Teriffic hotel, top quality staff, outstanding workshops, tons of social dancing, phenomnal exhibitions and delicious food!  (Of course,  none of this would have come together without the work of incredible volunteers!)

In addition, Saturday's 'All-Star Studded Hour ' gave participants great information to improve their dancing and raised over $1200 for the Autism Society of Illinois.  The Halloween party brought out the strangest (and the kindest) of characters!  The overall winner, Ken Paton, who dressed as a homeless man for the halloween party, had this to say:

"Just to let you know, thanks to the generosity of the Swing City dancers, $85 was collected towards helping the Homeless. The money collected is being sent to "Chicago Coalition for the Homeless". Thank you one and all for your kindness. "       ~ Sincerely,  Ken Paton

Thank YOU to everyone that made Swing City Chicago 2007 a success!!!  See you in October 2008!

Maren & Julie

Here are a few responses we've received:

I had a wonderful time this past weekend - you put on an incredible event - first class all the way. This follow up email with the event recap, photos, competition results, etc is the icing on the cake.  Thank you! I have already marked my calendar for next year!     ~  Pam K.

Congratulations on your success! This past weekend was indeed an experience to remember!  The event was well organized and flowed smoothly.  Fun was had by all I’m sure.  I'm looking forward to the next one.  ~ Beth M.

You're event was a blast,  I stayed up till 6.30 am dancing and had to leave Sunday at 10.30 am. You're DJ'S were awesome and your all star studded hour was one of the best ideas I've seen at an event this year. I will definately be back next year.   ~ Mike B.

 

Please make sure you thank the volunteers for their outstandng work!

Tobi Oberman - Volunteer Coordinator

George Sparks - Registration Coordinator

BJ Gregory - Contestant Coordinator

Aja & Jeff Mutzl - Hospitality Coordinators

Mike Kusibab - Scorer

Judy Troemel & Bill Dortch/Ruth Gilbert - Decorations

The people who made it all happen:

Fran Alghini • Vita Basel • John Bianchi • William Blanchard • Shannon Boyle • Nancy Buchler • Alfred Dahma • Laura Dahma • Mickey Falke • Holly Farris • John Fini • Mike Goodson • Liz Gutzweiler • Benjamin Herrin • David Herrin • Diane Hooper • Natalie Hoyle • Wayne Janowski • Susie Kaplan • Jim Karppi • Jerry Kieras • Pete Kilavos • Mary Pat Kincaid • Stephanie Kusibab • Judy Leslie • Don Leynes • Keith McCulloh • Rick McGill • Scott Mercer • Reike Moskal • Mary Jean Neuberg • Leah Noparstak • Ron Oberman • Frank O'Brien • Roger Peterson • Jill Popovich • Melissa Reimer • Tina Reitz • Hania Richmond • Bev Solazzo • Penny Ruesch • Joy Tenney • Jeffrey Tran • Chris Van Houton • Diane Willet

 

DJ Challenge

1st - Ken Dillard, IL

2nd - Erica Berg, MN

 

Strictly Swing

Novice

1st - Arthur Uspensky and Mindi Schwartz

2nd - Kristopher Swearingen and Christian Everett

3rd - Keith McCulloh and Katie Slater

4th - Jeff Tran and Natalie Hoyle

5th - Rich Drozd and Rachel Tucker

 

Intermediate

1st - Oscar Hampton and Rebecca Ludwick

2nd - Byron Calix and Shannon Boyle

3rd - Kyle Patel and Kat Carstensen

4th - Ed Francell and Wanda Shelton

5th - Todd Paulus and Stacie Vainiunas

 

Advanced

1st - Brian Faust and Angie Cameron

2nd - Michael Konkel and Sheli Schroeder

3rd - Nino DiGiulio and Colleen MacDonald

4th - Tom Cockerline and Joann Podleski

5th - Carlos Garcia and Alisa Winkler

Jack & Jill

Novice

1st - Kristopher Swearingen & Katie Slater

2nd - Noel Lorenzana & Mindi Schwartz

3rd - Robert Mesch & Rachel Tucker

4th - Arthur Uspensky & Yelena Fertman

5th - Kirk Dolan & Kat Carstensen

 

Intermediate

1st - Byron Calix & Wanda Shelton

2nd - Kyle Patel & Melissa Rollins

3rd - Benjamin Herrin & Rebecca Brodie

4th - Dave Hassis & Danelle Jacoby

5th - Christopher Van Houten & Stacie Vainiunas

 

Advanced

1st - Dallas Brooks & Colleen MacDonald

2nd - Michael Konkel & Kim Beachy

3rd - James Chisholm & Colleen MacDonald

4th - Ed Francell & Alisa Winkler

5th - Gilbert Rodriguez & Joann Podleski

 

All-Star

1st - Brian Faust & Nancy Tuzzolino

2nd - Carlos Garcia & Sheli Schroeder

3rd - Douglas Rousar & Melanie Jennings

4th - Fred Price & Angie Cameron

5th - Will Carlton & Jill Popovich

 

Costume Contest

Overall - Ken Paton, Homeless man (who collected $85 for the homeless!)

Funniest - Jason Barnes, Nerd (says he was Mario in highschool)

Most Creative/Original - Aja Mutzl, June Cleaver (don't mess with her!)

Sexiest - Danelle Jacoby - Belly Dancer (WOW)