IHSC Chronicles: Day 2
*The following is the second in a series of day-by-day accounts of my experience at IHSC 2013 in Orlando, FL. See previous posts*
Day 2: Thursday
It's bright and sunny in Orlando, and although there are amateur competition heats and a few pre-event workshops in the morning, I decided to head to an outlet mall to get in some well-deserved retail therapy, and nap the rest of the afternoon under the sun by the pool. How often to do I get to do that...really?
The evening Welcome Dinner was my first introduction to the West Coast Swing world. But before I get to that, I have to tell you about a character named Jimmy. Jimmy is a Columbian cab driver high on life, and he exists in a perpetual state of happiness. He was sent to pick me up and take me to the Marriott for IHSC's Welcome Dinner & Dance. We spent the entire 10 minute trip musing about how important it is to be happy with whatever you do in life. More on Jimmy later...
IHSC caters to Hustlers, Salseros, and WCS-ers; and because of that, first thing I noticed was the massive demographic range represented! Everyone from pre-teens to hard-core salseros to retirees were in attendance at the dinner, which was a simple but lovely three course meal of salad, beef tenderloin and dessert. The room itself, a ballroom with large, impressive crystal chandeliers was lit with the most brilliant purple lighting.
Always one to sit quietly and observe things in a new environment, it seemed that most attendees were divided into three camps: the Salseros (who typically also dance Hustle), the WCSers (who also typically dance Hustle) and the exclusive WCSers. Later in the weekend when the dedicated Salsa, Hustle and WCS rooms came online, these groups because even more separated...BUT everyone mixed and mingled and seemed to socialize effortlessly. Everyone was dressed, glitzed up and made up...a few men even came in tuxedos...definitely a change from the more sexy salsa congresses I've become accustomed to!
If you want to see the most glamorous, fittest, agile and fun-loving dancers over 50, check out the IHSC. There's nothing more amazing that watching someone's grandmother throw down on the dance floor...and loving it!
Dancing after consisted of a WCS-heavy mix of music, with salsa making up only about 30%. All in all, I did more watching than dancing, making new friends and drinking in the vibe of IHSC's opening night.
Day 2: Thursday
It's bright and sunny in Orlando, and although there are amateur competition heats and a few pre-event workshops in the morning, I decided to head to an outlet mall to get in some well-deserved retail therapy, and nap the rest of the afternoon under the sun by the pool. How often to do I get to do that...really?
The evening Welcome Dinner was my first introduction to the West Coast Swing world. But before I get to that, I have to tell you about a character named Jimmy. Jimmy is a Columbian cab driver high on life, and he exists in a perpetual state of happiness. He was sent to pick me up and take me to the Marriott for IHSC's Welcome Dinner & Dance. We spent the entire 10 minute trip musing about how important it is to be happy with whatever you do in life. More on Jimmy later...
IHSC caters to Hustlers, Salseros, and WCS-ers; and because of that, first thing I noticed was the massive demographic range represented! Everyone from pre-teens to hard-core salseros to retirees were in attendance at the dinner, which was a simple but lovely three course meal of salad, beef tenderloin and dessert. The room itself, a ballroom with large, impressive crystal chandeliers was lit with the most brilliant purple lighting.
Always one to sit quietly and observe things in a new environment, it seemed that most attendees were divided into three camps: the Salseros (who typically also dance Hustle), the WCSers (who also typically dance Hustle) and the exclusive WCSers. Later in the weekend when the dedicated Salsa, Hustle and WCS rooms came online, these groups because even more separated...BUT everyone mixed and mingled and seemed to socialize effortlessly. Everyone was dressed, glitzed up and made up...a few men even came in tuxedos...definitely a change from the more sexy salsa congresses I've become accustomed to!
If you want to see the most glamorous, fittest, agile and fun-loving dancers over 50, check out the IHSC. There's nothing more amazing that watching someone's grandmother throw down on the dance floor...and loving it!
Dancing after consisted of a WCS-heavy mix of music, with salsa making up only about 30%. All in all, I did more watching than dancing, making new friends and drinking in the vibe of IHSC's opening night.
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