To the Dance Thing Juniors: Thank you all for your love of the dance and the dedication, hard work and heart ache you have put into Dance Thing.
To Dance Thing Supporters: Thank you for your many years of attendance, participation in our contests and classes, support to the Dance Thing Juniors and personal support of me.
All along it was my goal to bring youth in … watch them grow in the dance and then let them pick up the reins and take it to places I could never have reached. Have been talking about passing on the traditions of Dance Thing (Fusion as well as the DTJ Program) to the next generation for quite awhile and 2010 was the target retirement date.
December 12, 2009 will be the last Dance Thing Fusion dance. I am retiring from running this dance and it turns out the DTJs are either too young or too overwhelmed with life, job and education on their plates to continue it in 2010. Who knows about beyond? Dance Thing Junior program is also retiring. That shouldn't matter though … the DTJs will still be out in the world dancing away and inspiring others to bring dance to the youth.
Studio 2845 Classes and other of my (Maria) teaching gigs will still be in FULL FORCE (So Dance Thing is not really gonna pass away entirely -- website will also stay up). It is my hope that I will be able to join you more often socially as well as on the road, with having reduced the number of "projects" in my life.
The swan song? --> DANCE THING GENERATIONS (a wonderful mix of adult sponsors and DTJs) will be bringing you a special team exhibition this October. We will be performing it all around the city as well as at Nov/Dec Fusion dances as a show-stopping fundraiser to help the Dance Thing Juniors get to Doug Rousar's Spotlight New Year's Eve Event.
So mark your calendars -- you don't want to miss any of these dances -- The final three dances are as follows: September 12, November 7, and (lastly) December 12
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Meet Me In St. Louis
Hello Rebels!
Meet Me in St Louis Swing Dance Championships is coming up on us quickly! (September 17 - 20) Do you have your event pass yet?! It's going to be exciting so don't miss it!
As you know, we have had an incredible event each year - and will be again this year! It takes a lot to pull off an event like this and we need your help!
Do you own a business - or have a contact with a business - that would donate a prize for the 50/50 or competition prizes? Or maybe you just have a few suggestions for businesses that you think might be willing to donate cash, gift cards or prizes. Email me with as many ideas and as much information as you can!
As you can imagine, a four-day event takes lots of hours to staff the door & registration as well as decorating, selling 50/50 tickets and t-shirts too. Would you be willing to donate just 2 hours of your time over those four days?!? Even just 1 hour would be a help! Many hands make light work! Email me with your availability and preferences so that I can forward it on to the right individual...we start Thursday evening and have those tough Friday daytime slots to fill, so if you aren't working and plan on coming, please let us know when you can help out!
We're at the incredible Renaissance Airport Hotel again this year and have LOWER room rates over last year - $79 for single/double, and the 4-day weekend event pass is still just $99 through August 15th (or $90 when you purchase a table of 10!) .So buy your event pass if you haven't already done so and sign up for a couple of the competitions. Don't forget to talk up MMISL to your dance friends - with a fantastic Pro line up again this year, we'll make it yet another dance party to remember!
We are so excited to announce that the MMISL is ready to be bigger than ever! Once again, we have a fantastic Pro Staff and DJ line-up. We're also adding some new divisions: Rising Star Routines, Masters Routines and Pro-Am Routines!
Check out our 2009 Pro Staff:
Angel & Debbie Figueroa
Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely
John Lindo
Matt & Crystal Auclair
Michael Kielbasa & Jennifer DeLuca
Brent & Kellese Key
Bill Cameron
Jason Miklic & Sophy Kdep
Jeanne DeGeyter
Doug Rousar
Terry Roseborough
Maren Oslac
Henry Pulido
Austin Murrey
Head Judge: Angel Figueroa
DJ's:
Ruth Gilbert, Head DJ
Victor Loveira
John Lindo
Carpio Robles
Contests:
Jack and Jill (Nov, Int, Adv, Pro)
Strictly Swing (Nov, Int, Adv, Pro)
Pro-Am Strictly Swing (Nov, Int)
**NEW**Rising Star, Masters and Pro-Am Routines
Juniors Divisions TBA
Penny Davis, Event Director
Meet Me in St. Louis Swing Dance Championships
davis.penny@gmail.com
www.MeetMeInStLouisSDC.com
Ticket Information
Purchase now!
Weekend Pass:
$99 until August 15th, $129 after August 15th
(includes Early Bird Dance, all competitions and workshops)
Junior Ticket Prices:
St. Louis Rebels' Junior Members - Free (with 4 volunteer hours)
Non-Member Juniors - (8-17) $60, or $20 with 4 volunteer hours. Only offered for those registered before Aug. 15.
Hotel Information
Hotel Information:
Renaissance St. Louis Hotel - Airport
9801 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63134
314-429-1100
Room Rates: only $79.00/night
Cut off Date: August 27, 2009 - After this date, rooms and rates are subject to availability, so reserve early!
FREE parking for all attendees of Meet Me in St. Louis!
FREE airport shuttle!
FREE shuttle to nearby attractions and to the Metrolink to go downtown!
Meet Me in St Louis Swing Dance Championships is coming up on us quickly! (September 17 - 20) Do you have your event pass yet?! It's going to be exciting so don't miss it!
As you know, we have had an incredible event each year - and will be again this year! It takes a lot to pull off an event like this and we need your help!
Do you own a business - or have a contact with a business - that would donate a prize for the 50/50 or competition prizes? Or maybe you just have a few suggestions for businesses that you think might be willing to donate cash, gift cards or prizes. Email me with as many ideas and as much information as you can!
As you can imagine, a four-day event takes lots of hours to staff the door & registration as well as decorating, selling 50/50 tickets and t-shirts too. Would you be willing to donate just 2 hours of your time over those four days?!? Even just 1 hour would be a help! Many hands make light work! Email me with your availability and preferences so that I can forward it on to the right individual...we start Thursday evening and have those tough Friday daytime slots to fill, so if you aren't working and plan on coming, please let us know when you can help out!
We're at the incredible Renaissance Airport Hotel again this year and have LOWER room rates over last year - $79 for single/double, and the 4-day weekend event pass is still just $99 through August 15th (or $90 when you purchase a table of 10!) .So buy your event pass if you haven't already done so and sign up for a couple of the competitions. Don't forget to talk up MMISL to your dance friends - with a fantastic Pro line up again this year, we'll make it yet another dance party to remember!
We are so excited to announce that the MMISL is ready to be bigger than ever! Once again, we have a fantastic Pro Staff and DJ line-up. We're also adding some new divisions: Rising Star Routines, Masters Routines and Pro-Am Routines!
Check out our 2009 Pro Staff:
Angel & Debbie Figueroa
Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely
John Lindo
Matt & Crystal Auclair
Michael Kielbasa & Jennifer DeLuca
Brent & Kellese Key
Bill Cameron
Jason Miklic & Sophy Kdep
Jeanne DeGeyter
Doug Rousar
Terry Roseborough
Maren Oslac
Henry Pulido
Austin Murrey
Head Judge: Angel Figueroa
DJ's:
Ruth Gilbert, Head DJ
Victor Loveira
John Lindo
Carpio Robles
Contests:
Jack and Jill (Nov, Int, Adv, Pro)
Strictly Swing (Nov, Int, Adv, Pro)
Pro-Am Strictly Swing (Nov, Int)
**NEW**Rising Star, Masters and Pro-Am Routines
Juniors Divisions TBA
Penny Davis, Event Director
Meet Me in St. Louis Swing Dance Championships
davis.penny@gmail.com
www.MeetMeInStLouisSDC.com
Ticket Information
Purchase now!
Weekend Pass:
$99 until August 15th, $129 after August 15th
(includes Early Bird Dance, all competitions and workshops)
Junior Ticket Prices:
St. Louis Rebels' Junior Members - Free (with 4 volunteer hours)
Non-Member Juniors - (8-17) $60, or $20 with 4 volunteer hours. Only offered for those registered before Aug. 15.
Hotel Information
Hotel Information:
Renaissance St. Louis Hotel - Airport
9801 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63134
314-429-1100
Room Rates: only $79.00/night
Cut off Date: August 27, 2009 - After this date, rooms and rates are subject to availability, so reserve early!
FREE parking for all attendees of Meet Me in St. Louis!
FREE airport shuttle!
FREE shuttle to nearby attractions and to the Metrolink to go downtown!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Fusion Saturday June 13
DANCE THING FUSION
The dancer’s danceFeaturing MUSIC for competition level (or only the currently popular) west coast swing – a minimum of 50% of the playlist.
You will also get 25% country-western two-step, and then the remaining 25% could be everything under the sun, such as hustle, nightclub two step, ballroom, latin, and linedancing / motion studies.
Just Dancing Studio,
Next to Office Depot at Hwy 141 and Manchester Road
236 Old Meramec Station Road, Ballwin, MO 63021
Workshop at 7:30 – Majority Rules (Included Free)
Beginner Lesson in West Coast Swing always available for your new friends
Our (remaining) 2009 Calendar:
June 13, August 8, September 12, November 7, December 12
$8 Regular Evening or $10 When we have Guest Pro Instructors
(18 and under = ½ Price … Is It Your Birthday Month? Travel 100+? Fellow Instructor? Get in FREE)
For More Information contact/see:
http://www.dancething.com/ (will be fading away some day)
http://dancethingstlouis.blogspot.com/ (this is a keeper)
Brenda Eggleston, Joe “Dance Daddy” Ray, Hope Kukielski, Mike Hohman,
Taylor Harrell, Clare Kukielski, Gwen Kukielski, Stephen Kukielski,
Alec Thode, Brendan Thode, Jennie Ward, Michael Ortmann
Maria at 314.680.5574 mariablackwell@earthlink.net
Monday, June 1, 2009
Black and White Ball
YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS IT, SATURDAY JUNE 6th
The Black & White Ball
THE GRAND BALLROOM •HOLIDAY INN VIKING
10709 WATSON RD. ST. LOUIS, MO 63127
Admission $12 includes
•WORKSHOP #1 “CAROLINA SHAG” - DAVE COOK & MELISSA EILMANN 7P-7:30
•WORKSHOP #2 “WEST COAST SWING” – BRAD SWEENEY & MARIA BLACKWELL 7:30P – 8P
•APPETIZER BUFFET FROM 8P-9P
•OPEN DANCING FROM 8P- 130A
YOUR DEEJAYS FOR THE EVENING – ROSS BEHRENS, TERRY JAMES, & MIKE COOK
CASH BAR, FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS CALL 1-800-448-2296 ASK FOR “NATURAL RHYTHMZ” FOR
$79.00 ROOM BLOCK
WEAR YOUR BEST BLACK & WHITE ATTIRE!, GUYS YOU DON’T NEED TO WEAR A TUX!
IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO MAKE IT PLEASE R.S.V.P. to dancingcookie@sbcglobal.net
** REMINDER – http://www.naturalrhythmz.com/ has been fully updated with the latest demos, dancing and pics!
Please check it out!!!
The Black & White Ball
THE GRAND BALLROOM •HOLIDAY INN VIKING
10709 WATSON RD. ST. LOUIS, MO 63127
Admission $12 includes
•WORKSHOP #1 “CAROLINA SHAG” - DAVE COOK & MELISSA EILMANN 7P-7:30
•WORKSHOP #2 “WEST COAST SWING” – BRAD SWEENEY & MARIA BLACKWELL 7:30P – 8P
•APPETIZER BUFFET FROM 8P-9P
•OPEN DANCING FROM 8P- 130A
YOUR DEEJAYS FOR THE EVENING – ROSS BEHRENS, TERRY JAMES, & MIKE COOK
CASH BAR, FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS CALL 1-800-448-2296 ASK FOR “NATURAL RHYTHMZ” FOR
$79.00 ROOM BLOCK
WEAR YOUR BEST BLACK & WHITE ATTIRE!, GUYS YOU DON’T NEED TO WEAR A TUX!
IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO MAKE IT PLEASE R.S.V.P. to dancingcookie@sbcglobal.net
** REMINDER – http://www.naturalrhythmz.com/ has been fully updated with the latest demos, dancing and pics!
Please check it out!!!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Love N' Dancing
Dear Dancing Friends (about 250 of you!):
There is a new movie out in selected markets called Love n' Dancing. It is a great feel good type of movie with a wonderful story line and lots of music and mainly West Coast dancing.
The movie was only featured in selected markets ( opened last Friday, May 8th) and here is where we need your help.
I have drafted a letter below that you can copy and paste and send it to your local theaters web site making a request that they get the movie in your area. In our area it is Kerasotes ,web site is: www.kerasotes.com
Be sure and put your name and city where it shows at the bottom of the request letter.
The choreographer, Robert Royston is a well known dancer and his wife, Nicola is in the movie as a main character. great dancers themselves. Please see for yourself what this is all about by clicking on this site-
http://www.lovendancing.com/
Then, please take a few minutes of your time to copy and paste the letter or form below and send it to the movie theaters in your area. We are hoping that as a group we can possibly get the theater to listen to us, the public.
This movie has not only top notched dancing, but major movie stars like Betty White (need I list her credits?!), Billy Zane (Titantic) ,Amy Smart, Caroline Rhea and many other well known West Coast dancers.
If you can also forward this e-mail to your other dancing friends or non dancing friends/family, we might be able to see this great film that will surely make us all feel good for two reasons. One -we as a group got it to a city that we live in or near...Two-in some small way you helped promote dancing, West Coast or other....
Thanks for your consideration and help in advance,
Keep on Dancing!
Gene Gene The Dancing Machine and Mrs.DM 2
see form below:
________________________________________
WE WANT THE MOVIE-LOVE N' DANCING in our market area PLEASE
Dear Sirs:
There is a new movie out called Love n Dancing that we feel would be a great movie in our market area.
The movie started in limited markets on May 8th, 2009.
Since this movie was only featured in cities (limited) out West-we are asking that you consider bringing this to our area.
Any consideration on your part is appreciated and we feel that this movie will draw all types of people if properly promoted by the theater. In our opinion it is a sleeper movie like,"Shall we Dance" which started off slow and then took off in all types of markets.
To assist you, here is the web site and information: http://www.lovendancing.com
Thanking you in advance.
Sincerely ( your name and city)
There is a new movie out in selected markets called Love n' Dancing. It is a great feel good type of movie with a wonderful story line and lots of music and mainly West Coast dancing.
The movie was only featured in selected markets ( opened last Friday, May 8th) and here is where we need your help.
I have drafted a letter below that you can copy and paste and send it to your local theaters web site making a request that they get the movie in your area. In our area it is Kerasotes ,web site is: www.kerasotes.com
Be sure and put your name and city where it shows at the bottom of the request letter.
The choreographer, Robert Royston is a well known dancer and his wife, Nicola is in the movie as a main character. great dancers themselves. Please see for yourself what this is all about by clicking on this site-
http://www.lovendancing.com/
Then, please take a few minutes of your time to copy and paste the letter or form below and send it to the movie theaters in your area. We are hoping that as a group we can possibly get the theater to listen to us, the public.
This movie has not only top notched dancing, but major movie stars like Betty White (need I list her credits?!), Billy Zane (Titantic) ,Amy Smart, Caroline Rhea and many other well known West Coast dancers.
If you can also forward this e-mail to your other dancing friends or non dancing friends/family, we might be able to see this great film that will surely make us all feel good for two reasons. One -we as a group got it to a city that we live in or near...Two-in some small way you helped promote dancing, West Coast or other....
Thanks for your consideration and help in advance,
Keep on Dancing!
Gene Gene The Dancing Machine and Mrs.DM 2
see form below:
________________________________________
WE WANT THE MOVIE-LOVE N' DANCING in our market area PLEASE
Dear Sirs:
There is a new movie out called Love n Dancing that we feel would be a great movie in our market area.
The movie started in limited markets on May 8th, 2009.
Since this movie was only featured in cities (limited) out West-we are asking that you consider bringing this to our area.
Any consideration on your part is appreciated and we feel that this movie will draw all types of people if properly promoted by the theater. In our opinion it is a sleeper movie like,"Shall we Dance" which started off slow and then took off in all types of markets.
To assist you, here is the web site and information: http://www.lovendancing.com
Thanking you in advance.
Sincerely ( your name and city)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
DANCE THING FUSION
The dancer’s dance
THIS IS THE DANCE EVENING FOR YOU!
Featuring MUSIC for competition level (or only the currently popular) west coast swing, You will also get country-western two-step, hustle, ballroom formal and informal, latin, and linedancing (esp. as motion studies)
Just Dancing Studio
Next to Office Depot at Hwy 141 and Manchester Road
236 Old Meramec Station Road, Ballwin, MO 63021
Workshop(s) at 7:30 – Majority Rules (Included Free)
Our 2009 Calendar
January 17 February 21 March 21
May 16 June 13 August 8
September 12 November 07 December 12
$8 (18 and under = ½ Price … Is It Your Birthday Month? Travel 100+? Fellow Instructor? Get in FREE)
For More Information contact/see http://www.dancething.com/ http://dancethingstlouis.blogspot.com/
Dave Dierzbicki, Debbie Otto, Brenda Eggleston, Bob Treiber, Jeff and Leah Schuepfer
Joe “Dance Daddy” Ray, Hope Kukielski, Mike Hohman, Taylor Harrell, Clare Kukielski
Maria at 314.680.5574 mariablackwell@earthlink.net
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
2009 Dancing Events
WEEKLY STUFF that offer music for west coast swing/variety:
Tuesdays – Natural Rhythms at Stratford
Tuesdays - Spy Bar with Keith McCulloh DJing (lessons with Joe and Angie)
Every Other Tuesday - Jefferson County at VFW Arnold (next meet is March 24)
Wednesdays - Jitterswing at Stratford with Terry James DJ
Thursdays – Jitterswing at St. Charles Moose Lodge
Thursdays – Mike Berkel and Natasha Kubiak at Stratford
2009 DATES TO REMEMBER
STL REBELS / DANCE THING / NATURAL RHYTHMS
April 9-12 --- Tulsa Spring Fling --- Rebels Support
April 9-12 Maria goes to Smokey Mountain Boogie
APRIL 13TH -- CUT OFF TO TURN IN MMISL REGISTRATIONS VIA MARIA/DANCE THING
April 18 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
April 23-26 --- Swing Dance America --- Rebels Support
May 7-9 Maria goes to Wanna Boogie Weekend
May 16 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
May 29/30 Rebels Pro Weekend - John Lindo
June 13 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
June 20 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
July 16-19 Maria goes to Jammin In July
July 24-26 Maria – Personal Trip
July 25 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
August 8 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
August 22 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
August 27/28/29 Sophy & Jason’s SWINGIN’ DANCE PARTY – this may include some of the DTJs
Aug 28/29 Rebels Pro Weekend
Sept 3-6 --- Dallas Dance --- Rebels Support
September 12 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
Sept 17-20 Rebels / MMISL
Sept 26 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
TBD --- Tulsa Fall --- Rebels Support
October – Maria goes to Atlanta Swing Classic
Oct 30-Nov 1 --- Swing City Chicago --- Rebels Support
November 07 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
Nov 13/14 Rebels Pro Weekend
November 28 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
December 12 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
December 26 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
Tuesdays – Natural Rhythms at Stratford
Tuesdays - Spy Bar with Keith McCulloh DJing (lessons with Joe and Angie)
Every Other Tuesday - Jefferson County at VFW Arnold (next meet is March 24)
Wednesdays - Jitterswing at Stratford with Terry James DJ
Thursdays – Jitterswing at St. Charles Moose Lodge
Thursdays – Mike Berkel and Natasha Kubiak at Stratford
2009 DATES TO REMEMBER
STL REBELS / DANCE THING / NATURAL RHYTHMS
April 9-12 --- Tulsa Spring Fling --- Rebels Support
April 9-12 Maria goes to Smokey Mountain Boogie
APRIL 13TH -- CUT OFF TO TURN IN MMISL REGISTRATIONS VIA MARIA/DANCE THING
April 18 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
April 23-26 --- Swing Dance America --- Rebels Support
May 7-9 Maria goes to Wanna Boogie Weekend
May 16 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
May 29/30 Rebels Pro Weekend - John Lindo
June 13 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
June 20 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
July 16-19 Maria goes to Jammin In July
July 24-26 Maria – Personal Trip
July 25 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
August 8 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
August 22 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
August 27/28/29 Sophy & Jason’s SWINGIN’ DANCE PARTY – this may include some of the DTJs
Aug 28/29 Rebels Pro Weekend
Sept 3-6 --- Dallas Dance --- Rebels Support
September 12 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
Sept 17-20 Rebels / MMISL
Sept 26 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
TBD --- Tulsa Fall --- Rebels Support
October – Maria goes to Atlanta Swing Classic
Oct 30-Nov 1 --- Swing City Chicago --- Rebels Support
November 07 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
Nov 13/14 Rebels Pro Weekend
November 28 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
December 12 Dance Thing FUSION (Maria Blackwell – Variety/West Coast Swing)
December 26 Natural Rhythms (Dave & Mike Cook – Variety)
New Blog!
This blog has been newly created to ultimately replace the original www.dancething.com website that has served us for so long. Please check here frequently and make sure you bookmark the new website!
There will be a transfer of files from the old website to the new website that will be ongoing for some time. We will notify the audience when the transformation will occur and the old website will fade out.
Please feel free to take a look around and post comments to anything listed. This is a new feature with the blog that the website could not accomplish.
There will be a transfer of files from the old website to the new website that will be ongoing for some time. We will notify the audience when the transformation will occur and the old website will fade out.
Please feel free to take a look around and post comments to anything listed. This is a new feature with the blog that the website could not accomplish.
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