Congratulations on a very successful benefit. Your efforts really paid off. Looking forward to next year! Laura Way to go, I hope your stress is all gone now. I had fun, thanks for the invite. Steve gREAT!!!!!!!!!!I'M GLAD YOU INCLUDED THE PART ABOUT A DIFFERENT FACILITY NEXT YEAR...THAT WAY FOR THOSE THAT WERE INCONVIENCED THEY WILL KNOW YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought the hotel site was great for the classes. Enjoyed the cleanliness and convenience without stairs to walk up and down. Thanks for a great event. Marlene Moore Karen, I just want to personally thank you for all of your work on such a great event and for such a worthy cause. I cannot imagine the time and effort you have put into this year's event alone. Larry and I had a very good time and really do appreciate all of your efforts. Thanks and may God bless, Donna Beer Karen, Thanks to you for a great benefit and a fun filled weekend. It must take many hours to prepare and schedule all the events. We enjoyed every minute. Debby Sanders Hi Karen, We hope you have recovered. It has been hectic here getting in late and back to work and a heavy schedule for me this week. The computor was running so or I would have emailed you sooner. We had a wonderful time and a lot of fun. Thanks for inviting us. I may want your advice on how to run one of these events. Joanne Brady told us of some local ones we can drive to so we will be checking them out and see if we can help too. Thanks again we had a blast! Mary Kohl (almost Tomaro) and Joe Tomaro GREAT JOB! Judy Kilburn
Hello
I had a great time at the
MDA. I was woundering if there is still a way to get
a video of the dances. Also how much are
they?
Nancy Alexander Karen, Tha nks for the invitation to help. I think it was a fabulous event. Heather and I were glad to be a part of it.Regards, Mike Salerno
Hi Karen,
We had a great time!
Thanks for having us at your event.
Happy dancing,
Mark & Mary Harris
Thanks for such a great weekend. All your efforts are very much appreciated by all of us. You're a great friend, dance teacher, and match maker as well. See you soon. Cynthia K Hill This really makes me feel like my little donation of $35.00 was a big help towards this disease. Thanks!!! You are a very sweet person and so giving!!! I don't think we tell you that often enough! HUGS! Terri Karen, I wish to commend you for your efforts concerning the MDA benefit. All those arrangements with the hotel, No Place and the other100's of details that had to be worked out, did not occur overnight. You did a truly OUTSTANDING JOB !! Your group of helpers also deserve a big round of applause for their part in making the event a success---GOOD JOB FOLKS! Everyone that took part in the event, instructers, dancers, etc: giving of their time and talent deserve a THANK YOU, from all and each other. Again, GREAT JOB! Curtis Smith Karen, thank you so much for the photo! It turned out really nice. We sure had a great weekend with you. You should be proud of a well-done event. I met so many nice people I hated to see Sunday come. Thanks again for having us be a part of it. Hope we helped raise a lot of money for MDA. :-) Mary Karen, Sounds like your hard work paid off. Great!!!! Let us thank you. We had a wonderful time. Kathy & Mac KAREN JUST A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE EVENT WAS SOOO MUCH FUN. YOUR HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF DEDICATION TO DETAILS WERE KNOWN ONLY TO YOU AND YOUR CHEERFUL VOLINTEERS IN THE PLANNING STAGES OF THIS HUGE VENTURE. AS "I" WORK IN THE ENDLESS SWIRL OF RADIO PROMOTIONS AND DETAILS MAY I COMMEND YOUR EFFORTS( AS I KNOW THE PAIN OF "DETAILS).YOU DID A SPLENDED JOB. THE INABILITY OF THE HOTEL MANAGEMENT TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH YOUR CAREFULLY EXECUTED PLAN WAS NOT YOUR FAULT, AND WE ALL REALIZED THAT. YOU SHARED THAT SUPER SMILE AND GOOD NATURE THROUGH IT ALL. I WOULD HAVE HAD A MELT DOWN FOR SURE.AND AS FOR THE MDA....WELL, REMEMBER, ITS ALL "BIG BUSINESS" NOW AND THESE PEOPLE ARE PUSHED FORWARD BY QUOTAS AND PERSONAL ACHIEVMENT. "YOU", AS AN EVENT CO-ORDINATOR, AND WE AS ATTENDERS ARE THE ONES IN THE TRENCHES THAT SUPPORT THESE CHARITIES. YOU ARE ARE THE CONDUCTOR OF THE TRAIN THAT DRIVES THE $ TO FIND A CURE FOR THIS KILLER. LOVE YOU, PATTI VAUGHN-STAIGER
TREVELYN GRAY A.K.A. "TWINKLES" SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS GOOD TO SEE YOU DOING SO WELL!!! HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING YOUR PASSION OF DANCING..KEEP SMILING!!!! Hi, I haven't seen you since MDA. Just wanted to say how great it was. So many talented people! Valerie Mojo Name:
Karen, you're great. Keep up the great work. I enjoy learning from you. Let us know when and I you get a new place to teach. See ya, Debby Ferguson
Great looking Web site! I will return to it when I have more time to check it thoroughly. Thanks for letting me visit. See you Saturday night. Bye for now, Carol
Name:
CommentsI have email now. Yippee!!! Please add me to your list. Thanks, Shelly
CommentsMy wife and I teach High Energy Country Western Line Dancing. We enjoy your site a lot. We live 7 miles north of Boston and teach year round at the Melrose Highlands Church at 355 Franklin St. We welcome all levels and abilities. Our dance sheets are free and music can be provided. E-mail us for more info: linedanceinstructor@hotmail.com Would like to hear from more instructors.
CommentsI AM GLAD THAT I CAN GO TO A SITE AND I CAN FIND A DANCE I AM LOOING FOR . MY HUSBAND AND I TEACH LINE DANCING HERE AN WE TRY TO TEACH THE DANCES THAT ARE OUT RIGHT NOW. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING ON YOUR SITE AGAIN. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. JOAN DODD(THE DOUBLE 'S LINE DANCE CLUB)
CommentsI love your website, Karen!! Great job! I look forward to seeing you and learning more dance steps from ya! Fran
CommentsKia Ora, from little ol' NZ, I was just having a visit to your site it is great.
CommentsI would like to let you know we have just visited your website. It was a great site,and we love it. Keep up the good work, and keep the country music going with all your heart. Do you like Linedance ? Please visit Paul Mateki fanclub on BWS Management homepage. That page is dedicated to all the line dancers that dance around the world. For all the hand-clapping, foot-stomping, shuffling and grape-vining people out there, we have done our best to find the best dances to be done to Paul Mateki's music. We hope you enjoy the dances! If you have your own Newsletter for your members, is it possible to put in an advertisement for Paul Mateki's music? Please reply with your prices to bws-managment@talkcity.com Thank you. BWS Management Int'l We wish you a Happy, Peaceful and Inspiring 2002. May your Hopes and Dreams come true - and your Heart be embraced by peaceful satisfaction. God bless...... KAREN, WE HAD A GOOD TIME AND WE ALL HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU ARE THE BEST TEACHER OF COUNTRY DANCE IN THE ENTIRE AREA. AND YOU ARE PROBABLY THE NICEST TOO. I AM SOO GLAD TO KNOW YOU. MARY LYNN first of all I’ll have to let my feelings flow: You are one of the most wonderful girls I ever “talked” to. You’re the one who made it possible, who helped make dreams come true. Evelin Eckhart Austria/Europe Marilyn Spivey St. Louis, MO CommentsIt was very nice to talk to you on the phone the other day. I called you about the hotel in Kansas City for your dance event. I belong to Larry and Tracey Harmon's "Rebels and Rogues" group and I know we will all have alot of fun learning new dances and meeting new people. Thank you for the information about your website and I am looking forward to meeting you! K Jobst Phoenix, AZ CommentsGlad to see that there is some country dancing in KC. Will have to check it out the next time I return to my "home" K
WHAT A WAYCOOL SITE .
LOVED ALL THE PHOTOS! LOTS OF POLISH, AND CLASS!
PATTI.
MAX AND MARY MILES HARRISONVILLE, MO. CommentsTHE WEB SITE IS GREAT. IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT WE NEED TO KNOW, WHETHER ITS WHERE TO GO AND DANCE OR THE STEP DESCRIPTION TO ANY ON THE UP AND COMING DANCES WE JUST HAVE TO SIGN ONTO YOUR SITE. YOU ARE TRULY A GREAT FRIEND AND A WONDERFUL TEACHER. WE ARE SO GLAD THAT WE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW YOU AND HAVE YOU A PART OF OUR LIVES. AGAIN, THANKS
CommentsLooking good. Love the graphics. Hi
Karen, Greg Ernst (from Ararat Shrine) Kansas City, MO CommentsHi Karen, I happened to see your web site info as I was going over some details for the benefit at the Shrine this weekend, so I thought I'd check it out. I think that it's great and I'm glad that you're going to have the program there. You've been great to work with on it so far, and I just wanted to send you a little reassurance that I know that it'll work out wonderfully. I look forward to helping you out any way possible and if there's any other thing you need, just give me a call. Take care... Paula Warren Kansas City MO Comments Karen - Congratulations on the most fantastice Benefit Workshop todate here in Kansas City. We're all so proud of you and your team for the excellent job in putting KC on the map as far as workshops go. We cannot wait until next year!
CommentsIt was nice to meet the advanced group last night at the club. I will try to start coming early to join them!! Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you next Thurs!
CommentsI was wondering if you had any information on available male dance partners. I want to compete but don't have a partner!! Any information would be great. Thanks Dear Karen, Just to let you know how much I enjoyed your visit to St. Louis at the Gateway Festival. It's great to be able to see and visit with many of the choreographers and instructors of the dances we do. Larry and Tracey are such wonderful people. They make our Sunday dance great fun! Hope to see you again at another event! Hope to see you at another event! Marilyn
CommentsSearching for places to dance in KC and ran across your web site. Remembered you from maybe three years ago at No Place. Dance workshop and auction. Didn't get to dance with you though.It isn't country now.Where does the country crowd go now.What is Vesper Hall? I was in the group with Debbie Record three years ago. Webb site is nice. We'll have to dance sometime. Roy Smith Name:
CommentsI love watching you at the Beaumont Club. It sure looks like so much fun.
CommentsHello Karen, I was curious as to where you have dance classes? I am interested in participating.
CommentsKaren, Your web-site is a hoot, just like you. Very cute and colorful and FUN! Great pictures and nice graphics. Keep up the good work! Love ya... "SanDee"
Hi, Karen. Just wanted
to let you know how much my classes enjoy your dance
What's Next. I use it as a floor split with That's
My Hat (Khinoo) at my dance socials when beginners
and intermediates attend.
Just thought you'd like
to know..... and I've recommend it to everyone I
come in contact with who teachs beginners.
Pati Fall
So. California
Karen,
CommentsLove your site..I am an instructor here in Australia and I trained this years under 16 Australian Champion Freestyle team.Always looking for good new dances. keep up the good work Karen- Just wanted to say thanks for doing the dance lessons at Holy Trinity. I heard great things! Michelle Knapp Graduate Assistant Greek Life & Student Affairs Rockhurst University
CommentsKaren, thanks so much for all the time you take out of your life to do dance seminars. I have attended several and always enjoy myself. You are a very good teacher! I do have a question. Is there any web page that list the dance instructors with their pictures attached? I would like to post something like that at our local dance class so when I mention names, they can put a face to the name. Or teach one of the dances they will know who I am talking about. Sorta makes it family. If there is no place maybe you can advise. Could be something NTA could look in to. Again, Thanks for all your teaching Name:
CommentsI met you at the Beaumont club last night! Thanks again and I will be interested in lessons! Doc
Hi Karen,
Wanted to send you a note saying how
much we enjoyed learning dances from you and
visiting with you again
at the Dance weekend at Fort Wayne.
You do a great job of teaching dances.
You probably have been to Florida and
back since leaving Fort Wayne.
We downloaded the stepsheet for
Sweeter Than Molasses from you website and taught it
our first Tuesday
after we saw you at Fort Wayne. The
class liked it real well. We will have to check your
website often and if
you are somewhere near us, we will
have to come see you and bring some people with us.
Happy Dancing.
Chuck and Teresa Russell
CommentsYou will never know how much I have enjoyed the classes at Delta Woods MS. I know that the rest of my crew have enjoyed the laughter and exercise. It has brought us closer than ever and we look forward to this fall. Thank you for the fun and relaxation!!! You are a real sweety....Diane
Comments:
Karen... Hi Karen - what great photos! I was just tonite telling Susan about what a great weekend it was. Thanks so much for inviting me and for all your hospitality - and please pass on a big thank you to everyone who helped to make me feel so welcome. Sometimes it's hard to go to an event for the first time, but you made it very easy to be comfortable. Thanks for that too! I hope your fundraising was successful - and I hope to see you again sometime soon. Take care... Cheers! The slide show is cool, Karen! Thank you, once again, for creating a wonderful event. I had such a great time and learned so much...I brought back lots of cool dances to teach this fall. It's always so special to see everybody from the year before...you really know how to put on an event. Thanks so much for all your efforts. Love you. Mona
thanx for having me. I had a ball. Looking forward to next year.See ya then. Dancin' A big thank you to CJ, Bob and Carole for lugging me around...say hi to Terry too...she's a cutie...see ya baby...Thanx again. Dean
Karen thank you for the weekend, I had a good time
and so did my students and teachers.
Don
CommentsGarth sent out the picture slide show. Cool!! I loved the song. I was one of Garth's dancers that didn't get to attend the workshop because of another workshop called "work". Just learned the dance "Wishes". Great dance, I love it too. Keep up that smile and keep dancin' Bonnie Hey Karen,
CommentsHello, It has been a long time, no see. I miss seeing those from No-Place in Odessa, Mo. I have not done the bar-scene for several years, but I am looking forward to some line-dancing classes here in Anchorage at a local school, (hope the floor is wooden). Have great memories under your instruction. Say hello to all, Happy New Year. I visit your web-site now and then. Take care, also happy to see you are going strong and dancin-up-a-storm. May God continue to bless you. You have a great smile along with an outstanding personality and multi-talent. Best wishes, Carol
CommentsI found out about you guys by sending an e-mail to LDI asking about certification. Thank you for offering the accreditation program. I never knew you guys existed. Aline CommentsKaren: I am so thrilled that you liked "Get in Line" enough to write a dance to it! I really appreciate your support of my music. If you would like me to post it on my site at nancyhays.com, I would be delighted to do so. I hope to meet you someday in the future! Nancy Hays
CommentsThis is one great site to visit ! I enjoy the addition of the streaming videos. A great way to pick up new dances quickly. I am going to try to stop by more often.
CommentsI like your homepage. It’s great ,many informations. The Nashville Line Dancers Aalen (NLDA) have been performing this dance style with great enthusiasm already for several years. The group performs more than 150 dances of the category Country Line Dance and is regarded as one of Germany’s top Show Line Dancers. Elvis songs are presented in the best Line Dance fashion. ‘’Tribute To The King Of Music & Viva Las Vegas Dance Show’’ – their dance show is viewed as unique in Germany. They also act as background dancers in the show of the great, internationally well known Elvis double Jack Favor, who is also known as ‘’Eifel-Elvis’’, ‘’ the best Elvis since Elvis ’’. Their many performances speak for themselves: NLDA is Line Dance Show at it’s best. NLDA targets at having Line Dance (which originally supported only Country and Western Music) mingled with other music styles such as Elvis music, pop music etc. Thus Line Dance shall be opened to a broader audience and it shall be shown to the puplic, how divers this dance style with nowadays more than 4000 different dances can be. If you want, you can sign our guestbook. More Information about and contact to NLDA you get at: http:// www.nlda.de or E-Mail: linedancersnlda@aol.com
CommentsThanks so very much for taking your time to create this very useful and informative site. I have learned a lot from your site. Thanks!! I think you have done an excellent job with your site. I will return in the near future. Thank you so much for a fabulous weekend and for letting me be a part of it. I saw so many folks I had met before and met so many new people. It was a pleasure to be included. Jackie was wonderful to room with and everyone was so great about giving me rides back and forth, I think everybody hadfun thanks to the great job you did. Hope you got some rest today! Talk to you soon. Luv - Arline Karen, Hi!!!!!! You put on another excellent show again this year. thanks amy Karen- Your event was absolutely fabulous and I am so impressed by your creation and organization of it. I would someday love to do a fund raiser via dancing for Camp Barnabas and the kids ministered through it. Speaking of which, I would send you a video of the camp and see if you might be interested in it for Noah or any of the other Shriner kids. It is quite the unique place being the only Christian oriented sports camp for special needs kids in the country. So, I need your address to send you that. Also, do you have Barry and Dari Ann's email address? I loved their production number to Footloose and was wondering if Barry had some videos on how to do a "production". I've never done anything like that with my students but thought it would be neat. Thanks again for a super weeekend!!!!!! Kelly Frey Thanks Karen, for all of your hard work to make this past weekend a great event. I didn't hear about your final attendance, etc. but I hope you met your goals. Linda and I had a wonderful time. I was a little under the weather Friday and Saturday, and really sick on Sunday, so I didn't get to participate much on Sunday. I am still very pleased and we will plan to be back next year. I appreciate you letting me teach on Saturday. I felt very special getting to hob nob with the other choreographers. You treated us all extremely well. It was great. Thanks again, Jan Clifford Home safe and sound in lebanon. Hope you all are tucked in safe too. Had a great weekend with everyone, thanks for being my freinds, and dance buddy's! We ate too much , slept too little, and Laughed waaay too much! Hugs Patti&RoyBoy thank-you for a GREAT weekend!!! talk to you later. Loveyou, Cj Good Benefit.
Thanks again Karen for a fantastic weekend, we really
enjoyed the event and your such a wonderful host. Hi Karen;
We were so glad to get to meet you and to attend your event. We do
appreciate your keeping us informed , so we can keep out student updated
on what is going on around the area. We came mostly for the NTA testing,
but did get to attend some couples workshops. I would really be
interested in teaching couples at your KC event and I think I could get
some of our student to attend. I got my teaching certificate from a
studio here in Neb. and taught there for 2 years before opening my own
business 7 years ago. We also teach at the community college and for
parks and Recreation in Grand Island. We do workshop and demonstrations
off site as well, which make us very popular in our area. Let me know if
you have any interest in our teaching for you. Thanks again for a great
time! We really enjoyed Louie St. George.
Larry and Gloria Craven
Dance Steps
************************ SUBJECT: REVIEW FOR DANCIN' UP A STORM, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI FROM: JODI I attended the 9th annual Dancin’ Up a Storm workshop this past weekend in Kansas City, Missouri. This was my third year at the event. Some of the instructors were Joanne Brady, Junior Willis, John Robinson, MaxPerry, John & Jo Kinser, Jackie Miranda and Jamie Marshall.
The benefit: All monies raised went to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. There was a dance & auction on Thursday night at Whiskey Tango. The door donation included a great chicken dinner buffet and dancing on the spacious wooden dance floor. I did have a little problem locating the establishment as the provided map directions ended at the bottom of the exit ramp. There was also a silent auction during the weekend at the Shrine Temple.
The setting: the Ararat Shrine Temple was broken down into five, sometimes six, different rooms to choose from, featuring three line dance classes (one devoted to beginners), one for fixed pattern and one for couples. I took classes in all three of the line dance rooms. I liked the wooden floors that were installed for the event, which worked well most of the time despite the heavy rain and humidity. Temperature control was an issue in the beginner room, as it was extremely warm one day and frosty the next. There was food available on site all three days, or dancers could bring their own. The Temple was easy to find (approximately four miles from the hotel) and offered a large, free parking lot.
The dances: I liked the variety of line dances (including swing, waltz and nightclub two-step rhythms), country and non-country music (and the choices for each dance taught), and the variety of difficulty levels. Although I have been dancing & teaching for over ten years, I still enjoy learning dances listed as beginner, and appreciate the instructors who include an extra “lecture” as part of the lesson. Reviewing the basic principles of dance should be encouraged, especially proper footwork, and Max Perry is the best example of this concept. I’d also like to thank Joanne Brady. She will teach the dance as the choreographer intended (and asks all instructors to do the same), but offers alternative steps to any dancer who might have physical limitations.
The DJ: Louie St. George. Louie worked his usual magic, playing music for the instructors during their classes, and even offering some great suggestions. We did dances off of the weekly list that Carol compiles here, “oldies” such as Dangerous and Chill Factor, and requests. He filled any downtime in the main room with dances taught during the weekend, which was appreciated. The sound level was also good in the main room--I brought along earplugs, but did not use them at all.
The home hotel--the Clarion Sports Complex. This was the first time I had minor issues with my room. The confusion factor: I was in the backk portion of the hotel, and had to use a special elevator in the lobby to go down to the third floor, or got a little lost trying to locate the specific stairwell. The temperature factor: there was no exhaust fan in the bathroom. Because we received five inches of rain in two days, I felt soggy outside and damp inside. Other than that, it was easy to find, and offered a large, free parking lot. The freeways were a little congested due to road construction and the Kansas City Royals’ home games, but coming from a large city, those two factors did not bother me.
The demos: what a lot of fun. There were eight demos, including a Barry Amato production that featured several workshop attendees who had only 90 minutes to learn the routine, and a new version of “Dancing With the Stars”, hosted by Jamie Marshall. Plus I will not be able to hear the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies song again without thinking of the Bean Station Dance Academy presentation. Words cannot do it justice.
Bottom line: I would heartily recommend this workshop to any level line dancer. The instructors are the best, the location is great, and the cause is definitely worthwhile. Dates for 2006 are August 11th-13th. Jodi jodiw32@yahoo.com
*SUBJECT: DANCING UP A STORM -
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUG. 11-14
*SUBJECT: Dancin' Up a Storm Event Review I am writing this letter in the hopes that it will be shared with all of the dancers in the country. I had the opportunity to attend Ms. Karen Hedges's event this past weekend. It was wonderful! The dance instructors were great! The dances were fun and were well taught. The highlight of the event was the program that was on Saturday evening. There was a spoof on the "You want to be a dancer". It was hilarious!!! Barry and Dari Armato put on a wonderful production! They make it look so easy! The dance demonstration by the Dale Watts (who is wheelchair bound) was spell binding. The audience was caught up in the charm and grace of Dale and his partner's performance. You could have heard a pin drop. The most uplifting part of the evening was when Dale had Noah Kellogg dance with him in his wheelchair. Noah is a child that the Shrine Hospital has helped. Noah smiled a big smile at the audience as he rode around with Dale oblivious to the heart felt emotion that he was stirri! ng. We were introduced to Noah's mother, Tina, and his big brother, Matthew. Matthew has been helped by the Shrine Hospital too. I am so glad that I was able to be a part of this wonderful event. I intend to come back next year. Ms. Hedges, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you, for all of your hard work for this very worthwhile cause. In mid August it was once again time to head to Kansas City, MO for Karen Hedges' Dancin' Up a Storm benefit workshop for the Shriners Childrens Hospital. Every year Karen and her staff put together a workshop that stands out in the midwest for what it accomplishes, bringing together dancers, choreographers and instructors to help raise money for kids that need some help. It was great to be under one roof with the likes of Max Perry, Joanne Brady, John Robinson, Junior Willis, Barry and Darianne Amato and a host of many many instructors. It was so hard to choose between them all. One feature of the workshop that has really taken off has been the Beginner Room. This is a great way to get new dancers involved and connected with some really great people. To summ up all my summer travels, all I can say is Workshop ! Get yourself to one. Take a friend. Find one close to! you and try it out. You will meet some great people, and learn a whol e lot in a short space of time (and some of you who know me...you will generate alot of laundry too !!! ). There are more workshops coming up through the rest of the year. I hope to see ya there ! Garth Bock SUBJECT: Review - Dancin' Up a Storm - Kansas City (Aug 12-14) FROM: Deb Grimshire I just got home yesterday (Friday) after taking a little side trip to Branson after the Kansas City event (we'd already driven 15 hours to get to Karen Hedge's event in Kansas City from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - what was an extra 5 hours???) My first visit to Branson was great and so was all the shopping all the way back home. This was our third year attending Karen's event and for the price ($50 for the weekend) and the quality of the instructors, it's worth the drive. Some of the instructors were Barry and Dari Anne Amato, Joanne Brady, The Jamie Marshall, John Robinson, Jackie Miranda (Doug had to work back home), Donna Caudill, fellow Canadian Judy McDonald, Junior Willis, Dancin Dean, Larry and Tracey Harmon, Max Perry and so many more. Louie did a fabulous job playing music for the weekend and mixed a lot of oldies (ie. Chill Factor, Dangerous, After Midnight, Hideaway Cha, City Limits, etc.) with newer dances and dances taught in the workshops. I was also taking couples classes and unfortunately did not get to all the line dance classes that I would have liked. My favourite dances were: Sometime When (Jackie Snyder) taught by Jackie Miranda - music "Sometimes when we touch" by Newton. This is a 56 count, 2-wall intermediate dance that has a cool 5th and 6th section (Counts 33 to 48) that everyone loved because of the arm movements that go with the steps. Filled the floor when it was played during the evenings. Walk Back to Me (Peter Metelnick, Alison Biggs and Dan Albro) taught by Dancin Dean. I took this class because I absolutely LOVE this Toby Keith song (Where you gonna go). Now I absolutely love this dance that goes with this beautiful song. Easyish 64 count, 2-wall intermediate dance. Patrizio's Rumba (Max Perry) taught by Max and choreographed to "A man without love" by Patrizio Buanne. Heard so much about this dance and I also love the song, that I just had to learn it. Love it! Sophisticated Hula (John Robinson, Doug & Jackie Miranda) taught by John, choreographed to "Sophisticated Hula" by Na Leo. 64-count, 4-wall high beginner, low intermediate. I didn't learn this one, but it was sooooo much fun to watch and everyone dancing it was having a blast and smiling and laughing throughout the dance. Definitely on my list to learn. Atlantis (Jamie Marshall & John Robinson) taught by Jamie. I know this one has been around awhile, but I just learned it and loved it, especially the funky applejacks. Funky Feet (Jamie Marshall) taught by Jamie, choreographed to a fun, fun song (Jamie's words, but true) "Funky Feet" by Alcazar. 32-count, 4-wall, 1 restart intermediate/advanced (but I didn't find it hard at all, just fast.) Had a good time learning this one, because Jamie made it fun. Jamie was scheduled to teach "Hesitation" and "Heartfelt Waltz" on Sunday afternoon, but instead taught Bombshell Stomp, a brand spanking new dance that she co-choreographed with Karen Hedges on Friday night. Lucky for us... this class was a blast and I don't know how we learned anything 'cause everyone was laughing through the whole class. (Probably had something to do with our wacky instructor and the time of day!) This is a 48 count, 2-wall Beg.+/Int level "novelty dance" (Jamie's words) choreographed to a fun song "Bombshell Stomp" by a new duo Bomshel (check them out at www.bomshel.com ). The song is not available yet (you can hear a sample) - too bad, cause I can't wait to do this one with my class. There's a crazy scramble near the end of the dance where everyone flies all over the dancefloor for 12 counts and you have to be ready to re-start the dance at the back wall. Crazy but fun - a hor! n-honkin' dance. The step sheet is available from Karen's website http://www.dancinupastorm.com/dances/bombshell%20stomp.pdf . (Great new look with the website, Karen!) The show on Saturday night was amazing, especially..."Dancing With the Stars" with "competitors" Barry and Dari Anne Amato (right out of their potato patch - they're potato pickers, you know) against John Robinson and Joanne Brady. Both couples did a west coast swing, the Amato's dancing their typical amazing style and the Robinson/Brady team mocking the Amato's with their demo. The judges, Karen Hedges, Barney Marshall and Judy McDonald were quite hard on the potato pickers and basically told them not to leave their day jobs and awarded the contest to the "outstanding emotion and skilled dancing" for the couple from the Bean Station Dance Academy, John & Joanne. Everyone enjoyed watching this. The other highlight was the performance put on by the Amato's,Jackie Miranda and many weekend attendees dancing to Footloose. Great job everyone (considering they only had 90 minutes to learn the routine.) The best though had to be the Sugar Plum Fairies, Barry, John and Juni! or, dressed up in "well-rounded" ballerina suits (think sumo-size) dancing a "lovely" ballet. Thank you to Karen and her staff for a wonderful weekend. Hope to see you all next year. love to try your new dance BOMBSHELL please send me step sheet and music to STELLA CABECA THANKS HAPPY DANCING STELLA Hey Girl! Thanks so much for coming to the studio and meeting with us! We had SUCH a great time with you guys and that dance was GREAT! Kristy, Buff and Chuck
Thank you in advance for the music CD for the Bomshel
Stomp. We do remember you said you had a trip planned
and would send the CDs when you returned. We look
forward to teaching the Bomshel Stomp. Also wish we
could have stayed for the Saturday workshop in
Bloomingtion. We did sneak in the first hour of Junior
teaching the Double J Switch.
Thanks for teaching us the Bomshel Stomp Friday
night---- Cool Dance!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Keep
On Dancin
John
& Freida Utzig
ALoha Karen.... thought I'd drop you a line. My dancers have been asking about bomshel stomp since MIL, and I've been looking for themusic even longer...ever since you put thestepsheet onto Carol's newsletter (i think that's where I found it!) Any clue where I can get the music? I've tried everywhere I can think of. The clip is so tantalizing from the website. Anyway, thanks for your suggestions. Aloha for now Bev Pearl City, HI
Hi Karen: Hope all is well with you. Thanks so much
for the CD of BomshelStomp.. I love the dance and the
song. It's going to go a long way. Everyone I dance
with loves it. Thanks again.
Love You Marilyn
I have read a lot of great things about your dance
Bombshel Stomp and have the step sheet for it.
However, I cannot find the music anywhere yet. Could
you please help me? Thanks for your help.
Connie Glasier
Hi Karen,
Unfortunately, I haven't seen the dance yet,
however, I have been told ... it's a must to
dance/teach. I'm not 100% about 23&24 ... is there
another way that you can describe this? Right palm
turn outward ... outward? ... is this to the side or
forward? Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks!
Paula
Dear Karen:
Hey Karen
We have taught some of your dances and are
interested in teaching your new one Bomshel Stomp at
our next dance which is on Oct 2
Was wondering how we can get a copy of the song?
We taught your dance West Coast Thang just after
your choreographed it and our group still dance it.
We use Scooter Lee Be Bop Boogie for the dance
Thanks Walt & Linda
Hi Karen, I don't see the steps to the Bombshell
Stomp on your site, am I I love the step combinations of this dance and
after accessing the site I like the beat. We need a fun
dance for our long time dancers and a club style for our
young new dancers. Can you tell me how to get the musio?
So often the dance is out there being done before I can
get it taught. Morning Karen, Thanks again for all the work you put into this.
Wish I lived closer. Hopefully, I will see you soon.
Much love, Connie
Karen can you send me the Bombshell
Stomp song. I just loved the dance. A bunch of us are
trying to remember it.
Thanks
Tudy
Karen can you send me the Bombshell Stomp song. I
just loved the dance. A bunch of us are trying to
remember it.
Thanks
Tudy
Hi Karen,
How are you? I was just at the Masters In Line
Weekend in Las Vegas. Jamie Marshall taught
Bomshell Stomp. When I got home, I was looking at
the step sheet and saw that you co-choreographed it
with her. I just wanted to let you know that I
liked the dance.
Tom Cuthel
Karen.....I would love to have the music to this.
Love you! Sue
Hi Karen, Heard about your above dance and would
like to get the music for it. Where can I get it? I
am an instructor in NJ.
Best wishes
Lilly Stanres
Karen,
This is Amy Courson from Garth's workshop over the
weekend. I just wanted to thank you for being so nice
and helpful during the event. I always appreciate
your style of teaching. I'm hoping that Lacy and I
might be able to come to your event next summer.
Thanks again,
Amy
Karen, I had a wonderful weekend and it was soooo good to see you. I'm looking forward to coming back to Whiskey Tango soon. I am so excited about Bomshell Stomp. Just a reminder that I would like to be put on the list for the CD for Bombshell Stomp. I have told Mike and he would like to also be put on the list. I can hardly wait to teach it. Bill and I talked about the dances all the way home, especially when I was awake. :) For some reason I came home with a renewed interest in teaching. I haven't been too excited about it in the past but the urge to teach is getting ever stronger. I have done very limited teaching for line dance, but have had much more experience in teaching couples. Anyway, I really needed this past weekend. It's been a rejuvenation of sorts for me. Take care and I'll see you soon. If I don't see you before the Thanksgiving. Have a happly holiday season. Jorree
we had a great time at the Shrine event, and truly
appreciate the invite to the wine and cheese party.
Very nice of you to do that for us.
Hope every thing went great over the whole weekend--
you do a very nice job.
See you on a dance floor again one of these days, I
hope.
Your friend, Judi
Hey, Karen.
It feels really WIERD not being there this weekend!!!
I hope everything is running smoothly for you. I
know everyone is going to have an awesome time. I
hope y'all raise lots of money at the auction
tonight! I'm with you in spirit!!
HUGS,
Mona
Hi Karen, Karen, First I would like to thank you for all the kindness you showed Rick and me at the Wichita Dance Round Up. We are attempting to do more line dancing and the graciousness of the people we have met always touches my heart. I was excited to have my heel spurs give me a short relief and we put Zjozzy’s Funk on the floor last week. I can’t wait until we get Bomshel Stomp down! I checked out Bomshel’s website and they are a band to look out for. Hard to believe we have not heard of them in this area. Hopefully when we get the line dance on the floor, that will change and others here will become interested in their music. J I wanted to let you know that I am with you all this weekend in my thoughts, even though I can not attend your event. I am eager to read the after event reports. The Shriners are lucky to have such an enthusiastic, caring person in their corner. Take care, Cheryl-Ann
Hi,
Congratulations on a wonderful event. Everyone had
a great time. I am now an NTA Level 1 Instructor,
thanks to Mike and Heather. We had a great time.
Thanks,
Sherrie
Karen: Just wanted to send you a quick thank you for a great weekend. We really enjoyed your event. Not too much and not too little. Thanks again. Bertie
THANK-YOU,
THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU. THEOLA & THE LADIES FROM HEBER
SPRINGS & ROSE BUD HAVE BEEN TELLING ME HOW MUCH FUN
THEY HAD & HOW MUCH FUN I WOULD HAVE HAD. I AM PUTTING
IT ON MY CALENDAR FOR NEXT YEAR.
WATERPROOF
RIDING BOOTS $129.00
RAIN
SLICKER 25.00
A HORSE
THAT WILL STAND
STILL WHILE
YOU ARE PUTTING
ON YOUR
SLICKER . . . . . . . . .PRICELESS
LEE BELL
Thank you so much for everything. You are incredible… Love you Salpi
Hi Karen,
Hi Karen,
Once again I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the
entire weekend! I'm wondering if you can give me the
email addresses of a couple of the instructors. We
have a couple questions about a couple of the dances
we learned. I would like an email for Sherrie Jansen
and one for Joanne Brady if you have them. Thanks for
whatever you can do.
Linda Halley
THANK YOU for having our
group come for this years Shrine event. We learned
sooooooo much & met many wonderful, friendly,
talented, fun people. I just can't hardly express my
gratitude for this experience. Hopefully we will get
out and about to more of the workshops in the future..
I know your time is valuable and you put in LOTS of
time and sweat, but wanted to let you know that we
REALLY loved the event.
Nancy Binder of
County Kickers Macon, MO
Hi Karen, David and I enjoy the dancing up a storm workshop so much. Thank you.
David asked me to write to you and tell you how much he got out of Mark & Mary’s west coast swing class on Sunday afternoon. The two classes were back to back. Mark did the basics during the first hour then added to each section into the second hour. We both got a lot out of this class as well as the others. From a guy’s point of view this was the best thing for David to pick up the leads in each section of turns.
We will see you again next year, no doubt. It was so fun, informative, exciting and heart warming good weekend. Everyone that came to teach and share their talent was wonderful all great in their own way. The show was awesome. Thanks for bringing things together so beautifully for everyone.
Blessings to you and all the others, Gwen Walker & David Forbes
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