The District Showcase just went up a level.
Whether it was the fact that it was two days, or that there was enough time for a lunch break, we cover all the signs of positive growth for the event, and the people who participated.
The Official Recap of the Arthur Murray District Showcase
Michaelangelo said, "Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it". Well, each time someone dances at a showcase, they are chipping away at their nerves, and, before long, a confident dancer emerges.
When that happens, people have fun.
Take a look at the Highlights Video by Maude Productions, and see if you can spot some of what we're talking about.
DISTRICT SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHT from Maude Productions on Vimeo.
Development For Days (Two, to be exact)
The students ranged in age and experience but all were after the same goal - to improve in their dance hobby. Even first time participants, the "Newcomer" division, shed their nervous exteriors and were "Not-so-newcomer" by the middle of Saturday. Bobby Gonzalez who has been to this event more than anyone summed it up by saying "Judging this showcase was an amazing experience. It felt like all of the dancers brought their A-Game."
The Judging Panel
This Showcase featured 8 judges from around the Arthur Murray world, and we introduced each of them in this article: Meet Your Arthur Murray Showcase Judges. If students are having a good time, it's considered to be a good event. If the judges are having as much fun as the students - it's a great event.
Here's what, judge, Emily Bergman had to say. "The camaraderie between staff and students was like no other event. Watching the students have so much fun, and feeling the energy in the room put a smile on my face all weekend!"
The Show
Throughout the day, Emmanuel Pierre Antoine and Liana Churliova worked on the judging panel. They watched hundreds of dancers dance hundreds of times, but that was just the buildup to their jaw dropping performance on Saturday Night.
Each of their dances brought the house to their feet. Their dancing told a story, and at some points, seemed to defy gravity itself. It was the first time this pair of United States Champions visited the Showcase, but judging by this reaction - it won't be their last.
Emmanuel Pierre Antoine and Liana Churliova Standing Ovation from Chris Lynam on Vimeo.
The Studios
This event couldn't have grown to this point without growth in the area. Over the last 10 years Northern California has been a fertile growth area for Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Over a decade ago, this event was a single day, with one tenth of the number of entries, and would sometimes end after midnight. That was with 5 locations: San Jose, Burlingame, Hayward, San Francisco, and Carmichael.
Today it's a two day event, with over 7000 entries, and - even as a one day event - the dancing would never go past 8pm. Today there are a total of 14 studios that participate in this mega event, with more on the way. A special thanks to the franchisees, staff, and students of the participating studios.
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Hayward, Livermore, Redwood City, Walnut Creek, and San Francisco | |
| Daisey & Chris Lynam | ||
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San Jose and Los Gatos |
| Juan & Cari Jo Garcia | ||
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Carmichael | |
| Jamila & Pedro Badua | ||
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Millbrae | |
| CJ & Jenny Gomez | ||
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Santa Rosa | |
| Cara Recine | ||
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Fremont | |
| Richard and Marianne Myers | ||
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Folsom | |
| Kate Castor | ||
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Stockton | |
| Madisen O'Laughlin | ||
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Reno | |
| Vanessa & Mario Orneales |
Read Juan Garcia's Recap of the District Showcase Here
Final Thought
We've all heard the same advice before. "It's not the destination, it's the journey." Sometimes, in the process, we forget about one critical ingredient: The Vehicle. Dance events are a vehicle for progress. They allow you to take something you love to learn, and turn it into something you love to do, in public, even with people around. Over the years, just like cars, your "vehicle" will change. Your level of interest, confidence, and goals will change - and the dance events you choose will reflect that.
Journeys are much more fun when there's a vehicle. For everyone that was at the District Showcase, we want to thank you for jumping in ours.
