Houston, TX (Lindyfest)

Houston, Texas: Lindyfest (and/or) "Pie House?!?"

It's catch-up time.  Two weeks ago I was in Houston for Lindyfest.  It is one of the biggest Lindy workshop weekends of the year.  Instead of describing the city (since I'm not planning on living there), I'll give you my take on the event.

Pros:

• Countless amazing dancers all in one place.
• Well-tracked classes (levels)
• Great show on Saturday night (23 Skidoo, Ladies of Silver Shadows, Manu & Peter)
• Old timers present (Frankie, Dawn)
• National Draw (people from coast to coast)
• Well run, organized
• Good Housing (thanks Beth and Yossef!)
• High energy at the dances
• Easy to meet people

Cons:

• Classroom floors for workshops were hit or miss (dusty linoleum, weird spongy tile)
• Workshop Classes were far away from each other
• Not much time between end of classes and dances
• Music was a bit too groovy for me at times
• Expensive (but worth it!)

My second year at Lindyfest, I was not disappointed.  This event remains at the top of my list. Even before I started coming to Lindyfest (its in its 12th year!),  I was impressed by the professionalism of HSDS, due to their great organization, attention to detail, choice of instructors,  level testing, competitions, and overall stylization of the event.

Classes I particularly liked:

• Naomi's Body Isolation class, 
  
• Max and Annie's Badass Moves class, 
  
• Peter and Ramona's Master Class, 
  
• Max and Annie's Master Class. 
  
• Andy and Nina's Octopus Arms Master Class.

I unfortunately didn't get to classes from all the instructors due to the plethora of incredible descriptions from which to choose. Similarly, with the inconsistent workshop floors, I stayed away from classes in the odd soft-tile gym and the dusty linoleum floor which clouded up when you started to swing out.

I met some new fun and talented leads - Carlos (MN), Scott (TX), and Carl (NY) at the top of the list.  Despite spraining my ankle on Saturday, I was always inspired to get up and dance "just one more." My traveling crew from Nashville (Beth, Yossef, and Kristy) were incredible people to have around, as they encouraged me to get up and take all of the classes, and stay out through the late nights.    

Overall, a good time.  Not a city I want to live in, but an event I'd certainly go back to providing I can still afford it!