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Vol. 14, No. 3 Fall 2013 Inside This Issue Decorating ........................... 2 Editor’s Notes ....................... 4 From the President ............... 2 From Our Instructors ............. 5 Media Library ....................... 2 Membership ......................... 7 Photos .................................. 8 Dance Calendar .................. 4 UPCOMING DANCES MARK YOUR CALENDAR! November 8 December 6 Christmas Dinner/Dance Dance lesson starts at 7:30; brief review of previous month’s lesson starts at 7:15; open dancing from 8:30 to 10:45. Bring your favorite finger foods to share, and/or a door prize (value not to exceed $10-12), and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship. And don’t forget to invite a friend – our monthly dances are a great introduction to ballroom dancing! See inside for more details. See “”Tango,” page 3 The Bucket List – Argentine Tango by Pauline & Vence Jelovchan For some time now, Pauline has had a Bucket List, which we have been trying to “check off” items over the years. One of those items was to learn the Argentine Tango, which is totally different from the standard Tango. Fortunately in June of this year, there was a “Mad Hot Tango Marathon” sponsored by the Vista Ballroom in Columbia, SC. This event began Thursday night with a lesson on the “Chacarera”, a folk type Tango dance, followed by an opening party & Milonga. (Milongas are held on a regular basis (usually weekly), and they often begin with dancing classes and sometimes demonstration dances.) As you can see, not only is the dance totally different, but it has its own language as well. A highlight of this evening was a special showcase by a group of 4 couples that performed a very nice choreographed Argentine Tango. Friday was a special reception with the highlight being performances from professional Argentine Tango dancers, with three out of the four dancers being from Buenos Ares, Argentina. These dancers were unbelievable;

The Bucket List – Argentine Tango - Palmetto Ballroom Dance Club Files/PBDC FALL 2013... · 2013-10-29 · Argentine Tango, which is totally different from the standard Tango. Fortunately

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Vol. 14, No. 3 Fall 2013

Inside This Issue Decorating ........................... 2

Editor’s Notes ....................... 4

From the President ............... 2

From Our Instructors ............. 5

Media Library ....................... 2

Membership ......................... 7

Photos .................................. 8

Dance Calendar .................. 4

UPCOMING

DANCES MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• November 8 • December 6

Christmas Dinner/Dance Dance lesson starts at 7:30; brief review of previous month’s lesson starts at 7:15; open dancing from 8:30 to 10:45. Bring your favorite finger foods to share, and/or a door prize (value not to exceed $10-12), and enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship. And don’t forget to invite a friend – our monthly dances are a great introduction to ballroom dancing!

See inside for more details. See So You Think on Page 3

See “”Tango,” page 3

a_purple_dancing_person_with_arms_raised_toward_the_spring_sun_0522-1008-1702-5631_SMU.jpg

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The Bucket List – Argentine Tango

by Pauline & Vence Jelovchan

For some time now, Pauline has had a Bucket List, which we have been trying to “check off” items over the years. One of those items was to learn the Argentine Tango, which is totally different from the standard Tango. Fortunately in June of this year, there was a “Mad Hot Tango Marathon” sponsored by the Vista Ballroom in Columbia, SC. This event began Thursday night with a lesson on the “Chacarera”, a folk type Tango dance, followed by an opening party & Milonga. (Milongas are held on a regular basis (usually weekly), and they often begin with dancing classes and sometimes demonstration dances.) As you can see, not only is the dance totally different, but it has its own language as well. A highlight of this evening was a special showcase by a group of 4 couples that performed a very nice choreographed Argentine Tango.

Friday was a special reception with the highlight being performances from professional Argentine Tango dancers, with three out of the four dancers being from Buenos Ares, Argentina. These dancers were unbelievable;

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PBDC Newsletter

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Decorating Help Wanted! We can always use help decorating the

Leatherman Center for our monthly dance. If you have a flair for decorating, this is your chance to get involved! It does not require you to spend any money for we have an inventory of decorations available.

If you’d like to help with decorating, please call Jane Snipes at 669-1920 x 103 or email [email protected].

byline [Name]

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From the President Dear Friends, The state of our club can be defined as in Top Notch Shape! We have a steady flow of attendees averaging around 50 each dance. One of our pluses is that everyone comes in to the Center with a positive attitude and ready for an evening of learning, dancing and socializing. The Palmetto Ballroom Dance Club thrives because we have so many people willing to help with required duties from decorating, name tags, newsletter, paper products, music, website, photos, food, door prizes, set up, clean up, administration care, etc., etc. We try very hard to make everyone who comes in the door feel welcome and also want to come back. This year has flown by for me, and I look forward to more time with all of you ON THE DANCE FLOOR. Pauline Jelovchan Club President

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Media Library For some time now, we have been working on upgrading the instructional videos in our ballroom dance library. So far we have completed DVDs in: Waltz, Cha Cha, Tango, Rumba, Foxtrot, East Coast Swing, Bolero and Samba. These DVDs are available for loan to members of the PBDC. If interested, please see Janice Flowers who is responsible for maintaining the library. We ask that DVDs be signed out for only one month at a time to allow other members access.

- Vence & Pauline

Club Membership The PBDC tries to make it as easy as possible to experience ballroom dance in the Pee Dee. The PBDC is

the only ballroom dance club within 60 miles. We as members must constantly recruit new dancers in hopes that they will join our club. In the past 6 months, many members have moved away, missed attending due to medical issues, etc. Pass the word and let‘s boost attendance this season.

Please renew your membership promptly when due. Our club depends on your dues to help pay for the hall, DJ and special treats throughout the season. If you have not renewed your membership, we urge you to fill out and send the form in this newsletter, along with your check, to the address shown.

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Officers & Board Members

President: Pauline Jelovchan [email protected]

Vice-President: Dorr Depew [email protected]

Treasurer: Janice Flowers Secretary: Joann Groover [email protected] Andrea McKenzie

[email protected] Standing Committees Dance Theme & Decorations:

Jane Snipes Music and Band:

Vence & Pauline Jelovchan Pauline: [email protected] Vence: [email protected] DJ - Eddie Collins

Dance Instructors: Vence and Pauline Jelovchan

Assistant Instructors: Rich and

Donna Gerner Newsletter: Dorr Depew Door Prize Chairpersons: Rich

and Donna Gerner Video Librarian: Janice Flowers Webmaster: Bruce Blumberg

[email protected]

Club Leadership 2013-14

Decorating Help Wanted! If you’d be willing to help decorate the Leatherman Center for PBDC dances, please contact Jane Snipes: [email protected]

TANGO (continued from front)

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words cannot describe the beauty of what we saw. This evening was even more enjoyable when joined by dear friends and fellow ballroom dancers Bruce & Catherine Blumberg, Kay and Al Roberson, and Tom Savage.

Saturday and Sunday were “workshops”, which we quickly learned were for experienced Argentine Tango dancers, not “rookies” like us. Bruce and Catherine participated in a couple of these workshops as well. Nonetheless, we participated and were able to hold our own but it would have been nice to at least have had a basic Argentine Tango lesson under our belts before the workshops. As one instructor stated, it’s like not knowing how to swim and jumping into the deep end! The finale on Sunday was a closing Milonga followed by a dinner of traditional Argentinian fare.

What we learned over this 4 day span was that the Argentine Tango is a very beautiful, sensuous dance that is very unique. Everything you’ve learned about posture, hold, the connection, the man’s lead, the lady’s follow, etc., is totally different. The partners must “feel” each other’s bodies and execute the steps by feeling the movement of the bodies. We noticed that experienced female Argentine Tango dancers danced with their eyes closed, only reacting to the feel and body change weight of their partner. The best way to describe watching experienced Argentine Tango dancers is that they are joined at the soul as though they are two dancers in one body.

So, maybe a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, is on the Bucket List now??!!

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2013 Dance Schedule

Dances are normally held on the second Friday of each month,

except as noted *. Here’s the schedule for the remainder of 2013:

• November 8 • December 6

Dance Lesson from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. (review of previous month’s lesson at 7:15). Open Dancing from 8:30 til 10:45 p.m. Admission - $5 for members of the PBDC and $10 for non-members. Dinner/Dance - $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Dance Location: The Palmetto Ballroom Dance Club meets at The Leatherman Center, Freedom Blvd., Florence, SC.

Editor’s Notes

Dear Friends, Fall is my favorite season. Cooler weather…beautiful fall foliage…and the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays…all of these combine to make this a special time of year. Fall’s also a great time to get out on the floor at the Palmetto Ballroom Dance Club! We’ve had some great times at our summer dances, and we’ve been introduced to some new moves by Vence and Pauline. Now it’s time to get out there and practice those new steps. And the black-tie-optional Christmas dance will give us a chance to dress “to the nines!” The purpose of the PBDC Newsletter is to provide members and friends with news, features and information about ballroom dance in the Pee Dee. In this edition, you’ll find a variety of articles about dancing, along with photos from our most recent dances. Your comments, suggestions and articles of interest for the newsletter are welcome and encouraged. Try your hand at writing a brief article about your dance experience. You can email me at [email protected], send items via regular mail to 400 Church St., Cheraw, SC 29520, or call me at 843-910-2283. The newsletter is published four times a year. We encourage all club members to contribute news and information for the newsletter. Please submit items for the next issue when convenient, but no later than the end of December. Thanks!

Dorr Depew Newsletter Editor

VISIT OUR WEBSITE! For the very latest info about PBDC activities, including lots more photos and plenty of information, visit the club Web

site: http://www.palmettodanceclub.org

VISIT OUR WEBSITE!

For the very latest info about PBDC activities, including lots more photos and plenty of information, visit the club Web site: http://www.palmettodanceclub.org

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From Our Instructors - By Vence & Pauline Jelovchan

Continued on next page

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Ten Tips in Ten Minutes That result in

Ten Times better dancing.

Tip # 1: Perfect the Correct Dance Hold • Lady positioned slightly to the right

of the man. • Feet are offset each other such

that each partner can step between the feet of their partner.

• Man grasps lady’s right hand, palm to palm, fingers & thumbs closed around their partner’s hand.

• Man’s right hand is loosely cupped under the lady’s right shoulder blade, fingers & thumb closed together, not spread apart. Man’s wrist should make contact at lady’s underarm at the junction of her arm & body.

• Lady’s left arm & forearm are positioned on the man’s upper right arm. A well matched couple will find the lady’s left hand positioned at or near the man’s shirt seam.

Tip # 2: Maintain Posture • To check your body alignment,

stand with your back pressing against a wall and carrying this straight alignment onto the dance floor.

• The top line, mid line & front line should be in straight alignment.

• A good dance hold with good

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posture & frame presents a regal & majestic appearance on the dance floor.

Tip # 3: Learn Where Your Head Goes • In general, the man will look over

the lady’s right shoulder and she will look over his right shoulder.

• The rule is that “the nose should follow the toes.” For example, in promenade position, the lady will turn her head to the right in the same direction as her feet are moving.

Tip # 4: Maintain Frame & Connection • The most important elements for

good leading & following are dance frame, connection, & timing. When these elements are present, leading and following is much easier. When they are absent, partner dancing becomes difficult.

• Tone must be maintained in the arms. The lady should provide some “resistance” in her right arm so as to avoid “noodle arm.”

Tip # 5: Learn the Correct Single Handhold Connection

• In Swing dancing and several Latin dances, the lady should cup her hand to facilitate a full hand connection, versus just at the finger tips.

• A momentary loss of connection can cause a faulty execution of the

To Next Page

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Dance with us in Camden Please join your friends for dancing at the Palmetto Coffee Shoppe and Tea Room, 1012 Broad. St. in Camden. We’ll be dancing from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, and Saturday, September 7. (Dances are normally scheduled for the 1st Saturday night of each month.) Come early and enjoy supper at the restaurant! For more information, contact Al and Kay Roberson at (803) 438-9356 or [email protected]. The restaurant’s number is (803) 272-0983.

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step.

Tip # 6: Maintain the Big Top • Most folks have slow danced long before becoming involved in ballroom dancing.

The slow dance hold, where the partners have their heads together, is the opposite of what is required for ballroom dancing.

• In ballroom dancing, a very large space is created between the heads of the two partners. This space is necessary especially when executing turning patterns such as pivot turns.

• In ballroom smooth dancing, to help create this space, the lady must stay positioned against the man’s right hand by stretching upward, outward, & leftward into the man’s right hand.

• This ice cream cone shaped pairing, or “Big Top,” is necessary for effecting turning figures such as pivoting actions.

Tip # 7: Dance to the Music • Dancing in correct time to the music is essential. Several vendors sell music CD’s

that explain & demonstrate how to count the step timing in correct time to the music.

• A suggestion is to play ballroom music in your home or car often enough so that correct timing becomes second nature.

• The lady’s movement is a response to the man’s lead and must never precede the lead. In other words, the man’s leading action will slightly precede the lady’s response action. A mistake is for the lady to step before the lead.

Tip # 8: Learn the Dance Walk • Many dance teachers teach a drill or exercise called the “Dance Walk” to help

their students understand the correct way to move when dancing smooth dances such as the Foxtrot.

• Many beginners dance with heavy, plodding steps. In contrast, the dance walk develops a smooth, gliding stepping style.

• On forward walks, the key is that the swinging free foot always skims the floor, almost like a continuous rolling action from the top through the mid foot to the heel.

• On backward steps, the moving foot skims the heel and then the toe. • The Dance Walk should be smooth & gliding, not heavy & plodding.

Tip # 9: Leading Turns with the Cup and Pin System • As previously mentioned, dancers should always try to avoid loss of a connection. • Maintaining frame & connection during turns is critical to leading and following.

To Next Page

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Shoe Info For those of you interested in purchasing dance shoes, the following vendors & web sites may be of interest: The Shoe Center: N. Myrtle Beach, 710 Hwy 17 S, Suite I, N. MB. Ph: 843 272-6515 They have shag shoes and ballroom shoes. You can order online. www.shagshoes.com Judy’s House of Oldies, 300 Main St., N.Myrtle Beach. Ph: 843 249-8649. Online: Judyshouseofoldies.com The Turning Pointe: 5143 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29206, Telephone: 1-800-76-DANCE or 803-782-8188, Email: [email protected]

• Online: If you Google ballroom dance shoes, lots of sites will show up. Suggested sites are:

• Carmen’s Dance Shoes: www.carmensdanceshoes.com • www.dance4less.com • Discount Dance Supply: www.discountdance.com Ph: 1-800-328-7107 Note: If you use our

Teacher Discount # TP48261, you will receive 10% off and free shipping if over $100 order. • Glide Shoes: 551 Jesse Street, San Fernando, CA 91340. Ph: 818-408-0522,

Fax: 818-408-0585, Website: www.glideshoes.com

We personally have been to Shoe Center and Judy’s. We have also bought from Carmen’s online (California). She will have specials each month-20 or 30% off. Please note that some dance shoe companies list sizes in European sizes, not the standard American. This is not a problem for standard comparison charts are usually listed. Please make sure you clarify this when ordering.

Palmetto Ballroom Dance Club Membership Application

Name(s): Address: Phone: Home Work Cell Email

Annual membership dues are $20 per person. Mail to: Palmetto Ballroom Dance Club, 410 Eastburn Ct., Darlington, SC 29532

Club Membership The PBDC tries to make it as easy as possible to experience ballroom dance in the Pee Dee. The PBDC is

the only ballroom dance club within 60 miles. We as members must constantly recruit new dancers in hopes that they will join our club. In the past 6 months, many members have moved away, missed attending due to medical issues, etc. Pass the word and let‘s boost attendance this season.

Please renew your membership promptly when due. Our club depends on your dues to help pay for the hall, DJ and special treats throughout the season. If you have not renewed your membership, we urge you to fill out and send the form in this newsletter, along with your check, to the address shown.

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• When leading spins & turns, a “Cup and Pin” type connection system is usually the best technique.

• In this system, the follower cups her hand to provide a cavity for the leaders pin, which he forms with one or two fingers positioned vertically and pointing down. The lady should avoid squeezing the man’s fingers too tightly thus preventing the turning action.

• Equally important as the Pin and Cup system is the follower’s frame, specifically the position of her arm being led during the turn. The lady’s forearm should remain approximately vertical and in the front quadrant of her body, never moving behind her midline.

• The lady’s upper arm remains approximately parallel to the floor. • The cup & pin should be positioned above the lady’s elbow and never above her

head. In this action, the turning action should facilitate a halo around the lady’s head.

• Such a system provides more of a crank so that the leader can control the speed and direction of the turns.

Tip # 10: Stop the Stutter Stepping: • Advanced dancers dance with long, flowing, confident strides rather than with

tentative stutter steps. • Less advanced dancers tend to dance in short, stutter steps due to a common fear

of stepping on the lady’s toes. • With proper body alignment and proper stepping action on the part of the lady,

crushed toes will likely never result despite how clumsy the man might be. • With the dancers’ bodies being slightly offset, the steps will be smooth and flowing.

"When  life  asks  you  to  dance,  you  just  have  to  dance."  Valerie Harper, DWTS participant & terminal cancer patient.

 

Fall 2013

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Thru the Viewfinder Photos From Recent Dances Check the Club Website for more!