Another milestone was crossed in 2004 when the 20^th year of the Frezno Dance Classic commenced this past May. "Time flies when you're having fun" would certainly sum up each and every Memorial Day weekend spent at this ever popular Swing and Country event produced by A Dancin' Z productions.

The incomparable, and always creative, event director Steve Zener consistently improves, tweaks and surpasses the level of fun attendees have experienced in years past. I have had the pleasure and privilege of partaking of this event's past 4 years and I can reassure you that Steve knows exactly what elements should be brought together to throw a marvelous dance weekend.

Toss in lots of Country music and a fair amount of Swing tunes, sprinkle around a portion of competition, fold in a supportive and professional staff, anchor with a hotel that understands dancers, display a variety of vendors, add dashes of ice cream, snacks, and pizza, add a rousing reveille, top off with a Broadway like production illustrating the weekend's theme, complement with a side of pool time, exotic ball, then garnish with a goofy yet entertaining Gong show, and voilá….you would be describing the 2004 Fresno dance event.

Dani Canziani, director of the President's Day weekend Sacramento event, has attended Fresno Classic for the past 20 years. She told me she enjoyed coming back each year due to the talent and insight of Steve Zener's activity planning. "The event schedule always has an array of activities to choose from spread though out the day and evening hours to provide everyone a comfortable variety - without being overwhelming." Dani cites the wonderful balance of dance related with non-dance fun, social opportunities. For example the 11pm Ice Cream Social, evening dinner buffets, Sunday morning reveille, and the open inviting atrium lounge adjoining the dance area.

The competitions for both Country (UCWDC) and Swing (WSDC) were run efficiently and professionally with Dave Getty at the judging helm and Steve Zener as Master of Ceremonies. Awards announced on Monday are the culmination of the determined hard work, sweat, passion, and devotion displayed by both amateurs and pros in the dance community.

Workshops, workshops, and more workshops. The best instructors conveyed their honed teaching ability and displayed their knowledge of 2-step, west coast swing, night club , salsa, east coast swing, cha cha, and hustle plus the extremely successful series of Health Matters yoga and pilates classes. Two novel classes rounded out the array and were devoted to the Ladies only. Developing your "S"ex factor for body movement; and a performance class involving the art of exotic dancing /pole dancing. I personally overheard quite a buzz emanating from the ladies after both those classes concluded.

Monday started out as a day of reflection. Prior to awards we all enjoyed traveling down memory lane with the video history of Fresno. Prior themes included: Mash, Planet "Z", Frezno 2000 B. Z., Under Z Big Top and Polynesian Beach Party to name only a few. How Steve keeps coming up with these Zelicious themes one will never know!

We silently and vocally (led by Joe Van Ryckeghem} paid homage to our countries armed forces, members both past and present, with a moving Memorial Day tribute. Then the always "Z"any and unpredictable Gong show took us to the belly laughing stage when yet another side of some of our dancers talented antics were allowed to shine or at least be gonged in style. John Wheaton stunned and amazed us this year when he wailed out a blues tune on his electric guitar. Who Knew!!

My suggestion….right now…this very minute….take out the calendar for 2005 and write "ATTENDING FRESNO DANCE CLASSIC" smack across Memorial Day weekend. You will thank yourself and your feet that you did.