally go house-hopping, visiting friends during their open houses and feast on local delicacies such as Rendang (a type of dry beef curry) and Ketupat (a type of dumpling made from rice wrapped in a woven palm leaf pouch which is then boiled).
With 3 Singaporean LD friends, we transited in no less than 6 airports, touring various cities in East Coast, living out of the suitcases in 8 different hotels with constant visits to Starbucks Coffee and McD. For me personally, NYC is forgettable – perhaps my hungry stomach on a cold morning has blinded me to the high scrapers in that city. I had only eyes for the bagels screaming at me to be eaten.
Nor could I forgive the tour guide who dragged us in a windy ride to see the lady in green; holding up the torch…she has been there for so long – wonder if she would have preferred to hold on to a glass of champagne or something else…
Thankfully, the trip became more interesting from Niagara Falls to Boston onwards – as evidenced by the pictures of yummy lobster meal and the hearty breakfast served at this quaint Green House Café at Harvard Street, Boston. The waiter was cute and accommodating too.
Arriving in Tampa a week later, we were happy to shed off our winter clothes and get laundry done at 5th floor of Doubletree hotel. Superb hotel with friendly staff. Every corner I turned, I kept bumping into the ever-cheerful maintenance guy. Smooth stay we have had.
Tampa Bay LD Classic will always have its lasting significance on me. Being at Arline’s event made me understand the full impact of the name of this event. CLASSIC. The level of sincere appreciation the line dancers showered on the organizer and instructors is phenomenal. People came from all over the world and determined to have fun and fun. The DJs in Louie and BigDave were simply impeccable, belting out dance tracks to requests without a hitch. Though the dance halls were freezing cold, but it warmed my heart to see so much goodwill and lighthearted rapport between and amongst all the people there.
Exchanging emails, pictures and jokes can never replace the joy of being able to greet and hug the persons themselves. The workshops were splendidly and smoothly conducted by professional instructors – some of which I had to forgo to nurse a fever or simply could not clone myself in time to attend the concurrent ones. I hope to be able to redeem myself by mentioning them here:
Maurice Rowe – Sweet & Sassy, A Little Star
Peter Metelnick & Alison Biggs – (Mi Carino) Maria, Holding Back the Ocean
Michael Barr – Divisidero Cha, …And Fell in Love
Guyton Mundy – Ain’t No Other, Crooked Letter Y
Bryan McWherter – Sending Signals, Pon De Replay
Shaz Walton – Hotline (and thanks to Christine for standing within my view to help me out), Lay Down Beside Me
Marilyn McNeal – Don’t Feel Like Dancing, Crown Royal
Kathy G – Less Complicated
Robin Sin – Infinity, Somethin About U, Ka Boom
AJ Clayton – Get Down Tonight
Vivienne Scott – Long Gone, On My Mind, My Greek #1, Dance Zone
Neville Fitzgerald – Wickiddist, A Little Crazy
Bill McGee – Fairytale Life
Mark Cosenza & Glen Pospiezny – Walk Like a Man
Ian Forster – A-B Ticket, Simply A-B
John Robinson (my all-time favourite in Tampa!) – Comin’ Out, Drop Dead Smile, I See I See, Easier Touch, Champagne on Ice
Arline Winerman – Macca Mambo (such a delightful teach by equally delectable Arline)
The Show on Saturday night was a big treat. I have never laughed so hard for such a long time – John Robinson actually shaved off 60% of his head and was simply so adorable in the Sumo Wrestler Gig along Bryan, Michael, Peter and Alison. And the ladies of Joy Luck Club – who gave us lovely oriental dances with such grace and beauty in their costumes and colourful umbrellas and feathers on fans. Unforgettable.
Well done, Arline and thank you for arranging the lovely birthday cake. It feels great to meet Lena from Scotland and Mark Cosenza who share the same birth date as me. See the similarity in us?
I hit the sack rather early on the partying nights; but 99.99% of all the other line dancers are decked in lovely Oriental/Asian costumes were on the dance floors up to 4 am. The invigorating power of dancing!
After the Tampa weekend, we headed towards Orlando. We were so honoured to have Guyton Mundy driving us to Disneyworld. Can you make out which foot is Guyton’s?
Being cramped up and fed crappy food in the air may be painful, but the experience that we have had is simply precious and magical right to the end. Whilst Disney was all started by a mouse, this trip was all started by our love and curiosity about line dancing in US.
Make it your own experience. No words can describe the wonderful experience I have had. You have got to be there to know it yourself. Start planning to be at Tampa from Nov 1 – 4 2007 – the theme will be the ‘50s – which spells FUN and CASUAL.
And there is still time to head for the 15th Annual Worlds! UCWDC World Championships in Nashville, Tennessee. Majority of the names I mentioned above would be at the Worlds - so start making travel arrangements to count-in the new year with Arline, Guyton, Scott, John, Nev, Mark, Robin, Rachael, Doug & Jackie, Peter & Alison….the list is endless….
Yours in HappyShoes
HappyFeet