DANCEWELL NEWS                                                   Linda Springstead 

MARCH 2008

3/29 – Classes began today for the Uplands Grade School in Lake Oswego.  This is the first year for the 5th and 6th graders of this school to be in our program and we are looking forward to having much fun!  It's always a culture shock for the new students to find they need to escort a partner, let alone have dance/touch!  But these are troopers just as the previous schools I have worked with.  There will be a dance contest for this school on April 17th and the dances will be Merengue and Tango.

3/22 – The DanceWell Rumba team danced for the USA Dance Club in Portland this Saturday night.  Students on this team are from 20's through 60's in age and do a fine performance!  I understand this was an unusual weekend for the USADance and many people did not know a dance was scheduled this night; nor that the DanceWell team would be there.  It was a light crowd but definitely our best performance. We were grand!  I also believe some good pictures were taken by John Selander and we hope to receive copies for our photo page soon so keep watch!

3/21 – The yearly dance assembly was held today for the 6th, 7th and 8th graders of the Aloha Huber School. The 160 students in the upper grades  performed three dances for their fellow students and family:  Waltz, Lindy Swing, Swing Hustle and Cha Cha.  A Hip Hop routine was demonstrated by several students.  And we also had a JACK AND JILL "Dance-Off" for those who showed interest:  32 entries!  The competition was in these dances:  Cha Cha, Lindy Swing and Swing Hustle.  And the winners, Jaffa and Karen received both Winners Certificates and awards!  You can imagine they were HAPPY! 

3/14 – At their invitation the DanceWell Rumba Performance Team did a show for the Oak Grove Round Dance Club this Friday night.  We had a great time joining in the fun and admired the beautiful routines shown by the Club dancers.  We would like to go back again.

3/1 – We were after celebratin an early St. Patty's Day this night and there were multitudes o' people at the glorious event.  Many learned ta dance the dance which is closest to an Irish Jig - the very Polka!  And we had the delight o' seein a grand Jack and Jill contest to the wild Irish music o' the Emerald Isle that night, amid much merry-makin' and grand fun!  The lad and lassie who won the contest were celebratin' the winnin' of a private lesson fer each.  Linda Meiwes an Rick Davis were verra verra happy folk as were all the banshees watchin the liveliness.   

FEBRUARY 2008

2/14 – Wine and cheese, chocolate delights, three raffles (one of which was a private lesson), along with stickers, valentines, dancing and fun!  What a great Valentines Party we had!  Our party game was also an original and was won hands down by instructor Jim Grey amid shouts of laughter.  Javad Simonsen was the sweetheart who won his own private lesson in the big raffle.  I think safe to say we took quite a large group of singles and couples back to their childhood days that night.  Thanks everyone for coming!

2/2 – We had great fun at our pre-Superbowl party!  The Superbowl theme was throughout the studio and people got into the fun of it with us.  Lots of dancing, music, laughing and pure fun.  King Larry Welding was overthrown by David McKenna in the FoootBowl contest amid very hot competition!  Almost half the people at the party wanted to try footbowling, it's a great sport after all.  You can see from the photos.  David won a private lesson for his efforts over those of 9 other chosen contestants, and left only 3 pins standing.  However, our current record-holder is still Larry Welding, who left only one pin last year.  Pictures will be up shortly.

2/1 – Our first Professional Training Graduation ceremony was held this night at the studio.  Graduating students of the American Smooth Bronze Section were:  Leilani Nakagawa, Mark Imhof, Karen Imhof and Gary DeLeon.  Friends and relatives celebrated with a wine and cheese social, music and dancing, and the students each received their graduation certificate as we gave them a toast for such effort.  I have really been inspired by these four and their determination.  Congratulations All!

JANUARY 2008

1/19 – First meeting of the new Performance Team - (Hustle and Samba) was today.  We've got 14 members this team and have begin finalizing the music selection to make our next fun performance.  Our meetings will be Saturdays from 4:30-6:30 and alternating Mondays and Wednesdays at 9pm. 

Our previous team, Rumba, is not finished yet either.  We will meet soon to rehearse for our next two performances, one of which will be the USA Dance on March 8th.  I will also be teaching the lesson that night.

1/10 – Classes are great this month and parties too.  We had a great turn-out on Saturday, with many old friends joining us to celebrate this brand new year.

 Several of us were mulling over the growth of our Thursday night parties too.  When we first started them last year people were ready to leave around 9pm -- now it is always 9:30, with many times close to 10pm.  We had less than half those now in attendance as well.  We are very glad they have become so much more successful, thanks to those students who are taking the advice to "Practice, practice, practice..."

DECEMBER 2007

12/21 – FINAL EXAMS for our very first Professional Training Course:  the Bronze Smooth Series.  Mark, Imhof, Karen Imhof, Leilani Nakagawa, and Gary DeLeon were ready and did fantastic jobs.  The very second I pronounced the exam finished Gary gave a great yell, we all had a special glass of celebration wine together and then went for celebration dinner.   OUR FIRST GRADUATES OF OUR FIRST COURSE! Gary DeLeon, Karen Imhof, Mark Imhof, Leilani Nakagawa.

12/15 – Another fun night and performances!  This time a Chinese Christmas Dinner and Dance.  Held by two different groups, this was great fun and tasty too.  We were hosted, wined and dined well, and are pleased that the audience was so happy!  We danced our Rumba routine, Luke and Leilani danced a West Coast Swing freestyle dance and Tom and Ying Apel danced a Cha Cha.  All were very well received and it was great fun.  We thank the whole group for the invitation and for the hospitality.

12/7 – Our Rumba performance team had a great show at Sesame Dance Club this evening!  It was our best performance so far!  Everyone was right on, the lines were great and the crowd was wowed!  Leilani Nakagawa and Javad Simonsen do a solo in the routine which is a real crowd-pleaser.  And Luke Adams and Leilani also did a Cha Cha performance that had the audience at attention too.  That's what counts, that connection with the audience. 

NOVEMBER 2007

11/14 – Just a note:  We have needed a few people to do occasional photography for us at functions for a long time.  If you know someone or you might be interested... 

11/14 – Classes are great this month, we've got a large Viennese Waltz class going and we are working hard on lead/follow and timing in this fast dance.  Hustle is going great, with students understanding the difference between 4-ct and 3-ct Hustle timing.  Tango is a good class too with all it's different timings.  And as always our large Introduction to Dance class is all about learning how to learn dancing.  All the jargon, how to move, about partnering, about timing.  This month is Foxtrot and Merengue, two foundation dances. 

It works best to practice leading and following over and over; practice is how people learn to dance the steps they learn in group classes.  And our Thursday night parties have a friendly accepting atmosphere for everyone.  Good work to all those brave souls who come out and try the real thing!

11/11 – We were invited to dance in Eugene at the USA Dance Eugene Chapter's Fall Semi-Formal dance this past weekend.  I think we were a hit there too, according to all the positive feedback we all got.  I'll tell you, that's what keeps dancers going, all the good feedback from our friends and even from those just standing by.  Dancing puts people in a growth mode, which can also be akin to fear.  Working through it is fantastic because the other side is fantastic.  I made sure our Rumba music had its own applause and yelling so it gives our different audiences the clapping and yelling idea we love to hear from them -(smile)- but we didn't need it at all in Eugene.  We thank you all for being a wonderful group of Positive People persons.

I want to mention that we did have an injury on Sunday, Leilani Nakagawa who injured her shoulder and could use everyone's good thoughts for healing.  And I want to thank the DanceWell team members as a whole who drove a long distance, danced til late on a Sunday night and then drove home, most needing to work early next morning.  You're all great!. 

11/4 – We were invited to dance at a fundraiser to benefit Lavaun Heaster, a former student, whose hospital and kidney transplant costs are very high.  There were many performances by her friends, there were auctions and prize drawings.  Our Rumba team did their dance and were well-rehearsed, together and right on the hit of the show.  Good luck to Lavaun as she waits.

11/3 – Our performance team danced for the second time tonight and had a great reception from the crowd.  It was great fun.  So much fun I had a very surprised dance team dance the Rumba routine twice so all sides could see everything.  Thanks to an understanding home crowd, that is!  Luke Adams and Leilani Nakagawa danced their hot Cha Cha number as well and the whole evening was good fun!

11/1 – Teacher Trainees are coming down to the wire.  This last exam was on Viennese Waltz and Tango, the first half of the syllabus.  November starts  the second half of Waltz and Foxtrot.  December starts the second half of Tango and Viennese Waltz and then it's on to a whole new series -- the Rhythm section including Cha Cha, Rumba, Bolero and East Coast Swing.  Welcome in advance to all the new trainees who are joining us for this new session. 

OCTOBER, 2007

10/26 – Our performance team just did their first show last night and it was really well-received!

(Note from the Sarge:)  I give great accolades to the whole team!) Luke Adams, who danced and also helped to choreograph and coach the piece; Javad Simonsen and Leilani Nakagawa who danced a great ending solo; Tom Hann, who invited me to dance a solo in the show too; Harold Sun and Joyce Lee, who danced, had a baby, came back and danced even better; Kim Alford, color consultant and costumier; Rod Roth and Mark Imhof, who have both learned the attitude of macho in the Rumba; Svetlana Ruth, Karen Imhof and Fang Wei, (along with all the others on the team), who have worked to attain the Rumba walks and turns, arms, looks and the flirty, feminine or macho masculine attitude required for the Romantic Rumba. 

It's definitely not easy to be always in synchronicity with the others on the team and these folks, male and female, did a very fine job for even a first time out!  Thank you all for your dedication and great attitude!

The DanceWell Performance Team will dance it's first showing the their Rumba routine on Thursday, October 25 -- check out the other performances on the calendar.

10/20 – I had the opportunity to help start a new dance called 'The Dance' this past Saturday night, October 20.  I was asked to teach a Waltz lesson that night and had a great time at Bob and Michelle Smith's new dance venue.  Variety dancing plus lots of West Coast and Hustle music as well.  Good luck in your new endeavor, you two, I hope it is as successful for you as Friday Night Fever!

10/6 – Our 'First Saturday' Party had a Foxtrot lesson which I always try to make interesting, with lots of variety for those who like to learn a little something new (I hope).  I also have the same dance for our Beginner Dance Lesson on the Thursday prior so students can have additional practice at the basic steps before learning more intricate patterns.  Our Saturday performance was Mark and Karen Imhof, dancing a new Nightclub Two Step.  It was noted by many the great improvements to this couple's dancing over the past year or two.  We give great tribute to the P word:  practicepracticepractice.

10/5 - Wow!  This is ends our first month of the first term of our nationally affiliated teacher-training program!  I finally finished grading exams and that was so much more work than I planned for!  Any time there are essay questions there are sooo many good answers and, like all the trainees, my effort is to do as good a job as I possibly can too.  So it took me a full week to finish, including conferencing with the owner of the program Diane Jarmolow. 

The DanceWell trainees are doing a fantastic job!  All received scores in the 90%'s.  Hurray for them!  First exams are always tough since it's unknown exactly what's the format and what's expected.  Way to go everyone!

SEPTEMBER, 2007

9/29-30 - Oregon Dance Fair's second annual event included many venues in Portland this year.  There were classes and dances in several different locations, the Ballroom activities were mostly at the Scottish Rite temple.  I judged a West Coast Swing Jack and Jill contest on Saturday, then taught a Rumba lesson on Sunday afternoon.  The Rumba lesson was well-liked since it covered body moves and interesting dance steps including underarm turns and cucharachas.

9/28 - Our group of five Teacher-Trainees is pumped and has been working hard, with homework every day plus their exam today.  The exam includes a written exam, theory exam, and both solo and partnering dances.  I kid you not, the stress was high!  And I keep hearing how much they love this new approach for either use as teacher or just great dancing knowledge and skill!

9/15 - USADance (formerly USABDA) had their annual Day of Dance for people who would like to try out dancing as a hobby and social skill.  Many teachers volunteer their time for this day, myself included.  I taught a Waltz lesson which involved partnering skills and navigational steps to help new dancers work their way around the dance floor.

9/5 - Group classes for September began this week on Tuesday the 4th, and our newest program -- a national Teacher Training -- began today.  Our first session:  Bronze Smooth dances including Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Viennese Waltz. 

9/1 – Our First Saturday Party was a good one over the Labor Day weekend, with lots of familiar faces and a Cha Cha class that had people practicing what they learned the rest of the evening.  We also had a great treat watching Leilani Nakagawa and Luke Adams dance a super hot West Coast Swing number that wowed the crowd!

AUGUST, 2007

8/19 – We had a field trip this Sunday to the McMinnville Grand Ballroom on August 19th.  Now that was a fun day, with our "Demo Crew" dancers of: Rod Roth and Kim Alford, Luke Adams and Leilani Nakagawa, Mark and Karen Imhoff.  Those six all did dance demos for the McMinnville crowd, and several additional students joined us just to watch and support.  I have to say everyone’s presentation is getting better and better with all the performance opportunities we've had lately.  And I would also have to say this time that Rod Roth would be voted most improved student, for his Tango technique.  "You rock, Rod!  Smile!".  Next in line comes a couple who have jumped into dance in a BIG way and are working in the studio almost more than me:  Mark and Karen Imhof.  They are an inspiration to many for their determination and progress.  And the new hot partnership, Leilani Nakagawa and Luke Adams is one to watch for sure.

Getting a little better acquainted afterwards at the historic McMenimins Oregon Hotel, we all ended up spending about half a day in the country.  Another time we'll include a picnic at Hagg Lake (pronounced Haygg I've been informed). 

8/10 – Well, it's official.  DanceWell has now added a new dimension to the program:  NorthWest Ballroom Dance Teachers Academy.  Have you ever thought it might be great to become a partner dance teacher?  There's much learning involved, and we've recently combined with a nationally accredited program to assist those who would like to become professional; or those teachers who would like to increase their group and private lesson skills or prepare to become certified; or for dancers who appreciate a really structured approach to learning.  Here's your opportunity to have a professional knowledge of dancing: check at www.dancewellballroom.com, click on Teacher Training.  Or call for a brochure:  503.241.0460

 Here's your opportunity to properly learn how to:  Become a Dance Teacher

8/4 – What a great party this weekend!  New people, regular friends, and those we haven't seen in a while, mixing and mingling.  Several new men visited from out of town and were great fun to dance with and  several regulars were out of town on vacations.  The lesson was on Slow Waltz and it was a difficult one too.  Viennese Cross turns, whisks, wings... it's a beautiful and elegant dance...

Congratulations to Leilani Nakagawa, who on the same weekend of August 4 entered her first 'Jack & Jill' West Coast Swing Competition in California -- she finished around 19 of 65 in the novice Jack and Jill West Coast Swing Competition in Palm Springs!  Fantastic!  Luke Adams also did well after a long absence from dancing -- first alternate in Advanced Jack & Jill West Coast!  And Mark Imhof same time was taking his USA Roller Sports National Skating Championships, winning big too on the east coast. Fourth place overall in the Team Dance Novice B Division.

JULY, 2007

7/21 – First practice for our new Rumba Team began today and it's gonna be a good one.  Harold Sun & Joyce Lee, Rod Roth & Kim Alford, Javod Simonsen & Leilani Nakagawa, Mark & Karen Imhof, Fang Wei, Tom Hann, Svetlana Ruth, and Luke Adams.  Watch for their performances end of September and October.

7/20 – Friday night was Harry Potter's All Hallows Ball at Borders Books in Beaverton.  What a fabulous scene!  They were expecting around a thousand people in honor of both the movie release "Order of the Phoenix" and the new book "Deathly Hallows" -- and I believe they exceeded their expectations.  (I FOUND OUT THEY HAD OVER 2,000) People came and went and so many stayed, waiting for the stroke of midnight to get their brand new book.  And DanceWell Ballroom was invited to be a part of all the fun involved.

There were magicians from Omsi; video games for kids; sorcery practice; palm reading; and The Great Snapes Debate (where it was debated whether Professor Snapes is actually a good guy or a very bad man).  There was all the excitement of the atmosphere.  And -- adding to that atmosphere were demonstrations of dance plus a lesson in the real "Wizard's Waltz" by you know who.  I so love this kind of action!  I think a different aspect comes out in people and they can be as eccentric as they like just for the good clean fun of it.

I want to thank these people who helped so much for this event:  Donya Wiland, a tribal belly dancer/sorceress, who danced a Sword Dance for the crowd to invoke good luck to Harry Potter in his fight with the evil Valdemort.  Craig Wiland, who was a wizard with electronic equipment for the evening.  Uwe Hessinger, who played Neville to my teacher, who danced in the Waltz Routine Duet, whose attention to detail made coordination between couples wonderfully smooth, and who also helped in demonstrating the "Wizard's Waltz" lesson.  Leilani Nakagawa, whose beautiful self was part of the Waltz duet, a help in the lesson, and part of a tandem "Sorcerer's Swing", (this is what happens after good Sorcerer's Balls are over --  everyone parties even harder!)  And Luke Adams, who taught the last of the "Wizard's Waltz" to the crowd for me while I changed from my Sorcerer's robes to something more fitting for a Sorcerer's Swing dance.  And who helped so much in coordinating Waltz couples, preparing music, and who also was "the man" dancing with myself and Leilani in the tandem West Coast Swing. 

I also want to thank Borders Books for inviting us to join in their fun. That was a fantabulous event!  We all had fun taking in the scene.  And of course, our small group visited and debriefed over coffee afterwards -- that's tradition. 

So far I only have one picture to show for the night -- one of me that was on the KINKfm Radio station website. And it doesn't show me in my sorcerer's hat.  But there are lots more pictures, just none of dancing; our part of the program was done before they got there.  But here's the page on their site:  http://www.kink.fm/pages/707834.php?contentType=37&contentId=14552

So I'll keep on it,and find some more pictures of our little group.  I know they were being taken, just not by who!  Keep checking my PHOTOS page for updates. 

7/11 – This past weekend hosted the fabulous Waterfront Blues Festival which is such a great time.  Even so, Friday was a large crowd at the Sesame Club Dance on July 6.  The Sesame Dance is held in the Norse Hall at 11th & NE Couch Street, and I was invited that night to give a Hustle lesson for 75 people, (enjoyed by all I hope).  Dancing Hustle is great fun! There were more than 150 people there at the dance that night and it was great fun as always dancing to all the variety of music played by Daniel Hutchinson the DJ. 

7/7 – On Saturday the 7th, the first Saturday of every month, was the DanceWell Studio Potluck Party.  A very well attended party, we had a Samba lesson that night.  I can always tell if it's a good lesson later in the evening when I see several couples dancing the "routine" taught at the beginning of the night.  I just love to see that, it means I've done my job.  We had two performances that night:  Randy and Lynn Hitz danced a beautiful Waltz and Luke Adams and Leilani Nakagawa danced a very hot spiced-up Cha Cha.  We all had a great time during the evening meeting up with old friends and making new ones and we kept dancing after ending time just because there were so many staying and still enjoying themselves.

JUNE, 2007

6/22-24 – This past weekend, both Friday and Saturday, was the Gemini Salsa Competition, held in the Tiffany Ballroom.  Seeing over 500 people dancing Salsa in the ballroom is a fantastic sight and energy high too – one that only begins to start at 11pm...  I was honored to be part of this event, the third in Portland, as a judge.  The winners, one of the northwest’s professional couples:  Eduardo Aguirre and Heather Gervais will now represent Portland at the Las Vegas World Salsa Championships in 2007.  The final competition/ESPN event will be held at Disney’s Coronodo Springs Resort in Florida December 12-15.

6/17/07 -- Another fun weekend for June!  We were invited to dance at Tigard Festival of Balloons on both Saturday and Sunday.  It's a worthy challenge to dance at fairs and I am proud to say that our dancers are great sports.  We had 7-8 presentations which were very well accepted by the crowd; we had a fun challenge dancing on a small and portable floor; and we had a chance to do yet another show and become even more comfortable in front of audiences. 

Thank you for joining in:  Mark and Karen, Sandy, Luke and Leilani, Rod and Kim, and Ken Parker (who danced with me).  And thanks again to Luke who did a tandem West Coast Swing number on Saturday with Leilani and myself and on Sunday with Sandy and myself.   The audience really thought that one a show-stopper!  And always popular is our small get-together afterwards to celebrate yet another challenge well met by my zany and fun DanceWell crew.  I quote one of the dancers "I'm not sure which I enjoyed most:  the dancing or the zany crowd afterwards!"

6/11/07 – BEACH BASH -- What a fantastic time we all had at the Beach Bash in Newport, OR. The Beach Bash, an annual dance affair, where the events are in support of CASA (Lincoln County's Court Appointed Advocates for Children) is a very worthy cause for children, who have so little help available when in family trouble. This year the name was changed to “Beach Bash” rather than “Beach Ball” and the venue was changed to Newport rather than Lincoln City.  The format also changed a little in that the band was a rock band good for dancing Swing, Cha Cha, Nightclub Two Step and Hustle, rather than a Big Band especially for ballroom dancing.

The trail-blazing scouts who joined me for the whole weekend were the ones who had an especially fun time.  Knowing the basic steps of many dances makes for fun in any dance venue.  That's my vision for every dancer, and is what makes my studio tick.  Helping students become confident to go social dancing in a Blues bar on Friday, a ballroom dance Saturday and a Salsa Club later the same night.  Or a DanceSport competition for the weekend with some West Coast, Hustle or Tango dancing after hours...  Enough confidence for different situations and different dance styles; enough even to participate in performance recitals or competitive sports.

So back to the weekend's fun!  During the day Friday the weather was overcast, but so warm it seemed not typical "Oregon beachy" at all.  Friday's first evening event was a dance and potluck, put on by one of my protégés, Bonnie Prater of 22Tango.  For 3 years Bonnie traveled to Portland from Newport; 4 four times each week to take instruction from me in the art of teaching group classes.  Now THAT's determination.  The dance on Friday, June 8^th was held at the Newport Community Center and included everything from Ballroom to Argentine Tango to Foxtrot to Hustle and Salsa.  It was great to see the three main groupings of people from different parts of Oregon mingling and dancing together.  And the performances by Luke Adams and Leilani Nakagawa and Mark and Karen Imhof were a great hit with the crowd.

The dance ended at 10pm so we adjourned to another venue.  One of the owners of The Ark, Barry Brewster offered to open up the center after hours just for our group.  Now, this club is hard to describe so I'm also putting a link on my website so you can see the pictures (which do NOT do it justice at all).  www.thearkatNewport.com   The Ark is not just an event center, it’s an event itself for the eclectic.  Without a doubt in my mind, the most eclectic and vintage night spot I've ever enjoyed visiting.  The owners, Jim, Sandy and Barry, told us about the history both past and recent and made us all feel wonderfully welcome the rest of the evening. 

Saturday morning nine of our group had breakfast in a little diner to debrief about Friday's adventures.  Then it was time to head for the workshops:  Intermediate Cha Cha and West Coast Swing which, though not well-advertised, were well attended and well-assisted by Luke.  We all then had time to go shopping at the Lincoln City Outlets and spend time on the beach in the afternoon.

Saturday evening was the actual Beach "Bash", with a great buffet dinner and desserts to start.  Then local band, the Crosstown Rockers to finish out the evening with music.  Our group of Peter and Pat Tuck-Lee, Mark and Karen Imhof, Robert Boutin and Mary Smith, Luke Adams and Leilani Nakagawa and myself were joined that evening by Randy and Lynn Hitz, Remy Danielson and Stephanie Reid and several others from Portland in support of the event.  Several people brought back "trophies" - their winnings from the silent fundraiser auction. 

By the time the Bash was ended, we were pretty tired, so we adjourned to my hotel for a hot-tub and swim party.  I would say we had a full weekend, and we still had all day on Sunday with decent weather to enjoy more of the sights, and have a leisurely drive home.  All in all an eclectic weekend for an eclectic bunch.

6/8/07 -- Well, it's off to the Beach Bash in Newport this morning.  This evening's fundraiser for CASA is a "Ballroom and everything dance" at the Newport Rec Hall.  7:30p.  Two of our couples are doing demo dances this evening.  Then the rockin' out Beach Bash on Saturday night at the Shiloh Inn.  Lots of Nightclub-style dancing: Swing, Nightclub, Cha Cha, Hustle etc.  Will write about it all next week!

6/03/07 -- Last night's dance party was so fun and I thank everyone who was there for all their well-wishes.  A surprise party was held for my 20th year anniversary as a dance teacher.  A very special Thanks go to Leilani Nakagawa, Sandy Bowen and Pilar Walker who worked hard to put it all together: balloons, banners, cake, presentation, the works.  The hanging flowers are beautiful and I will really enjoy the spa I promise everyone!  We'll make plans for my next 20th.  (Thanks for the complements on the music, too)

6/01/07 -- Thanks to all my students who offered to demo dance for Aloha Huber Park School this past Friday evening.  They were a great hit with the crowd; students, parents and faculty.  We were lucky enough to have many levels of experience that evening.  Rod Roth and Kim Alford did a demonstration of Rumba and Tango.  Mark and Karen Imhof danced a Nightclub Two Step routine and did a Waltz demo.  Tuan Le and Pilar Walker did a Salsa demo (their first ever), Ken Parker (his first too) and myself did a West Coast Swing demo and Luke Adams and Leilani Nakagawa did a Cha Cha demonstration.  It's great fun to share what we know and people enjoy seeing their own possibilities. 

Plans are set for next weekend's Beach Bash. 

MAY, 2007

5/20/07 -- This day was great fun, because it was the USADance Spring Fling Amateur Competitions.  Held here in Portland, this is a good way for students to check out this type of dance venue for little money.  Truly, the price is right, there's multiple levels of dancers and many travel from out of town.  I have emceed the event for two years now and watched for many more and I always enjoy watching friends and students. And the children especially, when many already have technique and style that many of us adults will never have.  Seeing so many starting so young is amazing.  I'd like a dollar for each time I've heard, "I wish I had started this dancing thing when I was a kid".  Well they have, and they're well worth watching too.

5/6/07 -- A very large crowd joined us for our monthly party last night celebrating Cinco de Mayo.  The potluck gives it a fun atmosphere and the people are all very friendly.  Everyone was encouraging to Mark and Karen Imhof, who danced a great Nightclub Two Step to Aerosmith music!  Karen and Mark have both come far since joining us almost two years ago.  And we had lots of new faces for our party and hope to see them all return next month.  I promise to play more swing music in the early party of the evening for everyone!

5/3/07 -- Classes are large this month of May, with many of our newer students moving up into the next higher level class of their favorite dances.  East Coast Swing is a popular one this month, especially since there's a party every week afterward for practice!

APRIL, 2007

4/29/07 -- Several students and I put on a show for the Senior Prom at Oswego Springs Retirement home this afternoon.  It really was interesting for Rod Roth, Kim Alford and Mark and Karen Imhof to learn to dance on a real floor (one that is under a carpet I mean).  They came through gallantly, dancing to music which was played by one of the top DJ's here in the Portland Area and were a BIG hit with everyone there, whose memories of days past were brought to mind by the vintage music and partner dancing in general. I was proud of everyone because it is great to be capable of performing under less than perfect circumstances.  Makes it better for future performances in other stressful circumstances, maybe like competitions or big showcases.

4/28/07 -- Saturday night!  Oh what a night!  It's a horrible feeling, letting someone down...And Saturday night I just wasn't sure I'd get to the function before it ended!  I got stuck in a giant traffic jam for an hour and fifteen minutes and I was 15 minutes late to teach at the USA Dance at the Scottish Rite Temple that night.  Thank goodness I had left early for the event.  I had thought I would have lots of free time before teaching International Rumba to the crowd there; it did NOT work out that way.  But everyone was kind, and several others were caught in the jam too, so I taught for a full hour and I believe everyone was happy!  That's what really counts.

4/27/07 -- Friday night Swing at the Crystal Ballroom!  Wow, did that take me back!  And I just loved sharing that special place with several of my students for their first time.  I think jumping up and down on the floor is obligatory behavior for everyone their first time on the wonderfully historic sprung floor at the Crystal.

The dance itself was mostly Lindy Hop and Swing and a high energy crowd -- just the way it should be!  Everyone was friendly and the action is such a grand sight from the balcony!  Larry Peacock put on a very nice event that night.  I hope for more on weekend nights.  There is no atmosphere like the Crystal Ballroom in Portland.  Nor the history.

4/17/07 -- Classes are going great, students are really getting into the swing of learning to dance both at school and at the studio.  And they're practicing too!  And the parties have been very good-sized, even though we still are low in the woman department.  We have some great guys just hoping more women will be there to dance with each Thursday night at 7:30!

4/13/07 -- What fun!  Early on the 13th several students had the opportunity to dance for a function honoring volunteers at the Tigard City Library.  Rod Roth with Kim Alford danced a Swing and a Tango (and that Tango totally impressed everyone there).  Mark and Karen Imhof danced a great Nightclub Two Step to an Aerosmith song (which surprised and much pleased everyone there).  Tom and Ying Apel danced two numbers, a Cha Cha (to a Mark Anthony song which had everyone moving in their seats) and a Nightclub Two Step (this contrasted two very different styles and feelings in music since Tom's music was a Chinese piece.  The audience was very interested that there could be the same dance with such individual styles for different people).  Then Steve and Kathy Baker danced a so-beautiful Waltz which left everyone dreamy and in great spirits as they went on their way home. 

Trish Stormont, who put together the event did a wonderful job of coordinating and sequencing and we thank her for inviting us for the evening.

Then, as per ritual, we de-briefed over dinner and we adjourned downtown to a very important Salsa event.  A group of us went to support Leilani Nakagawa as she did her first Salsa team performance at a showcase held at the Chelsea Ballroom last Friday, April 13.  Her group did wonderfully -- and -- we got to see the world champion Salsa dancers too.  What an experience!  All my students were wowed both by the great Salsa dancing from here in Portland and by the champions too!  The champions were so fantastic!  Did you every wish your eyes could record for instant playback?

4/7/07 -- Our Saturday party was the greatest!  We had some great fun and great people there.  The lesson was Nightclub Two Step, and I always seem to come up with a little variation that Intermediate dancers enjoy dancing so I'm glad for that too.

COMING UP! --  This year's Beach Ball will be held in Newport Bay on the coast rather than in Lincoln City.  You can read about fun times during this beach weekend in previous Newsletter notes and see pictures on our Photos pages. This year will find a few differences according to Bonnie Prater the coordinator, but the Friday dance will be the same, as well as the dance workshops, with the Saturday event being held at the Shilo in Newport.  More information later!  Or you can read all about it on Bonnie's website at: www.bonnieprater.com/22tango.html

MARCH 29, 2007

DANCEWELL NEWS                                                   Linda Springstead 

3/29/07 -- Well, currently my youngest student at the studio is 4 years old and my oldest is 84 years old.  What a great mix!  And I'm headed back to elementary school again next week.  Seems that 3/4 of the kids in my previous classes asked for it again.  This time I'll be instructing first through eighth grades.  I truly am so pleased about that!  I'm wondering what new knowledge I'll pick up this time around.  Learning new things is the spice of life -- my life anyway!  I'll be on my own this time, with smaller classes.  Thirty instead of 125.  I'm really looking forward to it again!

I'm pleased to announce we have a couple of routines in varying stages before performing.  Rod Roth and Kim Alford are working on a Tango routine, Mark and Karen Imhof are just finishing their Nightclub Two Step and Matt and Deana Howe have both a Rumba almost ready and a Foxtrot which is ready (was ready until Matt damaged his knee.  They'll look forward to actually dancing that routine soon as he's better.)  We'll look forward to seeing each of these fun routines soon!

MARCH 19, 2007

3/18/07 -- Many may not realize it, but Wow!!-- I'm 20 years teaching dance!  I've enjoyed it so much I can't believe it's been so many years!! So, in celebration of my 20 years, Beginning in April 2007 newcomer classes and beginner classes will be $20 for 4 weeks!!!  YOUTH IS STILL $2/class.  Note:  JOIN US FOR OUR WEEKLY THURSDAY BEGINNER DANCE AT $5 PER PERSON.  So VERY HAPPY DANCING from LINDA

What a fun St. Patrick's Day on March 17th!  And a full one! It was packed full of “fun stuff”from Polka lessons, an Irish Jam Session to a competition it was a well-balanced one.  

We began the evening with a Polka lesson.  Which was smaller than I thought it would be...sigh…  I guess people just thought they wouldn’t want to learn “one more dance!!#”, which of course is just silly because as we know all the dance steps relate to others.  The basic step of the polka turning right just happens to be an advanced step in Quickstep called “Polka Hops”.  That's what so many like about the Quickstep- the jumping. The technique is a little different, as all the dances have different characteristics, but Polka is easily transferred to make Quickstep look soooo advanced!  Oh, well!  Of course the students there were most happy campers because they learned quickly and well and lots more than they would had in a larger group. There are always pluses to every single thing in the universe.

So after the Polka lesson just a few went on to the Irish “Music Jam”.  Now that was great balance in my book.  Held by some favorite students, the Clarkes opened up their huge historic home in NE Portland to around 40 or so.  This special home was also featured in a movie shot here in Portland, which I will remember the name of another day.  With green cookies and food and Cornish Pasties to nibble on we listened to all kinds of Irish music by around 20 musicians off and on.  Now that was something!  These songs… I grew up listening to them all.  Of course I can only “remember” the words if someone else sings them too… 

Then off again to the City of Roses Competition, where we met up with more DanceWell students who had been all day at the competition.  It was like old home week for me, seeing so many of the pros gathered in town.  As I said, I’m coming up to my 20 years of teaching soon and I know lots of people in the dance community.  It was just great to get a chance to visit a little, watch the evening competition, dance a little; and see the great Showcases by students and teachers, and the wonderful professional show put on by FJ and Catherine Abaya.  Even if it costs a little, it’s good clean fun and watching good dancing will transfer by osmosis to those who have working technique of the dances.  It’s good on TV of course, but TV just is not the same and this is right here at home rather than out of town.  I was glad to see it was well-attended.

FEBRUARY 19, 2007

The month of January was just great!  I was invited to begin a new program at Aloha Huber School in Aloha, teaching 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders social skills and partner dancing.  We had three weeks to learn three dances and then have a performance!  These new dancers were in process of learning Merengue, Swing and Tango, and I'm really very proud of the dance progress; but more important to me is always that the effort and positive energy increased each day!

I believe the 5th graders were in the most shock at first, all 125 of them in the class, being rudely asked to escort a young lady arm in arm onto the dance floor and to actually rotate (and touch!!?#)  many partners.  The kids soon had the feeling of accomplishment when partnering works and the job gets done and that is so great to see! 

I'd like to thank Jae Lee for helping me to demonstrate more advanced Tango for the kids.  I'm sure his impressive stature and his being into martial arts AND ballroom dance was an influence to the kids decision that maybe dance isn't too "girly" after all.

Each class helped pick it's own Swing performance music, I did the Merengue and Tango, and  assembly happened on Friday, February 16.   Some of the idea was taken from the movie "Mad Hot Ballroom" and the New York Childrens' dance programs there, though we had no plans to compete with another school.  It all turned out great! 

This is not my first involvement with  the Beaverton and Hillsboro School Districts.  I was born and raised in Beaverton, so that seems a funny thing to me.  Also fun for me is the combination of:   teaching for hundreds of people at a time as I used to do at the Crystal Ballroom for several years; and at the same time preparing young dancers for performance as I did for several years at Century High School in Hillsboro.  However, with the Century  honors graduation dance performances I worked with only 6 couples and it was a definite "routine".  Aloha Huber was definitely social dance and very large groups.  Isn't life convoluted sometimes?  The thread just weaves wherever it will!

The dance program at Aloha Huber School called for  the students to perform at an assembly, so we offered "Round 2" for those especially interested in learning to dance.  Of the 125 5th graders we had over 60 decide to give up lunch recess to improve and add to their dance skills.  Of the 140 combination of 6th, 7th & 8th grade students around 45 made the decision.  My bad, I was only expecting and planning for around 10-20 couples...   Friday the 16th was A-Day and they had a whole week to sacrifice. 

Wow, what a deal!  The first official Ballroom Dance Assembly of Aloha Huber School was held on February 16, 2007.  All grades and many parents were in attendance that afternoon.    After much cooperative effort between myself, TA's (teacher assistants: Ms. Ericksen, Ms. Moore, Mr. Nagee, Mr. Neldon and Mr. Kai) and the students we had organized entrances and exits from the floor for each grade level, and all 124 students in my 5th grade class stepped onto the gym floor, taking positions for their dances.  Their performance held the whole audience's attention during their Merengue, and applause and encouraging yells filled the air.  Their next dance was a shocker to everyone -- basic Tango steps, but done in unison by more than 60 couples what a show!  Then they topped it off with the Swing, danced to Spice Girls.

Next came the upper grades, 6th, 7th and 8th; all dancing the same dances, with fewer dancers on the floor at a time so individual skills could be more easily seen.  They all looked fantastic as they escorted their partners on and off the floor in great performance style and danced with much panache.  Escorting is part of good etiquette, and important when it involves 60 or more at a time.  I have to say they all looked special in my eyes and those of the parents, kids, teachers and administration who were watching.

At the end of the show around 250 students had danced in their first recital and I had parents asking, "How did you do that?"  I thank you all for the great complements; but it was the kids' willingness and efforts that made it all work.  I facilitated a great group of people.  Thank you all for your help as I fumbled through learning crowd control too.  This was a great learning experience for everyone.  I hope to do it again soon.  I received "Thank you" notes from I believe all the students and I have decided to post a couple of the many "thank-you" notes online--  and the biggest and longest "Roll of Thanks" and dance pictures I've ever received on the wall at the studio...  "These folks know how to make a girl feel special..."

Dear Ms. Springstead,       At first I didn't think I would like dance.  It seemed to me that I was sacrificing all of my favorite special things to go to dance, and I was.  But, as I soon found out, the sacrifice was worth it.  ... most people didn't mind dancing with me.  This made dancing a bit more fun.  In general I did enjoy dancing and I am not at all nervous about performing.  My favorite dance is Swing.  I never knew you could dance to almost rap music.     ...from one of the guys

Dear Ms. Springstead,     I feel good because when I'm dancing I feel like different because I forget about all the bad things and it makes me feel better.  And I also want to tell you that I liked the dancing because when you can't do anything you're just there being boring and I also liked the Merengue dance too and I'm getting pretty good at it because at first I didn't know how to dance it at all.  And I'm thanking you for making us feel better and better.    ...from one of the guys

I have way too many to put up here and they are all very special to me.  L

FEBRUARY 16, 2007

Last night, on February 15th, we took another group out Salsa Dancing!  There was a charity function for a little girl needing an operation that we heard of, so after our Thursday Night Beginner Party a small group of us night owls, 9 or 10,  headed to Raleigh Hills for even more dancing!  Should have seen some of the students!  I said there'd be a beginner lesson before the dance -- seems it was a performance lesson that night!  Oh my poor newby Salseros!  There was a little bit of beginning lesson after the performance shock, and there were a couple of late shows too which were great to see!  Well worth losing a little sleep that night!

FEBRUARY 4, 2007

Last night, February 3rd, we had our PRE-SUPER-BOWL PARTY!  We're so sorry if you missed it!  The music was good, food was potluck with ham, sides and desserts, along with the SuperBowl Cake of course.  Everyone had a great time!  I apologize for the lateness of the email reminder that attire was of course ala SuperBowl...with jeans and jerseys very appropriate.  How better to dance the Tango?

  Most importantly we had the very first ever Fooot Bowl tournament, probably in the history of the world!  There will be a couple of  pictures up soon I hope so you can see what a tough contest it was.  We just don't have a working photographer in the group right now, so pictures are few and far between and you don't get a sense of all the fun!   Be prepared for next year's super special SuperBowl Party!!  The DanceWell FoootBowling Tradition has begun!  LOL 

Six people won the opportunity to try Fooot Bowling last night, through two Tango elimination rounds.  We thought the contest over when Donna Samuels left only 3 pins up (since most of the other contestants had "gutter balls").  What a surprise when the winner, Larry Welding, knocked down all but one pin!!!  He won a private lesson for his efforts.  Honorable mention goes to the brave Kevin Taylor, who took his life (or hands, arms and chin??) in his hands and held the foootball in place in preparation for Larry.  Kevin, thank you so much for your efforts (and genius)!  Maybe next year we'll have a Foootbowl spare or even a strike!

Well, as you can probably guess, that's definitely not all the news since November!  It's just all I have for you right now.  I'll try to add more later.

JANUARY 14, 2007

We had a blast with our SALSA NIGHT OUT on Saturday the 13th!  First a lesson at the studio at 7p, then dinner and drinks at Aztec Willy's while we waited for the club lesson to start.  I had called ahead for reservations, I figured maybe 15-20 people, and changed it quick!  We had more than 30 show up for the studio lesson alone, with more coming later in the evening.  Around 9:30 or 10p they gave a club lesson, and then it was DANCE TIME!  and so much fun!

Happy Dancing!

Stores in Portland:

The Glass Slipper in Portland has the largest variety of Latin and Smooth dance shoes for men and women.  3109 NE Broadway   (503)282-0069

Dance Togs in Beaverton has a smaller selection since they are more geared to ballet and tap, but are increasing their inventory. 

Dee’s Dance Design is located at on McLoughlin Blvd in Milwaukie.  (503)652-0479  Some Ballroom shoes, plus skirts & tops.  And they also can create simple dance costumes.

Carrie B’s on 122nd in SE Portland has a good selection of shoes geared to Square dancing and some Ballroom shoes.  Also practice skirts.

"The mighty oak was once a little nut who held it's ground"