Karen Corr and Julie Kelly Workshop Review

[NewGuy]

I attended the Karen Corr and Julie Kelly workshop that Fran Crimi held at Corner Billiards in NYC this past Sunday. One word... excellent! There were only ten people in the workshop so I had a lot of time to talk to both ladies. I had more of an opportunity to work with Julie than Karen, since someone (I won't mention names) kept hogging Karen's time . As JAM mentioned in an earlier post, both ladies "are wonderful players as well as good people". It was definitely a pleasure to talk to both of them.

The workshop started with everyone introducing themselves and stating what aspect of their game they wanted to improve (my answer... everything). We then broke up into groups of two and shot some balls while Karen, Julie, and Fran went around taking notes. We then got back together in a group where Karen and Julie discussed the basics of a proper stance and bridge. Then, back to the tables where the ladies came around to give pointers and to discuss the notes they had on us. This cycle of learning something new as a group, then practicing it on the tables while the ladies gave us pointers continued throughout the rest of the workshop.

Overall, most of the material covered was not new to me because of my previous lessons with Fran. However, the workshop did help to refine the knowledge of mechanics that I already had. One of the highlights of the day was when Karen and Julie faced off in a game of 9-ball. Before each shot they discussed in detail what they were attempting and the strategy behind it. Just watching that game taught me a lot. There was also a short trick shot exhibition given by Paul Danno. Very interesting and amusing. It was a lot of fun to see the shots he pulled off, especially since workshop time was winding down and he was rushed. I definitely had a lot of fun and the price of admission was well worth it.

The workshop finished with everyone getting a picture taken with the ladies (see attached image... I'm the one in the middle ). With the success of this workshop, Fran discussed running more of them in the future. I would highly recommend it to anyone given the opportunity.

 

[SPetty]

Great picture, Mike!

I have to agree with you. I attended this shindig as well, and thought it was top notch.

Things might not have gone as smoothly as Fran would have hoped, and we definitely didn't have enough time for everything, but what a blast! It was a real good first attempt, and I really hope they do more of these workshops.

The workshop wasn't so much of "Here's what you should do" as it was "Here's the way we do it". They showed us how they make an open bridge, how they do the snooker stance, what their stroke is all about, what they keep in their cue case - stuff like that. I was fortunate to hear straight from Karen that I had a good stroke. Fran said nice things about it too.

My favorite part of the workshop was when Karen and Julie played a game against each other, but put their thoughts out there for all of us to hear.

You missed the best part, though. About half the class got together in a local pub after the workshop, where Karen bought the first round of drinks. They had a little time to kill before having to get Julie on the plane to Ireland!

It was an excellent opportunity, and I hope they do it more in the future so that others will have a chance to experience it. Of course, you're local, so you might be able to attend it again! I came from TX, so it's not something I could do every day!

 

[NewGuy]

You missed the best part, though. About half the class got together in a local pub after the workshop, where Karen bought the first round of drinks. They had a little time to kill before having to get Julie on the plane to Ireland!

Yeah... I wish I could have gone! Unfortunately, my APA Sunday team had a match at 4. I should have skipped it though since I didn't play . Hindsight's 20/20 .

 

[NewGuy]

I came from TX, so it's not something I could do every day!

Wow... you came from Texas? Did you come down just for the workshop or for something else?

 

[SPetty]

I came in just for the workshop. That's why my cue case had only a single cue and a piece of chalk!

I got there Saturday afternoon and left first thing Monday morning. Fran was nice enough to let me stay at her house, and she was a great host! I now wish I had scheduled a few days longer for some sightseeing. It was my first time anywhere near NYC, and I didn't get to see enough of it!

It's interesting - it was a lot like I expected and not a lot like I expected all at the same time!

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

It was my first time anywhere near NYC, and I didn't get to see enough of it!

It's interesting - it was a lot like I expected and not a lot like I expected all at the same time!

Out of curiosity, what did you expect/not expect? I live in New York and it's always fascinating hearing how first-time visitors describe it.

 

[SPetty]

Out of curiosity, what did you expect/not expect?

As a preface, I live outside of Dallas, so big cities aren't foreign to me.

I guess the short version is that it was like I expected - a huge downtown-like area with lots of big buildings, lots of traffic and lots of people. I was warned, though, that there were much fewer vehicles and people out than "normal" because it was Sunday when I was there.

Not like I expected in that the people seemed friendly - not surly. The drivers seemed tolerant and cooperative - not rude and pushy. And the city and waterways seemed cleaner than I expected.

I did notice that the lines on the streets that separate the lanes were really just a suggestion of where you should be. And there was one hunk of six lane street with no lines at all!!! Also, the streets were narrower with the buildings closer to the streets than I had imagined.

And I actually saw a guy with a long loaf of bread sticking out of the top of a paper bag!