Swing Diego May 1st - 4th 2008

[Cooley]

San Diego's Premier West Coast Swing Dance Convention
May 1st - 4th 2008
www.swingdiego.com

Town and Country Resort & Convention Center (www.towncountry.com)
Online Reservations with SwingDiego Rate: $134/night
500 Hotel Circle North
San Diego, CA 92108
1.800.77.ATLAS

Event Directors
Earl Pingel
Parker Dearborn

DJ's:
Jack Smith
Louie St George
Victor Loveira

MC
Michael Kiehm

Instructors

Michael & Dawn Kiehm
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann
Brandi Tobias & Ronnie Debenedetta
Arjay Centeno & Melissa Rutz
Ben Morris & Melina Ramirez
Kyle Redd & Sara Vann Drake
Miles Munroe & Tessa Cunningham
Damon & Lisa D'Amico
Michael Kielbasa & Jennifer Deluca
Benji & Lacey Schwimmer
Kevin Fitzhugh & Tammy Brown
Marcus Smith & Deonna Ball

Chief Judge
Cathy Tigges
Judges
Phil Adams
Sharlot Bott
Bill Cameron
Sonny Watson
Jessica Cox
Robert Cordoba
Martin Parker
Mary Ann Nunez
Deborah Szekely
Robert Royston
Nicola Royston

[chandra]

Soooo psyched!
I'll be there :D
-Amy

[ninjaboyhya]

Does anyone have a room for 2 people in their room? Doesn't have to be the same room. We're Midwest guys, in our early-mid twenties. We tend to stay out dancing pretty late.

[Arjay]

Swing Diego is gonna be my massive Birthday Party!!!

BE THERE!!!!

[Dima]

Due to circumstances beyond the organizer's control, the swingdiego website address has been changed to: http://www.swingsandiego.com

Looks like swingdiego.com registration is expired.

edit: website address

[vegas4x4]

Actually the new domain (that looks correct) is http://www.swingsandiego.com

That's a painful reminder to keep your domain registration current.

I hope all the event directors go buy a 8 year domain registration for something like $80.

[swingdj]

Swing Diego is gonna be my massive Birthday Party!!!

BE THERE!!!!

Oh yeah.....TONIGHT........WE DRINK!!!!!!

[SmileySue]

Am now back in England trying to recover from a fairly comprehensive lack of sleep....

Tues- arrived 10pm (having left home at 5.45am - effectively a whole day when you take time zones into consideration!)
Weds- all day at the zoo, then night at Incahoots + Denny's + Patti & Brandon's (bed 4am)
Thurs- Fashion Valley daytime, Early Bird 'til 4.15am + Valley Kitchen with Brick (yay crayons!?)(bed 5am)
Fri- workshop, The Crypt (my kinda shop), watching for 6 hours, dance finished 6am (bed 7.15am)
Sat- enter Novice J&J & nerves make me dance like I don't own my own body (in a really bad way:blushing:), much shouting support for those British who held it together (didn't we do well), dance until 6.30am, biggest breakfast ever at Valley Kitchen ($58 between 3!!) (bed 8am)
Sun- up in time to watch all, plus buy 2 new pairs of shoes, pack, dance until they took the floor up around us 6.40am, quick breakfast, shower & change & straight to the airport at 9am (didn't make it to bed at all!!!)
PHEW!!!

What an absolute blast!!!

Some disordered thoughts:

Much more bluesey music than I am used to, which is one factor I believe contributes to the musicality of even fairly basic dancers.
The absolute refusal of leads to let me take responsibility for any dance errors, despite my lack of experience meaning that mistakes were more than likely caused by me - just so polite.
Being made to feel so welcome, & encouraged by positive feedback on my own dancing plus the general standard of the Uk crowd.
Plentiful, much-needed ice-cold water.
Great floor (once it had worn in).
Being completely immersed in WCS was a joy - there have been to date a grand total of 4 WCS weekenders in England ever. I usually manage to attend 3 WCS socials per month, each involving an hour & three quarter's drive each way, so you can see how exciting so much social was for us. Any other WCS we might experience is at very small local classes, at newcomer level, or the odd track suitable for WCS snatched here & there during a Modern Jive social.
Not being too intimidated too many times - ok, some dancers & some dances rattled my confidence, & there were some people I was dying to ask & never did pluck up the courage to, but in general I felt positive. I'm sure we all go through the same thing, but I kept hoping that my dancing would be better than expected of someone from such a new, small scene, & those people who asked me for many dances, even coming to find me in the seating made me feel really good.
I'm embarrassed to say that I have remembered very few names, so don't think that not mentioning you means that I didn't love our dances....

My personal highlight was Saturday night in the zone - I had one of those sessions of dance where stuff is just working - my feet were just doing new stuff all on their own without spoiling the flow of the dance, lats engaged, arms loose (something I can struggle with), hearing the music loud & clear, no thinking - just 'feeling' it:tonguesmilie: Thank you to all of you who helped to make this happen - this feeling is why I have to dance.

Specific dances & dancers (who's names I can remember:rolleyes:) which were instrumental....that really slow bluesey one with Ryan (lip ring), the bluesey one with the guy who's t-shirt I wound around him somewhat ...both of these were hilarious & brilliant at once, all dances with Mike Glasgow (keep smiling) & Jacob (from Houston?) - this guy has a unique feel that really worked for me -total stretch appeal:tonguesmilie: Find him & dance with him, you won't regret it. So many guys called Michael..., John, Brick, the tall guy with the long pony tail for our last dance - perfect song to dance with you, Rick, Brady (so musical, what a mover!), Eric, so many more who's names escape me right now, but you know who you are 'cos the connection was totally there.

Watching so many inspiring dancers was also a joy - of the famous Tatiana was an absolute pleasure to watch, & she danced so much we got quality & quantity - she is creativity in human form. I only saw Deborah Szekely dance once & it was fantastic (saw a lot of her influence about the place) musicality right on the money but understated - very cool indeed. Those of you who are inspiring but not a famous name, I was the crazy English woman who gushed praise at you when I could catch you after having watched you -thank you! There were many I didn't get the chance to say anything to - I hope to get the chance in the future. I generally watch the follows, so the only famous male name to get a mention here will be Ben Morris - what a dancer, what a character.

Anyway, must get some sleep now, & dream about dances which made me smile, or sigh, (or both), & then make plans to get back over to the US again this year....BBTB anyone??
SueXXX

[CALI DOLL]

Even though I STILL suffer from fatigue and jetlag, I wish Swing Diego was still happening.

I'd never been and it was like a dream for me. I had fabulous dances the entire weekend.

I got into "trouble" by snatching up a few guys who, at the time, I didn't realize were SOOOOOOOOO much more advanced than me. (*COUGH*PaulfromLondon*COUGH*). OMG, I can't believe I survived that dance. He's so amazing! :eek:

And, he certainly isn't the only one...everyone was great there. I'm SOOOO proud of how well my friends did in the comps (Xavier, James, Adair, Kelli, Tracey, Faith)

I was so scared to do the Novice Jack and Jill (my first time in Novice - Swing Diego...no pressure, LOL), but I did it and I'm very happy I did! :D:D

I can't wait for next year.

Oh, and I also got to volunteer which was great. Nathan is a fantastic organizer and I really enjoyed myself.

[kekka]

:( OK, now I'm quietly weeping! Sounds like it was fun! Maybe next year I'll get to go again.

[SmileySue]

I guess you guys have too many of these wonderful events to feel the need to make extensive online reviews, but I had hoped to read a few more....

We don't have WCS forums in the UK, but the Modern Jive forums buzz for days after a big event, so I guess that is what I am used to. For me it helps to prolong the pleasure of my w/e of dance, a chance to relive & savour treasured moments, touch base with those who I have shared great connection with - all good IMO.

Can I maybe get some (selfish, I know) feedback about the Uk crowd?? Some of the longer-term devotees are familiar to some of you, I know, but for most of us this was our first US event, & for some (including me) our first trip to the States. We would love to know your thoughts on our growing scene.

In antici p a t i o n...
SueX:)

[swingdj]

I must say...this event...ROCKED!!! Earl Pingle and Parker Dearborn did a great job with having things run smooth.

Highlights for me...

1. Wayne Bott Tribute - Not a dry eye in the house, the slide show that Lance Shermoen put together was amazing!

2. Classic Division rocked!

3. Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Jack n Jill was AMAZING to watch!

4. Dancing Saturday night til almost 7AM!!!!!!

5. The jam after the Champions Jack n Jill...tribute to Kenny Wetzel.

6. Getting sun at the pool Thursday, Friday and Saturday...nice to have the event in May now.

It was an honor for me to DJ at SwingDiego again...Can't wait for next year...if you have never been

MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR

[chandra]

I think its a great tribute to how amazing the event is, that despite personal disaster (a lost wallet, and lost room reservation), I still had a blast! Swingdiego has got to be, hands down, one of my top 3 favorite events, ever!
Totally agree with Victor about having the event in May, the weather was BEAUTIOUS! So much better than the slightly sweaterish weather of previous years.

One of my favorite SwingDiego traditions is mexican food in old town. Its like a 2 minute, 2 dollar roundtrip trolley ride. (For those that didnt visit the mall, the trolly is literally a block away... or less...) The food and atmosphere, (plus mariacchi!) is totally touristy mexican, but good, and alot of fun! Ive been everytime Ive gone to Swing Diego - highly recommend!

And seriously, the UK owned us! That was awesome to see! HIP HIP HOORAY for the UK! Now I totally want to go visit y'all and dance there, having never been off the continent before!

[KelKel]

Well this was my first time at Swing Diego. I had made plans last year to attend the event in May but some unexpected things came up and I decided not to go. This was the plan all the way up until the Monday before the event. In a crazy whirlwind of the right things happening at the right time I was able to get a plane ticket AND room with a friend. It was a great decision to go. I had a wonderful time.

I am from the east coast and I've hit several events along the coast but Swing Diego is in a class of it's on. The level of dancing was spectacular. Even the Pros seemed to up their game at this event but the thing I loved most was the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The first night I was highly intimidated by the level of dancing. I thought I may be in over my head but then after a few dances with some really great local folks I realized it didn't matter cause we were all there to have a good time and enjoy a wonderful weekend.

I enjoyed the fact that everything was in one room. I didn't have to make any tough choices of which workshop I would take or what would I miss if I wanted to see a comp. I could do and see everything if I liked. The music was great. It was a good mix, a little bit of something for everyone which I think is essential.

I also had no idea so many ppl from other countries attended this event. I met ppl from, Australia, the UK, Canada, France and I hear Brazil was there but I never got to meet anyone from there. I think this really added to the experience. Now I have WCS contacts all over the world which is something I never anticipated before this trip.

From the gorgeous weather, to the friendly ppl, to the amazing dancing, and fun workshops I can't say enough about what a great event this is. It is a must do for me from now on.

[KelKel]

And seriously, the UK owned us! That was awesome to see! HIP HIP HOORAY for the UK! Now I totally want to go visit y'all and dance there, having never been off the continent before!


LOL!! YES THEY DID!! It was great to see!! After the event I added a trip to a UK event on my list things I must do LOL!! I loved the whole group. You guys were great!! :D

[Patrick]

We were like 10 people from France and we had a real good time among you !

Pay attention on the dvd if you hear shouting "vive la France" :D
it's me! There were so much UK people who did great ;) that I had to support the only one french follower "Dora" that made the finals :cool:

unfortunetly, we don't have competition in France but we have a forum (http://www.wcs.fr) for videos and all the other cool stuff about WCS!!!!:cool:

[christina]

Um, did SwingDiego forget to renew their domain name?

I went to look at results since they normally post video clips - and it seems to have been replaced with a short discription of Swing, Ballroom, and Salsa that in no way relates to the event.

[christina]

OK seems I got sort of an answer through a little scrounging, I had clicked the link on this thread and went to the previously mentioned description thing.

www.swingdiego.net is the correct site....not .com