Meet the Babes: Behind the Scenes Look at Amanda

Wow, it's been an amazing fall for the Boot Boogie Babes! 

We've put on the first ever 12th Man Line Dance Flash Mob at the Seahawks vs. Raiders game in front of 10,000 fans!  

Gooooooo SEEEEEEEA-HAWKS!!!! 

We also got to teach Momma Lynch the 12th Man Line Dance!  She's got some moves too...just like her son!  

It was fun meeting all the Seahawk fans at the 12th Man Rally in Everett!  We also helped collect hundreds of toys for the local Toys 4 Tots program!  Plus we couldn't help posing with the Lombardi Trophy and the 12th Ram!  

Country artist Tayla Lynn, Loretta Lynn's granddaughter asked us to perform with us while she sang Dancing with the Stars style at the MDA Night of Hope!  Here we are in Tayla's dressing room before the performance.  

We helped the local MDA and Alzheimer's chapters with their annual 5K walks. 

We danced our way through the streets of Issaquah at their historic Salmon Days Parade!  

We brought the country party at Ziemke Farms for their Boot Scoot & BOO-gy in October!  

We thought it would be a really cool idea to get all the local line dance teams together for one night of fun at Bourbon Jacks.  We called it "Dance Team Night" and invited West Coast Swing to perform!  What a blast! 

These are just a few of the things we've had the pleasure to be involved in this past fall.  We are looking forward to a fun performance at KMPS Victorian Country Christmas in December!  

So let's turn our attention to our "Meet the Babes" series. We've been meeting the amazing women that make up the Boot Boogie Babes.  This week we present Amanda! 

I first met Amanda at Bourbon Jacks when I was teaching on Friday nights.  She was there every Friday with a sweet smile, cowboy boots, and an amazing attitude!  One thing I noticed right away about Amanda's dancing is that she spins like a top!  I could tell right away that she has had a lot of dance training.  Plus Amanda is just one of those people who makes you feel good when she's around.  If she's had a bad day, you would never know it!  Her smile is genuine and that heart is made of gold!  We are so lucky that she wanted to be a part of our team.  We love you Amanda!  

Let's find out more about this amazing lady! 

Behind the Scenes with Amanda: 

15 Questions with the Boot Boogie Babes 


1) Name 5 things you can’t live without. 

Faith in God, the people I love, travel/adventures, sunshine, and diet soda!


2) What’s your favorite song to belt out in the car? 

There are SO many…if you pull up next to me at any given time, I’ll probably be belting out a song in my own personal karaoke booth on wheels.  BUT, I think I’m gonna have to go with Will You Be There by Michael Jackson…aka “The Free Willy Song”.

3) Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re NOT dancing.

My favorite thing to do when I’m not dancing is traveling – whether it’s a weekend road trip or to somewhere far away, I love seeing different  places, meeting new people, and having interesting experiences and stories to tell!   Already in 2014, I’ve been to Washington DC, NYC, Alaska, and to two of the Hawaiian Islands!

4) Who is your favorite country artist? 

I think my current favorite is Sam Hunt; I can’t get enough of his song Leave the Night On, and he has so many other great ones!


5) What chore do you absolutely HATE doing? 

I HATE doing the dishes!  Soggy, wet food – yuck!!


6) What’s your favorite holiday and why? 

I love birthdays!!  I’m obviously a big fan of my own birthday, but I especially enjoy planning great parties for the people I love and making them feel special.


7) Give us advice or motto that you live by. 

“Love God.  Love people.  Do stuff. “ – Bob Goff (Author of one of my favorite books, Love Does)  I believe that love is not just a feeling, but an action, and try to live my life in such a way that I show love through the way I treat everyone around me.


8) What’s your favorite body part? 

A great smile goes a really long way in my opinion! 


9) Do you watch sports? If so, which ones? 

I grew up in a baseball-loving family (my two brothers were both pitchers and my dad was their coach), so it is definitely my favorite!  I really love attending any live Seattle sporting events, though, and I also enjoy playing and watching tennis.


10) Give us three adjectives that your friends would use to describe you. 

Well people often call me “bubbly”, but I prefer the adjective joyful ;)  They also usually say that I am fun-loving, and kind.


11) If you could go back in time to any year or date, where would you go and why? 

I’ve always loved the 50’s. I’d like to have been a teenager in that decade – wearing a poodle skirt and hanging out dancing at the local soda fountain!


12) Favorite pair of cowboy boots? 

Definitely my Corrals with turquoise on them that I bought when I made the team – worth every penny!!


13) Favorite line dance? 

It is constantly changing, but my current favorite is our new dance to “Girl in a Country Song”!  I love how sassy it is, and it’s challenging because there are so many restarts throughout it!  I’m also a big fan of Maddie and Tae after seeing them in concert.  They are adorable!


14) Favorite concert you’ve ever been to! 

My favorite band Need To Breathe was opening for Taylor Swift on her tour and the tickets sold out immediately, so I couldn’t get any.  This was such a tragedy for me, because I see them EVERY time they are in Seattle (six times total now) and they always put on such a great show!  To my excitement, though, they ended up doing a “secret show” while they were here at Tractor Tavern (that they only released the location of it 24 hours before).  They played for two hours straight, so I got to hear almost all of my favorites, and it was so amazing to see them at such an intimate venue!!



15) How did you get into line dancing? 

I have been involved with dance in some form or another for most of my life, and whether it is ballet, tap, jazz, or hip hop there's a part of me that always comes alive when I'm dancing.  I took dance classes all throughout my childhood, but when I moved to Seattle for college other things took over my time and attention.  A few years ago, I heard about line dancing lessons at the Little Red Hen in Seattle, so I went with a friend and LOVED it!  It has quickly become my favorite type of dancing, because it is so inclusive and geared towards having fun, and once they learn the steps anyone can join in.  When I found out  that Bourbon Jacks had an even bigger dance floor and was less 5 minutes from where I lived I couldn’t believe it, and I started going there once a month…which eventually turned into every Friday night.  I loved learning the line dances that Deanna Lee taught, and had to keep going back for more!  When I found out that she started the Boot Boogie Babes, I just knew I wanted to wear one of those black tank tops and be a part of the team.  It is has been so fun to get to dance with the girls over the past 6 months, and I can’t wait to see where our boots take us next!


That's our sweet Amanda!  

On a personal note... 

The Boot Boogie Babes are in transition with our rehearsal space for the next two weeks.  Amanda and her family were kind enough to offer us a space to rehearse until we start the new year at a great studio.  A huge thank you and God bless for their generosity!  

Meet The Babes; Behind the Scenes Look at April aka. April Gets YOU Fit

Whoa...it's been an exciting start to the fall for the Boot Boogie Babes!  Let me catch you up before we dive in and get to know our favorite personal trainer, April.  

Keep in mind that the Boot Boogie Babes are a dance entertainment group!  We offer high energy and dynamic entertainment in the Puget Sound area.  We can provide innovative choreography for any live event or production. Line dance lessons and even dancers are available for live events, weddings, commercials, and soon the Boot Boogie Babes will be appearing in our first country music video!  

If you're hosting a private party, we have experience in entertaining everything from corporate parties, weddings, to festivals and even birthdays.  

We helped raise money for the local MDA chapter at their annual MDA Muscle Walk at Century Link Field in September.  

a

We even got to dance with some Super Heros! 

Then we were asked to perform at the Alzheimer Association's Blondes Vs. Brunettes Flag Football Half Time Show on South Lake Union!  It was such a beautiful day, and we had a blast helping raise awareness for an incredible cause! 

It wasn't long after that the Boot Boogie Babes were asked to appear in our first country music video with the #1 voted local band in Western Washington, Jones & Fischer!  

We also had our Hot New Line Dance #BurninItDown to Jason Aldean go viral after country stations across America posted it on their Facebook pages in Houston, Denver, Portland, Seattle, and Pensacola!  

Tonight we are performing at a Buckley Barn Party!  It's all ages and kids are free!  There's a Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, and lots of boot stompin' fun with the Babes!  

Tomorrow, we are participating in the Salmon Days Parade! Make sure to look for us! 

If you can believe it there is STILL more exciting news to share, but we'll save it for our next chat here!  

Let get to the really good stuff!  Meeting the Babes!  

Please allow me to introduce April...aka. April Gets YOU Fit! 

April came to us by way of Indiana.  I met her through my co-worker Chris Cruise, the night show host on 941 KMPS.  He shared with me that his girlfriend April loves to dance and that I should put her on my team.  Soooo... I scooped this beautiful lil' Indiana lady up, threw some boots on her and made sure that she was one of my Babes!  April is an incredible dancer, and I hope you get a chance to see her in action on the team!  We love having her, and we bless the day that she came into our dancin' world!  Let's find out more about April. 

15 Questions with the Babes; Behind the Scenes with April 

1) Name 5 things you can’t live without.

       1. My family. I come from a huge family and wouldn't                   change them for the world! 
      2. Candy-- I have a major sweet tooth
      3. The Gym- My home away from home. 
      4. Radio/IPOD- I love music!       
      5. Dancing- I've been dancing since I was 3 years old. Its                imbedded in my life. 

2) What’s your favorite song to belt out in the car?

     "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson- Gets you                      motivated! :)

3) Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re NOT dancing.

     Working out. I LOVE being in the gym and pumping that        iron! Being healthy & strong is very important to me.

4) Who is your favorite country artist? 

    The King! George Strait! I've seen him in concert a few              times...but my dream is to meet him!!!

5)What chore do you absolutely HATE doing?

      Cleaning the bathroom! Uck! 

6) What’s your favorite holiday and why?

     Halloween- I grew up in the Midwest and Halloween was        always crisp with beautiful fall colors. Seeing all                          the costumes and creativity is fun....plus, I actually love            being scared! Haunted houses....yes please! :)

7) Give us advice or motto that you live by. 

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it"

8) What’s your favorite body part? 

     The back-- both male and female-- The back is the core structure of the body...beautiful!

9) Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?

      I've been caught by the fever....SEAHAWKS FOOTBALL!! Otherwise, I don't watch many sports but I love playing them! Sand volleyball is my favorite!

10) Give us three adjectives that your friends would use to describe you.

            Silly, Intuitive, Reliable

11) If you could go back in time to any year or date, where would you go and why? 

          I would go back to the early 90's and spend more time with my grandmother before she passed. She was an amazing women and I wish every day I could have had more time to get to know her. 

12) Favorite pair of cowboy boots? 

          My first REAL PAIR OF BOOTS I bought when I moved to Seattle! My taupe Corral boots with sparkles!! :)

13) Favorite line dance? 

      I have so many but I can jam all night to the "River Bank Stomp" :)

14) Favorite concert you’ve ever been to! 

       Brooks and Dunn Final Tour-- One of the best concerts ever! When they sang "Believe"-- it almost moved you to tears.

15)  How did you get into line dancing? 

I started dancing at the age of three and have continued dancing throughout my adult life.   I danced competitively in jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and even danced semi-professionally for a sports league for a few years.  It is my true joy in life.  When I moved to Seattle, DeAnna invited me out for a drink since I was the new girl in town.  We got to chatting and she discovered my passion for dance and invited me out to Bourbon Jacks to meet the rest of the line dance team.  We had such a great time that night!  I was then invited to join the team, and the rest is history!  It's been such a blast! 

Meet the Babes; Behind the Scenes Look at Alicia aka. Crazy Black Lady

We've been getting to know the Boot Boogie Babes over the past few months.  Thanks for reading my blog and learning more about our dance team!  

We have some exciting performances coming up in September that we'll be telling you more about soon!  One is at Century Link Field!  

Before we get to that, let's go behind the scenes and get to know our girl Alicia.  

I hope Alicia doesn't mind me saying this, but dayum she makes 50 look gooooooood!   Oh and Alicia can bake her booty off!  If you ever get lucky enough to try to her famous Banana Bread, it will ruin your banana bread experience forever because her's is literally the best you will EVER eat! It's so moist and almost melts in your mouth.  Also I think it has blueberries in it. Trust me...if she offers TAKE IT!  Plus Alicia gave me my first piece of Seahawks gear...a rockin' Seahawks bracelet that I wear every time the Hawks play. Alicia is also very dedicated to our team and has been there since the beginning.  Let's meet Alicia...the gal we lovingly call "Crazy Black Lady"!  

15 Questions with the Boot Boogie Babe:  Alicia 

1) Name 5 things you can’t live without.

Non-Material:
Family
My wedding ring (I know it may seem "material" to most, but to me it is not)

Material:
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Grateful journal
Allergy shots

 2) What’s your favorite song to belt out in the car?

Chaka Kahn - I'm every woman ( original or remix w/ Whitney and TLC)

 3) Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re NOT dancing.

I love creating things.....revamping/repurposing/recycling, making cards, doodling.  Putzing around in my craft room is my favorite way to pass time.

4) Who is your favorite country artist?

Darius Rucker ( even before he transitioned to Country )
Blake Shelton

5)What chore do you absolutely HATE doing?

It's a toss up between cleaning the bathrooms and yardwork.
Bathrooms because NO ONE enjoys it, ever.
Yardwork because I am allergies are, off the charts, ridiculous.  I'm allergic to most of the great out of doors, so I have to wear long pants, long sleeves, plus a face mask and end up sweating to death.  Real glamorous ;-] .

6) What’s your favorite holiday and why?

The New Year - I like to sit back an reflect on accomplishments and/or failures, then look forward towards new challenges and adventures.  It's a great time to clear the slate and hit the ground running. 

7) Give us advice or motto that you live by. 

Motto...hmmmmm, I guess I have a few:

A ) With me, almost everyone starts out in the "middle" as in neither like or dislike.   One does not become a friend or an enemy at the same rate, but once I am your friend, then I am your friend.  Making an enemy of me actually takes longer, because I always try to understand the behavior (mine and/or theirs) that is challenging the potential friendship.  Making an enemy of me is never a good thing ( at least that is what my friend tells me. )  LOL

B ) I was taught to listen to what people say, but watch more closely what they do.  Actions will always tell you someones true intentions.

 and C ) As my Gramms used to say " don't start none, won't be none." <insert best Texas drawl here>

 8) What’s your favorite body part? 

Legs

 9) Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?

Yes, I enjoy sports.  I like Football, Basketball and Hockey, although I am still fuzzy on the rules of hockey.  

Favorite sports to play:  Tennis and Volleyball.

10) Give us three adjectives that your friends would use to describe you.

Steadfast. Loyal.  Twisted ( in a fun way tho)

11) If you could go back in time to any year or date, where would you go and why? 

I don't think I'd go back.  Revisiting the past might cause me to make a different decisions and alter where I am and how I am today. Of course, we all have memories we'd love to recreate, but that is not possible and I'm okay with cherishing the memory.


12) Favorite pair of boots?

Certainly.  I'd say which pair, but I wouldn't want any of the others to get jealous.

13) Favorite line dance? 

Right now, it's RiverBank, right now.  But there is always something new on the horizon.

14) Favorite concert you’ve ever been to! 

DMB - first concert with my guy

Counting Crows @The Gorge- my former roommates cousin was in the band.
AMAZING night, hanging with the band (and their families) afterwards.

15) How did you get into line dancing? 

One of my BFFs, Leslie,  told me to come dancing with her one night, and I loved it.

Meet The Babes, Behind the Scenes Look at Leslie aka. Coach

For the month of August, the Boot Boogie Babes have a chance to take a quick break from performing.   A lot of us will be going on vacation in the next couple of weeks, but we do have fun performances planned for the fall so make sure you are following us on Facebook: 

Boot Boogie Babes Facebook Page


Today we continue with our Meet the Babes series.  I'm proud to introduce you to the Lieutenant of the Boot Boogie Babes, and she is fondly known to us as "Coach".  

Meet Leslie aka. Coach!  

Before we find out more about Leslie, I always like to say a few words about my girls.  First off, Leslie has been such an amazing help to me as the Lt. for our team.  She made sure our first try outs went off without a hitch, and she's always there to help me pick up the slack if my brain is scattered which honestly happens a lot!  But the best thing about Leslie, aside from her amazing dance legs, is her incredible ability to never forget a dance.  She's like the Fort Knox of line dances.  Leslie will lock those steps up like a vault and can retrieve them at any time.  Without her, our team would not be where we are today. 

Now let's find out more about Leslie, aka. Coach! 

15 Questions with the Babes: 

1) Name 5 things you can’t live without.

My phone, my babies, my mom, my cable, and my bad girl

2) What’s your favorite song to belt out in the car?

Spice up your life - Spice Girls or anything from Earth, Wind, and Fire

3) Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re NOT dancing.


Playing and coaching volleyball

4) Who is your favorite country artist?

Luke Bryan

5) What chore do you absolutely HATE doing?

 Cleaning my room

6) What’s your favorite holiday and why?

My birthday... it's not a holiday but it should be! 

7) Give us advice or motto that you live by.

When someone shows you who they are believe them the first time.

8) What’s your favorite body part?

My legs... I have played volleyball for 12+ years, and have worked really hard to keep them fit and strong.

9) Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?

Volleyball and softball... I watch football sometimes, oh and I like basketball too.  I will go to any sporting event! 

10) Give us three adjectives that your friends would use to describe you.

Funny, athletic, and loud! 

11) If you could go back in time to any year or date, where would you go and why?


60's or the 80's... I love a lot of music from those times. 

12) Favorite pair of cowboy boots?

I love all my boots, but my favorites are my Turquoise Lucchesse boots!!   

13) Favorite line dance?

I love them all, but the ones that are the fastest and most challenging are the best! 

14) Favorite concert you’ve ever been to!

Earth, Wind, and Fire at the Hollywood Bowl!  Last September I took my mom for her 50th birthday! 


Share with us how you got into line dancing... 

I have always liked dancing and liked all kinds of music. So when my cousin started to go out line dancing she told me to come out one time and hang out, so I did.  I didn't even own a pair of boots.  I went the first time, and I was hooked!  It looked so much fun!  The next week I got a pair of cheap boots and went back.  DeAnna Lee taught the cha cha that night, and it was the first line dance I ever learned.  Dancing releases so much stress and is such a good workout.  I have made so many friends and have had so many great memories thanks to line dancing.

Meet The Babes- Behind The Scenes Look at Lacey

Our behind the scenes look at the Boot Boogie Babes continues this week.  We are about to get a closer look at Lacey!  But first I want to remind you about our performance THIS Sunday at Seattle Pro-Am Basketball games!  

We were rehearsing a few months ago when the Operations Manager of Seattle Pro-Am saw us and asked if we would consider performing at their games this summer!  The Babes got so excited!  

So THIS Sunday at the 2:30 pm & 4 pm games The Boot Boogie Babes will be the half time entertainment!  It's on $5 per person!  Basketball & Babes at SPU!  

We hope to see you there! 

Now let's meet Lacey aka. Sassafrass! 

I really love choreographing dances and teaching them to Lacey, because she's like a sponge.  She just soaks it all up and always dances with so much passion.  It's dancers like Lacey that inspire me to push myself to create more, because Lacey can dance anything!  I know she has an extensive background in dance and performing, and B3 is so lucky to have her on this team.  

Here we go:

15 Questions with Lacey our lovable Sassafrass: 

1) Name 5 things you can’t live without.

Only 5?  There are so many things that I could choose from but I guess if I have to choose my family/friends, my little dog jewels, phone, nail polish and SHOES!!! I love shoes!!

 2) What’s your favorite song to belt out in the car?

Again another one with so many answers. Right now I am diggin" an older song called "The Kill" by 30 Seconds to Mars and of course "Bad Girl" by Miranda and Carrie!!!

3) Tell us your favorite thing to do when you’re NOT dancing.

Shopping!! lol For real I love spending time with my family and friends.

4) Who is your favorite country artist?

Love me some Sugarland and Love and Theft. All time favorite has to be Garth Brooks.

5)What chore do you absolutely HATE doing?

I really don't like doing the dishes, but the worst is cleaning the bathroom!!

6) What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Any holiday I get to spend time with my family! My favorite is Christmas. I love seeing people's faces when they open gifts from me it gives me such a thrill to see the excitement and joy on there faces!

7) Give us advice or motto that you live by. 

My all time favorite mottos come from the late and great Maya Angelou quotes and here are some of my favs!!

" If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude"!

" I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel".

 8) What’s your favorite body part?

I love my eyes which by the way change colors!! (just a fun fact about me) But on a guy it has to be a pair of nice looking, strong arms! ;-)

 9) Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?

I will go to any sporting event, and I love football!  I will watch it anytime any where!! Go HAWKS!!

10) Give us three adjectives that your friends would use to describe you.

I guess they would say DETERMANED/STUBBURN which could be two but I say they go together. I like being right and wont stop till I get what I want. Once I set my mind on something I won't stop till I get it! Probably LOYAL because I will always have their backs. They would say I am loud or have a big mouth. If you knew my family would understand I pretty sure its hereditary! hahaha 

 11) If you could go back in time to any year or date, where would you go and why?

If I had to choose specific years it would be the 1900s! Which is the time period that some of my favorite musicals are based. ( Meet Me in St. Louis and Oklahoma)!  I like different things than most people my age. I spent a lot of time with my great grandma and she got me in to musicals. I love during that time period that everyone was so put together and well mannered. The men would always be in suits and women were in long hand made dresses. Everything during this time was just beautiful.

12) Favorite pair of cowboy boots?

Any boots are my favorite cause like I said before I LOVE shoes!! Corrals are my most favorite brand! 

13) Favorite line dance? 

I am like a dance called force right now and really all of the Boot Boogie Babes dances! I try to get out on the dance floor whenever there is a dance I know. 

14) Favorite concert you’ve ever been to! 

N'sync, Carrie Underwood (with my bestie Be'Tina), Usher (with Jamie and Be'Tina), and Taylor swift puts on an awesome concert. Best concert I have been to has to be Backstreet Boys and best memory from that concert was that Be'Tina and I decorated my moms car with shoe polish and when I say decorate I mean the WHOLE car!! bumper to bumper hehehe 

 15) You have the tattoo “Let Us Dance” on your shoulder. What does that mean to you? 

FOR THOSE WITHOUT THE TATTOO…

This tattoo connects three best friends and the thing they love to do! But to me its more than that.  It means to never stop something that you love regardless of what others say. I know there are always gonna be haters out there, but every time I look at this tattoo it reminds me to never stop not for anyone!! And the girls that have the same tattoo are more then just friends or even best friends, they are part on my family. We may have our ups and downs which all friends and family do, but looking in the mirror and seeing this tattoo tells me we will always make it back to each other! I love them more then I can put in to words!

Why do you dance?

I dance because it make me happy, and its a great way to work out with out actually working out!! lol I have always been a dancer from a very young age. Thanks to my mom who put me in every kind of dance class she could. I love her for this because dancing will always be apart of me and that's because of her. I love you MOM!! I have done so many types of dance from ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, irish step, ballroom and even cheer ( for my high school and with a group called Jr. Sea gals) and quite a few more. What can I say I love it!!! <3

Share with us how you got into line dancing...

I started line dancing about 2 1/2 years now and it is all thanks to a coworker I used to work with her name was Amber! ( I will always be thankful to her for taking me to Jacks) After that first day I was hooked and never turned back. Went out and got my self some boots and have been stomping them ever since. Friday nights became Bourbon Jacks night! And I have brought people with me on this country journey. Practicing at work, home and even in the car!  lol Ok maybe not quite in the car, but I would visualize that dance and the steps over and over again in my head. Even to this day I dance at work!  My co workers and boss look at me like I'm a crazy person, but you cant stop something you love, sometimes I don't even realize that I'm dancing at work. 

I have to give a big shout out Miss DeAnna Lee for all her lessons on Friday nights. Without her awesome choreography that has kept me going and wanting more I don't know where I would be. I love line dance and country music.. B3 for life!! Cant wait to see what is in store for our team, the sky the limit all we can go is up....