This is always a bittersweet time of year for me. It's all out with the old and in with the new. While it's never good to live in the past, it's still worthwhile to reflect on what a year it has been.
So, here's a quick recap of some of the crazy, adventurous, hilariaous, and wonderful times we've had at Sapphire in 2014.
 - Old Man Kelly and The Streetsweapers, January. These great guys played for the Sapphire's First ever Live Band Dance in January. With an essentially sold out crowd, we had more people have more fun than we ever thought possible.
- George Gammon's Birthday Party, February. George has been dancing with Linda since before the studio even opened and we were honored to be able to host his 100th birthday party in February this year.
 - Dancers are Video Stars, April. One of our students, Darren offered his services in making a promotional video for Sapphire (yes, it's still in the works - it's coming, really). The result was a night of dance lessons, with a man and a camera. It was a little odd, but ultimately fun, and (someday) will look totally awesome.
- Miller Mania Dance Party, May. Sam and Denise Miller join us, usually about once a year, for a mind-blowing weekend of workshops, private lessons, and dancing. This year, they offer to DJ the dance party and brought some great music that kept me dancing until my feet were ready to fall off. Even then, I didn't want to leave.
- Dancescape, Sapphire Dance Center's first recital, June. Sapphire's new side - the performing arts side - brought all of their hard work and joy of dance together into one spectacular show. It still makes me excited to think about it.
 - Shaggin' @ Sapphire, June. We have some pretty good Carolina Shag dancers and teachers here at Sapphire. This year we decided to put on an event to share our love and skills "Carolina Style" (dancing, not bbq sauce). We met great people, had so much fun, and learned some really good dancing.
 - Sapphires & Diamonds, July. This might have been the biggest deal of the year for me. I know everyone put in lots of work, effort, heart, and soul to make this happen. And when it was done, I was so overjoyed, I think I might looked a little drunk (promise I wasn't). It was a wonderful way to celebrate ten years in a fantastic dance community, thanks to everyone who participated.
- Ice Cream Social, September. It was just a happy little dance in the afternoon of a beautiful that happened to have ice cream. Do I really need to say more?
 - RSO Tea Dance, November. We teamed up with the Friends of the Roanoke Symphany Orchastra for host a Tea Dance as part of their Musical Road Show. There was great food from Mockingbird Cafe, a lesson by Dennis, and as usual, much fun dancing to live music at this excellent, old-fashioned event.
- Karen Jaffe, Argentine Tango, November. Well, this one is hardly history. It was just yesterday that Karen was here, wasn't it?, taking our Tango into totally new, exciting directions.
 And don't forget all those excellent Dance Parties! The Winter Luau brought out flowers in everybody's wardrobe. Lucky Draw was a new theme - all about risk taking and betting the odds. 80's Explosion, Vinyl Vibe, and Monster Bash achieved new heights in costumes. And all the rest, each and every one special because the people, the music, the dancing.
Most of these events have pictures up on our Facebook page at facebook.com/SapphireBallroom. Before you head out to your New Year's festivities, take a while to go look though them. I promise they will make you smile.
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Dates to remember:
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at Sapphire Ballroom, and everyone is getting excited about the last Dance Party of the year: our annual Snowflake Ball, this Saturday, December 13. 
Don’t deprive your friends and loved ones any longer, give them the gift of dance! It's a great idea for singles & couples, co-workers and family, kids and adults. Did we miss anyone? Dance lessons are good for everyone! 
What’s that you say?! Spring?! 
Have you heard that we are teaching in Giles? Dance Motion in downtown Pearisburg has been inviting us out once a month to bring partner dancing to the area. You will find us there Friday, December 12, at 7pm, teaching a beginner friendly class featuring two dance styles. What better way to spend a Friday night! Out of the cold, trying something fun and easy with a great group of people. 
For the first ever, in 2015, Sapphire Ballroom will be hosting a Wine Tasting and Dance Party. We are teaming up with