This page will be kind of a diary of sorts or a weblog "BLOG" describing all the events that I've attended.
I flew into Kelowna on Wednesday and then drove to Vernon, about 1/2 hour away. Nice drive.
Dancing began at 9:00 am on Thursday. Great routines, lots of variety.
Instructors included:
backrow: Barb Guenette (she organized the whole thing), Lynette McLeod, Helen LeCounte, Ev Champoux, me (Kerri Orthner), Sharon Lafferty frontrow: Janice Jestin, Barb Carr, Lynda Colautti, Mike McDow, Jackie Eagle and Darlene Cummings.
There
were over 75 cloggers in attendance. Great turnout.As a group we performed at the closing ceremonies and received rave reviews.
Too much fun. Thanks for a wonderful weekend everyone.
Thursday I drove from Edmonton to Saskatoon, just in time to check in, have a bite to eat and then a quick walk across the street to check out the facility. WOW, TCU is very impressive. I haven't seen a dance floor that large for a long time. Found the hostess Rosalie and got my bearings. Workshop started Thursday night.
And we danced all day Friday and Saturday. Great instructors - Rosalie Bodnarchuk (Saskatoon), Lyle Boswall (Saskatoon) Cindy Weeks (Regina), Marilyn Bossert (Kipling), Dona Keys (N. Battleford), Gerald Laking (Winnipeg) and me!
Saturday evening there were even speeches from Saskatoon's Mayor Donald J. Atchison and MLA Randy Weekes. A great presentation by the Dakotas (next year the Internationals are in Jamestown) and then there were "Sample" Square, Round and Clogging dances before the evening Fun Dances. Overall there was 501 in attendance.
After the main program, we broke off for our own final dances and club demos. The costumes were FANTASTIC, green glitter, pink guitars and sunflowers.
After Party was held across the street at the Hilton Garden. and the AFTER AFTER Party was held on the patio. It was great getting to know the ladies from Saskatoon and Kipling better - what a great weekend.
After a long and harrowing drive through the mountains in a snow storm, Kevin (my husband) and I stayed in Lake Louise the first night (Thurs) then headed to Creston to arrive on Friday.
Friday night was great - Barb Guenette warmed us up with a couple of easier routines just to prime us for the weekend.
On Saturday, there were 2 halls running and lots of dances and instructors to choose from. I taught "We Danced Anyway". Great lunch, wonderful soup made by Larry Guenette.
Saturdays fun dance was a blast, and the demos were great!
Bright and early Sunday morning Barb and I taught again and we wrapped up everything around noon on Sunday! I taught "Swing with Me".
Great weekend, warm sunny weather, everything was green there and the trees were starting to bloom.
Looking forward to next year! Thanks to Susan Woods for allowing me to teach this weekend.
OMG!! What a Fantastic workshop. Barry Welch from California (California Ground Pounders) not only kept us very entertained, but he kept us moving all day with his fabulous selection of dances and music. (Another plus was he's very easy on the eyes - grin) We learned 10 dances in one day, a couple basic+ and a terrific Advanced dance, and all the levels in between. I didn't even try to count all the new steps I was learning. I have so much to bring back to class. Students get ready!
I didn't sit out one dance. I ended up with blisters on my feet again. BTW, you really shouldn't try to break in new shoes at a workshop.
Lunch was just what we needed. We had bunwiches, pasta salad and veges, rice krispie/puffed wheat squares and some Birthday Cake for lunch.
It was so great to see all my clogging friends again. Thanks to Heather Kerr for her part especially because it was on her birthday :) and all the other C.L.A.M. members.
Those who weren't there missed a terrific experience. I'm sure glad I was there.
This was a great workshop. Brian Tucker from Allegan, Michigan taught along with Darolyn Pchajek of Dare to Clog Dancers in Winnipeg. I also got a chance to instruct a quick dance on Friday night. That was great. Thanks to Darolyn for allowing me that opportunity.
It was nice to be a student again for a change. I forgot how tiring learning all day can be - it's been 3 months since my last workshop.
All in all we learned 13 routines. Whew! I don't have a favorite. There were even 2 partner routines which was cool.
Wow I can't believe how many new steps I learned - I lost count after 20 (and that was just Friday night).
What a great week! This was the first National Convention that I was able to enjoy as I didn't have to worry about any of CCI stuff. I was just able to dance and have fun, no tests or classes. What a blast. I saw many old friends and made several new ones. Just alot of fun!!
Kevin and I went a couple of days early and toured around a little bit, great meals. Joe's Crab Shack is definitely a place to go! The Seaport Village shops had lots of neat things, and don't forget Black Friday shopping.
I taught Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows in the open teach hall on Thursday. Then I stayed and danced, and danced, and danced (okay in there somewhere there was eating too and a couple of drinks).
I went to teaches by Dave Roe, Gary Larsen, Shane Gruber, Janice Jestin, Barry Welch, Michele Hill, Lelia Hunsaker, Eric Bice, Anne Mills, Blake Bartlett, Chip Summey, Matt and Colleen Pearson. I was actually able to get every step in All Summer Long by Eric Bice, Yeah! Finally mastered that "Trouble Step", Gary Larsen's tap influenced routine I Need to Know was challenging but fun. Blake Bartlett's Sneaker Night - I got 2 out of 6 or 7 steps, but that was great for me. The last teach of the workshop Price I Pay was really fast and a great end to a week of learning new steps.
Everytime I go to a workshop, I am always learning new steps. This was the best convention for me and I really enjoyed myself.
Footwerx! and Blizzard Cloggers hosted Missy Shinoski at Josephburg (a little community just outside of Ft. Saskatchewan, really close to my home). What a great weekend.
The best part was learning 500 Miles directly from Missy. What a dancer! She just flies/glides across the floor - so smooth.
We started bright and early and got right into it. WOW, what a great set of dancers. We danced our hearts out all day and I had a great time. Great demos and what a spread for lunch!!! You guys ROCK!
Thank you again to Rosalie, Heather and the rest of the Clog-A-Teers for inviting me. I'll never forget it.
The day after I returned home my computer crashed, so I apologize for the delay in posting. I now have it up and running almost back to normal.
Amazingly I arrived within a few minutes of Janice at the Hotel Murano - what a place - blown glass art every where - very modern and sleek. I guess Tacoma has a big glass art museum. I'll have to go back some day.
Got settled and off we went for supper.
Back and ready to dance. Started off Easy with Janice's Drivin My Life Away and West Texas Town, then Anne Mill's Intermediate Get Outta My Way and then Barry's Advanced Give Me One Reason. Great way to start. Back to the hotel room and had some amazing Carmelized Onion Dip and chips. mmmm.
Up bright and early the next morning - started with Susan Wood's Advanced Are You Jimmy Ray, Anne Mill's Advanced One Step at a Time and then watched a bit of Barry's Advanced Cotton Eyed Joe again and Carol Colton's Easy 12th Street Rag and then onto the hunt for lunch. Nothing was open in Downtown Tacoma, I ended up walking about 3 deserted blocks and found a Subway.
Ate and back at it again. Matt Ellinger's Advanced I Don't Feel Like Dancing, Carol Coulton's Advanced Ground Hog and Alberta Stamp's Intermediate Waiting for Tonight (but for some reason I missed the party across the hall in the Hip Hop class - just about everyone was there and they were having a blast!!!!
Off to dinner and back for more dancing at the fun dance. Then the demos - something about black and white still has me giggling. Some great Hip Hop dancers, a Chinese Ribbon Dance and a few others. I even won a foot massager from the door prizes (had a hard time packing it but managed.) Then off for a visit till the wee hours of the morning.
Sunday morning - started with Barry Welch's Baby Workout to work on double doubles then Janice's Intermediate teach Old Pop in an Oak and then watched Alberta Stamp's Advanced Coney Island Washboard Woman. Whew!
Couldn't get a flight out on Sunday, so didn't leave until Monday. We checked out and went back to help tear up the floors and then onto a great extended lunch and visit at Katie Down's on the waterfront. Then off to the next hotel by the airport for the night. Had a wonderful dinner at 13 Coins - cool chairs and some wine - amazing pasta. It was a wonderful night, thanks Janice.
Up the next morning and on a plane. I would do that one again too.
It most certainly wasn't. I stayed at the Double Tree which was right beside the Host Hotel and had a great room - what a place - like an oasis 5 minutes from the hotel.
I met up with my friend Darolyn from Winnipeg and her mom, Gladys, right away and went to a meet and greet. Then off we went dancing. I can't believe how talented all the dancers are down there. WOW! Started off Friday night with Lelia's Oh What a Night. Then tried Barry Welch's Advanced Cotton Eyed Joe (had it down but have since lost it, will get it back though that's for sure). Both great dances! Then off to bed for the night.
Got up bright and early on Saturday started in the Intermediate Hall with Shannon Marks Pork and Beans, then onto Eric Bice's Advanced All Summer Long, then had to take a break and watched Kevin Smiley's Crazy - had no idea someone could do steps like that - he seemed to float on air. Amazing!! Quick lunch and back at it. Lelia's Advanced Funkabilly was next, then Barry's Intermediate Be Without You and John Habash's Dancing on the Ceiling and then Eric's Intro to Buck 2. Whew, what a day. and it was only half over.
Back to the hotel to shower and grab a bite to eat and then back at it again for the Fun Dance!! Lot's of new dances, some I actually knew - some I knew but learned to do correctly - as long as I could see the cuer I could do the steps - a Toe Vine is what I know as a Joey, that's one that kept messing me up. Ask me sometime about a "Slug".
Then the After Party back at the Host Hotel - snacks and drinks and games, I remember there being someone with jello shots too. :)
There was dancing the next morning so I didn't stay out too late. At 10:00 AM Darolyn was on with her Advanced Candyman - Loved it!! and then a few minutes in Eric Bice's Legs then I was done and on my way. Back on a plane and home.
It was absolutely great! I'd do it again that's for sure. There had to have been close to 200 people there all with the same purpose - TO CLOG. I love workshops!!
I really enjoyed Dave Roe from Surprise, Arizona - he just celebrated his 65th Birthday. Lots of new dances to add to the program. Some really cool steps too.
The Fun Dance on Saturday night was a blast! I'm glad I stayed. We had different instructors from the region cuing, and Dave and Maureen of course, lots of demos interspersed throughout the program to give us a break.
Bright and early on Saturday morning we started with a quick warmup and then right into some teaches. First up was Deb Milne - first cue/teach ever - she did a great job and I look forward to seeing her at many more functions. She's working on accumulating her CCI points after taking the course in Nashville.
Next up was Jessica. Jessica did 4 teaches throughout the day. I always enjoy her dances - this year she challenged us but didn't kill us, a nice balance. We even danced Little Willie by Poison. Nothing like taking clogging to heavy metal, sooo cool! I listened to Poison in High School.
I taught Oh Boy. Len Icke did a teach after lunch and definitely kept us entertained. Then Sherry Loren did a teach as well. She too is accumulating CCI Points.
Lunch was fantastic - gotta love that macaroni salad.
Demos and door prizes--- Overall, the Hoscka's put on a great workshop!!
Click on their names to find out more about Brian and Darolyn.
Be sure to look into the April Workshop in Manitoba with Judy Waymouth!! It should be great too!!
Thanks to the Ardrossan United Church for including us in this evening.
If any other clogging instructors would like the program I've prepared, I'll be happy to share it with you - or if any Guide or Brownie leaders are interested in using clogging to work on these badges, I could get in touch with someone in your area who would be willing to do this with your group.
I'm home.
The most important news. I passed the CCI test - its official I am a Certified Clogging Instructor. Got a plaque and pin and everything. I taught Hard Rain by Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain and got very good reviews from both dancers and evaluators.
Nashville was great! We (my husband went with me this year) were there for 10 days. We got to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, Studio B, The Ryman Auditorium (took a tour), The Grand Ole Opry (saw the Rockettes Christmas show). We drank at many locations including the Wildhorse Saloon, Coyote Ugly, BB King and a few others, shopped at the Opry Mills Mall, 100 Oaks Mall and a 24 hour Walmart. And I danced of course.
There was almost too much to do and see at the convention.
We missed getting up to Graceland but we will make a special trip for that
at a later date.
The hotel was massive - over 2880 rooms and there were other conventions
going on at the same time as ours - it was nuts! Our room felt like
it was about a 10 minute walk to where we were dancing and the dancing was
spread out over 2 wings so you couldn't just pop in on another class.
Over all there was a great turn out - Ontario won the highest attendance,
Alberta was second.
In the hotel there was a lot to do and see too. Very large place -
we kept getting lost with all the twists and turns.
Next year the convention is in San Diego
Another absolutely great clogging weekend.
Shane Gruber was the headliner from Detroit, Michigan and was very entertaining. His upbeat style of music and dance steps keeps the heart pumping and the feet moving. Don't forget about the piano and trumpet moves. We were all laughing and anticipating what might be next. Too funny!
Saturday morning started bright and early and ended late at night. There was about 40 minutes of demos before the evening dance. Those who were there really enjoyed them.
Next year is the 10th Anniversary of Clogtoberfest, so mark your calendars for sometime in October. Details will be posted on the Upcoming events page.
Here's the direct link
What a great weekend!
I arrived Friday night and found my hotel without any problems. We danced Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. Whew! We danced so late that by the time we got back to the hotel, we didn't have time to do more than just soak our feet in the hot tub for a few minutes. (not that we could have soaked anyways as some of us forgot our bathing suits, ha ha.)
Janice Jestin is an awesome instructor and always has great teaches.
Thanks Janice for including me in your program. I taught "Hard Rain" on Saturday morning.
There were a few demos on Saturday night, a great spread was laid out for the whole weekend by the Lethbridge Cloggers - special thanks goes to Sandy and Lyle for all the hard the put in.
Clogging always makes me happy!
09/01/07
Alberta Square Dance Convention - Strathmore, Alberta
I attended the clogging portion on Saturday, September 1, 2007.
I arrived Friday night and also attended the Trail In Dance. WOW, I haven't watched a lot of square dancing but to see 13 "squares" (groups of 8) on a floor at one time all doing the same thing - I'm just amazed. There was also some round dancing - this is really neat too - a really big circle of couples doing choreographed and cued waltzes and two-steps etc. If only my husband would dance - sigh sigh. But that's one of the reasons why I CLOG! No partner required.
The clogging portion was organized by Maureen and Tom Dakers. They did a wonderful job. There was a great variety of music and cuers (in order of appearance) - Tom, ME, Ida, Joan, Lyle and Maureen. We each taught about 2 dances and then had about an hour fun dance. I think there were up to 50 people that participated - because many were square dancers they were bouncing between different rooms doing different things all day.
I'd also like to mention the way that the volunteers looked after the callers/cuers. I don't think we could have asked for anything - they provided it all. I know I was well supplied with water and lunch was fantastic.
What a great time!!
I had a great time with all three workshops - thanks to all that attended - you helped me greatly gain some experience and confidence. I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did.