BELOW ARE SOME SUMMER SCHEDULE NOTES:

ON JULY 5TH, WE ARE NOT HOLDING THE SATURDAY CLASS AT CROWN DANCE STUDIO (as it's the day after the 4th of July).   However, the Sunday class at Avalon Studio on July 6th WILL be held as usual.

Note that on Sunday, July 13, we have a FAMILY-FRIENDLY CLASS!  Bring your children for an introduction to Salsa, which we'll have along with the regular adult classes!

4. There will be a "Salsa Class & Party" on Sept 12 and Sept 19 (two Fridays) at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the U. of MD campus.  It will run from 7:30 to 10 pm.  These special classes/parties cost $15/person for each Friday ($30 for both).  It will be held in the community room there, which is run by Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (MNCPPC). For directions to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Building, go to DanceInTime.com and click on the "Directions" page.
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We cover a lot in every class. The cost of the classes is $10/person.
Directions are below.

(SIDE NOTE: This email information is up on my website, so you can click on the "Current Email Information" button any time to read DIT's latest email in case you didn't receive it or you misplaced it!  Thanks.)
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Here is the DIT news, photos, and videos!

1. Artscape

This is a huge annual festival in Baltimore where DIT is doing Salsa, Merengue, Rueda and Bachata in performance.  Many of the dancers in the Balto community are joining the show--even if they don't do Rueda. We'll be on the main stage of the Lyric Opera House; 140 West Mount Royal Ave.; Baltimore, MD from 1 to 1:20 pm.  We'll be doing Salsa, Rueda, Merengue, and Bachata.  There will be both individual couples doing "solos" and a group of dancers on stage together---many folks who dance at the local clubs.  So come by and cheer your friends on!!  FYI, a large area of Baltimore's "arts district" is sectioned off for the festival so plan to come early to accommodate time for parking. The rail system is a great way to come, too. For more info, visit: http://artscape.org/....

If you are an intermediate or advanced dancer and like to perform but missed participating in this event, let me know!!  We may do events like this again in the future!


Above: Some of the DanceInTime crew on stage at a show over Memorial Day Weekend. The two teenagers did a Hip Hop routine that they choreographed, by the way!  We also did a Cha Cha, Tango, Salsa, two Ruedas, Swing, and a Medley routine!  Thanks to all who participated!

2.  Going Out

There is a Baltimore Salsa Meetup which is gathering steam, with members coming out in good numbers to the events which support all the venues and classes in the Baltimore metropolitan area. If you aren't already a member, you can sign up free by going to salsa.meetup.com/163 and following the prompts.

We have a variety of new types of events in the works, so check out our calendar!  And we need people to be hosts for meetup events.  So if you would like to do that, let me know (barbBtalks@aol.com).  I can explain the "requirements of the job."  It's a great way to meet new people.

There are other meetup groups as well, in case you are interested, in DC and other areas. For example, one run by Alex, a Danceintime friend, is aimed at "social dancing" in general (all different types of partnership dances), and is based in Baltimore. It's called Social Dance Meetup Group of Central Maryland. To join, go to: Dance.meetup.com/351/. And the salsa meetup group in DC is absolutely huge, plus there is a DC Rueda Meetup group, and many other dance meetups as well! Check them out on the web!

3.  Need Your Help/Ideas

a.  Dancing with the Stars Local Program!  WAY COOL!!

 Do you know any local celebrities?  Or do you have a big boss where you work in a position of importance in the community--whether it be in the sphere of politics, the media, the arts, etc??  I am working with Fabio Bonini, who is a top flight Latin and Argentine Tango dancer, on a "Dancing With The Stars" program for an event he's running this fall.  We're looking for local celebrities to put together very short, simple dance routines just for fun and for their own publicity.  I'll do most of the training with some assistants.  This isn't the TV show where they do fabulous routines.  This will be with, presumably, total beginners who will learn just a few basic moves---so anyone can do it if they're interested.  The preparation time can be as little as 2 hours---at the "celebrity's disgression."  If you know of any prominent local figures who'd be suitable for this program, will you kindly let me know?  Thanks a lot!

b.  Documentary Film Short

Many of you know that I have been preparing a film short on the spread of Rueda de Casino (Casino-style Salsa) all over the world in recent years.  I had prepared a 20 min. film that the film-makers of the Rueda documentary felt was too long.  So I have cut it to just 5 mins.  I would like someone who is experienced in film-making to watch this and advise me on its strengths and weaknesses so I can tighten it and make it as good as possible.  Do you know anyone in film-making?  If so, please let me know.  I am looking for expert advice on my film short!  Thanks!!

4.  New Venues

 By the way, speaking of Baltimore, that area has a number of new venues to dance at that were recently organized.  The promoters are looking for lots of support at the door and the bar to help keep these venues open.  For details, check out the bottom of the "Current Email Information" page on DanceInTime.com to see what is happening around town. 

5. Auditions/Performing for DanceInTime

Danceintime is expanding some of their teams and interested dancers can contact Barb about auditions (301-9806043).  We have both pro and student teams and they're lots of fun!  We've got a new group forming that will do club Latin dances, not necessarily Rueda and that is open to dancers who are intermediate/adv.  So if you're a strong dancer and this interests you, please contact me!

Below are video links, FYI, of a recent Rueda show that was done at Glen Echo.  It is broken into parts so the download time won't be too long!

Click here for part 1.
Click here for part 2.
Click here for part 3. Auditions For Teens: The Columbia Dance Project

6. Auditions for Teens: The Columbia Dance Project
This is a Latin/Hip Hop/jazz FUSION Dance Company open to guys and gals ages 14-18, of intermediate to advanced dance ability, that will be directed by Anna Damen. Does that sound cool or what?? Here is a little about Anna's background:

She is a professional Salsa, Hip Hop, Ballroom and Latin dance Master Instructor, who began dance training early in her childhood with jazz and hip hop, later adding ballroom training to her impressive background. She's trained with some of the world's top dance coaches. She was the Dance Director at a studio in Chicago for 8 years and has had students win top honors in dance competitions as well as running a team that won 2005 National Latin Formation Team Championships. She's also recognized as an innovative choreographer and has brought teams she trained to many Salsa Congresses. Plus, she has appeared on a number of TV shows. As a former high school teacher, she has the perfect combination of experience and talent to work with teens.

There is a $5 audition fee. Questions? Contact annadamen@msn.com or 708 519-0710. Classes meet most Saturdays/Sundays through mid August in Columbia, MD.
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I want to add that Anna recently relocated in DC and has lent her impressive talent to DanceInTime's teams. She has been a total joy to work with. She keeps the teams laughing and teaches us moves to enrich our choreographies. She always explains things very well, so it's comfortable learning--hitting one skill at a time: first footwork, then body movement and then arms. I know she'd be great at working with kids. If you have a teen who likes to dance, this would be a wonderful summer activity for them. And FYI, Anna teaches private lessons for adults, too, in Salsa, and all the ballroom dances (she is an expert at 15 dances!).

7.  Summer Salsa Congresses

There are a number of Salsa Congresses this summer, and Danceintime will have a team performing at some of them.  The first of these Congresses is over the July 4th weekend; it's the Philadelphia Salsa Congress. They have many workshops by teachers from all over the US and beyond. (Barb Bernstein will represent DIT by teaching one or two Rueda workshops--probably Sat and/or Sun.) And there is quite an impressive lineup of performers including Palladium Mambo Legends, Henry Herrera (arguably the single most famous Rueda de Casino dancer in the world), Young Ambition, Erika and Joel from Mexico, and more!

The Danceintime professional Rueda team will perform on Friday night (7/4) a Salsa/Rueda/Cha Cha routine that is being debuted at that Congress. It includes some top flight ballroom dancers doing a Cha Cha solo, and ends with a little 16 bar spoof that's funny. This is just two and a half hours from the DC/Balto area, so check out the website and come on up!
http://www.philasalsacongress.com/home.htm

The PR Salsa Congress info is at this website: http://www.puertoricosalsacongress.com/  That Congress runs from July 19 to 26, and DIT is performing on 7/23 or 7/24. Plus Barb will teach a Rueda workshop at the PR Congress, as well.  The DC Congress is held from August 15 to 17 and the site is: www.capitalcongress.com. DIT is performing on the Sunday, 8/17. 

The site for the NYC Congress is: http://www.nycsalsacongress.com/ and that event is from August 27 to 31. Again, DIT is performing on the Sunday, which is 8/31.  The guy in charge, Choco, offered to give any of us a $20 discount if you use a special code in registering.  Here is what he said: "I can give a $20 discount off the Full Pass VIP Package of the NYSalsa Congress when you put in the code: "Danceintime" in the Code Box at the link below:

It would be lovely for some of our friends to come to these events---to cheer us on and enjoy the workshops and open dancing! 

8. Zanzibar's Recognition of Dance Performers

On July 10th, Eileen Torres who runs the Zanzibar's Salsa Night (which recently switched to Thursdays) is doing a special program to honor dance performers who have danced there on stage at any time, as well as the dance directors.  Anyone who has performed there at any time can get in free that night.  If you have performed as part of a DIT show and want to go---just email me your name and I can put you on the guest list.   

9. Mezzlocutis Auditions

Mezzlocutis is initiating a student group for beginner On-2 dancers, those who have been dancing on-1 and desire to have a solid On-2 repertoire, or those who haven't danced salsa before. This will be an 8-week intensive study, meeting twice a week--on Thursday at 7:30pm, and on Sunday at 6:30pm. The students will be introduced to and drilled in turn patterns, open footwork, body isolation, spinning technique, and timing/musicality with outside practice strongly recommended. The cost of the group is $160/month. Students are required to wear jazz shoes to practice. For more info, contact Tyffani (a great dancer and old Danceintime friend!): carissatmccleary@gmail.com or 301-873-0999.  Just FYI, for those who don't know Tyffani, she is one of the area's strongest dancers and is also an expert instructor in my opinion.  Formerly on one of the DIT teams, she often showed the team moves and constructed choreography and everything she did was both thoughtful and well explained!

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Be well, everyone!

Sincerely,

Barbara Bernstein
www.DanceInTime.com
301-4646244     301-9806043
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DIRECTIONS

Crown Dance Studio
2820 Dorr Ave; Merrifield, VA 22031 (METRO-ACCESSIBLE!)

This is an easy, 3 or 4 block walk from the Dunn Loring metro station. The station is at the intersection of Gallows Rd and Prosperity Ave. If you leave the station heading west on Prosperity, then make a left onto Merrilee Dr. and then a right onto Merrifield Ave. From there it's a left onto Dorr; the studio is on your right.

To get there by car from Route 495 (Washington Beltway), take the exit for 50 West and get onto Gallows Rd. (VA-650 N) heading toward Merrifield. Then make a left onto Lee Highway (US 29). (There is a Taco Bell, a Sunoco station, and a "Gas King" station at this intersection.) Then turn right onto Hilltop Rd, and then another quick right onto Dorr Ave. There is lots of parking around the building. Walk in the building's front door, go through a door on the main floor adn walk down the corridor. The studio is on the right side of the corridor.
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The Avalon Studio
15 Mellor Ave.; Catonsville, MD

Get onto the Washington beltway (495) and take either the Baltimore Washington Parkway or Route 95 north. Get onto the Baltimore beltway (I695) going towards Towson. From I695, take exit 13, Frederick Rd., west towards Catonsville. Turn left onto Mellor Ave. after several lights. Then turn left into 2nd parking lot entrance.

The Madeira School
8328 Georgetown Pike; Mc Lean, VA

If you are coming from Vienna, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, or points south in Virginia, get onto the Washington Beltway (Route 495) heading north towards Tyson's Corner/Mc Lean. You get off the Beltway at Georgetown Pike. Take that about 2 miles outside the beltway in the direction of Great Falls and a little before the school you will start to see a white, wooden fence around big pastures. Soon after that, you will come to a sign for the Madeira School on your right.

The school sign is small but on the left side of the road there is a street sign that says "Bellview Road." So when you see Bellview on your left, turn in to the school which is on your right.

After turning into the school, go 2/10 of a mile to the Gate House and tell the guard that you are there for the Salsa class. He'll let you pass and then go another 2/10 of a mile past a beautiful field and tennis courts on right and left. You will come to the gymnasium on your left with a parking area on the right. You can park there, or in the visitor's parking which is just past the gym and on the left. The student parking lot behind the visitor's parking can also be used. Walk into the "Hurd Gymnasium" and immediately past the entrance area, turn right. You'll see their beautiful dance studio with big windows overlooking the grounds. Note that occasionally the class is moved to the Chapel Auditorium Building due to a special event at the school. The guard at the Gate House when you come in would know if the class was moved FYI.

If you are coming from the Bethesda/Rockville/Silver Spring corridor, then get onto the Washington Beltway (Route 495) and head into Virginia (towards Tysons Corner). Just after the bridge at the MD/VA border, you will see the off ramp for exits 43 and 44 together. One of these exits is the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the other is Georgetown Pike. You follow exit 44 which is Georgetown Pike (also called Route 193). Take that about 2 miles outside the beltway in the direction of Great Falls until you come to the sign for Madeira School on your right. The school sign is small and easy to miss, but on the left-hand side of the street there is a prominent street sign that says "Bellview Road." So when you see Bellview, turn in to the school on your right! See the paragraph above for directions once you are on the school grounds.

Saffron Dance Studio; 3260 Wilson Blvd.; Arlington, VA

For driving directions, you may want to mapquest this address as there are many ways you can get there. But if you are coming from somewhere along Route 395, you get off at the Washington Blvd/VA 27W exit which is exit 8A. Stay on Washington Blvd. and then turn left onto Wilson Blvd and find the address. There is plenty of parking behind the building.

It's easy to access by metro as this is just one block off the Clarendon Metro Station on the "Orange line."
Note that the building says "The Doctors Building" on it---it's an old sign so don't let that mislead you! And there is another sign that says, "Hearing Care Professionals" on the building. Furthermore, Saffron Dance Studio is home to "Tranquil Space" Yoga Studio as well as dance classes. It's a wide building with several doors on the front. The door toward the right as you face the building is the dance studio entrance. But to get to the upstairs room where our class is held, just go in the main door and you'll enter a wide, open corridor. Walk to the back of the corridor, go in the door on your right and up the stairs. Class is in the first room on your left upstairs!