USA Dance - Tidewater Chapter
April 2012
Newsletter NEWSLETTER ORGANIZERS PRESIDENT
President's Letter We started out the new year with a new Chapter Board and set of officers.
Raymond Smith EDITORS
Ronald A. Dinoso Regina Raimona USA DANCE TIDEWATER CHAPTER P.O. Box 62321 Virginia Beach, VA 23466 Email: info08@ twcusadance.org
Article Submission Deadline: June 15th
Visit our new website: ht t p ://T WCUSA D ance. org /
tions and suggestions were made following the dance and we will be working with the facility to implement most, if not all, of them for the February dance. The owners are willing to work with us to make the dance experience a good one for each event.
Then we implemented some changes to our New for our monthly dances, we will be annual New Year’s Weekend event: attempting a variety of mixers to get more »» Adding a fourth food selection for the Dindancers involved. ner Dance We will also be trying out new snack and »» A different meal venue for the New Year’s drink combinations, so let us know what evening event works for you and what doesn’t. We are open »» A new headliner couple and some changes to suggestions. in workshop instructors »» New seating arrangements for the main This is the first issue of our new and imballroom proved newsletter, which previously has been »» More dance flooring for the workshops and published irregularly. We have a new volunthe satellite dance rooms teer team, Regina Raimona and Ron Dinoso, »» An accomplished, reliable professional who are committed to providing our members photographer and supporters with a consistent, qualitative, and more informative newsletter. Included, The changes continue with the move from as you will note as you read this issue, will be our long time monthly dance location at the new sections about Knights of ColumHappy New Year to each of you from the Chapter dance happenbus in Norfolk to two Board and me. ings around the different local dance area, tidbits and I lookforward to this being the year of change for studios, both with more. our Chapter – all positive changes. great wooden, wellmaintained dance The Board is floors. We have engaged a working on new projects that are geared to couple of new DJs to play our monthly dances enhance and promote dancing in our comand added new dance instructors. munity. Stay tuned for those projects as they unfold. Our January dance, the first at one of our new venues, was a very special night, for In conclusion, the Chapter Board and I have those of you who attended. It was a gratifying made a commitment to make this the year night, not just because the numbers attending of revival for the Chapter. We are looking to exceeded our expectations, but because we you, our members, to become a part of that had more people join our Chapter at a single revival by becoming more involved, supportdance in recent memory. It was also gratifying the Chapter and its activities. ing than the attendees – that was you - were Again, Happy New Year gracious in accepting the new venue where we Ray no longer have tables available. Of course, the night was not without some challenges. A number of constructive recommenda-
New Year's Gala 2011-2012 BY RAYMOND SMITH BEHIND THE SCENES:
The Tidewater Chapter #6008 held its 21st Annual New Year’s Weekend Extravaganza at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia from December 29th , 2011 through January 1st, 2012. The event featured 58 workshops over the 4 day period, a Black Tie Optional Dinner Dance on Thursday night, a Country Western Theme Dance on Friday Night, the main event, the New Year’s Eve Dance, which was also black tie optional, on Saturday night and concluded with a Latin Theme Dance on Sunday night.
dance at the Theme Dances. We had 270 attending the Dinner Dance, 310 at the New Year’s Eve dance, and both Theme dances drew in more than 200 attendees. The main dance floor was a 6,500SF competition dance floor and all workshops and the additional ballroom added another 3,000 SF of competition flooring. The workshops attracted more than 500 students even with two of the days being regular work days. We had 5 individuals attending who have been at every one of the events; unfortunately, one of those who has attended all of the events up until this year was stranded in South America and thus was unable to attend.
All evening events included dancing and activities in the main ballroom plus two additional ballrooms featuring Argentine Tango (hosted by Gary Wooten & Teresa This year we were honored to Callahan, Richmond, Virginia) and, have Jean Krupa, USA Dance depending upon the night, Country Irina Kudryashova & National Vice-President for SoWestern, West Coast Swing, Hustle Nazar Norov are ready to cial Dance, in attendance for the and general ballroom mixes (hosted party with us! New Year’s Eve Dance and also to by Walter and Judy Schultz, Virginpreside over the Region 11 Chapter ia Beach). These two additional venues also President’s meeting hosted by the Tidewater included a ½ hour lesson and were open until Chapter on Sunday afternoon in conjunction 2:00am each night. with the event. Over the In re4 nights, sponse there were to recmore than ommen50 dance dations exhibitions from performed the past by both surveys, amateur the long and prostanding fessional tradiFrom Left to Right: Alex Carpenter, Barbara & Allan Kalbacher, and Regina & Ron. dancers. tion of a The event’s breakfeatured performers/workshop instructors fast buffet following the bringing in of the were Rising Star Champions Nazar Norov and New Year was replaced by semi-buffet style Irina Kudryashova from Naples, Florida. Also “action stations” featuring pasta selections, included in the instructor cadre were Alan beef, chicken and seafood selections and a Hedgpeth, Wesley Acker, and Sam & Denise Tapas Bar, where attendees could select what Miller, Virginia Beach; Phyllis Harris, Richthey wanted and dine at their leisure over a mond Virginia; and Ken Roesel, Maryland. 2-hour period. The long standing tradition of Five Dance Hosts were available for the Dina champagne toast at midnight, however, conner and NYE Dances and were also in attentinued. Phil Sisk, President of the Richmond,
Some of Nazar & Irina's wonderful spotlight routines! From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Paso Doble, Rumba #1, Rumba #2, Jive, and Cha-Cha
opportunities and taped all exhibitions and shows for purchase.
Virginia Chapter and Area 11 Coordinator, provided a New Year’s message and did the count-down to the New Year. As in past years, Toe to Toe Shoes and Dancewear had more than 2,000 pairs of shoes available for purchase; a physical therapist, David Herring, was available to work on sore body parts; and a professional videographer/photographer, Sky’s the Limit, provided both individual and candid photo
For those that attended all or part of the event, there is a 10 question survey available at Survey Monkey [ht t ps:/ / w w w. sur ve y monke y. com/ s / 9 BT9 DX 6] to provide feedback to the Chapter on what you liked and what you would like to see changed. Your feedback will enable us to know what went well and what might be improved. Of course, the more that respond, the better the Chapter will be able to assess what we can do to make next year’s event even better - so please take the opportunity to let your voice be known by completing the survey ,which will be available through the end of January.
More Photos from the Gala
GALA STATS ◊ 270 attended Dinner Dance ◊ 310 attended the NYE Dance ◊ 9,500 SF of total dance space ◊ 500 attended workshops ◊ 5 individuals attended every workshops ◊ Vendors had 2,000 pairs of shoes available for sale
Start at 45 BY PATRICIA RAYMOND, M.D.
“Here’s another fine mess I’ve gotten myself into…” I channel Oliver Hardy as I maneuver my body around the dance studio. Patricia Raymond, MD., is a local Gastroenterologist who uses entertainment to educate the public. CONTACT 680 Kingsborough Square Suite D Chesapeake, VA 23320 Phone: (757) 547-2673
I am a non-dancer. You ‘dance-people’ simply cannot understand. What comes naturally to you, knowing where your body and all its limbs are in space is unnatural to me. My dancing is akin to stuffing a cat into a burlap sack—one part goes in, and another part pops out of alignment. Apologies to all cats for the analogy, including my own.
tious beat and refrain was the musical vehicle. But the visual needed to be dance. The iconic B&W video of Beyoncé and her two dancers needed to be parodied to enhance the impact and fun. Live action dancing (by me) was essential. Enter choreographer and dancer Regina Raimona. Regina recruited her progressivelypregnant colleague Michelle Eppich Hood, and they carefully dissected the Beyoncé dance to fit my (non-existent) skill set. They were able to enlist two graceful, exuberant and (damn them) slender African American dancers in Kennesha M. Walker and Lynelle N. Haugabrook. You may have seen us in rehearsal at ATTD as you swanned by in proper form (if in fact, swans could move to a salsa beat).
Last year’s music parody video The team pulled to support colon "Enjoy the use of dance to educate" it off; we produced cancer awareness a frolicsome video was a breeze (http:// that illustrates the youtu.be/wmKnf7QhuSo) . An animated me point: African American colon cancer screennot only danced, but turned cartwheels and ing MUST start at 45 (not 50). View it (http:// surfed. All I had to do was stand still for an youtu.be/LSpyaGgA4rs), and please share extensive photo-shoot, and amazing animator it with your Facebook, email, and twitter John Schnall did the heavy lifting. friends. Enjoy the use of dance to educate. This year, the glorious idea was a video I believe that Carrie Ann Inaba, the kindest spoof to educate about early screening coloof judges, might be moved to give me a “6”. noscopy in African Americans. Beyoncé’s Single Ladies/Put a Ring On It, with its infec-
Local Competitors DancesportVA 5721A Arrowhead Dr. Virginia Beach, VA 23462
YULETIDE BALL 2011
Many of our dance students regularly compete in regional competitions in various divisions and categories. We'd like to acknowledge their hardwork and dedication to their passion for dance. For studios and instructors we'd like to hear from you about your students' accomplishments.
all of her single dances, Bronze Championship and Bronze Silver Scholarship at the Yuletide Ball 2011.
To that end we'd like to congratulate Valerie Arias and her instructor Yuriy Kravets, representing DancesportVA of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Valerie won first place in Left: Yuriy & Valerie in Tango hold.
Right: Fellow competitors with Valerie to the far left.
TRI-STATE CHALLENGE COMPETITION MARCH 23-25TH RESULTS:
Patt McKinnon (dancing with Zhenya Klyukin) received 5 first places in Bronze I International Standard (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep). She placed 2nd in the Bronze multi-dance Scholarship event out of 9. Additionally, she received 1st place in Bronze I Paso Doble, 2nd place in ChaCha, Rumba, and Samba; and 3rd place in Jive and was a finalist in the Latin multi-dance scholarship event as well.
Greg Lathrop (dancing with Rebekah Klyukin) received 10 first places in Bronze I and Bronze II International Standard (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep).
Left: Pat McKinnon with Zhenya Right: Greg Lathrop with Rebekah
Congratulations competitors! Dancing Under the Stars 2012 BY REGINA RAIMONA
Saturday, February 25th, 2012 was the 2nd annual “Dancing Under the Stars” fundraiser at the K.E. White Center at the Elizabeth City State University’s campus. The event helped raise money for the Albemarle Area United Way while providing a reception filled with tasty treats and great entertainment. Several instructors and dancers from Hampton Roads assisted with the success of this year’s event and many returned from last year after enjoying the “Kick Off. Set up starts early in the day, with a bustle of work putting down the floor, setting up the room, rehearsals and sound check. However, an event like this takes several months of planning and many team players. There are multiple lessons for each dancer participating filled with hours of repetition and hard work. It requires team meetings for fundraising, finding sponsors, recruiting celebrities, judges, marketing and much more. The local celebrities that spent hours in practice learning several fun and flirty routines were Ann Hoffman, Publisher with Daily Advance; Debbie Morrisette with Long &
Foster partnered with Mr. Dough Gardner; Diana Etheridge, Instructor at the YMCA and Patricia Albert with Wells Fargo partnered with Mr. Mark Wice. Our local dancers and instructors who traveled to assist and dance with the event were; Damir Abdullaev, Rebekah & Zhenya Klyukin, Ron Dinoso & Regina Raimona, Walter & Judy Schultz, Wesley Acker, Jerilyn Gonzales, Tim & Bonnie Hackett, John Galle, Stan Gurganus & Cindy Perkins, Christina Wooddell, Michelle Green, and Tom & Gretchen Allen. A special thank you for the photos by Brett Clark, The Daily Advance. Photos are available for purchase at http://www. dailyadvance.com/content/dancingunder-stars-2012-964691 We look forward to next year’s event!
A Time to Dance
5444 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite 118 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Owners: Rebekah & Zhenya Klyukin
Author Bio:
Sarah Elizabeth Stone is a film student at Regent University. She produced and directed the music video as the final requirement before graduation.
"Blush" Music Video BY SARAH ELIZABETH STONE
What happens when you take a family of Julliard-trained musicians, mix in a group of enthusiastic ballroom dancers, flood everyone with high-intensity lighting, crank up the music, then capture the event on multiple cameras? You have the making of an exciting music video scene! On March 13th, 2012, local ballroom dancers across Hampton Roads participated in a scene for an upcoming music video in the atrium at the Founders Inn and Spa. As Annie Wolaver-Dupree, the lead singer for the Annie Moses Band, stated at one point, “This was an epic scene!” And epic it was as ballroom dancers dressed in their finest gowns twirled and glided around the floor of the atrium creating
group. The music video captured the song’s lyrics in the desire to go back to a time of relational virtues and value—a return to the time “when grooms were gallant, and brides would blush.” In the modern ballroom dancing scene, the band performed as the ballroom dancers Viennese waltzed around the floor. "The dancers looked absolutely beautiful and added a vibrant dynamic to the shots as they whirled around the marble floor," explained Stone after the evening’s production activities. "The elegance of the ballroom couples captured the essence of the lyrics in the manner of how they bow and curtsy, and the upmost respect that is reflected during the dance. Their color-
Return to the time "when grooms were gallant, and brides would blush" the magic of the scene. The Annie Moses Band (www.anniemosesband.com) is a family ensemble known for blending country, jazz, pop, and classical music. To date, the group—comprised of parents Bill and Robin Wolaver and their children Annie, Alex, Benjamin, Camille, Gretchen, and Jeremiah—has more than 1,000 hours of airings on PBS stations across the country (the highest debut for any artist on public television to date), a top-ten classical crossover album (Billboard Magazine) and a tour schedule of more than 80 concerts a year. What the band didn't have, however, was a music video. "I could see their music put really well to a video," said the producer and director of the music video, Sarah Beth Stone, a Regent University student. The song for the video, "Blush," is an original by the
ful gowns were perfect for the look we wanted for the video.” A production set is very exciting, but then "it can become tedious as each shot is repeated for take after take until all the aspects, like the camera movement, dancers' performance, and band's performance, are perfect," according to Stone. “Each of our ballroom couples persevered, however, through the dizzying array of left turns required by the scene’s multiple takes and the Viennese waltz itself. Their involvement was genuinely appreciated and they helped us successfully capture the epic nature of the scene!" The song, "Blush," is on the Annie Moses Band’s soon to be publically released album, Pilgrims and Prodigals, and the music video is scheduled to be released in May of 2012.
Membership Center Membership is the life-blood of any organization. We'd like to take this time to celebrate and acknowledge the birthdays of our members. Keep those happy feet moving and dance everyday of your life!
Members' Birthdays
Month
Month
Renewal Months
◊ Mr. Antonio D. Octavo ◊ Ms. Priscilla A. Sellars ◊ Mr. Tom Somma ◊ Ms. Marina Hilliard
Feb.
◊ Mrs. Wanda L. Smith ◊ Mr. Will L. Harper ◊ Mrs. Joanne S. Gabber ◊ Mrs. Kathleen A. Weinberg ◊ Mr. John Upton ◊ Mr. Keith Sutton ◊ Ms. Pam Glass ◊ Mrs. Dorothy Hudson
Month
Mar.
◊ Mr. Allen W. Rohlfing ◊ Mr. Timothy J. Lobello ◊ Mrs. Janice A. Lobello ◊ Ms. Lynn M. Gallagher ◊ Mr. Frank D. Tehel ◊ Ms. Nancy Weaver ◊ Mrs. Jean Tsai ◊ Ms. Janice S. Klasek ◊ Ms. Kim Tran ◊ Ms. Jennifer Arriaga ◊ Mr. Sean A. Pearson
Apr.
◊ Mr. Joseph Brogan ◊ Ms. Susan Donn ◊ Ms. Shirlee Lerner ◊ Mr. John T. Riley ◊ Ms. Teracia Nunnally
Members
Jan.
Members
Jan.
◊ Ms. Sharon M. Clark
Feb.
◊ Ms. Donna L. Campbell ◊ Ms. Dalynn K Fond ◊ Mrs. Aida L. Limcaoco ◊ Mr. Ben C. Limcaoco ◊ Mrs. Janice A. Lobello ◊ Mr. Timothy J. Lobello ◊ Ms. Kay L. Niman-Meyers ◊ Ms. Teracia Nunnally ◊ Mrs. Jean Tsai ◊ Mr. Morris Tsai
Members
Month
Members
Mar.
◊ Mr. Will L. Harper ◊ Mrs. Karen E. Inn ◊ Mr. Steven G. Inn ◊ Ms. Shirlee Lerner ◊ Mrs. Dorothy Pearson ◊ Mr. Sean A. Pearson ◊ Ms. Ge Youn Thompson
Apr.
◊ Mrs. Gretchen A. Allen ◊ Ms. Lynn M. Gallagher ◊ Ms. Mary Kay Glassman ◊ Mr. Ben J. Hudson ◊ Ms. Katherine Nagorniuk ◊ Mr. Walter Schultz ◊ Ms. Cynthia Strode
Membership Center
T h a n k y o u, W a n d a !
(cont.)
A Memorial Donation account has been set up in memory of Wanda Smith. She will always be dancing with us at Tidewater USA Dance.
New Members!
The funeral was a beautiful service, in memory of a passionate and dedicated woman, Wanda Smith. The priest spoke about her love for dance as well as God's love of dance. It was a beautiful connection for a woman who lived life sharing the joys of dance with others through charities, USA Dance and as many saw in a display of pictures, her personal love and dance with her husband, Jerry. If you would like to make a donation in her memory, we ask that you use one of the 3 places that Wanda would have wanted to support. 1. American Cancer Society – 4416 Expressway Drive VA Beach, VA 23452 c/o Ilse. (Enclose a note that gives the following information: In Memory of Wanda L. Smith 705 Denham Arch Chesapeake VA 23322) 2. ASPCA -Honor & Memorial Donations There are three ways to make a tribute
donation: Website: If you’d like to make a donation online & inform an individual via email, you may send them an eMemorial notification. This is a simple & fast process. ht t ps :/ / donate .a spca .org / D onate/ D onation s / Website / Website _ Memor ial .a spx ? Place me nt I D =2 4 7 5 6 70 Mail: You may send a check, indicating name of deceased, the name/address of the person you wish us to contact concerning the donation, and who it is from. They send a tribute card to the person you’ve indicated. Please send your check to: ASPCA Tributes, 520 8th Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Or you can make a donation by Phone: (800)628-0028. 3. Tidewater Chapter, USA Dance – The Chapter is working on a continuing memorial. Information will be forthcoming shortly. Donations are already being accepted and the board is taking into consideration any suggestions.
Volunteer of the Quarter: Gretchen Allen BY REGINA RAIMONA
Through the years, one of our dedicated volunteers and fellow board member of USA Dance, Gretchen Allen has played a crucial part of the United Way dancing events. She helped organize the Dancing with Our Stars in Hampton Roads that was a huge success, enjoyed by thousands and raised a lot of money. She continues to volunteer and help Albermarle Area United Way organize their events. This last NYE Gala she was an asset to our team as she spent endless hours on reservations and ticket sales, working with the team, attending meetings, recruiting
THE TIDEWATER CHAPTER USA DANCE, INC. #6008 Presents
23rd ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S WEEKEND EVENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2012 – MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012
new volunteers and many other tasks that kept the weekend running to make it a Grand Event! For these reasons and more, we would like to thank her for hours of hard work and dedication to USA Dance and our dance community!
Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia BREATHTAKING Exhibitions
DAILY WORKSHOPS All Levels & Styles
PROFESSIONAL Lessons with NAZAR NOROV & IRINA KUDRYASHOVA Plus MUCH MORE!
ENTERTAINMENT EVERY NIGHT Dinners, Performances & Dancing
BALLROOM VENDORS Photography, Videographer & Dancewear
Stay Tuned for Exciting Changes & Upcoming Details Email: INFO08@TWCUSADANCE.ORG Website: WWW.USADANCETIDEWATER.ORG
Are you ready for more?!
Wanda was the founder and guiding light for the USA Dance Tidewater Chapter.
Upcoming USA Dance Monthly Dance
The Chapter hosts a monthly social every 4th Saturday of each month. Here are the 2012 monthly social dance schedules: @ A Time to Dance - 5444 Virginia Beach Blvd. Suite #118, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 »» January 28th »» February 25th »» March 24th »» April 28th »» May 23rd @ Dancesport VA - 5721-A Arrowhead Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23462 »» June 23rd »» July 28th »» August 25th »» September 22nd »» October 27th »» November 24th