Smoky Mountain Boogie VII
March 24 &ndash 27, 2005
by Rich Kopels, Atlanta Swing Dancers Club
The Smoky Mountain Shagger’s of Knoxville, TN and the Atlanta Swing Dances of Atlanta, GA co-hosted their seventh annual weekend event. This year the event took place at Music Road Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN due to the remodeling in process at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.
Thanks to all of you for attending and making it a huge success once again. We missed those of you who were unable to be there and hope you will join us in 2006.
Registration Table
DJs Billy Waldrep, Ed Timberlake, Chris Aiken, and Ray Coker played for the 650 + dancers representing 69 dance clubs from 20 states across the country. A great selection of music kept dancers on the floor from noon until 1 A.M.
Workshop instructors were Ellen Taylor, Shag, John Henning, Night Club Two Step, Phil Dorroll & Louise Seabright, Hustle and Ray & Kay Coker, West Coast Swing. They filled the ballroom Friday and Saturday mornings. Even after partying till closing, the dancers were up and at ‘em early to participate in the workshops. Exhibitions by the workshop instructors and other guests entertained the crowd on Friday and Saturday nights.
Other favorites of the guests were the free pours and hospitalities sponsored by Chicago’s Windy City Jitterbug Club, Cincinnati Bop Club, Choo Choo Shag Club, Toe to Toe Dance Shoes and the two host clubs. Additionally the Dance Floor was fabulous; it was Bill Snider’s floor out of Memphis TN
Music Road Hotel, connected by a covered open walkway to the convention center, was our headquarter hotel. Music Road Inn, Motel 6, and other nearby hotels/motels were within walking distance. Matter of fact, they were just across the street. All the hotels and motels in that area are relatively new, very clean, comfortable décor and welcomed our guests with open arms.
Now a bit of news which some of you already know, a decision was made by both clubs that in 2006 the Smoky Mountain Shagger’s and the Atlanta Swing Dance Club will each host their own event rather than co-host. Seven years ago the Atlanta Swing Dancers Club accepted the invitation to co-host the Smoky Mountain Boogie with the Smoky Mountain Shagger’s.
Both clubs’ have had successful and wonderful events for seven years. Their members have worked hard together and we have been fortunate for the terrific support of all of our guests. This year, as well as last year, was a sell-out.
The reason for two parties is that the Atlanta Swing Dancers Club would like to host an event in their home town of Atlanta. Tentatively their event will be in October 2006. Smoky Mountain Boogie VIII will be as near the last weekend of March as possible, depending on availability of locations and dates available.
The two clubs will continue to support each other’s event and will work together transitioning to separate parties.
So here’s wishing both club’s good luck and much success in the years to come.