Tuesday, July 29, 2014

August 2014 Dance News update



“Holey triple steps Batman” said wonder follower Robyn.  “There is lots of West Coast Swing news for us in this edition of Audacity News!  Take the lead and have a read.”

Exciting start to term 3

It is really exciting to see our eleven new starters (Michael and Jing, Jess, Julia and Matt, Joanne and Steve, Renae and Ray, Ross and Annette) join our continuing couple Maryam and Stephen in learning West Coast.  Learning to dance is a personal challenge and deeply rewarding when you push through your personal self doubts.  We all have them.  Let me say this - you are all looking good!  Most importantly – you all seem to be having lots of fun.  Feel free to discuss your challenges with any of our teachers.  We want to give you the best dance tuition available in Canberra!

Monthly social dates – put them in your calendar

See you this Saturday night the 2nd August for our monthly social dance.  $10 and starts at 7:30pm.  Check our facebook group for details of dinner beforehand.  Dates for the remainder of the year are 2 August; 6 September; 11 October and 8 November.

The Social Club needs your help!  Please talk to James (james.hughes@live.com.au) or Emily (monty2002monty@hotmail.com) if you can assist in any way.  Help is needed in the following roles – DJ for an hour (choose your own theme like 70s; 80s; Bluesy; the colour yellow); Facebook publicist; social dance opportunity coordinator; Xmas Party Manager; Xmas party Games Host.  James and Em are seeking volunteers and will hold a little get together soon.

Routine details – book now and save

Here is your invitation to join in and learn a West Coast Swing team routine.  It is to the song “Don’t Wait” by Mapei.  We plan to teach the routine on two successive Saturdays,  16th and 23rd August from 12:30 to 5:30pm.  That way you don’t lose a whole weekend.   

  • The level of the routine is ‘Continuing/ Intermediate’.   
  • The cost is $109 per person early bird rate.   
  • You need to arrange your own partner.  
  •  We will smash the routine on the 16th and finish it off and practice on the 23rd.    
I doubt we will need the whole 5 hours on the 23rd – but we will see.  If you can only do one day, then do the 16th and I will finish off the routine with you via a mid week private lesson for an additional $20.  Venue to be booked.


Early bird rate ends 1st  August.  Check your emails for the booking form and return it asap.  (An email return requires no signature.)

We have several opportunities to perform the routine:

  • Belconnen Arts Centre’s ‘Dance Kaleidoscope’ on 31 August
  • Dance party on 6 September
  • ‘Rock your Frock’ at the Harmonie German Club 4th October 2014.

Dance Kaleidoscope 31/8 – can you help?

The Belconnen Arts Centre celebrates its 5th Birthday on the 31st August and would like us to participate.  There will be a range of colourful, diverse and energetic presentations of dance work by dance companies resident in the Arts Centre and the region, with ages ranging from the very young to the wise and mature (that’s me J), and from community performers to professionals.  The audience is always appreciative and the party concludes with complimentary refreshments and birthday cake!

We would like to perform our new routine there and have some of our existing students do a ‘freestyle’ demo.  Altogether, you might dance one – maybe two songs.  This is a fantastic way to promote West Coast and grow our community.  So – please mark the date in your diary and get back to me if you can help.

Rock your frock on 4 October  – fundraiser for ovarian cancer research

Lisa Robey is a dance friend and contact who loves Tango and Modern Jive dance styles.  She is also a fundraiser for ovarian cancer research.  Her effort is all part of ‘Froctober’ – an annual fundraiser a bit like Movember, except it raises funds without the stubble!  Froctober involves women wearing dresses all October but hey – if any of our leads feel the need to participate . . . well ‘rock your frock’ as the saying goes!

Lisa has booked the Harmonie German Club off Jerrabomberra Ave in Narrabundah for an all style dance party on the 4th October.  The night will feature a wide range of music to let everyone have a great night dancing, while raising money for research into a cancer that kills a woman every 10 hours in Australia.  This is the fourth year of Rock Your Frock.  Over the past 3 years, it has been a really fun night with people going to amazing lengths with their costumes and support from a wide range of Canberra Dance Schools and businesses.  Our social club will keep you informed – but – once again – put the date in your diary!  Cost is $20 prebooked.  Email l.robey@yahoo.com for further details.

Upcoming Australasian WCS events

There are two events coming up in October for your consideration.  The first is the New Zealand Open between the 9th and 12th October.  Chuck Brown and Deborah Szekely are the US Pros booked for the event.  Karolina and I have been to NZ for the last two years and taken the week off in between to be tourists.  Tina and Allen are very welcoming as are all the Kiwis.  They will do their best to billet you if you so desire.  Last year Kaz and I headed north from Auckland and had a great time at a great resort in Whangarei.  Next trip we will spend a week on the South Island.  Here is a link to their website.   http://swingfx.co.nz/nzopen.html

The other event is the Australian Open on the 16th to 19th October.  It is a very popular event held in an awesome hotel in Geelong.  There are a stack of US Pros going to this event.  Maybe you would like a Canberra /Auckland/ Geelong/ Canberra round trip?  We have done that too in the last two years!  This is their web site. http://australianopenwcs.com.au/

Swingsation bookings – fancy a holiday on the Gold Coast with a bit of dancing

Lastly – my favourite pre-Canberra Winter event is Swingsation on the Gold Coast in May.  It is held in a great resort hotel near Surfers and the lineup of US pros is awesome.  This event always sells out quickly because of its great location, dance teachers and the fact is 2 minutes walk from the beach and restaurants. (And we get to escape the cold!)

Swingsation 2015 which will be held on the weekend of the 14th - 17th May, 2015.  Last year there were 11 of us from Canberra.  Singapore had a contingent of around 40 people!  There were close to 400 people at this event and dancing went from Dusk to Dawn  for three nights!  If you can join us (which I hope you can!!), registrations open this Friday, the 1st of August at 7am.  I highly recommend you register a.s.a.p. (especially the ladies) since the event is always oversubscribed.  The website is: http://rawconnection.com.au/swingsation/