Bye bye 2014

New web site

Well, I finally got around to updating our web site.  The trip to the UK in September for two months meant I was unable to keep it up to date.   It would really help us if all our supporters on Facebook would promote:

• our new web site
• our new year special ($30 discount for all new starters)
• our additional $100 discount on our Wedding Packages

Prices stay the same in 2015

Classes start on the 27th January at the Belconnen Arts Centre.  We will run with the same price structure in 2015.  That is - $20 for a casual class and $149 per 10 lesson term.  (Term 1 actually has 11 lessons - so a term pass represents great value!)  We ask all our regulars to sign up to the term offer because it allows us to meet our regular costs of studio, insurance, teacher payments, etc.  We do understand that you may prefer the casual payment option particularly if you travel for work or you have upcoming holidays.

Rewards for our regular dancers

We reward you with a 10% discount when you get a new starter to sign up for a term of lessons.  For term 1 only, we are making this a $20 per person discount.

Monday, September 29, 2014

What a Great Term 3!

All of our Term 3 new starters and continuing students are doing fabulous at learning and enjoying West Coast Swing.  It is very rewarding, as teachers to see the growth in skills of our students, as well as watching them having so much fun doing it!

Term 4

We are currently on a 2 week break, with Term 4 starting on Tuesday 14^th October 2014.  Classes are held on Tuesday evenings, at the Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank in Belconnen.  Class starts @ 7.30pm (arrive from 7.15pm to register). Term 4 is a 9 week term, so you can grab a term pass, for $134 per person (Casual rate of $20 per night applies if you cannot commit to a term pass due to planned extended leave or other personal commitments).

Specials for term 4 new starters

Any 2 new students who sign up together save $15 each.  Just $119 for nine lessons – normally $134!  **Must register and pay by 10 October 2014. Email Emily @ monty2002monty@hotmail.com to register.

Full - time student special!  9 week Intro to West Coast Swing package for $129 $109!  This special applies to new customers only.  Email Emily @ monty2002monty@hotmail.com to register.

October Social Dance Party

Our next Social Dance Party is on 11^th October!

Time: 1930 – 2230

Location: Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank in Belconnen

Come along and join us for a dance!  Have some fun, practice your moves, socialise and most importantly have fun!!!

Everyone is welcome.

$10 entry fee

Audacity Dance Facebook Group

Join the Audacity Dance Facebook group to keep up to date with current events/what is happening/opportunities for social dancing annoucements/request songs etc etc.

Belconnen Arts Centre Birthday Celebrations

Back on Sunday 31 August, Audacity Dance participated in the Belconnen Arts Centre, “Dance Kaleidoscope”.  They enjoyed our dancing and were quite impressed with Audacity Dance.  They have invited us back to continue celebrating their 5^th Birthday.

When: Sunday 26 October 2014

Where: Belconnen Arts Centre

Time: commencing from 4pm

We are looking for students of all levels to help out/showcase West Coast Swing/entertain their guests.  Let Emily know in class or by email on monty2002monty@hotmail.com if you would like more information or you are interested in coming along and supporting Audacity Dance and the Belconnen Arts Centre.

Rock your frock! (October 4^th) – 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 ‘Frocktober’ – an annual fundraiser a bit like Movember, except it raises funds without the stubble!  Frocktober 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!

The night is an all style dance party; which 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.

Details:

When: Saturday October 4th 2014

Time: 1900/7pm

Where: Harmonie German Club off Jerrabomberra Ave in Narrabundah

Theme: "the frock you've always wanted to wear".  Everyone is encouraged to frock up - no matter your gender.

Tickets: $20 (plus processing fee) pre-purchased online or $25 on the night from the door. Buy your tickets at: http://rockyourfrock2014.eventbrite.com.au
For further details, email l.robey@yahoo.com

Upcoming dance performances and next dance party

Saturday routine practice 

30^th August 4:30pm to 6pm booked at the RUC in McCaughey St Turner (the Turner Bowling Club).  Have a drink or a snack at the bar when we finish.

Sunday Dance Promotion - 4:15pm this Sunday 31^st August

Audacity has a 10 minute slot at 4:15pm this Sunday 31^st August for the ‘Dance Kaleidoscope’ event which is part of the Belconnen Arts Centre birthday celebrations.  Beginners and intermediates are invited to come along and watch our team performance at 4:15pm.  There are activities starting from 3pm.  Please come along and support us. 

Dance Party – Saturday 6th September (7.30pm – 10.30pm) at the BAC

Our next social dance party is coming up on 6th September.  Songs are specially selected to suit our new tranche of dancers – so come along.  Our experienced dancers want to help you get to the next level of dancing and this is a great opportunity to practice what you have learned in class.  Entry is $10 per person BUT there is a special buy-one get-one free offer for our term 3 new dancers.  That offer includes any new friends you’d like to bring along to the night!!  Entry price includes:

• A FREE half hour beginner West Coast Swing lesson from Audacity Dance (begins 7.30pm
• Social dancing until 10.30pm
• Lots of easy to dance to songs for you to practise your moves
• Dance team performance of “Don’t Wait”
• Flashmob demonstration – “Love Never Felt So Good”
• Fun games to get you up onto the dance floor!

Parli italiano?

Want to learn Italian?  Mark does and he is off to Italy on the 10^th September so next Tuesday (3^rd September) is his last teaching day for 2014.  So come to class to say farewell.  In fact, how about joining Mark and others at 6pm at the Lighthouse pub for a pizza and beer.  We would love to see y’all there!

Whilst Mark is away, Emily, Randall, Shanyn, Courtney and Russell will take control of the ship.  You will be in very good hands.

‘Rock your frock’ - Harmonie German Club on 4th October.  

Cost is $20 prebooked.  Email l.robey@yahoo.com for further details.

Special Dance party 6 September 2014

Save the date – Our next social dance party is coming up on Saturday 6^th September.

The event will be a Beginner Social Dance Party!!  Entry is $10 (special offer for new starters at Audacity - buy one get one free and a free dance lesson to boot!)

The night includes:

• A FREE half hour beginner West Coast Swing lesson from Audacity Dance (begins 7.30pm)
• Social dancing until 10.30pm
• Lots of easy to dance to songs for you to practice your moves
• Fun games to get you up onto the dance floor!

This will be a fun social event to welcome our new starters to our West Coast Swing community. As such, we have a special buy-one get-one free offer on entry for all beginners and any new friends you’d like to bring along to the night!!

Venue:  Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank Drive

Date:    Saturday 6th September

Time:   7.30pm – 10.30pm

Entry:   $10 (buy-one get-one free offer available for beginners and new friends)

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,  16^th and 23^rd 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 16^th and finish it off and practice on the 23^rd.    

I doubt we will need the whole 5 hours on the 23^rd – but we will see.  If you can only do one day, then do the 16^th 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 1^st  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 5^th Birthday on the 31^st 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 4^th 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 9^th and 12^th 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 16^th to 19^th 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/