What an amazing weekend we all had at ‘Dancin For Miracle’ 2024. Even more dancers attended this year (over 200) with a large number of newbies whose last comments as they left were ‘This has been wonderful. See you next year!’
All this was thanks to the indomitable Event Director Valarie Keller who seems able to achieve the impossible every year! She is ably supported by Event Coordinators, Cathy Montgomery and Bev Cain. Cathy put together dance lists for the whole weekend which worked perfectly. There was something for everyone on those lists. Dan Morrison was DJ in residence and I reckoned danced every dance! Makes a lot of difference when you have a terrific dancer to follow!
Thank you so much to all four, plus all the volunteers who helped make everything run smoothly including those helping out with the lunches. As always much fun was had with Betty Boops Fantastic Penny Sale, plus a Silent Auction and Raffle. Everyone went home with a gift of some sort and money was raised for a good cause. Dancers brought in a terrific assortment of toys which will delight many children on Christmas Day.
And then there was the dancin’ and meetin’ and greetin’. Dancin’ for Miracles is like a grand reunion of dancers across Ontario and catch-up happened Friday evening interrupted, of course, when a particular dance came on! ‘Sorry, I just got to dance this one’, is the dancers’ refrain! We missed a very dear participant who passed away recently. Michel Cabana participated and helped out at this event for many years. In his honour, Rhonda Nadon taught ‘I’ll be Back’ written by Michel.
Saturday morning started with Jennie getting the dancers going with some zumba. We then had a bit of a warm-up with a motley couple of jockeys who Dan had to keep in line! Thankfully Dan then took over the stage with some more serious business teaching his well received dance ‘Devil’s Kiss’.
Marlene McIntyre was up next with ‘Ain’t No Mountain’ by Karl Harry Winson (UK). It fits the music perfectly and well taught by Marlene.
Newbie to the event, Deanna Tobin, did a terrific job of ‘Miles on It” by Curtis Dooma (Can). Fun easy dance.
Booby Chong reminded us that ‘People Are Crazy’! Written by Gaye Teather (UK), I really enjoyed this dance and remembered smiling at the lyrics of the song when it originally came out.
23 (Twenty Three) by Magali Chabret (FR) was taught by Kim McNeilly. Some tricky parts to this dance including when the song slowed down but Kim brought us all along with her.
Next was up Tammy Wyatt. I (Vivienne) was honoured that Tammy close to teach my latest dance ‘All I Ever Do’. We laugh so much with Tammy teaching but at the same time she makes sure our feet absorb the steps without us even realizing it!
Carolyn Jurek brought an entertaining ‘Country Cat’ with her. We all learned how to meow …. if you are not sure how, Carolyn will teach you for sure!
Kathy K and Cathy M then took to the stage. Kathy K with ‘The Rain is Gone’ by Vane (NL), Verhagen (FR), and Bonnier (FR), to which we both danced AND sung!! Then ‘Life Never Slows Down’ by Natasha Kangas (SWE) which suited the mood of the lively dancers! The two K/Cathys, of course, keep the floor laughing.
After a meal break, back to the hall for more dancin’. The theme this year was Gold Cup at Ascot and boy did the dancers look swell! Amazing hats, colourful jockey outfits, even horses with some pooper scoopers following along behind!! Our regular entertainment ‘The Country Cruisers’ were unable to attend but, never fear, our very own Wasaga Race Horses with their Jockeys were on hand. The Queen happened by to grace the event and dancers were allowed to place bets. I am not too sure if anyone made any money but there was lots of cheering as the horses raced by!
The next morning brought the weary diehards to the Hall at 10 a.m. for quick reviews and more dancin! Lunch and then ‘See You Next Year’!
Dancin' For Miracles 