Boogie by The Bay 2003
Icono Clast
about 150 dancers, including Bob Wheatley, about an hour ago.
It was, as it was expected to be, an excellent event in every respect.
Event directors Andy Bouman and Beth Bellamy, along with their many
volunteers, did an outstanding job.
As just an attendee, I heard many comments from people from many parts
of the country express high praise for several aspects of the event.
I believe that Boogie will come to be respected as "the best win" in
the contry for, in particular, Jack 'n' Jill competitors.
Andy, Beth, and all who helped to make this event what it has come to
be, Thank you!
________________________________________________________________
A San Franciscan who never says "No!" to an invitation to dance!
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 IClast at SFbay Net
Why did I leave so early? I felt, looked, and danced like imminent
collapse.
David Koppelman
I second Ike's comments. Boogie was, as always, fabulous. The SF
Airport Hyatt is a great facility- the huge ballroom was always
well-cooled despite being packed to the gills. The music, by Beth
Bellamy, Victor Loviera, Mike Pyle and Rupert Schroeder, was terrific.
The comps were well-run and entertaining. Some highlights- Robert
and Laureen together again in Strictly Swing (I don't know how they
didn't place, they were fantastic); Ben Morris and Debbie Gitt in the
Lindy Jack and Jill (most entertaining dance of the weekend); Arjay
and Melissa's new routine in Classic (wow!).
Thanks to Andy and Beth, and to all the TNGSDC volunteers, for a great
weekend!
David Koppelman
Jon Leech
David Koppelman <dav...@aol.com> wrote:
>I second Ike's comments. Boogie was, as always, fabulous. The SF
>Airport Hyatt is a great facility- the huge ballroom was always
>well-cooled despite being packed to the gills.
The event certainly ran well, but you've got to be kidding about
this. The humidity was very high and the temperature nowhere near
subjectively "cool". Bay Area climates are such that good A/C is rarely
available, alas.
Jon
__@/
MEMIKI
Thank you to all the gracious men who danced with me -- y'all made my
day........and nights :)
Thank you, Andy, and thank you, Beth, and thank you everyone on the Convention
committee......'twas wonderful.
I do need to mention my disappointment that the flawless and perfect dance
performed by Robert Royston and Laureen Baldovi did not place in the Champions
Strictly Swing.
Miki
Ed Jay
absolute success of this event! Flawless.
The only possible issues would be the fault of the hotel and not of
TNGSDC. There was a brief period when the air conditioning faltered,
but it was rectified in short order. Again this year, the service
staff was compromised---a reflection of the economically-suffering
hospitality industry. But the food quality and ambiance in the
upstairs Atrium bar and its sister 'main dining room' were superior.
Excellent menu this year.
The music was outstanding. People were talking about how good it was.
I think that particular kudos are in order for Beth Bellamy's
competition music and Victor Loveira's social mixes. Outstanding work
by both of these people.
The competitions were good, fair and judged well with only a couple of
'surprises.' Champions had an array of the best dancers any event
could ask for. We got a taste of why the U.S. Open is going to be hot
this year.
Watching the general levels of dancing, competition and social, I was
often reminded of Miki's recent critical post about her leaders' lack
of framing, etc. A few others commented on the level of 'connected
free-style' dancing, particularly among the top 50% dancers.
The social dancing was more than fun for me. One dance stands out in
my mind among many enjoyable others...my dance with Miki was
outstanding! She set out to prove herself, and she succeeded. :-)
Thanks again, Andy and crew. See you next year.
Ed Jay (remove M to respond)
Icono Clast
> you've got to be kidding about this. The humidity was very high and the
> temperature nowhere near subjectively "cool".
I disagree. The temperature was fine _most_ of the week-end. Sunday
evening, with fewer dancers than most of the week-end, it got a bit
warm. It was checked by members of the Boogie and hotel staffs and the
thermostat reported a temperature well below eighty.
> [San Francisco] Bay Area climates are such that good A/C is
> rarely available, alas.
That's true. The Burlingame Regency has that rare availability.
MEMIKI
>Date: 10/14/2003
>The social dancing was more than fun for me. One dance stands out in
>my mind among many enjoyable others...my dance with Miki was
>outstanding! She set out to prove herself, and she succeeded. :-)
Ed -- my heartfelt thanks for the lovely compliment and for your thoughtfulness
in posting.
>The music was outstanding. People were talking about how good it was.
>I think that particular kudos are in order for Beth Bellamy's
>competition music and Victor Loveira's social mixes. Outstanding work
>by both of these people.
I, too, found the social dancing great this year. The evening music played by
the DJs pleased this princess. In addition to Victor and Beth, I loved Rupert
Schroeder's one late-night shift and Mike Pyle's Thursday early night music. I
also discovered some terrific dancers from the Northwest USA and from Boston --
they were a joy!
Miki
Victor Loveira
Boogie by the Bay!!!!!! I had never been to this event but have heard,
for years, how MUCH FUN it is. Well, everyone was RIGHT it is a
BLAST!!!!!
The competition was a lot of fun to watch and the social dancing was
great! I had many nice dances throughout the weekend. I can't wait for
next year!!!!!!!!!!!!
Victor Loveira
mem...@aol.com (MEMIKI) wrote in message news:<20031015024808...@mb-m13.aol.com>...
MEMIKI
>Date: 10/14/2003
>I, too, found the social dancing great this year. The evening music played by
>the DJs pleased this princess. In addition to Victor and Beth, I loved Rupert
>Schroeder's one late-night shift and Mike Pyle's Thursday early night music.
>I
>also discovered some terrific dancers from the Northwest USA and from Boston
>--
>they were a joy!
>
>Miki
Addendum -- I forgot to mention a terrific dancer from Florida (in case he is
listening:)....he, too, was a joy.
Miki
Bob Wheatley
"Icono Clast" <ICl...@JPS.Net> wrote in message
news:3a26924c.03101...@posting.google.com...
> Boogie by The Bay probably isn't over yet! I left the ballroom with
> about 150 dancers, including Bob Wheatley, about an hour ago.
>
> It was, as it was expected to be, an excellent event in every respect.
> Event directors Andy Bouman and Beth Bellamy, along with their many
> volunteers, did an outstanding job.
>
> As just an attendee, I heard many comments from people from many parts
> of the country express high praise for several aspects of the event.
>
> I believe that Boogie will come to be respected as "the best win" in
> the contry for, in particular, Jack 'n' Jill competitors.
>
> Andy, Beth, and all who helped to make this event what it has come to
> be, Thank you!
Okay....
Ike has indicted me for staying up really, really late.
I confess. I did it.
Those evil bastards kept me up until 4 in the mornin' for 3 days straight.
It wasn't my fault.... It was them.... They made me do it.....
I accept complete responsibility for my actions, and however, if California
would like to end their budget crisis, I suggest they implement a new tax on
"fun".
They would have an immediate surplus.....:>)
Great event.:>)
Bob Wheatley
Icono Clast
> "Icono Clast" <ICl...@JPS.Net> wrote in message:
> > Boogie by The Bay probably isn't over yet! I left the ballroom with
> Okay....
> Ike has indicted me for staying up really, really late.
"Really late"? Y'gotta be kiddin', you youngster, you!
> Those evil bastards kept me up until 4 in the mornin' for 3 days straight.
You're a real earlybird.
> if California would like to end their budget crisis, I suggest they
> implement a new tax on "fun". They would have an immediate urplus.....:>)
I'm an advocate of higher taxes but not on fun, please. I'd be levied
more than the Bill of Redmond!
MORE ABOUT BOOGIE:
The wrist bands were very nice with the event's name and the Boogie
logo.
The floor's speed, throughout the weekend, was very much to my liking:
fast without being slippery. That allowed me to dance, pain-free, up
to an hour longer than I normally do, these days, at conventions.
Thursday and Saturday nights, I got to bed at 5. Friday night was
4:30. I left the ballroom, almost immobile, at 2:45 Sunday and Wimp
Wheatley, a mere child compared to this old man, is whining about what
we evil bastards do. Tsk, tsk.
I received reports that dancing continued 'til 6 on a night or two.
Hotels don't listen:
They're TOLD to freeze the ballroom but they don't and we suffer.
They're TOLD that they're likely to be invaded by several hundred
hungry dancers 'round Midnight (when the event does not provide food
after a night's last competition) but seldom have enough staff to
handle the crowd thus angering the hungry crowd. To date, I know
neither of resulting riots nor injuries.
They're TOLD to have a significant supply of the Swing Dancers' drink
but the bar at Boogie ran out almost causing a riot by those who
hadn't had enough and wanted more . . . now!
The Boogie hotel, though, was quick enough to put as many of us as
possible in inside rooms (facing the atrium) so that only we would be
disturbed by us. Other events take over entire hotels allowing all
hell to prevail at all hours. [We had a view across the atrium to the
large windows cater corner from us and the beautiful Bay beyond.]
David F. Cox
"Icono Clast" <ICl...@JPS.Net> wrote in message
a very helpful post, but snipped.
> They're TOLD to have a significant supply of the Swing Dancers' drink
For the ignorant - what is it ?
David F. Cox
Mike Pyle
Now that I have caught up on my sleep, I'd like to take time to thank
Next Generation Swing Dance Club for the opportunity to DJ again this
year at Boogie By The Bay, as well as entrusting me with providing the
sound for the event.
Andy, Beth and ALL of the Boogie committee deserve high praise for the
year-long planning that goes into the effort to improve every event.
It was great to work with Beth, Victor, Rupert, Jessie and Rayned
providing the music, and with Bob Ford to make sure everything got to
video. Grace Meadows is an incomparable asset to any event, with her
ability to capture the attention and interest of a crowd of 1200
people, and providing amusing entertainment or thoughtful commentary
as the occasion demands. She is so good at quick-marching the
followers through the contest rotations, I am sure there must be
military genes in her family.
All the folks attending Boogie were awesome. Despite the work load, I
had time for some wonderful dancing and to enjoy the company of dance
friends from all over the country, and I really appreciate the
comments I have received regarding the event.
Thanks Everyone!
See you at Mountain Magic!
Mike Pyle
www.audiopyle.com
ICl...@JPS.Net (Icono Clast) wrote in message news:<3a26924c.03101...@posting.google.com>...
David Koppelman
thought the temperature in the ballroom was mostly very comfortable,
given its size and the number of people creating body heat. I
checked the thermostat and it was set at 65 degrees. I don't think
you can ask much more from a hotel.
OTOH I agree that the buffet was understaffed, giving rise to longer
waits than necessary. I agree with Ed Jay that this is probably due
to layoffs caused by the downturn in the hospitality industry. I do
want to say that the staff that WAS there was working their collective
butts off to keep up with the demand- hard working employees, just not
enough of them.
David Koppelman
ICl...@JPS.Net (Icono Clast) wrote in message news:<3a26924c.03101...@posting.google.com>...
David Koppelman
> Hi Dancers!
>
> Now that I have caught up on my sleep, I'd like to take time to thank
> Next Generation Swing Dance Club for the opportunity to DJ again this
> year at Boogie By The Bay, as well as entrusting me with providing the
> sound for the event.
>
Mike,
Your sound system was terrific, particularly for such a cavernous
ballroom. Congratulations!
David Koppelman
Ed Jay
>Mike Pyle wrote...
>> Hi Dancers!
>>
>> Now that I have caught up on my sleep, I'd like to take time to thank
>> Next Generation Swing Dance Club for the opportunity to DJ again this
>> year at Boogie By The Bay, as well as entrusting me with providing the
>> sound for the event.
>>
>Your sound system was terrific, particularly for such a cavernous
>ballroom. Congratulations!
>David Koppelman
Ditto that. Mike, I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to finally meet
you. When you were playing, I was dancing...had to. Your music made me
do it. Thanks again.
Icono Clast
> the opportunity to DJ again this year at Boogie By The Bay, as
> well as entrusting me with providing the sound for the event.
The sound was excellent regardless of where one heard it. Further, the
speakers were mounted on poles at a height greater than the tops of
the heads of the likes of Dave Raines and Bob Wheatley. I did not, as
I usually must, have to stick a finger in m'ear when passing the
speakers. In fact, we could dance near them, too, without discomfort.
A further advantage of the poles is they block almost nothing one
would like to see. The overall sound level never imposed upon the ease
of conversation.
My sources have told me that Mike also worked out some sort of
sound-delay formula so that all of the speakers' vibrations were
simultaneously identical to the ear. If that doesn't make sense, it's
because my sources don't really understand it and so do I. But Mike
claims that he does.
Robert Emmons
>It was, as it was expected to be, an excellent event in every respect.
>Event directors Andy Bouman and Beth Bellamy, along with their many
>volunteers, did an outstanding job.
My wife and I also had a great time. The DJing was great. Until
others mentioned it here, I did not realize how good the sound system
was. From both on and off the floor, the music never seemed too loud
or to soft. For someone from the hinterlands of New Jersey, the level
of dancing in California was impressive.
I have only one minor complaint. The bar closed around 1AM on Sunday,
cutting off our supply of champaign.
--
Robert Emmons, Aurigen Inc.
remmonsR...@aurigen.com
http://www.aurigen.com/
Computer Programming and Consulting
MEMIKI
>Date: 10/17/2003
>Cl...@JPS.Net (Icono Clast) wrote on 13 Oct 2003 03:46:51 -0700:
>My wife and I also had a great time. The DJing was great. Until
>others mentioned it here, I did not realize how good the sound system
>was. From both on and off the floor, the music never seemed too loud
>or to soft. For someone from the hinterlands of New Jersey, the level
>of dancing in California was impressive.
>
I, too, did not realize how good the sound system was at BBB. Methinks one is
more likely to notice only a bad sound system -- when the ears need major
plugging, the head is pounding, and the music is distorted.
Thank you, Mike Pyle.
Miki
Swin...@webtv.net
<<My sources have told me that Mike also worked out some sort of
sound-delay formula so that all of the speakers' vibrations were
simultaneously identical to the ear. If that doesn't make sense, it's
because my sources don't really understand it and so do I. But Mike
claims that he does.>>
He's probably using a BBE Sonic Maximizer.
There are only two ways of telling the complete truth - anonymously and
posthumously.
Thomas Sowell
Icono Clast
> I have only one minor complaint. The bar closed around 1AM on Sunday,
> cutting off our supply of champaign.
This is common with local hotels. It's probably also true throughout
the state. Few hotel bars close as late as 01:30 although many other
venues do, and almost no hotel's bar at 02:50 which is the norm for
other bars.
Richard Maurer
Your sound system was terrific, particularly for such a cavernous
ballroom. Congratulations!
<< [Icono Clast]
The sound was excellent regardless of where one heard it. Further, the
speakers were mounted on poles at a height greater than the tops of
the heads of the likes of Dave Raines and Bob Wheatley. I did not, as
I usually must, have to stick a finger in m'ear when passing the
speakers. In fact, we could dance near them, too, without discomfort.
A further advantage of the poles is they block almost nothing one
would like to see. The overall sound level never imposed upon the ease
of conversation.
[end quote] >>
<< [Robert Emmons]
Until others mentioned it here, I did not realize how good
the sound system was. From both on and off the floor,
the music never seemed too loud or to soft.
[end quote] >>
I would like to add my kudos for a sound system well done.
When I walked in the ballroom, it was between sessions and no
sound was playing. I looked at the towers of speakers with something
akin to fear: there was no place to escape when the sound
gets too loud. But it never got too loud, yet there was plenty of sound
to dance to. I especially want to commend the sound guys
for eliminating the "have to stick a finger in m'ear when passing the
speakers" situation that was so annoying in the past.
-- ---------------------------------------------
Richard Maurer To reply, remove half
Sunnyvale, California of a homonym of a synonym for also.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Pyle
>
> He's probably using a BBE Sonic Maximizer.
>
Let me guess....is this some enlargement method that email spammers
are trying to peddle to the sonically inadequate? :-)
Bob Wheatley
news:fdb1aab.03102...@posting.google.com...
Good one.:>)
Bob Wheatley
Swin...@webtv.net
a piece of equipment that many DJs use. And Mike, an enlargement it is!
Do your homework...it's never too late to learn something new :-)
All you have to do is take those little fingers and type in "sonic
maximizer" on your keyboard and search.
Bob Ford
Geez, I thought it was a new name for that product sold on the
commercials on Court TV - that would be the one where Bob is now doin'
GREAT and livin' large but of course all you Texans have no need for
such enlargement products or devices right? :-)
On a serious note....Mike Pyle your audio system was spectacular and
that same great audio track is also on our videotapes.
Best sound I think we have ever had on our tapes :-)
Bob Ford
Images In Motion
<www.imagesinmotion.com>
Bob Wheatley
news:14599-3F...@storefull-2312.public.lawson.webtv.net...
> Well, it might have been cute to the DJ impaired from Houston, but it is
> a piece of equipment that many DJs use. And Mike, an enlargement it is!
> Do your homework...it's never too late to learn something new :-)
>
> All you have to do is take those little fingers and type in "sonic
> maximizer" on your keyboard and search.
>
I'm sorry Poopy.
I'm from Texas so I don't know anything about "enlargements".
Although I have heard "enlargements" (Whatever they may be) are very popular
in California.:>)
Bob Wheatley
> Geez, I thought it was a new name for that product sold on the
> commercials on Court TV - that would be the one where Bob is now doin'
> GREAT and livin' large but of course all you Texans have no need for
> such enlargement products or devices right? :-)
>
> Bob Ford
Heh, perfect timing.
See my response I just made to Poopy.:>)
Mike Pyle
> Well, it might have been cute to the DJ impaired from Houston, but it is
> a piece of equipment that many DJs use. And Mike, an enlargement it is!
> Do your homework...it's never too late to learn something new :-)
>
> All you have to do is take those little fingers and type in "sonic
> maximizer" on your keyboard and search.
>
Uh-Oh! I seem to have struck a nerve among the under-endowed :-)
Mike Pyle
Victor Loveira
Well, it might have been cute to the DJ impaired from Houston...
Hey, how the heck did I get involved in this! How am I DJ impaired????
Victor
Swin...@webtv.net
Bob Ford
>I was talking about Bob.
>
Hey there Poopy..........let's clarify which Bob OK :-)
>There are only two ways of telling the complete truth - anonymously and
>posthumously.
>Thomas Sowell
Bob Ford
Images In Motion
<www.imagesinmotion.com>
Bob Wheatley
> I was talking about Bob.
>
Why me? :>)
Mike Pyle made the comment, I just giggled a little.
Are you, um....sensitive...about your, um.....
endowment? :>)
Bob Ford
OK you two........just whip 'em out here on the bar and we will settle
this.
Actually I think Mike was joking and BTW I don't think the comment was
geared to Victor Loveira.......
really mean't for Swing Poop whom I think is in
Houston.........possibly the Dallas Dance guy????
Swin...@webtv.net
around rumors. They would be a tangled mess after each pass :-)
Leave it to Mike to take a compliment and totally butcher it. Oh
well......and don't query which Mike.
Bob Ford
>Talk about going off on tangents...I wouldn't want any of you to pass
>around rumors. They would be a tangled mess after each pass :-)
>
Now, now Terry Rippa don't be jumping to conclusions - we know who you
are right :-) Couldn't think of your name earlier.
>Leave it to Mike to take a compliment and totally butcher it. Oh
>well......and don't query which Mike.
Yeah I think he really appreciated the compliment but his replies got
misinterpreted.
>
>There are only two ways of telling the complete truth - anonymously and
>posthumously.
>Thomas Sowell
Bob Ford
Images In Motion
<www.imagesinmotion.com>
Swin...@webtv.net
Mike Pyle
>
> Leave it to Mike to take a compliment and totally butcher it. Oh
> well......and don't query which Mike.
>
You've been using the Sonic Maximizer, haven't you? I can tell by your tone...
Mike Pyle