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In this edition:

1. Dance into 2012 with NY USA Dance
2. Register Now for MAC 2012
3. Donate to the MAC
4. MAC Deadlines: Hotel, Lodging, Tickets
5. Last Dance of the Year
6. Holiday Extravaganza at Ballroom on Sunset
7. Report from the Big Apple DanceSport Challenge
8. NYT: Swing Dance Revival (Again)
9. Reminders of Upcoming Events
10. Looking to Improve Your Dancing?
11. Looking to Social Dance?
12. Looking for a Partner?

Dance into 2012 with NY USA Dance

NY USA Dance will be hosting its annual New Year’s Eve Party on December 31 at Manhattan Ballroom Dance Studio. That's right: in just four days. You can buy tickets in advance on-line before December 31 for just $55 per person, which includes food, refreshments, champagne toast at midnight and dancing into the first hour of 2012. If you're in the vicinity of MBD, you can buy tickets in advance in person, before December 31. Prices go up at the door on New Year’s Eve to $60 for USA Dance members and $65 for general public. Buy now on-line in advance and save. Hope to see you there!

Register Now for MAC 2012

MAC 2012 is a little more than two weeks away but for those of you competing, you have only four days to register: Saturday, December 31 is the final deadline. On-line is the quickest way to do it. Please do not wait until the last minute -- register on-line now to avoid the last minute rush.

If you were planning on registering off-line by mailing in your entries, you can do that too, but we need to receive your entries by Saturday, December 31. To avoid postal delays, do not wait until the last minute; complete the forms now and drop them in the mail immediately.

Once again, MAC is a National Qualifying Event. Register now so that you can qualify for USA Dance Nationals in three months in Baltimore.

Donate to the MAC

Only four more days until we bid farewell to 2011, and for those who wish to include MAC in your year-end giving -- we thank you -- and we send this gentle reminder that if you have not yet donated to the MAC, we hope you will do so before 2011 comes to a close.

As a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization the Greater New York Chapter of USA Dance relies on the support of fellow dancers and friends of dance to help make MAC happen each year and to help fund the scholarships that are given out to the hard-working and talented dancers who compete at all levels at the MAC. Help us keep this tradition alive.

To find out more about how you can help go to http://bit.ly/mac11_donate. Your donations to the Greater New York Chapter of USA Dance made by December 31 are deductible as charitable contributions in 2011, to the extent allowed by law.

MAC Deadlines: Hotel, Lodging, Tickets

For those traveling from afar to attend MAC -- we thank you -- and send this gentle reminder that we have secured a special rate of $149 per night at the New Yorker Hotel, right around the corner from the Manhattan Center, where MAC will be held, and to get that rate, you must register by Wednesday, December 28. Check http://bit.ly/mac2012hotel for the code and additional lodging options.

College teams: Contact the Housing Coordinator at mac_housing@nyusadance.org with the number of competitors for which housing is required. Please do so now; space fills up quickly!

For those looking to buy spectator tickets for the MAC, advanced sales of tickets to all sessions is now open. We strongly suggest that you buy tickets for the highly popular Friday night and Saturday night championships now. VIP seating on the stage and Reserved Seating are also available; advanced purchase for those options is also recommended. On-line payment will close on January 10. Mail-in payments must be received by January 6.

Last Dance of the Year

The Bohemian National Hall on the Upper East Side of Manhattan has played host to regular social dances this year, and the last one for 2011 will take place on Wednesday, December 28. Although not strictly a ballroom dance event, you will find music that you can dance ballroom, swing and ballroom to. The party starts at 7 pm and admission includes a free dance lesson, snacks, wine and refreshments. For more information go to http://on.fb.me/ldoy_bnh. (Please direct all questions to the organizers -- not us.)

Holiday Extravaganza at Ballroom on Sunset

On Saturday, December 17, I had the privilege and pleasure to serve as both DJ and MC at a Holiday Extravaganza at Ballroom on Sunset in Latham, New York. It was great to visit with Paul and Louise Giuliano, the organizers of the event, and our friends from the Capital District Chapter of USA Dance, including Chapter President Gary Burgess and Vice-President Barbara Ritschel.

More than 120 dancers gathered to share some holiday cheer, with a catered dinner, a cha cha lesson from USA Dance National 10-dance champion Pasha Pashkov and plenty of dancing throughout the night. Among the many strokes of genius that made the event special was the naming of each table by dance (waltz, swing, tango, etc.) and then playing a song that matched the dance as the way to invite that table to get up and line up for the buffet.

The evening also included wonderful performances by Pasha and his partner Daniella Karagach. In between their costume changes, their students Andrew Sims and Emily Cobb-Hines performed their latin routines. Even though it was their first time doing a show, these youth dancers demonstrated their abundant energy and talent.

Many kudos and accolades are due Paul and Louise for organizing such a great party. Indeed, it fully lived up to its name as a Holiday Extravaganza. What a terrific way to usher in the holiday season with social dancing. I was glad to be a part of it. Thanks, Paul and Louise!

Report from the Big Apple DanceSport Challenge

Earlier this month, on December 3 and 4, I had the privilege and pleasure to be the Master of Ceremonies at the Fifth Annual Big Apple DanceSport Challenge, the collegiate competition organized by Columbia University's Ballroom Dance Team. Nearly 800 dancers from some 60 schools registered to compete, including some from us far as California (UC Berkeley and UC San Diego). The showcase on Saturday night was presented by World Professional Latin Finalists Andrej Skufca and Melinda Torokgyorgy.

Results can be found here: http://bit.ly/badc11_results. Some spectacular photos from official photographer Ryan Kenner can be found here: http://bit.ly/badc11_rkp.

My shots from the podium can be found here: Smooth/Standard; Rhythm; Open; Showcase; Open Finals; and Latin. Enjoy!

Congrats to the Columbia ballroom team for putting on another great event!

NYT: Swing Dance Revival (Again)

Last week, the December 22 edition of the New York Times ran a story about the once-again burgeoning swing scene in New York City. The article recount the resurgence of swing dancing from a time a few years ago when clubs that regularly featured live orchestras playing for swing dancers were closing down to present day in which generations of swingers from their 20s to their 70s can get their swing on seven nights a week. The reporter does not delve much into why swing is back (again) but does provide a list of places to go every night of the week to dance some swing. To read the article go to http://nyti.ms/vZK6gY.

Reminders of Upcoming Events

• USA Dance National DanceSport Championships takes place on March 30 through April 1, 2012, at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. On-line registration closes on March 6.
• “Dance Legends” is coming to the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center next April. It will be a two-day event set to take place on April 13 and 14, 2012, and it will feature past and present champions in ballroom and latin, performing in multiple showcases. Tickets are now on sale. To learn more, visit the website or follow Dance Legends on Facebook or Twitter.

Looking to Improve Your Dancing?

Here are some ideas for classes and practice spaces:

• At Brooklyn DanceSport Club, Maria and Eugene will be teaching Open Junior/Youth Seminars on Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and Open Adult Seminars on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. They will also hold regular run-through Latin rounds on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 10:00 pm and Thursdays from 8:00 to 9:30 pm. Blackpool Professional Rising Star Ballroom Champions Marat Gimaev and Alina Basyuk have now joined the studio as Directors of the Ballroom Department and they will be teaching the Open Standard Seminar on Wednesdays at 7 PM, starting July 6th. They will also run regular Standard Run-through Practices on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM and on Fridays at 7 PM. The studio is easily accessible by subway, via the N train, 18 Avenue stop. From there, it’s a short walk to the studio.
• Stepping Out holds an International Standard and American Smooth Practice session on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 pm, and the cost is just $3 per person or $5 per couple. On Saturdays, they hold a Standard pratice session from 5 pm to 6 pm, at the same cost. Just show the front desk your USA Dance membership card to take advantage of these great rates, and ask them what other USA Dance discounts are available for their other programs and events.
• Become the best ballroom dancer you can be for your partner by working on yourself first. ISTD Fellow Michael Choi shows you how with his Ballroom Barre, at Chelsea Studios, every Wednesday, starting at 8:30 pm. Just $25 per person for USA Dance members. The classes are non-sequential so drop in any time; no partner required, all levels welcome. For more information, contact Michael at michael@dancemchoi.com.
• Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio runs Standard rounds on Thursdays, from 8:30 pm and Latin Rounds on Friday nights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. The latter information is from the website, the former from Facebook. Call the studio if you would like to confirm dates and times.
• Basic Ballroom holds a Competition Run-through Class supervised by former World Professional Latin finalists Paul and Olga Richardson on Friday nights from 8 pm to 9:30 pm. Just $20 for USA Dance members.
• Check out the special rates for USA Dance members at Basic Ballroom: just $79 for a 10 session card and $90 for their unlimited monthly card.
• DanceSport offers a $100 monthly floor fee card for amateur dancers: Unlimited practice space Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm, and Sundays 11 am to 7 pm for 30 days.
• Dance with Me Soho can no longer host practice sessions on weekdays due to space constraints. Dancers are welcome to practice on weekends for $15 per hour per couple. Also, you may want to try their practice parties on Wednesdays at 9:20 to 10:10 pm (salsa theme) and Thursdays same time that covers all styles.

Looking to Social Dance?

Here are some suggestions:

• Thursday, Dec. 29, Thursday Night Dance Club at Mirelle's, in Westbury, featuring Latin, Hustle and West Coast Swing. Lesson at 7:30 pm, dancing starts at 8:15 pm. Admission just $10 per person for USA Dance members (present your card at the entrance to get the discount).
• Friday, Dec. 30, Hot Salsa Friday at the VIP Lounge at the Iguana. Doors open at 6 pm.
• Saturday, Dec. 31, NY USA Dance New Year's Eve Party at Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio, doors open at 7:30 pm.
• Monday, January 3, Salsa at Taj, with live band and special performances. Arrive before 7 pm and get in for $6 (admission price doubles after 7 pm).
• Tuesday, Jan. 3, mixed ballroom dancing at the Saloon, on York Ave., between 83rd and 84th street, from 8 pm (free lesson at 7:30 pm).
• Tuesday, Jan. 3, Hot Club 56 in Farmingdale with DJ Cody. Doors open and dancing starts at 7 pm, lessons begin at 7:30 pm. Just $10 for USA Dance members (present your card)!

Because of holiday schedules, please call ahead to find out if the event is actually going forward. For more ideas, check Wayne's Dance Commentary or bailamosdance.com.

Looking for a Partner?

We have an intermediate follower seeking a leader for practice and possibly competition. If you'd like to post your own ad, go here:bit.ly/partnerseekers. If your post has expired and you're still looking for a partner, feel free to re-post. It’s free, it’s easy. Do it today!

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That does it for this week. Hope to see you at our New Year's Eve Party!

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Yang Chen
President
Greater NY
USA Dance
(NY USA Dance)

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General disclaimer: Please note that, other than events organized by NY USA Dance, the listing of events in this newsletter is purely for informational purposes and does not carry with it any endorsement, sanction or seal of approval, express or implied. If you have any questions about an event other than one organized by NY USA Dance, you should direct them to the organizer of that event. NY USA Dance has no control over any of the events listed herein, other than those events which NY USA Dance itself organizes. NY USA Dance bears no responsibility for the content, conduct, quality, management or operation of any of the events listed in this newsletter, other than those events organized directly by NY USA Dance.