University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club President ...sheerdance.com/issues/2014-06-01.pdf ·...

University of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club

President Taylor Wall is honored as the U of M’s

female athlete of the year! Photo by Theresa Kimler.

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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

June 11 • Wednesday Practice Party - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.

Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415

Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5

June 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

June 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

Intro to Tango & Dance Party - Four Seasons; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.; $5

Variety Dance - Mill City Ballroom; 2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 p.m. lesson; 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. dance; $10

June 14 • Saturday Club Swing - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd

Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 p.m. west coast swing les-son; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. WCS, ECS, nightclub 2-step, waltz dance; $10, $5 dance only

Café Bailar - Balance Pointe Studio; 5808 W 36th St, Mpls; 7:30 p.m. samba les-son; 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. variety dance; $10, $8 members

June 15 • Sunday TC Rebels WCS Dance - Social Dance Studio;

3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 - 10:30 p.m.; $11, $7 members

June 16 • Monday WCS Social - Social Dance Studio; 3742 23rd

Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 - 11:00 p.m.; $5Rhythm Junction - Four Seasons Dance

Studio; 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. swing dancing; $5



Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415 Pascal St N, St. Paul; 9:00 - 9:50 p.m.; $5




June 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



June 21 • Saturday TC Rebels Anniversary Dance - Social Dance

Studio; 3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.; $17, $12 members





June 25 • Wednesday WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415





June 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








June 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


Clair Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.WCS Dance Party - Dancers Studio; 415





June 6 • Friday Club Salsero Salsa Sensation - Social Dance

Studio; 3742 23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:00 p.m. lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. salsa, cumbia, bachata, cha cha, merengue dance; $10, $5 dance only

Practice Party - StudioJeff; 701 St. Germain St W Suite 201, St. Cloud; 7:00 p.m. tango lesson; 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. variety dance; $10, $5 students

Club Salsa - Blue Moon Ballroom; 2030 Highway 14 E, Rochester; 7:30 p.m. les-son; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. variety dance; $10, $8 students - dressy casual


Variety Dance - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paul; 7:00 p.m. tango & samba lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. dance; $10

Variety Dance - Mill City Ballroom; 2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paul; 8:00 p.m. waltz & rumba lesson; 9:00 - 10:00 p.m. dance; $10

June 7 • Saturday Swing Dance - Social Dance Studio; 3742

23rd Ave S, Mpls; 7:30 p.m. lesson; 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. swing dance to live music




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:[\KPVZAmerican Classic Ballroom 952.934.0900

550 Market Street, Chanhassenwww.acballroom.com

Balance Pointe Studios 952.922.86125808R W 36th Street, St. Louis Parkwww.balancepointestudios.com

Ballroom & Wedding Dance Studio 612.371.0300

2717 42nd Street E, Minneapoliswww.myballroomdancestudio.com

Blue Moon Ballroom 507.288.0556 2030 Highway 14 E, Rochesterwww.BlueMoonBallroom.com

Cinema Ballroom 651.699.5910 1560 St. Clair Ave, St. Paulwww.cinemaballroom.com

Costa Rica Ballroom Dance Studios 952.303.3339

816 Mainstreet, Hopkinswww.costaricaballroom.com

Dahl Dance Center 507.252.1848 4204 North Highway 52, Rochesterwww.dahldance.com

Dance and Entertainment 651.605.5784www.danceandentertainment.com

Dance with Us America 612.564.5483 10 Southdale Center, Edinawww.dancewithusamerica.com

Dancers Studio 651.641.0777 415 Pascal Street N, St. Paulwww.dancersstudio.com

Four Seasons Dance Studio 612.342.0902 1637 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapoliswww.fourseasonsdance.com

Mill City Ballroom 612.562.2733 2382 Hampden Ave, St. Paulwww.millcityballroom.com

North Star Dance Studio 612.799.4147 Bloomingtonfacebook.com/northstar.dancestudio

Rendezvous Dance Studio 612.872.1562 711 W Lake Street, Suite B, Minneapoliswww.theplacetodance.com

Social Dance Studio 612.353.44453742 23rd Ave S, Minneapoliswww.socialdancestudio.com

6WXGLR-Hσ� 320.266.4137 701 St. Germain Street W, Suite 201,

St. Cloudwww.studiojeff.com

0UZ[Y\J[VYZScott Anderson 612.816.4446

[email protected]

Harry Benson 763.843.2285Rachel Damiani 612.718.6823

[email protected]

Nathan Daniels 763.545.8690

Jennelle Donnay 651.357.2060Julie Delene 612.598.5355

[email protected] Edelstein 612.910.2690

[email protected]

Jennifer & Robert Foster 952.922.8316Shane Haggerty 612.705.3588

[email protected]

Lindsey Rebecca Hall 612.940.9546Julie Jacobson 651.261.6442Jay Larson 651.387.3886Kristina Lee 715.821.9039Deanne Michael 612.508.9255Monica Mohn 612.874.0747

[email protected]

Laia Olivier 612.388.4370Mariusz Olszewski 612.242.5159

[email protected] Rice 612.242.2188Lisa Vogel 651.208.0818

[email protected]

*S\IZAqua Gliders Dance Club 612.869.3062Café Bailar

www.cafebailar.comCotillion Dance Club of Stillwater 651.388.1231

[email protected] Dance Club 651.439.3152

facebook.com/LaDanzaDanceClubLakeside Dance Club 320.763.6432

[email protected]

Linden Hills Dancing Club 952.412.7230www.lindenhillsdancingclub.org

MN West Coast Swing Dance Club 651.487.6821

mnwestcoastswingdanceclub.comREBELS Swing Dance Club 952.941.0906

www.tcrebels.comStardust Dance Club

[email protected] Dance Club 952.894.1412

www.suburbanwinterset.comTango Society of Minnesota 612.224.2905

www.mntango.orgTapestry Folkdance Center 612.722.2914

www.tapestryfolkdance.orgUniversity of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club

[email protected]/umnbdc

Uptown Swing [email protected]

;̂ PU�*P[PLZ�+HUJL�*VU[HJ[ZSalsa Fusion - Cinema Ballroom; 1560 St.

Clair Ave, St. Paul; 7:00 p.m. advanced salsa & bachata lesson; 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. dance; $10


June 28 • Saturday Tango Fusion - Social Dance Studio; 3742

23rd Ave S, Mpls; 9:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Argentine tango milonga; $10, $5 students

Café Bailar - Costa Rica Ballroom; 816 Mainstreet, Hopkins; 7:30 p.m. WCS lesson; 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. variety dance; $10, $8 members






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 E

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(K]LY[PZLYZDance Fest, Dance with Us America, Dancers Studio, Jennifer & Robert

Foster, Grand Jete, Gumbo DanceSport Championships, Harvest Moon Ball, Minnesota Ballroom Blast

7OV[VNYHWOLYZK. Diarra Photo, Theresa Kimler, Savanna Moen, Libby Ryan, Joel Torgeson

=VS\U[LLYZExecutive Editor: Mary Beth BeckmanEvents Editor: Lee WintervoldDesign & Layout: Nicholas WestlakeProof Editor: Libby Ryan

>YP[LYZMary Beth Beckman, Cathy Dessert, Elizabeth Dickinson, Dr. Chris Hanson,

Daniel O’Connell, Rosemary O’Connell, Libby Ryan, Joel Torgeson

)YV\NO[�[V�@V\�)`

Dance with us America’s new instructor Vasilii Platonov gives Talia Rudahl some

tango pointers at DWUA’s monthly dance.

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B.L[�+HUJPUNDTwin Cities Dance Events 2

Twin Cities Dance Contacts 3

2014 Competitions 5

B7HY[PJPWH[LDAbout Us 6

Volunteer Openings 6

Contribute 7

B9LJ\YYPUN�*VS\TUZDVolunteer Report 8

Expert Advice 9

Gaining Perspective 11

Life Through Dance 12

Results from

Around the Country 13

B-YVT�[OL�*VTT\UP[`DWrapping Your Mind Around Dance 20

U of M Ballroom Dance Club President Named

Female Athlete of the Year 22

The 11th Annual Iowa DanceSport Classic 23

Steampunk! 24

Remembering Brian Puttock 28

The First Few Steps 29

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:LJ[PVUZ ��*VTWL[P[PVUZ

+PZJ\ZZPVUThis 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 prob-

lems we often face. Statements

made in the Discussion section do

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-YVT�[OL�*VTT\UP[`Unlike the other sections,

there is no cohesive theme to

From the Community; it is a

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that are submitted by people

like you. Here you’ll find con-

tributions like event recaps,

interviews, tales from a far-off

competition, and photos from a

local dance event.

9LJ\YYPUN�*VS\TUZWe have a handful of generous

writers who contribute regularly.

Each explores a unique, overar-

ching theme of their choice. Each

month, in a volunteer report,

one of our volunteers fills you

in on what they’ve been doing

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:WLJPHS�-LH[\YLZSome issues focus on a particu-

lar event or theme, and all content

relevant to that theme belongs to

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Events labeled NQE are qualifying events for the USA

Dance National DanceSport Championships.

NJ DanceSport Classic – Summer Sizzler – NQE June 7 – 8Hackensack, NJ; www.njdancesportclassic.com

Gumbo DanceSport Championships – NQE June 27 – 29Baton Rouge, LA; www.gumboofballroom.org

Derby City DanceSport Championships – NQE August 1 – 3Louisville, KY; www.derbycitydancesport.org

New England DanceSport Championships – NQE September 20Waltham, MA; www.nedancesport.org

Carolina Fall Classic – NQE October 3 – 5Charlotte, NC; www.carolinafallclassic.com

Northwest DanceSport Championships – NQE October 11-12Portland, OR; www.nwballroomcompetition.org

Chicago DanceSport Challenge - NQE October 31 - November 2Chicago, IL; www.usadancechicago.org

California State DanceSport Championships - NQE November 15San Jose, CA; www.usadance-norcal.org

National Collegiate DanceSport Championships November 22 - 23Columbus, OH; www.usadance.org

�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B7(9;0*07(;,D

(IV\[�<Z

Sheer Dance is an independent

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=VS\U[LLY�6WLUPUNZ

(JX\PZP[PVUZ�,KP[VYThis volunteer reaches out to mem-

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�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D

APRIL AND MAY WERE EXCITING

months for Sheer Dance. Our distribu-

tion is steadily rising, and a wonderful

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=VS\U[LLY�9LWVY[:OLLY�+HUJL�0Z�.VPUN�7SHJLZBY MARY BETH BECKMAN

Mary Beth Beckman is a long-term volunteer committed to serving the dance community and is the

Executive Editor of Sheer Dance. To solicit her editing services, ask questions about Sheer Dance, or

submit content, email her at [email protected].

:/,,9+(5*,�*64� ��5>��1 B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D ��

Hello, fellow dancers! Thank you so much

for the questions you’re sending in! I really

feel that we can answer and tackle some of the

important issues surrounding ballroom dance

today. This question is a good one.

OKAY! THIS IS A TWO-PART QUESTION

that requires just one answer. Let me

explain ….

When American dance competitions

came into existence, they were mainly

held at supper clubs and resorts. With

the introduction of swing in the late

1930s, the only franchise dance studio

of the time jumped on the realization

that they could take any “club” dance

and make it a social dance. This meant

breaking it down to the bare bones and

simplifying the movements.

By the time Fred Astaire Dance

Studios came into existence in the late

‘40s, dancing was taking a new turn

toward a dance called mambo. This

new Cuban-based beat was developed

in the nightclubs in New York City, and

the dance that went along with it was

banned from being shown on any TV. It

was amazing to see the hip movement

based on being low to the ground and

dancing on a flexed knee. When the

dancers wanted something slower, cha

cha was born.

The franchise studios saw the poten-

tial of these dances and quickly added

them to their syllabus but with a huge

difference: gone was the hip action and

the flexed knee. (You can see a demon-

stration of Arthur Murray himself

dancing a basic on a PBS documentary

Latin Music USA.)

Later, when ballroom dance com-

petitions were becoming popular and

more organized among the franchise

and independent studios, the rhythm

dances no longer looked like they did in

the clubs; bigger arms, smoother move-

ment, and clean dancing was all the

rage. The Cuban motion and flexed knee

action slowly came back once dancers

realized the importance of the true

musicality of the Latin beat, but it came

at a cost. American-style dancers were

already feeling the impact of the inter-

national style, specifically straighter

leg action. I often heard judges refer to

American style as being “dirty,” which

meant they could not see a leg line or

proper body movement.

Today, I feel we have come full circle.

By going back to stronger movement

and body isolation, we no longer look

dirty, but we do look more authentic.

Big questions still remain in dances like

mambo and bolero, which I can address

in the next article.

To continue into the second part

of the question, there will always be a

conflict of styles as long as there are two

styles. The best thing we can do is learn

from each other without desecrating

the original soul of the dance.

“It takes an athlete to dance but an art-

ist to be a dancer."

— Shanna Leflour E

Expert Advice is a Q&A column where an

anonymous panel of current and former

dance champions answers your questions

about ballroom dancing. Email questions to

[email protected].

,_WLY[�(K]PJLBY THE EXPERT

“Of all of the styles, the ballroom dance community seems to have the least consensus when it comes to rhythm as to what the style is supposed to represent. What are the historical underpinnings for that lack of consensus?”

:/,,9+(5*,�*64� ��5>��1 ��B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D�

.HPUPUN�7LYZWLJ[P]L;OL�-\[\YL�VM�)HSSYVVT�+HUJLBY JOEL TORGESON

Joel Torgeson is a member of the University

of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club who

enjoys dancing both socially and competi-

tively. If you have feedback for Joel or would

like to pitch an article idea, email him at

[email protected].

WHENEVER I GO BACK TO MY home-

town and visit with people, the first

words out of their mouths when they

learn I’m a ballroom dancer are inevi-

tably, “So when am I going to see you

on Dancing with the Stars?”

Internally, I roll my eyes a little bit,

mostly because I get asked this ques-

tion every time. But also, I don’t really

want to end up on Dancing with the Stars.

It’s not that I’m particularly against

their dancing (though a frame—or

even connected dancing every now

and then—would be nice); it’s that I’d

rather be competing in the finals of the

Ohio Star Ball than performing next

to a celebrity. Will my dream be real-

ized? Not likely, but it’s a nice thought

to work towards.

It is hard to ignore the huge impact

that Dancing with the Stars has had on

the ballroom scene, however. I’ve

talked with multiple people—profes-

sional, amateur, or otherwise—who

comment on the increase in ballroom

dance interest, especially in men, that

Dancing with the Stars has brought in.

This leads me to question what

will happen when the show goes

off the air. It has been running for

eighteen seasons now, and all shows

must eventually end. What will this

mean for ballroom dancing and, more

generally, partner dancing? Let us

examine the scene.

Ballroom dancing, as much as I love

it, could conceivably be a dying art.

Why do I say this? Think in terms of

how many people are introduced to it

each year. The music and the dances

themselves are no longer the mainstay

of social interaction for the current

generation, and largely have not been

for at least forty years. Dancers of

today are more likely to be found

dancing in small circles or groups,

pumping their fists and stepping from

side to side. I have nothing against

this form of dance, necessarily, (more

people dancing is always good!) but I

must admit it has had little appeal to

me since joining ballroom.

A quick survey of group classes

and social dances reveals the pre-

dicted dynamic: the majority of social

ballroom dancers, it would seem, are

above or around the age of fifty. Don’t

get me wrong; I am not suggesting that

older dancers are less valuable in any

way. It is worth pointing out, however,

that this is not an indefinitely sustain-

able demographic group. This could be

an effect of increased financial stability

and free time leading to an exploration

of this interest, but I think it is more

likely that these people simply grew up

with ballroom dancing and ballroom

music, so for them it is more natural to

choose this kind of dance.

What is to be done about this? I’m

not sure, and I am certainly not qual-

ified to do much more than ask the

question. To say that no young people

are interested in ballroom dancing

would be an utter farce, as anybody

who has been to Dance Fest, Star of

the North, or any of the collegiate (or

predominantly collegiate) comps could

tell you. Young people are dancing;

there is no doubt about that. It will

be interesting to see, however, how

partner dancing in general will change

in the coming years. Dancing is always

changing, and nobody can predict

where its evolution will bring it.

Ballroom’s future seems tenuously

optimistic, in my eyes. From my expe-

rience working in the University of

Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club and

speaking with many other people my

age, there remains interest in ballroom

dancing. I hope that, in the coming

years, we as a ballroom community will

be able to capture the minds and hearts

of these young people (like mine has

been) and put it to good dancing use.

To end with an almost irritatingly

accurate cliché: only time will tell. E

�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D

3PML�;OYV\NO�+HUJL<ZPUN�[OL�9PNO[�;VVSZBY ELIZABETH DICKINSON

Elizabeth Dickinson is a life/execu-

tive coach and amateur ballroom

dancer. If you enjoy her writing and

would like to receive her weekly

emailed coaching newsletter, visit

www.pursueyourpath.com and sign up.

between focusing on my leg to execute

the movement and focusing on my hip to

execute the movement was stunning.

There’s a popular saying: “If all you’ve

got is a hammer, everything looks like a

nail.”

For many decisions we make or actions

we undertake, we only have partial infor-

mation or a limited set of tools to handle

new challenges. Sometimes it’s unavoid-

able. So we use what we know, whether

it’s a hammer or a leg. It’s impossible

to know everything or to be completely

prepared for everything life throws

at us. (My teacher says he remembers

writing things early in his career he was

completely convinced about that he now

knows to be either wrong or incomplete.

It happens everywhere.)

There are many forms of grace at work

in our world. There’s the grace that so

many things in life work out when so

many of us simply don’t have the infor-

mation or tools to ensure optimal success.

And there’s the grace of sometimes hav-

ing the right teacher to provide the right

tool at the right time. And when you get

the right tool and things suddenly get eas-

ier in life or dance, it is a little like flying.

To grace and effortless flight. E

THERE’S A NEW MOVE IN MY VIENNESE

waltz where I segue from an assisted ara-

besque into a pique position. It’s a quick

pas-de-deux move I’ve seen done but

never have performed myself.

When done well, it’s incredibly

graceful. There’s something avian about

the feel. The lilt and quick sliding twist

from the extended body position into an

upright position is like a bird folding its

wings to glide on a branch. Of course,

when it’s done awkwardly it’s like a cow

attempting a high-wire act—and there’s a

reason they don’t fly cows in the circus.

Turns out, I’ve been trying to do the

twisting motion using my extended leg.

My teacher said I needed to use my hip

to initiate the movement. Then the leg

quickly resolves itself and there’s almost

no impetus needed to turn. The difference

:/,,9+(5*,�*64� ��5>��1 ��B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D�

9LZ\S[Z�MYVT (YV\UK�[OL�*V\U[Y`>PZJVUZPU�:[H[L�+HUJLZWVY[�*OHTWPVUZOPWZ

Below 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.

(P`LZOH�+L`�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU3rd (of 12) L-B Open Rhythm Scholarship (CRSBM)

1st (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Smooth Waltz

1st (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Smooth Tango

1st (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Smooth Foxtrot

2nd (of 5) L-A Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)

+\Z[PU�+VULSHU�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`3rd (of 6) Professional Rising Star Rhythm (CRSBM)

6th (of 8) Professional Open Rhythm Championship (CRSBM)

6th (of 12) Professional Rising Star Smooth (WTFV)

10th (of 17) Professional Open Smooth Championship (WTFV)

3LU�-LYYPUN[VU�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY3rd (of 4) G-C1 Closed Bronze Rhythm

3-Dance Championship (CRS)

11th (of 14) L-C Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

2nd (of 5) G-C1 Closed Bronze Smooth

3-Dance Championship (WTF)

10th (of 16) G-C Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

1st (of 1) G-C1 Closed Bronze Standard

3-Dance Championship (WTQ)

4HKLS`U�/HYYPL\_�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Cha Cha

1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Samba

1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Rumba

1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Paso Doble

1st (of 1) L-JS Pre-Silver International Jive

,TPS`�1HUKYPJO�^P[O�1VUH[OHU�*OLU3rd (of 3) L-A1 Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Championship (CRS)

3rd (of 9) L-A Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

1st (of 2) L-A1 Intermediate Bronze Smooth Foxtrot

2nd (of 3) L-A1 Closed Bronze Smooth


6th (of 10) L-A Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

+VU�2V]HYPR�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`1st (of 1) G-C2 Closed Silver Rhythm


13th (of 15) L-C Silver Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

2nd (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Waltz

(TLYPJHU�*SHZZPJ�)HSSYVVT

)HYIHYH�7LHZL�^P[O�7H\S�)V[LZ2nd (of 6) L-C1 Closed Silver Rhythm


6th (of 15) L-C1 Silver Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

5th (of 11) L-C1 Closed Silver Smooth


2nd (of 5) L-C1 Closed Bronze Standard


5th (of 9) L-C Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

*PULTH�)HSSYVVT

,PSLLU�(YJPSSH�^P[O�.VSKLU�7HYRLY2nd (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Rhythm Cha Cha

2nd (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Rhythm Rumba

2nd (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Rhythm East Coast Swing

2nd (of 2) L-B1 Open Full Gold Rhythm Bolero

4th (of 12) L-B Open Rhythm Scholarship (CRSBM)

4HNNPL�(YaKVYM�:JO\IIL�^P[O�+\Z[PU�+VULSHU4th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

4th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Rumba

1st (of 5) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Bolero

3rd (of 6) L-C1 Closed Bronze Rhythm



(UUHILS�)H]H\K�^P[O�:OHUL�4L\^PZZLU3rd (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm


8th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (C/RSW)

3rd (of 8) L-B2 Closed Silver Smooth


5th (of 13) L-B Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

3rd (of 6) G-B Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

1VUH[OHU�*OLU�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY5th (of 8) Professional Open Rhythm Championship (CRSBM)

BALLROOM DANCING CRITIQUED ALL DAY.SOCIAL DANCING, GAMES, AND MUSIC ALL EVENING.

BEGINNERS WELCOME (AND PREFERRED)

25 OCTOBER 2014

MORE INFORMATION AT MNBALLROOMBLAST.COM

Dance your heart out.

Get critiqued by pros.

Have a blast.

DANCERS

North Star Ballroom

Saint Paul Student Center

2017 Buford Ave

Saint Paul MN 55108

WHERE

SPECTATORSSee some great dancing.

Enjoy the games.

Rock out.

Admission is $5 per session.

Day Session: 9 AM to 5 PM

YP[PX\LK�KHUJPUN*�Evening Session: 6 PM to 10 PM

HUJL�WLYMVYTHUJLZ+� �VJPHS�KHUJPUN:��NHTLZ

WHEN

MINNESOTABALLROOMBLAST

:/,,9+(5*,�*64� ��5>��1 ��B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D

4th (of 4) G-C2 Closed Silver Smooth 3-Dance Championship

8th (of 8) G-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

Mark Lange with Nadine Messenger

1st (of 2) G-B1 Closed Bronze Rhythm


6th (of 9) L-A Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

7th (of 10) L-A Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

1st (of 3) G-B1 Closed Bronze Smooth


1st (of 4) G-B1 Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz Final

2YPZ�3HYZVU�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU2nd (of 7) L-C Silver Latin 3-Dance Scholarship (CRJ)

3rd (of 7) L-C1 Full Silver Smooth Waltz

2nd (of 8) L-C1 Full Silver Smooth Tango

2nd (of 20) L-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

2nd (of 6) G-B Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

(KPUH�3LIV^P[a�^P[O�+\Z[PU�+VULSHU9th (of 17) L-B2 Intermedia Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

9th (of 17) L-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Rumba

9th (of 17) L-B2 Imtermediate Bronze Rhythm

East Coast Swing

9th (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm


11th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship

:WLUJLY�3V\MLR�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`1st (of 2) G-A1 Closed Bronze Rhythm


1st (of 9) L-A Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

1st (of 1) G-A1 Closed Bronze Smooth

3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

1st (of 2) G-A1 Full Bronze Smooth Waltz Final

1st (of 10) L-A Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

7H[�4VYPHYP[`�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY2nd (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Tango Final

3rd (of 4) G-C2 Closed Silver Smooth



7th (of 9) L-C Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

1st (of 1) G-C2 Closed Bronze Standard


9VZPL�4\ZRH�^P[O�+\Z[PU�+VULSHU2nd (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Cha Cha

2nd (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Samba

2nd (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Rumba

2nd (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Jive

5th (of 8) L-A Open Latin Scholarship (CRSPJ)

.YHJL�7L[LYZVU�^P[O�4HY[PU�7PJRLYPUN1st (of 3) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Waltz

1st (of 3) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Tango

1st (of 3) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Foxtrot

1st (of 4) L-A2 Closed Silver Smooth


1st (of 3) L-A Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

4HY[PU�7PJRLYPUN�HUK�(ZOSL`�4HYPL7th (of 12) Professional Rising Star Smooth (WTFV)

14th (of 17) Professional Open Smooth Championship (WTFV)

4HYR�8\LYUH�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`1st (of 3) G-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm


9th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance SCholarship (CRS)

2nd (of 3) G-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth


10th (of 14) G-B Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

4th (of 6) G-B Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

,SPaHIL[O�9VJJV�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU1st (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Smooth Waltz

1st (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Smooth Tango

1st (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Smooth Foxtrot

2nd (of 14) L-B Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)

3rd (of 8) L-B Open Latin Scholarship (CSRPJ)

+H]PK�:JOTPK[�^P[O�4PJOLSSL�/\KZVU1st (of 4) G-C1 Advanced Smooth Waltz

1st (of 4) G-C1 Advanced Smooth Tango

1st (of 4) G-C1 Advanced Smooth Foxtrot

4th (of 15) L-B World Smooth DanceSport Series (WTFV)

4th (of 20) L-C Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)

;VT�:JO\IIL�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY2nd (of 2) G-B2 Closed Silver Rhythm


6th (of 10) L-B Silver Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

1st (of 5) G-B2 Full Bronze Smooth Waltz

1st (of 3) G-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth


5th (of 14) G-B Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

:JV[[�:RPUULY�^P[O�4PJOLSSL�/\KZVU7th (of 14) L-B World Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)

5th (of 16) L-C World Smooth DanceSport Series (WTFV)

�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D

1st (of 4) G-C1 Open Silver Standard Waltz

6th (of 13) L-C1 Closed Silver Standard


7th (of 17) L-C Silver Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

;PɈHU`�:\SSP]HU�^P[O�+\Z[PU�+VULSHU2nd (of 2) L-A1 Open Full Gold Smooth Waltz

4th (of 5) L-A Open Smooth Scholarship (WTFV)

2nd (of 4) L-A World Smooth Dance Sport Series (WTFV)

2nd (of 2) L-A Open Rhythm Scholarship (CRSBM)

1st (of 2) L-A World Rhythm DanceSport Series (CRSBM)

;PɈHU`�:\SSP]HU�^P[O�1VUH[OHU�*OLU1st (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Cha Cha

1st (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Rumba

1st (of 2) L-A1 Advanced Latin Samba

4th (of 8) L-A Open Latin Scholarship (CRSPJ)

2nd (of 3) L-A World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPDJ)

*LJL�:^HUZVU�^P[O�,YPJ�/\KZVU1st (of 8) L-C1 Full Bronze Smooth Waltz Final

1st (of 8) L-C1 Full Bronze Smooth Tango Final

1st (of 8) L-C1 Full Bronze Smooth Foxtrot Final

2nd (of 16) G-C Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

1st (of 9) L-C Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

1HUL�;H`SVY�^P[O�1VUH[OHU�*OLU2nd (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

2nd (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Rumba

2nd (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm East Coast Swing

2nd (of 6) L-C1 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Mambo

3rd (of 7) L-C1 Full Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

1HUL�;H`SVY�^P[O�:OHUL�4L\^PZZLU7th (of 11) L-C1 Closed Silver Smooth


12th (of 20) L-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

2nd (of 3) L-C1 Pr-Silver Standard Tango Final

9th (of 13) L-C1 Closed Silver Standard



:HYH�>LKKPUN�^P[O�:OHUL�4L\^PZZLU2nd (of 2) L-A2 Advanced Latin Cha Cha

2nd (of 2) L-A2 Advanced Latin Samba

2nd (of 2) L-A2 Advanced Latin Rumba

6th (of 8) L-A Open Latin Scholarship (CSRPJ)

3rd (of 3) L-A World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPJ)

3HYY`�>P[[PN�^P[O�5HKPUL�4LZZLUNLY2nd (of 4) G-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

2nd (of 4) G-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Rumba

2nd (of 3) G-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Mambo

2nd (of 3) G-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm


9th (of 15) L-B Bronze Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

3HYY`�>P[[PN�^P[O�2PYZ[LU�4J*SVZRL`2nd (of 4) G-B1 Pre-Bronze Smooth Waltz Final

2nd (of 4) G-B1 Pre-Bronze Smooth Tango Final

2nd (of 3) G-B1 Closed Bronze Smooth


1st (of 1) G-B2 Newcomer Smooth Bronze Waltz Final

1st (of 1) G-B2 Newcomer Smooth Bronze Tango Final

(UKYLH�>`UU�^P[O�4HY[PU�7PJRLYPUN1st (of 1) L-A1 Full Silver Smooth Waltz

1st (of 1) L-A1 Full Silver Smooth Tango

1st (of 1) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Foxtrot

1st (of 1) L-A2 Full Silver Smooth Viennese Waltz

1st (of 2) L-A2 Closed Silver Smooth


@\WPUN�AOLUN�^P[O�1VUH[OHU�*OLU3rd (of 5) L-B2 Closed Silver Rhythm


5th (of 15) L-C Silver Rhythm 3-Dance Scholarship (CRS)

3rd (of 7) L-B2 Pre-Silver Smooth Viennese Waltz

6th (of 8) L-B2 Closed Silver Smooth


8th (of 20) L-C Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

+HOS�+HUJL�*LU[LY

+HYJ`�(KHTJa`R�^P[O�.HY`�+HOS3rd (of 4) L-A2 Closed Silver Smooth


2nd (of 6) L-B1 Closed Silver Smooth


4th (of 13) L-B Silver Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

3rd (of 3) L-B1 Closed Silver Standard


4th (of 5) L-B Silver Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

:OHYVU�.LU[SPUN�^P[O�.HY`�+HOS6th (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm


�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B9,*<9905.�*63<45:D

4th (of 6) L-C1 Closed Bronze Rhythm


6th (of 11) L-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth


5th (of 8) L-C1 Closed Bronze Smooth



<YZ\SH�4H`Y�^P[O�.HY`�+HOS3rd (of 5) G-B2 Closed Silver Standard


6th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Standard Waltz

6th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Standard Tango

6th (of 8) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Standard Quickstep


+HUJL�^P[O�<Z�(TLYPJH

.LUL�)LYZ[LU�HUK�,SLUH�)LYZ[LU2nd (of 7) Professional Rising Star Latin (CSRPJ)

6th (of 12) Professional Open Latin (CSRPJ)

(ZOSL`�*VVWLY�^P[O�.LUL�)LYZ[LU1st (of 1) L-A2 Open Silver Latin Cha Cha

1st (of 1) L-A2 Open Silver Latin Samba

1st (of 1) L-A2 Open Silver Latin Rumba

1st (of 1) L-A2 Open Silver Latin Paso Doble

1st (of 3) L-A World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPJ)

(UHZ[HZPH�,]NYHMV]H�^P[O�.LUL�)LYZ[LU2nd (of 3) L-JR Open Latin Championship (CSRPJ)

,TPSPH�2VRVZaRH�^P[O�.LUL�)LYZ[LU2nd (of 4) L-A1 Open Full Gold Latin Cha Cha

2nd (of 4) L-A1 Open Full Gold Latin Samba

2nd (of 4) L-A1 Open Full Gold Latin Rumba

2nd (of 4) L-A1 Open Full Gold Latin Jive

3rd (of 8) L-A Open Latin Scholarship (CSRPJ)

5VLS�5LZZ�^P[O�.LUL�)LYZ[LU1st (of 2) L-A1 Newcomer Bronze Latin Cha Cha

1st (of 1) L-A1 Closed Bronze Latin

3-Dance Championship (CRJ)

3rd (of 3) L-A Bronze Latin 3-Dance Scholarship (CRJ)

1st (of 1) L-A1 Closed Bronze Standard


1st (of 2) L-A Bronze Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTQ)

+HUJLYZ�:[\KPV

3PNH`H�*HYSVZ�^P[O�1LɈ�/HS]LYZVU3rd (of 17) L-B2 Intermediate Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

1st (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm



2nd (of 11) L-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth


3rd (of 14) L-B Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

0UKLWLUKLU[�0UZ[Y\J[VYZ

:\ZHU�/LY]L`�^P[O�4HYP\Za�6SZaL^ZRP3rd (of 4) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Latin Cha Cha

2nd (of 4) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Latin Rumba

3rd (of 4) L-C1 Intermediate Silver Latin Jive

2nd (of 3) L-C1 Closed Silver Latin 3-Dance Championship (CRJ)

3rd (of 7) L-C Silver Latin 3-Dance Scholarship (CRJ)

1LHUPL�3H-H]VY�^P[O�4HYP\Za�6SZaL^ZRP3rd (of 4) L-C1 Advanced Latin Samba

2nd (of 4) L-C1 Advanced Latin Rumba

3rd (of 4) L-C1 Advanced Latin Paso Doble

4th (of 6) L-C Open Latin Scholarship (CSRPJ)

3rd (of 4) L-C World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPJ)

3HYPZH�;OVTHZ�^P[O�4HYP\Za�6SZaL^ZRP2nd (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Latin Cha Cha

2nd (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Latin Samba

2nd (of 2) L-B1 Advanced Latin Rumba

5th (of 8) L-B Latin Scholarship (CRSPJ)

1st (of 3) L-B World Latin DanceSport Series (CSRPJ)

+H]PK�AHSLZRL�^P[O�2YPZ[PUH�3LL1st (of 1) G-B2 Full Silver Latin Cha Cha

1st (of 1) G-B2 Closed Silver Latin 3-Dance Championship (CRJ)

7th (of 7) L-C Silver Latin 3-Dance Scholarship (CRJ)

5th (of 5) G-B2 Closed Silver Standard


16th (of 17) L-C Silver Standard 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

4PSS�*P[`�)HSSYVVT

4HY[`�-HLO�^P[O�2H[L�)YH[[1st (of 5) G-C1 Full Bronze Rhythm East Coast Swing

1st (of 4) G-C1 Closed Bronze Rhythm



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Photo from A Night with the Stars at the University of Minnesota by Joel Torgeson

1st (of 5) G-C1 Closed Bronze Smooth


5th (of 16) G-C Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF)

3LL�-LYN\ZVU�^P[O�2H[L�)YH[[1st (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Waltz

1st (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Tango

1st (of 3) G-C2 Pre-Silver Smooth Foxtrot

2nd (of 4) G-C2 Closed Silver Smooth



1\SPIL[O�3H\YLU�^P[O�.VYKVU�)YH[[3rd (of 13) L-B2 Full Bronze Rhythm Cha Cha

5th (of 13) L-B2 Closed Bronze Rhythm



5th (of 11) L-B2 Closed Bronze Smooth

Dance Championship (WTF)

6th (of 14) L-B Bronze Smooth 3-Dance Scholarship (WTF) E

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:\IZJYPIL

�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D

Dr. Chris Hanson is a salsa dancer, public

speaker, and wellness chiropractor at NE

Community Chiropractic with a passion

for seeing others succeed in their health,

their dancing, and their lives. Contact him

with questions about health, chiropractic,

dance, or to join his health newsletter at

[email protected].

>YHWWPUN�@V\Y�4PUK�(YV\UK�+HUJLBY DR. CHRIS HANSON

WHAT DOES ONE’S MINDSET have to

do with learning dance?

When I first began dancing, many

remarked on how quickly I picked up

the steps. It certainly helped having a

background in music and movement—

no question. The other thing that helped

me learn quickly was the mindset and

attitude I brought with me to dance.

When I first decided to dance, I

made the conscious decision to refuse

to be embarrassed by my mistakes.

There is no way to learn social dancing

without having ten to twenty unco-

ordinated dances. You will be unsure

of yourself, you will lose the rhythm,

and you will experience all the other

fearful moments you are imagining.

Remember, this is temporary and every-

one else went through this, too.

Ask yourself this: what is more

embarrassing, having a great time on

the dance floor while learning or gazing

longingly at the dance floor wishing you

could get over your fear?

The other mindset I brought with me

was that I was already a dancer. There is a

temptation when first starting to think,

“I am still learning to dance.” Many are

stuck thinking, “Once I learn enough

about dance, I will be a dancer.” There is

a big problem here. Those great dancers

you see in the studio—Joy, Byron, and

Todd of Social Dance Studio, to name a

few—are still learning to dance. In fact,

one of the reasons they are so good is

that they never stopped learning. Once

you have foundation classes under

your belt, you know enough to get on

the dance floor. The trick is convincing

yourself that you are both still learning to

dance and already a dancer.

Finally, never take your body, your

steps, or your mistakes too seriously.

Always keep in mind that the music

and the dancing are made up by people

no smarter than you. So have some

fun out there. E

Photo by K. Diarra Photography

brought to you by theTwin Cities professionaldance community and:

returns!

Dancers Studio415 Pascal Street NSt. Paul MN 55104

7-8 March 2015(Saturday & Sunday)udancefest.com

Ballroom Dance Club

�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D

<�VM�4�)HSSYVVT�+HUJL�*S\I�7YLZPKLU[�5HTLK�-LTHSL�([OSL[L�VM�[OL�@LHYBY ROSEMARY O’CONNELL

TAYLOR WALL GREW UP DANCING. At the age of four, she started with

ballet, tap, jazz, and modern, and after

fourteen years training in individual

dance, she discovered partner danc-

ing. Taylor entered college looking

for a new way to exhibit her dancing,

and upon finding the University of

Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club her

freshman year, she immediately joined

the competition team in its first official

year. She was the only freshman female

asked to join that year—a testament to

her athleticism and dedication.

Taylor graduated this spring with

a Bachelor of Arts degree in political

science with a law and politics con-

centration and a minor in sociology.

Through her service in the University

of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club,

Taylor also leaves the university as

the University of Minnesota Sport

Clubs Program Female Athlete of the

Year and having earned the University

of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts

Student Board Artistic Excellence

Award. Such recognition places Taylor

in a position that exemplifies the

cross-categorization of ballroom dance

as both a sport and an art form.

During her time with the University

of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club,

Taylor served four years on the com-

petition team, two years as a primary

team instructor, one year as safety

and facility coordinator, and two

years as president. Over four years,

she managed the safety of more than

two hundred individual participants,

supervised special event spaces and

eleven hours of practice per week,

directed a board of eleven student

leaders, led instruction in basic ball-

room dance steps and technique for a

group of twenty to forty students, and

engaged incoming freshmen in physi-

cal, mental, and social development

activities. In addition to this service,

Taylor is active in the Twin Cities

ballroom dance community, assisting

with the competitive events Minnesota

Ballroom Blast, Star of the North, and

Dance Fest, as well as working with

local amateur ballroom dance organi-

zations to host community outreach

events. Her work helped the University

of Minnesota Ballroom Dance Club

earn a fourth-place ranking among all

collegiate ballroom dance programs

in the county, closely following teams

twice and three times their size.

In addition to success on the

collegiate competition circuit, in

which Taylor and her partner Michael

Kasinkas placed in at least the fiftieth

percentile nationally in every event

and reached semifinal and final rounds

in most events, Taylor has expanded on

collegiate competition and has elected

to spend extra personal resources to

compete in the amateur competition

circuit as well.

In November 2013, Taylor was

ranked the first-place amateur nov-

ice rhythm dancer and second-place

amateur novice smooth dancer in the

Midwest and placed well in the final

rounds of every event she competed in

at the Chicago DanceSport Challenge

national qualifying event.

By placing in every event she

entered at the USA Dance National

DanceSport Championships this

March, Taylor achieved success at a

national level, earning the national

amateur rankings of first place in gold

smooth, second place in gold rhythm,

and fourth place in novice rhythm.

Such impressive results clearly exhibit

Taylor’s dedication to her art and have

inspired other University of Minnesota

Ballroom Dance Club members to

strive to follow her lead.

We are proud that Taylor has chosen

to call the Twin Cities ballroom dance

community her home! E

:/,,9+(5*,�*64� ��5>��1 ��B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D�

;OL��[O�(UU\HS�0V^H�+HUJL:WVY[�*SHZZPJBY DANIEL O’CONNELL

I CAN REMEMBER A TIME NOT TOO

long ago when the only amateur-focused

competition of any size within a six-hour

radius of the Twin Cities was Star of the

North. However, in the last few years, sev-

eral amateur competitions have begun to

flourish in this region. One of these com-

petitions is the Iowa DanceSport Classic.

Having just completed its eleventh year,

it is presented by Eddie Simon and Susan

Murray. Originally a pro/am event, in the

last two years many amateur competitors

have flocked to the competition thanks to

its affordable pricing for amateurs, espe-

cially collegiate teams. This year alone,

over 250 amateurs attended the event, and

more are expected to participate in 2015.

One of the great things about attend-

ing the Iowa DanceSport Classic is that

you can participate in workshops with

some of the best in the industry, such as

Minnesota’s own Amy Anderson and Jay

Larson, along with Edward Simon himself

and many others. Combined with a wide

selection of vendors, top judges, and schol-

arships, the Iowa DanceSport Classic has a

lot to offer amateurs looking for events to

put on their calendar.

The Iowa DanceSport Classic is held in

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the beginning of

April and is sanctioned by the NDCA. E

Photos from Dance Fest by Theresa Kimler

�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D

WHERE IN THE WORLD COULD you find

first-time dancers bravely attempting

the Viennese waltz while wearing elab-

orately designed Victorian-era clothing?

If your answer was in a Masonic Temple at

a Steampunk Ball, you would be correct.

On Saturday, May 17th, the DIODES

hosted a Steampunk May Day Ball

at the Triune Masonic Temple in the

Merriam Park neighborhood of Saint

Paul. DIODES is the Dioscurian Imperial

Order of Dreamers, Engineers, &

Scientists, a group of steampunk enthu-

siasts who host various events such

as conventions, meetings, and balls

throughout the year.

The night began with swing and

waltz lessons but later turned into the

bravest of the group volunteering to try

their hand at Viennese waltz to elegant

but quick-tempoed orchestral music.

Darren Johnson taught the ballroom

lessons at the event and called himself

the “least steampunk person there.”

After discovering ballroom in college at

Carleton, he began teaching informally

at events and has continued doing so for

twenty-five years.

“Dancing is about having fun,” he

said. “If you’re not having fun, you’re

doing it wrong.”

Gregory Laffrenzen, an eager partici-

pant in the lessons, first discovered ste-

ampunk through a video game in high

school and then created a Halloween

costume in the theme. “Steampunk

has that spirit of adventure that gives

the sense that anything can happen,”

he said.

All of the guests dressed in their best

steampunk outfits, complete with but

not limited to feathers, hats, beautiful

antique jewelry, and masks.

Dr. Julie Woodbury, a vendor at the

event selling jewelry made of repur-

posed watch parts, explained that ste-

ampunk style comes from a variety of

influences such as novelists H.G. Wells

and Jules Verne.

“Steampunk is all about Victorian

ambivalences and fear of living in times

that were already obsolete.” As an avid

reader, she said, “The idea turned into

something real around me.”

If the idea is based on ambivalence

and fear, it does not cross into the real-

ity of the DIODES members and guests

of the event. Their intricately detailed

costumes, sometimes made by hand,

match their adventurous spirits.

During a dance break, Laffrenzen

captured the essence of the steampunk

world, saying, “Everyone likes to have

that sense that they are in a different

world.” E

:[LHTW\UR�BY LIBBY RYAN

Photo by Libby Ryan

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Photos from the Steampunk Ball by Savanna Moen and Libby Ryan

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THE DANCE COMMUNITY was sad-

dened by the recent passing of Brian

Puttock, who was a favorite coach of

many Twin Cities dancers. He was born

March 9, 1951, and passed on May 9,

2014.

Brian and his wife, Sue, began their

dance partnership as young adults. This

partnership continued on to become a

forty-two-year marriage. Many in the

dance community expressed condo-

lences and support to Sue and family at

the memorial service.

If you never had the pleasure of

having Brian as a coach, here is a bit

of his story. He was born in the United

Kingdom and came to the U.S. twen-

ty-some years ago. He danced as an

amateur with Sue, gaining many titles.

After retiring from competition, Brian

served as an adjudicator, a coach, and

on the council of the NDCA, working to

improve the integrity of dance competi-

tions. The Nevada Star Ball was a com-

petition that Brian and Sue started and

which still draws many pro/am and am/

am competitors—a legacy of Brian and

Sue’s dedication to the dance commu-

nity. In addition to dancing, Brian loved

to ride his Harley motorcycle, golf, and

spend time with family and friends.

Brian Puttock, you have left a hole

in many hearts. Thank you for all you

have contributed by your example.

Rest in peace. E

9LTLTILYPUN�)YPHU�7\[[VJRBY CATHY DESSERT

:/,,9+(5*,�*64� ��5>��1 B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D ��

Newcomer Nights are hosted four

times a year, the most recent having

taken place on Memorial Day. Troy

Lerum taught the basics of several

dances, including foxtrot and tango,

to a mixed group of new dancers,

Dancers Studio’s regular students,

and instructors.

Not only are there beginning-level

lessons but also a party and a place to

meet all the instructors. Wall added,

“We like to encourage socializing.”

;OL�-PYZ[�-L^�:[LWZ5L^JVTLY�5PNO[�H[�+HUJLYZ�:[\KPVBY LIBBY RYAN

THE BALLROOM DANCE WORLD, to

an outsider, is filled with men in suits

twirling women in glittering dresses

on dance floors packed with confident

couples who know all the steps and

flawlessly move across the floor without

missing a beat. Everyone who has ever

taken a dance class knows this is not

true, and at Dancers Studio, Newcomer

Nights aim to convince those unfamiliar

with the dance world to take the first

step into exploring it.

Taylor Wall, dance coordinator at

Dancers Studio, said that they like to

host Newcomer Nights to expand the

reach of the studio. “It can be stressful

for newcomers to even start to dance,”

she said. “We like to give the opportu-

nity for them to start in a relaxed and

low-pressure environment.”

Libby Ryan is an enthusiastic ballroom dancer

and a journalism major at the University of

Minnesota. If you have a story idea, please

email her at [email protected]. Photo

by Libby Ryan.

�� 5>��1� :/,,9+(5*,�*64B-964�;/,�*644<50;@D

an instructor. Since many people just

entering a dance community worry

about finding a partner, the casual

rotation of partnerships alleviated the

fear of being left out in the cold without

anyone to dance with.

“It’s such an awesome community.

Everyone just kind of ….” Johnson

trailed off and gestured a huge bear

hug. “Whooosh.”

The latest Newcomer Night lessons

covered enough basics to dance around

the floor but not so many that the

learning dancers felt overwhelmed.

Afterwards, a dance party, complete

with cupcakes and snacks, made chat-

ting during dance breaks easy.

Michael Kasinkas, another Dancers

Studio employee, said nights like these

work to create a bigger dance market

for the larger ballroom community.

“Newcomer Nights are great for spread-

ing the knowledge and love of dance,”

said Kasinkas. “Getting people to enjoy

dance should be a goal of all ballroom

dancing.” E

Scattered throughout the line of

new dancers, Dancers Studio instruc-

tors joined the lessons and dance

party, which helped make dancing

even less intimidating.

A new instructor at the studio, April

Johnson, said the welcoming nature

of the studio shines especially strong

on Newcomer Night. “It’s a really low-

stress, friendly atmosphere where it’s

easy to meet people.”

During Newcomer Night, like most

ballroom group classes, participants

rotated around from partner to partner,

sometimes being matched with another

newcomer and sometimes dancing with

Photos by Libby Ryan

�� [O�:[YLL[�5VY[O��7]:��H\S��45��

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