News at 22 May 2012

Winter Solstice Winery Tour, Workshops and Dinner Dance

Keep the 23rd June free for the Wine Tour, Workshops and Dinner Dance.  Our guest teachers are Nathan Toussaint and Deanna Rolfe, both exciting dancers from Sydney.  In fact, Deanna took out first place at Swingsation last weekend with Charles Gil in the Jack and Jill event.

Deanna is renowned for her musicality and Nathan for the smoothness in his WCS.  All the details of the workshops and the dinner dance can be found on the Audacity website here.  We are also offering discounts of up to $50 for local residents to the Canberra region and $100 to interstate guests.  The discount structure can be accessed up to the 9th June here.  

 

Dance party this Sunday 27th May at 3pm

Come along and join us for cappucino, tea and cake and plenty of dancing this Sunday at the Turner Bowling Club at 3pm.  Karolina has promised to teach everyone the Michael Jackson Moonwalk.  Kids are welcome.  Non-dancing spouses can relax with a beer or wine and read the paper in the afternoon sun or enjoy the pokies.  We will unveil our new routine to “The Big Bang” by Rock Mafia.  All profits go towards subsidising the Winter Solstice Winery Tour.

Swingsation

Karolina, Mark, Emily, Robert and Russ all made it to Swingsation on the Gold Coast - what a hoot!  Truly fellow dancers, going to an event like this where there are 200 WCS dancers really improves your dancing.  The next major event to consider is the CMJ West Coast Swing championships in Sydney on the 10th June.  There is a comp during the day and plenty of social dancing that evening.  It will be well worth the trip.

Swing Diego

Speaking of big events, Mark is back from Swing Diego - what a blast!  There were 1800 dancers at this event starting on the Thursday and running through to Monday morning!  Workshops started every day at 10, competitions late afternoon and into the evening and dancing till dawn!  My feet were worn out but I tell you, the long hours of travel and cost were well worth it.  Why not come with Karolina and I next year?  Start saving.

Whilst in the US, Mark did a two day intensive with the matriarch of West Coast Swing, Skippy Blair.  It was an honour to meet Skippy.  She is 88, knows dancing inside out and is showing few signs of slowing down.

Salsabor rocks to beat of West Coast Swing

Kaz and I have been teaching a Monday class at Salsabor for the last few weeks and all I can say is you guys rock.  What a fantastic bunch of people, keen to learn WCS and having lots of fun doing it.  I hope we can continue our relationship with Salsabor.  Raquel and Andrea love dance first and foremeost and you can see it in their product and the quality of their students.

Next Learn to Dance in a Day workshop announced

We are planning our next 4 hour LTDIAD workshop for the 17th June - venue permitting.  Tickets will be available soon via Eventbrite.  Make sure you refer your friends or interested associates.  We want to grow WCS in Canberra and really establish it as a force in this city.

Cheers and happy dancing till next time

Mark and Karolina

Anzac Day News

Learn to Dance in a Day course - CANCELLED. 

Yes - sorry folks.  But Mark forgot he has to attend a christening! in Sydney on Sunday.  We willtry and reconvene in a few weeks.  If you have been affected, please dropm Mark a line at mark@audacitydance.com.au

Dance Week Demo

We will be demonstrating WCS at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets this Saturday, 28/4 at 12:30pm.  Why not come along and support us, hand out a few pamphletts and generally encourage people to learn to dance.  Tell your friends to come along and see what the fuss is!

Audacity Dance to be represented at Swing Diego!

Yesiree.  We will have another overseas trip for Marko.  Good luck fella.

New class on Mondays at Salsabor

The lovely Raquel and Andrea at Salsabor have allowed us to run a Monday night, 12 week Learn to Dance WCS program at their studios on East Row in Civic starting at 7:10pm on the 29th April.  Get there at or before 7 to register for the 12 week program.

Milestones, Birthdays, Events and Winter classes

First Canberran to reach Intermediate Level in WCS

Someone had to have the honour of being the first in Canberra to qualify at the Intermediate level of WCS as per the World Swing Dance Council - and I am very proud to blab that it is my wife, dance partner and love of my life Karolina.  Her 3rd at the Seattle Easter Swing Jack and Jill championships rocketed her well past the qualifying point for Intermediate.  This is a testimony to her desire to learn from every workshop, professional and event we have attended over the last two years and to her desire to be the best she can be.

Birthday Bash and Dance party Saturday 21st April

So - who’s having a birthday bash and dance party on Saturday 21 April 2012?  None other than the inimitable and highly regarded Mr. Dave Ritchie!  It is a significant milestone folks - well worth the celebration.  Dave has invited all the Audacity crew to a dinner dance at the Southern Cross Yacht Club.  Dave only wants your presence - no presents by royal decree!  Cost is $36 per head for entree and main course.  Please email sarah.ritchie@ato.gov.au if you would like to celebrate with this marvellously generous human being.

This is an Audacity Dance sanctioned WCS dance event :-)

Speaking of Dinner Parties . . .

Are you going on the Winter Solstice Winery Tour and Dinner Dance?  It is on the 23rd of June and we need indicative numbers for four options:

Will you be attending workshops on the Saturday (pre-winery tour)
Will you go on the winery tour and stay for the Dinner Dance?
Will you attend the Dinner Dance?
Will you attend WCS workshops on the Sunday with Nathan and Deanna?

Please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HJSHK5C and vote.

Whilst you are there voting . . .

We would like your opinion as to whether we should bring the Beginner/Intro to WCS classes forward to 6:15pm over Winter?  Intermediate would start around 7:30pm to 8:30pm with an hour or so of social dancing afterwards.

Please go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HJSHK5C to vote.

Thanks everyone.  Hope to see you all at dancing very soon!

Classes resume 12 April 2012

Classes resume Thursday 12 April at Tuggeranong following our lightning truip to Seattle Easter Swing.  All classes are back to normal next week.

Karolina - what a champ.  She came 3rd out of over 100 entrants in the WCS Novice Competition Jack and Jill event.  Kaz is now our first Intermediate Follow to graduate from Canberra.  Woohoo!

Karolina and Mark also got to the finals of the Strictly Competition (no place) and Mark in the Masters Jack and Jill.

See you all at class.

Audacity Dance Classes over Easter

Tomorrow – Tuesday 3^rd April 2012 – normal class at Turner starting at 7:15pm.  Please come along to say good luck to Mark and Karolina in Seattle Easter Swing this weekend!  They need some practice with people of ALL levels before we go!  So please come along and help out.

BUT - Holy (Easter) Thursday 5^th April – no class in Tuggeranong.  Tuesday after Easter – no class at Turner

Normal classes resume on Thursday 12^th April 2012.  And remember – if you attend all Tuesday OR all Thursday classes over April and May, you go into the draw for a free ticket on the Winter Solstice Winery Bus Tour on 23 June 2012!  This prize is valued at over $80. 

Happy Easter to you all

Announcements including details of Winter Solstice Wine Tour and Dinner Dance

Karolina, Russell and Mark just got back from the Terry Roseborough workshops in Sydney.  Terry was flown out from Texas by West Coast Swing Australia.  There were 5 workshops in all and a great dance party.  It was well worth the travel to be taught by one of the best!

Speaking of the Best . . .
We will do our best to bring top flight Australian WCS talent to Canberra and our next set of workshops will coincide with the Winter Solstice Wine Tour and Dinner Dance.  More on that below - but first, let me tell you about our

Workshop and Afternoon Tea Dance this Sunday 25 March 2012:
If you have just finished the 8 week Intro to WCS course, what should you do next?  Firstly – we offer you the opportunity to move up to the Continuing level class.  You can purchase a 6 class pass (with 10 week expiry date) at the discount rate of $70 (normally $90) but it does come with a condition.  Firstly, you must work through (attend) the 7:15 Introductory material again to really consolidate what you have learnt over the last 8 weeks.  This is important because WCS Foundation techniques require consolidation to give your partner (Lead or Follow) the most enjoyable dance experience.  Secondly, you need to attend the Continuing Level Workshop this Sunday, or dance with Karolina or Mark at class to assess your technique in the essentials (see dot points below) before you move up.

Those of you who have just finished the 8 week intro to WCS course should do your best to attend the Continuing Level Workshop this coming Sunday. 

This coming Sunday 2pm – 4pm is the workshop that will prepare you for moving up to the Continuing level class.  It runs from 2pm to 4pm and is priced at $40.  We will cover:

·         Know your Basics – quick review of the 12 Basics

·         WCS Continuing Essentials
·         Footwork exercises
·         Elasticity exercises
·         Anchoring exercises
·         Spinning Techniques
·         Inside Turns
·         Outside Turns
·         Syncopations
·         Body flight
·         Starting the Dance
·         Passes at the Continuing Level
·         Whips at the Continuing Level
·         Tucks and Push Breaks at the Continuing Level

Enjoy a free glass of champers at the end of the course (or for that matter a soft drink, or a beer or wine).  Entry to the workshop gives you free access to the Afternoon Tea dance which includes tea, coffee, cappuccino, cake, etc.

Afternoon Tea Dance – 4pm to 6pm this coming Sunday

$10 entry fee, all proceeds towards the bust trip component of the June 2012 Audacity Winter Solstice Winery Tour and Dinner Dance.  What could be better?  Afternoon Tea dance, good company, a cuppa and cake – or if you so desire – a beverage or two!  Join us at the Southern Cross Turner Bowling Club this Sunday. 

Winter Solstice Wine Tour and Dinner Dance.
And speaking of the winery tour – we are pleased to announce the guest teachers for the Saturday and Sunday workshops.  Nathan Toussaint and his Deanna Rolfe will be in Canberra on the 23rd and 24th of June to run workshops as well as be the guests at our Winter Solstice Wine Tour and Dinner Dance.  These two are well known across the dance spectrum being champion WCS, Salsa, Lindy Hop, Modern Jive dancers and teachers in their respective genres. 

Nathan and Deanna

See anyone else you know?

We are yet to finalise the intricate details of the event, but it will be fun, warm, dry and plenty of fine food, wine and dance for you to enjoy.  Tou can help us keep costs down by attending our Sunday Afternoon Tea dances.

Here are some pictures of the location.

Great floor for dancing - heat pump and wood fire!

Excellent food + good wines = great times

Lake George Winery at Collector

Looking to the Vineyard at Lake George Winery, Collector

March 2012 News

Interview with Jordan Frisbee
I have provided a link to an interview with world champion - Jordan Frisbee discussing “What is West Coast Swing”.  I think anyone new to the dance will be interested in Jordan's perspective.  he is one of our favourite professional dancers.  Frisbee Interview

Next Beginner Courses
Our next Intro to WCS course starts 20th March 2012 in Turner and 29th March in Tuggeranong!  We will be switching to the latest teaching techniques used by US champions Kyle Redd and Sarah Van Drake.  This technique emphasises the pattern based nature of WCS.  The curriculum emphasises the two basic rhythm patterns and six essential techniques for WCS over 8 weeks.  Students who grasp the essentials can then move up to our continuing level class.

Introduce a friend and get a free class!  Also - it is in your interests to attend both the Beginner and Continuing classes.  You get to go over the essentials of WCS and concentrate on your technique.  You meet new students and your encouragement and smiling face helps them overcome their trepidation of learning something foreign - and we greatly appreciate it!

Progression to Continuing Level Workshop - 25/3 @ 2pm
Speaking of Continuing level class - we will run a Progression to Continuing Level workshop on 25th March between 2pm and 4pm at the Southern Cross Bowling Club in Turner.  The cost is $40 and this includes entry to the Afternoon Tea Dance, a glass of champers and tea, coffee and cake!  We will review the Beginner level moves, show you the essential differences that allow you to become a "Continuing" level student, give you confidence to attend the Continuing level classes, introduce you the simple ways we get beyond WCS Basic moves.  Celebrate with a free champers afterwards!  This is guaranteed to be fun with a capital F!

We haven't made this workshop compulsory for New Starters - but you would be mad to miss it!

Sunday Arvo Tea Dance - 25/3 @ 4pm
On the very same day, straight after the workshop, we will have a WCS Sunday afternoon tea dance starting at 4pm with cakes, tea and coffee supplied.  It will be free for Workshop attendees and $10 for everyone else.  All the profit from the workshop will be returned to students via the great Audacity Canberra Winery Tour - see below.

Canberra Region Winery Tour and Dinner Dance - 23 June
The Audacity Dinner Dance with Allan and Holly Skinner was a great success and we want to follow this up with something equally audacious.  We are negotiating with two top Australian WCS champions to come to Canberra in June.  We plan to take our students on a Canberra Region Winery Tour and Dinner Dance.  In order to keep costs down, we plan to throw all the proceeds from the next three Sunday Afternoon Tea dances into a pot to reduce the overall cost to you! 

So - keep the 23rd of June free and attend the Afternoon Tea Dance on 25th March.  You will be benefitting yourself and your fellow students and getting in plenty of practice.

Attend all classes in April and win a free place on the Winery Tour!
If you attend every class in April (at either Turner or Tuggeranong), we will put you in the draw for a free ticket to the Winery Tour and Dinner Dance.  Value in excess of $100.

Half price class offer - only during April
Want some extra dance practice during April?  Use your class pass or pay for a Tuesday class at Turner, and get into the Tuggeranong class two days later for half price.  Pay for a Thursday class and get into the following Tuesday class at Turner for half price. 

Routine to Big Big Bang
We are now perfecting our new Beginner routine to the song - The Big Big Bang by the Rock Mafia.  We aim to demonstrate this at class by early April.  There is a link on the audacity web site to the song on YouTube - song starts about 56” into video.Link to Big Big Bang

Learning from the Pros
Audacity Dance will be represented at Seattle Easter Swing! Go team!  A few of us are also heading down to Sydney to attend Terry’s WCS Downunder Tour!