by Carl Nelson

In last week’s review of Lindy Focus VII, I went over the classes and amazing music; this week I cover the performances and atmosphere. Stay tuned for one more on the exceptional contests from the week.

Photo by Amy Sudol

The Atmosphere

What made Lindy Focus stand out was the atmosphere of the entire camp. From the first night of DJ’ed dancing as arrivals filtered in to the formal champagne toasting revel with the Firecracker Jazz Band on New Year’s Eve – Lindy Focus exuded its own savoir faire. An open and inviting scene of camaraderie with long time friends and new acquaintances resounded throughout the five days.

Pick-up jams of musicians played on-and-off in the front lobby, in the halls, or wherever musicians could prop themselves up between dancing and sleep. People watched, listened, even danced on countertops for these jam bands and many a late night was closed out with as many people in a hallway as on the dance floor.

Camp meetings got the necessary announcements out of the way thanks to the exceptional MC’ing of Andrew Thigpen. His humor, décor and rousing spirit turned the necessary into highlights and highlights into shining moments. He directed the various performances with gusto – not far from an orchestra conductor in his tuxedo – while keeping the audience inextricably involved. He was even kind enough to allow Lindybloggers to perform an impromptu game show with human buzzers, dance trivia, and $5 burrito vouchers.

As part of the camp meetings, Dave, Andrew and Sosh kept the mood light with videos of their late night hijinx revolving around the Late Night Count. Near the end of the late nights Dave would go around and take a count of the dancers in both the Blues and Lindy rooms. Victory in the Late Night Count was greatly coveted and a rebel group sparked a revolution with Every Lindy Hopper Counts - if you were on the side and not on the floor, you counted for Dave’s late night count. Thanks to Dave, Andrew and Sosh (and the rebels) for bringing us a world of humor unseen at any other camp I’ve been to.

For a view of the hijinx here is the Velociraptor contest (the “Velociraptoff”).

Invited instructors were warm and responsive with feedback in the classrooms, made themselves available for private lessons, and were out on the floor dancing every night. Instructors who were not invited teachers were provided the opportunity to teach community classes on topics ranging from event organization, stretching, lindy hop and more. I was privileged to have the opportunity to teach a class with Teni Lopez-Cardenas and it was a wonderful opportunity to share in instruction at Lindy Focus.

A good atmosphere and camp can’t come about without the dedication of volunteers, organizers and staff to keep everything flowing behind the scenes. Without these individuals all of the above could have been brushed under by classes running late, contests taking over social dancing, check-in snafus and much worse. Thanks to the volunteers, organizers, and staff for making all of the wonderful atmosphere possible and thanks to everyone who attended who made Lindy Focus what it was.

I look forward to seeing the New Year in down in Asheville next year.

What stood out for you about the atmosphere at Lindy Focus? Let us know and comment.

The Performances

One of the great features at Lindy Focus were the evening performances by attendees and teachers alike.  Comprised of 5b performance class showcases and various elective, attendee and teacher performances, the audience was amazingly supportive and enthusiastic.

Here is a recreation of a scene from a Day at the Races.

New Year’s Eve was reserved for a show put on by the instructors.  There were seven numbers.

Laura Glaess and Mike Roberts premiered a sultry and emotional apaché piece. This was one of my favorite numbers. Mike and Laura bring you into their dancing and share with you the chemistry between them.

Nathan Bugh and Evita Arce performed the Nicholas Brothers’ Lucky Numbers piece with Davis Thurber playing live. The Ladies of Lindy Focus performed a Vernacular Jazz number to Belleville Rendezvous.  There was a balboa showcase by Kate Hedin, Bobby White, Marty Klempner and Kelly Arsenault.

The Five Blazes (Nathan Bugh, Carl Nelson, Juan Villafañe, Mike Roberts and Mike Faltesek) performed the One Man Dance.

Bobby White, Kate Hedin and Abigail Browning performed the Tranky Doo.  The last number was the winning showcase by Karen Turman and Andrew Thigpen.

What were your favorite performances throughout the weekend? Let us know and comment.

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