September 2004 Newsletter

a monthly publication

in this issue...

Dance Calendar Who's Who Next Board Meeting Qualify for 2005 Nationals Couple Dances thru Time From the President

Snacks and Refreshments Fancy Feet Dancers Vote on name change Places to Dance Upcoming Events Room to Mention

DANCE CALENDAR

GCC-USABDA dance, 2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month, 7:30-10:45 pm, at The Barn, 680 Cherokee Lane, Columbia, SC. Admission is $8/non-member, $5/member, student discount. Refreshments. Appropriate attire required.

September 11 - Argentine Tango dance lesson 8:00-8:30 by Harby Gonzales.
September 25 - Announcement of election results, and business meeting, for USABDA members, at 7:00.  Argentine Tango dance lesson 8:00-8:30 by Harby Gonzales.

WHO'S WHO

BOARD MEETING

The next Board meeting is scheduled for September 12, 2004, at 3:00 pm, Bank of America conference room at the Richland County Library, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC. Please contact Tom Savage with agenda items.

FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO QUALIFY (from National USABDA)

The first opportunity for members to qualify to participate in the 2005 USA DanceSport National Championships will be October 8 and 9, 2004 in Atlanta, GA at the SouthEastern Regional DanceSport Championships. Members may register on-line at atlantasrc.org. For information contact Ann Smith at 404-816-9939 or by email at annsmith.src@comcast.net.

Thanks,

Archie Hazelwood
USABDA National President

Vote on USABDA Name Change

Deadline for submission of ballots relating to proposed name change for our organization has been extended to October 15, 2004.

Please share this information and encourage USABDA members to cast their vote in the matter of the proposed name change as outlined in July/August issue of Amateur Dancers.

Ballots should be mailed to
USABDA
P O Box 400
Toano VA 23168

Thanks for your assistance in spreading the word about the extension of the deadline.

Mary - USABDA Central Office
P O Box # 152988 Cape Coral FL 33915-2988
phone 800-447-9047 fax 239-573-0946

"COUPLE DANCES THROUGH TIME"

The Columbia Star weekly newspaper published an article on August 12 about USABDA members Breedlove and Richard Durlach, and their participation in the Vintage Dance Week in Newport, RI.

The couple specializes in swing dancing, and they planned to bring Columbia and the Big Apple to the annual event in Rhode Island.  This event has been held for 17 years, and features every example of vintage dancing imaginable. Classes are held in 19th and 20th century ballroom dancing, and evenings feature vintage dancing and Victorian summer life, such as croquet games and formal teas.  

Each evening's events are held in a different historic mansion in Newport, from the Rotunda Ballroom at the Beach Carousel to the elegant Astor Mansion.  These formal events include fancy dress masquerade balls.  

In addition to the vintage dance classes, other aspects of Victorian life are presented, such as workshops in millinery, which Breedlove planned to attend to learn the fine points of making and decorating hats in authentic period style.  She has a large collection of hats and other garments that she brings to these vintage dance festivals, packed in vintage steamer trunks.  She packs each era's costume separately with its appropriate accessories.  

Breedlove and Richard will demonstrate some of these vintage dances during the Old Shandon centennial celebration this fall.  In addition, they plan to begin a monthly swing dance at the Big Apple, open to the public, within the next month or two.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

• Contact me if you would be interested in participating in a group performance at a Senior Showcase at the South Carolina State Fair on Wednesday, October 13th.  We will perform on a stage from 5 to 15 minutes dancing the East Coast swing. You do not need to be a member of the Fancy Feet Dances to participate, nor do you need to be 55 or older. 
  
  

• Our annual business meeting is on September 25, preceded by a potluck dinner at 6:30. Contact Jo Morton if you wish to bring food. 
  
  We will elect officers for the 2005 board at the annual meeting. As you know we have a candidate for the vice president position, and the member at large position. We do not have a candidate for the secretary position. Contact Jo Morton if you would like to become a candidate for the secretary position.
  
  Be sure to get back to Jo Morton by the due date on the ballot she sent to you for the election of the 2005 board positions.
  
  

• Note that Harby Gonzales will be teaching the Argentine tango at our two dances in September from 8:00-8:30. 
  
  

• There will be an exhibition at the dance on September 11 consisting of a comparison between the American and the International styles of dancing. 
  

Tom Savage

UPCOMING DANCE EVENTS

October 8-9, 2004 Southeastern Regional Amateur DanceSport Championships, Atlanta

FANCY FEET DANCERS

On August 7, at 2:00, the Fancy Feet Dancers performed at the Haven Assisted Living Facility in Northeast Columbia.  Participating were Jeane Mader, Emma Sharpe, Norma Davis, Joyce Lagatore, Pamela Marshall, Barbara Kubodera, Nisha Kubodera, Bob Sitko, Wolfgang Elfe and Tom Savage.  We danced the waltz, fox trot, rumba, cha cha, and the East coast swing.  Afterwards, we danced with various residents for two numbers.

I am hoping that we will be accepted by Palmetto Baptist PrimeTimes to do a performance at the Senior Showcase at the South Carolina State Fair on Wednesday, October 13th.  A video was made of our performance at the Haven, which we gave to PrimeTimes with a narrative about the Fancy Feet Dancers.

-Tom Savage

SNACKS AND REFRESHMENTS

Our USABDA chapter provides snacks and refreshments at each of our dances. Your contributions of soft drinks and snacks are always welcomed. Please remember snack foods must fit into the category of finger foods. 

Volunteers to help set up the refreshments are also welcomed. Contact one of your board members if you have any questions or would like to volunteer for a specific evening.

PLACES TO DANCE

Looking for someplace to dance those times when we don't have a GCC-USABDA dance? Visit the "Places To Dance" listing on our website or pick up a copy of the handout at the GCC-USABDA dances.

ROOM TO MENTION

Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 pm, Arsenal Hill community center, Lincoln and Laurel Streets.  Phone Vicki at 803-788-1052.

Thursdays, 8:30 pm, Salsa Cabana, 2005 Beltline Blvd.  Free salsa lessons.  Phone 803-787-1052.

Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm, beginner's ballroom dancing lessons, starting September 13 for 10 weeks.  $80 per couple or $50 individual, payable in advance.  Phone 803-791-9881 to register.

Big Band dancing Thursdays, 6:00-9:00, Adam's Mark, 1200 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201, 803-771-7000.

Fridays, Capital Senior Center, Maxcy Gregg Park, 1650 Park Circle, Columbia, SC, 803-779-1971.

Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm, Sumter Ballroom Dance Club, Sumter County Recreational Department, 155 Haynesworth Street, Sumter, SC, Bob Wall 803-469-4014

First Saturday of each month, 7:00-11:00 pm, USABDA Greenville, Starlight Ballroom, 108 Trade Street, Greer, SC, Ginger 864-292-6750, odellgirl@aol.com