SMOOTH TALK. Nominations for Office

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1 The San Diego Chapter of National Smooth Dancers SMOOTH TALK San Diego Smooth Dancers, Inc. Bringing Ballroom to our Community June 2014, Vol. 14 No. 11 President s Message Mike Cowlishaw It s election time! Every six months we elect about half the board of directors. The offices up for election at this time are Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Dance Class Chair. Please attend the next meeting and vote. We always need people to fill a position of responsibility. Remember the position requires a commitment to the club, including attending the business and board meetings as well the duties specific to the office. Please remember this commitment when you volunteer and vote for the candidates. Each candidate should be willing to accept a positive role as a representative for the club to the San Diego dance community. As usual, we have another great dance party on the way! Thanks to Judy and Vern for hosting the June Dance! Many thanks to Peter and Alberta for doing such a great job on the May Party! It s time to get your reservations made for the National Smooth Dancer Convention (Labor Day weekend). Remember it s in Palm Springs this year, hosted by the Palomar chapter. Watch your in the next few days for links to the event and hotel information. You can also start by going to the Palomar Chapter website.. I ve been fortunate to compete a little lately, dancing Pro-Am with Selena Morano-Johnson. We did pretty well at the Emerald Ball recently. I ll get a report with pictures together about this in the near future. If you want to watch fantastic dancing, the San Diego DanceSport event will be at the Manchester Hyatt near Seaport Village June 13 th to 15 th. Thanks to all who take a turn (or more) to help out. We never have too many helpers! Dance tip: In a group class, focus on picking up something new even if you think you have the step wired. Is your technique truly perfect? Is your rise/fall/lilt/drive/timing really perfect? Are your partnering skills perfect? Never stop trying to improve. Wishing you happy feet and a happy heart! MC Nominations for Office The following positions will be voted upon at the June General Membership Meeting, with the indicated individuals running for each office (we have three contested offices this times): Vice President: Betty Halvin * Ann Meador Dance Class Chair: Chuck DiSessa * Jack Staudte Secretary: Denise White * Alberta Valentini Treasurer: Kay Ryan Please attend the meeting so that you can help the Chapter determine which of these excellent candidates will be serving us in these roles for the coming year. June 2014 Page 1 of 9

2 Queen s Message Lou Reyes As I hurried down to Golden Gate Coronation s last April 12, 2014, I could not help but feel overwhelmed by the way the Crowne Plaza s ballroom had been transformed with Russian flair. The place had life-size cardboard Russian dolls, a hint of the famous matryoshka dolls. The tables had longstemmed blue bell flowers, calla lily, chrysanthemum and spider mums with a butterfly on one of the flowers blossoming from clear see-thru vases. To top it all off, two magnificent Faberge blue eggs, each with a unique design, were placed between the flower vases. These decorative eggs evoked the style of the Romanov masterpieces; each egg rested elegantly on a clear tall glass stand. Truly eggsquisite! The gracious Queen Svetlana showered the state and chapter queens with lovely blue royal purses as their holding pieces. As the queens marched down the center aisle to the music of Peter Tchaikovsky, these exquisite purses gave them elegance and an air of royalty. Queen Svetlana, with her adorable smile, was escorted by her handsome husband Vladislav and they danced to the music by the Russian composer Eugene Doga from the movie "My Sweet & Tender Beast." Their son Boris was the scepter bearer and Lauren, Boris fiancée, was the crown bearer. Everyone applauded. It was beautifully choreographed and splendidly executed. All the past chapter queens danced to the Waltz of Schubert. The professional performance by Olga and Dima Sukachov was executed with passion and elegance. All participants of the coronation exited to music by Ivan Glinka. The following day we attended the buffet brunch on the 7 th floor of the hotel. Two gentlemen in their tuxedos greeted us courteously and escorted us to our assigned tables. There was a wide array of fruit selections, with delectable pastries, coffees, teas, orange juices, etc. Everyone feasted at this sumptuous brunch; each of the queens was requested to give honor to the reigning Queen Svetlana. Thereafter, opening of Queen s gifts ensued. It did not come as a surprise to all in attendance to see all the generous gifts showered upon Queen Svetlana, for she is a truly a charming queen. It has become a tradition of mine to collect or buy something during each of the coronation events. For Queen Svetlana s coronation I purchased a set of the beautiful Faberge eggs. An interesting but distressing incident occurred at the security booth at San Francisco International Airport: I was detained after passing through the metal detector. I saw the TSA officer pull out the Faberge egg from my hand-carry. She probably thought it was an eggs-plosive. LOL. Don t Forget about Champion on Friday Nights Although Champion Ballroom recently changed its format for Friday nights, please remember that there is still always a party there at the end of each week. Most Fridays, Ashley Chu hosts the evening with her usual fine variety of quiches, pastries, cakes, cookies, or whatever else she decides to delight us with at the time. Jack Martin provides the music, and he has been refining his selection of dance music to match the tastes of the dancers who show up each Friday for the fun. His music is very easy to dance to. The music and dancing begin at 7:30 in the evening on Fridays, so you get to enjoy an extra half hour of dancing now. Be sure to get a parking pass from Champion so that you can park in the parking lot on the south side for just $2 per event. (There is no expiration date on these passes, so once you pick one up you can just leave it in your car for future use.) Of course, there is still parking underneath if you get there early. The third Friday of each month now features an evening of Argentine Tango, with music and a lesson provided by Carlos Barrionuevo and Mayte Valdes. Details for Champion s Friday night events can be found on their website calendar, at June 2014 Page 2 of 9

3 SUNDAY NIGHT DANCE CLASS Chuck DiSessa Dance classes with Carrie Kloss continue into the month of June with the International Foxtrot at 5:00 p.m. and the East Coast Swing at 6:00 p.m. There s no June gloom around here. Enthusiasm runs high, and everybody applies themselves to learning the choreography and improving on their technique. Guest instructor Olga Ginsberg, in the second week of classes, did well as she broke down both the men s and ladies parts while demonstrating the specific techniques and body movements necessary to execute the patterns well. Her appearance was arranged by Carrie and very well received by both classes. She would be welcome again anytime the need arises. The Foxtrot class is well attended, as interest in the more demanding technique of the International Style of ballroom dancing appears to run high in our dance community. This makes sense, as the techniques learned in the International style can easily transfer to American ballroom style, with the net effect of improving both your posture and your execution of the choreography. The East Coast swing at 6:00 p.m. brings interesting challenges to the class. Carrie is introducing patterns from the latest revised syllabus and the class members are experiencing some new moves that are very attractive as well. In case you missed it, Ines Plikshe arranged a group order for tickets to this year s version of the San Diego Follies. Not everyone may be available to attend the June 21 st matinee performance at 1:30 p.m.; in that case, please feel free to call the CCT box office at and make your own arrangements with them. This year s production is a spectacular, musical-variety show celebrating the Golden Years of Hollywood with your favorite stars, fabulous dance numbers, and unforgettable music. According to Al Folkman, you only need to attend once, and you ll always want to come back, again and again. Looking ahead, we have an exciting summer planned for our dance classes. Irina Chalkevich will grace our premises with outstanding choreography for our July-August classes. She will be teaching the American Waltz at 5:00 p.m. and the International Samba at 6:00 p.m. If you saw her and John Selby on TV when they danced in the finals at the Ohio Star Ball, you witnessed some American Ballroom routines that were absolutely stunning. Who knows what she has planned for us this year? (And wait until you see her Samba!!) So please, circle your calendars for Sunday, July 1 st, and plan to arrive early as a large class is expected. Finally, elections take place in June for some of our officers. Elections have consequences. Please show up and vote at the June business meeting as your vote influences the direction our club will take as a dance class next year. In closing, thank you all for being such a vital and integral part of the San Diego Smooth Dancer s family. Your attendance and active participation in our club help us to maintain our success as a dance organization. See you in class!! All the best, Chuck DiSessa, Dance Class Chair San Diego Smooth Dancers, Inc. June General Meeting The next General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday June 14 th at 2:30 p.m. at Al Folkman s home, located at 4107 Arden Way, San Diego Be sure to bring a dish for the potluck afterwards! June 2014 Page 3 of 9

4 Social Chair s Message Amante Reyes I have now come to the conclusion that no matter what happens to the regular worker bees (volunteers) the event will go on, for there are others who will step forward to get the show on the road. Some might get sick; some might have changed their mind; some might have a previous commitment; some might have forgotten the date; but, there will always be others who will be there to help. I extend my heartfelt Thank you so much! first and foremost to the hosts of the evening Alberta and Peter Valintini. Then to the following: Kay Ryan, Patricia DiSessa and Ann Meador for arriving early to ensure the venue would be properly set up. Bill, Mel, Lou, Russell, Ashley and Wendy for helping set up for the evening. Larry, a huge help prior to, during and after setting out the refreshments. Judy and Vern, Jeannie, Jackie Yu, Glenn, Betty, Bill and Maria for staying to the end to clean up. The Paso Doble performers Al and Ines, Mel and Ann V, Doug and Jennie, Dave and Denise for an outstanding team performance, with Al leading with his flaming cape work. Al for a smooth and well organized playlist. He confided to me later that he programmed all the songs from beginning to end almost completely removing human attendance and control. Alberta and Peter purchased, delivered and set up delicious refreshments frozen lemonade, sliced ham, turkey, watermelon, oranges, grapes, strawberries, crackers, tortilla chips, salsa, dinner rolls and tray of vegetables. She and Lou baked fresh pastries (chocolate chips cookies and miniature cupcakes respectively). Some comments and recommendations coming directly from our host Alberta: Most of the refreshments were eaten. Serve less tortilla chips and salsa. Only one bag of chips was consumed. One bottle of salsa and a bag of chips were left for next month. One-half box of crackers was not used; it will be served next month. Cake was not served this month. Last social we had one cake and some pieces were not eaten. Almost all the freshly baked pastries were eaten. Very little coffee was drunk. Maybe because it was a hot night. Suggest using instant coffee during hot months, the same type that is used for Sunday classes. Club should purchase storage baggies to package remainder of refreshments. Increasing Larry s compensation for additional duties such as bringing all items up from storage and returning them to the storeroom after the social. This report is mostly based on Alberta s report. For anyone who would like to get a copy of her report please see or me or Alberta herself. Amante Reyes, Social Chair June 2014 Page 4 of 9

5 On the Floor His View Mark Chapman Will the competitors please take their positions on the floor for the Foxtrot. Got to get us to a good position in that corner before the music starts. The Tango went well just now. Glad we don t have a set piece of choreography for it makes it easier to hit the sharp ticks in the music. Had a little trouble with the Waltz to start the comp lost the beat that entire first short side. l know most of the waltzes they use for these comps but I didn t know the one they played for us this time where did they find that one? Well, let s see if our Foxtrot choreography fits the song they ve picked for us next. Facing Diagonal Center now, ready to go. Wow, we really do have this corner all to ourselves. Three other couples (will we ever have a full field for 4- Star again?) two in the opposite corner from us, the other couple starting their routine on the short side at the end of the floor ahead of us. Well, they re welcome to that spot, if that s where they want to start a Foxtrot. Quiet now as we get ready. All of us standing here nervously after so much preparation, hundreds of hours, so we can share this moment on the floor. Standing out here where everyone can see every step and every mistake we make. Competitors ready? Judges ready? Got to remember to smile. She s already smiling wonderfully. Always does, especially once the music begins and we re out there. That s what the audience loves to see: performance look. Calm proud smile, no matter how nervous she is. I sure am. My head s already not up enough look high now, find the far edge of the ceiling to focus on. Glad I caught that before the music began. How was my head for the Tango, I wonder? I always look down at some point. Hope it was up enough most of the time. Please start the music for the Foxtrot! They re playing Just the Way You Look Tonight. Love that one. They played it several times this morning during the practice session. Might have guessed they d play it tonight. Nice and slow, but some good, flowing sections. Just right for our Standard a bit slow for an American style. Left arm goes up to call her to me. She looks so elegant and confident gliding in to take my hand. Ah, she s placing her hand perfectly, right at the beginning of the measure. Step to the left as she matches me with the music. Five, six, seven slow, head up a little bit more, transfer weight back to the right and out on eight. Good right with the music. Her head s balancing me perfectly. She s stepping back as I move okay, I have all the room we need for a good start. Keep the first two beats clean on the Feather Step. Make that first step long, real slow across both beats, elegant as possible. Then two quick steps reaching out and stretched far. Now straight into our Triple Fall-away. Don t know if we should keep this at the beginning of our routine. Fine steps of course, maybe a bit too ambitious for us yet. Can make a great first impression on the judges, but if we don t get it just right first thing they see, only thing they remember. Don t look at us again. Am I getting the sway just the way I should? We hit the music okay this time. People clapping. Well, fine so far. Good. She feels perfect in my arm as we hit the first corner. Nicely balanced together. I don t feel elegant like this in the Waltz or Tango. Each dance has its flavor. Foxtrot best for me, I think. Fred and Ginger. Any of Sinatra s stuff. Big bands generally. I love this. She s smiling now, moving with me way back in my arm where she s safe. We re safe. Three hundred people watching us, but we re safe in the middle of all this, flowing together. Into the second long side. Everybody s clapping, not for us this time: haven t done anything on this side yet. Besides, the applause is coming from the other corner. That s fine. Everybody gets their shot. We ll have another say before this is done. Wish I could see what the other couples are doing on the floor: only see them when they come within about three feet of us. Rest of the floor is out of our sight, out of my world right now. Coming out of the Tumble, slow it for the picture line. Push her out for a nice Throwaway. She always wants me to give her a bit more time so she can stretch her lines out fully. Still, the music the beat isn t going to wait long for us. Take care of the beat, but take care of her first. Ah, the music s (Continued on page 6) June 2014 Page 5 of 9

6 (Continued from page 5) slowing nicely for us: she can stretch out as far as she wants while I hold us here for an extra measure. Looks so beautiful with her head far back and away. Her red gown with her silver necklace; my charcoal grey tux with those tails flying back and out when we turn. While we re posed here, everyone at this table is watching us. Mostly watching her good. I ll take a moment, catch I don t know maybe catch Wendy s eye there, since she s looking right here. Always want to catch the eye of a couple of people during a routine. Lets them know we re in control on the floor, we re still calm enough in the middle of everything to take a moment and look them straight in the eye with a smile. Keeps me tied in with the audience, too. Keeps me smiling. Oops, stop smiling, pay attention: she was able to stretch out for a full two measures there on that picture line. Looking at me happily now as she swivels back into a Same-Foot Lunge good thing. Time to go now, flow out with the music along this short side. Uh-oh, I know the music, know it s going to swell right here. Our routine is too quiet here, won t match the way the music is going. Can t just dance through this like we don t hear it building. She feels me slowing us down a tad. Knows I m going to throw in something different: we ve been doing this together long enough she knows I m going to change up our steps a bit to match the music. This has to be big, let s make it a Double Reverse... There is nothing for me but to love you love that part but we ll have to do another Double Reverse to keep with the phrase all the way through...okay, slow it down now, remember the music goes soft here right away, finish with a slow Contra-Check, get our balance perfect for this final phrasing... just the way you look tonight. Oh that was just right, and she stretched way back for a good line. Got to time this well now flowing back out of the check. They re fading the music; just finish things up with a simple Change of Direction nothing fancy, we made our point with the crescendo. She s stretching out from me as she feels the music fade, our motion slowing to nothing. Perfectly still as the music dies out. Finished. Will the competitors please take your positions on the floor for your final dance, the Quickstep. I m about done. Don t think I breathed during that final side. Earlier she said she wants us to make the initial run in our Quickstep in front of the judges I ll line up our Diagonal Wall here and we ll stretch it out right in front of them. She ll like that. Wonder if I can breathe enough to move? Which Quickstep music is this going to be? Don t even remember the music we just danced the Foxtrot to. Usually don t the notes, the words, the music: there for a couple of minutes, filling our heads and our bodies, then gone. Maybe I ll remember what the music was later on after the comp is over. Hope so feels like it was a good one to dance to. Competitors, ready? Judges ready? May we please have the music for the Quickstep! Photo Credits Thank you to those who contributed photos for this month s newsletter: JV Mark C. Chapman, editor (619) Smooth Talk is a members service and resource: all NSD members are encouraged to submit ballroom-related items for inclusion in the newsletter. Any articles not credited are by the editor. Please send proposed articles, photos, and suggestions for newsletter changes to: mcchapman88@gmail.com. Judy & Vern Miranda June Birthdays Muriel Campbell 6/9 Nancy Schwartz 6/15 Ann Vutisaksatit 6/25 Cheryl-Anne Phillips 6/28 Raquel Wilson 6/30 June 2014 Page 6 of 9

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