US Open 2014 Update #4 – JnJ’s and ProAms
Brasil, Singapore, France, Russia - the arrivals! Pro-Am routine songs and winners, and more!
Jack and Jills all day today, finals were tonight.
All divisions (Masters, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and Allstar) dancing an opening All-Skate, then 3-couple Spotlights, and a closing All-Skate.
There are a TON of Brasilians here, and a TON of French, and they were sitting in two giant crowds on the left side of the floor, the French up in the box seats and the Brasilians right below them – WOW were they loud! hahahaha What a ruckus! I mean SCREAMING for their countrymen out on the floor, cheering yelling waving flags hooting hollering, so rowdy they completely pulled the riser apart dragging tablecloths and decorations into a rumble on the floor below.
The level of social dancing here is spectacular. International. Ben asked (Ben emceed Jack and Jills all day today – he’s really good on the mic, relaxed, funny, loud, commanding, animated, witty, kind) anyway Ben, during Advanced finals, asked “How many of you finalists are from Singapore?” (two hands go up, the Singapore crowd cheering and screaming) “How many from Australia?” (two hands go up, the Aussies cheering and screaming,) “How many from the US?” (four hands go up, meek scattered shouts, “How about Texas?” (furious loud screaming,) “France?” (six hands go up and the French contingent goes berserk in a fit of yelling cheering stomping pounding) “Brasil?” (the whole ballroom erupts everyone jumping to their feet screaming and cheering louder than each other and now all the competitors are raising their hands for every country so who knows how many from anywhere anymore…)
Pro-Am Routines this afternoon, 17 of them!
- Elysia Somerfield and Clint Glasgow “It Was Always You” (Maroon 5)
- Bethany Waldren and Gary McIntyre, “Clarity” (Zedd)
- Lorraine Ingham and Gerald Cote, “Booty Voodoo” (Lee Coulter)
- Tiffany Rekem and Chris Dumond, “Distance” (Parov Stelar)
- Marie-Claude Lafleur and Gerald Cote, “Get Lucky” (Naughty Boy)
- Betsy Snyder and Doug Silton, “Goodbye” (Maroon 5)
- Marie-Stan Remigereau and Carlus Reed, “Slow Down” (Selena Gomez)
- Clarise Okwach and Doug Silton, “Feel This Moment” (Christina Aquilera)
- Lauren Glaub and Chris Dumond, “Skullclub” (The Glitch Mob)
- Heather Crowe and Gerald Cote, “Sing” (Ed Sheeran)
- Cari Chestnut and Kris Swearingen, “Addicted To You” (Avicii)
- Alexis Pero and Brennar – didn’t get the song, too excited to pay attention
- Morgan Margo and Robert Campos, “Danny’s All Star Joint” (Rickie Lee Jones)
- Nikhil Shahi and Nicki Silton, “Royals” (Pentatonix)
- Lewis Chan and Sarah, “Express Yourself” (Labrinth)
- Peter Srethabhakti and Mackenzie, “Love Me Again” (John Newman)
- Jim Chisholm and Cameo, “Heartbreaker” (John Legend)
- Michael Wei and Lisa D’Amico, “Suit and Tie” (some cool acoustic remix)
Winners were announced at the end of tonight’s program:
Leaders:
1st PLACE Michael Meade and Lisa
2nd Jim Chisholm and Cameo
3rd Peter Srethabhakti and Mackenzie
Followers:
1st PLACE Tiffany Rekem and Chrs
2nd Elysia Somerfield and Clint
3rd Cari Chestnut and Kris
Tomorrow …. oh my goodness … tomorrrrowwwww!
Tomorrow everyone will arrive. All the US dancers who stayed home for Thanksgiving, all the rest who come for the big stuff, everyone will be here tomorrow …
Tomorrow morning is floor trials for Showcase! And Teams!
And then – competitors draw for dance order …
And then – at 2pm – the Competitors’ Meeting!
I love the Competitors’ Meeting! Everyone together in one room, in sweats, uggs and beanies, tired, expectant, nervous … Out in the middle of the floor, at a long table, sit Annie and the Event Directors and Robert and the Board of Directors … It always feels like the kids are finally all together at home, and they’re just waking up, and coming downstairs in pajamas to hear from the grownups what they’re supposed to do and how to behave. So much hope, excitement, planning, and dreams in that room!
And then! At 4pm, the Open and Champion Strictly prelims.
And THEN! At 7pm, OPENING CEREMONIES! The Competitors March! Flag Presentation! And Walk of Legends!
And then …
Masters Strictly …
Teams …
And Showcase!
Oh my gosh I am so happy. There is no place in the whole wide world I would rather be.