March 2003 Newsletter

From the President's Desk

	February was a busy month for GCC USABDA. We only had one dance per our agreement with the Barn, but it was well attended. We also had several special events worthy of note.
	On Feb. 12, twenty-one members of our chapter were invited and attended a South Carolina ETV event at the SC ETV Main studio. The occasion was the taping of the Andrew Thielen Big Band Revue held on the Andrew Murray Sound Stage. A crowd of over seventy-five people was on hand to enjoy the playing and the singing of the Andrew Thielen Big Band. Not only was the audience treated with the wonderful music, they were also invited to dance during the performance on at least four of the numbers. GCC USABDA really strutted our stuff whenever the producer held up the sign that said, “DANCE”. The show will be aired n ETV on Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at 8:00. Please tune in to the show and tape it if you can so we can put it into our tape library.
	Two GCC USABDA couples completed in the USABDA Derby City Regional Dancesport Competition in Louisville KY on February 21-22. Tim and Linda Jowers danced out of their minds – they won the Bronze $200 Latin scholarship dance featuring cha cha, rumba, samba and jive! They also placed second in the open Paso Doble event! Our congratulations to them for their great dancing achievements. We have to get them to perform for us; you will really be impressed! Also, Grace and I competed. Although the weather was absolutely dismal, we only went out of the hotel once and stayed on the dance floor as much as possible (as usual). Our best result was placing second in the Pre-Championship Senior 1 Smooth event, featuring waltz, tango, foxtrot and Viennese waltz. It was a great competition for GCC USABDA competitors. We are looking forward to the next amateur competition to be held in Indianapolis on April 11-12, 2003. The more, the merrier!
	We unveiled our new tables at our February dance. We hope you like the addition to the dance venue. Remember that those tables don’t get set up by themselves. We need your help in setting up and tearing down after the dances. We appreciate your help!
	Here is the special event to mark on you calendars. The Ballroom Dance Center in Evans, GA, is hosting the former US Smooth Champion David Hamilton from March 19-23. In addition to individual coaching, he is also teaching four workshops at a cost of $20 each. Waltz and foxtrot on Friday, March 21, and Viennese Waltz and Tango on Saturday, March 22. Call the BDC at 706-854-8888 to schedule coaching or to find out more information regarding the workshops. I am sorry we are going to be out of town because I know the opportunity to take lessons from a former US Champion is not to be missed and will be a wonderful experience!

For Your Information

	Correction: Tri-City Leisure Dance Class: The new, six week beginner dance class starts on Thursday, March 6th instead of February 27th as previously reported. It will meet from 7:15 to 8:30 at the Tri-City Leisure Center. The class will feature three weeks of foxtrot and three weeks of swing. Instructor will be Pamela Melton. For further information, call 939-9309.
	National Dues: Remember that National dues are due April 1st. They can be paid at the USABDA dances or mailed directly to our treasurer, Jerry Camillo, at 155 Doverside Drive, Columbia 29212. Remember, annual dues for Social and Ballroom Dancer categories have been increased by $5.00. Effective April 1, 2003, they are $25.00 for Social Dancers and $35.00 for Ballroom Dancers. Part of this money is returned to our local association and the rebate helps to defray part of the cost of our parties.
	Membership Directory: In response to demand, a membership directory is being prepared and will be distributed to the membership at large. The directory will include the name, address, city, zip code, e-mail address and telephone numbers of each USABDA member. If, for any reason, you do not want to be listed, or if there is any particular item you do not want listed, call Grace Keller, or e-mail her. E-mail would be preferable.
	Dance Tape Library: Your local chapter has a library of 55 dance tapes that are available to anyone who is a member. A maximum of two tapes can be “rented” for a period of up to four weeks for a deposit of just $5.00, cash or check. This deposit is refunded upon the return of the tapes.
	Dance Tapes: To date, four of the missing tapes have been returned. Yea!!! Thank you!!! That leaves 16 floating around out there. So, take a quick look around the house, just in case … and remember, if you happen to find one or two, you have some money coming back.
	The Swap Shop: Nothing on the shelf, yet. If you have any dance gear, new or used, that you would like to sell or trade, email a short description, your member number, and a contact number.
	Dance Etiquette Tips of the Month: Never leave your partner stranded on the dance floor. This works both ways, ladies. Regardless of sex, whichever one asks the other to dance is the person responsible for escorting the partner back to where he/she is sitting. And, don’t forget to say “thank you”, “I enjoyed that”, or some similar pleasantry. Remember, it’s OK for a woman to ask a man to dance. Correcting your partner on the dance floor is a no-no unless they ask you for help or are hurting you.
	Help!! Help!! If you are willing to serve on a committee or to help out with setting up or tearing down please contact any Board member. The dances don’t run by themselves, and we really do need help to make the dances a success. We have two committees that have openings, and we need some volunteers. We need help with greeting, in the kitchen, and hospitality.

Shall We Dance?

8th and 22nd: The Barn, 680 Cherokee Lane, Columbia; Members $4; Guests $7; 7:30 to 11:00; Juniors and Students, no charge on 3-22.

8th, 22nd and 29th: Starlight Ballroom.

13th: Capital Ballroom, 2732 Devine St., Suite D; no charge.

13th: Columbia’s Ballroom, 35 Diamond Lane, Columbia; students, no charge; Guests $5.

14th: Palmetto Ballroom D.C, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 232 S. Dargan St., Florence; Members $7; Guests $12.

Every Friday/Saturday: Ballroom Dance Club, 1632 Ashley Hall Rd., Charleston; 7:30 to 11:00.

Fridays: 7:30 to 11:00, Capitol Senior Center; Live music; Members no charge; Guests $5.

Please take a moment to mourn the passing of your Editor’s computer. It died while valiantly attempting to complete the publication of this newsletter. More news on this later.

Doris Wood, Editor

 Be sure to watch “In the Mood with the Anderson Thielen Big Band” show on ETV, March 4th at 8:00 p.m. Twenty-one USABDA members attended the taping at ETV studios here in Columbia and did some “night club” type dancing. It will also be televised nationwide at a later date.