What Makes Unique Dance-O-Rama So Special?
One of the largest events on the Arthur Murray calendar may have come to a close, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reminisce. We asked some of the Arthur Murray elite what they thought about Steve and Georgetta Platt’s wonder event, the Unique Dance-O-Rama. Here’s what they had to say. Learn more about Arthur Murray Live At Hularama: Day 1
Love and Hard Work = An Arthur Murray Community
In dancing, there’s an expression: “It takes a lot of hard work to make it look easy.” Well, for Steve and Georgetta, they could have invented the slogan.
Every little detail – from the decor to the tablecloths, the shows and the service – all were backed by a team of hardworking staff, trained from the top. Now that the 40-foot Hollywood sign has been taken down (not sure where, really), and the Hotel Irvine can go back to being a normal lifestyle hotel, we caught a moment of Steve Platt’s time to get his thoughts on Unique.
Behind the Scenes: The Unsung Heroes
AML: Who are some unsung heroes that help make Unique DOR what it is?
SP: Tom Murdock, who spends 3 days crunching the time schedule down to what is probably the most efficient comp in the world. And it’s all because of Tom’s planning.
The fact that Unique is in a market area where over 20 studios can drive there in just an hour or two creates huge dynamics for extra dinners, additional room nights, complicated packages, etc.
Tara Christensen always gets those details right! It’s unbelievable how capable she is!
Turning a ballroom with 500+ chair covers, all the new tablecloths, staging, lighting, curtains, props, floor removal, expanded head table, gifts at the table, and clean up in just 1 hour takes a big group of hard-working staff from both Arthur Murray and the Hotel Irvine. It’s poetry watching how fast it happens. I take my hat off to the staff that makes that lightning turn!
The Creativity That Never Stops
AML: Are you shocked anymore by the crazy routines from the Matinee show?
SP: The creativity of the staff and students never ceases to amaze me! Just when you think you’ve seen it all, out pops a completely different take on a song! That’s a big reason why the comp is named “Unique” DOR.
Have you ever watched a routine at a Dance-O-Rama and thought – how did they even come up with that? In fact, the Matinee show has become one of those events where teachers push the boundaries of what’s possible. The audience expects something different. And the performers deliver.
AML: Are all of Georgetta’s decorations held in a vault and guarded by the feds? (She comes up with some unbelievable stuff)
SP: No, there is no warehouse big enough! Georgetta has a host of vendors that she has made best friends with who go the extra mile whenever she calls – no matter how far out her idea is, no matter how labor intensive. It’s all about the finished product for the enjoyment of those participating. She actually loves doing that kind of creative stuff. Thank goodness for those of us who have the decorating prowess of a stump!
The Moments That Matter
AML: What was one of your favorite moments of the event this year?
SP: My favorite moment was the tribute to Katrina Morales. We all love her so much. It was like she was there sharing the weekend with us. And the way all the competitors supported her made my heart swell with pride at being part of what Arthur Murray is all about.
AML: It was a beautiful tribute to Katrina – how did that come about?
SP: It was Georgetta’s idea from start to finish. That girl is so creative! But we both wanted to do something to pay homage to Katrina, who is the perfect example of a true Arthur Murray Professional. The staff were so ready to help with the presentation, even quickly learning their part just before they walked on the floor. For me personally, I was deeply touched by all the love in the room.
Why Events Like This Transform Your Dancing
Here’s something that doesn’t always make the highlight reel – the transformation that happens to students who attend events like the Unique Dance-O-Rama. You might think of it as just a competition. But it’s so much more than that.
When you watch professionals perform at the highest level, something shifts inside you. Your standards change. What seemed impossible last month suddenly looks achievable. Why? Because you’ve seen it done. You’ve been in the room where it happened.
And that energy is contagious.
The students who attend multiple Dance-O-Ramas throughout the year tend to progress faster. In fact, there’s a direct correlation between event attendance and dance improvement. Not because of the competition itself – but because of what you absorb just by being there.
The atmosphere. The music. The camaraderie. It all adds up to something that practice parties alone can’t replicate.
Looking Ahead
AML: What can we look forward to for next year?
SP: The Show will be “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock and Roll” and Friday night the theme will be “It’s a Small World.” The Friday night show will focus on dancing from different countries – a tie-in with “a little bit country” – that one might see in the ride at Disneyland.
Final Thoughts
Once again, the Unique Dance-O-Rama lived up to its high expectations. Each Arthur Murray Dance Studio is its own individual event planning company. When professional event planners can be dazzled, that’s saying a lot. Hats off to Steve, Georgetta, and their incredible team of event planners – who also happen to be great Arthur Murray professionals as well.
So if you haven’t experienced a Dance-O-Rama yet, what’s holding you back? The community is waiting. The transformation is real. And the memories – well, those last a lifetime.
Safe to say, events like this are what make the Arthur Murray experience unlike anything else in the dance world.
Special thanks to all the Arthur Murray franchisees and Arthur Murray consultants that contributed to this article: Juan De Dios Garcia, Russ Clark, Gabriella Young, Steve Platt, Jessica Holty, and Tavio Morales.
Related Reading: Arthur Murray Dance Events: Everything You Need to Know
