Third time's the charm.  From the feedback, this was the best Swing City Chicago yet!  Thank you to everyone that made this event a reality... our excellent staff, phenominal volunteers and of course, the best customers in the community!

Friday's Halloween Party was extraodinary with everything a family from colorado dressed up at 'Swing City Chicago' to Michael Phelps wandering around in swim trunks!  (Too fun!) Saturday's 'All-Star Studded Hour ' remains participants favorite part of the weekend - great information in 10 minute bites while raising close to $1600 for the Autism Society of Illinois.  Saturday had multiple highlights including the St. Louis Swap (oh my!), incredible J&J finals and a super competitive DJ Challenge.

Be sure to check out the photo albums on Facebook (listing below) and please fill out our feedback form (very short)! 

See you in October 2009!

Maren, Julie & Jeff

 

Facebook Albums

(tag the people you know and let us know about albums we've missed!)

Friday Strictly Swing - Julie

Friday Strictly Advanced, Halloween Party, Awards - Julie

Friday General - Julie

Jack & Jill Novice Part 1 - Julie

Swing City Chicago Album 1 - Liz

Swing City Chicago Album 2 - Liz

Swing City Chicago 2008 - Liza May

Swing City Chicago MORE! - Liza May

Swing City Chicago Album 1 - Hieu Le

Swing City Chicago Album 2 - Hieu Le

Here are a few responses we've already received: (please take some time to fill out our feedback form so next year is even BETTER!)

It is a TOTAL JOY having any dealings at all with you about this event ... from before, to during, to after. ... I mean EVERYTHING every aspect of this event is well-done. What a total joy.  And most importantly - it was funnnnnnnn!!!!! Lot lot lot of very hilarious people out your way, and the whole vibe and atmosphere of the event brought out the best goofiness playfulness of everyone. We had a total blast - I think I laughed harder this weekend than I've laughed in years.     ~  Liza May

What a grand weekend it was!  Total immersion in an activity that people so enjoy - good people, good music, good fun!  All your creativity and hard work produced a terrific opportunity for so many people! Congratulations and thanks, ~Bobbie

What a wonderful convention! I got so much out of the star thing on Sat. @ 7pm and can't recall having so much fun as I did Friday with dressing up. The breakfast buffet was excellent and heard other positive comments about the bacon, etc.  ~ Susan

 

 

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

Tobi Oberman - Volunteer Coordinator

George Sparks - Registration Coordinator

BJ Gregory - Contestant Coordinator

Leah Noparstak - Hospitality Coordinator

Ron Oberman, Mike Kusibab, Jill Popovich - Scorers

Judy Troemel & Bill Dortch/Ruth Gilbert - Decorations

 

The people who made it all happen:

Willaim Blanchard • Shannon Boyle · Nancy Bright · Nancy Buchler · Alfred Dahma · Laura Dahma · Holly Farris · John Fini · BJ Gregory · Norm Green · Liz Gutzwiler · Rich & Diane Hooper · Natalie Hoyle · Wayne Janowski · Tim Johnson · Jim Karppi · Cindy Kucharski  · Judy Leslie · Rich McGill · Steve Monaco · Frank O'Brien · Chris Peterson · Joe Pilolla · Kathy Poppke · Margo Rickert · Ray Ritter · Tina Robbins · Penny Rusch · Jon Serletic · Jes Swift · Chris Van Houten · Diane Willet · Alisa Winkler

 

 

DJ Challenge

1st - Ruth Gilbert, MO

 

Strictly Swing

 

Novice

1st - Manuel Sisneros and Ashley Yorek

2nd - Dylan Sisneros and Cheyenne Sisneros

3rd - Chris Kempainen and Bonnie Inveen

4th - Marcus Sanders and Lauren Assaf

5th - Kyle Snow and Linda Cucciu

 

Intermediate

1st - Kristopher Swearingen and Gayla Huffman

2nd - Ken Negley and Carrie Richards

3rd - Benjamin Plante and Erin Byrne

4th - Blaise Tamo and Christina DeMeola

5th - James Sisneros and Kimberly Hammett

 

Advanced

1st - Mike Konkel and Sheli Schroeder

2nd - Tom Jennings and Joanna Meinl

3rd - David Cook and Melissa Eilmann

4th - Brian Faust and Angie Cameron

5th - Soleman Krebs and Abigail Wood

 

Jack & Jill

 

Novice

1st - Manuel Sisneros and Cheyenne Sisneros

2nd - Dillon Sisneros and Valarie Young

3rd - Levi Laroco and Clare Kukielski

4th - Mike Tinder and Rachel Tucker

5th - Chris Kempainen and Taylor Harrell

 

Intermediate

1st - Kristopher Swearingen & Christina DeMeola

2nd - Ken Negley & Gayla Huffman

3rd - Benjamin Plante & Erin Byrne

4th - Brian Wong & Marilyn Hall

5th - Blaise Tamo & Carrie Richards

 

Advanced

1st - Chris Van Houton & Melissa Rollins

2nd - Arthur Uspensky & Rebecca Ludwick

3rd - Michael Konkel & Rebecca Brodie

4th - Kyle Patel & Wanda Shelton

5th - Byron Calix & Kim Beachy

 

All-Star

1st - Tom Jennings & Sheli Schroeder

2nd - Oscar Hampton & Melissa Greene

3rd - Mark Jackson & Colleen MacDonald

4th - Mark Jackson & Yuna Davtyan

5th - Brian Faust & Nancy Tuzzolino

 

Costume Contest

Funniest - Carlos Garcia & Alisa Winkler, Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz

Most Creative/Original - the Sisneros Family, "Swing City Chicago" (too COOL!!)

Sexiest - Angie Cameron - Belly Dancer (WOW!)

Honorable Mention - Douglas Rousar "Jim Becker'sQuaker Oats Persona"

 

Pro-Am

 

Newcomer Lead

1st - Joe Kurowski with Maren Oslac

2nd - Diane McLeod with Douglas Rousar

 

Newcomer Follow

1st - Heather Douglas with Henry Pulido

2nd - Penny Davis with Henry Pulido

3rd - Geralyn Desmond with Nino DiGiulio

4th - Beth Underwood with Jason Barnes

 

Novice Lead

1st - Dwight Miller with Maren Oslac

2nd - Chris Kempainen with Erica Berg

3rd - Ron Oberman with Katrina Branson

4th - Peter Daane with Colleen MacDonald

5th - John Fini with Katrina Branson

Novice Follow

1st - Linda Cuddio with Douglas Rousar

2nd - Laruen Assaf with Maren Oslac

3rd - Taylor Harrell with Douglas Rousar

4th - Hope Kukielski with Byron Calix

5th - Tobi Oberman with Christopher Hussey

 

Intermediate Lead

1st - Kristopher Swearingen with Rebecca Ludwick

2nd - Preston Burke with Becky Larson

3rd - Benjamin Plante with Erica Berg

4th - Tom Pogros with Tera Vitale

5th - Genieboy Collins with Sophy Kdep

 

Intermediate Follow

1st - Marilyn Hall with Jason Miklic

2nd - Abigail Wood with Jason Barnes

3rd - Leah Noparstak with Jason Barnes

4th - Mindi Schwartz with Oscar Hampton

5th - Natalie Hoyle with Jeff Sanchez