Camp Jitterbug & China Preparations
// June 3rd, 2009 // China, Dancing, Travel
I just got back to Virginia from Seattle on Monday night and I am already sitting in a hotel in D.C. preparing for another summer of Chinese study in China. I have been home literally less than 48 hours and have already had to fly again here, only to leave for China Friday morning – I am in the air every 48 hours!
Anyway, back to Camp Jitterbug. I left for Seattle last Wednesday and flew half the day to arrive at 11:30 pm. As soon as I got off the plane, I called my host, Jared, and grabbed a cab to the dance. We met at the Century Ballroom. When I walked through the doors, I found a room full of dancers surrounded by luggage from all over the world. It seemed that every dancer had done exactly what I had – go straight to the dance. While I only managed to dance the last two songs, they were both wonderful dances, and I could tell this was going to be one amazing week of dancing.
The next morning we spent most of the day touring the city. We went all over the place and saw all the famous sites, like the Space Needle and the very first Starbucks (check out the pics here). The tour of the city underground was perhaps the coolest part – the story of how Seattle got started is pretty ridiculous. That night everyone met at the meet and greet dance, which was at a venue that was hot beyond all reason. I have never gone through more shirts more quickly at a dance. After that, we went home and got ready for electives the next day.
Friday we took several elective classes which I really liked. During the lessons, I noticed that many of the dancers trying out for the masters level were about where my dancing level was, so I made the decision to try out for the masters track the next morning. Later, we went to the Jump Session show, which blew me away. Some of the most intense and creative performances in the jazz dance genre in the world all on one stage! The show was truly one of the top highlights of the whole event. The dance that night was a much better venue and a whole lot cooler, but we ended up not staying too long at the late night since auditions were so early.
Saturday morning we hit the auditions, and after about 7 heats of crazy fast swing outs, I got picked for the masters track. It was pretty incredible and quite surprising. I really didn’t think I’d get in, but after I started some of the classes I realized I could handle it. I held my own throughout the weekend and really enjoyed being challenged with some really hard material. It wasn’t easy, but I think I learned a ton more by challenging myself. The dances and competitions that night and the next were spectacular! Phenomenal bands and great venues, filled with some of my favorite people in the world. Camp Jitterbug as a whole really impressed me. The crowd it drew was unbelievable and every single dance was just great! It makes me sad to realize that it will be a while until I get to see and dance with those people again.
Now I am sitting in the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Washington D.C. Just a few hours ago I met up with all the CLS scholarship winners that are going on the intensive Chinese language trip with me this whole summer. I had dinner with several of the Harbin scholars and it looks like it is going to be a good summer. They seem like a really fun bunch and are all amped about the trip. Tomorrow is our full orientation, and then Friday morning we board the plane. It’ll be another long flight and another adventure in China. I can’t wait to get started!
