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Smoothstyle Logo - West Coast Swing
Updates
June 2011
WCS Summer Workshops!

We've got two, 2-week Summer WCS Workshops lined up to keep you current during the lazy months of July & August.

Please spread the word and pre-register with Dance With Alana studios:

WORKSHOP 1: WCS Styling & Variations
Thursdays, July 7 & 14, 9:00-10:00pm
Pre-requisite: WCS Level 1 and/or Level 2
Description: Both leaders and followers will learn styling options & some variations to use in patterns they already know.

WORKSHOP 2: Fast-Track into West Coast Swing
Thursdays, August 11 & 18, 9:00-10:00pm
Pre-requisite: Minimum 6 months training and practice in partner dancing (Ballroom, Salsa or Lindy Hop).
Description: Experienced partner dancers will be fast-tracked into West Coast Swing based on their existing partner dance experience.

Note that Groovy Westie Sunday workshops are taking a break in July & August, so don't miss the June 12th edition! And, mark your calendars to resume GWS on September 4!

Ottawa Tables at Toronto Open Swing/Hustle Championships
July 22-24, Toronto
"TOSH" provides a wonderful opportunity to experience a WCS dance event with world-class pros, competitions, performances and workshops - all close to home and with no passport required!

This event is also a great opportunity to try a Pro-Am competition with Maria or David (WCS) or Andre (Hustle). Contact us about Pro-Ams >>

To be seated at one of the Ottawa tables, please:

  1. Register & pay for the event
  2. Email Maria with your name(s) - she'll add you to the lists! We're already on Table #2.
Event website >>
Double-Down Weekends Continue!
West Coast Swing Dance Ottawa

Please mark your calendars and tell your friends about Double- Down weekends!

In July & August, the Saturday night dances will continue, while the Sunday workshops will be on Summer hiatus until September 4.

  • Dates: June 11 (with the Ottawa WCS Flash Mob), July 9, August 13, September 3
  • Saturday Dance: $7.00; 8:00pm-midnight; after-party at a nearby pub. Download the dance PDF flyer >>
  • Sunday Workshops: $15 each includes practice; $25 for two; $35 for the whole afternoon. See this web page for a workshop schedule and details >>
  • Location: Dance With Alana Studios, 858 Bank Street (Bank @ 5th, with Glebe Fitness. On-street parking throughout the neighbourhood. Paid parking at the nearby Beer Store.)
  • Cover: $7.00/person
Construction alert: the section of Bank Street near Dance With Alana studio is currently closed to construction. We recommend that you access Bank Street from Bronson - take 5th Avenue towards Bank Street and park on a side street.
Welcome, Lionel!
Ottawa is fortunate to be welcoming a wonderful WCS leader, Lionel Marks. Hailing from Toronto, Lionel will be starting a job here with Stats Can in June and we hope to see him on our dance floors often! Many of you already know Lionel. Please give him a warm dance welcome!
WCS Flash Mob
The WCS Flash Mob is a worldwide viral social movement that has arrived in a city near you! You can dance in a WCS Flash mob at the base of the CN tower in Toronto (July 1st)!

A WCS Flash Mob is being planned for Ottawa but logistical snags are holding thing up - stay tuned to this newsletter, to Facebook and to www.smoothstyle.ca for updates!

Flash Mob web page >>
July 1/Toronto Flash Mob Facebook page >>
Pro-Am Opportunities!
A number of our students have expressed interest in Pro-Am competitions and/or routines. Depending on the event, Pro-Am competitions take one of two forms: social or choreographed (routine).

These events, which we attend every year, offer Pro-Am divisions:
How to Participate
Students who take weekly, bi-weekly or monthly private lessons with us can compete in social Pro-Ams with us at no extra professional fee. You will need to cover the costs of the entry fee and your travel to the event. If you live outside of Ottawa, please contact us to make alternate arrangements.

If you would like to work on a Pro-Am routine (choreography) - either to perform locally or to compete with at an event - you must be taking weekly or bi-weekly private lessons with us, and must be dancing at a sufficient level to present a routine. Additional costs include: costumes (for yourself and your pro), entry fees, your travel to the event, or the pro's fee to perform.

Please talk to us if you are interested!
Billeting Guests
Out-of-town guests who attend Double-Down weekends sometimes need a free place to stay overnight. If you have a spare bed, futon or floor to offer up on the Saturday evening of any Double-Down weekend, please let Maria know. Thanks to those of you who already host guests for Double-Down weekends!
Summer Break

We're now booking private lessons into the Summer months. Please take note of our Summer break in July/August. 
Check our schedule here >>

Favourite Songs

We keep a list of our current favorite songs for dancing WCS, Hustle and Blues on our website. Check it out - we update it often.
Like Smoothstyle Updates - June 2011 on Facebook
New Videos
We've posted new videos!

Maria's demo with John Lindo at Swingin' Into Spring GO>>

David & Maria's demo in Toronto in April GO>>

The first WCS Flash Mob choregraphy lesson in Ottawa GO>>

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for the latest.
Recommended Reading
Smoothstyle's online articles GO>>

"Ultimate Partnering" by Richard Powers GO>>

Michael Keihm's Dance Tip of the Week (must be a Facebook member to access these) GO>>

"Dancing Makes You Smarter" by Richard Powers GO>>

Applause
David and Maria took top placements in the Advanced Strictly Swing competitions at Seattle Easter Swing (4th) and Swingin' Into Spring (1st).

David has been cleaning house in Advanced Jack & Jill competitions: 2nd at Seattle Easter Swing and 1st, 2nd and 5th at Swingin' Into Spring.

Andre placed 5th in the Striclty Swing competition with Daniela Bajtos at Swingin' Into Spring.
--------------------
We are also proud to celebrate the achievements of some of the fine dancers who honour us with the chance to provide them with coaching:

Ken Lemoire (Ottawa) - danced his first WCS competition at Swingin' Into Spring and made First Alternate leader

Lionel Marks (Toronto) - 4th place Newcomer Jack & Jill at Swingin' Into Spring, moving up to Novice

Nicolas Besnier (Montreal) - 2nd place Novice Jack & Jill at Swingin' Into Spring, moving up to Intermediate

Michelle Blakie (Toronto) - 5th place Novice Jack & Jill at Swingin' Into Spring

Daniela Bajtos, Julie O'Brien & Carmelie Laflamme (Ottawa) - all made semi-finals in the large Novice division at Swingin' Into Spring

Marine Fabre (Montreal) - 1st place Novice Jack & Jill at Canadian Swing Championships and 2nd place Novice Strictly Swing also at CSC.

J-P Marchand (Ottawa), Arthur Yuen & Joanna Swanson (Toronto) all made their Jack & Jills finals at CSC.

Donnie Neron & Daria Mikloukhina have debuted their new WCS routine - a lovely piece that will represent Ottawa very well in the coming year!

Nicolas Besnier & Marine Fabre  debuted a WCS routine choreographed by David & Maria - they'll be representing  Montreal in the coming year!
TRAVEL WITH US:
Competition Weekends
Our 2011 teaching & travel calendar is online. We'll attending these upcoming events:

June 24-26 - Liberty Swing, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Canadians, redeem an International discount by using the code "inter2010" when you register!  GO>
Talk to us about Pro-Am competitions at Liberty.

July 22-24 - Toronto Open Swing & Hustle Championships (TOSH)
Toronto, ON GO>
Talk to us about Pro-Am competitions at TOSH.

August 25-28 - Summer Hummer,
Framingham, MA GO>

September 23-25 - Swing Niagara, Buffalo, NY GO >
A favorite event for Ottawa dancers! Ask us about Pro-Am competitions at Swing Niagara.
Out-of-Town Workshops
July 16-17
David & Maria WCS Workshops in Ancaster
WCS workshops and private lessons with David & Maria at Elaine's dance in Ancaster, ON (near Hamilton). Includes performances by David & Maria, Donnie & Daria! This event is shaping up to be very well attended - if you can make the drive, the social dancing alone will be worth it! Details >>

CONNECTIONS
Your Community
Join the WCS Ottawa email group and/or the WCS Ottawa Facebook group to keep pace with the city's community!

Click for the WCS_Ottawa Facebook Group

Click to join the WCS_Ottawa Yahoo email list

Westie Ontario - a resource site on Facebook just for WCS dancers in Ontario. Check it out!

Contact Smoothstyle
T: (613) 291-4376
E: andremaria@smoothstyle.ca
W: www.smoothstyle.ca


Smoothstyle provides instruction, performances and choreography in West Coast Swing, New York Hustle, Partnered Blues and Swing dancing. We are located in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.
Smoothstyle provides instruction, performances and choreography in West Coast Swing, New York Hustle, Partnered Blues and Swing dancing. We are located in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.
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