Dear Dance Family,
The Holiday Dance at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center in Pompano Beach last Thursday was great fun. There were door prizes, Chinese auction style raffles and festive food and drinks. Several new faces joined in from Events and Adventures, an activity group for single Professionals. They had a great time and joined in the Foxtrot mixer after only one lesson. That's impressive! We have some new recruits for our favorite sport!
I encourage each of you to bring a non-dancing friend to the next dance you attend... no matter where you go. It is up to each of us to continue to spread the joy of dancing to our communities. We are so blessed with a great variety of dance venues and styles of dance too. Let's make sure we continue to have these choices by supporting as many dances as possible.
Repeating news:
For those of you who love the dance t-shirts that are available at the Stardust Dance weekends, Denise LaBella has sent me her catalogs and order forms so you can customize your own shirts. She is back in town and ready to design a shirt to suit your personality and/or sense of humor! Please let me know if you are interested so I can give you a catalog.
I'm helping out in the office at Hugh's Catering. Anyone having a party needs to check out the Gourmet To Go section of Hugh's website. It will take all of the work out of cooking for a party. Pick it up or have it delivered... no problem! www.hughsgourmettogo.com Please let them know that you heard about it from me! Call the office to talk to a live person, (954) 563-4844.
More info on Hugh's is toward the end of this note. Thanks!
I will apologize for repeat news and not answering a lot of personal e-mail over the last few weeks. I am working part-time, LOOKING for full-time work, taking classes and trying to have a social life as well as having telephone time with insurance companies, doctor's offices and the Unemployment office over various issues. Please forgive me if it takes a week or two to read and respond to e-mail that is not vital to my job or health issues. Thanks for your continued kindness and hugs when I see you out dancing. It means so much to me.
Please use the phone numbers and links in this letter to check the times and dates for any dances that you find interesting. There are times that things change at the last minute and I don't want anyone to be disappointed.
May we be surrounded with Happiness and Peace this Holiday season and remember the true reason for this celebration. Continue to commit at least one "Random Act of Kindness" every day and we can change the world one smile at a time. Let's also remember to dance as often as possible.
Happy Dancing as always! Hugs, Lisa ;-)
DANCE this Thursday, December 18th at the Pompano Civic Center.
New hours of 6:30 to 9:00 PM are still valid. Thanks for your patronage. Richard, Karen and I along with Pearl and Inez look forward to seeing each of you and your wonderful smiles each week. The Civic Center is a wonderful place to dance. We have more dance for your dollar ($10) than most venues and offer light refreshments at no additional charge. Richard and Karen Campbell are your event organizers and Lisa Berger is your hostess. There are dance flyers available at our desk for lessons and special functions. For more information about the dance please contact the Civic Center at 954-786-4111. The Emma Lou Olson Civic Center is located at 1801 NE 6th Street in Pompano Beach, 2 blocks west of Federal Hwy (Rt 1) and 6 blocks north of Atlantic Blvd. in the same neighborhood as Star and Tower Ballrooms!
Casa Salsa Dance Studio is located at 1317 E. Commercial Blvd. in Oakland Park just east of Dixie Highway on the North side next to Tuxedos by Formal Tradition. Hey Ladies... now you can "Dress him up AND take him out" with the help of these two small businesses! Check out the dance schedule at www.casasalsaonline.com or call and speak to Monica or Christian at 954-588-8085. They have recently opened a studio in Weston... so for all of you folks out west... check them out.
The Pavilion Grille in Boca is open for dinner and dancing on Wednesday nights. There will be a Tango lesson at 7:00 before the dance at 8:00 PM. This is a new time. For more information please call 561-912-0000.
For Argentine Tango fans, please contact Michael Vincitorio at MichaelV@ThisIsTango.com for classes and dance schedules.
The Annual Hustle & Salsa Party last Friday December 12th at the Josephine Leiser Opera Center, 221 SW 3rd Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale was wonderful! It was hosted by Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow. The "Bring a dish to share and dance the night away" theme created a great variety of holiday food. Randy Atlas was the DJ and the music was excellent. Even Santa made an appearance. If you missed this one... too bad, so sad. <G>
Come check out Swingin' Fridays at Gold Coast. These Friday night dances will continue through the 26th of December and will then be retired. Please come out and enjoy this fun night while you can. Open dancing will start at 8 PM and continue until 1 AM. There is usually a lesson at 7 PM. Please check the website for more details. Bruce and Beth continue to offer excellent instruction and top quality dancing for everyone to enjoy. They also teach Night Club Slow Dance. Please remember to check their class schedule on Monday nights. The best way to become an amazing dancer is to master your basics. These classes will give you the knowledge to build on, what you do with it is up to you! BTW check out their website for all of their dances and classes at www.dansynergy.com
For a "ballroom fix" on Friday nights try the tunes of James Joyce at the Star Ballroom, 2309 East Atlantic Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062. 954-782-7760.
For those of you further north, the Friday night dance at the Empress is still a wonderful dance and Justin is your host with Tommy Engler as DJ. They offer a ballroom dance mix of music. Their number is 561-278-5008 for more details.
You may also want to check out Mark Smith and Sheri Harris of Shut Up and Dance in Davie. They list a lot of info on their website too. For their info please e-mail Danceinfo@Shutupanddance.biz
Ballroom Dancing every Saturday night at the Tower Ballroom located at 2302 East Atlantic Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062. Please contact Bobbye at 954-563-2269. Just look for the lighthouse at the corner of the building to identify Tower Ballroom (east of Federal Hwy). No Dance on the 20th and 27th of December. This dance will continue on January 3, 2009. Happy Holidays!
Join the Saturday night dance at Star Ballroom hosted by Robert Robertson. They offer a good music mix of WCS and Hustle and munchies too from 8 PM to midnight all for $12. Star Ballroom is across the street from Tower Ballroom. The address is 2309 East Atlantic Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062. 954-782-7760. BTW the owners of Star Ballroom have gone GREEN for the sake of our planet. No plastic or styrofoam here!
DJ Vicki Kay and Chris Hemmer can be reached for their class and dance info at 561-876-1099 or Email: chris@mrdancepro.com, Website: www.mrdancepro.com. Please see their website for details or contact Chris and Vicki by e-mail. They have social dances on the first and second Saturday of the month at Shall We Dance in Deerfield.
Goldcoast Ballroom has Public dances on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Please call for other classes and schedules. 954-979-0770. They are offering a special "Triple Play" discount card for the third Saturday of each month. This will give you a night of Swing, Hustle and Salsa for just $5 instead of the usual $10. Pick yours up at the front desk on your next visit. This is a "beat the recession" deal! Enjoy this Saturday, December 20th as the final "Triple Play" format for this year.
Something new at Star Ballroom. On Sunday at 7:30 PM, they will have a wonderful entertainer, Matt Stanley, who is performing LIVE every Sunday evening, a collection of the favorite songs for dancers. The cost for this will be $12 per person. It will be live music, with a ballroom atmosphere, and in dance tempo. If anyone has gone to this, I would love to hear your comments. Star Ballroom 2309 East Atlantic Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062. 954-782-7760
Miami Area:
Kendall Dance Studio has a public dance party every Friday night with a class starting at 8pm. $10 for the class and party that goes till 11pm.
Please see their website at www.kendalldance.com or contact Mark Reed at 305-233-8700.
Kendall Dance Studio 8838 SW 129th St Miami Fl 33156
Palm Beach and North!
There have been several inquiries about where to dance in the Palm Beach area and further north. I scouted around and have a bit of information for you. Here's a start:
Floorplay South Florida will now have a new home continuing on the first Saturday of each month. The dance will now take place at Sean's Dance Factory, 4275 Okeechobee Road, Unit 1 in West Palm Beach, 33409. This is located at the corner of Okeechobee and Military Trail.
The evening will start at 8PM with a half hour dance lesson. At 8:30, the music starts and the evening will not end till midnight! The party admission is $10 per person. Any questions, please call Trish at 561-707-7581.
North Palm Beach has Sultry Swing. Join John Harris and Mary Jane Harper (current Florida State West Coast Swing Dance Champions) in their NEW dance studio that is catering to the WCS dance community in that area. Group classes include: West Coast Swing, Hustle, Salsa, Nightclub Two-Step, Rumba, and Foxtrot. Privates from one of their many instructors are available throughout the week.
Social Dance Party, Every Wednesday from 8pm to 11pm for only $7!!!
Friday at Finnish Club 908 Lehto Lane, Lake Worth. 7pm till 8pm lesson. 8pm till 10:30pm dance. Beautiful wood floor, DJ Sirdancealot, $12.00 for total evening snacks included. More info 561-683-7012 e-mail Sirdancealot@worldnet.att.net Go I-95 to 6th Ave S. Lake Worth, go West cross Congress Ave keep going, cross Kirk Road and look for marquee AFCC and turn North and it is at the end of this road Lehto Lane.
Saturday Argentine Tango at the Finnish Club. The Milonga begins with a free lesson from 8 to 9 PM. The cost is only $12. I am also told that they have lessons on Wednesday nights with several instructors. Please check for flyers and other information at the dance.
Ritz Ballroom (see below for directions) Dance like there's no tomorrow........ Bill Hering............ Check out our web site for all Parties & Groups www.RitzBallroom.com. The Ritz Ballroom 651 West Indiantown Rd, Suites G & H, Jupiter Fl. 33458, (in the Colonial Plaza, one block west of Military Trail or 2.5 miles east of 95,exit 87A), 561-746-0461. Any further information or directions contact Michele 561-248-1455 or Pam Sands 561-301-1070. We'll see you on the dance floor! Michele & Jerry, www.dtydpros.com
Chris & Larry of www.spacecoastdance.net presents,
Dances, with DJ Chris now at Beachside Ballroom
1867 S. Patrick, Indian Harbor Beach
Friday’s Music will be strictly Ballroom starting at 7PM, then 9 PM transition into California Mix; West Coast, Swing, Hustle, Salsa, Some Country 2, Waltz all for only $10
Music Ballroom Mix. Only $10
Please call to confirm dates and times
Chris & Larry 321.258.5916 or 321.373.6151
Sunday at the Polish Club, 4725 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth. Ballroom 7:15pm till 10:15pm. Three hours of non stop Ballroom dancing. Beautiful Wood Floor, DJ Sirdancealot, $12.00 for total evening snacks included. More info 561-683-7012 Sirdancealot@worldnet.att.net Go I-95 to 6th Ave S Lake Worth. Go West cross Congress Ave, keep going till you get to Military Trail, go North to next traffic light, Go West for about a block and it is on the North. Big building.
Peggy Middleton's Dance at Trinity Center in WPB will be on Sunday the 21st of December from 6:30 to 10 PM. This dance includes dinner and show for only $20. Please call Peggy at 561-655-3235 before 1:00 P.M to make your reservation. The Party is at 345 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach at the Trinity Center located behind the Holy Name Of Jesus Church. From I-95, exit at Southern Blvd. and go west to Military Trail. Turn left and go South past Gun Club Road, third driveway on Right side. Tickets sold at the door will not be guaranteed dinner. Please e-mail her at peggym@avenuerevue.com
Latin Music & Dancing *A new Hot Spot to listen or Dance to Latin Music*
Starting Wednesday December 10th "Latin Night" at 'Ice Blu Lounge' cocktails & eats. Free lesson at 9 PM and dancing until 2 AM. 1/2 block south of Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Delray. Contact Jon Melendrez at 954-685-6791 for more details.
19 SE 5th Ave (Federal Hwy) Delray Beach ,FL 33483 561-450-5014
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GROUP CLASSES
'Miami Style' Salsa
7:30-8:00 pm Beginner
8:00 to 8:30 Intermediate
(Singles & Couples)
Location: Palm Beach Gym 660 Linton Blvd.
Delray Beach Fl 33444
$12 pp at the door
$60 6 pak punch card
Gym info 561-278-7111
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Beginners East Coast Swing classes, Monday evenings at the Kaplan JCC
in West Palm Beach (3151 N. Military Trail, about 1 mile north of
Okeechobee Blvd), 6:00 - 7:00 pm, starting January 5th, 2009. This
ongoing class will emphasize becoming a comfortable, competent swing
dancer while having a good time. No partner is necessary but please
wear comfortable shoes! To register please visit the JCC or call
561-689-5747. For questions call Kim Moser at 561-630-3688 or email
swing@kmoser.com.
There are other dances going on and we are very lucky to have all of these choices. You can find a lot more dance and class information on the calendar of the SFSDS, www.sfsds.com . Let's support as many as we can. Let's have a positive week and remember to count our blessings every day.
More special dinner events are happening during the month of January 2009 at Hugh's Catering. Most of these dinners sell out in record time. There will be other events here on a regular basis. The price has been reduced from $75 per person to $55 per person. This is an amazing deal that includes dinner and unlimited drinks from 7 to 10 PM. Once you experience a night at Hugh's, it will be your new favorite night out... guaranteed! The new facility at 4351 NE 12th Terrace in Oakland Park is sure to impress. Please contact me for more information and to reserve your space for the next special night. This place will blow you away... I love it! If you are interested in going, please e-mail me. Hope to see some of you there.
Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your notes and kind words about my weekly note. It started small and has now grown to a long letter! I will continue in this "labor of love" as long as I get the positive feedback that it is something you enjoy. With the gift of our new website, I will be sending out the link and updates once I figure out how to help Geoff with all of the work. Right now, it is his gift to the dance community in his spare time. THANKS GEOFF! Check it out at www.localdanceevents.com . Bringing joy to others lives is one of the best gifts that each of us can share. Let's keep up the random acts of kindness and continue to make our world a better place one smile at a time.
Happy Dancing!
Hugs, Lisa ;-)
Lisa Berger
Dance Consultant