It is the eve of the end of what I've come to think of as the month of the vote. Every day in May, our dance community--and frankly anyone who came into our range--were encouraged to vote for Hudson Valley Community Dance's Pepsi Grant Proposal to bring professional swing dance instruction to two Poughkeepsie High Schools.
Ed Berkel and the grant organizers worked very hard, collecting proxy votes and driving the message home. To vote was to make a difference in the community...and in the lives of neighborhood teens.
It's the eve of the end of the vote. By tomorrow it will all be over and we will have won the grant or we will have lost it. But either way, I want to take the time now to acknowledge those who worked so hard to organize the grant, to collect and enter proxy votes and to amass a large enough amount of support that for most of the 31 days we managed to stay in the top 10, most of those days hovering in the 5-6 range. That is no small feat.
In the last few days, everyone who has been involved knows that we've been teetering on the edge of 9 & 10.
If it is still May when you are reading this, and you did not vote today, please pause and do so now. Every vote still counts until midnight. If it is June already then visit the pepsi site to see the outcome of the vote. If you voted along with us, we thank you.
http://www.refresheverything.com/hvcdswingdance
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Swing Dance: Creating Community in the Schools
When Chester and I began teaching swing dance full time in 2004, it was mostly my idea. Burnt out from corporate life, I wanted to do something that brought us joy. Little did I realize how much joy it would bring to others.
Now our passion has grown to become the passion of so many others throughout the Hudson Valley. As word of mouth spreads our classes continue to swell with smiles.
Since 2006, we've been bringing those smiles to the faces of children as well as adults through our Teaching in the Schools program. Our 2010 program at the Violet Avenue Elementary School was profiled in the Poughkeepsie Journal on April 27, along with over 30 photographs of the kids in action posted on the Poughkeepsie Journal website Gallery of Photos.
We love being part of the transformation that happens when people of all ages learn to dance together.
And now, the Hudson Valley Community Dance has taken our mission of spreading the joy of swing dancing and made it part of a Pepsi grant proposal.
Join us in voting every day in the month of May to bring professional swing dance instruction to two high schools in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Truly every vote counts in this endeavor as only 10 proposals will win the May grant and winning is by popular vote. The top ten with the most votes win the grants.
The voting starts May 1 and ends May 31. That's 31 days to make a difference.
Vote for Swing Every Day in the Month of May. Visit the Hudson Valley Community Dance website for more information.
Now our passion has grown to become the passion of so many others throughout the Hudson Valley. As word of mouth spreads our classes continue to swell with smiles.
Since 2006, we've been bringing those smiles to the faces of children as well as adults through our Teaching in the Schools program. Our 2010 program at the Violet Avenue Elementary School was profiled in the Poughkeepsie Journal on April 27, along with over 30 photographs of the kids in action posted on the Poughkeepsie Journal website Gallery of Photos.
We love being part of the transformation that happens when people of all ages learn to dance together.
And now, the Hudson Valley Community Dance has taken our mission of spreading the joy of swing dancing and made it part of a Pepsi grant proposal.
Join us in voting every day in the month of May to bring professional swing dance instruction to two high schools in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Truly every vote counts in this endeavor as only 10 proposals will win the May grant and winning is by popular vote. The top ten with the most votes win the grants.
The voting starts May 1 and ends May 31. That's 31 days to make a difference.
Vote for Swing Every Day in the Month of May. Visit the Hudson Valley Community Dance website for more information.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
To Register or Not To Register: That is the Question
How many times in your life have you intended to do something and it just never happened? I'm one of those people who wants to do everything--I have a dreaded fear of missing out! When I was in college I could never be the first one to leave any party, even if the "party" was just hanging out in the hallway, because I was always sure the minute I left something incredible would happen.
And so it goes with dance. Workshops, classes, dances, there's so much happening near and far and I wish I could do it all!! But we can't. These days the decision making is a lot easier since it invariably boils down to one question: are we available? And since Chester and I are normally booked months in advance, available time is usually at a premium.
Every time I find out about an event, class or workshop I really want to attend, I mark the dates in my calendar and hope that nothing bumps it out of the way. Since we make our living teaching dance, the most common bumper for us is a paying gig. You would think we could schedule our classes around things we want to do, but it isn't that easy when we teach consecutive weeks. It took us years to find the available time to go to the Balboa Rendezvous in California, even though it was on my most-want-to-do list forever. (This year it falls on our Second Saturday Swing Dance date -- April 10!).
So step number one is to find the date available on my calendar.
Step number 2 is to register.
If I have the room on my calendar and I know I want to do something, I register for it. This makes the commitment real for me so that I know anything else that comes up will have to work around that commitment.
It also helps the organizer.
Registrations are crucial to helping to make a successful event. They tell you who to expect so that you can create a class or workshop suited to those people. For us, when we know who are taking our classes, we can take into consideration their skill level when developing the curriculum and draw students from other classes if we have a leader/follower imbalance.
And sometimes it means the difference between a class being held or cancelled. When outside agencies sponsor us to teach, they need to know that they will get sufficient enrollment through their registration process. The Ballroom series we teach at SUNY Ulster is always packed, but one year they wanted to cancel because they only had six students the week before the first class. I convinced them to hold the class open and sure enough six more registered the day of the first class.
When I was involved with Landmark Education we used to say that there was no such thing as trying. You either commit to something or you don't. And once you commit to something, the world will open up to assist you.
So when you see a class, event, or workshop you want to take--register for it. You'll be amazed how that commitment will enhance the experience.
Classes begin week of April 5
SUNY Ulster Ballroom Series begins April 9
Technique clinic Intermediate Concepts April 10
Balboa April 11 and 25
Laura Jeffers & the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers Workshop Weekend April 17 & 18
And so it goes with dance. Workshops, classes, dances, there's so much happening near and far and I wish I could do it all!! But we can't. These days the decision making is a lot easier since it invariably boils down to one question: are we available? And since Chester and I are normally booked months in advance, available time is usually at a premium.
Every time I find out about an event, class or workshop I really want to attend, I mark the dates in my calendar and hope that nothing bumps it out of the way. Since we make our living teaching dance, the most common bumper for us is a paying gig. You would think we could schedule our classes around things we want to do, but it isn't that easy when we teach consecutive weeks. It took us years to find the available time to go to the Balboa Rendezvous in California, even though it was on my most-want-to-do list forever. (This year it falls on our Second Saturday Swing Dance date -- April 10!).
So step number one is to find the date available on my calendar.
Step number 2 is to register.
If I have the room on my calendar and I know I want to do something, I register for it. This makes the commitment real for me so that I know anything else that comes up will have to work around that commitment.
It also helps the organizer.
Registrations are crucial to helping to make a successful event. They tell you who to expect so that you can create a class or workshop suited to those people. For us, when we know who are taking our classes, we can take into consideration their skill level when developing the curriculum and draw students from other classes if we have a leader/follower imbalance.
And sometimes it means the difference between a class being held or cancelled. When outside agencies sponsor us to teach, they need to know that they will get sufficient enrollment through their registration process. The Ballroom series we teach at SUNY Ulster is always packed, but one year they wanted to cancel because they only had six students the week before the first class. I convinced them to hold the class open and sure enough six more registered the day of the first class.
When I was involved with Landmark Education we used to say that there was no such thing as trying. You either commit to something or you don't. And once you commit to something, the world will open up to assist you.
So when you see a class, event, or workshop you want to take--register for it. You'll be amazed how that commitment will enhance the experience.
Classes begin week of April 5
SUNY Ulster Ballroom Series begins April 9
Technique clinic Intermediate Concepts April 10
Balboa April 11 and 25
Laura Jeffers & the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers Workshop Weekend April 17 & 18
Saturday, February 27, 2010
How I Raised $6000 for Haiti in Two Weeks (10 Lessons you can apply to your dancing)
Oh no! It's already almost March and I haven't blogged since the end of last year. But I do have a darn good excuse...
Chester and I spent the last part of 2009 visiting his family in Louisiana. On the drive down we were waylaid by a major snowstorm in Virginia and spent two days holed up at a Days Inn. And we were so lucky! Many others caught on the highway only had their car roof over their heads.
We returned early in the new year to the rush of new classes and dances and then on January 12, 2010 the earthquake hit Haiti. On February 5, I held a major Swing Dance Fundraiser and raised over $6000.
In this blog I outline how I created such a successful event in such a short amount of time, and the 10 lessons from it that we can use as dancers.
Lesson #1. Commit to It.
On January 20th I received an email from a swing dancer in California, Rusty Frank sharing her idea to create HOP FOR HAITI a multi-city effort by swing dancers to raise money for Haiti.
I loved the idea. Why not do what I do best...and do it for Haiti? I looked at my calendar and found I had one free Friday coming up in two weeks and immediately committed to organizing a major swing dance fundraiser here in the Hudson Valley with all proceeds going to Doctors without Borders.
As I've written about so often in my Zen of Dance, once you fully commit to something, the world opens its doors to you. Have you truly committed to your dancing? Increasing your skills, going beyond your self-imposed limitations?
Lesson #2. Envision it.
First I called the church where we usually have our 2nd Saturday night dances, a beautiful church hall with a terrific 2000 square foot wood floor. It was a shoe-in that they would donate the space--after all they were a church, and of course they said yes. But as I got off the phone I didn't feel joyous. I wanted this event to be out-of-the-ordinary and so I asked myself where in all the Hudson Valley I would want to hold this event if I could hold it anywhere....
I closed my eyes and envisioned having an extraordinary location and band and within two hours I had secured them both: the beautiful LOCUST GROVE Samuel Morse Historic Site in Poughkeepsie and the wonderful SAINTS OF SWING band to play.
When was the last time you closed your eyes and envisioned yourself dancing in the best possible way? Have you ever? How about now?
Lesson #3. Get Help.
Then I remembered I should mention my intention to Chester. After all, I was also committing him by implication. Luckily he also thought it was a wonderful idea. I was on a roll.
Now I had a venue, a band and we'd be teaching the lesson. But I envisioned more. I wanted a silent auction, a bake sale, a 50/50 raffle, performances.
I called a local dancer who had run a Dance For Peace fundraiser in the summer and asked for advice (thank you, Sherrill). Her major suggestion was that I get help. I formed a small committee (you can move faster with a small committee) of silent auction coordinators (thank you, Lauranne and Beth) and a bake sale coordinator (thank you, Susan) and sent out an announcement and asked for volunteers. In the next two weeks we had nearly 60 goods and services donated for the silent auction (thank you Hudson Valley businesses).
The dance world is full of help to make your dancing better. Classes, workshops, dance camps, social dances and lots and lots of other dancers. All out there. Waiting for you. Check out our full schedule on http://www.got2lindy.com/
Lesson #4. Let People Know.
You can't create in a vacuum. Rusty Frank kept me updated on what she was doing and supplied art work. I wrote a press release and called the reporters I knew. We got covered in the Poughkeepsie Journal and Southern Dutchess News. Chester and I talked it up on our radio show The Swing Shift on WHVW 950AM (1st and 3rd Mondays 10-11am). I sent announcements out to all 1000 people on my email list. Our students posted flyers and told others.
Have you let other people in your life know that you dance...or do you keep it hidden? Let everyone know. You might even find a new dance partner that way!
Lesson #5. Get out of your Comfort Zone.
A night of entertainment has got to include great performances! Chester and our long-time student, Dorrie, would perform JEEP JOCKEY JUMP, which had won Dorrie second place in the pro-am divsion of the American Lindy Hop Championships. Thank you, Chester and Dorrie.
We wanted to have the BIG APPLE LINDY HOPPERS perform but enough of them weren't available on such short notice. (They'll be here on April 17 & 18 though!!)
I had received a few queries from local west coast swing dancers asking if there would be WCS music played at this event. At first I was surprised that they would put the music before the cause, but then I realized I would wonder the same thing if the dance shoe was on the other foot--so to speak. If a WCS Dance was putting on a benefit I might donate, but did I want to dance?
This, I realized, was a time to bridge the divide. A cross-over dancer (who dances both east and west coast) volunteered to DJ the break (thank you, Jun), and two noted WCS dancers/instructors, Lee and Denis agreed to perform. Thank you, Denis and Lee!
Then I really reached out. Dawn Hampton is probably the most famous performer in the lindy hop world. She is an icon. She also happens to adore Chester. She once said there were only three people she loved to dance with--and he is one of them. So it wasn't a stretch for me to ask her if she would come and perform, even if the Hudson Valley is a good two hours from where she lives. And come she did. This 81-year-old firecracker popped everyones eyes out with her Bonghra performance. Thank you, Dawn!
What are you resisting doing? Taking a performance class? Trying Balboa? Breaking out of 6-count into 8-count lindy? Learning the Shim Sham or other line dances like the Jitterbug Stroll? Asking a certain person to dance? Taking a class at the next level? What are you sure you can't do?
Lesson #6. Learn from Mistakes. And Turn them into Something Even Better.
I had worked hard on the press releases and made sure that the newspapers received them on time to print them, so I was surprised when the week of the event came to see that my own local newspapers hadn't picked up the story. So I contacted the paper directly to see why. Turns out the release hadn't made it out of the calendar reporter's folder. So I took the next step. Since it was too late to promote the event in the paper (it was the day of the event) I asked if he would send a reporter to cover it instead. As a result we had a full-page extremely well-written and researched article with photos about the event in the Southern Ulster Times. Thank you, Carl and Mark.
Some of the best social dance moves were created because someone made a mistake and it became a new cool move. Don't be afraid to try out the moves you learn in class or see on the dance floor. Take risks and play. As Chester always says, "If you don't fall down and you don't hurt your partner, you meant to do that."
Lesson #7. Lead AND Follow. Just Not at the Same Time.
Once I had help I still needed to take the lead. After all, it was my vision. However, I wisely knew when I had to follow as well. I turned to others who had more experience than me in putting together and running silent auctions and bake sales and followed their lead. This created a perfect partnership of skills and experience to make the event go smoothly.
When you dance are you allowing your leader to lead or your follower to follow? Leaders must develop the decision-making skills to plan and clearly guide your follower through moves. Followers must have the confidence to not anticipate, help or take control. And both must have the frame and connection necessary to execute the moves. Mark your calendar for our next Intermediate Concepts Technique Clinic before our dance on April 10 and for our Frame & Connection Technique Clinic before our dance on June 12.
Lesson #8. Set a Goal. And Make it Outrageous.
One of my committee members asked me what my financial goal was. I told her I wanted to surpass what Rusty had accomplished in California, which at the time was $6000. She looked at me and smiled and said, "Great. Now what's a realistic goal? How about $3000?"
I nodded. Now I had a realistic goal and an outrageous one and I set out to manifest the outrageous one.
And we did. We raised $6020.84. All of it for Doctors without Borders for their work in Haiti.
What is your unrealistic dancing goal? And when will you achieve it by?
Lesson #9. Follow up.
You can't just show up and be done with it. You need to follow up. We worked as hard after the event was over as we did prior to the event. We had to tally up and let everyone know the results and send tax statements to all our donors.
Do you just show up for class and hope to be able to dance better or do you follow up and practice at home or at social dances? In the Hudson Valley you can lindy socially at least once a week, sometimes more without leaving town! From our second Saturday Swing Dance Socials to Hudson Valley Community Dance 1st Sunday and 4th Friday dances to the weekly dance at Po'Town Swing. And if you venture to NYC, Albany, Westchester or Connecticut, you can dance even more!
Lesson #10. Thank the People Who Made a Difference.
I could not have done this event without the help of all the people I have mentioned in this blog and all the additional volunteers who brought in silent auction items and services, hawked raffle tickets (thank you, Lois and Karen), sat at the front desk (thank you, Deb), came early or stayed late to carry tables and chairs (thanks Steve, Patrick, Ron), missed out on dancing to help during the evening (thanks Stacie, Amie and Mindy). And so many more who pitched in and pulled out their wallets. Your generosity is really how I raised over $6000 for Haiti. We did it together.
Who has made a difference in your dancing? Have you thanked them?
Chester and I spent the last part of 2009 visiting his family in Louisiana. On the drive down we were waylaid by a major snowstorm in Virginia and spent two days holed up at a Days Inn. And we were so lucky! Many others caught on the highway only had their car roof over their heads.
We returned early in the new year to the rush of new classes and dances and then on January 12, 2010 the earthquake hit Haiti. On February 5, I held a major Swing Dance Fundraiser and raised over $6000.
In this blog I outline how I created such a successful event in such a short amount of time, and the 10 lessons from it that we can use as dancers.
Lesson #1. Commit to It.
On January 20th I received an email from a swing dancer in California, Rusty Frank sharing her idea to create HOP FOR HAITI a multi-city effort by swing dancers to raise money for Haiti.
I loved the idea. Why not do what I do best...and do it for Haiti? I looked at my calendar and found I had one free Friday coming up in two weeks and immediately committed to organizing a major swing dance fundraiser here in the Hudson Valley with all proceeds going to Doctors without Borders.
As I've written about so often in my Zen of Dance, once you fully commit to something, the world opens its doors to you. Have you truly committed to your dancing? Increasing your skills, going beyond your self-imposed limitations?
Lesson #2. Envision it.
First I called the church where we usually have our 2nd Saturday night dances, a beautiful church hall with a terrific 2000 square foot wood floor. It was a shoe-in that they would donate the space--after all they were a church, and of course they said yes. But as I got off the phone I didn't feel joyous. I wanted this event to be out-of-the-ordinary and so I asked myself where in all the Hudson Valley I would want to hold this event if I could hold it anywhere....
I closed my eyes and envisioned having an extraordinary location and band and within two hours I had secured them both: the beautiful LOCUST GROVE Samuel Morse Historic Site in Poughkeepsie and the wonderful SAINTS OF SWING band to play.
When was the last time you closed your eyes and envisioned yourself dancing in the best possible way? Have you ever? How about now?
Lesson #3. Get Help.
Then I remembered I should mention my intention to Chester. After all, I was also committing him by implication. Luckily he also thought it was a wonderful idea. I was on a roll.
Now I had a venue, a band and we'd be teaching the lesson. But I envisioned more. I wanted a silent auction, a bake sale, a 50/50 raffle, performances.
I called a local dancer who had run a Dance For Peace fundraiser in the summer and asked for advice (thank you, Sherrill). Her major suggestion was that I get help. I formed a small committee (you can move faster with a small committee) of silent auction coordinators (thank you, Lauranne and Beth) and a bake sale coordinator (thank you, Susan) and sent out an announcement and asked for volunteers. In the next two weeks we had nearly 60 goods and services donated for the silent auction (thank you Hudson Valley businesses).
The dance world is full of help to make your dancing better. Classes, workshops, dance camps, social dances and lots and lots of other dancers. All out there. Waiting for you. Check out our full schedule on http://www.got2lindy.com/
Lesson #4. Let People Know.
You can't create in a vacuum. Rusty Frank kept me updated on what she was doing and supplied art work. I wrote a press release and called the reporters I knew. We got covered in the Poughkeepsie Journal and Southern Dutchess News. Chester and I talked it up on our radio show The Swing Shift on WHVW 950AM (1st and 3rd Mondays 10-11am). I sent announcements out to all 1000 people on my email list. Our students posted flyers and told others.
Have you let other people in your life know that you dance...or do you keep it hidden? Let everyone know. You might even find a new dance partner that way!
Lesson #5. Get out of your Comfort Zone.
A night of entertainment has got to include great performances! Chester and our long-time student, Dorrie, would perform JEEP JOCKEY JUMP, which had won Dorrie second place in the pro-am divsion of the American Lindy Hop Championships. Thank you, Chester and Dorrie.
We wanted to have the BIG APPLE LINDY HOPPERS perform but enough of them weren't available on such short notice. (They'll be here on April 17 & 18 though!!)
I had received a few queries from local west coast swing dancers asking if there would be WCS music played at this event. At first I was surprised that they would put the music before the cause, but then I realized I would wonder the same thing if the dance shoe was on the other foot--so to speak. If a WCS Dance was putting on a benefit I might donate, but did I want to dance?
This, I realized, was a time to bridge the divide. A cross-over dancer (who dances both east and west coast) volunteered to DJ the break (thank you, Jun), and two noted WCS dancers/instructors, Lee and Denis agreed to perform. Thank you, Denis and Lee!
Then I really reached out. Dawn Hampton is probably the most famous performer in the lindy hop world. She is an icon. She also happens to adore Chester. She once said there were only three people she loved to dance with--and he is one of them. So it wasn't a stretch for me to ask her if she would come and perform, even if the Hudson Valley is a good two hours from where she lives. And come she did. This 81-year-old firecracker popped everyones eyes out with her Bonghra performance. Thank you, Dawn!
What are you resisting doing? Taking a performance class? Trying Balboa? Breaking out of 6-count into 8-count lindy? Learning the Shim Sham or other line dances like the Jitterbug Stroll? Asking a certain person to dance? Taking a class at the next level? What are you sure you can't do?
Lesson #6. Learn from Mistakes. And Turn them into Something Even Better.
I had worked hard on the press releases and made sure that the newspapers received them on time to print them, so I was surprised when the week of the event came to see that my own local newspapers hadn't picked up the story. So I contacted the paper directly to see why. Turns out the release hadn't made it out of the calendar reporter's folder. So I took the next step. Since it was too late to promote the event in the paper (it was the day of the event) I asked if he would send a reporter to cover it instead. As a result we had a full-page extremely well-written and researched article with photos about the event in the Southern Ulster Times. Thank you, Carl and Mark.
Some of the best social dance moves were created because someone made a mistake and it became a new cool move. Don't be afraid to try out the moves you learn in class or see on the dance floor. Take risks and play. As Chester always says, "If you don't fall down and you don't hurt your partner, you meant to do that."
Lesson #7. Lead AND Follow. Just Not at the Same Time.
Once I had help I still needed to take the lead. After all, it was my vision. However, I wisely knew when I had to follow as well. I turned to others who had more experience than me in putting together and running silent auctions and bake sales and followed their lead. This created a perfect partnership of skills and experience to make the event go smoothly.
When you dance are you allowing your leader to lead or your follower to follow? Leaders must develop the decision-making skills to plan and clearly guide your follower through moves. Followers must have the confidence to not anticipate, help or take control. And both must have the frame and connection necessary to execute the moves. Mark your calendar for our next Intermediate Concepts Technique Clinic before our dance on April 10 and for our Frame & Connection Technique Clinic before our dance on June 12.
Lesson #8. Set a Goal. And Make it Outrageous.
One of my committee members asked me what my financial goal was. I told her I wanted to surpass what Rusty had accomplished in California, which at the time was $6000. She looked at me and smiled and said, "Great. Now what's a realistic goal? How about $3000?"
I nodded. Now I had a realistic goal and an outrageous one and I set out to manifest the outrageous one.
And we did. We raised $6020.84. All of it for Doctors without Borders for their work in Haiti.
What is your unrealistic dancing goal? And when will you achieve it by?
Lesson #9. Follow up.
You can't just show up and be done with it. You need to follow up. We worked as hard after the event was over as we did prior to the event. We had to tally up and let everyone know the results and send tax statements to all our donors.
Do you just show up for class and hope to be able to dance better or do you follow up and practice at home or at social dances? In the Hudson Valley you can lindy socially at least once a week, sometimes more without leaving town! From our second Saturday Swing Dance Socials to Hudson Valley Community Dance 1st Sunday and 4th Friday dances to the weekly dance at Po'Town Swing. And if you venture to NYC, Albany, Westchester or Connecticut, you can dance even more!
Lesson #10. Thank the People Who Made a Difference.
I could not have done this event without the help of all the people I have mentioned in this blog and all the additional volunteers who brought in silent auction items and services, hawked raffle tickets (thank you, Lois and Karen), sat at the front desk (thank you, Deb), came early or stayed late to carry tables and chairs (thanks Steve, Patrick, Ron), missed out on dancing to help during the evening (thanks Stacie, Amie and Mindy). And so many more who pitched in and pulled out their wallets. Your generosity is really how I raised over $6000 for Haiti. We did it together.
Who has made a difference in your dancing? Have you thanked them?
Thursday, December 24, 2009
New Year Goals
As the year draws to a close and the new year begins I always get a sense of excitment, a feeling of a new, clean slate upon which to create my year--a sense that I can do anything, start over, begin anew.
Last post I talked about the importance of looking back over the past year and creating goals for the new year. This post I want to share our goals with you.
Long-time readers will recall that a few years ago my personal goal was to perform. The problem was that I was terrified. Why? I am a perfectionist and I was afraid I would screw up.
But I wanted to conquer that fear and now after a good many years of performing with Chester's Cool Cats and Kittens, I have. I still make mistakes and forget pieces of choreography--we all do. But the important thing is that we have a blast. Focus on the fun and the fear resides. Plus I've found that challenge of learning new choreography helps me in all sorts of ways.
So what do I envision for 2010 in terms of dancing? I want our growing community to explode with even more fun and laughter and joy in dancing. We are making important changes to help facilitate that.
Here's what we're doing:
1. Expand the community of celebration.
Everyone has those friends with whom they would love to share the joy of dance. Now we're making it easy. Celebrate your birthday at our dance for free. And bring up to five of your friends who have never been to our dance to celebrate with you--also for free.
2. Expand learning opportunities.
We now have classes in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Stone Ridge and Highland every night of the week! This allows maximum flexibility for all those who want to take classes but couldn't fit it into their schedule.
3. Offer free practice sessions.
We have a possible Kingston location for free practice sessions, now all we need is a team of volunteers to help run it. Contact us if you are interested and let's get this baby on the road.
4. Generate more excitement.
A successful dance is made up of great people and great music. We continue that pledge for our dances in 2010.
5. Offer the best.
We continually strive for the most satisfied students. 91% of our students reported they were highly satisfied last year. That's a statistic to be proud of.
What are your goals for dancing in 2010? And how can we help you achieve them?
Visit www.got2lindy.com for our January schedule.
Last post I talked about the importance of looking back over the past year and creating goals for the new year. This post I want to share our goals with you.
Long-time readers will recall that a few years ago my personal goal was to perform. The problem was that I was terrified. Why? I am a perfectionist and I was afraid I would screw up.
But I wanted to conquer that fear and now after a good many years of performing with Chester's Cool Cats and Kittens, I have. I still make mistakes and forget pieces of choreography--we all do. But the important thing is that we have a blast. Focus on the fun and the fear resides. Plus I've found that challenge of learning new choreography helps me in all sorts of ways.
So what do I envision for 2010 in terms of dancing? I want our growing community to explode with even more fun and laughter and joy in dancing. We are making important changes to help facilitate that.
Here's what we're doing:
1. Expand the community of celebration.
Everyone has those friends with whom they would love to share the joy of dance. Now we're making it easy. Celebrate your birthday at our dance for free. And bring up to five of your friends who have never been to our dance to celebrate with you--also for free.
2. Expand learning opportunities.
We now have classes in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Stone Ridge and Highland every night of the week! This allows maximum flexibility for all those who want to take classes but couldn't fit it into their schedule.
3. Offer free practice sessions.
We have a possible Kingston location for free practice sessions, now all we need is a team of volunteers to help run it. Contact us if you are interested and let's get this baby on the road.
4. Generate more excitement.
A successful dance is made up of great people and great music. We continue that pledge for our dances in 2010.
5. Offer the best.
We continually strive for the most satisfied students. 91% of our students reported they were highly satisfied last year. That's a statistic to be proud of.
What are your goals for dancing in 2010? And how can we help you achieve them?
Visit www.got2lindy.com for our January schedule.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Goal Setting for the New Year: The Dance of Life
One of my long-time readers and dance students requested that I write my annual goal-setting issue this month. Over the years he has shared his goals and accomplishments with me. Since this blog allows comments, I invite each of you make a posted commitment to your goals this year.
Goals for the new year? Notice I didn't say resolutions. Resolutions are not goals. Goals are specific and measurable. Here's 10 steps to develop goals that you can and will want to live up to.
1. Work backwards first.
Take the time to reflect over the past year. Did you set goals? If so, what results did you achieve? As I look over my goals for 2009 I realize that I did very little toward accomplishing them. Does this mean I failed? No, it just means that 2009 sent some whoppers my way that I did not envision. So I need to acknowledge that 2009 was an off year, be thankful for the things that I did accomplish or start to put in motion, and recommit to the things I want to have happen in 2010.
2. Acknowledge the surprises good and bad.
2009 was not a healthy year for our families. We lost Chester's dad and my mom has been in a scary spiral since she broke her hip in August. Although I didn't achieve all my goals, I did take steps toward achieving them and that should be acknowledged. Half my house is painted. My yard is no longer choked by weeds and bushes. We had fantastic classes and workshops and were blessed by so many students and teaching opportunities. And we had some great surprises: Chester and Dorrie competed nationally and placed. We got to go to San Diego for the Balboa Rendezvous (which had been on my list for years). We taught an optional class at Swing Out New Hampshire. I reconnected with almost my entire elementary school class on Facebook. I fell in love with having a dog.
3. Acknowledge the gaps.
We don't want to live in the gap between what we have and what we want in our lives, but by acknowledging the gaps we create a tension that springs us toward what we want.
4. Believe that you can create the future in advance.
What do you want? You have the power to create the future of your dreams. But first you have to dream it and believe it before you can live it. Take a moment to envision the future you want, now make it real and write it down.
5. Create a goal list.
Base your list on your vision of the future and your gaps between what you have now and what you want. Be as specific as possible. (i.e. Lose 5lbs vs. lose weight).
6. Choose goals you have control over.
You can't have a goal that is dependent on another person. For example, my goal for the last two years has been to have my house painted and it is getting painted. I wish very hard that the painting will be completed in 2010 but unless I am willing to pick up a brush myself, I can't make the completion of the project my goal (but it certainly can be my painter's goal--hint, hint).
7. Categorize your goals.
What goals fit under what categories of your life? For example, if you are a reader of this newsletter than you likely have a category called DANCE.
8. Write your action plan and outcomes.
It's not enough to just say you want to be a better dancer. You need to write down how you plan to become a better dancer (i.e. take more classes, practice more, etc), and write down how you know when you have achieved that goal (i.e. I danced with so and so and we had a great dance or I performed with Chester's Cool Cats and Kittens -- a great goal by the way).
9. Revisit your list throughout the year.
I admit, I forgot to revisit my list. Even though it was posted on my desk. So I never made time to focus on the things I wanted to achieve. No surprise I didn't achieve most of them. You need to take the time to focus and recommit weekly.
10. Live by my favorite couplet by Goethe
(which one of our students thoughtfully put on a sweatshirt for Chester's BD!)
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
PUT MORE DANCING ON YOUR GOAL LIST: January classes begin week of January 4. Second Saturday Swing Dance January 9.
Goals for the new year? Notice I didn't say resolutions. Resolutions are not goals. Goals are specific and measurable. Here's 10 steps to develop goals that you can and will want to live up to.
1. Work backwards first.
Take the time to reflect over the past year. Did you set goals? If so, what results did you achieve? As I look over my goals for 2009 I realize that I did very little toward accomplishing them. Does this mean I failed? No, it just means that 2009 sent some whoppers my way that I did not envision. So I need to acknowledge that 2009 was an off year, be thankful for the things that I did accomplish or start to put in motion, and recommit to the things I want to have happen in 2010.
2. Acknowledge the surprises good and bad.
2009 was not a healthy year for our families. We lost Chester's dad and my mom has been in a scary spiral since she broke her hip in August. Although I didn't achieve all my goals, I did take steps toward achieving them and that should be acknowledged. Half my house is painted. My yard is no longer choked by weeds and bushes. We had fantastic classes and workshops and were blessed by so many students and teaching opportunities. And we had some great surprises: Chester and Dorrie competed nationally and placed. We got to go to San Diego for the Balboa Rendezvous (which had been on my list for years). We taught an optional class at Swing Out New Hampshire. I reconnected with almost my entire elementary school class on Facebook. I fell in love with having a dog.
3. Acknowledge the gaps.
We don't want to live in the gap between what we have and what we want in our lives, but by acknowledging the gaps we create a tension that springs us toward what we want.
4. Believe that you can create the future in advance.
What do you want? You have the power to create the future of your dreams. But first you have to dream it and believe it before you can live it. Take a moment to envision the future you want, now make it real and write it down.
5. Create a goal list.
Base your list on your vision of the future and your gaps between what you have now and what you want. Be as specific as possible. (i.e. Lose 5lbs vs. lose weight).
6. Choose goals you have control over.
You can't have a goal that is dependent on another person. For example, my goal for the last two years has been to have my house painted and it is getting painted. I wish very hard that the painting will be completed in 2010 but unless I am willing to pick up a brush myself, I can't make the completion of the project my goal (but it certainly can be my painter's goal--hint, hint).
7. Categorize your goals.
What goals fit under what categories of your life? For example, if you are a reader of this newsletter than you likely have a category called DANCE.
8. Write your action plan and outcomes.
It's not enough to just say you want to be a better dancer. You need to write down how you plan to become a better dancer (i.e. take more classes, practice more, etc), and write down how you know when you have achieved that goal (i.e. I danced with so and so and we had a great dance or I performed with Chester's Cool Cats and Kittens -- a great goal by the way).
9. Revisit your list throughout the year.
I admit, I forgot to revisit my list. Even though it was posted on my desk. So I never made time to focus on the things I wanted to achieve. No surprise I didn't achieve most of them. You need to take the time to focus and recommit weekly.
10. Live by my favorite couplet by Goethe
(which one of our students thoughtfully put on a sweatshirt for Chester's BD!)
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
PUT MORE DANCING ON YOUR GOAL LIST: January classes begin week of January 4. Second Saturday Swing Dance January 9.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Practice Good Habits--More Than Just Dancing
"Cover your mouth when you sneeze!"
We've been told this for as long as we can remember. So we automatically put our hand over our mouth when we sneeze. Problem is the germs are now on our hands, which we use to open doors, pull out chairs--and in dancing--offer to our partner.
So how do we continue to safely enjoy dancing in this coming flu season--especially with the spread of Swine Flu?
1. Sneeze into your arm, not your hand. This will contain the germs on a less-spreadable part of your body.
2. Sanitize your hands. Immediately after sneezing excuse yourself and wash your hands or use hand santizer. Do the same before and after class and periodically throughout the night at a dance. We have a big bottle of hand sanitizer available at all classes and dances.
3. If you don't feel well stay home, even if it's a class or dance you really want to take. There's no way around the fact that dancing is a contact sport. Another dance will come. If you're taking classes with Got2Lindy Dance Studios, we allow students to begin up to the second week and you have the opportunity to make up missed classes in our other locations (Stone Ridge, Kingston, Highland) at any time during the four-week series. And even if you can't make up the missed class, we always review to make sure you have the material.
4. Don't rotate. If you come to dance class with a partner and you suspect you might be coming down with something or just getting over something, stay with your partner for that night.
5. Read the article below, share it and follow it! It was emailed to me by one of our students.
PREVENT SWINE FLU--GOOD ADVICE based on an article by Dr. Vinay Goyal
The only portals of entry for the virus are the nostrils, mouth and throat. In a global epidemic, it is almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 so in order to prevent proliferation practice the following good habits:
1. Frequent hand-washing.
2. Hands off the face approach. Once you become aware of how often you touch your face, you'll be amazed. Resist all temptations to touch any part of your face until you've cleaned your hands.
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine. H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate so gargling is a great preventive.
4. Clean your nostrils at least once a day with warm salt water. If you are not familiar with the yogic method of doing this using a Neti pot, you can simply blow your nose hard once a day and swab your nostrils with cotton balls dipped in warm salt water.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C or take a supplement that also contains Zinc to boost absorbtion.
6. Drink warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc). This has the same effect as gargling except the viruses are rinsed from the throat to the stomach where they cannot survive.
By following this good advice, and making the extra effort to protect yourself, you'll be protecting all your fellow dancers.
By the way, if you haven't already heard, Chester and Dorrie won 2nd Place at the American Lindy Hop Championships Pro/Am Division. Read about it in the Poughkeepsie Journal article.
UPCOMING DANCE EVENTS
Saturday, Nov 7 Alzheimer's Benefit Dance with Swingin' Jive Patrol
Monday, Nov 9 New Kingston Series begins (FINAL FOR 2009)
Wednesday, Nov 11 (my birthday!) New Highland Series begins (FINAL FOR 2009)
Saturday, Nov 14 Swing Out Intensive Technique Clinic 5:30-7pm
Saturday, Nov 14 Second Saturday Swing Dance Port Ewen 7-10:30pm
with New Paltz Food Pantry Drive (bring a can of food to donate)
Sunday, Nov 15 & 29 Balboa Sunday, Poughkeepsie 3-5pm
Saturday, Nov 21 Fill-in-the-Memory-Blanks Workshop 2-4pm for 2009 Got2 Lindy Students
Tuesday, Nov 24 New Stone Ridge Series begins (FINAL FOR 2009)
Friday, Dec 4 Capital Swing Dance, Albany with Cool Cats & Kittens & Dorrie & Chester performances
Saturday, Dec 5 & Sunday, Dec 6 Big Apple Lindy Hoppers Weekend Worshop, Dance, Performance Extravaganza
Saturday, Dec 12 Second Saturday Swings Port Ewen Holiday Swing Dance & Performance
Saturday, Dec 12 Technique Clinic 5:30-7pm (FINAL FOR 2009)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 2010
Classes begin week of January 4
First dance of the year January 9
We've been told this for as long as we can remember. So we automatically put our hand over our mouth when we sneeze. Problem is the germs are now on our hands, which we use to open doors, pull out chairs--and in dancing--offer to our partner.
So how do we continue to safely enjoy dancing in this coming flu season--especially with the spread of Swine Flu?
1. Sneeze into your arm, not your hand. This will contain the germs on a less-spreadable part of your body.
2. Sanitize your hands. Immediately after sneezing excuse yourself and wash your hands or use hand santizer. Do the same before and after class and periodically throughout the night at a dance. We have a big bottle of hand sanitizer available at all classes and dances.
3. If you don't feel well stay home, even if it's a class or dance you really want to take. There's no way around the fact that dancing is a contact sport. Another dance will come. If you're taking classes with Got2Lindy Dance Studios, we allow students to begin up to the second week and you have the opportunity to make up missed classes in our other locations (Stone Ridge, Kingston, Highland) at any time during the four-week series. And even if you can't make up the missed class, we always review to make sure you have the material.
4. Don't rotate. If you come to dance class with a partner and you suspect you might be coming down with something or just getting over something, stay with your partner for that night.
5. Read the article below, share it and follow it! It was emailed to me by one of our students.
PREVENT SWINE FLU--GOOD ADVICE based on an article by Dr. Vinay Goyal
The only portals of entry for the virus are the nostrils, mouth and throat. In a global epidemic, it is almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 so in order to prevent proliferation practice the following good habits:
1. Frequent hand-washing.
2. Hands off the face approach. Once you become aware of how often you touch your face, you'll be amazed. Resist all temptations to touch any part of your face until you've cleaned your hands.
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine. H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate so gargling is a great preventive.
4. Clean your nostrils at least once a day with warm salt water. If you are not familiar with the yogic method of doing this using a Neti pot, you can simply blow your nose hard once a day and swab your nostrils with cotton balls dipped in warm salt water.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C or take a supplement that also contains Zinc to boost absorbtion.
6. Drink warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc). This has the same effect as gargling except the viruses are rinsed from the throat to the stomach where they cannot survive.
By following this good advice, and making the extra effort to protect yourself, you'll be protecting all your fellow dancers.
By the way, if you haven't already heard, Chester and Dorrie won 2nd Place at the American Lindy Hop Championships Pro/Am Division. Read about it in the Poughkeepsie Journal article.
UPCOMING DANCE EVENTS
Saturday, Nov 7 Alzheimer's Benefit Dance with Swingin' Jive Patrol
Monday, Nov 9 New Kingston Series begins (FINAL FOR 2009)
Wednesday, Nov 11 (my birthday!) New Highland Series begins (FINAL FOR 2009)
Saturday, Nov 14 Swing Out Intensive Technique Clinic 5:30-7pm
Saturday, Nov 14 Second Saturday Swing Dance Port Ewen 7-10:30pm
with New Paltz Food Pantry Drive (bring a can of food to donate)
Sunday, Nov 15 & 29 Balboa Sunday, Poughkeepsie 3-5pm
Saturday, Nov 21 Fill-in-the-Memory-Blanks Workshop 2-4pm for 2009 Got2 Lindy Students
Tuesday, Nov 24 New Stone Ridge Series begins (FINAL FOR 2009)
Friday, Dec 4 Capital Swing Dance, Albany with Cool Cats & Kittens & Dorrie & Chester performances
Saturday, Dec 5 & Sunday, Dec 6 Big Apple Lindy Hoppers Weekend Worshop, Dance, Performance Extravaganza
Saturday, Dec 12 Second Saturday Swings Port Ewen Holiday Swing Dance & Performance
Saturday, Dec 12 Technique Clinic 5:30-7pm (FINAL FOR 2009)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 2010
Classes begin week of January 4
First dance of the year January 9
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