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The Backbeat Bulletin
December 2007
Welcome to
the Backbeat Bulletin, the last one for 2007.
BB year
in review
What a year
it has been! We just wanted to take a
moment to reflect on everything you guys have achieved this year.
- April 1st Backbeat
started – It was no foolish joke we opened the doors firstly teaching
beginners, Then we quickly added intermediate to the classes as you guys
were picking it up so quickly.
- May – Ray and Maggie ran a
beginners workshop up the
- June – Ross joined the team as
a consolidation teacher and Elissa joined the front of house crew.
- August - we had our first live
gig! Appearing as the half time entertainment at the Noosa
– Maroochy AFL clash. Dancing for
15 minutes in front of a few hundred people, that was an awesome effort
guys. This was captured in the papers, TV and the Weekender. Well done.
- September- The Sweet Escape Routine
started, an 8 week intensive workshop to learn a specially choreographed
routine by Ray & Kimmy,
- October- Maggie joined the team
as a mainstream instructor &
- November – Routine
performances! The Sweet Escape has been so popular we started performing
at a number of venues. By the end
of the year the Sweet Escape Routine will have been performed at 5 dance
functions. Jo and Michael also choreographed a routine for there own
performance.
- December - Christmas Party and
more performances!
What a huge
year, you guys are going ahead in leaps and bounds and the Backbeat Crew are
glad to take the journey with you.
Next year
is going to be even bigger! Here’s a clue of something’s to come:
New Year Social BBQ, Join us at Mooloolaba for some
fish and chips. BYO
drinks & food. It will be a great chance to get together and catch
up after Christmas. Date and Venue to be finalised.
Another
Routine is coming your way! Yes indeed Ray & Kimmy have already choreographed
it! But our lips are sealed, you will have to wait and see. Our routine classes
will be held up the
April we
will be celebrating our 1st year on the coast, it will be a huge
party with lots of dancing, entertainment and of course door prizes.
Ceroc Cruise - P&O
Modern Jive Dancing Cruise
Leaving
18 – 25 October 2008,
For more information see Jas Carmel from Dance Away or visit
www.danceaway.com.au or www.modernjivetravelclub.com
Backbeat DVD’s
Ray and Kimmy
have been putting some moves together from previous classes on DVD for
you. They will include a beginners DVD
and an intermediate DVD. The DVD’s should be available in February 2008.
Tuesday Night Classes
Unfortunately,
Our Tuesday nights have been experiencing low numbers for sometime so we have
had to make a very tough decision by closing the doors on Tuesday the 11th December. We thank
all those who have supported us over the last 4 years, we have some exciting
plans for next year, so stay tuned.
Christmas
Party – Bigger then Ben Hur
December 16th
will be our last class for the year, so come along for a big bang of a
night. There will be great
entertainment, routine performances, door prizes, speed class, dancing,
nibbles, great music and much more. Bring a friend
Sunday 16th
Dec, 6pm to 10pm
Entry -
$12.00
BYO drinks
Back beat
will resume classes on the 6th January 2008.
This months Dance Tips
- Maggie
For the girls –
Don’t rush ahead and try to anticipate the next part
of the move. It’s something I still
struggle with myself – just ask Ray and Wayne!
Wait for the lead from your partner and be guided by the energy he puts
into the lead, eg, he may only want you to turn, not
spin, as in a catapult, so that he can catch your arm and take you into the
next part of the move. Often there are
many variations he can choose from.
Sometimes, you may become frustrated with a new dancer
because his thought process moves slower than the beat and its tempting to push
the move along. Try not listening to the
beat and wait for him to lead you through the move. He’ll appreciate your patience and as he gets
more proficient with practice, he’ll keep up with the beat.
Now for the guys –
Its so much easier for the girls not to anticipate if
we get nice, clear signals from you. For
example, sometimes its hard to tell the difference between the signal for a
first move and a wurlitzer or a neck break and a
flying neck break, if you get lazy with that arm. If you don’t want the girl to launch into
multiple spins, make sure you don’t put too much energy into the lead so she
has no doubt.
But remember, there are no mistakes in modern jive,
just “variations” – we come up with them all the time! Just have a laugh with your partner and have
fun.
Moves taught last week:
Beginners -
Neckbreak – Hightowel – fountain - loop holes.
Intermediate
- Butterfly combs, Lady Pull through, Decapitator, Lady spin back drop
Christmas/New Year –
Maroochydore Classes
Last class
for 2007, Sunday 16th December
First class
for 2008, Sunday 6th of January
What sparkles, spins fast and makes you look good on the
dance floor?
What else but Doreen's shoes!
Doreen has been bringing her
beautiful ladies and men's dance shoes every week. She recently got a new order in with some
lovely new designs so make sure you check them out this Sunday.
Also, Doreen would like to announce
from next year she will be bringing her shoes monthly. She will continue to bring her catalogue and
will still take orders so don't fear, Doreen and her sparkly shoes are still
available to keep you looking good on the dance floor. Doreen has kindly
donated a set of dance shoes for our Christmas Party prize, you have to be
there!
Thank You
One behalf
of the Backbeat Crew, we want to thank you all personally for your support this
year, it’s been a huge year. We have seen over 1500 students come through our
Maroochydore venue. We are all excited about the plans for next year, so from
the team we want to wish you a wonderful and safe Christmas. See you in the New
Year
From the
Backbeat Crew
Ray, Suzie, Kimmy, Ross, Elissa, Doreen, Maggie, Wayne and Rita.