Dance Sensation Gives Tri-City Diva A Surprise By Dori O'Neal, Herald staff writer Tri-City dance diva Pat Horne isn't usually at a loss for words. But Saturday night she got a surprise that left her a bit overwhelmed, not to mention speechless. Dance sensation Benji Schwimmer showed up to perform a special dance for the woman he remembers fondly as a child. "Pat and Bob Horne were the first dance people I remember meeting," Schwimmer said. "I came to many of their (exhibitions) with my parents when I was just a little kid. I have wonderful memories of them. I haven't seen Pat for a few years so I wanted to dance a number that would honor her and Bob. Sort of a big thank you for being so good to me as a kid." The event happened at Horne's annual Holiday 2 Dance Exhibition at the Pasco Red Lion. The packed ballroom erupted in cheers when Benji raced out onto the dance floor to perform a poignant modern dance to Peter Gabriel's Book of Love. The number included a man's hat and a chair as props, which was something Bob Horne always did at past Holiday 2 Dance events. Schwimmer gained worldwide fame in 2006 when he was crowned "America's Favorite Dancer" and overall champ during the second season of the So You Think You Can Dance TV show. That win earned him a new car, $100,000 and a one-year contract to perform in Celine Dion's Las Vegas show. The young champ, however, turned down the Dion gig because his focus was more on touring and television. His whirlwind life since earning that title has included touring the globe to sold out audiences and became the first alumnus of So You Think You Can Dance to choreograph a dance number for the show.
"Benji came (to the Red Lion) tonight on his own dime," said Buddy Schwimmer, Benji's dad. "He flew up here from Utah today just for Pat. She and Bob have been dear friends for many years. Bob Horne died in June from complications from pneumonia. Buddy Schwimmer and Ron Montez (known as the King of Latin) were the guest instructors for Horne's exhibition. "I remember when that kid was born," Horne said with a laugh after the show. "I had asked Buddy if he could get Benji to come up for this event but he said he was just too busy. "I figured it was probably for the best because I couldn't afford him," she added with a laugh.
Schwimmer is a chip off the old block when it comes to dancing. His dad is known worldwide as the "King of Swing." His mother Laurie Kaufmann also is a swing dance champion, as well as his sister Lacey Schwimmer. "This visit has been a tribute to both Pat and Bob," Buddy Schwimmer said. "These two have been a beacon in the dance community for decades. They have brought more people to dance than anyone in the Northwest." The 80-year-old Horne says her passion for dance came from her husband. During their nearly 62-year marriage, and the birth of 11 children, they rarely missed at least one, sometimes two, nights out a week for dancing. "I love the people, the dance, the excitement of moving on a dance floor," she said. "I plan to keep it going for as long as I can, despite my age." The packed house at the Red Lion ballroom was a testament to the Hornes 30-plus years as dance instructors because there wasn't a bad dancer on the floor. (Reprinted courtesy of the Tri-City Herald, 2008) |
