1. Art and Diseño

Pro couple Kyle and Allie Spinder earned a sought-after first-place
win in open smooth at the Snow Ball. Photo by Kevin Viratyosin.
2•
• 1 Feb 2015
February 1 • Sunday
Salsa Dance Party - Costa Rica Ballroom;
816 Mainstreet, Hopkins; 7:00 p.m. bachata, salsa, cha cha, merengue, cumbia,
rumba dance; $10
Swing Dance - Aster Cafe; 125 Mainstreet SE,
Mpls; 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. live music; free
TC Rebels WCS Dance - Social Dance Studio;
3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 - 10:30 p.m.;
$11, $7 members
February 2 • Monday
WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $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
Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons; 1637
Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
swing dancing; $5
February 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
February 4 • Wednesday
Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.; $6
WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415
Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5
February 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
February 6 • Friday
Club Salsero Salsa Sensation - Social Dance
Studio; 3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 p.m.
salsa lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. bachata,
salsa, cha cha, merengue dance; $10,
$5 dance only
Variety Dance - Cinema Ballroom; 1560
St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 7:00 p.m. foxtrot
& east coast swing lesson; 8:00 - 11:00
p.m. dance; $10
Variety Dance - Blue Moon Ballroom; 2030
Hwy 14 E, Rochester; 7:30 p.m. lesson;
8:00 - 11:00 p.m. dance; $10, $5 students
[Get DANCiNG]
SHeeRDANCe.COM
twin Cities Dance events
February 7 • Saturday
Club Swing - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 p.m. west coast swing lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. WCS, ECS, nightclub
2-step, waltz dance; $10, $5 dance only
Variety Dance - Phipps Center for the Arts;
109 Locust St, Hudson, WI; 7:00 p.m.
swing & triple swing lesson; 8:00 - 10:00
p.m. dancing; $12
February 8 • Sunday
Swing Dance - Aster Cafe; 125 Mainstreet SE,
Mpls; 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. live music; free
Variety Dance - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 7:00 p.m. waltz & cha
cha lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. live band;
$12, $8 students
February 9 • Monday
WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $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
Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons; 1637
Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
swing dancing; $5
February 10 • Tuesday
Salsa Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 8:30 p.m. lesson; 10:00 - 11:00
p.m. dancing; $5
February 11 • Wednesday
Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.; $6
WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415
Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5
February 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
February 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
Club Salsa - Blue Moon Ballroom; 2030 Hwy
14 E, Rochester; 7:30 p.m. lesson; 8:00 11:00 p.m. dance; $10, $5 students
February 14 • Saturday
Café Bailar - Balance Pointe Studios; 5808
W 36th St, Mpls; 7:30 p.m. tango lesson; 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. variety dance;
$10, $8 members
Tango Society Milonga - Costa Rica Ballroom;
816 Mainstreet, Hopkins; 8:30 p.m.
Argentine tango lesson; 9:30 p.m. - 1:00
a.m. dance; $14, $10 members
Linden Hills Dancing Club - Lake Harriet
Church; 4901 Chowden Ave S, Mpls; 6:30
p.m. lesson; 7:30 p.m. dinner; 8:30 - 10:30
p.m. dance; $40/couple dinner, $20/couple
dance
February 15 • Sunday
Swing Dance - Aster Cafe; 125 Mainstreet SE,
Mpls; 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. live music; free
TC Rebels WCS Dance - Social Dance Studio;
3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 - 10:30 p.m.;
$11, $7 members
February 16 • Monday
WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $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
Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons; 1637
Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
swing dancing; $5
February 17 • Tuesday
Salsa Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 8:30 p.m. lesson; 10:00 - 11:00
p.m. dancing; $5
February 18 • Wednesday
Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.; $6
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1 Feb 2015 •
[Get DANCiNG]
WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415
Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5
February 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
February 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
R&B Dance - Blue Moon Ballroom; 2030 Hwy
14 E, Rochester; 7:30 p.m. lesson; 8:00 11:00 p.m. dance; $10, $5 students
Variety Dance - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 p.m. waltz & cha
cha lesson; 8:45 - 10:00 p.m. dance; $10
Variety Dance - Mill City Ballroom;
2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paul; 8:00
p.m. waltz & swing lesson; 9:00 - 10:00
p.m. dance; $10
February 21 • Saturday
Variety Dance - Phipps Center for the Arts;
109 Locust St, Hudson, WI; 7:00 p.m.
rumba & waltz swing lesson; 8:00 - 10:00
p.m. dancing; $12
February 22 • Sunday
Swing Dance - Aster Cafe; 125 Mainstreet SE,
Mpls; 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. live music; free
February 23 • Monday
WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $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
Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons; 1637
Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
swing dancing; $5
February 24 • Tuesday
Salsa Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd
Ave S, Mpls; 8:30 p.m. lesson; 10:00 - 11:00
p.m. dancing; $5
February 25 • Wednesday
Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.
Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.; $6
WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415
Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5
February 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
February 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
Salsa Fusion - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair
Ave, St. Paul; 7:00 p.m. salsa & merengue
lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. dance; $10
February 28 • Saturday
Café Bailar - Costa Rica Ballroom; 816
Mainstreet, Hopkins; 7:30 p.m. Argentine
tango lesson; 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. variety
dance; $10, $8 members E
•3
twin Cities Dance Contacts
Studios
American Classic Ballroom 952.934.0900
550 Market Street, Chanhassen
www.acballroom.com
Balance Pointe Studios
952.922.8612
5808R W 36th Street, St. Louis Park
www.balancepointestudios.com
Ballroom & Latin
Dance Club
952.292.0524
1103 W Burnsville Pkwy, Burnsville
www.ballroom-club.com
Ballroom & Wedding
Dance Studio
612.371.0300
2717 42nd Street E, Minneapolis
www.myballroomdancestudio.com
Blue Moon Ballroom
507.288.0556
2030 Highway 14 E, Rochester
www.BlueMoonBallroom.com
Cinema Ballroom
651.699.5910
1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul
www.cinemaballroom.com
Costa Rica Ballroom
Dance Studios
952.303.3339
816 Mainstreet, Hopkins
www.costaricaballroom.com
Dahl Dance Center
507.252.1848
4204 North Highway 52, Rochester
www.dahldance.com
Dance and Entertainment
651.605.5784
www.danceandentertainment.com
Dance with Us America
612.564.5483
10 Southdale Center, Edina
www.dancewithusamerica.com
Dancers Studio
651.641.0777
415 Pascal Street N, St. Paul
www.dancersstudio.com
Four Seasons Dance Studio 612.342.0902
1637 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis
www.fourseasonsdance.com
Latin Mambo
612.558.7190
2948 Chicago Ave S #308, Mpls
www.latinmambodancestudio.com
Mill City Ballroom
612.562.2733
2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paul
www.millcityballroom.com
Rendezvous Dance Studio 612.872.1562
711 W Lake Street, Suite B, Minneapolis
www.theplacetodance.com
Social Dance Studio
612.353.4445
3742 23rd Ave S, Minneapolis
www.socialdancestudio.com
StudioJeff
320.266.4137
701 St. Germain Street W, Suite 201,
St. Cloud
www.studiojeff.com
instructors
Scott Anderson
[email protected]
www.scottadance.com
Nathan Daniels
Jennelle Donnay
Julie Delene
[email protected]
612.816.4446
763.464.1021
651.357.2060
612.598.5355
Donna Edelstein
612.910.2690
[email protected]
www.donnaedelstein.com
Jennifer & Robert Foster
952.239.2984
Shane Haggerty
612.705.3588
[email protected]
www.shanehaggertydance.com
Lindsey Rebecca Hall
612.940.9546
Julie Jacobson
651.261.6442
Jay Larson
651.387.3886
Kristina Lee
715.821.9039
Deanne Michael
612.508.9255
Monica Mohn
612.874.0747
[email protected]
www.monicamohn.com
Mariusz Olszewski
612.242.5159
[email protected]
Karin Rice
612.242.2188
Lisa Vogel
651.208.0818
[email protected]
Clubs
Aqua Gliders Dance Club
612.869.3062
Café Bailar
www.cafebailar.com
Cotillion Dance
Club of Stillwater
651.388.1231
[email protected]
LaDanza Dance Club
651.439.3152
facebook.com/LaDanzaDanceClub
Lakeside Dance Club
320.763.6432
[email protected]
www.lakesideballroom.org
Linden Hills Dancing Club
651.636.9747
www.lindenhillsdancingclub.org
MN West Coast Swing
Dance Club
763.442.1618
mnwestcoastswingdanceclub.com
REBELS Swing Dance Club 952.941.0906
www.tcrebels.com
Stardust Dance Club
[email protected]
Suburban-Winterset
Dance Club
952.894.1412
www.suburbanwinterset.com
Tango Society
of Minnesota
612.224.2905
www.mntango.org
Tapestry Folkdance Center 612.722.2914
www.tapestryfolkdance.org
TC Swing
651.558.0562
[email protected]
www.tcswing.com
University of Minnesota
Ballroom Dance Club
[email protected]
umnbdc.com
Uptown Swing
612.217.1087
[email protected]
www.uptownswing.net
4•
• 1 Feb 2015
SHeeRDANCe.COM
in this issue
[Get Dancing]
Twin Cities Dance Events
2
Twin Cities Dance Contacts
3
2015 Competitions
5
[Participate]
About Us
6
Volunteer Openings
6
Contribute
7
[Special Features]
Sunday Evening at the Snow Ball
8
[Recurring Columns]
Volunteer Report
12
Life Through Dance
15
Gaining Perspective
16
Results from Around the Country
17
Photo from the Snow Ball by Kevin Viratyosin
[From the Community]
The Fun Begins
18
Sorry on the Dance Floor
20
Dancing over Winter Break
22
Win the Mind Game
24
Advertisers
[Discussion]
Here to Stay
brought to You by
26
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Shane Meuwissen, Mariusz Olszewski, Rapit Printing, Sundberg Tax &
Consulting, Lisa Vogel
Photographers
Erik Anderson, Theresa Kimler, Jana Rose, Peter Ung, Kevin Viratyosin
Volunteers
Executive Editor:
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Writers
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Westlake, Seth Westlake
dance on March 7th
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SHeeRDANCe.COM
1 Feb 2015 •
Sections
2015 Competitions
Events labeled NQE are qualifying events for the USA
Discussion
This is a forum where people
are invited to express their true
feelings about issues in the dance
community (while still adhering
to our submission guidelines) and
propose solutions to the problems we often face. Statements
made in the Discussion section do
not necessarily reflect the views
of Sheer Dance, even when written
by one of our volunteer staff.
From the Community
Unlike the other sections,
there is no cohesive theme to
From the Community; it is a
catch-all for the unique gems
that are submitted by people
like you. Here you’ll find contributions
like
•5
event
recaps,
interviews, tales from a far-off
competition, and photos from a
local dance event.
Recurring Columns
We have a handful of generous
writers who contribute regularly.
Each explores a unique, overarching theme of their choice. Each
month, in a volunteer report,
one of our volunteers fills you
in on what they’ve been doing
to make the dance community
a better place.
Special Features
Some issues focus on a particular event or theme, and all content
relevant to that theme belongs to
the Special Features section.
E
Dance National DanceSport Championships.
Mid-Atlantic Championships - NQE
Bethesda, MD; usadancedc.org
February 14 - 15
Dance Fest
St. Paul, MN; udancefest.com
March 7 - 8
2015 National
DanceSport Championships
Baltimore, MD; usadancenationals.org
March 27 - 29
MN Star Ball
Medina, MN; mnstarball.com
May 17
NJ DanceSport Classic
Summer Sizzler - NQE
Hackensack, NJ; njdancesportclassic.com
June 6 - 7
Gumbo
DanceSport Championships - NQE
Baton Rouge, LA; gumboofballroom.com
June 26 - 28
Twin Cities Open
Ballroom Championships
Minneapolis, MN; twincitiesopen.com
New England
DanceSport Championships - NQE
Waltham, MA; nedancesport.org
Carolina Fall Classic - NQE
Charlotte, NC; carolinafallclassic.com
July 9 - 11
September 15
October 2 - 4
Chicago DanceSport
Challenge - NQE
October 30 - November 1
Chicago, IL; usadancechicago.org
California State
DanceSport Championships NQE
San Jose, CA; usadance-norcal.org
National Collegiate
DanceSport Championships
Columbus, OH; usadancencc.org
November 15
November 21 - 22
6•
• 1 Feb 2015
[PARtiCiPAte]
About Us
Volunteer Openings
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event editor
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1 Feb 2015 •
[PARtiCiPAte]
•7
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8•
• 1 Feb 2015
[SPeCiAl FeAtUReS]
SHeeRDANCe.COM
ON THE EVENING OF SUNDAY, January
11th, I took the light rail to the Mall of
America, where my partner Karen was
going to pick me up to go to the Snow
Ball, but when I arrived, I saw a small
crowd of people walking through the
transit station. They wore sporty jackets, and their hair was slicked back,
put up, and bejeweled; it was a familiar
sight. I followed them into a shuttle to
the Hilton and called Karen to let her
know I’d meet her there.
Karen arrived at the lobby shortly
Photo from the Snow Ball by Kevin Viratyosin
after I did, and we went upstairs to
get our tickets and find our seats for
the evening show, passing by the
swath of dancewear and photography
vendors that one expects to find at
Sunday evening at the Snow ball
BY KEVIN VIRATYOSIN
one of the staple events of the Twin
Cities area. Sunday’s evening session
began with the professional show-
these events was being able to see pro-
your face and then hold it, making eye
dance category, which, as a collegiate
fessionals whom I had only seen teach
contact, as if just for you.
dancer, was a spectacle I don’t see
before show off their dancing as more
very often; it was quite a treat to see
than just an example to a class. Mariusz
show consisting of a variety of per-
how the competitors interpreted the
Olszewski was genuinely connected
formances not limited to traditional,
music when given such freedom. One
with his students, Gene and Elena
competitive ballroom. The Twin Cities
particularly entertaining performance
Bersten shared fire with their students
Swing Club danced a lively Lindy hop
was by Kyle and Allie Spinder, who
on the dance floor, Kate and Gordon
with audacious lifts, Nadine Messenger
performed a Mary Poppins routine, their
Bratt were cool and classy with their
and Jonathan Chen treated everyone
costumes complete with soot marks
partners, and Scott Anderson and his
to a sizzling mambo, and one couple’s
on the lead’s cheeks. Their take on
students were bursting with fun.
romantic rumba even received a stand-
Capping off the night was a special
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”
The highlight of the evening was the
ing ovation. Finally, a hip-hop group
captivated the audience and had every-
open professional rhythm and smooth
came in and wowed the crowd with
one clapping along.
events. It was apparent that the profes-
their impressive freestyling.
Next were the pro/am events for
sionals were really pulling out all the
The Hilton in Bloomington was
Latin and smooth. This was also some-
stops. The density of skill and energy
certainly the place to be on Sunday
thing I had heard a lot about before
on display was crackling. My favorite
evening. Thanks go to Donna Edelstein
but never had the opportunity to see
part of watching professionals dance is
for putting together such a wonderful
(thankfully there was a helpful guide
how they’ll often engage the audience
and well-run event. I hope to go next
in the program explaining the events’
in their dancing. A couple will whip up
year and see what new and exciting
labeling). What I really liked about
a huge shape sometimes inches from
performances are on display!
E
hesitate, and you’ll miss out.
sign up right now:
udancefest.com
US & WORLD OPEN PROFESSIONAL FINALIST
2007 US NATIONAL PRO RISING STAR CHAMPION
Lisa Vogel
Available for
PERFORMANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY
COACHING
in Ballroom/Latin & Performing Arts
651.208.0818
[email protected]
In the Twin Cities Area and across the USA
BFA in Dance
MA in Contemporary Dance Performance
SHeeRDANCe.COM
[SPeCiAl FeAtUReS]
1 Feb 2015 •
• 11
Photos from the Snow Ball by Kevin Viratyosin
don’t miss the fun.
register right now:
udancefest.com
12 •
THE
• 1 Feb 2015
[ReCURRiNG COlUMNS]
SHeeRDANCe.COM
FINAL MONTH OF PREPARATION
vendors—the fabulous dancesport hair
February 21st, and we’ll take the last
for an event like Dance Fest is always an
and makeup artist Jana Rose of Jana Rose
two weeks to assemble the competitor
interesting one. Typically, if everything
Arts and the soothing massage therapist
packets, finalize supplies and decora-
has been done right, it’s the point at
Lori Alyea—and finalized scholarships
tions, and prepare to host a great event.
which the event starts to crystallize—
(doubled from last year). However, this
After that, it’s showtime—and hopefully
the decorations have been planned,
is also the time we have to be careful
a great, fun event.
the judges and officials have been con-
to double-check our original assump-
From all of the Dance Fest team, we
tacted, and the participants are well
tions: Do we have enough competitor
wish you a happy, stress-free, and pro-
aware of the event’s date, times, and
numbers? What about participation
ductive February. We look forward to
location. Now all that remains is the
gifts? Are we satisfied with the color our
seeing you all in March!
execution.
lighting will be? Did we correctly mea-
Normally,
if
all
has
gone
well
with planning, execution is a fairly
sure the necessary amount of draping?
Where did our mirrors go?
straightforward process. If registration
As the month winds down, so will
is easy to understand, we don’t get
preparations. Registration will close on
very many questions. If we’ve planned
Dance Fest is a stress-free amateur dancesport competition held in the Twin Cities.
This year’s event will be at Dancers Studio
on March 7th and 8th. If you’d like to learn
more, check out www.udancefest.com!
E
in advance, we only have to hunt for
just a few more volunteers to fill any
vacant roles (on a related note, contact
[email protected] if you want to
volunteer).
So far, this month is off to a good
Volunteer Report
Dance Fest: One Month to Go!
BY MICHAEL KASINKAS
start. We’ve already confirmed our
Photo from Dance Fest by Theresa Kimler
register right now:
udancefest.com
(and dance 7-8 March 2015)
SHeeRDANCe.COM
1 Feb 2015 •
[ReCURRiNG COlUMNS]
• 15
life through Dance
the Neuroscience behind the Power of Connection
BY ELIZABETH DICKINSON
TO CREATE A GOOD BALLROOM dance
feel compassion and empathy and reso-
connection, there’s a lot of information
nance with another person, our mirror
partners need to know—what parts
neurons activate and create new neural
of the body touch, how the lead com-
pathways that give us the capacity to
municates what he wants the follow
be in relationship, to become more
to do, the stance of each person, and
relationally intelligent.
the etiquette of the ask. It’s definitely
But how do you create a respectful
a two-way street. Each person needs to
space when there are messy emotions
do their part.
in the way? You can’t do it by suppress-
In life, a good connection is estab-
ing or denying the messy emotions,
lished by creating a space that is
but if you’re committed to creating a
respectful and free of limiting percep-
good connection, you can make a deal
tions. Establishing this space is easy
with yourself to set them aside, at least
when things are going well—when
temporarily.
you like the person, when there are no
emotional challenges, and so on.
Hedy Schleifer shares the neuroscience
Germany while pregnant with Hedy
of why connection matters and how to
during World War II. Decades later, her
achieve it.
mother was confined to a wheelchair
According to Hedy, the brain is the
and suffering from dementia, unable to
only organ in the body that does not
recognize Hedy. Overcome with grief,
regulate from within. In other words,
sadness, and anger, Hedy realized she
it regulates, in a sense, from the out-
was not actually visiting her mother.
side—through another brain. When
She was with her own emotions,
we encounter or try to establish a good
polluting the space between them.
connection with another person, our
When she realized this, she decided
brains start to resonate with each other
to cross the bridge into her moth-
and our central nervous system begins
er’s
to calm down.
emotions behind. And then a small
Relational
her writing and would like to receive her
weekly emailed coaching newsletter, visit
www.pursueyourpath.com and sign up.
necting with her mother who had
been her hero, having escaped from
self-regulation.
and amateur ballroom dancer. If you enjoy
The example Hedy gives is con-
In her wonderful TED talk, therapist
It turns out we need each other for
Elizabeth Dickinson is a life/executive coach
world,
leaving
her
conflicted
miracle occurred; in the sacred, clear
neurosci-
space where Hedy could really see her
entists have discovered that when we
mother, her mother could also see
her. For the first time in months, her
mother said, “You are my daughter,”
and wiped away Hedy’s tears. It was a
profound healing.
Partner dancing demands we be in a
relationship with another person. Life
demands we be in relationships with
other people. We need each other to
exist and have a life worth living.
We can create pollution in our space,
or we can create clean spaces that
honor the spark of divinity and humanity in all of us. It’s up to us to choose
wisely. And miracles can occur.
E
join the party. bring your friends.
sign up right now:
udancefest.com
16 •
• 1 Feb 2015
[ReCURRiNG COlUMNS]
SHeeRDANCe.COM
Gaining Perspective
White boys and tigers and Planes—Oh, My!
BY JOEL TORGESON
THAILAND. THE
THE
time out of the schedules of the top
elephant. My destination this winter
researchers and conservation workers
break. A whirlwind of conservation
in the region so they can hold my hand
and ecology. Here are my thoughts.
as I get down out of the truck. It takes
LAND
OF
What does it mean for me, as an
American kid, to come over and play
That is where I was left in the middle
Western Forest Complex? What If I’d
of my trip to Thailand this last month,
just sent my $5,000 USD (~160,000 Thai
unable to reconcile my immense enjoy-
Bhat) to the researchers at the station
ment of the trip with the foreboding
instead? If I really want to do some
sense that I was failing some greater
good for tigers (my program’s title
moral imperatives. That’s not a fun
was “Thailand: Tiger Conservation and
position to be in.
that be better?
of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club and
enjoys dancing both socially and competitively. If you have feedback for Joel or would
like to pitch an article idea, email him at
[email protected].
that kind of experience.
Indiana Jones for three weeks in the
Vertebrate Field Methods”), wouldn’t
Joel Torgeson is president of the University
some serious hegemony to normalize
The only remedy I see lies in conscientious future actions. It seems I’ve
I’m some newbie white kid who
taken out a loan on the environment,
hasn’t put any effort into learning the
and the only way to repay it is by ensur-
language or culture, and I expect to be
ing my future actions reflect what I’ve
taught. Because that’s what I paid for,
learned.
right? At the end of the day, it doesn’t
What have I learned, then, and what
really matter to me if any tigers get
do I have to offer? I’m not fully sure yet,
conserved as long as I get to put Field
on both counts. Still, I have some ideas.
Experience on my resume. I collect crap
First, a cliché New Year’s resolution to
data, make pretty PowerPoints, and
shut off the lights, use less water, and
drink plenty of beer at night. I ride
buy local. Second, I’m going to talk
in the back of a 4x4 truck, camp in a
about conservation issues more, both
tent, throw my toilet paper in the trash
in my writing and in my everyday life.
(how foreign!), and above all else, take
And third, I’m going to explore what
pictures of everything. If I can squeeze
it means to be sustainable in different
an extra Facebook like out of a new
aspects of human activity and report
profile picture of me hugging a Thai
what I find.
child, score!
Making you squirm yet? I hope so.
Maybe I haven’t put it bluntly enough:
how can I reconcile the idea of a conser-
Next month’s article? You guessed
it: sustainability in ballroom. I’m interested to see what I find!
For now, I’m settling into new
vation trip with its reality? When just
classes,
getting me into the country and back
Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club back
produces four and a half metric tons of
under way, overcoming jet lag, and
CO2 (greater than the global per capita
fighting a mystery illness that’s per-
yearly average of four tons), what can I
sisted for the last five days.
possibly do to rectify that? I’ve taken
getting
Happy dancing!
the
E
University
of
SHeeRDANCe.COM
1 Feb 2015 •
[ReCURRiNG COlUMNS]
Results from Around the
Country
• 17
Photo from the Snow Ball by Kevin Viratyosin
Here 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.
the Snow ball DanceSport Competition
Open Professional Smooth
1st - Kyle Spinder and Allie Spinder
2nd - Adrian Dydynski and Hannah Dydynski
3rd - Sergey Smolin and Anna Tomasini
4th - Igor Afonkin and Mercedes
5th - Kyle Solis and Kimberly Parker
6th - Vance Mabry and Samantha Simmons
Rising Star Professional Smooth
1st - Igor Afonkin and Rachel Mercedes
2nd - Vance Mabry and Samantha Simmons
3rd - Kyle Solis and Kimberly Parker
4th - Joel Thomas and Chloe Obrzut
5th - Volodymyr Ishchenko and Nichola Morin
6th - Jay Morth and Heather Wudstrack
7th - Doug Walloc and Nicole Piechowski
Rising Star Professional Standard
Manhattan Amateur Classic
1st - Jonas Kazlauskas and Kathleen Ilo
Greg Warner and Jill Smith
2nd - Sergey Smolin and Anna Tomasini
1st (of 2) - Senior II Silver Rhythm
3rd - Vance Mabry and Samantha Simmons
1st (of 2) - Senior III Silver Rhythm
4th - Eric Gillitzer and Deborah Gillitzer
3rd (of 5) - Senior II Silver Smooth
Open Professional Rhythm
1st (of 5) - Senior III Silver Smooth
1st - Erwin Rybczynski and Iwona Rybczynski
Nicholas Westlake and Neli Petkova
2nd - Aaron DeSoto and Iryna DeSoto
5th (of 47) - Adult Pre-Champ Standard
3rd - Jonathan Chen and Nadine Messenger
16th (of 29) - Adult Championship Standard
4th - Jhondarr Lopez and Amber Osborn
5th - Andre Santore and Stephanie Santore
PDX ballroom Classic
6th - Dustin Donelan and Rachel Damiani
Michael Kasinkas and Taylor Wall
Rising Star Professional Rhythm
1st (of 1) - Adult Pre-Champ Rhythm
1st - Aaron DeSoto and Iryna DeSoto
1st (of 1) - Adult Championship Rhythm
2nd - Jonathan Chen and Nadine Messenger
1st (of 1) - Adult Novice Smooth
3rd - Jhondarr Lopez and Amber Osborn
1st (of 1) - Adult Pre-Champ Smooth
4th - Joel Thomas and Chloe Obrzut
2nd (of 6) - Adult Silver Standard
5th - Andre Santore and Stephanie Santore
3rd (of 5) - Adult Gold Standard
E
6th - Dustin Donelan and Rachel Damiani
Rising Star Professional Latin
Would you like to see your results or your studio’s results at an event here?
1st - Jonas Kazlauskas and Kathleen Ilo
Email us at [email protected] with the name of the event, some pictures,
2nd - Giorgi Khmiadashvili and Christina DuPuy
and your results, and we’ll be sure to include them!
18 •
• 1 Feb 2015
[FROM tHe COMMUNitY]
SHeeRDANCe.COM
the Fun begins
BY JANA ROSE
HEY, WHAT’S UP, DANCE MACHINES?
process of how I create the looks, and
feature, among other things, links to
Jana here with Jana Rose Arts. We’ve
finish with a dancesport photo shoot
our dancesport video series—exciting!
been having an obscene amount of fun
to showcase everything close up and in
at JRA Studios over the last few weeks,
action.
Please stay tuned for more updates
as
we
move
forward
with
this
innovative project. If you have any
but I guess that’s nothing new. What
I am focused on covering a diverse
is new is that we have officially begun
range of looks and will be working
requests, recommendations, or sug-
production of our educational danc-
with a variety of ethnicities and hair
gestions on what you might like us
esport hair and makeup video series!
types, so there will be something for
to cover, please shoot me an email at
everyone—including you fellas!
[email protected]. I’d love to
These videos are going to offer an allnew educational resource for dancers.
Right now, there is a lot going on
By putting the creative power in your
behind the scenes to get everything
hands, I show you how to create stun-
organized and ready to share, from our
ning, professional hair and makeup
videos and photography to a brand-new
looks to help you shine your brightest
website. If all goes to plan, we will have
on the dance floor. For each video,
our shiny new website up and running
I design an original dancesport hair
by the end of this month, which will
and makeup look. We film the entire
hear all of your ideas!
For now, I am pleased to share a few
images from our first shoot. Enjoy!
Jana Rose is a ballroom hair and makeup
artist and photographer. She can be reached
by email at [email protected].
Dancesport hair, makeup, and photography
by Jana Rose Arts.
E
returns!
7-8 March 2015
(Saturday & Sunday)
udancefest.com
Dancers Studio
415 Pascal Street N
St. Paul MN 55104
brought to you by the
Twin Cities professional
dance community and:
Ballroom Dance Club
20 •
• 1 Feb 2015
[FROM tHe COMMUNitY]
SHeeRDANCe.COM
all. And that’s when the dreaded word
slips out. Sorry.
What we don’t realize is that by
saying sorry for supposedly incorrect
moves, we actually take away from the
fun and enjoyment of dancing. We feel
obligated to apologize when something
goes wrong, to try to correct our mistakes, but what I’ve come to realize is
that instead of saying sorry and feeling
embarrassed about our mistakes, we
should own them and learn from them.
So maybe that behind-the-back underarm turn, triple Salchow, backflip
didn’t go right. Just march to the beat
of your own drum until you are able to
Photo from Ballroom Blast by Erik Anderson
get back into the flow. People are much
more understanding than you suspect
and realize that not everyone can do a
Sorry on the Dance Floor
triple Salchow into a backflip, and they
will more than likely be perfectly fine
BY HANNAH ALYEA
with skipping it the next time or willing to teach it to you. There is no need
SORRY
IS THE ONE WORD THAT I
follows may not like to admit it, but we
hear almost as often as the word like,
all, at one time or another, are guilty of
which in today’s world, like, constantly
assuming what the lead is going to do
Sorry
before he initiates it. It’s a complex we
has become an automatic filler word
have; every move has to be correct and
for awkward moments, being late for
look pretty, and that’s why we assume
appointments, explaining one’s clum-
(sorry, gentlemen, we don’t mean to
siness, and on occasion, legitimate
steal your thunder). As dancers, we
apologies. Sorry is something that I not
want things to look aesthetically pleas-
only hear on the dance floor, but I am
ing, but I also think that internally,
usually the one saying it to whomever I
everyone is a bit concerned about
am dancing with.
looking like a fool in front of others by
punctuates
everyday
speech.
Social dancing is a great experience.
messing something up. This can be the
You can go out and dance with new
cause of many apologies on the dance
people, and as a follow, it’s a great time
floor, feeling the need to be perfect
to work on connection and actually
the first time with someone you may
following what the lead is indicating
or may not have danced with before,
to you. I know all of you wonderful
assuming that we can be perfect at
to feel sorry and continually tell people
so. Enjoy each dance for what it is—not
perfect, but fun!
If this approach is useful for social
dancing, imagine what this outlook
could do when applied to life as a
whole. Life is far from perfect, and if
you are always caught up in apologizing to everyone who will listen, you
end up missing the fun moments that
come from the little mistakes of life.
Life is too short to waste time trying to make everything perfect in an
imperfect world. Dance along with the
beauty that is imperfection, and take
this time to try new things. Don’t be
afraid to put yourself out there and
make a few mistakes. There is no need
to say sorry for learning.
E
compete. experience joy.
sign up right now:
udancefest.com
22 •
• 1 Feb 2015
[FROM tHe COMMUNitY]
SHeeRDANCe.COM
One of the first things I noticed
Photo from Ballroom Blast by Erik Anderson
while teaching in South Dakota: there’s
a stigma attached to ballroom dancing,
and not for the reasons you might think
(stereotypes about gender or sexual orientation). What people get most hung
up on is the general age of participants.
Only a handful of couples, particularly
the ones invited by me, were under the
age of thirty. Boys especially are not
encouraged to try dance as an extra-
Dancing over Winter break
the Rapid City Scene
curricular activity, and unless girls are
willing to become leads, an imbalance
exists, and the growth and popularity
of ballroom dwindles. With no kids or
BY SETH WESTLAKE
university students participating, the
program is fed almost exclusively by
hobbyists and couples with New Year’s
MOVING
MINNEAPOLIS to my
nightclub two-steps, merengue, and
resolutions. I worked with some very
hometown of Rapid City, South Dakota,
west coast swing, although an occa-
welcoming couples over the course of
for winter break, I realized I’d forgot-
sional waltz or foxtrot might play.
the month, and many seemed particu-
FROM
ten how different the two communities
A friend of mine was nice enough
larly interested in continuing lessons,
were. Ballroom in Minneapolis, as I’ve
to arrange for me to be a guest instruc-
but few studios offered anything above
experienced, is a large and yet still
tor at one of these studios, and I had
an advanced bronze perspective. Given
developing community, full of very
the chance to teach many of my good
only a short time with them, my
devoted and ambitious dancers. Rapid
friends. Almost more than dancing
objective was to show the couples as
City, a town similar in size to the stu-
itself, I love introducing people to their
much technique and as many moves as
dent population of the University of
first lessons—and hopefully their new
possible.
Minnesota, supports a much smaller
obsession—in the ballroom dancing,
What I took away from the month
ballroom community, especially in
and this experience was such a brilliant
was not a large quantity of dance hours
comparison to other dance styles like
opportunity to show people a good
but instead a new understanding of
jazz, tap, and ballet. More popular at
time and get them interested.
how important it is to develop and
social dance events are the country and
support our dance communities. New
members from every age and walk
of life are important, but without an
influx of younger participants, programs like those in Rapid might never
evolve beyond a skeleton of a community. I’ve seen many people fall in
love with ballroom in their first steps,
and it is unfortunate that, aside from
moving or traveling, few resources are
available to fan the flame.
What we have here in Minnesota,
with
excellent
instructors,
and
a
dance
university
top-notch
is something special.
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studios,
programs,
community,
24 •
WE’VE
• 1 Feb 2015
ALL BEEN THERE. You’ve been training
for months, practicing every day. Your suit is perfectly pressed, your partner’s dress is shiny and
neat, and her hair and makeup took an irritating number of hours to prepare. You just came
from the warmup room where you had a hard
time staying focused, and now you’re standing
in line in the on-deck area with your characteristic perfect posture. Then, unexpectedly, you see
something out of the corner of your eye: other
dancers on the floor. You start to think, “That’s
a nice natural turn. Is mine that smooth? Is my
top line as level? Can I really make the final with
all these well-trained couples on the floor? Can
I even make the semifinal? I know I’m not the
best dancer in the room, but am I the worst?” Of
course, your thought pattern follows the path of
least resistance to whatever you are most insecure about in your performance.
Dealing with this mental strain is the mind
game you have to dominate in order to excel as a
competitor. If you slide deep down into this abyss
of cascading insecurity, you’ve lost the mind
game. The good news is that everyone has to
learn to win the mind game. Save yourself some
heartache and learn from others’ mistakes. The
following are common ways competitors lose the
mind game and some methods that might get
your brain back on track when you start to slip.
Pretending there is No Mind Game
Example: “All the dancers around me look so confident
and calm. I must be the only one stressing out about my
dancing. If I had booked more practice time before this
competition, I’d be calm right now.”
Performing is essential practice for performance. Being at that competition is part of your
training. There is no substitute for a real, live
audience. There is no amount of in-my-safe-practice-space preparation that will remove the need
to practice competing. Everyone you are competing with has to play the mind game too, and some
days they lose. It’s part of their training, too.
Minnesota dancers Nicholas Westlake and Neli Petkova
performing their energetic championship quickstep at the
2015 Manhattan Amateur Classic. Photo by Peter Ung.
[FROM tHe COMMUNitY]
Win the Mind Game
BY NICHOLAS WESTLAKE AND NELI PETKOVA
SHeeRDANCe.COM
SHeeRDANCe.COM
1 Feb 2015 •
[FROM tHe COMMUNitY]
• 25
being Surprised
dissonance will kick in and you’ll start
to, you’ll be putting your focus some-
Example: “I didn’t know that couple was
to feel the things you’re acting out.
where other than where you practiced.
coming to this competition! And when did
Feelings often result from actions. Use
Focusing on a single technical element
those two get so good?”
this to your advantage.
of your dancing tends to cause your
Revising History
movement to look fidgety. Conscious
Expect good competitors at competitions. You want them there. If you were
Example: “We’ve never had a running finish
dancing against a pile of gummy bears,
come out right. Plus, I’m always in pain
a win would be completely hollow.
when I dance tango.”
control of your body will look stilted
and
robotic;
muscle-memory-based
execution is smoother and cleaner.
Giving Up
Expect others to improve. If you’re
This is a sister to self-hate. When
dancing at any open level, almost
you minimize your current skills, it’s
Example: “I’m always tired by the end, so
everyone you compete with has to
easy to also magnify the severity and
even if I make the final, I’ll dance poorly in
make a big investment to be at a given
persistence of your past errors. If you
it.”
competition. People who spend money
have a running finish in your routine,
This could fall under self hate, but
to compete usually think they have
you’ve probably had one that came out
this one is so popular, it deserves its
some dancing worth showing in their
feeling nice and looking okay. That’s
own heading. Expect to dance all the
events.
the one you want to recreate. If you
way through the final. If you look like
Self-Hate
only remember the failed attempts,
you’re wishing you could stop dancing,
Example: “I know my corte is bumpy, and
you’re more likely to recreate those.
the judges will grant that wish.
that’s all the judges are going see. Plus, I’m
Mimicry
bad at getting into frame and I’m screwed if
Example: “Their sway is beautiful. I should
the first impression isn’t perfect.”
these solutions is this: know you
copy that style right now.”
belong on that competition floor as a
A common thread among all of
Expect excellence from yourself.
Trust your training. Maybe it was
This is your only option. If you expect
dedicated athlete, and act like you’ve
flawed, but you’re not going to sort
anything less from yourself, you’ll get
already won. All of your training up to
that out here. If you try to change your
less-than-excellent results. This can
the moment you walk on the floor has
technique while you’re in a strange
be tricky, because feeling confident
prepared you to show that dance, and
venue, in costume, and have no tools to
can feel like a U-turn when you’re
that dance is part of preparing you for
assess if the change is even an upgrade,
dabbling in self-hate. Pro tip: start by
the next. Calm down. Keep your chin
you’re likely to end up altering your
acting confident and happy. After a few
up. Keep your head on straight. Win
look for the worse. Even if you succeed
minutes of a compelling act, cognitive
the mind game so your dancing has a
and demonstrate the change you intend
chance to win the round.
The University of
Minnesota Ballroom
Dance Club is back
in full swing, and
they’re in recruitment mode, looking
to
introduce
the
wonderful world of
ballroom to as many
students as possible.
E
26 •
• 1 Feb 2015
[DiSCUSSiON]
SHeeRDANCe.COM
we can pretend this isn’t an editorial at
Here to Stay
all—I would appreciate it.
Making a Substantive Difference
in the ballroom Community
cut ballroom dancing out of my life
BY MARY BETH BECKMAN
with feminism. As a caveat for any
Few people know this, but I almost
because I couldn’t reconcile ballroom
readers who have been misled about
the meaning of the word feminism, I
I
I
PERPETUALLY EXIST at an
most especially as a woman, but I don’t
odd intersection in the ballroom dance
want to make vast, sweeping state-
community. I value dancing but only
ments in my role as editor. I don’t want
do it rarely. I give but don’t buy. I’m the
to be silenced by my position of power,
editor of this publication but also per-
so I’d prefer to leave that power behind
haps its most dedicated reader. (Okay,
long enough for me to talk about some-
there’s no perhaps about it.) So when
thing that is desperately important to
Joel Torgeson’s “Gaining Perspective”
me. So if we can pretend that I’m just
hit the editing table last month, I was
some female-identifying person in the
caught yet again in hard-to-navigate ter-
partner-dancing community for the
ritory, because the topic is something I
duration of this editorial—basically, if
FEEL
feel very strongly about as a dancer and
have to define that term as egalitarianism that focuses on gender equality.
Feminism isn’t misandry; it’s equality.
Why continue using the word feminism?
Because treating it like a dirty word is
part of the problem egalitarianism is
trying to solve.
That aside, a little over a year ago, I
had a serious crisis of conscience. How
could I continue dedicating thousands
of hours to a sport that constantly dismisses and downplays my worth as a
woman? The worth of my friends and
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1 Feb 2015 •
[DiSCUSSiON]
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colleagues and nieces? Even the worth
women to speak up when they feel
dedication to making people uncom-
of my nephew, who will grow up in a
uncomfortable with the way someone
fortable, which is so un-Midwestern
world that expects him to exhibit sup-
is touching them or talking to or about
that even more mindfulness becomes
posedly masculine traits and that will
them. I encourage dancing above all else.
necessary for those of us raised in this
make him feel inferior if he doesn’t live
Same-sex couples, reverse-role couples,
so-called culture of nice.
up to the standard? My time might be
people of color, low- or no-income peo-
For me, it takes finding allies to work
better spent working for any number of
ple, people with disabilities—I want all
with me, because no one wants to listen
organizations that are trying to lift us
of them to dance, because I think dance
to a woman talk about sexism. But if
out of these damaging gender schemas,
is an excellent vehicle for change if we
we can find a person of powerful priv-
the empirically harmful behaviors they
drive it to be so.
ilege—a middle-class, American, white,
encourage.
But for anyone who’s looking, it’s
heterosexual, outgoing, good-looking,
After a lot of thought, I decided that
obvious there’s still a problem, and try
cisgender male—to talk about these
ballroom dancing isn’t the problem.
as I might, I haven’t figured out an easy
issues sensitively and conscientiously?
It’s active, social, and fun, and all of
solution. How do we change decades
Well, in the words of one of my heroes
those things are good for the world
of destructive ideas of what it means
(and incidentally one of the people
when handled responsibly. The prob-
to lead and follow? How do we change
my aforementioned nephew is named
lem is the culture surrounding partner
the sexist, heterosexist, homophobic
after),
dancing, and since dancing per se isn’t
lexicon of the partner-dancing commu-
“We’ve done the impossible, and that
problematic, eventually I decided I’d
nity? The obvious, cliché answer is one
makes us mighty.”
stick around and do what good I can for
step at a time, one person at a time, one
equality in this forum.
decision at a time.
Captain
Malcolm
Reynolds,
All of this ends on a simple idea: Joel
Torgeson, in using your privilege to help
In the competitions I run, the publi-
It takes mindfulness, which is a lot
make the ballroom community a less
cations I edit, the conversations I have,
to ask, especially amongst the privi-
destructive place, you have renewed my
I use lead/follow language, not gentle-
leged—and all of us are privileged in
commitment to doing the same.
man/lady. I welcome nontraditional cou-
varying ways, to varying degrees. It also
ples in the heats I oversee. I encourage
takes a willingness and perhaps even
I’m not going anywhere, so don’t
get too comfortable.
Nels
E
Petersen
and
Theresa
Kimler pose with gracious host
and president of USA Dance
Honolulu,
Glenn
Okazaki,
and his wife, Tracy Okazaki.
In the background is half of
the
11,0000-square-foot
Ala
Wai Palladium Ballroom. The
stunning practice and show
facility is provided by the city
of Honolulu to USA Dance
and
seven
other
amateur
dance groups on Oahu, for
only incidental cost. This is
truly a remarkable facility,
and
the
floor
is
eucalyptus
perfectly
dance
installed
and preserved. Don’t miss a
chance to dance here when you
visit the island!
7050 49th Street North • St. Paul, MN 55128
go register now:
udancefest.com
(because you love dancing)