The Ballroom Dance Club Newsletter

January – March 2012

For more information, see our website www.sfballroomdance.com

February 10 – Mearl Lake at 8:00.

March 9 –El Riad Big Band at 8:00.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Welcome to 2012! We are already to February and I realized I needed to get the newsletter out to let you know how things are going with the club. We have had some new couples join within the past two months and as you know, we can always use more.

With the New Year beginning, we do begin to pro rate the membership fees. The fee schedule for the next few months is:

January-$120 couple, $60 single (8 dances)

February-$110 couple, $55 single (7 dances)

March-$100 couple, $50 single (6 dances)

April-$90 couple, $45 single (5 dances)

May-$70 couple, $35 single (4 dances)

June-August-$20 per couple, $10 per single (standard rate)

Currently we have 50 couple members and 4 single members. As I have mentioned, increasing our membership is my top priority for the club. If all the existing members can continue to invite their friends and talk up the club that will be great. You are our best ambassadors, talk it up and invite your friends!

2011 Dance Schedule

The Shrine has lined up the following bands for the 2012 calendar year. Mark your calendars as you won’t want to miss any of the fun on the dance floor!

Jan 13 Mearl Lake Orchestra

Feb 10 El Riad Big Band

Mar 9 Mearl Lake Orchestra

Apr 13 Sammy Jensen Orchestra

May 11 C. J. Rusken Swing Band

June 8 Gale Pifer Orchestra

July 13 Doming Gomez Swing Band

Aug 10 Mearl Lake Orchestra

Sept 14 Doming Gomez Swing Band

Oct 12 Sammy Jensen Orchestra

Nov 9 Gale Pifer Orchestra

Dec 14 El Riad Big Band

New Years Eve-Mearl Lake Orchestra*NYE not included with club membership.

When in doubt about winter weather, listen to AM1140 and 1320 and FM 92.5. You may also call the Shrine Office at (605) 336-1117 to find out whether the dance is still on or has been cancelled.

Thanks to the Shrine Auxiliary

The women working at the door of each dance, those in the coat check area and those selling you beverage tickets are members of the Shrine Auxiliary. These ladies are volunteers raising money for the Shrine Children’s Hospital. We would like to thank them for the work that they are doing. We could not have a dance without this wonderful, dedicated group, so please pass on your appreciation for their work too.

CLUB OFFICERS 2011-2012

Arden Jones, President (605)528-5653 ajones@conceptsalesinc.com

Kaye Huber Vice President (605)335-6539 kaywar@midco.net

Joanie Kueser, Secretary (605) 228-9034 dj.Keuser@sio.midco.net

Dick Blundell, Treasurer (605) 376-2514 rblundell@sio.midco.net

Dale Pettyjohn, At Large (605) 488-0003 no email

LINE OF DANCE and Etiquette

It’s time for a refresher on dance etiquette:

Most of us know the general rules of keeping to the line of dance (LOD), but if you are unsure, ask someone at the next dance. In general, LOD is a series of several ovals (or circles) moving counter-clockwise around the dance floor, with the fastest moving traffic on the outside of the dance floor, and each inner circle moving a little slower. All stopping should be maneuvered to the center of the dance floor or one of the corners.

Also, be sure to practice common courtesy on the dance floor. Any courtesy used in public applies even more so when dancing. If you encounter a new person in the club, at least introduce yourself and speak to them. When there are beginner dancers on the floor, try to work around them and avoid getting upset when they are in your way. They have other things on their mind!

Dancing is a partnership and when it comes to maneuvering around a crowed floor, both the man and woman can help out. The man can vary the moves used according to the density of the crowd. You would be surprised how “small” you can dance. Even on a crowed floor, the man can set up the dance to avoid the trouble areas. All men need to learn several emergency moves to quickly lead them away from a collision. Most ladies enjoy a varied dance routine, but not to the point of colliding with other couples. The lady can also help out by paying attention to the lead when the floor is crowed. She can also look out for up-coming collisions when the man is dancing backwards. Just give his hand a squeeze or a tap on the shoulder to alert him.

Often during the Fox Trot, some couples will choose to dance the Swing. This dance should be done in the center of the dance floor or in one of the four corners. This will allow the LOD to continue around the floor by those doing the Fox Trot.

Source http://www.twosteptidewater.com