send for a toe truck

It was a great night of dancing at the Sundance Saloon Sweethearts' Ball.

If I were to start a country dance band, I would call it "Ibuprofen and the Epsom Salts," because you'll need them when I'm done with you.

Like I do now.

Ow.

Sundance Santa!

Last night was the Sundance Saloon Holiday Ball, and another year of fun photos with Santa. Thanks Dave Hayes!




Looking for your photo? Click through to the full set here.

can't talk. coming down.

It's a shame that the joyous heights of such a weekend must end with the crashing low of the music stopping and fond farewells. There goes my heart; break it in two(step).

It seems moreso over the past couple of years that I forget what "really happy" feels like. I found it so many times this weekend, and when it was all over it was a painful effort to open my arms and let the hugs go. But it is all the more precious for the fleeting.

Photos and clips of the Stompede Ball are on Flickr.

Love you all. And thank you for the dance.




















All that Heaven will allow.

late late aloha

After parties. Friday night: beachwear.

And beautiful.

The 2013 Sundance Stompede

I would have to take some quality time and pull out my poet's pen to even approach describing how wonderful the Sundance Stompede experience truly is.  I have made good friends who wish nothing but joy for each other, and dancing a ballroom floor with a sympathetic partner surrounded by these people may be as close as I get to flying.  Collisions notwithstanding.  That floor is crowded.

Much love to my "regulars," and the special friends in from Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago and the greater Bay Area.  Deep and heartfelt hugs to Shana, Rick, Ray, Gary and all my perfect partners. I was too busy dancing to take many photos this year. But I also made the decision to be more present and less photo-conscious. We were all a sweaty mess anyway. But somethings you just can't resist.






Exhibition dances this year included The Sundance Bandits, The Manhattan Prairie Dogs, the LA Wranglers, the DC Role Play, The Windy City Cowboys, Photon, The Barbary Coast Cloggers, and the Vima Vice Squad. The Prairie Dogs are known for the fun choreography and costume changes (and did not disappoint) and the Windy City Cowboys always impress with their whimsy and what they can accomplish with so many dancers on their team. Bravos all around!























And this clip from YouTube.




And this year's finale brought all the teams together. So much joy exploded from that floor that I think we all needed a hot towel. Right now the only video I can find is from the balcony and it's only available on a private Facebook page, but I hope someone posts a good video of that. Very special. Very Stompede.

Stompede 2013 Welcome Dance

So many wonderful people. So much wonderful dancing.

The train just keeps gaining steam.

Sundance Stompede Halloween

The Sundance Stompede is almost a month later than usual this year, and started with Sundance Saloon's Thursday night kick-off dance landing on Halloween.  Great fun and a start to the weekend.  Welcome back all my wonderful dancing friends!






























Full set on Flickr.