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New York City is blanketed in more than a foot of snow! For any events this weekend listed in this newsletter, you would be well advised to call ahead to find out if the event is still happening. As of this writing, the snow has stopped, but delays in public transit have been reported. Even if the event you are planning to attend is still going forward, you may want to allot a little extra time to get there. A word to the wise . . . .

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For those who have been eagerly awaiting the Grand Opening of Dance with Me Soho, here's the latest: The demand has been so strong that it will take place not just tonight, Friday, February 26, but it will also happen tomorrow night, February 27. It will start on both nights at 7 pm. Performance will be by Nikita Malakhov and Sarah Gleyzer, Youth Latin finalists. Maks Chmerkovskiy is rumored to be making an appearance. Seems like the place to be to check out the newest ballroom dance studio to open in New York City. Admission is free but you need to call the studio to RSVP. And ask about the free half-hour private lessons when you call (limited to the first 100 callers).

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Wait a minute, you say, wasn't US Amateur Latin Champions Val Chmerkovskiy and Daria Chesnokova supposed to be performing at the Grand Opening of Dance with Me Soho? You are astute, indeed. But they will be in Bethesda, Maryland, to compete at the Mid-Atlantic Championships so that they can qualify to dance in the USA Dance Nationals in LA in April. So, if you want to see Val and Daria this weekend, make your way down to Bethesda, just outside of the nation's capital, to see them compete in the Adult Latin Championships on Saturday night.

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And this would be an opportune time to remind everyone to register for USA Dance Nationals. Val and Daria, along with everyone else who qualified by competing at the Mid-Atlantic Championships, the MAC last month and all the other NQEs in 2009, have the chance to compete at Nationals, where representatives to no less than 12 IDSF championships will be selected. Registration closes next Sunday, March 7, so don't wait until the last minute. Register today!

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Last weekend, I had the pleasure and privilege to be the MC at the 10th anniversary Binghamton Ballroom Dance Revolution. Binghamton is my alma mater, so being the MC at that event is in a way a homecoming. The competition took place in the renovated Mandela Room in the "Old" Union. I place "Old" in quotes because the space was bright and shiny and new, due to the renovations that were completed last year. In fact, I heard that the students refer to it as the "New" Old Union.

Nearly 190 dancers registered, with many students from Upstate New York schools (Cornell, Ithaca, Hartwick, RPI, Syracuse) and a healthy contingent also from Penn State (as in, "We are . . . PENN STATE!"). NYU made the trek north and won the team match on Saturday afternoon, besting six other teams that comprised the final.

The evening featured a retrospective slide show of the Binghamton team from the last decade and some wonderful performances by several campus groups. The performance couple was New York City's own José Decamps and Joanna Zacharewicz, reigning United States and World Professional Rhythm Champions and United States Mambo Champions. They put on a terrific show of all five rhythm dances, to the delight and thorough enjoyment of the audience.

Congratulations to the Binghamton Ballroom Dance Association on the 10th edition of their competition and on a job well done! (For some photos from the event, click here.)

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Speaking of collegiate dance competitions, the NYU Ballroom Team will be running the second edition of their Syllabus Ballroom Challenge next Saturday, on March 6. Late registration closes on Sunday, February 28. Although styled a syllabus competition, there will be a syllabus 8-dance event open to dancers of all levels to show their mastery of syllabus figures, so open level dancers (i.e., champ and pre-champ) are encouraged to compete in that event. The competition will take place at the Eisner & Lubin Auditorium at the Kimmel Center on the NYU campus. Register now!

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Also, for anyone who signed up for UPenn's Clover Star Classic, we have received word that the competition has been re-scheduled to March 20. Re-registration is required for everyone, so even if you had previously registered, the organizers need you to do so again, at the following link. Re-registration deadline is March 14.

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Fans of dance camps, this your reminder that the Independence Day Ball will be taking place from July 3 to 7 at the Hilton in Rockville, Maryland, right outside the nation's capital. Though the date might seem far off, what is close at hand is an early registration deadline. If you register by this Sunday, February 28, you can save $200 per couple. There will be more than 150 workshops plus private lessons, not to mention the socials and parties that will take place over the course of IDB weekend, so to avoid missing out on the savings, sign up before Sunday.

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DWTS Season 10 premieres on Monday, March 22. If you want to find out who the "stars" are for this season, tune in to "The Bachelor" on Monday night, March 1, for the announcement. Which pros will be coming back? Lacey Schwimmer fans may be disappointed. As for news of the other pros, click here for the story. (Thanks to Adam for the link.)

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Any dancer-guinea pigs out there? If so, here's a possible item of interest from the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in Manhattan:

Dancers/Athletes needed for scientific research: help researchers investigate the effects of fatigue on jumping ability. Requirements: healthy, professional or collegiate dancer or athlete; 18-40 years old; willing to jump from a height of 15 inches onto a flat surface while measurements are taken. $50/session, 3 hours each, in Manhattan. Contact Megan Richardson: 212 469 0157, harkness@inbox.com.

Thanks to Trish for the tip!

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Reminders:

• For fans of ballroom dancing on the theatrical stage: Champions of the Dance returns to Town Hall tonight, Friday, February 26, at 8 pm. The show features five top professional ballroom and latin couples, including Mayo Alanen, seen on Dancing with the Stars, and Tony Scheppler, seen on America's Ballroom Challenge. For more details and to order tickets, check out the February calendar on the Town Hall website. To get a 20% discount, use the code DANCE20 when purchasing at the box office or by phone.
• Rufus Dustin will be coaching at the end of next month at Basic Ballroom, right before USA Dance Nationals, and if you'd like to book some time, now would be the time to do it, as his schedule fills up quickly. Contact Basic Ballroom to reserve your spot.
• Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio has Standard rounds on Thursdays, from 9:30 to 10:30 pm. The floor is huge, with plenty of space to swing out, so if you're looking for a good place to run your standard routines, visit Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio on Thursday nights.
• Anyone needing practice space for any upcoming competitions should check out the special rates for USA Dance members at Basic Ballroom on West 35th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

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Looking to social dance? Here are a few suggestions:

• Tonight, FREE Open Houses at
  • Sundown Friday at Stepping Out, lessons at 8:30 pm, dancing starts at 9:30.
  • Dance Manhattan, free class at 8 pm, dancing starts at 9:30 pm.
  • Sandra Cameron Dance Studios, starting at 9:30 pm, free to SCDC students and guests and those new to the studio.
• Tonight, Hot Salsa Friday at the VIP Lounge at the Iguana. Doors open at 6 pm.
• Tonight, Friday Night with Abakuá at YSBD/Club 412, hosted by Frankie Martinez and Manny Blackett, featuring salsa/mambo and cha cha, starting at 9:00 pm.
• Tonight, Friday Night Social at American Ballroom Theater, mixed ballroom dancing, lessons from 7 to 8 pm, general dancing until 10 pm, all levels welcome.
• Tomorrow, February 27: The Manhattan Social returns with mixed ballroom dancing at Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio, starting at 7:30 pm. Just $10 for USA Dance members.
• Tomorrow, February 27, DancXchange Lounge at Dancesport, two DJs, two rooms for dancing hustle and ballroom, starting at 9:30 pm.
• Tomorrow, February 27, Swing 'n Salsa Saturday at Club 412/You Should Be Dancing, with two live bands in separate rooms. Lessons at 7 pm, dancing starts at 8 pm.
• Sunday, February 28, Sunday Tea Party at Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio, mixed ballroom dancing starting at 3 pm.
• Tuesday, March 2, Hot Salsa, Hustle and West Coast Swing at Club 56 in Farmingdale, LI. Lesson in West Coast Swing. Doors open at 7 pm.

For other ideas, check Wayne's Dance Commentary or bailamosdance.com.

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Partner seekers: Since last week, we have received two more entries, one advanced follower looking for social dance partners, and an advanced leader seeking a pre-champ standard follower in the 18- to 25-year-old range. Visit our Partner Search page and answer their ads or place your own. It's free, it's easy, so if you're looking for a dance partner, sign up today!

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That does it for this edition. See you at the Mid-Atlantic Championships in Bethesda!

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