Yankee Classic [Archive]

Merrylegs

06-14-2007, 06:44 PM

I just ducked into the Yankee Classic to buy a ticket for tomorrow night and got to check out the scene in the ballroom.

It was the pro-am Smooth dance events taking place and the ballroom had a good amount of people in it. I'm pretty sure it was the scholarship division but can't swear to it. A lot of familiar faces but with a twist! A few new pro-am partnerships were on the floor and it was interesting to see the changeup. There were a few out of towners as well. At least a couple of people were from New York.

Larinda was there with her student, Kurt. Larinda was sporting a FAB new dress that made her eyes look like saphires, I'm definitely liking her in iris. I missed seeing her dancing with her student, but I saw him dancing with his wife and I'm sure that he did well in the pro-am division.

I left before the latin scholarships starting but the ballroom was half full of people in their latin costumes.

The judging panel had, among other people, Sam Sodano. :cool:

It's nice having a competition 1.1 miles from my home, I can run in any old time!

Katarzyna

06-14-2007, 08:12 PM

Good luck to everyone.

Merrylegs

06-14-2007, 08:30 PM

Good luck to everyone.

Yes of course!!! Good luck to everyone. Sorry I spaced on that earlier.

latingal

06-14-2007, 08:34 PM

Yes best of luck....to DF'ers that are competing, would love to hear your comp experiences!

GJB

06-14-2007, 08:47 PM

Good luck everyone !

Heat lists are up. Jose and Joanna are dancing!

bluetango

06-14-2007, 10:04 PM

Good luck everyone !

Heat lists are up. Jose and Joanna are dancing!

I believe this is their debut comp. Should be very exciting :-)

Nik

06-14-2007, 11:24 PM

Anyone know if there are any scholarships for the amateur events?

TUNes2o

06-14-2007, 11:38 PM

[quote=Merrylegs;427604]I just ducked into the Yankee Classic to buy a ticket for tomorrow night and got to check out the scene in the ballroom.

The judging panel had, among other people, Sam Sodano. :cool:

The news is where he's not, rather than where he is........

cantskiforlife

06-15-2007, 01:12 AM

I'll be there this weekend. Have to make it back from Chicago in one piece first...

Merrylegs

06-15-2007, 05:58 AM

[quote=Merrylegs;427604]
The news is where he's not, rather than where he is........

This smells like gossip to me and gossip always smells bad. I'm not a moderator on this site I am the person who mentioned his name and I don't appreciate being dragged into something that seems was meant to start trouble.

I merely mentioned his name as to say that there are high level judges at this competition.

I have nothing but respect for the judges and organizers of this competition and would expect that others who choose to post show that same respect.

Joe

06-15-2007, 06:04 AM

Um, I took that comment to mean that TUNes2o thinks Sam does a lot of judging...is that an untrue statement?

Merrylegs

06-15-2007, 06:07 AM

Um, I took that comment to mean that TUNes2o thinks Sam does a lot of judging...is that an untrue statement?

It was an ambiguous statement with elipses at the end. Nothing mentioned about judging. Who can figure it out? It was tagged onto something I wrote (that was meant to be a positive statement about this competition) and I don't want to be linked to any gargage being said.

Smelled like gossip to me! I"ll have nothing to do with it.

Merrylegs

06-15-2007, 06:10 AM

And, I'm off and running into the office now so I will not be around to debate the thoughts and ponderances of TUNes2o.

BTW, I do not have ESP.

:car:

Joe

06-15-2007, 07:02 AM

Vroom!

fascination

06-15-2007, 07:25 AM

Um, I took that comment to mean that TUNes2o thinks Sam does a lot of judging...is that an untrue statement?I take it the same way...and not negatively btw...he does judge alot...just like alot of other judges;).....no biggie

Larinda McRaven

06-15-2007, 09:56 AM

Thanks for the compliment ML. Beside my eyes :shock: the nice thing was that my student won all dances in the Gold Scholarship. And in the Open Latin Scholarship is was great to see to Male Ams winning first and second place. DFs very own Steve Yi with his exotic teacher, Helle, got second. GO BOYS!

The comp started off quiet but by late last night the ballroom was quite lively. I never had any idea there are so many Boston studios...man they all just popped up out of nowhere.

I have some more pro-am to do today and will dropping in and out of the comp all weekend. Come say hi if you see me.

06-15-2007, 10:02 AM

Argh, wish I could make it! Have to go to CT this weekend for Father's Day and - ugh - jury duty. Will make it to more non-collegiate comps eventually . . . !

And congrats to Larinda with her students and Steve & Helle!

dance234

06-15-2007, 12:08 PM

thanks for the on-the-scene report! I too have no ESP but thankfully interpreting that benign comment did not require it. :rolleyes:

TUNes2o

06-16-2007, 09:01 AM

Um, I took that comment to mean that TUNes2o thinks Sam does a lot of judging...is that an untrue statement?

You are absolutly right Joe. It was ment as a funny little aside. After all I see Sam at almost every event I attend, and I think he is co organizer of about 5 more. So when he is not at a comp, I'm surprised. I'm never surprised to see him, as Merrylegs seems to be.

Gossip is the defined as "a person who habitually reveals personal or senational facts. There is nothing habitual or sensational about the statement that it's a surprise not to see Sam, as opposed to making a remark that he is actually there.

I think Merrylegs is trying to give "legs" to a simple innocuous statement, and read far too much into it.

Merrylegs

06-16-2007, 09:12 AM

The news is where he's not, rather than where he is........

I requote your original post. That people can read so much into it as to come to that conclusion is a mystery to me. It still reads to me as an ambiguous statement.

I guess I'm too busy with my own life to follow the everyday goings on of ballroom judges to know where they are at any given time.

The only thing I was trying to give a leg up to was the Yankee Classic Ballroom Competition.

JANATHOME

06-16-2007, 09:15 AM

Merrylegs
Do you happen to know the results of last nights rising star latin?

Merrylegs

06-16-2007, 09:26 AM

So sorry, Janathome, I didn't make it to the comp last night as I attended a work event.

I'd love to know that myself, actually. And, the amateur Standard division too. Hopefully someone will come along and post results.

carmello

06-16-2007, 10:12 AM

The comp started off quiet but by late last night the ballroom was quite lively. I never had any idea there are so many Boston studios...man they all just popped up out of nowhere.

I have some more pro-am to do today and will dropping in and out of the comp all weekend. Come say hi if you see me.

It seems the trend for the local studio participation started about 3 comps ago. I thought you were local, Larinda, but didn't see you at the last years event. Well any way it's good to see all of the local participation return, and hope the trend continues.

LucyDiamond

06-16-2007, 10:16 AM

Does anyone have results from last night's pro standard?

mamboqueen

06-16-2007, 10:32 AM

I'll be going tonight and will try to find out for you. I have dropped a small fortune in ballroom entrance fees at this comp. I should own some stock in it at this point!

LucyDiamond

06-16-2007, 10:48 AM

Thanks! Are you competing?

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 12:56 AM

Much of this is thanks to Chel who was working the videos....(and my apologies for the spelling errors I am sure are here)

Pro Standard

Gehkmans
Chockuba & Malinowslaw
Fidurski & Jileva
Sergievs
Sazines & Wells
Francois Messier & Bolduc

RS Smooth

Kosarev & Chevrin
Lange & Gilliam
McGurn & Panamanova

RS Latin

Ostarek & Vratilove
Fancois-Messier & Bolduc
Nguyen & Sepfer (Locals - yay!)
Gabor & Jancusova
Brooks & BGoldberg
Muzac & Tison

RS Rythym

Torres & Jones
Pilling & Goldman
Fitzgerald St. Hilaire & Walsh
Radin & Doldan

Ama Latin

Nik & Natasha!!!! (the jive was astounding!)
[didn't get the rest - sorry]

Am Standard

Torizzo & Hansen
Lebedev & Borsch
Nik & Natasha!
Wilders
Bator & Arenh
Lip****z/Kapolindi

RS Standard

Fidurski & Jileva
Meshkov & Nema
Pegouck & Florin
Wells & ?
Messier & BOlduc
Popor &?
Gabor & Jancusova

Pro Smooth
JT & Tomasz
Sverrisons
Alanen/Vogel
Kosarev & Chervin
Lange & Gilla
McGurn & Poromsurova

Pro Rythym

Jose & Joanna
Sverrisons
Torres/Jones
Goldman/Pilling
Ritter & ?
Fitberald St. Hillaire & Walsh

Pro Latin

Nadia & Ilya
NY couple
Olga & Andre
NJ couple
Ostarek & Vratilove
Canadian couple

Again, sorry about the names. I am reading someone else's handwriting and I had a couple of glasses of wine. If that's not enough excuse, it's also nearly 2 am. Well past my bed time.

Just one thing - I think that Joanna and Jose are going to be a huge force in the rythym world. They were very powerful and I really couldn't look at any other couple. They stayed pretty much at one end of the room (thankfully near where I was) and just owned the floor. I really think it's going to be very exciting to see the pro rythym competitions going forward.

Max and Yulia performed 4 dances, including "the beat" and were their usual awesome selves. Their engagement was announced at the end of the night. Quite exciting!

bluetango

06-17-2007, 01:15 AM

Pro Rhythm champs were Jose and Joanna.
Wow what an inspiring couple. Definitely some of the best professional dancing I've seen in a long time hands down (latin or rhythm). They have the brightest future ahead of them.

cy_phi

06-17-2007, 02:00 AM

Jose and Joanna were amazing. The quality and energy of their dancing far outweighed those couples in the other styles.

Next up...Jose and Joanna versus Emmanuel and Julia in Manhattan? Doesn't get any better than this.

Congrats also to Nikolai [fellow DFer] and Natasha in Amateur Latin. Seen them dance for a while and they certainly earned that first place award!

reb

06-17-2007, 02:09 AM

Next up...Jose and Joanna versus Emmanuel and Julia in Manhattan? Doesn't get any better than this.

Felipe and Carolina:cool:

cy_phi

06-17-2007, 05:43 AM

Felipe and Carolina:cool:

Ohhh yeahh...very interesting indeed. I'm actually more excited now about Rhythm than I have ever been in a long, long time. :)

NielsenE

06-17-2007, 08:45 AM

Anyone know how Carlos and Gen did in the amateur latin?

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 09:09 AM

I can probably find out as I'm heading back again today. Mambo Princess will be debuting in her latin dance competition today.

LucyDiamond

06-17-2007, 09:09 AM

Thank you mq for posting the results.

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 09:17 AM

They were stunning, Lucy. I got our table to rally for them when they were in our corner.

LucyDiamond

06-17-2007, 09:20 AM

Thanks! I wish I could have been there to rally with you all.

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 09:22 AM

Don't worry; I was loud enough for the two of us!

LucyDiamond

06-17-2007, 09:26 AM

:cool:

bluetango

06-17-2007, 09:38 AM

Anyone know how Carlos and Gen did in the amateur latin?

Carlos and Gen did the same as all the other boston former collegiate couples
(me(alex) and illana, aaron and katie). Stayed in the quarter. Peter and Mila made the semi, as did Jean-Philip and Lawrence.

Nic and Kat did really well for the themselves. 3rd in Rising Star Pro Latin (full final).

GJB

06-17-2007, 09:41 AM

MQ, thanks for staying up late and posting the results ! Good luck to Mambo Princess!

contracheck

06-17-2007, 10:09 AM

MQ, for staying up late and posting the results ! Good luck to Mambo Princess!
Princess? Is this a demotion?

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 10:18 AM

Ding dong - my daughter is competing!

GJB

06-17-2007, 10:19 AM

Princess? Is this a demotion?

No, it's a prodigy. I believe Mambo Princess is Mambo Queen's daughter.

LucyDiamond

06-17-2007, 10:23 AM

Yes, good luck to Mambo Princess!

latingal

06-17-2007, 12:13 PM

Go Mambo Princess!!!!

Nik

06-17-2007, 01:15 PM

Just got home this morning. Now its to the studio to work out all the problems at the comp. I really enjoyed dancing the latin because the audience was just soooo good. Its like everywhere I went everyone was screaming and that just makes you dance that much harder. I can't believe some people actually stood up for us at the end, makes me feel special :).

Gotta work hard for florida now.

ChaChaMama

06-17-2007, 03:29 PM

Go MamboPrincess! Can't wait to hear a full report.

Congratulations Nik!

ChaChaMama

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 05:03 PM

Well, she's hooked! I will probably have to take yet another job to keep her in lessons and dresses. She danced 8 dances (no paso yet; 2 levels of bronze) and did very well. I think she got 7 firsts (4 were uncontested). She had a few times of being off-time, but managed to recover and looked really comfortable, relaxed and smiled a lot. I'm very proud of her. She has a friend who also danced and is pretty shy and only did one dance (rumba) and when it was over, she was asking her parents if she could do more. We were very happy for her, too. It was really loads of fun to watch the kids. Unfortunately we couldn't stay for the duration as we had a cookout planned and our stomachs were all growling.

I should have some video and/or pics soon, which I'll share.

GJB

06-17-2007, 05:15 PM

Congratulations MQ and MP ! Buy more lotto tickets : )

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 05:34 PM

Thanks; I passed on all the well wishes to her. Hopefully she won't figure out how to log on here ;)

LucyDiamond

06-17-2007, 05:53 PM

Congrats to MQ and MP! Well done!!!

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_5_104.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSYYYYYYMCUS)

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 07:10 PM

A few more in my photo album.

http://www.dance-forums.com/album/data/500/jose_joanna.jpg

JohnLL

06-17-2007, 07:20 PM

well I was able to get into Boston this morning and watch and just wanted to say congrats to all who competed! I thought the younger dancers were great and was very impressed with the floorcraft and courtesy I saw during the Senior B (I think) Amateur Standard Championships where they put all 11 (12?) couples on the floor at once for all 5 dances! great job everyone! :-)

9dncr

06-17-2007, 08:31 PM

*** CONGRATS MQ AND MP!!! ***
I can't wait to see pics of her dancing! (ANd you of course! )
ROCK ON! :)

PS_ how did you feel on the floor? well? What dress did you wear?

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 08:37 PM

check your pm's.

9dncr

06-17-2007, 08:50 PM

check your pm's.

GOTCHA! :nope:

LucyDiamond

06-17-2007, 08:50 PM

Great photos of Jose & Joanna MQ!!!

mamboqueen

06-17-2007, 08:57 PM

Thanks, Lucy. FTR, I didn't take them, a friend did. Don't want to take credit for his good work. ;)

latingal

06-17-2007, 10:33 PM

Congrats to both MQ and MP!!! Way to go gals!

fascination

06-17-2007, 10:54 PM

ditto

Kitty

06-18-2007, 12:46 PM

Does anyone have the link to the vendor site with pictures from Yankee?

mamboqueen

06-18-2007, 12:50 PM

It is Alliance -- is that photoreflect.com? Can't remember.

Kitty

06-19-2007, 12:04 AM

The pictures are posted on Photoreflect. Does anyone know when and where the marks will be posted?

Nik

06-19-2007, 01:18 AM

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=022X005D

^^^^ Direct link to pictures

I wish someone had any video from the comp, should of hired the people there but didn't have an extra $100+ to spend.

mamboqueen

06-19-2007, 05:05 AM

The pictures are posted on Photoreflect. Does anyone know when and where the marks will be posted?

They're usually on the Yankee website in 2-3 weeks after the comp (www.theyankeeclassic.com). They have a "winner's circle" link.

gingerbread

06-19-2007, 01:47 PM

Ohhh yeahh...very interesting indeed. I'm actually more excited now about Rhythm than I have ever been in a long, long time. :)

Just think: Jose and Joanna, Emmanuel and Julia, Felipe and Carolina and Tony and Elena. And the young 'uns coming up, Bree and her partner, and the Hauers. From a boring field, Rhythm has found heat. I cannot wait to see them Sunday night at Manhattan Dancesport. (rooting for Jose and Joanna).

dance234

06-19-2007, 02:09 PM

I am curious to see who shows up, since so many of style's finalists are basically locals. It would be a little dangerous for Tony and Elena to come at all - they don't need the win, they are not particularly dynamic performers, Manhattan is so close to Embassy+USBC, and *all* the attention in the room will be split between Joanna and Julia and their partners. Even without them, the comp will be the most important of the year so far for rhythm.

gingerbread

06-19-2007, 03:02 PM

gingerbread

06-19-2007, 03:05 PM

Good point. I hadn't thought of that (Tony and Elena staying away).
By the way - and maybe this should be on a new thread - but American Smooth is also getting a shot in the arm and becoming more interesting with some former top performers preparing to reenter the field.

dance234

06-19-2007, 03:10 PM

The luxury of *not competing* is one of the major perqs of being at the top, it seems to me.

Tigerlilly

06-19-2007, 04:36 PM

Just think: Jose and Joanna, Emmanuel and Julia, Felipe and Carolina and Tony and Elena. And the young 'uns coming up, Bree and her partner, and the Hauers. From a boring field, Rhythm has found heat. I cannot wait to see them Sunday night at Manhattan Dancesport. (rooting for Jose and Joanna).

Agreed. I also enjoy watching Inna and Evgeny. I believe they are currently doing the DWTS tour, though, and so I doubt they'll be at MDC...

dance234

06-19-2007, 05:57 PM

I hadn't heard they were on the tour.

Nik

06-19-2007, 10:19 PM

The luxury of *not competing* is one of the major perqs of being at the top, it seems to me.

I think you need to compete more to stay at the top, choosing where are the benefits. I think they need to dance Manhattan just to win it so they can do well at the later comps. Otherwise all this talk will be built up about the new couples coming up and Tony and Elena would have it harder. You have to show them whos the best, and by winning more comps, like they can, you remain to be the best.

reb

06-20-2007, 12:15 AM

I think you need to compete more to stay at the top, choosing where are the benefits. I think they need to dance Manhattan just to win it so they can do well at the later comps. Otherwise all this talk will be built up about the new couples coming up and Tony and Elena would have it harder. You have to show them whos the best, and by winning more comps, like they can, you remain to be the best.
Agree, although perhaps an occasional family need/event, re-work, etc. might interrupt.

Its an exciting field right now.

LucyDiamond

06-20-2007, 08:41 AM

I thought Tony and Elena announced their retirement at Ohio last year.

Nik

06-20-2007, 09:26 AM

I thought Tony and Elena announced their retirement at Ohio last year.

Interesting point. Did they?

chica latina

06-20-2007, 09:43 AM

In Dancebeat is published that they have not retired and will be defending their title this year.

LucyDiamond

06-20-2007, 09:44 AM

Thanks for clearing this up cl.

chica latina

06-20-2007, 09:59 AM

Just think: Jose and Joanna, Emmanuel and Julia, Felipe and Carolina and Tony and Elena. And the young 'uns coming up, Bree and her partner, and the Hauers. From a boring field, Rhythm has found heat. I cannot wait to see them Sunday night at Manhattan Dancesport. (rooting for Jose and Joanna).

Isn't Millenium also happening at the same time? I was looking at the entries and doesnt seem like all couples mentioned above will be on the same floor this weekend.... but keep us informed in case they do.