The New Jersey State Open started with a peaceful bus ride up from DC this year. The bus was nearly empty coming up, and had a convenient drop of at Bally's.
I've been told that the present day location of Bally's is the approximate spot to where the show Boardwalk Empire took place. Although there are some historical discrepancies between true Atlantic City history and the scenes in the HBO show, it's fun to imagine the ealry days on the Boardwalk when walking into the modern day casino.
On my first day in Atlantic City, I strolled along the boardwalk, spotting odd sights and glimpses into the city's past.
I'm surprised by all the vintage architecture that remains standing on the Boardwalk.
Walking along the boardwalk, was great fun, with perfect weather on a warm October day.
I spotted the now closed Showboat Casino and House of Blues. The boardwalk was still bustling though, even for October, and full of life.
Towards the end of my walk alone, I stopped to have my fortune told.
For $5 you can have your fortune told, or for $25 you can have your past, present, an future read from both palms.
I'm not one to be overly superstitious, and I never speak a word of detail to a card or palm reader, but I am always amazed by the accuracy of past and present, which they seem to get right every time .
Mystics and Salt Water Taffy shops seem to equal each other by numbers in Atlantic City.
After a nice walk, I checked in at the historic Claridge Hotel. The hotel was offering a fantastic deal on Groupon, simply too good to pass up. The vintage hotel is Connected to Bally's, with clean modern rooms. On this particular weekend, rooms at the Claridge were priced $200 lower than Bally's.
The Claridge was but in 1930's, with many retro features included in it's modern restoration, it is very much in character with the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire.
A Boardwalk Empire themed billboard is only a short walk from the Claridge.
Rebecca and I had a fabulous time dancing in the Rising Star Division on Friday evening. After the professional rounds, we had time for some photos in the Claridge Hotel lobby.
The hotel staff was also kind enough to allow us to practice in their upstairs ballroom.
We enjoyed the vintage flavor of the hotel as much as we enjoyed the dance event. Roxanne, Susan, and Tom are the friendliest event organizers that you can meet, and their event is always top notch.
On Friday evening, our good friends,
Daria Zotova and Kirill Gorjatsev placed first in the Rising Star Professional Smooth Division.
On Saturday morning, we attended the daytime session to cheer for our students from GWU, who were competing in the American Smooth Pre-Champ Divison.
Antonio & Jasmine placed first in their amateur divisions, and we were all very impressed by their performance.
It was also nice to catch up with Anna Boyd, who was dancing with her new Pro/am Smooth partner, Gabor.
After the Saturday morning session,
We all celebrated with lunch at the Rainforrest Cafe.
In the evening, Rebecca and I returned to dance in the Open Professional Smooth division.
Before the evening session began, the New Jersey State Open held a colors ceremony with our National Anthem. I am sorry to say that behind the scenes, only four dancers out of 18 present , joined at attention during colors, the rest stood behind the curtain disengaged, and one gentleman actually adjusted his private parts during the National Anthem. Such acts, as I am learning, are not uncommon in the dance world.
Outside that, the evening went splendidly, and the session continued on all fronts, with great success.
On Sunday morning , our group met up for breakfast at Teplitzky's, a famous 1950's breakfast spot.
After breakfast we went to visit Boadwalk Hall, the original home to the Miss America Pageant.
