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Join us at our January Dance |
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JANUARY DANCE
Sunday,
January
25, 2009
2:00-5:00 P.M.
Music by Fred Gipson
Lesson at 2:00
Members $7, guests
$10,
students with ID $5
Dress Code:
Nov-Mar: dressy (coat and tie, dress or dressy pants.
Apr-Nov: dressy casual
Dancers of All Ages are Welcome.
LOCATION
Homewood Senior Center
205-943-0018.
For information Priscilla Collums
205-873-1064
or priss522@aol.com
or visit
www.renez.com/birminghamballroom
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Dance News |
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BENEFITS OF USA DANCE MEMBERSHIP
BBDA is much more than simply
a social Dance Club. It is a Chapter of USA Dance, Inc., which along
with all the other chapters works toward bringing more dancing to
people and more people to dancing to share all its fun and joy and
the friendships to be made.
How does a USA Dance chapter stand out - what else does a chapter do
beyond just social dances?
1. For only $25.00 national annual dues, you are part of the
premiere national dance association. As a member you have an open
invitation to the activities of any local chapter. In fact the
schedule of most chapters is posted on the USA Dance national
website. (www.USABDA.org) USADance has over 200 active chapters.
When you travel you have instant dance friends and contacts in
nearly every major city. Simply contact the Chapter at your
destination and find out where you can go dancing. When you get
there you get to attend the chapter functions at the lower member
rate.
2. Members receive 6 issues of "Amateur Dancer" per year. With this
magazine you can be informed about the world of amateur ballroom
dance, dance products, and dance events.
3. You are invited to join dance cruises offered and organized
exclusively for USADance members and guests.
4. There are large, statewide and regional social dances and dance
weekends sponsored by larger Chapters for USA Dance members.
5. By providing dance exhibitions and lessons to all age groups we
spread the joy of dancing.
6. Our chapters encourage skill improvement, and donate our time to
encourage non-dancers to get involved in dancing. We encourage
particular attention to students in schools and colleges.
7. Members may attend and enter USADance competitions as a social or
competitive dancer.
8. USADance has been selected by the U. S. Olympic Committee to be
the governing board for ballroom dance competition (known as
Dancesport) in the USA. The goal is for dance competition will be
included in future Olympic Games.
In doing all these things we and our fellow USA Dance members help
to spread the awareness of how much dancing can enrich a person's
life. Ballroom Dance helps people find new social contacts, better
health, more fun, increased physical activity, and a more positive
mental outlook. … Come join us!
For information about chapters in Area IV where BBDA is located, go
to www.usadance6.org.
Shannon Ritchie |
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Election of Officers
Election results are as follows: Priscilla Collums,
President, Woody Holloway, VP, Jackie Tally,
Secretary, and Cecelia Ebert, Treasurer. Board
Members elected are: Ron Stutts, Carol Shubert,
Cynthia Gravlee, Dan Cobb, Stan Digerness, Joe
Wesley, Mary Ann McKim, Lee Martin, and Madrene
Roberts. The annual meeting was held after the dance
on Nov. 23 and highlighted the events of this past
year
Santa for Soldiers Drive was
Successful
We were notified by Vicki L. Glover, Alabama
National Guard Readiness Support Assistant that our
supplies and cards were sent to the 128th
Medical Company at Camp Liberty, Iraq. She added
“thanks for your love and show of support for our
troops.” Ms. Glover had served in Afghanistan for a
year and knows firsthand that supplies and well
wishes from friends and family back home are eagerly
received.
USA
Dance National Chapter Conference to be held in
Orlando
The first ever Chapter Conference sponsored
by USA Dance will be held Jan 15-18, 2009 in
Orlando. Chapter officers attending this
event are Priscilla Collums, President,
Woody Holloway, VP and Ceal Ebert,
Treasurer. There will be many workshops for
chapter officers to attend and opportunities
to network with chapter officials from all
over the country.
BBDA Supports the Homewood Dance Marathon
BBDA has been involved in organizing and supporting
the Homewood Dance Marathon since it’s beginning in
2003. Our members, Jackie Tally, Priscilla Collums,
Madrene Roberts, Curt and Wendy Johnson are on the
Organizing Committee. Many other BBDA members are
involved in the work of producing the 6th
Annual Ballroom Dance Marathon. Mary Ann McKim,
Ceal Ebert, Carol Shubert, Woody Holloway, Al Finley
and Shannon Ritchie are just a few of the members
who work to put on a great event. Many others will
work during the event, helping to set up, decorate,
work registration, serve refreshments, and clean up.
If you would be willing to work during the event,
contact Madrene Roberts, Volunteer Coordinator at
dmyroberts@yahoo.com and let her know you will
be available to help. It takes many hands to put on
a successful event of this size.
BBDA Awarded 4 Youth Scholarships for the
Marathon
The Board of BBDA voted to award 4 youth
scholarships for the Homewood Dance Marathon.
Woody Holloway contributed funds for 4
additional scholarships. When you attend
the Marathon, be sure to read the essays written
by the scholarship winners. The essays were
titled “What Dance Means to Me”. The
scholarship winners will be dancing during the
breaks at the Sunday afternoon tea dance.
Outreach Activity at the
Birmingham Public Library
BBDA has been asked to present a program on
Ballroom Dance at the Brown Bag Luncheon
sponsored by the Birmingham Public Library.
This will be our 5th year to be
invited for this program. The event will be
held on Wednesday October 15 at 12:00 noon
at the downtown library. BBDA will present
a short program on dance, demonstrate the 6
basic dances and then teach a short lesson
for the audience. Contact Jackie Tally at
jgtally@aol.com if you are interested in
participating this year. It is a lot of
fun!!
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Outreach Program
As part of its
continuing outreach program, BBDA members demonstrated various dance
styles at the Brookwood Mall on May 28, 2008. Ray Newman provided the
music.
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Dancers of all ages are welcome.
Dress Code: Nov.-Feb.: Coat
& Tie, Mar.-Oct.: Dressy Casual
Admission to monthly dances: Members:$7, Guests: $10, Students $5
For more information contact
Priscilla Collums
205-873-1064
or priss522@aol.com
Directions to Homewood Senior Center
From I-65 South
- Going south toward Montgomery: Take the first
West Oxmoor exit, Exit 256, about 2.5 or 3 miles past
downtown Birmingham. Turn right and merge into the
center lane and then the left lane. Take the
strange left fork at first traffic light, just
past
Country Hearth
Inn & Suites (Old Holiday
Inn) on right. At 2nd light, turn left onto Oak
Grove Road. Go to first building on right. At
this light Weygand Surveyors is on left. New
Bogues Restaurant No. 2 (old Florida Grill) and
old ice skating rink are on
right.
From I-65 North
- Going north toward Birmingham: Take Oxmoor Road
exit, Exit 256. Turn left. Go under I-65
Interstate, and thru 2 lights. Take the strange
left fork at the first traffic light just past Country
Hearth Inn & Suites (Old
Holiday Inn) on
right. At third light, turn left onto Oak
Grove Road. Go to first building on right. At
this light Weygand Surveyors is on left. New
Bogues Restaurant No. 2 (old Florida Grill) and
old ice skating rink are on
right.
Going South On Greensprings Highway - Pass
Valley Avenue, then Oxmoor Road, then Lovoy's, Mazer's,
McDonald's, KFC. Turn right onto Raleigh Avenue.
Go until it deadends at Oak Grove Road. Turn left
and then turn into first driveway on right.
On 280 Going Toward Downtown Birmingham -
Take Hollywood exit just past Hamilton Inn and Wendys on
right. Turn left onto Oxmoor Road. Go
several miles. Go under I-65 Interstate, and thru
2 lights. Take the strange left fork at the first
traffic light just past Country Hearth Inn & Suites (Old
Holiday Inn) on right. At third
light, turn left onto Oak Grove Road. Go to first
building on right. At this light Weygand Surveyors
is on left. New Bogues Restaurant No. 2 (old
Florida Grill) and
old ice skating rink are on right.
Map
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Outreach - Birmingham Public Library - Brown Bag
Luncheon
On
Wednesday Sept 12, 2007, members of BBDA conducted an
outreach program for the Brown Bag Series at the
Birmingham Public Library. This is the third year
the Library has requested we entertain the lunch
group with a lecture and demonstration of Ballroom
Dance.
Madrene Roberts, president of BBDA, told the group
present about the origins of 6 ballroom dances.
Demonstrating the dances were: Curt and Wendy
Johnson, Rene Zgraggen, Suzie Robbins, Stan and
Brenda Digerness, Ron Stutts, Robyn White and Woody
Holloway.
After the lecture/demonstration, Curt and Wendy
Johnson taught the basic steps of three dances that
were requested by the audience. They were Foxtrot,
Cha Cha and East Coast Swing.
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE SO SEE IT FULL SIZE
From top
left: Class, Class, Curt & Wendy, Rene & student,
Ron & Robyn, Ron & student, students, students, Suzy
& Rene, Suzy & Rene.
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Confessions
of a Dance Junkie
By
Wanda Fulton
National Dance Association Zone S Director
From National Teacher’s Association Newsletter
September-October 2008
“I
am a dancer”…so goes the first verse of the song
from Chorus Line.
Like many of you, dancing is not just what I do it’s
about what I am. Most people occasionally think
about dancing and if the situation presents itself
will take to the social floor and spend an evening
moving to the music. My life centers on dance. I
search for places and activities that offer a chance
to dance.
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Whenever I hear the numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, I think
dance. When I walk down a long hall I practice
waltz rise and fall, heel toe, toe, toe heel. A
tile or wooden floor invites a spiral turn
attempt. I stand in third position while in
line at the store.
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Rock, dip, tuck to me are dance terms as well as
hammerlock, sweetheart, and barrel roll.
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When I go into a new club or dance venue, the
first thing I do is check out the floor, then
look around for other amenities.
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I drink bottled water or soda, not because of
any concern about consuming alcohol. I want to
keep my dance skills as sharp as possible.
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I always carry a pair of dance shoes with me,
just in case there might be a dance.
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I plan vacations by going online to find a place
to dance near our destination.
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I walk in time to the rhythm of the music being
played in the grocery store and occasionally
break into a step pattern. I sway to the Muzak
in elevators.
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I have spent time and money traveling to dance
events in other states and never ventured out of
the hotel to see the sights.
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I think of songs playing on the radio in terms
of tempo and beat, what style dance.
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When I watch a movie about dancing or where
there is a dance scene, I get upset when the
camera leaves the dancers to focus on the
actors.
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I would rather dance than eat, sleep, or watch
TV.
When not dancing, I talk about dance. Comparing
steps and moves with other dance junkies, I have
spent hours in Waffle House restaurants after a
dance. To show a direction or pattern we used our
fingers on the table to represent feet and have on
occasion danced down the isle to the amusement of
the other diners and staff. I recall waking up at
three in the morning trying to remember a particular
Tango pattern. I picked up the phone and called a
fellow instructor and asked, “What is the foot
position for the man in such and such number Bronze
Tango pattern? Being another Dance Junkie, my
friend immediately responded with the step
sequence. Neither one of us thought that type of
phone call was unusual. Saying” thank you” I hung
up.
I
have participated in an activity I love, met the
nicest people, and had some wonderful experiences.
As my body ages, the muscles and bones betray me and
my dancing isn’t what it used to be. I count my
blessings that at least I may not always be on the
floor but I AM A DANCER!
Wanda Fulton is a BBDA member who dances and teaches
ballroom and country western style dance. Wanda
suffers from Parkinson’s disease. She says that
dancing has kept her mobile and moving. Along with
her medicine, dance is essential in the treatment of
her condition.
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