Andy Shaw!!! Somewhere in the vicinity of 14-16 years ago ... circa 1992-ish ... Andy Shaw was all the rage at Everett Stake Youth Dances. He was not confined to the Everett Stake though, he danced the night away most weekends at the surrounding stake's dances as well. Back in the day, he was quite the dancing machine! Everything from near BreakDance moves to Splits and everything in between! He took the prize at so many of these youth dances that he was a LegendInHisOwnTime.
Fast forward to June 2007 Tri-Stake Youth Dance hosted by Everett Stake, last night. We voluteered to chaperone. Strategically stationed around the building to ensure safety, security, and measure of decorum. You remember the chaperones ... dressed in Sunday attire, watching our every move, we couldn't get away with anything! (not that we were TRYING to get away with something ... ) Yes, that was us ... but cooler. As part of the rotation we started in the north foyer, moved into the dance floor then out to the south foyer and counter clockwise around the building rotating every half hour, all the while watching for deviant behavior.
Then ... while positioned on the dance floor Rhett Brown caught a glimpse of Andy and had a flashback. He said he did a double-take, "Andy Shaw at a Stake Youth Dance, it takes me back a few years!" Toward the end of the dance the competition was about to begin and Rhett came to ask Andy if he'd enter himself as a contestant ...
"It's time for the Dance Competition, can we clear the floor?? We have a special treat this evening, about 12 - no maybe 14 years ago there was one young man who consistantly won these competitions and he's here again tonight! Andy Shaw!!" Judges were chosen and the music started "Rhythm is a dancer, it's a souls companion, you can feel it everywhere ... " After 20 seconds and at least one SpinAroundDropDownUpAndDoTheSplits move later eliminations started. 20 more seconds and it was down to a foursome (including 2 girls from our ward) and none other than Mr. Famous. [The other chaperones (all from our ward) had gathered to watch and some were taking bets as to whether he'd be able to walk into church the next day.] The winner would be chosen by audience applause ... 20 more seconds and his 3rd Split - this time with a loud smack to the ground, the audience gave it up for the GrandChampion.
It was SO much fun to watch him! He admitted that he was out of practice and Hurtin'FerCertain (his torn meniscus throbbing a bit) but we would chaperone again in a heartbeat!
Besides, how many girls can say that they went home with the StakeYouthDanceChamp!! I asked him if he'd ever recover from his performance and all he said was, "I had to show off for my girlfriend! (got any Advil??)"
9 years ago
7 comments:
So Fun!!! Wish I was there! Way to go Andy! Too bad no camera, videos, etc. but I CAN picture it since I have seen him dance and maybe I was also there in his glory days. That is another thing I'll be looking for when the video of my life is playing.
Ah...stake dances. The memories....
:)
Angie
I can attest to having witnessed most of his previous perfomances and regret to have missed this. I also remember being folded up sideways in the back of the bug to and from the events. And I often offered the warning for "when to change his shirt" after the contest--he was really "glowing" at that point. Glistening even. Way to go Pandrew...really romp. Do you have any pictures of this great one? I sure would love to see that. I have some from the dances of yesteryore--not any spectacular dance contest type but the groupie type--maybe I'll be able to dig them out soon. I am only 13 years behind on my scrapbooks... And Emily your commentary is fantastic--you should be writing editorial columns regularly. As for now, all I can offer is an obnoxious rendition of Babs own singing: "Mem'rys in the carn-er of m'mind...Scattered pik-sures of the way we were"...as always, Sarah Wilson Ingerson
I regret that I didn't have my camera with me! You will have to picture it in your minds eye ... white shirt and shiny pink tie, navy blue pin-striped dress pants and black Doc Martens. Limping a bit now ... :) He was pretty sweaty after but didn't rip his pants!! Mind you it was only a total of 60 seconds of actual dancing ... but he ripped up the dance floor. He really wants to practice more and get back to the lean mean dancing machine ... now ... where do 'old' married people go to rock out!? hmmm have to work on that one!
Emily, thank you for directing me to look at your blog! What a fun night! I many of the same memories Sarah mentioned, particularly because we were all there together! Thank you for helping me take a much needed stroll down memory lane. I always feel so blessed to have had such terrific friends growing up. A majority of those friends are still a huge part of my life today. Again, I feel so blessed.
AND...I agree with Sarah, Emily! Your commentary is so entertaining. I always look forward to reading your updates.
Along with Emily's perfect commentary, I had a little video running in my mind from the countless times I saw that routine. Priceless memories. Was it really 14 years ago? I'm not getting that old, am I?
Hi, I just found your blog and read this post. So funny!
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