Classic Division Champions
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake

Houdini Dancing!

Kyle and Sarah's performance in the Classic Division of the 2002 US OPEN was as "magical" as it was artistic. Dancing to an intriguing version of "Johnny B. Goode", Kyle led his very nimble partner into a series of intricate, slippery moves that captivated the spectators in the Pacific Ballroom from start to finish.

For three tension-filled minutes on the hallowed floor of the US OPEN, Kyle calmly directed Sarah up and down the slot with the deftness of a magician entertaining a television audience. The similarities did not end there.

Kyle and Sarah's routine featured plenty of mis-direction, sleight-of-hand and clever illusions - so slick and so fast that if you blinked an eye you might miss one. Just when you thought Sarah would be going to his left, Kyle would snap her back on a quick beat and place her on his right. Just when you'd expect a predictable pattern, he'd spin her under his arm in a twisting move resembling a double-helix. Just when she'd be accelerating down the slot, he'd stop her on a dime as the music sounded a break. The audience never quite knew what to expect each time the music changed rhythm. It was terrific.

However, despite all the creative patterns, adept musical interpretation and surgical-style moves, the "signature moment" came midway through their routine when Kyle suddenly led Sarah into an outside turn, dropped his hand as she kept spinning, caught her at the base of her neck as she fell backward to the floor, and then smoothly guided her forward as she tip-toed like a Limbo dancer through his legs. It happened soooo fast. She seemed to come out of nowhere!

Upon finishing this complex move of gymnastic "sneakery", the crowd roared with lengthy applause. Sarah, though, just grinned as if to say, "Aw - piece of cake!" Well, it was anything but that. Even Harry Houdini would have been impressed.

The choreography throughout Kyle and Sarah's routine rode the lively wave of the music, matching it note-for-note. Every rhythm, every beat, every twang of the guitar was interpreted superbly. And Sarah's feet hit each those beats like a concert pianist plinking the keys of his instrument. Her timing was precise, her footwork fantastic.

The rest of the performance was filled with lots of stylish moves - leg kicks, attractive armlines, several sudden breaks, a little scattin', and plenty of inside and outside turns. But it was Kyle's smooth, skillful leads and Sarah's cat-like movements that won them the favor of the audience and judges. The quality of their dancing was simply impeccable.

When it was all over, the entire audience rose to their feet and let out an enormous ovation while Sara smiled broadly and Kyle exuberantly pumped his arm in the air. It was a special moment.

"Johnny B" was not the only performer who was "Goode" that night. On Saturday, November 30th, 2002, Kyle and Sarah rocked the Pacific Ballroom and won the Classic Division Championship - adding yet another prestigious award to their illustrious Swing resume. They also set a new US OPEN standard:

On that day, Kyle Redd and Sarah Vann Drake became the FIRST couple to win US OPEN titles in both, the Classic and Showcase Divisions, in the 20 year history of the US OPEN Swing Dance Championships.

The US OPEN stage is yours, guys - take a bow! You've certainly EARNED it.