There are certain songs out there where it only takes the first few notes to get a crowd excited.
During the Jack & Jill O’Rama competition, a pair of dancers were given one of those rockin’ tunes that everyone knows and loves.
While it seemed evident from the beginning that it would be a fun dance to watch – in the end, the swing partners’ performance did more than just entertain the audience. It’s one that helped earn them a pretty impressive title in fact!
Robert Royston and Brandi Guild are both talented dancers in the world of West Coast Swing. The two were paired up together in the annual competition, unaware of what was to come.
According to the DanceTime website, Jack and Jill competitions involve partners being selected at random, along with the music too. Overall then, the contestants must be spontaneous working together (relying on skill) as there aren’t choreographed routines.
After Robert and Brandi dance to a slower, bluesy song – they stand and wait for their next tune. Once the first few piano notes play, it’s obvious the room’s about to get rocking!
The song in the video is “Old Time Rock and Roll,” a 1970s hit from Bob Seger.
Similar to everyone else, the couple immediately has to think on their toes and hop into action. Robert slides across the floor and grabs his invisible microphone (can we say, Tom Cruise in Risky Business?).
It’s an energetic West Coast Swing dance from two people with incredible skills.
Working as a duo, Robert spins his partner and they shake their hips – all while appearing to be light on their feet. At times they mirror each other’s moves, like when they pull out their disco fingers. Even audience members can’t help following along!
At one point, Brandi is amazingly twirled by her partner over and over again. She spins flawlessly and gets right back into dancing without a pause.
The crowd seems to enjoy Robert and Brandi’s dance from beginning to end. You can see their fellow competitors tapping along to the song too.
When Seger belts out the lyrics, “Won’t go to hear ’em play a Tango” – the couple gets creative and jumps into their own Tango move that has spectators going wild.
According to the Jack & Jill O’Rama’s Facebook page, they’re a “West Coast Swing event like no other…”
They go on to explain:
“Dancers of all levels and ages get the chance to dance not just in their own divisions but with each other as well!!! With more chances to dance than any other event every competitor can enter at least 6 divisions if they want!”
While the event was likely full of awesome dancers – as we know, judges do have to select winners…
Both Robert Royston and Brandi Guild have racked up titles over the years for their dancing skills. At the end of the competition, they had another amazing prize to take home…they were named first-place champs in the category of Strictly Swing!
One viewer wrote:
“My two favorite westies – WCS wouldn’t be what it is without the two of you. Wonderful to watch, as always! <3”
It’s an energetic dance that’s sure to put a kick in your step, and perhaps the song will have you grooving along too. You can watch it for yourself below!
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