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Dancing in the Deep South
- Author:
- Jo Ellen Jarvis (jojarvis@pacifier.com)
- Date Published:
- April 3, 2009
Heritage Classic Ballroom Dance Championships - March 2009
The Heritage Classic was voted 'Best Competition' by a Dance Beat poll last year, and deservedly so. It's large, very well run with a top-notch judging panel, and it attracts the best dancers from all over North America; and, indeed, a few from Russia and Japan as well. With just under 7,000 entries, the total number of entries was a little bit down from last year, but most major events still required at least a Semi-final round. - Dave
Our adventure to North Carolina was a testament to Southern Hospitality. We were greeted at the airport by Becky, who became a friend of everyone from Ballroom Parkrose as she transported us from the airport to our fabulous hotel (think Timberline only bigger -- with an incredible spa). The Grove Park Inn was constructed in 1914, and has been updated with it's original character in mind. 12' fireplaces, rocking chairs, acres of grounds to stroll, and minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unfortunately, we came into town with an ice storm, which shut down the parkway, as well as most of the Southeast. So, we had to be content to wander the hotel, and venture out into Ashland's historic district with it's patches of slippery sidewalks.
Some of the group arranged to stay a few days after. By that time, it waas 70 degrees and sunny. Another characteristic of Spring time in the South.
We had about a dozen join our cross country tour for five days of competition. Julie Vincent started us out with her new "East LA" Solo routine with Dave. They looked so cool (Dave fit the look so well that he was a little scary). Julie's new red spikes were also the envy of the ballroom. Beth & Leo Macagba debuted their new Theater Arts Solo routine and won Top Amateur Solo. The also managed to take home three other door-stop sized trphies for winning the Pre-Champ Latin and the Open Smooth & Rhythm. They also got second in the Pre-Champ Standard.
After the solos, Dave shaved his beard, and then we settled in for four days of Free-style events, Scholarships and Championship events. Julie started the competition with Rhythm, and showed very well against some really good competition. Marlaine Magee, Nancy Yie and Rita Panoscha joined in the fun the next day for Latin and Smooth, and then everyone joined in the fun for the last day's Standard events. Beth Knoll danced with Warren Magee (who won Top Gold Gentleman for his efforts - again!) and Don Grambsch. Don was a real Superman that afternoon, dancing 15 events with Beth and another 10 with his wife Kathy Grambsch, without a break. Both danced great, and Don hardly broke a sweat (OK, I exaggerate). Gerald Cosby and his wife Marina Laurette, Beth and Don, and Dave and I danced in the Open Standard events. We were the only non Russian names out there, but we held our own against some really nice dancers. Gerald's student Maryanne Pantenburg also made the trip, and danced really well in her Standard events. I wasn't on top of things enought o get placements for everyone, but we all won some, lost some, and felt pretty good at the end of the day. Of course the fried chicken, biscuits, creamed corn and pie at the end of the day helped to ease any feelings if we didn't dance our best in a round. Marlaine, Julie, and I also felt obliged to try out the spa one day (just to report back to everyone). It was pure relaxation with a little bit of decadence thrown in for good measure. Waterfalls into hot tubs, warm tubs, cool pools, steamrooms, saunas, and a few things I wasn't sure what to do with. What a treat.
Teresa Sigmund was also there by proxy, as most of the dresses worn at the competition (by Northwest competitors, and then some) were made by her, including Marlaine's new Latin dress, Nancy Yie's new Latin dress, Rita's new (very bright) pink Standard Gown, and my new (very bright) green Standard gown. The styles have gone fluffier (technical term), and it's fun to see how the dresses move.
See y'all on the dance floor.
Jo Ellen
