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 that we can't reminisce. We asked some of the Arthur Murray elite what they thought about Steve & Georgetta Platt's wonder event, the Unique Dance-O-Rama®. Here's what they had to say.

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 & 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, and 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 2015.

Steve-and-Georgetta-Platt-Arthur-Murray

AML: Who are some unsung heroes that help make Unique DOR what it is?

tara-christensen-arthur-murray 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 table cloths, 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 lightening turn!

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.

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!

AML: What was one of your favorite moments of the event this year?

Katrina-Morales-honored 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.

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AML: What can we look forward to for Unique 2016?

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 in 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, then that is 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.

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.