"May" I have this dance?

Sapphire Ballroom News - May 2022

This Month we are trying to get back to the social part of social dancing. And so, we are inviting you to several fun, social events, not the least of which is our first full-fledged Dance Party in years!

This weekend, rock Main Street Christiansburg with us.
Next weekend, pull out your sparkliest dress (or the good yoga pants) and join us for the Black and White Ball.
Then the weekend after, finish the month and kick off summer with a beachy Happy Hour. Remember when you came dancing for fun, not just for lessons? Let's do it again! Don't get me wrong, lessons are fun, but social dancing should be danced socially! I hope we see you you this month, and maybe you could save a dance for me?

In this issue...

- Event Highlights: putting the "social" back in our dancing
        Rocking Main Street - May 14 (This Saturday!)
        Black & White Ball - Saturday, May 21
        Happy (Dance) Hour - Friday, May 27

- Lesson Highlights: Learning the stuff that makes it fun
        Date Night Dance Classes in Blacksburg
        Carolina Shag, Lessons and Practice Dance, Starting this Friday!
        How To: Choreography

- Headlines
        Spring Sale - Beginner Line Dance
        Wedding Lessons

- What’s New Playlist

Event Highlights: Putting the "Social" back in our dancing

Rocking Main Street Concert Series - They need us! Saturday, May 14

The Christiansburg website says “ Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to sit and enjoy the live performances.”

Wait - What?!

How are you going to “Rock Main Street” from a lawn chair? I think we need to show them how it’s done! Come dance with us in downtown Christiansburg (right in front of our studio) to live music. I expect to dance Hustle, Merengue, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, and West Coast Swing. Maybe Salsa. But if you know a few moves in any of those of dances, you know enough to have fun. We may not be there the whole time, so let us know if you’re coming and we will coordinate. Email us!

https://www.christiansburg.org/1479/Rockin-Main-Street

Black and White Ball - Saturday, May 21

“What is a Black and White Ball?” you might wonder. Well, according to Wikipedia, it was a masquerade ball thrown by Truman Capote on November 28, 1966, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City and commonly cited as the pinnacle event of New York’s social history. Since then, it has been recreated time and time again, focusing on kitschy-cool and fancy dress, all in black and white, with as much sparkle as you can muster.

So, dress up like the high society of New York in the sixties and come to dance the night away. Even if you don’t feel ready for the Plaza, throw on your fanciest black and white t-shirt, whatever it may be, and join Sapphire for a high-class Viennese Waltz lesson at 7:30. You'll feel rich and famous….rich in friends and famous for your dance moves. If you are new to this dance, be sure to make it to the start of the lesson (7:30pm), because about half way through we start gearing the material to those with more experience.

Masks are encouraged, not required. Advanced registration/payment is not required, but if you pay ahead at SapphireBallroom.square.site, we’ll save a spot for you. Attendance is capped at 30 people. Details on our website: http://sapphiredance.com/GroupLessons.php

Happy Hour on May 27

These micro dance parties fill the studio with excellent dancing at many different skill levels, experince levels, and wonderful personalities. So, mark your calendar, let us know you are coming, and dance your way into summer with a beachy-keen theme! Our next Happy Hour will be Friday, May 27, 5-7pm.

Details on our website: http://sapphiredance.com/GroupLessons.php

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Lesson Highlights: Learning the stuff that makes it fun

Summer Date Night Dance Classes in Blacksburg

Want to spend more time with your special someone? Learn to dance together. First share the learning experience, then share the dancing for years to come.
Blacksburg Date Night Dance Classes (DNDC) make for fantastic memories of fun, laughter, and joy. Sign up today, before it sells out, by visiting the Blacksburg Community Center registration page at https://recreation.blacksburg.gov/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html and search on Adult Dance. You’ll have the Time of Your Life!

Do you know that when you sign up early, you inspire other people to do the same. That helps us have a sucessful dance class and helps you get that dance night experience you're looking for. Sign up today and invite your friends to do the same.
Classes this summer will be W June 15, Tu July 12, and W Aug 31. Check our webpage for more details.
 

Carolina Shag - Friday Beginner Workshops and Happy Hour

You can’t live this close to the Carolinas without having heard of Carolina Shag. It’s a mainstay of teen beach movies in the 60’s and a symbol of summertime countrywide. Ca Shag (just “The Shag” in some circles) is a classic style of swing done to beach music. It can be intricate, flashy, and sooooo smooth. The legend is that you should be able to dance the night away without putting down your coke or sloshing it on your partner.

Join us Fridays, 7-8pm, at Sapphire’s studio in downtown Christiansburg this month to learn this classic dance. And join us any time 5-7pm on May 28 for our May Happy Hour, a casual practice dance featuring whole heaps of Ca Shag music (a lot of which also works as great Rumbas, Fox Trots, Cha Chas, and Bachatas). Registration by noon the day of the workshop and/or the Happy Hour required.
What an excellent way to start your summer!

Want more Ca Shag? Talk to us about it. We have in the past had weekly Shag lessons during the Summer - we just need to know that you’re interested and find a convenient time.

How To: Choreographry Workshops

We've recenltly had several people ask about the skills that go into choreography. This spring we have tackled a short Rumba routine and a Bachata one as well, both choreographed by Debbi, both featuring some delightful musicality and remarkable steps. If you're interested in trying it yourself, We are going have a series of workshops (3-5) spaced out over the summer, talking about how to Choreograph a routine, either for performance or personal growth. We'll start with choosing a song, mapping the song, and what pieces to pay attention to.

These workshops will involve homework, which you can take seriously or not. Really - you can "audit" the classes (attend them, be part of the conversations, but skip out of class work) or participate fully and end up with a performable piece by the end the summer.

The class will cap at 5 pieces, no more than 1 piece per student. This is a multi-skill-level class. Students should be comfortable dancing an entire song in the style of their music (does not have to be high level material) without stopping.

The first workshop will be Sunday, June 5, 5:30-6:30. For this first workshop, online attendance is probably just as good as in person. Following classes will be scheduled at the end of the first class.
Cost is one session for $14/person or 4 session for $42/person.

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Headlines

Spring Line Dance Sale - 6 workshops for $36!

You’ve heard of line dancing. Maybe you’ve done the Electric Slide or the Wobble. But there’s so much more! More music, more moves, more variety - and now, it’s on sale.
Now through Summer Solstice (June 21), the “official” days of spring, you can buy a package of 6 beginner Line Dance Workshops for just $36! Share them with friends, family, or keep them for yourself - it’s up to you. Registration for any particular workshop is required by noon the day of that workshop, not at the time of purchase. So, you can take advantage of the sale now, then take your time, choose the nights that suit you, and learn to line dance. The dance floor is waiting for you.
Sale is for Beginner Line Dance Workshops only. See the spring schedule on our webpage at SapphireDance.com/GroupLessons.php. Please use your Spring Sale workshops within 6 months of purchase.

Planning a Summer wedding? Now is the time to schedule your dance lessons!

We can take that dreaded first dance and make it a thing of pride and joy. All it takes is time and lessons. The more time and the more lessons, the more comfortable you will be when all those people are watching. But even 1 lesson can help take the stress out of what should be a fun part of your wedding. Contact us today (info@sapphiredance.com, 540-382-8782) to schedule your lessons! They will be the highlight of your week. Details at SapphireDance.com/BridalLessons.php
 

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What’s New Playlist

At Sapphire Ballroom, we are always adding to our music library.  Sometimes we discover old songs we’ve never heard before.  Sometimes we discover new songs while listening to the radio or diving down a youtube rabbit hole… Sometimes we realize we’ve lost an old favorite, or there’s a better version out, and we should replace it. Sometimes you tell us about a great song, old or new, that we really need.  This past month, we did a 1920’s Flapper-style Charleston and Fox Trot lesson, so we were beefing up our selection of authentic 1920 music - so you’ll see several older Fox Trots, Foxies, and Charlestons in the playlist.

Whatever the reason, we add new tracks at a steady trickle.  This month’s playlist is a sampling of the songs new to our ever-expanding library.  If you have a suggestion, we’d love to hear it! 

To see the What’s New Playlist, visit us on YouTube at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGEmFFdzKkkZzYCooEe3AmpLbC_n6Oh8j

To see all of our playlists, including more than 20 practice lists, visit us at https://www.youtube.com/user/SapphireBallroom/playlists

Boogie Shoes (Glee Cast Version) by the Glee Cast
Dance Style: Hustle and a Line Dance
https://youtu.be/JGZyWXOXjNA

Charleston Boogie by Robert Edwards & Little Violet
Style: Charleston
https://youtu.be/S7mPbwLpj_Y

Clementine (From New Orleans) by Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra
Style: Foxy
https://youtu.be/CTa2fEAQaFw

Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) by Elton John & Dua Lipa
Style: Hustle and Line Dance
https://youtu.be/qod03PVTLqk

Everlong (Acoustic Version) by Foo Fighters
Style: Nightclub 2-Step
https://youtu.be/YLRlOvzs-XU 

Feathers by Robert Edwards & Andrew Griffiths
Style: Foxy
https://youtu.be/B_iJ_ewqIY0

Feeling Good (Bassnectar Remix) by Nina Simone
Style: West Coast Swing
https://youtu.be/WAXHuvnbD3g

Golden Years by David Bowie
Style: Hustle
https://youtu.be/ApHM1ct4tdM 

I Can't Give You Anything but Love by Fats Waller
Style: Fox Trot
https://youtu.be/HxmSwIcnKzI

I Want Crazy by Hunter Hayes
Style: Country Two-Step
https://youtu.be/XvtXgNtYFMs

I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover by Bix Beiderbecke & Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra
Style: Fox Trot
https://youtu.be/R_vj5KCjEdI

La Cañoa Ranchaa by Grupo Niche
Style: Salsa
https://youtu.be/AbpnWgNdKAs

Life Is A Dancefloor by The Shapeshifters feat. Kimberly Davis
Style: Hustle
https://youtu.be/dOmt7qNR3wI

Love Song by Sara Bareilles
Style: East Coast Swing
https://youtu.be/qi7Yh16dA0w

Margaret's Waltz by Bryan Sutton
Style: Waltz
https://youtu.be/ujWVR9xZvzA

Merry-Go-Round by Joe Hisaishi
Style: Viennese Waltz
https://youtu.be/Cj-AL-J98U0

On the 4th of July by James Taylor
Style: Rumba
https://youtu.be/Jp8C5tpSB88

Pickup by MacKenzie Porter
Style: Improver Line Dance
https://youtu.be/JqDwTHZ45FM

Slow Hand by The Pointer Sisters
Style: Rumba
https://youtu.be/dbk29JZdl5A

Smooth Operator by Sade
Style: Rumba
https://youtu.be/4TYv2PhG89A

Tattoo (Bachata Version) by DJ Tronky & Felix
Style: Bachata
https://youtu.be/hD1tJcTPoNA

What Happened to Us by Latasha Lee
Style: Carolina Shag
https://youtu.be/bpr3MOnW3OQ

The World Is Not Enough by Garbage
Style: West Coast Swing
https://youtu.be/rSwP7v4pYEc

What songs do you think should have made this list? What would you like to see in next month’s playlist? Let us know - we’d love to hear from you on Facebook or by email.

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Upcoming Dance Classes: online and in-person

Events are hosted by Sapphire Ballroom & Dance Center: online, at our studio in Christiansburg, or at the Blacksburg Community Center. Please check locations before traveling!

Taking online classes is affordable and easy, once you try it. You do not need a partner; you do not need a fancy space. You do not have to share your picture or video. Online events require a Zoom link (included below), but not a Zoom account.

All Group Lessons have a maximum of 10 people in-studio. To prevent being turned away from a full class, please register by or before noon the day of the class by emailing us at info@SapphireDance.com or contacting the Blacksburg Community Center.

All group events and lessons cost $6-$15/person/hour. Visit our Square Store to pay online for classes and private lessons.

More information available on our webpage or Facebook page.

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Thanks for reading; we hope you found something you liked.
Until we see you again, happy dancing!

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