Last weekend was the 2009 Tampa Line Dance Event back at the now refurbished Doubletree Hotel (even though someone's air conditioner unit their room blew up, there was no midnight fire alarm drill). Had some regular USA instructors/choreographers as well as two special overseas guest instructors--Maggie Gallagher (thanks Big Dave!) and Francien Sittrop. I took a variety of lessons from a variety of instructors to a variety of song selections and genres. Thursday night crowd was quite lively, it appeared there were more attendees than the last two years on a Thursday night. DJ Louie St. George kept the extra wide ballroom pumpin' and thumpin' all night playing requests as well as some old classics that never go by the wayside. Demos were prompt and efficient (way to go!). I appreciate demos the night before, as most I know do, but sometimes they are endless, not at this event. I felt we got a good taste of the music and dance that each instructor presented.

Louie played in the ballroom each night. Dancers: please do not lean against the light switches, how appropo for him to to play DIZZY during these light switch episodes. While DJ Olivia Ray played requests across the hall in the well lit Timberwoods room, Big Dave was in the Woodlands Foyer, which had a better floor this year. All three rooms were consistently crowded all weekend - kudos to all!

Dance lessons that I took:

SANDCASTLE DISCO (sittrop): A song that grew on me the more that I heard it - reminded me of a track the 90s group Dee-Lite would cut. Dance is fun, nothing difficult. I just got carried away by the song; felt like was in a retro-discoteque. Good first instruction and warm up dance for the weekend.

JIG IT UP (gallagher). Easy IRISH SPIRIT kind of dance with a similar ending of Part A of Maggie's RED COAT TIGER. Love the speed, song, and dance. My favorite of the entire weekend....which came early for me. Solid instruction by a wonderful, outgoing instructor. Because the 10AM dancers in this class were quick learners and jigging for more Maggie, she added her brand new dance WHAT ABOUT to a remake of WHAT ABOUT NOW, this version by Westlife. The song reminds me of David Cook's Light On, and the dance is on the same level as Debbie McLaughlin's ISOLATED. Either way, think WHAT ABOUT JIGging IT UP, or if you care, WHAT ABOUT feeling ISOLATED. Just have a CT GIRL by your side or GUARDIAN ANGEL on your shoulder.

SHOES OF ANOTHER MAN (szymanski). From her debut at Windy City, my shoes were worn out when this class was taught, the renown Marilyn McNeal taught this great bluesy, west coast swing line dance. Generally not my favorite type of music, it certainly has grown on me. Felt this dance has as much wiggle room as Jo's WHY DID YOU LIE [of wearing another man's shoes]. Another hit for Jo that was played routinely all weekend.

SEXY CHICK (gallagher). with added hand movements by divas Jenkins and Detweiller. Definitely not an Irish number, this was another great dance to an upbeat, catchy song. However you feel like before dancing this, you will feel sexy afterward <grrrrrowl>. Just remember to hold [your pose] at those points in the dance. Another dance consistently played all weekend.

CAN'T GET INVOLVED (fitzgerald, harris). Since my mind was not all involved on Sunday learning this dance in Chicago, I had to retake this dance. A couple of restarts (same place) which are noticeable the more you listen to the song, and they come early in the dance. On the calibur of WHEN I GROW UP to a funkier song.

BATTLEFIELD (willis). Another NC2 to a superb song by Jordin Sparks. One easy restart that comes early in the song. Phrasing is great and the dance flows on each wall. Definitely will keep this going locally. Same calibur as TOO LITTLE TOO LATE, which we loved in the DC Area for quite some time.

HEY MAMA! (blevins). Refresh teach from Windy City Linedance Mania as it was called NO MAMA to me back then! After a second breakdown, "I love it, I love it, I love it..." Did not get to learning it contra during class or night review (space limitation), but did dance it two times contra later in the weekend with help from my Boo and it was fun, fun, fun. Even if you are shy on contra dances, Scott said to dance it as a 2-wall dance.....don't be discouraged by the 60-count tag, it fits perfectly....just don't get carried by the song like me and dance over it :(

SWING BY MY WAY (cooper, daughtery). Great smooth west coast swing song. Tricky 2-wall dance, and thankfully the last 16-counts repeat, which fits the rhythm of the music well. Another well-choreographed dance by this duo.

HANDS UP (bennett). After finishing I'M MOVING ON early to a packed class, Craig taught his brand new dance HANDS UP which is the same calibur as GIRL. No tags/restarts/bridges/dams/gates that just flows to a new Whitney Houston song from her new album. Whether you're listening to Craig or Whitney sing, another well-choreographed dance to an infectious song.

BITTER PILL (christian-sohn, schrank). Great song by Annie Lennox to a solid intermediate dance. Nothing difficult, but there are two restarts and some turns, especially the last 4-counts which you can add as much or little styling.....I like watching Amy's shoulder pops. If you are dancing with Amy, raise your right arm at the first restart and if dancing with Scott, raise your left arm.

3-D (rowe). Cute dance that is super easy. 32-counts, no tags/restarts. The 1st 8-counts allow for plenty of styling (see Danny, Trevor, and Maurice), the 2nd and 3rd 8-counts repeat, and the 4th set is not hard even with a 1/4 turn. I agree with Mo that the singer sounds like, but is not, Michael Jackson. Highly recommend this to all dancers, especially beginners, who want a fun, non-country song. If you like AFTER PARTY, you'll love this, it's even easier.

EVACUATE THE DANCEFLOOR (bennett). Another reteach for me just because it has evacuated my memory bank. Played consistently all weekend and the more I dance it, the more I enjoy the song as well. I suggest to EVACUATE THE DANCEFLOOR if someone is PLAYING WITH FIRE with their HANDS UP.