Happenings – April 8,2008

Swing N Country Dance Club

http://www.swingncountry.org

Dedicated to the Promotion of Couples Style Country and Swing Dancing

Leah Noparstak, President

This issue by Julie

Two Step During April

modified: Dancers discovered that learning Two Step from Jeff Sanchez is a piece of cake. His well-paced lessons offer detailed descriptions, precise demonstrations, and ample practice time. Join the rest of the group for Jeff’s Wednesday night lessons (this is week #2) as he continues to impart Two Step wisdom.

April Lessons

When: Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23
(No class on Wednesday, April 30)

Where: The Centre at North Park

Beginner: 7:30 – 8:25 pm

Intermediate: 8:35 – 9:30 pm

April Dances

When: Friday, April 4

Where: The Centre at North Park

Two Step Lesson by Jeff Sanchez

Doors open: 7:15 pm

Lessons: 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Open Dancing: 9:00 – 12:00 am

When: Friday, April 18

Where: The Centre at North Park

West Coast Swing Lesson by Sheli Schroeder

Doors open: 7:15 pm

Lessons: 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Open Dancing: 9:00 – 12:00 am

Sheli Schroeder teaches West Coast Swing at our April 18 dance

Sheli Schroeder is a nationally recognized swing dance competitor.  West Coast Swing is her passion and specialty.  She is currently competing on the National Swing Dance Circuit in the Classic Swing division with her partner Mike Konkel. 

In 1998 Sheli co-founded the Milwaukee Rebels Swing Dance Club, where she teaches weekly West Coast Swing lessons.  Sheli truly loves dancing, competing, and teaching.  However, her greatest fulfillment comes from watching the progress of her students. Check out Sheli’s amazing movements on YouTube.

modified: May 16: Friday. Swing ’n’ Country’s second annual Gently Used Clothing Sale is a little over a month away: May 16. Dig out those dance clothes you haven’t worn in months. Boots and shoes are welcome too. Men, this includes you! If you think someone else would enjoy wearing what would otherwise be sitting in your closet, bring it to the Gently Used Clothing Sale. More details can be found in this flyer. Coordinators for this event are Judi Troemel and Susie Kaplan.

Congratulations…

...to the 50-50 winners at last week’s dance: Bev Simon, Joe Kurowski (twice!), Cindy Kucharski, and Kathy Corycanek. St. Jude’s received a nice check, and a great time was had by all!

Miscellaneous

• Let us know of Country or Swing Events you want posted in Happenings.
• View the Swing N Country three-month calendar.
• Date of the April Board Meeting: April 21.

Websites for Dancers

Have you ever wondered what other dancers are thinking? Do you have some words of advice for dancers? Do you want to hear the details of the latest dance “controversy”? Check out these websites for blogs and other fascinating information about our sport:

· UCWDC (country) My Space site

· Westie Wire (west coast swing) site

Early Bird Cutoffs

Circle City Classic: April 25, 2008

Orange Blossom Dance Festival: May 1, 2008

Dancing in the Movies. Do You Remember?

1970’s: “Saturday Night Fever” brings disco to dance clubs around the globe. With it comes a resurgence of partner dancing.

1980’s: “Dirty Dancing,” a romantic film, is full of ballroom and social dance scenes, not to mention Patrick Swayze.

1990’s: “Strictly Ballroom,” a comedy, presents characters who view competition so seriously that they forget that dance is meant to be fun.

2000’s: “Mad Hot Ballroom” follows a number of elementary students as they learn to dance. Not surprisingly, they sound just like adults when they “assess” their partners.

No dance movie list is complete without 1992’s “Scent of a Woman,” in which Al Pacino, playing a visually challenged man, dances a Tango not to be forgotten.

Have dance films changed over the decades? You decide.

Adapted from “Dancing in the Movies” by Joyce Luhrs, American Dancer, March-April 2008

Other Chicagoland Happenings:

April 11: Friday. X Dance holds its regularly scheduled dance at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131. A West Coast Swing lesson starts at approximately 7:30 pm. This will be the only X Dance event in April. (map)

modified: April 26: Saturday. Chicago Dance News will host a Double Dance at Ballroom City, 207 S. Villa Ave, Villa Park 60181. Country music will run from 8:00 to 10:00 pm. West Coast Swing and Hustle music will run from 10:00 pm to midnight. There will also be a Two-Step Jack n Jill. For you hungry dancers pizza will be served. Step outside the Country box, arrive early, and learn how to Rumba. Brian Wong will show you the basics. (map)

modified: May 16 - 18: Mario Intensive. Ballroom City, Villa Park, Illinois. Twelve intensive hours with Mario. Limited to 30 people. A weekend worth remembering; ask those who have attended! Hosted by DanceMasters. Contact Julie Hein at 630 205-6451 or send her an email. (details)

Mondays: Maren Oslac teaches West Coast Swing at Diamond Dancesport, 7767 W. 96th Place, Hickory Hills, IL 60457. Beginner class at 7:00 pm. Intermediate at 7:45 pm. The Specialty Class for April is Hitting the Breaks at 8:30 pm. (map) (details)

Wednesdays: SNC Wednesday lessons feature Jeff Sanchez teaching Two Step in April.

Thursdays: Maren Oslac continues teaching her latest six-week session at Diamond Dancesport, 7767 W. 96th Place, Hickory Hills, IL 60457 entitled Ballroom II (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango) at 7:00 pm. A six-week session of Ballroom I will immediately follow at 8:00 pm. These are prepaid sessions. (details) (map)

Out-of-Town Happenings

April 11 – 13: Oklahoma Dance Rush. Biltmore Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The former Gateway Event (St. Louis) has moved to Oklahoma City. This event is offering Pre-Newcomer Pro-Am Division and Starter Division, for those who’d like to get their toes wet. Event director is Beth Emerson. (details)

April 11 – 13: Los Angeles Premier Classic. Sheraton Gateway, Los Angeles, California. The event features a special cocktail party for Pro Am competitors. Event Directors are Ronnie DeBenedetta and Brandi Tobias. (details)

modified. April 18 – 20: Indy Swing Classic. Indianapolis, Indiana. Event Directors: Scott Mercer and Trevor Fulk. Early bird novice and intermediate competitors pay a greatly reduced rate for a weekend pass. You’ll see a lot of Chicago folks at last year’s event if you watch this YouTube. Sheli Schroeder, who is teaching West Coast Swing for SNC on Friday, April 18, will be a teacher and judge at this event. (details)

modified: April 24 – 27: Swing Dance America. Milwaukee Hilton City Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Join current champion Team Chicago and bring the team trophy back to our hometown. Contact Carlos Garcia for details. Full tummies are guaranteed with a Friday night pizza party and a Saturday night buffet. The emcees are Robert Royston and Jimmy Mulligan. (details)

new: May 4: Simply Swing Dance in Mishawaka, Indiana, features all forms of Swing dancing at its dances. BK Club, 721 S. West Street, Mishawaka, IN. Dancing from 3:00 pm to 6 pm. Lesson begins at 3:30 pm. (map) (details)

May 4 – 6: World Swing Dance Championships. Irvine-Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California. Registration on site only. (details)

May 30 – June 1: Circle City Classic. Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites. Indianapolis, Indiana. Event Directors: Mark Bradburn, Melissa Culbertson, Dennis & Carol Waite. Your MC’s are Jennifer Jeffries and Albert Tailleur. This is a fully sanctioned UCWDC world-qualifying event which is only a three to four hour drive from the Chicago area. Come cheer on your SNC friends and enjoy the multitude of workshops. What a wonderful way to start out your summer! (map) (details)

Save These Dates:

new: June 12 - 14: Brickyard Boogie 2008. Ramada Inn. Indianapolis, Indiana. Event Director: Michael Lamb. (details)

June 13 - 15: Orange Blossom Dance Festival. Marriott Orlando Airport. Orlando, Florida. Event Director: Shawn Swaithes. (details)

new: July 3-5: Sweet Home Chicago. Wyndham Hotel O’Hare. Chicago, Illinois. Sponsored by Windy City Jitterbug Club. (details)

July 11 - July 13: Wisconsin Dance Challenge. Radisson Hotel, Appleton, Wisconsin. Sponsored by the North East Wisconsin Swing Club. (details)

August 15 - 17: Chicagoland Country and Swing Dance Festival. Chicago, Illinois. Event Directors: Randy and Jennifer Jeffries. (details)

October 31-November 2: Swing City Chicago. Westin, Lombard, Illinois. Event Directors: Maren Oslac, Julie Hein, and Jeff Sanchez (details)

Dec 12 - 14: John Lindo. Workshops, dance, and party, hosted by Genesis Dance Club, Hickory Hills, Illinois. (details)

Swing N Country Dance Club

Swing N Country Dances and Lessons are held at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave., Franklin Park, IL

Map to The Centre at North Park.

Membership is $20.00 per year per person; $15.00 per additional person at the same address;
$5.00 per Student

Wednesday Lessons First Four Wednesdays of Each Month Doors Open at 7:15 BEGINNER LESSON: 7:30-8:25 INTERMEDIATE LESSON: 8:35-9:30 Members $30.00 Monthly $10.00 Weekly Students $20.00 Monthly $5.00 Weekly Non-Members $40.00 Monthly $13.00 Weekly Minors (15 and under) Free When Accompanied by Paying Adult

Friday Dances First and Third Friday of Each Month Doors Open at 7:15 BEGINNER LESSON 7:30 INTERMEDIATE LESSON 8:00 Lesson, Student $2.00 Lesson, Adult $4.00 OPEN COUPLES DANCING 9:00 - 12:00 Students $3.00 Members $6.00 Non-Members $12.00

Mailing Address: Swing N Country, PO BOX 59508, SCHAUMBURG, IL 60159-0508

847-638-7621 THAT’S 847-638-SNC (ONE)

WWW.SWINGNCOUNTRY.ORG

Questions? Please contact any board member.

SNC hotline 847/638-7621 for class status and other information

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