University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club President ...sheerdance.com/issues/2014-06-01.pdf ·...
Transcript of University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club President ...sheerdance.com/issues/2014-06-01.pdf ·...
University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club
President Taylor Wall is honored as the U of M’s
female athlete of the year! Photo by Theresa Kimler.
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Uptown Swing - Famous Dave’s; 3001 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 7:15 p.m. swing lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. live band; free
June 11 • Wednesday Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415
Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5
June 12 • Thursday Late Night Swing - Social Dance Studio; 3742
23rd Ave S, Mpls; 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.; $6, $4 students
Variety Dance - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.; $5
June 13 • Friday MN WCS Dance Club - B-Dale Club; 2100 N
Dale St, Roseville; 7:30 p.m. lesson; 8:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. dance; $10, $7 members
Intro to Tango & Dance Party - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.; $5
Variety Dance - Mill City Ballroom; 2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 p.m. lesson; 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. dance; $10
June 14 • Saturday Club Swing - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 p.m. west coast swing les-son; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. WCS, ECS, nightclub 2-step, waltz dance; $10, $5 dance only
Café Bailar - Balance Pointe Studio; 5808 W 36th St, Mpls; 7:30 p.m. samba les-son; 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. variety dance; $10, $8 members
June 15 • Sunday TC Rebels WCS Dance - Social Dance Studio;
3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 - 10:30 p.m.; $11, $7 members
June 16 • Monday WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $5Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons Dance
Studio; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. swing dancing; $5
Uptown Swing - Famous Dave’s; 3001 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 7:15 p.m. swing lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. live band; free
June 18 • Wednesday Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5
June 19 • Thursday Late Night Swing - Social Dance Studio; 3742
23rd Ave S, Mpls; 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.; $6, $4 students
Variety Dance - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.; $5
June 20 • Friday Club Salsero Bachata Blast - Social Dance
Studio; 3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 p.m. bachata lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. bachata, salsa, cha cha, merengue dance; $10, $5 dance only
Intro to Tango & Dance Party - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.; $5
Variety Dance - Mill City Ballroom; 2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 p.m. lesson; 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. dance; $10
June 21 • Saturday TC Rebels Anniversary Dance - Social Dance
Studio; 3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.; $17, $12 members
June 23 • Monday WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $5Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons Dance
Studio; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. swing dancing; $5
Uptown Swing - Famous Dave’s; 3001 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 7:15 p.m. swing lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. live band; free
June 25 • Wednesday WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415
Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5
June 26 • Thursday Late Night Swing - Social Dance Studio; 3742
23rd Ave S, Mpls; 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.; $6, $4 students
Variety Dance - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.; $5
June 27 • Friday MN WCS Dance Club - B-Dale Club; 2100 N
Dale St, Roseville; 7:30 p.m. lesson; 8:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. dance; $10, $7 members
Intro to Tango & Dance Party - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.; $5
June 1 • Sunday TC Rebels WCS Dance - Social Dance Studio;
3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 - 10:30 p.m.; $11, $7 members
June 2 • Monday WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $5Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons Dance
Studio; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. swing dancing; $5
Uptown Swing - Famous Dave’s; 3001 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 7:15 p.m. swing lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. live band; free
June 3 • Tuesday Salsa Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 8:30 p.m. lesson; 10:00 - 11:00 p.m. dancing; $5
June 4 • Wednesday Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415
Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5
June 5 • Thursday Late Night Swing - Social Dance Studio; 3742
23rd Ave S, Mpls; 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.; $6, $4 students
Variety Dance - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.; $5
June 6 • Friday Club Salsero Salsa Sensation - Social Dance
Studio; 3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 p.m. lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. salsa, cumbia, bachata, cha cha, merengue dance; $10, $5 dance only
Practice Party - StudioJeff; 701 St. Germain St W Suite 201, St. Cloud; 7:00 p.m. tango lesson; 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. variety dance; $10, $5 students
Club Salsa - Blue Moon Ballroom; 2030 Highway 14 E, Rochester; 7:30 p.m. les-son; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. variety dance; $10, $8 students - dressy casual
Intro to Tango & Dance Party - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.; $5
Variety Dance - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 7:00 p.m. tango & samba lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. dance; $10
Variety Dance - Mill City Ballroom; 2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 p.m. waltz & rumba lesson; 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. dance; $10
June 7 • Saturday Swing Dance - Social Dance Studio; 3742
23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:30 p.m. lesson; 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. swing dance to live music
June 9 • Monday WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $5Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons Dance
Studio; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. swing dancing; $5
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:/,,9+(5*,�*64� �������5>��1 ��B.,;�+(5*05.D�
:[\KPVZAmerican Classic Ballroom 952.934.0900
550 Market Street, Chanhassenwww.acballroom.com
Balance Pointe Studios 952.922.86125808R W 36th Street, St. Louis Parkwww.balancepointestudios.com
Ballroom & Wedding Dance Studio 612.371.0300
2717 42nd Street E, Minneapoliswww.myballroomdancestudio.com
Blue Moon Ballroom 507.288.0556 2030 Highway 14 E, Rochesterwww.BlueMoonBallroom.com
Cinema Ballroom 651.699.5910 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paulwww.cinemaballroom.com
Costa Rica Ballroom Dance Studios 952.303.3339
816 Mainstreet, Hopkinswww.costaricaballroom.com
Dahl Dance Center 507.252.1848 4204 North Highway 52, Rochesterwww.dahldance.com
Dance and Entertainment 651.605.5784www.danceandentertainment.com
Dance with Us America 612.564.5483 10 Southdale Center, Edinawww.dancewithusamerica.com
Dancers Studio 651.641.0777 415 Pascal Street N, St. Paulwww.dancersstudio.com
Four Seasons Dance Studio 612.342.0902 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapoliswww.fourseasonsdance.com
Mill City Ballroom 612.562.2733 2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paulwww.millcityballroom.com
North Star Dance Studio 612.799.4147 Bloomingtonfacebook.com/northstar.dancestudio
Rendezvous Dance Studio 612.872.1562 711 W Lake Street, Suite B, Minneapoliswww.theplacetodance.com
Social Dance Studio 612.353.44453742 23rd Ave S, Minneapoliswww.socialdancestudio.com
6WXGLR-Hσ� 320.266.4137 701 St. Germain Street W, Suite 201,
St. Cloudwww.studiojeff.com
0UZ[Y\J[VYZScott Anderson 612.816.4446
Harry Benson 763.843.2285Rachel Damiani 612.718.6823
Nathan Daniels 763.545.8690
Jennelle Donnay 651.357.2060Julie Delene 612.598.5355
[email protected] Edelstein 612.910.2690
Jennifer & Robert Foster 952.922.8316Shane Haggerty 612.705.3588
Lindsey Rebecca Hall 612.940.9546Julie Jacobson 651.261.6442Jay Larson 651.387.3886Kristina Lee 715.821.9039Deanne Michael 612.508.9255Monica Mohn 612.874.0747
Laia Olivier 612.388.4370Mariusz Olszewski 612.242.5159
[email protected] Rice 612.242.2188Lisa Vogel 651.208.0818
*S\IZAqua Gliders Dance Club 612.869.3062Café Bailar
www.cafebailar.comCotillion Dance Club of Stillwater 651.388.1231
[email protected] Dance Club 651.439.3152
facebook.com/LaDanzaDanceClubLakeside Dance Club 320.763.6432
Linden Hills Dancing Club 952.412.7230www.lindenhillsdancingclub.org
MN West Coast Swing Dance Club 651.487.6821
mnwestcoastswingdanceclub.comREBELS Swing Dance Club 952.941.0906
www.tcrebels.comStardust Dance Club
[email protected] Dance Club 952.894.1412
www.suburbanwinterset.comTango Society of Minnesota 612.224.2905
www.mntango.orgTapestry Folkdance Center 612.722.2914
www.tapestryfolkdance.orgUniversity of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club
[email protected]/umnbdc
Uptown Swing [email protected]
;̂ PU�*P[PLZ�+HUJL�*VU[HJ[ZSalsa Fusion - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 7:00 p.m. advanced salsa & bachata lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. dance; $10
Variety Dance - Mill City Ballroom; 2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 p.m. lesson; 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. dance; $10
June 28 • Saturday Tango Fusion - Social Dance Studio; 3742
23rd Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Argentine tango milonga; $10, $5 students
Café Bailar - Costa Rica Ballroom; 816 Mainstreet, Hopkins; 7:30 p.m. WCS lesson; 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. variety dance; $10, $8 members
June 29 • Sunday TC Rebels WCS Dance - Social Dance Studio;
3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 - 10:30 p.m.; $11, $7 members
June 30 • Monday WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $5Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons Dance
Studio; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. swing dancing; $5
Uptown Swing - Famous Dave’s; 3001 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 7:15 p.m. swing lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. live band; free E
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(K]LY[PZLYZDance Fest, Dance with Us America, Dancers Studio, Jennifer & Robert
Foster, Grand Jete, Gumbo DanceSport Championships, Harvest Moon Ball, Minnesota Ballroom Blast
7OV[VNYHWOLYZK. Diarra Photo, Theresa Kimler, Savanna Moen, Libby Ryan, Joel Torgeson
=VS\U[LLYZExecutive Editor: Mary Beth BeckmanEvents Editor: Lee WintervoldDesign & Layout: Nicholas WestlakeProof Editor: Libby Ryan
>YP[LYZMary Beth Beckman, Cathy Dessert, Elizabeth Dickinson, Dr. Chris Hanson,
Daniel O’Connell, Rosemary O’Connell, Libby Ryan, Joel Torgeson
)YV\NO[�[V�@V\�)`
Dance with us America’s new instructor Vasilii Platonov gives Talia Rudahl some
tango pointers at DWUA’s monthly dance.
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B.L[�+HUJPUNDTwin Cities Dance Events 2
Twin Cities Dance Contacts 3
2014 Competitions 5
B7HY[PJPWH[LDAbout Us 6
Volunteer Openings 6
Contribute 7
B9LJ\YYPUN�*VS\TUZDVolunteer Report 8
Expert Advice 9
Gaining Perspective 11
Life Through Dance 12
Results from
Around the Country 13
B-YVT�[OL�*VTT\UP[`DWrapping Your Mind Around Dance 20
U of M Ballroom Dance Club President Named
Female Athlete of the Year 22
The 11th Annual Iowa DanceSport Classic 23
Steampunk! 24
Remembering Brian Puttock 28
The First Few Steps 29
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:LJ[PVUZ �����*VTWL[P[PVUZ
+PZJ\ZZPVUThis is a forum where people
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From the Community; it is a
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Events labeled NQE are qualifying events for the USA
Dance National DanceSport Championships.
NJ DanceSport Classic – Summer Sizzler – NQE June 7 – 8Hackensack, NJ; www.njdancesportclassic.com
Gumbo DanceSport Championships – NQE June 27 – 29Baton Rouge, LA; www.gumboofballroom.org
Derby City DanceSport Championships – NQE August 1 – 3Louisville, KY; www.derbycitydancesport.org
New England DanceSport Championships – NQE September 20Waltham, MA; www.nedancesport.org
Carolina Fall Classic – NQE October 3 – 5Charlotte, NC; www.carolinafallclassic.com
Northwest DanceSport Championships – NQE October 11-12Portland, OR; www.nwballroomcompetition.org
Chicago DanceSport Challenge - NQE October 31 - November 2Chicago, IL; www.usadancechicago.org
California State DanceSport Championships - NQE November 15San Jose, CA; www.usadance-norcal.org
National Collegiate DanceSport Championships November 22 - 23Columbus, OH; www.usadance.org
��� ������5>���1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B7(9;0*07(;,D
(IV\[�<Z
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��� ������5>���1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D
APRIL AND MAY WERE EXCITING
months for Sheer Dance. Our distribu-
tion is steadily rising, and a wonderful
side effect of that has been increased
interest in having our correspondents
cover local ballroom events.
Since the beginning, we’ve been for-
tunate to have a nice stable of contribu-
tors who write about what a great time
they had at a particular event or take
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on assignment to experience various
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ees, and write an article about it all.
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unteer team is growing along with our
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=VS\U[LLY�9LWVY[:OLLY�+HUJL�0Z�.VPUN�7SHJLZBY MARY BETH BECKMAN
Mary Beth Beckman is a long-term volunteer committed to serving the dance community and is the
Executive Editor of Sheer Dance. To solicit her editing services, ask questions about Sheer Dance, or
submit content, email her at [email protected].
:/,,9+(5*,�*64� �������5>��1 B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D ��
Hello, fellow dancers! Thank you so much
for the questions you’re sending in! I really
feel that we can answer and tackle some of the
important issues surrounding ballroom dance
today. This question is a good one.
OKAY! THIS IS A TWO-PART QUESTION
that requires just one answer. Let me
explain ….
When American dance competitions
came into existence, they were mainly
held at supper clubs and resorts. With
the introduction of swing in the late
1930s, the only franchise dance studio
of the time jumped on the realization
that they could take any “club” dance
and make it a social dance. This meant
breaking it down to the bare bones and
simplifying the movements.
By the time Fred Astaire Dance
Studios came into existence in the late
‘40s, dancing was taking a new turn
toward a dance called mambo. This
new Cuban-based beat was developed
in the nightclubs in New York City, and
the dance that went along with it was
banned from being shown on any TV. It
was amazing to see the hip movement
based on being low to the ground and
dancing on a flexed knee. When the
dancers wanted something slower, cha
cha was born.
The franchise studios saw the poten-
tial of these dances and quickly added
them to their syllabus but with a huge
difference: gone was the hip action and
the flexed knee. (You can see a demon-
stration of Arthur Murray himself
dancing a basic on a PBS documentary
Latin Music USA.)
Later, when ballroom dance com-
petitions were becoming popular and
more organized among the franchise
and independent studios, the rhythm
dances no longer looked like they did in
the clubs; bigger arms, smoother move-
ment, and clean dancing was all the
rage. The Cuban motion and flexed knee
action slowly came back once dancers
realized the importance of the true
musicality of the Latin beat, but it came
at a cost. American-style dancers were
already feeling the impact of the inter-
national style, specifically straighter
leg action. I often heard judges refer to
American style as being “dirty,” which
meant they could not see a leg line or
proper body movement.
Today, I feel we have come full circle.
By going back to stronger movement
and body isolation, we no longer look
dirty, but we do look more authentic.
Big questions still remain in dances like
mambo and bolero, which I can address
in the next article.
To continue into the second part
of the question, there will always be a
conflict of styles as long as there are two
styles. The best thing we can do is learn
from each other without desecrating
the original soul of the dance.
“It takes an athlete to dance but an art-
ist to be a dancer."
— Shanna Leflour E
Expert Advice is a Q&A column where an
anonymous panel of current and former
dance champions answers your questions
about ballroom dancing. Email questions to
,_WLY[�(K]PJLBY THE EXPERT
“Of all of the styles, the ballroom dance community seems to have the least consensus when it comes to rhythm as to what the style is supposed to represent. What are the historical underpinnings for that lack of consensus?”
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.HPUPUN�7LYZWLJ[P]L;OL�-\[\YL�VM�)HSSYVVT�+HUJLBY JOEL TORGESON
Joel Torgeson is a member of the University
of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club who
enjoys dancing both socially and competi-
tively. If you have feedback for Joel or would
like to pitch an article idea, email him at
WHENEVER I GO BACK TO MY home-
town and visit with people, the first
words out of their mouths when they
learn I’m a ballroom dancer are inevi-
tably, “So when am I going to see you
on Dancing with the Stars?”
Internally, I roll my eyes a little bit,
mostly because I get asked this ques-
tion every time. But also, I don’t really
want to end up on Dancing with the Stars.
It’s not that I’m particularly against
their dancing (though a frame—or
even connected dancing every now
and then—would be nice); it’s that I’d
rather be competing in the finals of the
Ohio Star Ball than performing next
to a celebrity. Will my dream be real-
ized? Not likely, but it’s a nice thought
to work towards.
It is hard to ignore the huge impact
that Dancing with the Stars has had on
the ballroom scene, however. I’ve
talked with multiple people—profes-
sional, amateur, or otherwise—who
comment on the increase in ballroom
dance interest, especially in men, that
Dancing with the Stars has brought in.
This leads me to question what
will happen when the show goes
off the air. It has been running for
eighteen seasons now, and all shows
must eventually end. What will this
mean for ballroom dancing and, more
generally, partner dancing? Let us
examine the scene.
Ballroom dancing, as much as I love
it, could conceivably be a dying art.
Why do I say this? Think in terms of
how many people are introduced to it
each year. The music and the dances
themselves are no longer the mainstay
of social interaction for the current
generation, and largely have not been
for at least forty years. Dancers of
today are more likely to be found
dancing in small circles or groups,
pumping their fists and stepping from
side to side. I have nothing against
this form of dance, necessarily, (more
people dancing is always good!) but I
must admit it has had little appeal to
me since joining ballroom.
A quick survey of group classes
and social dances reveals the pre-
dicted dynamic: the majority of social
ballroom dancers, it would seem, are
above or around the age of fifty. Don’t
get me wrong; I am not suggesting that
older dancers are less valuable in any
way. It is worth pointing out, however,
that this is not an indefinitely sustain-
able demographic group. This could be
an effect of increased financial stability
and free time leading to an exploration
of this interest, but I think it is more
likely that these people simply grew up
with ballroom dancing and ballroom
music, so for them it is more natural to
choose this kind of dance.
What is to be done about this? I’m
not sure, and I am certainly not qual-
ified to do much more than ask the
question. To say that no young people
are interested in ballroom dancing
would be an utter farce, as anybody
who has been to Dance Fest, Star of
the North, or any of the collegiate (or
predominantly collegiate) comps could
tell you. Young people are dancing;
there is no doubt about that. It will
be interesting to see, however, how
partner dancing in general will change
in the coming years. Dancing is always
changing, and nobody can predict
where its evolution will bring it.
Ballroom’s future seems tenuously
optimistic, in my eyes. From my expe-
rience working in the University of
Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club and
speaking with many other people my
age, there remains interest in ballroom
dancing. I hope that, in the coming
years, we as a ballroom community will
be able to capture the minds and hearts
of these young people (like mine has
been) and put it to good dancing use.
To end with an almost irritatingly
accurate cliché: only time will tell. E
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3PML�;OYV\NO�+HUJL<ZPUN�[OL�9PNO[�;VVSZBY ELIZABETH DICKINSON
Elizabeth Dickinson is a life/execu-
tive coach and amateur ballroom
dancer. If you enjoy her writing and
would like to receive her weekly
emailed coaching newsletter, visit
www.pursueyourpath.com and sign up.
between focusing on my leg to execute
the movement and focusing on my hip to
execute the movement was stunning.
There’s a popular saying: “If all you’ve
got is a hammer, everything looks like a
nail.”
For many decisions we make or actions
we undertake, we only have partial infor-
mation or a limited set of tools to handle
new challenges. Sometimes it’s unavoid-
able. So we use what we know, whether
it’s a hammer or a leg. It’s impossible
to know everything or to be completely
prepared for everything life throws
at us. (My teacher says he remembers
writing things early in his career he was
completely convinced about that he now
knows to be either wrong or incomplete.
It happens everywhere.)
There are many forms of grace at work
in our world. There’s the grace that so
many things in life work out when so
many of us simply don’t have the infor-
mation or tools to ensure optimal success.
And there’s the grace of sometimes hav-
ing the right teacher to provide the right
tool at the right time. And when you get
the right tool and things suddenly get eas-
ier in life or dance, it is a little like flying.
To grace and effortless flight. E
THERE’S A NEW MOVE IN MY VIENNESE
waltz where I segue from an assisted ara-
besque into a pique position. It’s a quick
pas-de-deux move I’ve seen done but
never have performed myself.
When done well, it’s incredibly
graceful. There’s something avian about
the feel. The lilt and quick sliding twist
from the extended body position into an
upright position is like a bird folding its
wings to glide on a branch. Of course,
when it’s done awkwardly it’s like a cow
attempting a high-wire act—and there’s a
reason they don’t fly cows in the circus.
Turns out, I’ve been trying to do the
twisting motion using my extended leg.
My teacher said I needed to use my hip
to initiate the movement. Then the leg
quickly resolves itself and there’s almost
no impetus needed to turn. The difference
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9LZ\S[Z�MYVT (YV\UK�[OL�*V\U[Y`>PZJVUZPU�:[H[L�+HUJLZWVY[�*OHTWPVUZOPWZ
Below you’ll find the results of Minnesota amateurs, professionals, and
pro/am couples from events around the country. We’re proud of how
skilled and dedicated the Minnesota dance community is, and we’d like
to share their successes with you.
(P`LZOH�+L`�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU3rd (of 12) L-B Open Rhythm Scholarship (CRSBM)
1st (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Smooth Waltz
1st (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Smooth Tango
1st (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Smooth Foxtrot
2nd (of 5) L-A Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)
+\Z[PU�+VULSHU�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`3rd (of 6) Professional Rising Star Rhythm (CRSBM)
6th (of 8) Professional Open Rhythm Championship (CRSBM)
6th (of 12) Professional Rising Star Smooth (WTFV)
10th (of 17) Professional Open Smooth Championship (WTFV)
3LU�-LYYPUN[VU�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY3rd (of 4) G-C1 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
11th (of 14) L-C Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
2nd (of 5) G-C1 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
10th (of 16) G-C Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
1st (of 1) G-C1 Closed Bronze Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTQ)
4HKLS`U�/HYYPL\_�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Cha Cha
1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Samba
1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Rumba
1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Paso Doble
1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Jive
,TPS`�1HUKYPJO�^P[O�1VUH[OHU�*OLU3rd (of 3) L-A1 Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Championship (CRS)
3rd (of 9) L-A Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
1st (of 2) L-A1 Intermediate Bronze Smooth Foxtrot
2nd (of 3) L-A1 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
6th (of 10) L-A Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
+VU�2V]HYPR�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`1st (of 1) G-C2 Closed Silver Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
13th (of 15) L-C Silver Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
2nd (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Waltz
(TLYPJHU�*SHZZPJ�)HSSYVVT
)HYIHYH�7LHZL�^P[O�7H\S�)V[LZ2nd (of 6) L-C1 Closed Silver Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
6th (of 15) L-C1 Silver Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
5th (of 11) L-C1 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
2nd (of 5) L-C1 Closed Bronze Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTQ)
5th (of 9) L-C Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
*PULTH�)HSSYVVT
,PSLLU�(YJPSSH�^P[O�.VSKLU�7HYRLY2nd (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Rhythm Cha Cha
2nd (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Rhythm Rumba
2nd (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Rhythm East Coast Swing
2nd (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Rhythm Bolero
4th (of 12) L-B Open Rhythm Scholarship (CRSBM)
4HNNPL�(YaKVYM�:JO\IIL�^P[O�+\Z[PU�+VULSHU4th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha
4th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Rumba
1st (of 5) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Bolero
3rd (of 6) L-C1 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
5th (of 14) L-C Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
(UUHILS�)H]H\K�^P[O�:OHUL�4L\^PZZLU3rd (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
8th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (C/RSW)
3rd (of 8) L-B2 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
5th (of 13) L-B Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
3rd (of 6) G-B Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
1VUH[OHU�*OLU�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY5th (of 8) Professional Open Rhythm Championship (CRSBM)
BALLROOM DANCING CRITIQUED ALL DAY.SOCIAL DANCING, GAMES, AND MUSIC ALL EVENING.
BEGINNERS WELCOME (AND PREFERRED)
25 OCTOBER 2014
MORE INFORMATION AT MNBALLROOMBLAST.COM
Dance your heart out.
Get critiqued by pros.
Have a blast.
DANCERS
North Star Ballroom
Saint Paul Student Center
2017 Buford Ave
Saint Paul MN 55108
WHERE
SPECTATORSSee some great dancing.
Enjoy the games.
Rock out.
Admission is $5 per session.
Day Session: 9 AM to 5 PM
YP[PX\LK�KHUJPUN*�Evening Session: 6 PM to 10 PM
HUJL�WLYMVYTHUJLZ+� �VJPHS�KHUJPUN:��NHTLZ
WHEN
MINNESOTABALLROOMBLAST
:/,,9+(5*,�*64� �������5>��1 ����B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D
4th (of 4) G-C2 Closed Silver Smooth 3-Dance Championship
8th (of 8) G-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
Mark Lange with Nadine Messenger
1st (of 2) G-B1 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
6th (of 9) L-A Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
7th (of 10) L-A Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
1st (of 3) G-B1 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
1st (of 4) G-B1 Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz Final
2YPZ�3HYZVU�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU2nd (of 7) L-C Silver Latin 3-Dance Scholarship (CRJ)
3rd (of 7) L-C1 Full Silver Smooth Waltz
2nd (of 8) L-C1 Full Silver Smooth Tango
2nd (of 20) L-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
2nd (of 6) G-B Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
(KPUH�3LIV^P[a�^P[O�+\Z[PU�+VULSHU9th (of 17) L-B2 Intermedia Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha
9th (of 17) L-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Rumba
9th (of 17) L-B2 Imtermediate Bronze Rhythm
East Coast Swing
9th (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
11th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship
:WLUJLY�3V\MLR�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`1st (of 2) G-A1 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
1st (of 9) L-A Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
1st (of 1) G-A1 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
1st (of 2) G-A1 Full Bronze Smooth Waltz Final
1st (of 10) L-A Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
7H[�4VYPHYP[`�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY2nd (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Tango Final
3rd (of 4) G-C2 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
7th (of 8) G-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
7th (of 9) L-C Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
1st (of 1) G-C2 Closed Bronze Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTQ)
9VZPL�4\ZRH�^P[O�+\Z[PU�+VULSHU2nd (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Cha Cha
2nd (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Samba
2nd (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Rumba
2nd (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Jive
5th (of 8) L-A Open Latin Scholarship (CRSPJ)
.YHJL�7L[LYZVU�^P[O�4HY[PU�7PJRLYPUN1st (of 3) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Waltz
1st (of 3) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Tango
1st (of 3) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Foxtrot
1st (of 4) L-A2 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
1st (of 3) L-A Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
4HY[PU�7PJRLYPUN�HUK�(ZOSL`�4HYPL7th (of 12) Professional Rising Star Smooth (WTFV)
14th (of 17) Professional Open Smooth Championship (WTFV)
4HYR�8\LYUH�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`1st (of 3) G-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
9th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance SCholarship (CRS)
2nd (of 3) G-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
10th (of 14) G-B Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
4th (of 6) G-B Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
,SPaHIL[O�9VJJV�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU1st (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Smooth Waltz
1st (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Smooth Tango
1st (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Smooth Foxtrot
2nd (of 14) L-B Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)
3rd (of 8) L-B Open Latin Scholarship (CSRPJ)
+H]PK�:JOTPK[�^P[O�4PJOLSSL�/\KZVU1st (of 4) G-C1 Advanced Smooth Waltz
1st (of 4) G-C1 Advanced Smooth Tango
1st (of 4) G-C1 Advanced Smooth Foxtrot
4th (of 15) L-B World Smooth DanceSport Series (WTFV)
4th (of 20) L-C Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)
;VT�:JO\IIL�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY2nd (of 2) G-B2 Closed Silver Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
6th (of 10) L-B Silver Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
1st (of 5) G-B2 Full Bronze Smooth Waltz
1st (of 3) G-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
5th (of 14) G-B Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
:JV[[�:RPUULY�^P[O�4PJOLSSL�/\KZVU7th (of 14) L-B World Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)
5th (of 16) L-C World Smooth DanceSport Series (WTFV)
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1st (of 4) G-C1 Open Silver Standard Waltz
6th (of 13) L-C1 Closed Silver Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTQ)
7th (of 17) L-C Silver Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
;PɈHU`�:\SSP]HU�^P[O�+\Z[PU�+VULSHU2nd (of 2) L-A1 Open Full Gold Smooth Waltz
4th (of 5) L-A Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)
2nd (of 4) L-A World Smooth Dance Sport Series (WTFV)
2nd (of 2) L-A Open Rhythm Scholarship (CRSBM)
1st (of 2) L-A World Rhythm DanceSport Series (CRSBM)
;PɈHU`�:\SSP]HU�^P[O�1VUH[OHU�*OLU1st (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Cha Cha
1st (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Rumba
1st (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Samba
4th (of 8) L-A Open Latin Scholarship (CRSPJ)
2nd (of 3) L-A World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPDJ)
*LJL�:^HUZVU�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU1st (of 8) L-C1 Full Bronze Smooth Waltz Final
1st (of 8) L-C1 Full Bronze Smooth Tango Final
1st (of 8) L-C1 Full Bronze Smooth Foxtrot Final
2nd (of 16) G-C Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
1st (of 9) L-C Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
1HUL�;H`SVY�^P[O�1VUH[OHU�*OLU2nd (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha
2nd (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Rumba
2nd (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm East Coast Swing
2nd (of 6) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Mambo
3rd (of 7) L-C1 Full Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha
1HUL�;H`SVY�^P[O�:OHUL�4L\^PZZLU7th (of 11) L-C1 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
12th (of 20) L-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
2nd (of 3) L-C1 Pr-Silver Standard Tango Final
9th (of 13) L-C1 Closed Silver Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTQ)
13th (of 17) L-C Silver Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
:HYH�>LKKPUN�^P[O�:OHUL�4L\^PZZLU2nd (of 2) L-A2 Advanced Latin Cha Cha
2nd (of 2) L-A2 Advanced Latin Samba
2nd (of 2) L-A2 Advanced Latin Rumba
6th (of 8) L-A Open Latin Scholarship (CSRPJ)
3rd (of 3) L-A World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPJ)
3HYY`�>P[[PN�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY2nd (of 4) G-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha
2nd (of 4) G-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Rumba
2nd (of 3) G-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Mambo
2nd (of 3) G-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
9th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
3HYY`�>P[[PN�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`2nd (of 4) G-B1 Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz Final
2nd (of 4) G-B1 Pre-Bronze Smooth Tango Final
2nd (of 3) G-B1 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
1st (of 1) G-B2 Newcomer Smooth Bronze Waltz Final
1st (of 1) G-B2 Newcomer Smooth Bronze Tango Final
(UKYLH�>`UU�^P[O�4HY[PU�7PJRLYPUN1st (of 1) L-A1 Full Silver Smooth Waltz
1st (of 1) L-A1 Full Silver Smooth Tango
1st (of 1) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Foxtrot
1st (of 1) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Viennese Waltz
1st (of 2) L-A2 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
@\WPUN�AOLUN�^P[O�1VUH[OHU�*OLU3rd (of 5) L-B2 Closed Silver Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
5th (of 15) L-C Silver Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
3rd (of 7) L-B2 Pre-Silver Smooth Viennese Waltz
6th (of 8) L-B2 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
8th (of 20) L-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
+HOS�+HUJL�*LU[LY
+HYJ`�(KHTJa`R�^P[O�.HY`�+HOS3rd (of 4) L-A2 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
2nd (of 6) L-B1 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
4th (of 13) L-B Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
3rd (of 3) L-B1 Closed Silver Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTQ)
4th (of 5) L-B Silver Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
:OHYVU�.LU[SPUN�^P[O�.HY`�+HOS6th (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
���� ������5>���1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D
4th (of 6) L-C1 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
6th (of 11) L-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
5th (of 8) L-C1 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
7th (of 14) L-C Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
<YZ\SH�4H`Y�^P[O�.HY`�+HOS3rd (of 5) G-B2 Closed Silver Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
6th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Standard Waltz
6th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Standard Tango
6th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Standard Quickstep
13th (of 17) L-C Silver Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
+HUJL�^P[O�<Z�(TLYPJH
.LUL�)LYZ[LU�HUK�,SLUH�)LYZ[LU2nd (of 7) Professional Rising Star Latin (CSRPJ)
6th (of 12) Professional Open Latin (CSRPJ)
(ZOSL`�*VVWLY�^P[O�.LUL�)LYZ[LU1st (of 1) L-A2 Open Silver Latin Cha Cha
1st (of 1) L-A2 Open Silver Latin Samba
1st (of 1) L-A2 Open Silver Latin Rumba
1st (of 1) L-A2 Open Silver Latin Paso Doble
1st (of 3) L-A World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPJ)
(UHZ[HZPH�,]NYHMV]H�^P[O�.LUL�)LYZ[LU2nd (of 3) L-JR Open Latin Championship (CSRPJ)
,TPSPH�2VRVZaRH�^P[O�.LUL�)LYZ[LU2nd (of 4) L-A1 Open Full Gold Latin Cha Cha
2nd (of 4) L-A1 Open Full Gold Latin Samba
2nd (of 4) L-A1 Open Full Gold Latin Rumba
2nd (of 4) L-A1 Open Full Gold Latin Jive
3rd (of 8) L-A Open Latin Scholarship (CSRPJ)
5VLS�5LZZ�^P[O�.LUL�)LYZ[LU1st (of 2) L-A1 Newcomer Bronze Latin Cha Cha
1st (of 1) L-A1 Closed Bronze Latin
3-Dance Championship (CRJ)
3rd (of 3) L-A Bronze Latin 3-Dance Scholarship (CRJ)
1st (of 1) L-A1 Closed Bronze Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTQ)
1st (of 2) L-A Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)
+HUJLYZ�:[\KPV
3PNH`H�*HYSVZ�^P[O�1LɈ�/HS]LYZVU3rd (of 17) L-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha
1st (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
4th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
2nd (of 11) L-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
3rd (of 14) L-B Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
0UKLWLUKLU[�0UZ[Y\J[VYZ
:\ZHU�/LY]L`�^P[O�4HYP\Za�6SZaL^ZRP3rd (of 4) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Latin Cha Cha
2nd (of 4) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Latin Rumba
3rd (of 4) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Latin Jive
2nd (of 3) L-C1 Closed Silver Latin 3-Dance Championship (CRJ)
3rd (of 7) L-C Silver Latin 3-Dance Scholarship (CRJ)
1LHUPL�3H-H]VY�^P[O�4HYP\Za�6SZaL^ZRP3rd (of 4) L-C1 Advanced Latin Samba
2nd (of 4) L-C1 Advanced Latin Rumba
3rd (of 4) L-C1 Advanced Latin Paso Doble
4th (of 6) L-C Open Latin Scholarship (CSRPJ)
3rd (of 4) L-C World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPJ)
3HYPZH�;OVTHZ�^P[O�4HYP\Za�6SZaL^ZRP2nd (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Latin Cha Cha
2nd (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Latin Samba
2nd (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Latin Rumba
5th (of 8) L-B Latin Scholarship (CRSPJ)
1st (of 3) L-B World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPJ)
+H]PK�AHSLZRL�^P[O�2YPZ[PUH�3LL1st (of 1) G-B2 Full Silver Latin Cha Cha
1st (of 1) G-B2 Closed Silver Latin 3-Dance Championship (CRJ)
7th (of 7) L-C Silver Latin 3-Dance Scholarship (CRJ)
5th (of 5) G-B2 Closed Silver Standard
3-Dance Championship (WTQ)
16th (of 17) L-C Silver Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
4PSS�*P[`�)HSSYVVT
4HY[`�-HLO�^P[O�2H[L�)YH[[1st (of 5) G-C1 Full Bronze Rhythm East Coast Swing
1st (of 4) G-C1 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
8th (of 14) L-C Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
:/,,9+(5*,�*64� �������5>��1 B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D ���
Photo from A Night with the Stars at the University of Minnesota by Joel Torgeson
1st (of 5) G-C1 Closed Bronze Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
5th (of 16) G-C Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
3LL�-LYN\ZVU�^P[O�2H[L�)YH[[1st (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Waltz
1st (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Tango
1st (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Foxtrot
2nd (of 4) G-C2 Closed Silver Smooth
3-Dance Championship (WTF)
6th (of 8) G-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)
1\SPIL[O�3H\YLU�^P[O�.VYKVU�)YH[[3rd (of 13) L-B2 Full Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha
5th (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm
3-Dance Championship (CRS)
7th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)
5th (of 11) L-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth
Dance Championship (WTF)
6th (of 14) L-B Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF) E
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���� ������5>���1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D
Dr. Chris Hanson is a salsa dancer, public
speaker, and wellness chiropractor at NE
Community Chiropractic with a passion
for seeing others succeed in their health,
their dancing, and their lives. Contact him
with questions about health, chiropractic,
dance, or to join his health newsletter at
>YHWWPUN�@V\Y�4PUK�(YV\UK�+HUJLBY DR. CHRIS HANSON
WHAT DOES ONE’S MINDSET have to
do with learning dance?
When I first began dancing, many
remarked on how quickly I picked up
the steps. It certainly helped having a
background in music and movement—
no question. The other thing that helped
me learn quickly was the mindset and
attitude I brought with me to dance.
When I first decided to dance, I
made the conscious decision to refuse
to be embarrassed by my mistakes.
There is no way to learn social dancing
without having ten to twenty unco-
ordinated dances. You will be unsure
of yourself, you will lose the rhythm,
and you will experience all the other
fearful moments you are imagining.
Remember, this is temporary and every-
one else went through this, too.
Ask yourself this: what is more
embarrassing, having a great time on
the dance floor while learning or gazing
longingly at the dance floor wishing you
could get over your fear?
The other mindset I brought with me
was that I was already a dancer. There is a
temptation when first starting to think,
“I am still learning to dance.” Many are
stuck thinking, “Once I learn enough
about dance, I will be a dancer.” There is
a big problem here. Those great dancers
you see in the studio—Joy, Byron, and
Todd of Social Dance Studio, to name a
few—are still learning to dance. In fact,
one of the reasons they are so good is
that they never stopped learning. Once
you have foundation classes under
your belt, you know enough to get on
the dance floor. The trick is convincing
yourself that you are both still learning to
dance and already a dancer.
Finally, never take your body, your
steps, or your mistakes too seriously.
Always keep in mind that the music
and the dancing are made up by people
no smarter than you. So have some
fun out there. E
Photo by K. Diarra Photography
brought to you by theTwin Cities professionaldance community and:
returns!
Dancers Studio415 Pascal Street NSt. Paul MN 55104
7-8 March 2015(Saturday & Sunday)udancefest.com
Ballroom Dance Club
���� ������5>���1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D
<�VM�4�)HSSYVVT�+HUJL�*S\I�7YLZPKLU[�5HTLK�-LTHSL�([OSL[L�VM�[OL�@LHYBY ROSEMARY O’CONNELL
TAYLOR WALL GREW UP DANCING. At the age of four, she started with
ballet, tap, jazz, and modern, and after
fourteen years training in individual
dance, she discovered partner danc-
ing. Taylor entered college looking
for a new way to exhibit her dancing,
and upon finding the University of
Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club her
freshman year, she immediately joined
the competition team in its first official
year. She was the only freshman female
asked to join that year—a testament to
her athleticism and dedication.
Taylor graduated this spring with
a Bachelor of Arts degree in political
science with a law and politics con-
centration and a minor in sociology.
Through her service in the University
of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club,
Taylor also leaves the university as
the University of Minnesota Sport
Clubs Program Female Athlete of the
Year and having earned the University
of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts
Student Board Artistic Excellence
Award. Such recognition places Taylor
in a position that exemplifies the
cross-categorization of ballroom dance
as both a sport and an art form.
During her time with the University
of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club,
Taylor served four years on the com-
petition team, two years as a primary
team instructor, one year as safety
and facility coordinator, and two
years as president. Over four years,
she managed the safety of more than
two hundred individual participants,
supervised special event spaces and
eleven hours of practice per week,
directed a board of eleven student
leaders, led instruction in basic ball-
room dance steps and technique for a
group of twenty to forty students, and
engaged incoming freshmen in physi-
cal, mental, and social development
activities. In addition to this service,
Taylor is active in the Twin Cities
ballroom dance community, assisting
with the competitive events Minnesota
Ballroom Blast, Star of the North, and
Dance Fest, as well as working with
local amateur ballroom dance organi-
zations to host community outreach
events. Her work helped the University
of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club
earn a fourth-place ranking among all
collegiate ballroom dance programs
in the county, closely following teams
twice and three times their size.
In addition to success on the
collegiate competition circuit, in
which Taylor and her partner Michael
Kasinkas placed in at least the fiftieth
percentile nationally in every event
and reached semifinal and final rounds
in most events, Taylor has expanded on
collegiate competition and has elected
to spend extra personal resources to
compete in the amateur competition
circuit as well.
In November 2013, Taylor was
ranked the first-place amateur nov-
ice rhythm dancer and second-place
amateur novice smooth dancer in the
Midwest and placed well in the final
rounds of every event she competed in
at the Chicago DanceSport Challenge
national qualifying event.
By placing in every event she
entered at the USA Dance National
DanceSport Championships this
March, Taylor achieved success at a
national level, earning the national
amateur rankings of first place in gold
smooth, second place in gold rhythm,
and fourth place in novice rhythm.
Such impressive results clearly exhibit
Taylor’s dedication to her art and have
inspired other University of Minnesota
Ballroom Dance Club members to
strive to follow her lead.
We are proud that Taylor has chosen
to call the Twin Cities ballroom dance
community her home! E
:/,,9+(5*,�*64� �������5>��1 ���B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D�
;OL���[O�(UU\HS�0V^H�+HUJL:WVY[�*SHZZPJBY DANIEL O’CONNELL
I CAN REMEMBER A TIME NOT TOO
long ago when the only amateur-focused
competition of any size within a six-hour
radius of the Twin Cities was Star of the
North. However, in the last few years, sev-
eral amateur competitions have begun to
flourish in this region. One of these com-
petitions is the Iowa DanceSport Classic.
Having just completed its eleventh year,
it is presented by Eddie Simon and Susan
Murray. Originally a pro/am event, in the
last two years many amateur competitors
have flocked to the competition thanks to
its affordable pricing for amateurs, espe-
cially collegiate teams. This year alone,
over 250 amateurs attended the event, and
more are expected to participate in 2015.
One of the great things about attend-
ing the Iowa DanceSport Classic is that
you can participate in workshops with
some of the best in the industry, such as
Minnesota’s own Amy Anderson and Jay
Larson, along with Edward Simon himself
and many others. Combined with a wide
selection of vendors, top judges, and schol-
arships, the Iowa DanceSport Classic has a
lot to offer amateurs looking for events to
put on their calendar.
The Iowa DanceSport Classic is held in
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the beginning of
April and is sanctioned by the NDCA. E
Photos from Dance Fest by Theresa Kimler
���� ������5>���1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D
WHERE IN THE WORLD COULD you find
first-time dancers bravely attempting
the Viennese waltz while wearing elab-
orately designed Victorian-era clothing?
If your answer was in a Masonic Temple at
a Steampunk Ball, you would be correct.
On Saturday, May 17th, the DIODES
hosted a Steampunk May Day Ball
at the Triune Masonic Temple in the
Merriam Park neighborhood of Saint
Paul. DIODES is the Dioscurian Imperial
Order of Dreamers, Engineers, &
Scientists, a group of steampunk enthu-
siasts who host various events such
as conventions, meetings, and balls
throughout the year.
The night began with swing and
waltz lessons but later turned into the
bravest of the group volunteering to try
their hand at Viennese waltz to elegant
but quick-tempoed orchestral music.
Darren Johnson taught the ballroom
lessons at the event and called himself
the “least steampunk person there.”
After discovering ballroom in college at
Carleton, he began teaching informally
at events and has continued doing so for
twenty-five years.
“Dancing is about having fun,” he
said. “If you’re not having fun, you’re
doing it wrong.”
Gregory Laffrenzen, an eager partici-
pant in the lessons, first discovered ste-
ampunk through a video game in high
school and then created a Halloween
costume in the theme. “Steampunk
has that spirit of adventure that gives
the sense that anything can happen,”
he said.
All of the guests dressed in their best
steampunk outfits, complete with but
not limited to feathers, hats, beautiful
antique jewelry, and masks.
Dr. Julie Woodbury, a vendor at the
event selling jewelry made of repur-
posed watch parts, explained that ste-
ampunk style comes from a variety of
influences such as novelists H.G. Wells
and Jules Verne.
“Steampunk is all about Victorian
ambivalences and fear of living in times
that were already obsolete.” As an avid
reader, she said, “The idea turned into
something real around me.”
If the idea is based on ambivalence
and fear, it does not cross into the real-
ity of the DIODES members and guests
of the event. Their intricately detailed
costumes, sometimes made by hand,
match their adventurous spirits.
During a dance break, Laffrenzen
captured the essence of the steampunk
world, saying, “Everyone likes to have
that sense that they are in a different
world.” E
:[LHTW\UR�BY LIBBY RYAN
Photo by Libby Ryan
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Photos from the Steampunk Ball by Savanna Moen and Libby Ryan
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THE DANCE COMMUNITY was sad-
dened by the recent passing of Brian
Puttock, who was a favorite coach of
many Twin Cities dancers. He was born
March 9, 1951, and passed on May 9,
2014.
Brian and his wife, Sue, began their
dance partnership as young adults. This
partnership continued on to become a
forty-two-year marriage. Many in the
dance community expressed condo-
lences and support to Sue and family at
the memorial service.
If you never had the pleasure of
having Brian as a coach, here is a bit
of his story. He was born in the United
Kingdom and came to the U.S. twen-
ty-some years ago. He danced as an
amateur with Sue, gaining many titles.
After retiring from competition, Brian
served as an adjudicator, a coach, and
on the council of the NDCA, working to
improve the integrity of dance competi-
tions. The Nevada Star Ball was a com-
petition that Brian and Sue started and
which still draws many pro/am and am/
am competitors—a legacy of Brian and
Sue’s dedication to the dance commu-
nity. In addition to dancing, Brian loved
to ride his Harley motorcycle, golf, and
spend time with family and friends.
Brian Puttock, you have left a hole
in many hearts. Thank you for all you
have contributed by your example.
Rest in peace. E
9LTLTILYPUN�)YPHU�7\[[VJRBY CATHY DESSERT
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Newcomer Nights are hosted four
times a year, the most recent having
taken place on Memorial Day. Troy
Lerum taught the basics of several
dances, including foxtrot and tango,
to a mixed group of new dancers,
Dancers Studio’s regular students,
and instructors.
Not only are there beginning-level
lessons but also a party and a place to
meet all the instructors. Wall added,
“We like to encourage socializing.”
;OL�-PYZ[�-L^�:[LWZ5L^JVTLY�5PNO[�H[�+HUJLYZ�:[\KPVBY LIBBY RYAN
THE BALLROOM DANCE WORLD, to
an outsider, is filled with men in suits
twirling women in glittering dresses
on dance floors packed with confident
couples who know all the steps and
flawlessly move across the floor without
missing a beat. Everyone who has ever
taken a dance class knows this is not
true, and at Dancers Studio, Newcomer
Nights aim to convince those unfamiliar
with the dance world to take the first
step into exploring it.
Taylor Wall, dance coordinator at
Dancers Studio, said that they like to
host Newcomer Nights to expand the
reach of the studio. “It can be stressful
for newcomers to even start to dance,”
she said. “We like to give the opportu-
nity for them to start in a relaxed and
low-pressure environment.”
Libby Ryan is an enthusiastic ballroom dancer
and a journalism major at the University of
Minnesota. If you have a story idea, please
email her at [email protected]. Photo
by Libby Ryan.
���� ������5>���1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D
an instructor. Since many people just
entering a dance community worry
about finding a partner, the casual
rotation of partnerships alleviated the
fear of being left out in the cold without
anyone to dance with.
“It’s such an awesome community.
Everyone just kind of ….” Johnson
trailed off and gestured a huge bear
hug. “Whooosh.”
The latest Newcomer Night lessons
covered enough basics to dance around
the floor but not so many that the
learning dancers felt overwhelmed.
Afterwards, a dance party, complete
with cupcakes and snacks, made chat-
ting during dance breaks easy.
Michael Kasinkas, another Dancers
Studio employee, said nights like these
work to create a bigger dance market
for the larger ballroom community.
“Newcomer Nights are great for spread-
ing the knowledge and love of dance,”
said Kasinkas. “Getting people to enjoy
dance should be a goal of all ballroom
dancing.” E
Scattered throughout the line of
new dancers, Dancers Studio instruc-
tors joined the lessons and dance
party, which helped make dancing
even less intimidating.
A new instructor at the studio, April
Johnson, said the welcoming nature
of the studio shines especially strong
on Newcomer Night. “It’s a really low-
stress, friendly atmosphere where it’s
easy to meet people.”
During Newcomer Night, like most
ballroom group classes, participants
rotated around from partner to partner,
sometimes being matched with another
newcomer and sometimes dancing with
Photos by Libby Ryan
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