Chicagoland Country & Swing Dance Festival
Chicago, IL
Aug 15 - 17
EVENT DIRECTORS:
Randy & Jennifer Jeffries
ORGANIZATION: UCWDC

I unfortunately must forgo my usual pic and caption format for this year's Chicagoland event report because I had no photographer this time around as CJ appears to be out in California country still and the absence of almost all of my line dance friends who have no problem sending pics out my way, but alas, none of that could be possible this time around.  I also found it my duty to put out this report since I'm sure there are a lot of folks out there that went last year who are curious as to what they missed.

The Chicagoland Event was one of the last few remaining events that managed to accommodate both couples and line dancers without much incident (other than the occasional dirty look from some of the couples).  Last year that all changed when the Line Dancers were basically given the shaft.  The result this year was a noticeable absence and defection of the dancers just as the Event Director reigns were being turned over to Randy & Jennifer Jeffries. 

So this year can possibly be viewed as the year of rebuilding.  Going in I was skeptical not due to Randy & Jennifer, but due also to the additional partnership of the Swing Dance Group (hence the name change) from just Chicagoland Country Western Dance Festival.  Oh great, here is another group filled with members that view line dancers as the equivalent to Jerry Springer guests.  I guess changing the name to Chicagoland Country, Swing and Line Dance Festival would be out of the question huh?  Talking with the former pres, he let me know that he was trying to get a room added for the line dance community to join in, but the majority on the board quickly nixed it.  No offense, but we don't really want to a place where everyone can't welcome us and  want to join in on the fun.   I'll never understand that because I've yet to ever hear a line dancer down any other type of dance.

But back to business here.  Let's begin by saying that if the year was 2002 and the event was run the way it was run this year, there would have been a heck of a lot more folks there.  As it stood, I guestimated no more than 40 folks tops came out for line dancing.  (I heard they only had 3 or 4 preregistered!)  So it certainly was a shame to see that happen, but as I said, it was a year for rebuilding and folks will come back if they know they have reason to do so. 

The Line Dance instructors this year included a different mix from last:

Yes, sadly we were missing some of the usual visitors such as John Robinson (who was booked out in California - most likely where CJ was), Max Perry & Kathy Hunyadi and Brian Barakouskas.  Bryan McWherter was certainly a welcome new addition to the group however, as he is sociable and adds a lot of energy to the group. 

The complete schedule of workshops can be found here.  The shaded ones represented pay workshops, but there was a pass that did allow line dancers access to all of them (unlike last year.)  Looking through the schedule, you'd find everyone intermixed between the four rooms as it was suggested last year to give the line dancers opportunity in some of the larger rooms.  (Unfortunately, few were there to take advantage of it this time around.)  The line preview took place at noon on Friday - which was kind of a curious choice because there was nobody there yet including most of the instructors with the exception of Judy McDonald.  The preview had an attendance of 3. (I wasn't there either.....just relying on info for this.)  Next year, I think a 5 or 6pm time might still be better even if we do miss out on the Friday demos.

To give you an idea of how sparse Friday was, reports given to me showed less than 10 people showing up for both Scott and Judy's workshops in the Grand Ballroom. And while it was nice to see the use of the different  rooms, there were a few uncomfortable moments when having to deal with snide remarks from couples dancers waiting to get in the following hour.  But we have learned that it goes with the territory and what goes around comes around.

The hot dance of the event not surprisingly came from Scott Blevins with his new one Cold Blooded and don't write me for a step sheet because there isn't one.  (Keeping with tradition).  My other favorite was Bryan McWherter's Drive, which I didn't have a chance to learn, but will be taught very soon by Eve.  My teaches included Start Walking and Badda Bing Badda Boom. (Step Sheets on my current playlist page.)

Open dance was fun because we had Louie St George and the place to ourselves with requests.  We pretty much got to have any instant request we wanted.  (Some of the locals did stop by for Saturday Night dance, so that at least made the room a little more crowded.)  And as I left at around midnight, the party was still going strong with the light crowd.  The room stayed cool and the floors were excellent!  (Again, if only this happened in 2002!)

Those that are within driving distance should consider checking this event out again.  I suggested that next year, the flyers contain the registration forms and hopefully they could be mailed out to the UCWDC  mailing list.  (But even if not, it's easier for traveling instructors to promote the event if a registration form is attached.)  I still didn't care for the hotel and the food and bar service was beyond hideous! 

I'm sure this will happen next year.  Randy & Jennifer were nothing but personable and Rhonda Shotts, who handled the line dance coordination kept her presence around in case there were any difficulties that needed attention.  Time will tell for next year, but I plan to support it.  (Yes, there is room for two big events in one year in one area!)

Speaking of the other event, Windy City LineDanceMania is coming in October!  Click here for the flyer info.  

Click here to register now!  (For those having problem accessing the adobe reader registration form, click here.)