Message from Rick & Carolyn: LowCountry Dance Fest 2008

We would like to thank every dancer, every volunteer, every DJ (especially Olivia Ray & Company) and every instructor who attended the event this weekend. Without the dancers we wouldn’t be able to have the event; without the volunteers I would be pulling my hair out; without the DJ's we would not be able to dance and without such an impressive group of instructors (Larry Bass, Frances Beasley, Joanne Brady, Norman Jean Fuller, Thomas Haynes, Dancin’ Dean LeClaire, Judy McDonald, Christopher Petre, Dancin’ Terry Pournelle, John Robinson and Junior Willis) we wouldn’t draw the dancers. It’s a circle that has come together each year but not without challenges and suggestions to help improve the event. First, Judy McDonald has graciously offered to take care of the scheduling so you can bet there will NOT be any 8:00AM previews of dances. (It seemed like a good idea at the time!) Secondly, we will have a list of “walk to” restaurants in the Myrtle Beach area so you won’t have to depend on the hotel for meals. And we WILL have a parade of the dancers who dress up on Saturday night; but it would really be cool if all dancers dressed up for Woodstock, the 60’s! We almost hit the 200 mark this year and because the room rates are so low we believe we’ll hit it quicker next year. Also, I can’t forget to thank Laura Robinson for taping the instructors for the DVD (and bringing Rich and Natalie with her) which hopefully will be edited and ready to mail out in a few weeks. Thanks again for coming to the LowCountry and we look forward to seeing you at the Love2Dance Fest, 2009!

The 3rd Annual LowCountry Line Dance Fest kicked off Thursday, January 24th with an early registration from 5:00PM - 8:00PM and dancing from 8:00PM until midnight. From that moment on it was dancing, dancing, dancing! Our distinctive group of instructors, hard working djs and volunteers and very precise video tech helped us keep calm and available to the dancers.
Some of the comments we received are noted below.

Event Review: LowCountry Dance Fest 2008 by Joanne Brady, Instructor

"I just returned from the 3rd annual Low Country Dance Festival and want to thank the dancers who attended, the staff of volunteers , the team of instructors, the event directors for another funfilled weekend.

I don't usually write about the weekends I work, for several reasons; the first and foremost being that I work so many I just don't have the time once I get home. I'm writing this because I realize that there was concern beforehand that this workshop weekend was geared toward strictly beginners or low impact dances. I have to tell you that this was not the case. However, I would venture to say that the beginners and low impact dancers had a great time and were able to dance just as much as anyone else.

This event has grown each year, and like all events, it gets smoother each year with more experience."

Event Review: LowCountry Dance Fest 2008 by Dianne McCarthy, Pittsgrove, New Jersey

"Thank you so much for a great weekend of dance. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next one. I am the lady from NJ with her arm in a sling. Real dedication, wouldn't you say? My friends and I signed up for next year and need the hotel information."

Event Review: LowCountry Dance Fest 2008 by Patsy Waters, Iva, South Carolina

"I want you both to know that I had a great, wonderful, fabulous, fun, fun, fun time at the event this year! It couldn't have been better!

I also think it was very nice of both of you to make it a point to come around & thank everyone for coming. I have never seen the event directors do that. They may have but I haven't seen it."

PS "I forgot to mention that I was really impressed when I was checking out & Rick called out my name to say goodbye & I didn't even have on a name tag! I know you meet so many people & I for one can't remember names as good as I used to."

Event Review: LowCountry Dance Fest 2008 by Donna Buhrman, Newport News, Virginia

"Just wanted to let ya'll know e had a wonderful weekend in SC… If anyone didn't dance enough, it had to be their own fault. Hope to see you again next year…"

Event Review: LowCountry Dance Fest 2008 by Mary Holsten, Connecticut

"Just returned from a wonderful weekend event hosted by Carol & Rick Robinson in Charleston, SC…The LowCountry Line Dance Fest. It was a weekend filled with lots of fun. Made a bunch of new friends and met up with some old ones. It was a great weekend both for the beginner and the more advanced dancer…there was something for everyone. The instructors were all great and made learning very easy even for some of the harder dances. Saturday Night's Prom was a big hit…both rooms were combined to make one big prom…thereby allowing everyone to dance either beginner or the more advanced. Looking forward to next year when the event becomes the Love2Dance Fest in Myrtle Beach. It's an event that should not be missed…"

Event Review: LowCountry Dance Fest 2008 by Dancin' Terry Pournelle, Instructor

"For the third year in a row Carolyn and Rick Robinson hosted the LowCountry Line Dance Fest in North Charleston, SC. Some 50 dances were taught this weekend! Friday night's dance floor was split into two rooms…one for beginner dances only and the other for more advanced dances. Dancers darted from one room to the other when they heard their favorite tunes. Instructors grabbed the microphone in the beginner room to talk dancers through dances they were unsure of.

Mark your calendar now as Rick and Carolyn are moving the Fest to Myrtle Beach next year!! The new name will be Love2Dance Fest, 2009. Don't miss this opportunity to dance and visit the beach in SC with very low hotel rates."

Event Review: LowCountry Dance Fest 2008 by Dancin' Dean LeClaire, Instructor

"I'd like to send a big thank you out to Carolyn, Rick for having me and all the staff for a great fun filled weekend. I'd like to thank all the people who attended my classes and who bought shoes. Had a great time and am looking forward to next year.

PS…If anybody took any pictures of me in my tux…could you forward it to DancinDean@comcast.net. My mother would love one. Thanks a bunch."