2011-2012 NYE Pro Staff

New Years Swing Vacation Awesome Pro Staff

Robert Royston – Emcee
Nicola Royston
Michael Kielbasa
Katrina Branson
Robert Cordoba
Debra Szekely
Danielle Blouin
Demery Strickland
Brian & Pamela Bennett
Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlowe

More to Come!

DJ’s:

Kevin McDeed – Floor Play Dance Club’s very own!
April Prince – 2009 All Swing DJ of the year!
Robert Cordoba

Robert Royston

Robert Royston began his professional career on the competitive couples dance circuit in 1989, quickly ascending through the ranks and securing the “US Open Swing Dance Championship” and “World Country Dance Championship”, titles he held for four consecutive years (1995 to 1998). He also holds national titles in Salsa, Hustle and Adagio/Cabaret. After stepping off the competitive floor for a few years, Robert got back on the floor with his Wife Nicola and became the “2006 USA Grand National Cabaret Champion” and the “2006 US National Champion”, as well as winning many NASDE Showcase Swing Titles with Nicola. In 2007 he became the youngest person to be inducted to the “UCWDC Hall of Fame”. His exciting, high energy and original work next led to his choreographing and performing in music videos, which got the attention of the producers of the Broadway show, “Swing!” He spent a year and a half appearing in “Swing!”, performing his own choreography, and later became the assistant choreographer for the first National Tour of the production. Royston’s work has been featured in the production of “Gypsy of the Year” at New York’s Palace Theatre (a part of Broadway Cares/EFA), as well as “Destination Groove”, a Choreographer’s Showcase. His choreography was also featured in the New York workshop production of “Urban Cowboy”, a production in which he also performed.

Nicola Royston

Nicola’s first love is acting, some of her acting credits include: THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO (Sunny) at Queens Theater in the Park. Rupert Holmes’ THUMBS w/Kathie Lee Gifford (Angel), EXPECTATIONS (Karen), SAM w/Brain Murray and Elaine Stritch (Gwen) at The Helen Hayes Theater Company. URBAN COWBOY (Pam) N.Y. Workshop Production. MS. WARREN’S PROFESSION (Vive), QUEENS OF FRANCE (Marie), THE SICILIAN (Isidore), BEDTIME STORIES (Angela) at The Oasis Theater Company. TOPPER (Beatrice), OEDIPUS PRIVATE EYE (Mitzie) at Musical Theatre Works. KISS ME QUICK..(Mary) at North Shore Music Theater. THE CONTRAST (Jenny) at The Open Eye Theater. Tour: BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE.(Natl. Tour), TheaterWorksUSA. She was very excited to perform her husband’s choreography in GYPSY OF THE YEAR and DESTINATION GROOVE both for Broadway Cares/EFA. TV credits: ALL MY CHILDREN, THE TODAY SHOW. She also appeared in “SWANGO THE MUSICAL”, “Broadway Song and Dance” , and “STREETSWING”. Most Recently she co-starred in the Feature film “LOVE N’ DANCING” Starring Amy Smart and Billy Zane. Training: Carnegie-Mellon University B.F.A.

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2010 Swing Vacation Recap

HAPPY 2011 TO EVERYONE and Thank You ALL!

The 2010-’11 edition of our FloorPlay New Years Swing Vacation was, according to all of the positive feedback and comments a great success! This was our 12th Event overall and 6th New Years Party where we plan to remain. What better place to be than Orlando at New Years and the Rosen Plaza as the host Hotel. With sunny mid 70’s weather, our Sat. night Pizza Party was poolside and the WCS Flash Mob performance at Pointe Orlando was comfortable, well received by the locals and other tourists and well done by all the dancers who participated.

A HUGE THANKS to everyone who attended as we once again topped 500 including staff. Almost 400 of whom have learned that it’s worth it to take advantage of the fantastic Dinner Buffet included at Café’ Matisse in the Rosen on New Years Eve.

This year we added a series of Pro / Am Competitions to our regular WSDC Jack ‘n Jills and Florida State Swing Dance Championship. There was very good participation in all and Congratulations go to Justin Wolcott & Krista Martin of S. Fl. for winning the 8th edition of the FSSDC following last years 2-time winners Christopher Lo & Dawn Sgarlatta. Being our first foray into the Pro / Am divisions, as well as some of the Judges, there was (as explained below ) a mix-up in scoring one division that has been corrected. A sorry to those affected either way and Congratulations to all who competed on any and every level adding to the weekends excitement and entertainment.

Speaking of which, Thanks to all of the great Pro Instructors who joined us this year for a terrific New Years Eve show and the many workshops conducted and well received. Robert & Nicola Royston doing a usual masterful job emceeing, Mary Ann Nunez, Orlando’s Jen Deluca, Michael Kielbasa, Marcus Smith & Trendlyon Veal, Danielle Blouin, Trish Berlanga and Steven White. And be sure to get a video of all the weekends festivities, workshops and competitions from Jack ‘n Jill Productions. Tagg Leduc does a masterful job putting it all together.

But no event can be successful without two all important things, a good dance floor and a GREAT sound system with fabulous music! The dance floors were smoothly provided by Cherry Taylor and Master Dance Floors of Tampa. The sound systems by Orlando’s Kevin McDeed who also provided some cool lighting and video for the Midnight Champagne toast. Kevin ‘KMac’, also set the tone as always with a terrific variety of music to keep everyone moving. He continues to be the ‘soul’ of the FloorPlay Dance Club events and dances. April Prince was back with us again proving her position as ‘one of the best’ and setting up all of the competition music as well as playing for the crowd. Ken Dillard, also of Chicago was terrific every time up! And, we were pleased to have Nathalie Scott with us all the way from France as she carves her own niche here in the states. I suspect judging from the compliments you’ll be seeing her around the circuit. I heard nothing but compliments about all of our music ALL weekend long with lots of new tunes being heard. Great Thanks to the DJ’s!

As always, there are MANY on any event staff who make it all work. Without them it simply doesn’t happen. I like to think we have the best staff anywhere. These are the folks who initially greet you, sign you in, answer your questions, handle security, keep things organized in all aspects of presentation and make everyone feel welcome…all with a smile! Ed Sullivan & Nora Batts lead Security and recruit ample ‘friendly’ help including Janie Morningstar, Ginger Rosacia and Jacqueline Jauz. Registration is very involved and Amy Palmer was the key to making it all happen and running smoothly. She did so much behind the scenes it would be too hard to describe. Helping out tremendously were Meggan and Marilyn Thomas, Cindy Winternitz, Linda Murphy, Jutta Baerman and Sandy Sanborn. And, last but not least there are those who are those who contribute in a WIDE variety of ways without who’s help there would be noticeable deficiencies in organization. Diane Scott, Bill Bray and Maria Hardy are these people along with Danielle Blouin and Mike Oates who provided the Pro /Am Awards. And, like many mentioned here help with FloorPlay cruises and dances throughout the year. I Sincerely Thank you all for your tremendous efforts and to those who helped I may have omitted here.

A final HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who attended this year. Always a great crowd who make it such a terrific atmosphere and contribute to making Swing Vacation the place to party on New Years Eve! You ALL ROCK!

We will continue to do our best to bring you the Best New Years Party possible and hope you will plan to join us again for Swing vacation 2011 – ’12.

Sincerely,

Mark Traynor

FloorPlay Club Founder

The 2010 Competition results are located in our competition results section.

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Ranch Pic #1

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