We have had an exciting year thus far, and we wanted to check in and bring all of you up to date on our travels and happenings since our last blog entry. Since our last update we have traveled to many places teaching, competing, judging, and performing and along the way we created numerous friendships that have already enriched our lives. We’ll do our best to take you through our last six months in reader’s digest fashion..

In December, we had Chico Dance Sensation thrown by Chuck Brown, which served as a much needed relaxing weekend after the Open. Then we were relieved to catch up with family and friends and rest for a few weeks during the holidays in preparation for a very exciting 2011! To kick off the year we headed to Boston for Joe Mahoney’s New Year’s Dancin’ Eve. The New Year’s dinner and toast was a great memory, and the people of Boston made us feel very welcome.

In January, we had Monterey DanceFest thrown by John Wheaton. We had a beautiful drive up the coast from L.A. and the weekend was just as enjoyable. John’s events always have great social dancing, and the All-American division where all levels mix together to compete was as always a great time.

In February, we traveled first to Capital Swing Dance Convention in Sacramento held by Dani Canziani and the staple Capital Swing Club. We were very humbled to win with our newest routine in the Classic division and for Torri to win the Showcase division as well (proud partner ☺). From there we were excited to fly to Paris, FR again..this time for a workshop weekend teaching along side Maxence Martin and Katie Schneider thrown by Virginie and Tomas. Don’t know if we’ve ever been taken such good care of overseas, can’t wait to go back!

In March, we went to Mid Atlantic Dance (MAD) Jam thrown by Dave Maldover. This event is probably the biggest in size we attend all year…close to 2,000 and the social dancing and lighting is unforgettable every year! Later in the month we were brought back to Pittsburgh for the second year by Jerry and Kathleen Kovak for Boogie in the Burgh…always a fun event, less competition, more social dancing! And Torri’s boyfriend Garrett also drove up from Raleigh with Brennar!

April was a jam-packed month! First was Los Angeles Premier Dance (LAPD) Classic held by Ronnie D. and Barb DeLay. This is event is always fun because of the mixture of dances under one roof: swing, country, and latin! Guarantees a great time! From there we went to Reno Dance Sensation again thrown by Chuck Brown (busy guy) and it was just as fun as Chico. The social dancing was a blast along with laser tag, and yes, bowling! Along with off the floor fun, the Champions Jack n Jill had an innovative touch (jeapardy style). Next Jim Minty brought us in to be on staff at Seattle’s Easter Swing. The people of Seattle were very warm and eager to learn, and the competitions were amazing! To finish off the month, we went to Millwaukee for Swing Dance America thrown by Glen Miller. It was our second year, and from what we could tell it was the best year yet! It was fun getting to hang and room with our coach and friend Benji and Garrett even flew out from Raleigh for the event!

May included two of the biggest and most cutting edge events of the year, Swing Diego held by Parker and Earl, and USA Grand Nationals held by new event directors Michael and LeAnn Norris! Swing Diego was amazing as expected with the biggest international turnout we’ve ever seen, and a 25 couple classic division! We were excited to get 2nd in the heavily competitive Classic division, and for Torri to win the Showcase division with Benji! A big highlight was dancing to live acoustic remakes for the Jack n Jill played by Danny out of LA. Next was Grand Nationals, and may we say awesome job Mike and Lou (Shag Dad and Mom to Torri)! Classy event from beginning to end! And, it was a humbling yet exciting weekend …We won classic, another showcase win for Torri and Benji, Pro Shag win for Brennar and Autumn, Top Five Strictly placements with respective partners Brandi and Ben Mo, and our team “The Southern Dozen” won the Formation Team division!! Off the floor, Brennar moved to Raleigh right before Grand Nationals in hopes of attending University of North Carolina (UNC) in the Spring. Very memorable month to say the least!

And finally to start off the month of June, we were brought into D’Amico Dance studio in Houston by Damon and Lisa for a great workshop weekend! We taught many workshops and privates, and made great friends we know will last a lifetime!

That is all for now…we hope that you like the new site!

Be back soon!

-B & T

Benji Schwimmer….your brilliance and dedication to us is without a doubt the reason we are where we are. Thank you….doesn’t cut it! And a huge congrats to Benji as well for winning the Showcase division this year!

Our families….thank you for picking up the loose end that we inevitably have left these past few months.

MaryAnn Olsen….for the most amazing costumes we have had to date!!! You’re rehired!

The endless friends and peers who have coached, encouraged, or simply been there! We wouldnt be here without you all! Can’t wait to see where this crazy journey takes us next!

We brought in the New Year at Spotlight Dance Challenge in Wisconsin. What great warm people in the Midwest! Truly can’t wait to get back out there! Prelims for Nationals in Myrtle Beach rounded out our January!

February was Capital Swing, which was and always will be one of our favorite events! Then Keepers of the Dance, followed by a trip to Lyon, France! That was our second trip to France but our first to Lyon. We made so many new French friends and truly can’t wait to get back again!

In March, we were at MadJam in DC for a fun event put on by Dave Moldover. Such a great mix of Hand and Swing Dancers! Truly such an energy filled weekend! What’s not to love. Then we were off for Shag Nationals in Myrtle Beach, where we were honored to receive the title of Junior II Champions and Overall Junior Champions! What an awesome weekend filled with so many wonderful dancers and supportive friends! March finished up with Boogie in the Burgh….another wonderful weekend filled with some of the warmest people you will ever meet. Looking forward to being there again next year!

April was a whirlwind with Orlando J&J, LAPD, Reno Dance Sensation and Swing Dance America back to back each weekend! Each an incredibly different event, equally amazing in their own way! So happy to have been a part of each one!

Which brings us to May…..Swing Diego! Such a great event! It was bigger and better than ever with crowds from so many various countries….it was amazing! Kudos to all! We were so happy to be a part of the staff this year! Then we were off for the Hern Hanger Party in West Virginia. The warmth of this group truly astounded us. They helped us raise almost $3000 for our junior team we are a part of this year, which is almost enough to sponsor all 12 team members to get to and compete at the US Open in November! Thank you so much!!!! Then, next weekend we were at Grand Nationals! This is an event close to both of our hearts! This event blends Brennar’s roots of Shag and Torri’s Swing roots! We competed in not only Junior Swing but Junior II Shag as well! Not to mention Cabaret, Strictly Swing and Jack & Jills! Was an absolutely fabulous weekend and especially emotional with it being the last with Charlie and Jackie at the helm. Thank you two for all you have done for us and dance in general! Exciting times to come with Michael and LeAnn Norris taking over in 2011! We can’t wait to see what they bring to the table.

In June, we were in Portland for Come Rain, Come Shine, a fabulous event put on by Ida & Andrew Slac. Then, we were off to New Jersey for John Lindo’s fabulous Liberty Swing! This is always a very exciting event for us and this was no different. This is a must for all dancers with the city a short train ride away, it make for a great summer vacation with a dance event to top it off!

In July, we were in Ft. Lauderdale for a new Shag and Swing event which was a blast. Then Junior SOS in Myrtle Beach followed by Buddy Schwimmer’s iSwing in Southern California.

In August, we were in Manchester, UK for Master in Line competition. Our trips to Europe are always so fun and exciting as we see and meet new people that we don’t see every weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed working with this group and hope to get back there again very soon! August ended with Bill Cameron’s Summer Hummer, which is always a party to say the least. Great weather this year allowed for a fabulous pool party to top off an already amazing event!

In September, we were once again at Desert City Swing. I know we rave every year about what a great host Mike Gadsberry is, and this year was no exception! Thanks for having us, Mike! Can’t wait to get back next year. Next, we were off to meet me in St. Louis for some good ole midwest fun! This is always one of the most welcoming events we attend. Love these people and wish we saw them all over the country more!

The 2nd weekend in October was Boogie by the Bay. This weekend is always exciting as you start to see the emergence of US Open routines. This year was no exception! Many new partnerships and exciting new routines! The events was as good if not better than ever! And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention how efficiently this event always runs!

Next up, Halloween Swingthing, Living Legends, Tampa Bay Classic and then the US Open! It’s going to be a crazy month! We are so excited for our first year in the adult divisions! Thanks to everyone for all the support and love they have given us throughout the year! You are all amazing!

-Brennar and Torri

After Swingtime, we were off for a relaxing weekend in the sun at Jay Byam’s Summer Dance Camp. This event is always a fun weekend mixed with relaxation and great competitions. Next we were off to Bill Camerons Summer Hummer and this is an event that you definitely need to put on your schedule as well! Bill knows how to throw a party while also putting on a great event! All the pro’s that you want to get a lesson with or watch perform are there! It is a fabulously good time in a gorgeous location in upstate Ma. We can’t wait to get back there next year! It was also an exciting year as Bill and Yuna announced that they were pregnant and by Summer Hummer next year, they will have a beautiful baby girl in tote! Congrats to you both!!!

In September, we headed out to Phoenix to Mike Gadberry’s awesome event, Desert City Swing! Mike is such a great event promoter and really takes care of everyone. We had a great time and are happy to say that Mike has invited us back again for next year. If you haven’t made this event….we would definitely say it is worth the trip! After Phoenix, we were off to Meet me in St. Louis. This was our first time together at this event and it was a great time. We really enjoy being in the Midwest as we get to see some competitors and fellow dancers that we don’t see alot at other events. The people were awesome and so welcoming. After that, we headed to Kansas City for a workshop weekend! Again, so many new faces and people we don’t get to see often enough. It was a great weekend and looking forward to getting back out there again.

Then in October, we headed out to Paris, France to the Rolling Camp with Kyle and Sarah! This trip was probably the most amazing trip we have had so far. We had the opportunity to work with so many talented dancers and share our style and philosophy with them. They were like sponges….they soaked up everything we had to offer so quickly and were ready for more! We are so grateful to have shared this experience with Kyle and Sarah! They were awesome! We have so many memories from that trip!

After France, we headed to Boogie by the Bay. It was so cool to see so many of the French competitors there and they were amazing! Boogie is always such a great event as it is the prelude to the Open and you can feel the tension building as people are usually preparing to retire their old routine and getting ready to debut the new one at the Open. This was our first year on staff at Boogie and we loved being a part of their team! They put on a very professional event that is probably top 3 in attendance. Everything always runs on time and without a hitch! If you haven’t been to Boogie, you definitely need to get there SOON! After Boogie, we stayed local for John Wheaton’s Halloween Swingthing….and as always it was a blast. There is a costume party on Halloween that everyone goes all out in their costumes…. and let us just say….we will forever be haunted by the site of Parker Dearborn!!!

Next it was off to Tampa for Tampa Bay Classic. We just got home and had a great time. We have officially retired out Make it Mine routine! We absolutely loved that routine but are ready to put all our time and attention into the new one! We are so excited about it and cant wait to debut it at the US Open and hope everyone loves it as much as we do! Next weekend we are off to Phoenix to see Laurie Kauffman and all of her “new” Westies getting ready for the Open! How exciting and then off to London for Paul and Catriona’s London Swingvitational! We will be spending a few days touring London before the event so we are really looking forward to that! And then home to crunch for the Open! Hope to see you all on the floor soon!