Although I had never been to the event before, I was extremely excited to attend Greenwood Swingout in Tulsa, Oklahoma last weekend. I wasn't disappointed!
I met Jamin Jackson and took one of his classes at the Heartland Swing Festival in March. I got a very positive first impression from him — first impressions mean a lot to me — and I knew that this was going to be an event that I wanted to be a part of from the very beginning. Jackson is very upbeat, positive, encouraging and motivating, which becomes infectious. I took notice and enjoyed that he took the time to dance with just about every follow, no matter the skill level. Because of the experience I had at Heartland, I immediately began to follow Jamin's blog. I enjoy many reading about his concepts and ideas for growing swing dance communities.
Not only did the organizers of this event graciously invite me to attend their event, but I had several messages back and forth with Jamin's wife, Gina, beforehand. I was very anxious to meet her and the many other dancers in the Tulsa Lindy Hop community, given the enthusiasm I saw from Jamin and Gina. I quickly learned that they are doing some wonderful things for their swing scene!
Dan Pfeifer and I arrived in Tulsa on Friday evening around 5:30 p.m. after a 12-hour car trip that started after work on Thursday. Leaving early turned out to be well worth it. We were able to make the evening dance with the Steve Ham Jambalaya Jazz Band, meet up with Jamin and Gina, and also meet a lot of new and friendly people. We also saw two other familiar faces that we were pleasantly surprised to see when they walked in the door: Michael Brafford, the Executive Director of the Heartland Swing Festival and his amazing dance partner, Dee Daniels Locke.
Saturday afternoon was Chalkfest in downtown Tulsa, where we were literally dancing in the streets! I'm sure many of you have already seen the YouTube video that Dan put together that highlights a lot of the dancing from that windy and warm afternoon. I was very pleased to have a dance with both Jamin Jackson and Michael Brafford, as well.
We closed our weekend at Greenwood Swingout with the Saturday evening dance and The Rebecca Ungerman Combo. They had a swing dance competition that night which was run differently from any other competition I had ever seen. Every lead and follow had a number, and during one of the sets the band played, you danced with anyone. After the dance, you rated your lead or follow as good, great, or excellent based on how they made you feel during that dance. The result was a competition based more on a showmanship, attitude and even courtesy than than skills. It turned out that Brafford won the award for best lead, while Grace Cowan from Dallas, Texas won for best follow. The prize consisted of tickets to Southern Fried Swing in Fort Worth, Arkansas. Congrats to the both of them!
Overall, I had an excellent time. I met some great people, I danced a whole lot, and am always happy to represent the Heartland Swing Festival and swing dancing in the Midwest at any event as Miss Heartland Swing. Jamin and Gina said they enjoyed having me at their event, which makes me happy because I'm so glad they invited me!
Now, it's just about looking forward to those I'll be attending in the future. The fun continues!
It was just three weeks ago that I was asked by Andrea Graczyalny to join her at a Mary Kay success event as a face model. I was a bit excited that she asked me to do this, but of course was a little bit hesitant not knowing what I would be getting myself into. After finding out a bit more of what was expected that night, I went.
This ends up being a night in which Mary Kay consultants get together with other members on their team to learn from each other and recognize their accomplishments and goals. After being able to try some of the products for myself, including the Classic Red lipstick that I love to wear so much, I had a really fun time, met some great people, and learned more about what the Mary Kay opportunity is all about.
I had been to several Mary Kay skin care parties myself when I was younger. I remember being excited to get my first makeup compact that held all of the shades to create a complete look customized to myself! At the time, I didn't know much about makeup, didn't wear a lot of it, and only knew some basic steps to applying it. I even remember being a little intimidated by the consultants and thought that was something that I would never be able to do, even though I liked doing makeup. I did, however, know that I loved using the Timewise, especially as I got older. Eventually, Mary Kay products turned into a great idea for my mom to gift me with at Christmas and birthdays! I knew it would be something that I would love and certainly use!
I believe that I must have been in high school or just out of high school when a friend of mine, Niki Galla, had a Mary Kay skin care party and I was approached about the opportunity by the consultant. My immediate reaction to that was absolutely not! Not a million years did I think I would be capable of doing something like that and I probably thought she was crazy for even asking.
It turns out that there is just the right time and place in one's life to have everything fit together just right. When I attended the Success Event that Monday night, yes, I was approached about the opportunity, but it didn't feel pressured, it just seemed to feel right. Of course I was a little nervous committing to something like this in the beginning. I had my concerns, mostly being worried about when I could fit this in my already busy schedule, particularly because of the travel I'll be doing as Miss Heartland Swing.
After giving the idea some thought, it just seemed like something that I could see some potential in. Not only do I know more about makeup and applying it, but I practically have studied it from learning how to get a 1940's look. I already know and love using the products, so it's something that I can certainly stand behind and believe in. I'd love to help others create a look that will help them feel confident and beautiful on the inside and out. Andrea, my recruiter, has been extremely successful with it, so I have faith that she can help me succeed! I thought that if it's something that I could see myself doing in the future, why not start now?
After finally deciding that this was something that I wanted to do, I got my starter kit, held my first Mary Kay skin care party, and got my personal consultant web page for anyone to shop 24/7 with me. Now I just need others to help and support me. I would love to be your Mary Kay Consultant if you don't have one already! I'd love for you to Host your own skin care party, or even do a one-on-one color consultation. I need all the practice I can get, and if you're interested in the opportunity yourself, I'd love to provide you with more information and potentially have you as my newest team member! If I ask you to be a face model for me, I hope you take it as the biggest compliment!
Since I started, it's been hard going too long without the words "Mary Kay" coming out of my mouth. Little did I know that Galla, who invited me to that party all those years ago, would turn out to be my first personal team member as well. As my boyfriend, Dan Pfeifer, has said, it's like my newest obsession!
You've waited and waited. It's been much hyped -- perhaps too much so, since it's actually kind of smaller than we originally thought it would be. But ... it's here, even if there's room to add more spots.
It's the National Tour Schedule for Miss Heartland Swing 2012-13, as it stands right now.
As outlined yesterday, there is room for more and we'd enjoy having more. So if you want to hop on board, here's how to get a hold of us:
Also, do any of the stops sound like fun? Why not come along! Team Pam is looking for Travel Partners willing to join us on the National Tour. We'd love to have some friends join us, particularly on our excursions outside of Wisconsin.
Keep in mind, while some costs are covered for the tour by the events themselves, others are not, so any assistance in the form of donations, Corporate Partnerships or any other means is welcome as well.
Make sure, also, to stay tuned to the various Miss Heartland Swing social media channels — Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and this blog — for lots of info about what the road holds.
As Miss Heartland herself would say, keep dancin'!
Miss Heartland Swing 2012-13 National Tour Schedule
... we've also got some stuff in the hopper in Minnesota, where we've already been contacted about visiting a veterans' group and we've been told some of our organizer friends from the Heartland Swing Festival mightbe willing to partake in a "fundraiser." We've got ideas for putting them together into a "Rally Weekend" in Minneapolis ... but it's still just a pipe dream (for now) ...
Keep your calendars clear for these events now, and we schedule more tour stops, we'll of course add them here and let you know about them.
We're just about set to reveal our schedule of events that we've already booked for this year — in fact, we'll do that tomorrow night. But we'd like to think that schedule is far from complete.
As mentioned in Marketing Miss Heartland Swing, Part 1, we've been a little surprised thus far at the response, or lack thereof, we got early on when it came to events bringing Miss Heartland Swing in to continue her mission of promoting swing dancing and the vintage lifestyle. If anything, it's because we at Team Pam are so positive about the mission and see so much potential, it's almost hard for us to fathom why anyone with a clever mind for promotion wouldn't want to involve the over 70,000-person reach (and growing) we've developed through social media to help promote their event.
Nonetheless, it might just need to be explained. So, let's explain it!
Everyone wins ... but particularly the event
As outlined in the last blog we did (and, frankly, just copy-pasted from there) the biggest thing Miss Heartland Swing can bring to an event is added event promotion.
Assuming organizers choose to include Miss Heartland in their plans, they get to tap into:
A rapidly growing social media following that can be used "out of the box" to promote the event, featuring:
Over 200 direct contacts between Facebook and Twitter
Reach of over 70,000 people (friends of direct contacts) on Facebook alone
The ability to promote Miss Heartland Swing's appearance as a value-added function of the event.
The class, grace and beauty Miss Heartland Swing displays, along with the visibility and "specialness" of having a reigning figurehead of American swing dance present
The promotion won't stop when the event starts, either: If your event has unique experiences, we'll talk about them online via that sizable social media presence and perhaps even get video, like we did for the Miss Heartland Swing appearance at Purdue, or Pam's recent Honor Flight volunteer night.
Want to use that video to help promote your event in the future? Be our guest. Consider it a thank you.
Coming up with ways to utilize Miss Heartland Swing at the event, meanwhile, is just a matter of opening your mind. For instance:
What better way to have your contest's awards presented than to have Miss Heartland Swing hand them out?
Make it a real privilege to dance with Pam by having guys sign up for her "Dance Card." Heck, you could even make it "10 Cents a Dance" for a quick event fundraiser.
Why not have Pam greet dancers as they come in? Or introduce the band? She'd be perfect for that.
Have follows interested in vintage style or fashion? Why not set up a shopping trip to a vintage store, or a hair-and-makeup seminar, with a recognized expert in vintage, reproduction and retro style? Pam would be willing.
But there's more!
You will also have at your disposal at least one member of Team Pam.
We're more than willing to help with any aspect of event management that you would normally delegate to a volunteer. But, we also have some special talents, too:
Photo: Marvin Kellerman
My alter-ego, "The Radio Kid," is one of the most-utilized swing DJs in Milwaukee over the past five years. I offer a unique, technologically advanced experience featuring a 19-inch song display for dancers to see song name and artist. I have also have sets that would fit in any time slot.
I have years of radio and sports broadcasting experience, so if you need an emcee ... you've got one.
I also have years of experience with beginning instruction and could be utilized in those types of classes.
Molly Maka, meanwhile, has done years of research as a history writer and could easily host a discussion session about a number of topics related to the swing era
Molly could also assist with vintage style and fashion advice alongside Pam
All of this is available to you? Really? I'm sure you're wondering ... what do they want in return? After all, traveling instructors, musicians and even some top-level DJs look to be paid for their appearances and time, sometimes handsomely.
OK ... whaddya want?
Pay close attention: All we basically want is for Pam, and only Pam, to get in free.
Assuming the event is somewhat sizable and within 12-14 hours driving distance of Milwaukee, we're willing to cover the travel costs and the cost of admission for anyone coming along with Pam (and there will always be at least one person, so you will get something out of the deal).
Of course, the use of services from Team Pam members, other than Pam herself, would also hopefully warrant subsequent compensation. For instance, if you utilize "The Radio Kid" as a DJ, it seems reasonable to think that the same compensation all other DJs are receiving would be due. And, as much as we could end up traveling, any extra compensation, such as offering a second free pass for a Team Pam member, while not requested, wouldn't be turned down if offered.
Nonetheless, we're prepared to invest in the Miss Heartland Swing experience ourselves because we enjoy it and think it's worthwhile.
Do note that, for most events, just letting Pam in for free would only cover 25 percent of our costs. Consider the following estimated budget without a free pass:
$200 for event entry for two people
Given her visibility and role, along with the fact she doesn't think her car can make it too far beyond the Milwaukee city limits without breaking down, Pam understandably does not feel safe traveling by herself. There will always be a Team Pam member traveling with Pam.
$100 for gas/food
$100 for two nights of hotel
Due to the bathroom mirror time and clothing storage space required for Pam to properly present herself as Miss Heartland Swing, we tend to avoid shared housing. It's not that we're anti-social, we just don't want to annoy anyone.
Covering that 25 percent, though, is better than covering zero percent. And we'd be happy to attend for just that 25 percent.
One more thing: The more events Pam attends, the greater her following will become in social media. This will make her, and subsequent Miss Heartland Swings, better promoters for future events, including future iterations of your event.
Long story short, the more events she gets to attend, the better. Everyone wins.
Tomorrow, we'll reveal the schedule as it stands at present. But here's the deal — it's by no means final and we're hoping we can grow it over time. We'll be sending this blog out to organizers of Heartland Swing Festival-affiliated events, but we're open-minded and willing to come to other events as well.
Have you enjoyed following Miss Heartland Swing's experiences online these past few months? Know an event organizer? Have them get in touch with us! How? In any of the following ways:
That said ... prepare for the big reveal tomorrow! But until then, don't be afraid to get in touch with us if you think there's a way you can help us promote swing dancing and the vintage lifestyle. After all ... that's what Miss Heartland Swing is all about!
Much like learning how to pincurl and style my own hair to get a 1940's look, I've done a lot of research on how to create the makeup look from that time as well! I've Googled other sites and blogs, watched YouTube video tutorials, and even took a look at some books that were helpful in achieving the perfection that I strive for. I'm always to the belief that it's the smallest details that put the entire look together and makes it look a little more professional and well put together. There's a lot out there, and I encourage others to do some of their own research as well.
Women of the 1940's wanted to achieve a natural beauty that was soft and feminine. Even though there was rationing during the war, women around the world began wearing makeup even in their teens. Much like today, there are certain looks by what style clothes we wear that might look better with certain body types. Similarly, there are certain hairstyles and makeup that look better with certain face shapes, but I'm only going to focus on some basics.
The makeup of this era is one of the easiest to recreate, so don't feel as if it's something you won't be able to do. Besides, practice makes perfect!
Here are some tips on various things that will help you out:
Skin Care
The most important step is to take good care of your skin! This is essential because taking good care of your skin is what is going to keep you looking younger for longer. The makeup is only used to either cover up the flaws of our skin, or to enhance the natural beauty of our skin! There are five steps to having great skin, which includes:
This would be part of the fifth step of your skin care because your foundation is what's going to help protect your skin from the environment. It's also going to help even out your skin tone. In the 1940's, the foundation was usually a shade darker than your natural skin tone, but just use your own foundation and then use some loose mineral powder from your cheekbone towards your temple to create a triangular effect.
Blush
Use a light, rosy blush on the apples of your cheeks. Make sure that it is well blended to keep a natural look.
Eyebrows and Eye Makeup
I like to keep my eyebrows well groomed with a slight angle to them. They should match your hair color or be a shade darker if you have light hair. You can use a brow pencil or a powder to match your shade. Then use a light shade of eyeshadow if you'd like. The focus of the eyes is really going to come from your lashes! In the 40's, they tended to use a brown eyeliner to keep it looking a bit more natural, but I tend to like a more dramatic look and will often use a black liquid eyeliner, while making sure it is thin, fine, and even. Finish off the eyes by using a black mascara. Before I started selling Mary Kay, I used whatever brand mascara I happened to have, and used a lot of it! Although, I will say that since I've used Mary Kay mascara again, I won't use anything else. It does not clump, and I don't need to use a lot - the stuff is amazing!
Lips!
My personal favorite step to achieving the 1940's look! There are many different shades of red including light reds, pink-reds, orange-reds, and even fucshia! The trick is to find the right shade that looks good with your skin tone and suits your coloring. You can use a lip-liner, either in the shade you are using, or clear so you won't have to worry about the matching and can use it with any shade. It also helps to prevent some of the smudging, although I still recommend blotting to prevent those embarrasing moments when someone tells you you have lipstick on your teeth. It's happened to all of us.
If I can do it, I believe you all can do it, too! Can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces!
