CT January-February 2009c.pub

January-February 2009
Volume 30, Number 1
Extreme Dance
FX
“America’s Got Talent”
By Valerie Ramirez
Extreme Dance FX was formed by Valerie Ramirez
in 2001. The team that recently appeared on America's Got Talent is well known in the clogging competition circuit as EDFX II. In early March, she received their invitation to audition for America’s Got
Talent in Los Angeles, California. They made it
past the two preliminary rounds, then auditioned
before the three celebrity judges; Piers Morgan,
Sharon Osborne and David Hasselhoff and a live
audience. It was truly thrilling to hear the words
"you're going to Vegas". It's not uncommon for music and ideas not to be cleared for National Television, what that
means is that the routine we had perfected and were ready to audition with wasn't cleared and we were given a different song just two weeks prior to Las Vegas. It was a hectic two weeks! Just two days prior to leaving for Las
Vegas, Jeremy fell while practicing his stunt. We were fearful he would not be able to perform the back tuck he had
worked so hard to do, however, as the trooper that he is, he landed it in the routine. Unfortunately, not much of that
routine was aired so only the judges saw that he landed it.
Our experience in Las Vegas was truly amazing. It was trying because each day held out eliminations, each time we
got word that we had escaped eliminations we were greatly relieved. Finally, after days of anticipation, we found
out that we had been selected as one of the Top 40 acts! We returned home, practiced and took extra classes to help
us prepare for the next round of the competition. We worked so hard and were in constant pain, but we knew it was
all worth it because we were going to perform for all of America.
Two weeks before our next performance, we learn again that the songs we had been working on did not clear. So
again, with just two weeks to go, we got our next routine ready. Then the moment finally arrived, stepping out onto
the big stage to perform for the judges, the live audience and most importantly the millions of television viewers. It
was thrilling to hear the crowds response and the judges positive comments. We had won over Piers Morgan, the
judge that wasn’t really sure why we were in the competition! Now we went home and waited. Would America vote
for us? Yes! The next night we got the news that we had made it to the Top 20!
We were getting pretty used to the drill by this time, we had 2 weeks to prepare, but this time we knew our music
before we started. Our Top 20 performance was the most fun. It was great working with the choreographers, Dan
Karaty and Mandy Moore. We just wanted to go out, do your best and be proud of making it to the Top 20. Our
performance that night felt really good. Going into the eliminations was really hard. We got great comments from
the judges; but would we get enough votes to make it to the next round? That was our last night on America’s Got
Talent.
It was thrilling to be a part of America’s Got Talent, along with The Southern Belles and Sterling Silver. We appreciate the opportunity that America’s Got Talent has given us, to be able to perform and show them our dedication to
a style of dance that has given us all so many years of enjoyment. We appreciate all the kind words of encouragement we have received from everyone and hope that not just our team’s future but the whole future of clogging will
be brighter.
The dancers that were on America's Got Talent were Valerie Ramirez, Crickett Ester, Jeremy Stoddard, Heather
Gonzalez, Abacy Chevis, Elaine Alva, Megan Rogers, Melissa Houlemarde and Danielle Mee.
2
www.clog.org
January-February 2009
CLOG Today
CLOG Today
CLOG Today is published bi-monthly by
.
CLOG - The National Clogging Leaders
Organization, Inc.
David & Susan Phillips, Executive Directors
2986 Mill Park Court
Dacula GA USA 30019
Phone: (678) 889-4355 ● Fax: (603) 925-0967
[email protected] ● www.clog.org
Send address changes to CLOG, Inc.
President/Board
Chair:of Directors:
Conrad Cooper
CLOG Board
Vice President:
Garland Steele
Secretary:
Marie Lovelace
Treasurer/CFO:
Reed Davis
Members: George Garhart, Barb Guenette,
Janice Hanzel, Missy Shinoski, Chip Summey
CLOG Today (formerly known as the FlopEared Mule) is the official newsletter for the
National Clogging Leaders Organization, Inc.,
published by cloggers, for cloggers, in an effort
to share clogging news and to promote and
preserve the Clogging dance form.
Shelley Nimmo
with Show Prop
Opening Cermonies of Saturday’s Show
Susan Phillips and Conrad Cooper
Marianne Doan, receiving the Most Valuable
Volunteer from Dave
Phillips
CLOG members receive a printed copy of the
CLOG Today newsletter as a benefit of CLOG
membership. CLOG offers two membership
classes: Gold ($30.00 per year) and Silver
($25.00 per year), US funds only.
CLOG Today Staff
Editor:
Layout:
Pam Smiley
800 Hammershire Rd
Owings Mills, Md 21117
410-504-5783
[email protected]
Mary Snyder, NJ
Russ & Lelia Hunsaker receiving the Most
Valuable Volunteer from Susan Phillips
CLOG encourages all cloggers and clogging
enthusiasts to contribute to the content of the
newsletter.
Please send news items,
advertising, comments, and/or suggestions to
the editor.
High-quality images and documents in Microsoft
Word (attached to e-mail) are preferred. Original
photos and documents sent via postal mail are
also accepted (please send SASE for materials
you wish to be returned).
Issue:
January-February
March-April
May-June
July-August
September-October
November-December
Deadline:
December 15
February 15
April 15
June 15
August 15
October 15
Receiving Education Certificates: Janet Rae,
Mei Er Hong, Kelly-Anne Barttelt, Russell Knight,
Susan Bowman, CCI Recipients: Nichelle Hale,
Wilmya Goldsberry
Advertising rates are available online or by
contacting the editor.
The opinions in this newsletter do not
necessarily represent those of the editor, staff,
CLOG, or the Board of Directors. CLOG Today
reserves the right to use, edit, or withhold from
publication any material submitted.
Copyright © 2007 by CLOG, Inc.
Larry Guenette, receiving the Most
Valuable Volunteer
from Marie Lovelace
Mary Snyder re-
Anne Mills receiving the Lucy Johnson Memorial Award from George
Garhart
ceiving the Most
Valuable Volunteer Award
from George
Garhart
??
January-February 2009
CLOG Today
www.clog.org
3
CLOG remembers….
Carl W. Blanton
Carl’s Clogging Supplies
1938 - 2008
Carl passed on October 29, 2008. He was the beloved husband of Patsy
Blanton married June 26, 1960, in a simple ceremony in front of a justice of
the peace and a witness. They were married for 48 years, through mostly
good times, some bad times, but always together.
He was a loving father to Gigi Blanton born June 27th, 1965, and Krystal
Blanton was born August 1, 1971.
He was a Freemason, becoming a member in the 50’s. He was also a Shriner and was very proud of the work
they did for children. Carl didn’t make it to every meeting but he did help more than one child get medical care
thanks to the Shriners.
He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a faithful holder of the priesthood. Many times Carl was called to bless the sick, to help the elderly.
Carl wasn’t shy. He never met a stranger in his entire life, and starting a conversation with someone in a line at
the grocery store was pretty much to be expected with every trip.
Carl was proud of his family. He was proud of his brother, Larry, bragging on his musical talent even though
he claimed to not care for his “hippy music”. He was proud of his daughters and anyone who ever spent any
amount of time around him can attest to that. His grandson, Dalton, was truly the highlight of his existence.
Carl was a clogger, building a place for his clogging team to practice in his front yard in Aiken, SC. He and
Patsy were members of the Clogging Rebels for a number of years, doing exhibitions and competitions almost
every weekend. His clogging hobby turned into his business as he started selling Capezio’s factory seconds to
cloggers so that they would have shoes that had soles that you could install taps onto. Buying seconds turned
into buying firsts, buying firsts turned into shoe manufacturing, and thus Carl’s Clogging Supplies came into
existence. There aren’t too many people in the clogging world who don’t know who Carl is. He was a business
owner and entrepreneur.
Carl W. Blanton was a great man. Above all else, there is one other thing that he was: much beloved by all
those who knew him.
Patsy Byars Blanton
Wife of Carl W. Blanton
1942 – 2009
Patsy Byars Blanton, wife of the late Carl Winfred Blanton, died Saturday, January 24, 2009.
A native of Cleveland County, NC, Mrs. Blanton was the daughter of the late William Shell and Vernie
McSwain Byars. She was a retired employee of the Savannah River Site and owner of Carl’s Clogging Supplies. Mrs. Blanton was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Mrs. Blanton is survived by daughters, Gigi Alana Blanton of Beech Island, SC and Krystal Gail Taylor and
husband Steve of Salem, SC; grandson, Dalton Taylor; brothers, James Byars of Mooresville, NC and Shell
Byars of Blacksburg, SC; sisters, Edith Norton of Holden Beach, NC and Margie McGuire of Mooresboro,
NC.
…..they will be missed by all.
4
www.clog.org
CLOG Today
January-February 2009
.
Photos from the 2008 National CLOG Convention,
San Diego, CA, courtesy of David and
Shelley Nimmo
January-February 2009
CLOG Today
www.clog.org
5
6
www.clog.org
CLOG Today
Want to see your choreography in
CLOG Today?
Send cue sheets for consideration to
Mary Snyder, [email protected]
PO Box 33
Glen Gardner, NJ
USA 08826.
January-February 2009
January-February 2009
Upcoming
Events
(see more listings
at http://
www.clog.org/
clogtoday/)
March 13-14
Possum Trot Possum Trot
Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
Lancaster, CA
Linda Bourgeois (714)8938845
[email protected]
http://web.me.com/
possumtrot/Site/Welcome.html
CLOG Today
April 10-11
The Sizzlin’ Stomp
Workshop and Competition
Knoxville, TN
Kimberly (865) 660-0325
Email:
thesizzlinstomp@comcast.
net
www.thesizzlinstomp.com
April 18-19
Northern Colorado Clogging
Championships
Fort Collins, CO
Marcie Powell
[email protected]
July 10-11
Southwest US Clogging
Championships
Scottsdale, AZ
Matt & Colleen Pearson (925)
361-7105
[email protected]
www.Azpride.com
August 14
Midwest Clogging Workshop
Drawbridge Inn
Ft. Mitchell, KY
Fonda Hill 859.760.8497
[email protected]
http://midwestcloggingky.com
September 25-27
April 25
22nd Annual NWCA
The Vermont Western & Folk
Workshop
Workshop
Vancouver,
WA
Williamstown,
VT
March 14
Alberta Stamp (360) 683-7487
Hillary Barcomb (802) 522Winter Clogging Invitational
[email protected]
2935
Saluda, NC
http://nwcloggers.com
http://
Chip Summey: [email protected]
www.greenmountaincloggerse
October 17
xhibitiondanceteam.com/
March 20
Missouri Clogging Council Fall
vtwesternfolkworkshop.htm
Northeast Clogging
Workshop
Convention and Competition
April 30-May 2
Saint Martins, Missouri
Nashua, NH
Nickel City Clogging Festival Debbie Keeling 573-642-9825
Www.freewebs/necc
[email protected]
Grand Island, NY
Beth Kendall (802) 439-3349
Linda Haley (716) 537-9662
http://moclog.com
Brian Tucker
[email protected]
May 22-23
November 26-28
Memorial Day Clogging
March 21
25th Annual National Clogging
Spectacular
Back To Basics Workshop
Convention
Kings Island Resort
St Paul’s Lutheran Church
New Orleans, LA
Mason, OH
Hillsdale, MI 49242
David and Susan Phillips
Sallie James (740) 936-6009
Linda Snoes
(678) 889-4355
www.heritageclogsupply.com
[email protected]
www.clog.org/convention
March 27-28
City Slicker Stomp
Independence, MO
Missy Shinoski (816) 4433030
[email protected]
March 27-28
Annual Barrel of Fun
Workshop
Silver Creek Cloggers
Kennewick, Wa
Linda Wissenbach (509) 7379037
[email protected]
March 28
American Heartland Clogging
Classic
Heartland Conference Center
Independence, MO
Missy Shinoski (816) 4433030
[email protected]
June 12-13
Top Ten Championships
Ogden, UT
Vickie Nielson (801) 771-7073
(801) 540-4385
[email protected]
June 19-20
Grand Challenge of
Champions
Branson, MO
Susan & David Phillips (678)
889-4355
[email protected]
June 28
Explosion Clogging
Championships
Charleston, SC
Matt & Kelly Sexton (423) 2825065
[email protected]
www.clog.org
7
CLOG Welcomes
New Members
We would like to welcome
the following new members
to CLOG:
Carolyn J Gilmore, NVC
Michele Hill, CA
Mei Er Hong, Taipei,
Taiwan
Donnie Shaw, KY
Emma Jean Shawley, FL
Michelle Torrey, CA
For information on joining
CLOG and the benefits of
becoming a member, fill out
and send in the application
in this issue or at our web
site at www.clog.org, or
contact us at 678-889-4355
or [email protected].
ww.clog.org
(678) 889-4355
Check with event
coordinators to confirm
event details!
[email protected]
Join the CLOG team
One-year CLOG Membership
Have an event
you want listed
here?
Send the
information to:
[email protected]
Gold (instructors)
$30.00
Silver (dancer)
$25.00
Send the following info & check
Name
Home Phone
Address
Work Phone
City, State, Zip
E-mail address
Clogging Group Membership
List membership in area, state, and/
or national clogging associations
To: CLOG, Inc.
2986 Mill Park Court
Dacula, GA 30019
26th Annual CLOG
National Convention ~
New Orleans, LA ~
November 26 - 28, 2009
Make Your Plans Now!
Auxiliary Events:
Certified Clogging Instructor Training Session
~ Monday ~ Wednesday
Judges Training ~ Thursday
CCI Testing ~ Thursday
Pre-Convention Events:
Evening Dance ~ Wednesday
Open Teach Halls ~ Wednesday & Thursday
Dance Expose’ ~ Thursday
Convention Events:
Parade of Colors ~ Thursday Evening
Evening Dancing ~ Thursday - Saturday
Workshops ~ Friday & Saturday
Seminars ~ Friday & Saturday
Exhibitions ~ Friday Evening
Showcase ~ Saturday Evening
Featuring:
25+ Premier Clogging Instructors
Early Registration & Member Discounts
Schedule Subject to Change
David and Susan Phillips, Executive Directors
2986 Mill Park Court
Dacula, GA USA 30019
Hotel Info:
New Orleans Marriott
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Rate: $129 1—4 ppl per room + tax each
additional person over 4 is $20.00
Reservation Number: 1-800-228-9290 or
(504) 581-1000
Rate Guaranteed prior to 10/25/2009
♦ Discover a luxurious New Orleans hotel
in the French Quarter, located steps
from Bourbon Street, and iconic Big Easy
attractions, near center of downtown.
♦ Hotel features over 1,300 guest rooms
and suites, a fully equipped fitness
center
♦ French Quarter / Bourbon Street
♦ Audubon Insectarium
♦ Aquarium of the Americas
♦ Renovated French Quarter hotel rooms
feature Revive bedding, coffee-maker,
cable TV and newspaper, Smoke Free
♦ Scenic Mississippi River and city views
enhance French Quarter hotel rooms in
this 41-story hotel
♦ Harrah’s Casino just blocks away.
Register Online at www.clog.org/convention
INFO: www.Clog.org
678-889-4355
[email protected]
CLOG
2986 Mill Park Ct.
Dacula, GA 30019
Non-Profit Org.
US POSTAGE
PAID
West Palm Beach, FL
Permit No. 593