Blog

SUBMITTED MAY 11, 2010

Well, regional season is over and done and we look ahead to two exciting nationals. I want to thank my amazing staff, Ryan, Nikki, Don, Brenda, Bree and Matt who hung in for 21 shows and 14 weeks on the road. You are all "the best". Scott, Tiffany, John, Eva, Jen, Jess, Cammi, Mindy, Beth, Bonnie, Kristine, Emily, Terri, Adrian, Bethany, Jennifer, Shelly, Calvin, Rick, Sam, Brandon, Becky, Audra, Chrissy… although not with us every weekend, having you with us added spice and even more fun. Yes Kyle, I left you out… thank you for putting up with this crazy business for most of your 16, ok 17 years (next week). We are proud of you! You have stepped into full adult responsibilities at the shows and in the office when needed and have even kept the laundry under control on weekends we are gone. Yes ladies, he does laundry!!! We love you! We are blessed to have all of you as part of TOP! This year has truly been the smoothest year for Eric and I and it is due to the great people who make it happen each weekend. No Drama, no moods, no attitude! We LOVE you all! Many ask me about our adventures on the road. Some of you might not know that we drive to about 95% of our shows, which truly makes this a tour for us. Here is a recap of the 2010 regional season!

January 29-31, Indianapolis -- We learned that if you leave early enough you can avoid any snow storm mother nature wants to throw at you and that Smoky starts fires as well as puts them out!

Feb. 5-7, Denver -- We kicked off a new market with old friends and new. Left the snow behind only to meet it coming home and that yes Ryan, Casa Bonita is not just a place from South Park!

Feb 12-14, Tulsa -- An old market in a new venue and yes, more snow and ice! And Don, did you get those pants fixed? Kyle has the photos!

Feb 20-21, Colorado Springs -- Let it snow, let it Snow, let it Snow....

Feb 19-21, Dallas -- Rolled into a parking lot that had snow plowed out of the way from the week before in DALLAS. What is happening mother nature?

Feb 26-28, St. Louis -- Actual call between Eric and the facility director two hours prior to show set up, "Yes, a stage is and has always been mandatory for us, read our contract!." There goes another hair!

March 5-7, Texarkana -- Stayed home to be parents this weekend, Eric slept in and said he didn't feel one bit bad about having the crew out. We all know he is not telling the truth… well maybe just a bit.

March 12-14, Oklahoma City -- If I make hotel rooms have a confirmation number for 8 rooms then I expect for the hotel rooms to be there, right? Right....this is how we check in to a hotel as a group, I go to the front desk, give them my name with my staff standing behind me. The hotel clerk says, (almost every time), “I'm sorry we don't have anyone by that name.” I turn around to find my crew has taken shelter from the storm that is brewing between Kim and the front desk...how hard is it. You make a reservation, you have 8 numbers, they match up to the eight rooms in the system, you give them a credit card they give you eight keys....am I missing something here!

March 12-14, Kalamazoo -- It's raining, it's pouring....please don't turn to ice and snow, please don't turn to ice and snow.

March 19-21, Joplin – Ahh spring March 21… wait, wait, what is it doing outside in Joplin in March? Is that snow? is that ice? Why won't it stop? Is that 2 inches? is that 6 inches? is that 12 inches of snow or ice!?!?! Our most interesting staff meal to date… this is how we were greeted upon arrival, "Yes we can seat your party of 11, but we have turned the heat off”. What?.....there is 12 inches of ice outside. What are you saying… is your furnace broken? “No, we have just turned it off for the evening.” Keep in mind this is 8:30 pm on a Saturday at an Outback Steakhouse in 12 inches of ice....do you people work at the hotel front desk when you are not here or what?

March 19-21, Omaha -- Would anyone like an apple?

March 25-28, Des Moines -- It is possible to be at two shows, in two cities, in one weekend. Just ask the Minneapolis crew!

March 26-28, Minneapolis -- Seems like we just did a show yesterday! And Brenda and Bree we are oh so grateful you were not injured in the car accident in KC coming home.

April 2-4 (Easter)....SLEEP!

April 9-11, Kansas City -- Actual call from facility… “We think you need 24 ushers, 4 security, and a police officer. We had an unruly group in last week and we are beefing up all personnel in the building from now on.” Come to find out the group they were referring to was the World Wrestling Federation. Yes, I can see where we compare: In this corner competing in the 5-6 Petite Tap category... Or maybe: In this corner “Dance Mom” with a record of 25 knockouts… Maybe it’s just me, but do we really need (and have to pay for) that much house staff? Now you know why entry fees are what they are!

April 16-17, Nashville -- New city for us, new friends, beautiful Opryland Hotel and Acuff theatre… just two weeks later damaged by flood waters. We have been assured they will be up and running in time for our next season. Mother nature strikes again! And hey Nikki where's your phone?

April 24-25, Austin -- There is sunshine and warmth in this world!!!! We have found it, if only for a moment, then the moments gone, (sorry I hear songs in my head along with the little voices).

April 23-25, Louisville -- If you pull a box truck too far over on the shoulder it will get stuck! “Somebody call 911”. I warned you about the songs, and that one is stuck. I even have a dance routine to it....

April 29-May 2, Little Rock -- Yes, a show that went from April to May, two months long (it only felt like it). When the air conditioning broke in 90 degree temps with 150% humidity and tornadoes touching down 13 places at once, up and down the steps to safety. Mother nature needs a break too!

May1-2 Chicago -- We survived the worse winter of snow in how many years and every judge made it in on time all year except for this one. All three got grounded by weather, and one was never able to make it at all.

May 7-9, Davenport -- 36 degrees in May! Are you kidding me? Did you get the memo Mother Nature… it is May!!!

May 7-9, Wichita – Our home show, home town friends, Riverfest, and 40 degree weather and wind. Welcome to Kansas! Home of TOP!

Well that wraps up our 13th regional travel season...theme: Weather! Can't wait until season 14. Who knows what will happen then. Hope to see you all at Nationals! Kim

SUBMITTED DECEMBER 21, 2009

Well, it’s approaching that time of year again…we’re gearing up for a new season, our 13th. I can’t decide if I should dread the 13 (my mother was very superstitious), or embrace it. I have decided instead to "celebrate" it by remembering all the wonderful memories and anticipating the exciting future that is to come. Most mornings I spend a little time checking emails and this morning as I respond to friends I have made from coast to coast I am reminded just how thankful I am for all of the friends we have made in the past 13 years. This morning I visited with a dance teacher in DC, San Francisco and St. Louis, and shared thoughts and ideas with a fellow competition director in LA. When we started this business, our circle of friends was concentrated in the Midwest. Now, although we don’t yet do shows on the East or West coasts, our small network has expanded to include so many wonderful professional and social friends nationwide. I am blessed to be a part of this crazy dance world.

As for the kids, it is so fun now to turn on the TV and literally cheer our former contestants on as they are making their mark in the professional dance world. Last season we rooted for Ade as he climbed further and further up the "So You Think You Can Dance" ladder. We watched Tucker dance on awards shows and many a dance video. He’s now on tour with Lady Gaga. We’re enjoying watching Alana and Janell on their newest national commercial and we celebrate the stage credits of a number of our kids in professional theatre including cast members in the Broadway and Chicago professional casts of Billy Elliot. All of these kids I was privileged enough to watch do some growing up on a TOP stage. I will watch all of this season’s TOP kids with great anticipation as for what their futures might hold. I am also beginning to experience (as my increasingly gray hair attests) former TOP kids bringing their own studios to competition and convention. The most amazing part is watching their own kids compete, as they take on the "Dance Mom" roll. Parents, I appreciate your kind words and encouragement, and friendship too! I have developed many solid friendships with parents who don’t just focus on Overall awards, but instead on the lasting memories their children will have from dance and competition. Of course, not every child will choose to continue on with dance. We also love to hear about the many former TOP kids out there making their mark in all kinds of professional careers across the country. We are very proud of their success as well! So I look forward to season 13 with excitement and gratitude for all of you who have made, and continue to make, TOP the "family" that it is! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to "Our Family"! Kim

SUBMITTED SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

I've covered a lot in the last few years in these blogs concerning things I think you would like to read about and things that interest me. Now I need your help. What else would be interesting and/or helpful for you to read about?

SUBMITTED JUNE 5, 2009

Sorry it has been a while since I have had a chance to post a thought. We are fast approaching our first nationals of 2009 in Des Moines, Iowa (starts on June 17). We will then head into our Branson Nationals starting July 7. I am very excited to see how all of the wonderful talent has come together this year. It is a lot of fun from our (staff) perspective to see the various cities compete against each other.

SUBMITTED MARCH 17, 2009

A couple of weeks ago after our new " charity dance down" a parent came and to thank us for donating to charities and asked some questions about the various organizations we support or have supported over the years. Eric and I have reflected on this in the past week. We began giving to charities since show #1 twelve years ago.