GCC USADance: June 2003 Newsletter

June 2003 Newsletter

JUNE

BIG BAND MONTH

Where: THE BARN

When: JUNE 14th and JUNE 28th

Time: 7:30 to 11:00

Lesson is Swing and starts at 7:45
Lesson instructor: Sheila Brown

Come on out and join the fun....

Good music! Good food!! Good company!!! Door prizes!!!!

On the 28th, pull out your 40's DUDS and strut your stuff

Prize for Best Costume

Hi Everyone,

Hope your May was filled with lots of dancing and other fun things. The weather has finally turned to spring and is heading into summer. It feels good to be able to leave home without an umbrella! If you have e-mail, or access to e-mail, please think about having the Newsletter e-mailed to you. It saves the organization money that could better be spent for other things, like parties. So think about it and contact me.

	Publicity Chair: Deborah Thomas has volunteered to be Publicity chairperson for the chapter. It is a big job and we welcome her to the Board. We are looking forward to the expanded publicity the chapter will have with the expertise she brings to the job. Thanks, Deb, for taking it on.
	Elections: Start thinking about someone you would like to see run for the offices of both President and Treasurer of our local chapter. Both Michael Verdone and Jerry Camillo have served two consecutive terms and cannot run again for these offices. Elections are held in September and we will need to have nominations no later than August. Take an active part as a member of GCC USABDA by participating in the election process. Remember, it is your organization and YOU may be the best person for the job. More about this in the next Newsletter. Read the enclosed insert to find out more.
	Workshop: Sheila Brown of Columbia’s Ballroom will be conducting a SALSA workshop at The Barn on June 21, 2003 from 12:00 to 3:30 with registration beginning at 11:45. The first hour will be the basics, with each succeeding hour becoming a little more advanced, depending upon the level of the students attending. There will be something for everyone. Short breaks will be taken after each hour of instruction. If you have never taken a lesson with Sheila, you’re in for a treat.
	Be An Angel: Be the first to use the new Be An Angel! sign-up sheet to volunteer to help with setting up, cleaning up, hosting a dance, doing the music, putting out food, greeting people when they arrive, or any number of other small jobs that have to be done each dance. Most take only five to fifteen minutes. The sign-up sheet will be at the table each dance, so look it over to see what you can do to help. Can’t do anything this month or next? No problem! You get to say when you can. Just pick your date, and we will plan on you for that time. We need people every month. Don’t know how to do the music? Mike Verdone will be more than happy to teach you about the music system. Wondering what “hosting” involves? We will be happy to guide you through the process. Volunteer to help out for just one dance. It’s fun!!! You get to know a lot of the other members and, for me, that’s the big plus.
	Recent Volunteers: The Board wants to thank the people who have come forth so willingly to help out so far this year: Barbara and Kunihara Kubodoro, Emma Sharpe, Naomi Mart, Jane Fisk, Al Jayne, Grace Keller, Warren Wintrode, Wolfgang Elfe, Pamela Marshall, Stephanie Muga and all the other wonderful people whose names I do not remember, at this time, who just walked in, saw things that needed to be done, and did them. They say it takes a village to raise a child...well, it takes the whole dance club to have great dances. Thanks again to all of you.
	Salsa Lessons: A big hand to Pam Melton who made sure that we learned Salsa, in spite of ourselves. Some of us made a few left turns instead of right ones (or were they right turns instead of left ones?) and some of us stepped on a few toes (“oops!! I’m sorry”), but Pam persisted! We learned a lot and had a good time doing it. Thanks, Pam, for such a great job.
	A Different Kind of Salsa: In keeping with the dance theme and lessons of the month, Darren Keala graciously donated wonderful salsa and chips for the first dance in May. You can sample more great Mexican food at his place of business, El Chico's restaurant on Bush River Rd. Thanks, Darren.
	Speaking of Food: Do you have a favorite snack or dessert? Bring it with you to one of the dances and see how many compliments you get; this means you men, too!!! I happen to know that some of you are fabulous cooks. Who knows? We might end up with a cookbook full of recipes. Just kidding about the cookbook!!! Please forget I ever mentioned it. Also, if you're like me, and don't like to cook, bring a bottle or soft drinks or a special punch you like. We really need some new ideas.
	May Guests: Welcome to our guests at the dances during May: T.Boyd Newman, Roberta Jefferies, Kim Strange, and Alan Anderson, all of Sumter, and Debbie Small, Mason and Leanna Plumb, and Uriah Heben, all from the Columbia area. Thanks for coming; we enjoyed your visit and hope to see you again, soon.
	FYI: Did you know that your local chapter pays $125 each year to ASCAP and BMI in order to play music at our dances?
	Don't Let This Happen To You: We have several members who are about to be taken off the membership list because their dues are delinquent and several more who are behind on their dues. Check your dues status at the sign-in table at any of the dances or call Tom Savage at 803-796-8488.
	Ready For More? Are you interested in more intensive dance training/amateur competition/pro-am competition? There are two professional dance studios in town...Capital Ballroom and Columbia's Ballroom. Check them out. Each offers a wide range of dance opportunities, both private and class. See Paul Lagatore at Columbia's Ballroom or Robert Seay at Capital Ballroom.
	Dress Alert: We have been notified by the management of The Barn that, starting immediately, the air conditioning will be kept at 68 degrees (we no longer can regulate it ourselves), and that the doors to the ballroom and the kitchen must be kept closed at all times. It is strongly recommended that you dress accordingly; you may get chilly when not dancing, especially you ladies.
	Etiquette Tip: "Line of dance" refers to moving around the outer area of the dance floor in a counterclockwise direction. Following the line of dance when doing smooth dances helps to keep the dance flowing and minimizes the chance of having a collision with another couple. Rhythm dances are usually confined to a small area of the floor, so line of dance does not usually apply.
	Special Events: Do you have something you would like to put in the Newsletter? Are you celebrating something special? Is your birthday coming up? We cannot put it in, if we do not know about it. So send it to me via e-mail, preferably, or regular mail.
	Newsletter Publication Date: Would you like to receive the Newsletter by the first of each month for planning purposes? I am presently thinking of changing the publication date so that you receive them by the first of each month. Let me know which is better for you.
	News from National USABDA: Last chance to take that fabulous dance trip to Russia in November. Reservations must be made at once as they are about to close. And keep in mind the sanctioned dance cruise in October. No deadline on this one, yet. Both should be great! The new Region 6 Social Dance Regional Representative is Sally Kimberly.
	Value of USABDA Membership: More opportunity to learn new dances Dancing for all generations Increased physical and mental health A chance to meet new people and make new friends Lots of social dances Opportunity to do exhibitions at the dances, etc. *So.…., why Dance??? Because….., it’s Fun and Good for you!!!*

Shall We Dance?

	June 11^th	Columbia’s Ballroom 35 Diamond Lane, Columbia Students: Free Non Students $5. 7:30 - 9:30 pm
	June 12^th	Palmetto Ballroom 252 S. Dargan St, Florence (St John’s Episc. Church Fellowship Hall) 7:30 - 11:00 pm
	June 14^th	The Barn 680 Cherokee Lane, Columbia USABDA members: $4.00, Students: $3.00, Non members: $7.00 7:30 - 11:00 pm
	June 14^th	Starlight Ballroom 108 Trade St., Greer USABDA members: $8.00, Students: $5.00, Non members: $10.00 7:00 - 11:00 pm
	June 19^th	Capital Ballroom 2732 Devine St, Suite D, Columbia Free to all 7:30
	June 28^th	The Barn 680 Cherokee Lane, Columbia USABDA members: $4.00, Students: $3.00, Non members: $7.00 7:30 - 11:00 pm
	Fri & Sat	Ballroom Dance Club 1632 Ashley Hall Rd., Charleston 7:30
	Fri night	Capital Senior Center Maxcey Gregg Park, Columbia Live music Members: Free Non members: $5.00
	Commercial	Salsa Cabana, Columbia Rio's, Columbia Swing 1000, Charlotte

Newsletter Editors: Please e-mail me the times and dates of your dances.
Dancers: If you have information on any other places to dance, please e-mail me. Thanks!

GCC USABDA
Doris Wood, Sec.