Showcase!

Last night, I danced in the "Snowball Dance Trilogy" showcase with Marcel. 

 Three independent studios produce this showcase every year at Christmas time and students perform with their instructors.  The instructors also perform, and there is an elaborate dinner, door prizes and a "snowball fight". (See snowball fight story later in the post.....its typical Lisa dork-ness).

I danced a Tango/Rhumba fusion (sorry for being repetitive, I know I mentioned this in previous posts) to Joe Cocker's "Unchain My Heart".

I had such a great time; it was a beautifully planned showcase.  Unfortunately, I forgot to photograph the gorgeous tablescapes!  

In this photo, I'm wearing a pretty black velvet Jones Studio dress that I thrifted just a couple of days ago ($8.00).

This dress was so comfortable to wear and to dance in.  Wearing velvet feels festive and 

Christmas-y.

For the dance performance, I changed into this chiffon dress that I also thrifted ($6.00 for a performance dress!)  I thought hubby was taking a head to toe shot, but as you can see that was not the case.  I really wanted to show you the bottom of the dress; it has a high low/hem with a flounce at the bottom that is very Tango-y.  It suited the dance perfectly.  To simplify the process  of changing into my "costume", I wore my costume pearls with my party dress and my performance dress.  I want to keep preparation for showcase events simpler and less elaborate than competition preparation.  I still want to capture the spirit of the song and the dance, and I think this dress was perfect for it.  

I really love this shot. I like that my gloved had is visible by my partners face and my expression captures the essence of Tango;  the "come here--go away" tension between the man and the woman.  

It's not surprising that Tango is my favorite dance.

There were 130 guests at this showcase, which is a very nice turnout.

The food was fabulous....again another photo op that I missed.

The menu included a tender and tasty apple cider pork and red velvet cupcakes.  

The "snowball fight" is a blast.....the spectators are divided into two groups and each person is given a styrofoam "snowball". 

 The goal is to pelt the other team with snowballs and end up with the least amount of balls. 

 This is a grown up snowball fight and its such a lovely site....grown-ups indulging in childlike glee.  I learned that styrofoam balls, when whipped with a small degree of force by the opposing team, hurt when they hit you on the top of the head!

The loud "thunk" was heard across the room.  It echoed inside my head.  Yep, I got nailed.....right on the top of the head.  It left a nice bump on my head.

OUCH!

The most entertaining performance of the evening was a team formation dance......a sassy Merengue.

Here, the men are being "drummed" by the ladies!  One spectator commented that he felt like he was watching a live performance of "Dancing with the Stars".

Last night was definitely a night to remember....Peyton won a door prize; an "I love ballroom dancing" hat.

 I won one of the big prizes; a $100.00 gift certificate to "Gaucho's Brazilian Steakhouse"!

I really enjoy ballroom showcase events; I love the glamour, the good food, watching performances and performing, but most of all I really love seeing my ballroom friends and meeting new ballroom friends. 

What a lovely night it was!