Dance in the Dark

Hi Everyone,

This past Friday's Dance Party was a huge success! Thank you to all of you who attended! Please plan on attending another dance party on Friday October 30th. I hope you can come, here is the evite
Please RSVP :-)
Thanks

Michaela

Dance for the Cure

So I got up early this morning, met a friend at the Sunset Transit Center, took the MAX downtown and walked with thousands of people in order to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. I had so much fun! And I thought " Why in the world haven't I done this before?" So here is the deal... I'd like to start getting involved in more of these walks/races and other fun activities in Portland. How about students, friends & family of Dancing in the Rain start doing some of these things together? We could go to the Rose Festival Parade together, make up teams to raise money for different charities through walks/races, go to weekend festivals and fairs together? What do you think? I have already come up with a name for our Walk for the Cure Team... "The Dancing Boobies!" :-) So who's in??

Labor Day Weekend

It has come to my attention that Labor day weekend is affecting whether or not students are able to attend Fall classes. To make things easier for everyone, I've bumped the classes back one week. The new schedule is on the website.

Monday's Youth class has room for five more couples
Monday's 7pm Adult class has room for four more couples
Monday's 8pm Adult class has room for four more couples
Friday's Adult class has room for four more couples

The Dance Party schedule has not changed.

See you soon! :)

This Year's Fall Festival

This year's Fall Festival is scheduled for
October 9th, 10th & 11th
At the Monarch Hotel in Clackmas Oregon

Jean-Francois Messier and Marie Bolduc 2006 Canadian Closed 10-Dance Champions
will be judging the competition and performing for us

I hope that you will join me for all or part of this special event! Ticket money is due mid-September, please contact me for more details and send me your ticket money as soon as possible. I will be sending in all of our ticket money together so that we can be assigned seats together. Feel free to contact me if you would like more information.

The schedule isn't finalized yet as there are often lots of changes in the time leading up to the event.
The usual schedule is something like the following:
Friday afternoon - student competition
Friday evening - buffet dinner - more competition - professional show
Saturday all day - student competition
Saturday evening - sit down dinner - more competition - professional show
Sunday morning - workshop with the Champions

New Rates!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying this insane weather! Wow, is it ever hot!

Just thought you'd all like to know about the new rates. In these tough financial times I thought it would be appropriate for me to come up with some ways to make my group classes more affordable. I have just finished updating the details on my website and I hope you'll check it out. I look forward to seeing all of you in the Fall classes!
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New Rates:
Tuition for Adult Group Class
Singles & couples welcome!
8 group classes for $140/couple or $80/single
** Add 1 private lesson to your group class for only $45!!! **

Tuition for Youth Group Class
Couples ages 13 to 17
8 group classes for $120/couple
** Add 1 private lesson to your group class for only $45!!! **

(All classes: 6 student minimum; Latin: 16 student maximum; Ballroom: 12 student maximum)

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Beginning Group Classes Monday Evenings
September 7th through October 26th
6pm Youth Party Dances - Swing, Rumba & Salsa
7pm Adult Ballroom - Foxtrot, Waltz & Tango
8pm Adult Latin - Rumba, Cha-Cha & Salsa
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Intermediate Group Class Friday Evenings
September 4th through October 30th (Skipping October 9th)
7pm Adult Ballroom & Latin - Foxtrot, Rumba & Salsa
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Keep Dancin'
Michaela

Live Music July 20th

My friend Aquiles is leader of a great Latin band called "Conjunto Alegre." They are playing a free outdoor concert on Monday July 20th at Sellwood Park by Oaks Park, from 6:30 to 8:30pm.

Fall Class & Event Schedule

Hi Everyone!

Just thought you'd like to know that I've updated the website with the class and event schedule for the next six months!

Here is a summary of what is going on:
SUMMER SCHEDULE
Private lessons - By appointment only
Mondays 6:00-10:00pm
Thursday 6:00-10:00pm
Fridays 6:00-9:00pm
Saturdays 10am-2pm
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FALL SCHEDULE
Beginning Group Classes Monday Evenings
Monday September 7th through Monday October 26th
6pm Youth Party Dances - Swing, Rumba & Salsa
7pm Adult Ballroom - Foxtrot, Waltz & Tango
8pm Adult Latin - Rumba, Cha-Cha & Salsa
Intermediate Group Class Friday Evenings
Friday September 4th through Friday October 30th (Skipping October
9th)
7pm Adult Ballroom & Latin - Foxtrot, Rumba & Salsa
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FALL SPECIAL EVENTS
Dance Party Friday September 25th
October 9-11 Portland Fall Festival
Dance Party Friday October 30th - Dance in the Dark
Dance Party Friday November 27th
Dance Party Friday December 18th - Dance in the Snow
Hope to hear from all of you soon!
Keep Dancin'
Michaela

Tomas Mielnicki & JT Thomas

The date on this video is incorrect, these are clips from the 2007 Ohio Star Ball not the 2008. Tomas & JT won in 2007.

Steve Vasco & Joanna Siekierska Mambo

City of Roses Ballroom Classic 2009
Saturday evening Professional show

Steve Vasco & Joanna Siekierska Rumba

City of Roses Ballroom Classic 2009
Saturday evening Professional show

Steve Vasco & Joanna Siekierska Swing

City of Roses Ballroom Classic 2009
Saturday evening Professional show

Steve Vasco & Joanna Siekierska Cha-Cha

City of Roses Ballroom Classic 2009
Saturday evening Professional show

Steve Vasco & Joanna Siekierska Bolero

City of Roses Ballroom Classic 2009
Saturday evening Professional show

City of Roses Ballroom Classic 2009

This is a picture of me with Joanna & Steve

This is a picture of me with Thomas & JT

Every year Mary & Rick put on Portland's largest Ballroom Dancing competition in March, they call it the City of Roses Ballroom Classic, check their link.  The event is filled with competitors of all levels and ages, dinners with old and new dance friends, shows by top professionals and workshops.  This year I was so happy that four of my students were able to join me for the Friday night events.  But wouldn't you just know it none of us remembered our cameras so we didn't get any pictures or video of Friday!!  Friday night's Professional show was with Tomas Mielnicki & JT Thomas Former US and World American Smooth Champions, they are absolutely amazing!  They were here last year.  Saturday night's Professional show was with Steve Vasco & Joanna Siekierska Ohio Star Ball American Rhythm Finalists.  I had never seen them before but found them to be fantastic!  I am posting videos of the Saturday night show along with some pictures from Sunday's workshop.  Be sure to comment on the videos :-)