Wednesday was the first day of the National Convention in Long Beach. The weather was beautiful, about 75. We were a little pink. We'd been there for four days already, and spent all day, every day, at the beach. Wednesday night The Ghost Riders played for the national callers, who were all dressed in coordinating outfits. The dance was being taped by TLC. They had a Great Cake Bake Off. Contestants were to bake a square dance themed cake. The winner was announced at the dance. The cake was there, about four feet high, quite spectacular . They would stop the dances periodically for commercial breaks. The show will air sometime in September. Should be some good publicity for square dancing. We'll try to find out the exact date as the time grows closer.
We started dancing about 11:00AM on Thursday. We danced plus almost all day. (We needed the practice and we sure got it). Lots of international callers from Japan, Britian, Canada and Ireland. As most of you know, square dancing is called only in English, no matter what country it is called in. We heard some really clever calls, such as "Relay the Sushi". For supper, about 70 of the Kansas Congregation met at Bubba Gumps Shrimp House for supper. We all stuffed ourselves and then went back to hear all the great callers. It seemed like every call was a hot-hash tonight. 10:00 pm finally arrived and we then limped back to rooms to sleep a little, then start all over again tomorrow!!
Friday and Saturday were more of the same. Dance, dance, dance. Lots of new music this year. There was an hour dedicated to each decade starting with the 50s. There was a Neutron Hour (Wade, you would have fit right in there) One caller did a couple of numbers by Aerosmith. A caller from Iceland did a ZZ Top number and played an air guitar throughout the call. It was so loud and wild that I think the other nearby halls stopped and came in to see what was going on!
We did a round dance workshop one morning. We worked on reverse line of dancing. They taught about ten new things and then called them all in a dance at the end. People were bumping into each other, going every direction. We needed you, Vern. We made it over to one hall just in time to hear Dana Schirmer call. He was in his usual great form. All in all, we had a great time dancing. Our feet were sore, so we didn't do as much hiking in Yosemite as we might have.
Oh, I almost forgot. We were dancing with two California couples and a couple from Ohio. They all commented that the Wichita convention was one of the best conventions they had been to. Most had been to six or seven national conventions. They thought it was very well run and that the people were very friendly and helpful. They especially liked how helpers would hold up the sunflowers at squares that needed another couple. Said it made filling a square much easier and faster between tips. So, for all those who helped with Nationals at Wichita last year -- Kudos!!!
Another thing. We are so glad to be part of such large, wonderful, hard working clubs such as the Happy Time Squares and Ottawa Promenaders. So many clubs are really struggling right now. I think a big part of that is due to having such a great caller to keep us coming back again and again. Thank you Vic!!
Ace and Lareeda
