Full Hoedown Schedule

Updated January 26, 2014.  Schedule subject to change.

The 2014 Emerald City Hoedown will feature over 25 hours of workshops, featuring guest instructors from all over North America as well as our regular Rain Country Dance Association instructors and favorite guests from the Northwest.

Schedule details pending.

An explanation of the workshop levels is at the bottom of the page.

 THURSDAY, MARCH 27
 7:00 PM–12:00 AM

Country Karoke (Cuff Complex)

DJ: Jonathan

Jonathan's popular Thursday night karaoke at the Cuff (Rain Country’s home bar) will be country themed tonight, and Jonathan will open an hour early at 7:00 just for Emerald City Hoedown attendees.  Get yourself a guaranteed slot or two in the song rotation before heading to the Century Ballroom for dancing.  And you might have enough fun that you won’t want to leave!

Drink Specials!  Micro-Pitchers of Beer ($6) and Cowboy Cocksucker shots ($5)!  (Cowgirl Clitlickers for the gals.)

 9:30 PM–12:00 AM

Trail-In Dance

Room: Century Ballroom West Hall
DJ: Ray Nutter

$8 at the door for hoedown registrants ($10 for other dancers)

Capitol Hill is home to a fabulous dance venue (and it is lesbian owned, too!), the Century Ballroom.  Get your hoedown weekend off on the right foot!  (On the left foot, if you lead…)  The Tin Table restaurant is availabel for your dining pleasure.  The $8 cover is not included in your weekend registration.

 11:00 pm–1:00 am

After Hours

Room: Hospitality

Join us in the Hospitality Suite for some late-night snacks, beverages, and music in the hospitality suite as you unwind from the evening’s dance.  Pete Winowitch is your host.

 

 FRIDAY, MARCH 28
 8:00–10:00 am

Eye-Openers

Room: Hospitality

Join us in the Hospitality Suite for some morning snacks and beverages before hitting the early workshops.  Pete Winowitch is your host.

 12:00 PM–10:00 pm

Registration

Room: Madison Ballroom Foyer (2nd floor)

Registration opens.  Pick up your badge and your swag bag.  Be sure to give yourself enough time to get registered before the first workshop.

We will have vendors set up in the Foyer for your shopping pleasure.

 1:00–2:00 pm

Shadow • Beginner/Basic

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Rob Ollander-Krane

Imagine… a class where you can have your hot (ooh) and sensual (aah) body pressed firmly up against another equally hot (umm) and sensual (aah) body… gliding around the dance floor to sultry music, hips gyrating, pulses racing (oooohhhhhh).  If that sounds HOT, then you know where you need to be for the first workshop of the weekend, to get yourself off on the right foot… er, make that the left foot.  Learn the fun alternative to West Coast Swing that will make it difficult to ever want to West Coast Swing again.  No partner needed.

West Coast Swing Bootcamp, Part 1 • Basic-Plus to Intermediate

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Michael Kelson

This 2-part West Coast Swing intensive will start with the foundational rhythms and patterns of WCS in hour one.  Designed to build on each other, the workshops will move quickly through the fundamental patterns of West Coast Swing, focusing on technique, connection with your partner, and connection with the music.  Take both classes for maximum benefit.  Experienced WCS dancers are welcome to “angel” these classes.

Note: This is not an “Intro to West Coast Swing” class.  You should already have the basics well established, and Michael will be moving through a lot of content in each hour.

Line Dances • “Let’s Start It Up” (Intermediate) & “Imelda’s Way” (Beginner)

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Michael Metzger

Let’s Start It Up (choreographed by Michael Metzger) is a 64-count intermediate line dance, danced to the song “San Francisco” by The Mowgli’s.  Step Sheet not yet available online.

Imelda’s Way (choreographed by Adrian Churm) is a 32-count beginner/improver line dance, danced to the song “Inside Out (Imelda May vs. Blue Jay Gonzalez Mix) [LatinMix]” by Imelda May.  Step Sheet

 2:15–3:15 pm

Line Dance • “New York 2 LA” (Intermediate/Advanced)

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Scott Schrank

New York 2 LA (choreographed by Rachel McEnaney) is a 48-count intermediate/advanced line dance, danced to the song “NY2LA” by Press Play.  Step Sheet

West Coast Swing Bootcamp, Part 2 • Basic-Plus to Intermediate

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Michael Kelson

This 2-part West Coast Swing intensive will continue with 8-count whips and syncopations in hour two.  Designed to build on each other, the workshops will move quickly through the fundamental patterns of West Coast Swing, focusing on technique, connection with your partner, and connection with the music.  Take both classes for maximum benefit.  Experienced WCS dancers are welcome to “angel” these classes.

Note: This is not an “Intro to West Coast Swing” class.  You should already have the basics well established, and Michael will be moving through a lot of content in each hour.

Intro to Cha Cha • Beginner

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Ruin

Enjoy the sensational syncopation of a favorite latin dance: the Cha Cha!  Popular onboth the ballroom and country-western dance scenes, it’s fun and easy to learn the Cha Cha basics: side & progressive basic, cross over, chase turn, U/A turn, cross body lead, and more!  Line dancers will also get value from this workhop, given the number of cha cha rhythm line dances we do these days.

 3:30–4:30 pm

Night Club • Intermediate

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Michelle Kinkaid

Night Club is a slow flowing dance, great for both intimate partner connection and showy moves.  Taught in the slow-quick-quick rhythm.  Michelle Kinkaid taught Night Club and West Coast Swing to some of Rain Country’s instructors, soif you have learned Night Club through Rain Country, you will feel right at home in this intermediate-level class.

Two-Step: Fancy Moves for Beginner Dancers • Basic–Plus

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Terry Felts

Even newer dancers can show off on the floor with easy-to-do turns and spins.  Terry shows you how.

Intro to Rumba

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Ruin

Rumba is a slow Latin dance with relation to bolero and a rhythm similar to Night Club.

 5:00–7:00 pm

Wizard’s Reception (“Friends of Dorothy” and VIP Social)

Room: Hospitality

A light meal and beverages will be provided in the Hospitality Suite (room TBD) for our “Friend of Dorothy” host sponsors, instructors, DJs, and select other VIPs.  Beverages will be supplied by hoedown sponsor Barefoot Wines.  (Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be included in the meal.)

 5:00–7:00 pm

Setup for Evening Dances

Room: Madison Ballroom

Our volunteers will be setting up for the evening dances during this time as well, so please give them space.  Groups performing during Friday night’s dance will have a few minutes each to block and run through your routine.

 7:00–8:00 pm

Welcome to Oz! Dance — West Coast Swing Explosion!

Room: Madison Ballroom A & B
DJ: TBD

The hoedown dancing kicks off with an hour of West Coast Swing.

Welcome to Oz! Dance — Line Dance Review

Room: Madison Ballroom C
DJ: None

Here is your chance to review the line dances taught today, plus “Say Hey”, the line dance for tonight’s Just Dance competition.  Self-directed and self-DJ’ed, spend the time you want on the dances you want.

 8:00 pm-1:00 AM

Welcome to Oz! Dance: Country Couples

Room: Madison Ballroom A & B
DJ: Terry Felts

The hoedown continues with country couples dancing and a few popular line dances in our main ballroom.  Be sure to join us for the Just Dance Competition at 10:00 pm — tonight featuring Two-Step and the line dance “Say Hey”!

Welcome to Oz! Dance: Line Dancing

Room: Madison C
DJ: Keith Gehrig and Kate Bovitch

All your favorite line dances will be played here, including the line dances taught today and any that you might want to request.  For those of you with special favorites, there will be a display in the main ballroom showing what dances are coming up soon, and you can also access that list on your smartphone at www.haganlinedance.com.

 11:45 pm–2:00 am

After Hours Party

Room: Hospitality

Join us in the Hospitality Suite for some late-night snacks, beverages, and music in the hospitality suite as you unwind from the evening’s dance.  Pete Winowitch is your host.

 

 SATURDAY, MARCH 29
 8:00–10:00 am

Eye-Openers

Room: Hospitality

Join us in the Hospitality Suite for some morning snacks and beverages before hitting the early workshops.  Pete Winowitch is your host.

 8:00 am–10:00 pm

Registration

Room: Madison Ballroom Foyer (2nd Floor)

Registration opens.  Pick up your badge and your swag bag.  Be sure to give yourself enough time to get registered before the first workshop.

We will have vendors set up in the Foyer for your shopping pleasure.

 9:00–10:00 am

Line Dances • “We Are Tonight” (Level) & “Need To Be Naughty” (Low Interemeidate)

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Scott Schrank

We Are Tonight (choreographed by Dan Albro) is a 32-count low intermediate line dance, danced to the song “We Are Tonight” by Billy Currington.  Step Sheet

Need To Be Naughty (choreographed by Brandon Zahorsky) is a 32-count low intermediate line dance, danced to the song “Naughty” by Anastacia.  Step Sheet

Two-Step • Intermediate

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Klint Kendrick

Progressive Two-Step • Basic

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Dave Serfling

Progressive Two-Step is danced quick-quick-slow-slow.  The music is the same as (San Francisco-style) Two-Step, but the feeling is different because of where the lead occurs.

 10:15–11:15 am

East Coast Swing (Triple Rhythm) • Basic

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Mark Kihara or Hallie Kuperman

While Rain Country dancers usually do East Coast Swing in single or double-rhythm to fairly fast music, there is a whole world of slower swing music (country and otherwise) and true East Coast Swing is done to that with a triple-step rhythm.

Waltz • Intermediate

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Dave Serfling

Old School Line Dances • “The Mule” (Beginner), “Flying Eights” (Beginner), & “The Matador” (Beginner)

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Jim Drew

The Mule (choreographer unknown) is a 32-count beginner line dance, danced to the song “Hot Grease and Zydeco” by Geroge Strait.  Step Sheet (variant of what will be taught)

Flying Eights (choreographed by Jim Ferrazanno) is a 20-count beginner line dance, danced to the song “Step That Step” by Sawyer Brown.  Step Sheet

The Matador (choreographer unknown) is a 16-count beginner line dance, danced to the song “The Matador” by Sylvia.  Step Sheet not available online

 11:30–12:30 PM

Progressive Two-Step • Basic-Plus

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Marek Kociolek

Progressive Two-Step is danced quick-quick-slow-slow.  The music is the same as (San Francisco-style) Two-Step, but the feeling is different because of where the lead occurs.

West Coast Swing • Intermediate

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Michelle Kinkaid

Not for those who don’t have a good handle on the building blocks of West Coast Swing.

Line Dance • “Shim Sham” (Intermediate)

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Mark Kihara or Hallie Kuperman

Shim Sham (choreographed by Willie Bryant & Leonard Reed) is an intermediate line dance, danced to the song “Stompin’ at the Savoy” by Bill Eliot Swing Orchestra.  Step Sheet

 12:30–1:30 pm

Men’s Social

Room: Hospitality

Here is a chance for the men attending this year’s hoedown to get together and do what men do best: eat and socialize.  Appetizer-type food and beverages will be available.  Hosted by Ray Nutter.

Lunch Break

Lunch on your own.  There are several lunch restaurants within a couple blocks walk north of the hotel.

 1:30–2:30 pm

Night Club Two-Step • Basic-Plus

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Ari Leavitt

Night Club is a “high drama” dance done to generally slow ballad songs.  Ari will be teaching the quick-quick-slow version of the dance which is prominent in swing dance scenes.

Waltz • Basic-Plus

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Terry Felts

Line Dance • “Timber” (Beginner)

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Marek Kociolek

Timber (choreographed by Emil Zetterström) is a 32-count beginner line dance, danced to the song “Timber” by Pitbull feat. Ke$ha.  Step Sheet

 2:45–3:45 pm

Line Dance • “Showstopper” (Intermediate)

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Michael Metzger

Showstopper (choreographed by Scott Blevins and Jo Thompson Szymanski) is a 32-count intermediate line dance, danced to the song “Showstopper” by Brandon & Leah.  Step Sheet

Inappropriate Moves in Two-Step • Basic-Plus

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Klint Kendrick

Despite what you might think from the title, this isn’t a workshop about what to avoid, but more of what you can get away with!  Dance moves which may be a bit up close, a bit personal, even a bit risqué.  If you have “personal space” issues when dancing, this workshop is not for you.

Technique: Body Rolls • Basic

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Michalle Kinkaid

Body rolls are a great addition to your West Coast Swing repertoire, and also increasingly appear in line dances (such as Sick Of Me and Trespassing).

 4:00–5:00 pm

Intro to Blues • Beginner

Room: Madison A
Instructor: Ari Leavitt

Blues is a form of slow swing dancing done mostly to blues, jazz, and early R&B music.

Night Club • Basic-Plus

Room: Madison B
Instructor: Jim Drew

Night Club is a “high drama” dance done to generally slow ballad songs.  Jim will be teaching the slow-quick-quick version of the dance which is prominent in country dance scenes.

Line Dances • “The Little Things” (Low Intermediate) & “Tin Star” (Intermediate)

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Scott Schrank

The Little Things (choreographed by Jo Thompson Szymaski) is a 32-count low intermediate line dance, danced to the song “The Little Things” by Carlos Bertonatti.  Step Sheet

Tin Star (choreographed by Scott Schrank) is a 32-count intermediate line dance, danced to the song “Tin Star” by Lindi Ortega.  Step Sheet

 5:00–6:30 pm

Women’s Social

Room: Hospitality

Here is a chance for the women attending this year’s hoedown to get together and do what women do best: eat and socialize.  It’s a Wine and Cheese Party!  (Non-alcoholic and non-dairy appetizers available as well.)  Hosted by lipsky.

 5:00–7:00 pm

Setup for Evening Dances & Exhibition Practices

Room: Madison Ballroom

Our volunteers will be setting up for the evening dances during this time as well, so please give them space.  Groups performing during Saturday night’s dance will have a few minutes each to block and run through your routine.

 7:00–8:00 pm

Emerald City Ball — West Coast Swing Explosion!

Room: Madison Ballroom A & B
DJ: Klint Kendrick

The evening dancing kicks off with an hour of West Coast Swing.

Emerald City Ball — Line Dance Revierw

Room: Madison Ballroom C
DJ: None

Here is your chance to review the line dances taught today, plus “Hello Stranger”, the line dance for tonight’s Just Dance competition.  Self-directed and self-DJ’ed, spend the time you want on the dances you want.

 8:00 pm-1:00 AM

Emerald City Ball — Country Couples

Room: Madison Ballroom A & B
DJ: Jim Drew

The hoedown continues with country couples dancing and a few popular line dances in our main ballroom.  Be sure to join us for the Just Dance Competition at 10:00 pm — tonight featuring West Coast Swing and the line dance “Hello Stranger”!

Emerald City Ball — Line Dancing

Room: Madison C
DJ: Kate Bovitch and Keith Gehrig

All your favorite line dances will be played here, including the line dances taught today and any that you might want to request.  For those of you with special favorites, there will be a display in the main ballroom showing what dances are coming up soon, and you can also access that list on your smartphone at www.haganlinedance.com.

 11:45 pm–2:00 am

After Hours Party

Room: Hospitality

Join us in the Hospitality Suite for some late-night snacks, beverages, and music in the hospitality suite as you unwind from the evening’s dance.  Pete Winowitch is your host.

 

 SUNDAY, MAY 26
 8:00–9:30 am

Eye-Openers

Room: Hospitality

Join us in the Hospitality Suite for some morning snacks and beverages before brunch.  Pete Winowitch is your host.

 10:00–12:00 pm

Brunch

Have you ever done dim sum (Chinese brunch) with a bunch of country-western dancers?  I’d say it’s high time that you did!  Served family style from steam carts rolled through the restaurant, dim sum is quick, filling, and quite different if you haven’t had it before.  Steamed pork buns, shrimp balls, Chinese broccoli, chicken shu mai, mango pudding, custard buns… nom nom nom.

We will reserve tables at O’Asian Kitchen (about a 5 minute walk from the hotel) and go in staggered groups during the late morning.  Divvied up amongst the table, expect a bill of about $20 per person.  Not included in your weekend registration.

If you prefer a more traditional eggs-and-bacon brunch, the hotel restaurant will be happy to serve you, or there are a number of great gay-friendly places on Capitol Hil, just a short cab ride or one mile walk away.

 12:30–1:30 pm

Line Dance • “Not So Over You” (High Intermeidate)

Room: Madison A & B
Instructor: Scott Schrank

This is the big workshop or the weekend for featured instructor Scott Schrank.  Not So Over You (choreographed by JuniorWillis & Scott Schrank) is a 72-count high intermediate line dance, danced to the song “A Litttle Too Not Over You” by David Archuleta.  Step Sheet

East Coast Swing • Basic

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Ben Ramirez

Single or double-rhythm East Coast Swing, with content for both beginners to the dance and those with a little more experience.

 1:45–2:45 pm

West Coast Swing • Basic-Plus

Room: Madison A & B
Instructor: Michelle Kinkaid

This is the big workshop or the weekend for featured instructor Michelle Kinkaid, with fun West Coast Swing moves appropriate for any dancer with the basics already under their dance belt.

Line Dance • “Outta Control” (Advanced)

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Hagan Ko

Outta Control (choreographed by Simon Ward) is an 80-count advanced line dance, danced to the song “Outta Control (Original Radio Edit)” by De-Lano feat. Francisco.  Step Sheet

 3:00–4:00 pm

Two-Step • Basic-Plus

Room: Madison A & B
Instructor: Jim Drew

One last chance to get a good dose of two-step as Jim teaches you how to tie your partner in knots and have them enjoy it.  Let’s see, the rabbit comes out of the hole, goes around the tree,…

Line Dance • “Stay Stay Stay” (High Beginner)

Room: Madison C
Instructor: Hagan Ko

Stay Stay Stay (choreographed by Neils Poulsen) is a 32-count high beginner line dance, danced to the song “Stay Stay Stay” by Taylor Swift.  Step Sheet

 4:30–7:30 pm

Click Your Heels Dance — Country Couples

Room: Madison A & B
DJ: Klint Kendrick and Jim Drew

Wrap up your hoedown weekend with a few last hours of dancing.  Our staff DJs will rotate during the evening.  (They will both spin and spin.)

Click Your Heels Dance — Line Dancing

Room: Madison C
DJ: Hagan Ko (tent.)

Wrap up your hoedown weekend with a few last hours of line dancing.  There will be a display in the main ballroom showing what dances are coming up soon, and you can also access that list on your smartphone at www.haganlinedance.com.

 

 

Key for Dance Levels
Couples Dances
Line Dances
(True) Beginner: These workshops are for people who have very little or no dance experience.  In addition to basic dance steps, we will cover basic concepts such as Rhythm, Frame, Connection, and Lead/Follow.
Beginner: These are easier, shorter dances, great for people with little line dance experience but fun for dancers of all levels.
Examples: Tease, Country As Can Be, Something In The Water
Basic: Dancers at this level are learning/mastering the basic steps of the dance and the set of standard moves which higher level dancing requires.  Most workshops outside our Rain Country core dances are this level.
Beginner-Plus: These dances are a little longer and more complex, including more turns and simple syncopations.
Examples: Dizzy, Tush Push, Wonderland Waltz
Intermediate: Most people who do a dance regularly are in this broad category.  You will learn more dance technique and fancier moves, but everything will be suitable for regular social dancing.
Intermediate: These dances often have many direction changes, faster music, different syncopation rhythms, and maybe even a tag or a restart.
Examples: Georgia Winder, Make U Sweat, Multiply
Advanced: Here is where we get into subtler dance techniques, complex dance moves, rhythm changes, and so on.  Some content from these workshops may not be usable in all social dance settings.
Intermediate-Plus: These are the most complex dances that are suitable for large groups of line dancers.  Everything from Intermediate and more.
Examples: Chill Factor, Show Me Wot U Got

Got Questions?  E-mail info@emeraldcityhoedown.com