Atlanta Swing Classic
A Huge Success! – October 12 – 15
“The Party Is Over (temporarily, until 2007) but the memories linger on.” – I borrowed this quote from Rich Kopels.
Where do I begin? What a party! Congratulations to the Atlanta Swing Dancers Club on the success of their FIRST annual Atlanta Swing Classic and “thank you” Rich Kopels for the splendid job in chairing the event, and thanks to each of you who stepped up to chair the committees, and a big thank you to all who volunteered to serve on various committees PLUS, a genuine thank you to those who volunteered after their arms were twisted.
It took the teamwork of all in attendance, the Event Chairperson, Host Club members, non-members, committees, DJs, workshop instructors, vendors, the Host Hotel and their entire staff. This event had “teamwork” plus.
The Atlanta Swing Classis was October 12 – 15 at the Marriott Perimeter Center Hotel. If you attended this year, thanks for being part of the First Atlanta Swing Classic. Over 365 individuals represented 43 dance clubs and 18 states. If you were unable to attend, please, mark your calendars now for October 4 – 7, 2007.
Make your hotel reservations early for 2007. – I for one have already made mine. Westin Atlanta Perimeter North - $89.00 + tax, Phone: 770-395-3900, Online Booking Will Be Available Soon!
The Marriott Perimeter Center Hotel was the headquarter hotel for the entire event including rooms, catering, and ballroom.
The “traveling” dance floor was rented from Master Dance Floor. When I say traveling dance floor, I am not exaggerating. – The floor traveled beyond its expectations. Please let me explain! This 2200 sq. ft. dance floor was placed, fitted, and secured (we thought) in a newly carpeted ballroom. Before the end of the first/second evening all the happy dancing feet has caused the floor to travel horizontally 40 inches thus causing a separation among some of the sections. This was a temporary challenge and was remedied immediately.
Many “Johnny's on the spot” quickly came to the rescue for a temporary fix of the floor and they reappeared again at 3 a.m. to permanently make the necessary adjustments. An issue of this nature never stops the “dancers”. The dancers just move to a stable area of the floor, music continues, and dancers dance.
Speaking of music, the DJs were, in no particular order, Bill Riggenbach, Ron Reese, Ray Coker, Rich Kopels, Donna Conley, Tom Connerton, Randy Burton, and Philip Patrick. They hailed from Houston, TX, Columbus, OH, and the immediate Atlanta area. – This was promoted as a swing and hustle event and these terrific DJs provided appropriate music to meet the needs and likes of ALL the dances and dancers, a nice variety.
We all know that to “dancers” two of the most important items are the quality of the dance floor followed by the music provided by the DJs.....so far so good.....but this is just the beginning.
Entertainment? Absolutely! The World Renown “Team Joe” (Jim and Kellie Rainey with P.J. and Lisa Turner, all of Knoxville, Tennessee) captured the attention and hearts of the crowd both Friday and Saturday nights as they performed their fun and exciting routines. Stacy McBreen and her partner Alan Annicella brought the “Balboa” to life with their high-energy exhibition. Additionally Kay and Ray Coker honored the crowd with their WCS exhibition.
Vendors were on site with their full line of clothing, shoes, and jewelry. The vendors were set-up directly across the hall from the ballroom, making it convenient so shop when you felt you needed a break from dancing or vice-versa.
Workshops for everyone, all eight included in the price of your event ticket. Can’t beat that! WCS Timing Tricks; WCS It’s All About the Music; Styling Your Hustle; WCS Funk & Groove; Magical WCS Moves; Night Club Two Step Smooth Patterns, Cool Cha Cha Moves; Hot & Funky Hustle Moves. The all Atlanta workshop instructors were: Stacy McBreen, Steve Edwards, Pat Korn, Kim Bass, and Nettie Robertson.
The always exciting 50/50 drawings took place nightly. Something I should have mentioned earlier, which is of great importance, is that “everything happened at the time it was scheduled to happen.” That’s almost unheard of! Again, toasts to your event director for making that happen.
Hospitality, yes indeed. For this you had to be there. Several hospitalities with light snacks and beverages took place in the “hospitality room.” Friday night and Saturday night, “late night” hospitality in the hall just outside of the ballroom. Not only pleasing to the body but also pleasing to the eye. Friday night offered cheese crepes, turkey croissants, fruit, Danish, juices, and coffee. No one went away hungry. Saturday night was the full breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs, potatoes, rolls, and again juice and coffee. No shortage on food – ever. Then last but not least Sunday morning was the “Farewell” hospitality breakfast to allow for the “goodbyes.”
From time to time, as it was necessary, appropriate, and very fitting, Rich made announcements that were brief and to the point, good job. Rich’s announcements publicly thanked all those mentioned throughout this event article as well as a public thank you to his lovely wife, “Blanca”. If any of you have ever chaired an event, you know, and if you haven‘t, let me tell you, “there are hours, days, weeks, and months of computer work, planning, organizing, calling etc. that occupies the time and talents of your chairperson. Blanca was there to support Rich fully and totally during the endless hours he donated in chairing your first Atlanta Swing Classic.
I don’t want to overlook the Marriott. A quality hotel with a staff that was ready, willing, and able to provide the best of service. Yes, everyone knows the Marriott is a world famous chain of 4/5 star hotels. This location was no exception. Rooms were of a very comfortable size, sparkling clean, comfy beds with fluffy brilliant, white feather comforters. Hotel registration welcomed each and every guest with a smile. As we registered at the hotel we were offered an additional perk.
As an option, for an additional $10.00 per night to the cost of the hotel room you could have a full gourmet breakfast for two between the hours of 7 and 10 a.m. – Again, this was an optional perk, a nice gesture from the Marriott.
Many welcomed notes of congratulations and compliments have been received. Additionally, many requests have filtered in wanting to know when they can purchase their ticket for ASC 2007. Everyone wants that “first” ticket… They will go on sale in early January.
Again, congratulations to the Atlanta Swing Dancers Club for their success in their first annual Atlanta Swing Classic.
I can only assure you that 2007 will be even bigger and better? Thanks for your time in reading about the Atlanta Swing Classic. Look forward to seeing you all on many dance floors between now and then and for certain at the Atlanta Swing Classic in 2007.