Month: May 2010

Mid-Summer Bummer

We just got word yesterday that this year’s SouthernStar Mid-Summer Classic has been canceled due to “multiple factors beyond [the organizers’] control.” It’s hard not to wonder what happened, given that the date had been scheduled long ago and the organizers were already promoting the competition. We’re sad to be missing the comp this year. It is lots of fun and very friendly, and I for one was looking forward to riding Sheikra again.

But! We do have other treats coming up this summer. I just finished booking our flight to Baton Rouge for the Gumbo Dancesport Championship–we leave a month from today. We’ve heard this is a great, well-run comp and we are excited to participate after missing it last year. Also, with Tampa off the agenda, we have a little more money in the dance budget, just in time to sign up for a coaching session in early July with Andre & Natalie Paramonov. I never thought that after only a few years dancing together & competing we’d be exposed to such high-level instruction. It gives me that “Wow, we are really doing this!” feeling.

Bummers happen, but the great thing about ballroom dancing is that there’s always something else to look forward to: another comp, another lesson, or maybe just a new pair of shoes… *wiggles eyebrows*

behind the curtain dance events

We have chosen!

(insert dramatic orchestral flourish here)

At our lesson today with Eddie we told him about the recital performance. He thought we should do a tango because it is more dynamic & dramatic than waltz or foxtrot. We got to work on song suggestions and he came up with a good one: “Pa’ Bailar–Siempre Quiero Mas” by Bajofondo. (link goes to Amazon.com MP3 page with a sample you can play)

Kelly suggested “Bust Your Windows”–that was a close runner-up but did not fit the theme of “Times of our Lives.” On reflection, though, I suppose wanting to bust the windows out of someone’s car is an important time in one’s life…

THANKS to everyone who weighed in yesterday. We are excited about this performance! Come see us and a whole lot of other talented dancers on June 4 at 2 p.m. at Zuver Center.

behind the curtain dance events

Breaking news!

This afternoon, Daniel and I went over to the Madison Studio to practice for an hour or so before the studio’s recital rehearsal. As we were getting ready to leave and I was paying for a new dance card, one of the moms asked if we would be performing in the recital. I said (maybe with a little touch of mischief) “We haven’t been invited.” Ms. Madison immediately got big excited eyes and said “Oh! Oh! Do you want to? Because that would be great! The programs haven’t even been typed up yet, so we could totally put you in! I know right where you could go, too!”

We looked at each other for about .05 seconds before agreeing. Now we have to choose one of our three Smooth routines (waltz, tango, or foxtrot) and pick out a song that fits the recital’s theme, “Times of our Lives.” I want to do a tango because I think it’s our flashiest number, but the best song I can think of is a waltz: “Time in a Bottle.” Please leave suggestions in the comments! The recital is in just a couple of weeks, so we have to decide quickly.

We hope you’ll come to see us perform, and to watch some great dancing from our friends at Madison Studio: June 4 at 2:00 p.m. at Zuver Center on the Mount de Sales campus.