Kathryn’s Hometown Party

So last night I decided to go out to a local resturant to watch the finale of SYTYCD. Like Kathryn, I am from Augusta, Georgia. I grew up dancing at Augusta West Dance Studio, which is where Kathryn grew up at too. Unfortunately, I had graduated from high school (also the same school as Kathryn) by the time Kathryn had gotten up to the performing companies. I have watched her dance over the years when I would come back to visit.

So I arrived around seven thirty and the place was already packed, I kind of felt bad for those people who were there just to eat dinner and there were hardly any tables available. I don’t think they knew what was going on. So I decided to sit/stand in the bar area, I knew I would be catching up with a few people. So I spent the time before the show started doing just that, all of my former dance teachers, my extended dance family, and the next generation of dancers that would want to follow in Kathryn’s footsteps. Some of Kathryn’s family was present at the party, I didn’t get to talk to any of them but I did over hear a conversation someone had with her younger brother Logan. Safe to say he is more excited that his sister is coming home, more so than the fact she was on tv.

Then the show starts, and so does the screaming. Just so you guys know us Westies(nickname of our studio) we are a loud bunch. The mood was still rather calm at this point, just excitement of watching the show. It is safe to say that I was caught up in the excitement, so I grabbed a drink and began to enjoy the show. Everytime Kathryn stepped on that stage or just appeared on screen the crowd went crazy. The moment that she and Jakob took the stage for their encore, everyone raced to their seat to watch.

Now to talk about the reactions to the eliminations. Ryan was the first to go and it was rather quiet in the crowd. Ashleigh followed her husband, which I saw that one coming, okay that one got the scream. The same happened with Ellenore. I’ll admit that it was kind of weird to hear the uproar of happiness for Kathryn. So it was down to the final three and I started to get nervous for the first time in the night. There was a collective groan when Cat anounced that Kathryn came in third place. I love Kathryn warning people that her voice was going to be high, which made the crowd laugh. I did love when they cut to Legacy in the audience looking very proud of his original partner. Most every one stuck around to see who would be the winner, judging by the reaction I want to say Jakob was their second pick to win. Though I think most people didn’t care anymore who won. They still threw confetti when Russell won.

It was a good night for so many reasons. I enjoyed catching up with those I danced with and those who taught me. In fact I am planning on taking the Adult tap class, looking forward to that, I haven’t taken a tap class in forever. I am a bit disappointed that Kathryn didn’t win but she was the top girl, and it was well deserved. Everyone in Augusta is so pround of her, I’ll try and post a video of an interview with one of her instructors, Merry, that they filmed at the party. Also on a personal note I would like to say thank you to those readers here that supported Kathryn, I know she will have a career in front of her. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to see her when she is home for Christmas, but if not there is the tour. I know that haven’t said anything yet but I’m sure they are just working out all the details first.

Here is the local news video recaping the night. I’m even in the video, wearing a purple and grey striped sweater. So enjoy!