All we can say is “Wow....what a blast we had in January!" First we had the wacky fun and bright flowers of the Winter Luau dance party. Then the Junior Ballroom Kick-Off brought fresh and exciting energy to the studio with so many young people enjoying partner dance for the first time. Finally, if that wasn’t enough, our live-band dance packed the house and had everyone toe-tapping and swinging the night away (visit facebook.com/SapphireBallroom to see pictures)! If it wasn’t for all the cold weather we might be sorry to see January go. Regardless, February here we come!

1. Valentine’s Day @ Sapphire - do something really special this year! - read more 2. 3-Count Hustle Intensive - read more 3. Blacksburg Group Classes, starting Feb 25 & 26 - read more 4. More Yoga @ Sapphire! - read more 5. Sapphire On The Town - read more 6. Junior Ballroom @ Sapphire: announcements and details - read more 7. George Gammon: Sapphire's Favorite Centenarian - read more Join us this Saturday, February 8, for the That's Amore Dance Party, celebrating everyone (couples and singles alike) who love dancing! We'll start with a Viennese Waltz lesson by Dennis at 7:30 - get there on time if you're never tried this crazy fun, spinning dance.

So, you’re thinking your sweetheart really deserves something more creative than a greeting card or box of chocolates.

Well, Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, which means our regularly scheduled “Cheaper-Than-A-Movie” Beginner Workshop is the perfect place for you and your sweetie to come dancing - especially if you have never tried ballroom before! We are giving couples 2 for 1 admission for this night only. So even if you want to bring a friend, you don’t want to miss this deal.

Then, directly after CTAM, we are throwing a special Valentine’s Day Social. The dancing fun will continue with music, food, and a special West Coast Swing performance! If our CTAM 2 for 1 wasn’t enough of a deal, we are letting attendees of the 7:00 pm workshop into the Social for half price (regularly $10/person).

So, for just $19/couple, you can take your sweetheart out for an entire night of dancing, laughing, hand-holding, and fun.

Come to just the workshop, or just the V-Day Social, or both! http://www.sapphiredance.com/Valentine2014.html

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Our “Intensive” class is back and this time we are getting intense with Hustle...3-Count Hustle! This class is for you if you have had experience with Level 2 (4-Count) Hustle or beyond. We will be refining that back-rock, extending those arms, and gliding up and down the slot while teaching you lots of useful patterns and combinations. Starting February 17 at 7pm, get 8-weeks of fabulous hustle instruction with Debbi plus a private lesson for only $98/person. http://www.sapphiredance.com/class.php#Hustle

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Our next set of group classes in Blacksburg starts at the end of this month, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25 and 26, with some Single Time Swing, Cha Cha, Bachata, and Fox Trot. We have 2 “Class by Requests” (CBRs) that have yet to be determined but will almost certainly be some upper level classes. Send in your personal requests and preferences, and then stay tuned to see what we end up offering. Some potential CBR options include Level 4 Waltz on Tuesday and Level 2 Waltz on Wednesday. Apparently 2014 is the year of the Waltz!

Check out the full schedule at http://www.sapphiredance.com/groupclasses.php.

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Our first 4 weeks of Yoga were such a hit that we are offering another 4 weeks starting Wednesday, February 5 at 9:30am. These classes are taught by Jennifer Speiden of Inner Awarness, http://www.innerawareness.net/. In this class, students will practice and play with yoga postures, breathing practices, and meditation techniques to help begin to bring the body, mind, and spirit into balance. Participants will be guided in explorations that will encourage the individual to become more aware of how the body, breath, and mind are connected. The class is $40 for the 4 weeks or $15 for walk-ins. If you have any questions about the class you can contact us or Jennifer at joyifer@yahoo.com. Please join us; all you need is a willingness to try (and a yoga mat if you have one)!

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The Sapphire staff has been movin’ and shakin’, not only at their studio in Christiansburg, but all over the NRV and beyond.

Starting Friday, Jan 31, you can find Debbi in Pulaski at the Hensel Eckman YMCA teaching Level 1 Carolina Shag. Registration for the class is closed, but if you are interested in this class, not to worry! The response to this class has been overwhelming so be on the look out for both a repeat of Level 1 and a continuation, Level 2 class. If you’re interested in either, let us know.

You can find us on campus every Thursday evening with VT Ballroom Club. If you are a student, and not a member of this club, you are missing out! Not only do you get to take advantage of these weekly classes, you get a discount on our 4-week classes at the Blacksburg Community Center.

On first, second, and fourth Fridays you will find either Linda, Dennis, or Liz in Salem at the Senior Center teaching a lesson and providing music for their social dances. This is a fun, welcoming group of dancers!

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Junior Ballroom is off and running, but it’s not too late to join in the fun. The class is from 8:00-9:00pm on Thursday nights AND, by request, we are trying out an earlier class at 3:30 or 4:00pm, also on Thursdays.

This program for your teen or tween gets them moving, provides a great outlet for creative expression, gives them camaraderie with the other students, and allows them to be a part of the 2014 ASPIRE recital in June. From now through May 15, they will learn Waltz, Cha Cha, Swing, and Tango.

In addition to weekly classes, they get two social dances designed especially for ages 18 and under this semester where they can use what they have learned, invite friends, and have a good time: “Stache Bash” (casual) and “Spring Soiree” (dressy).

The program is $189/person. Discounts include $20 off tuition if paid in full at enrollment, siblings receive $15 off, and if 24 or more students enroll, everyone gets $10 off. Students get a free Sapphire Dance Center, high-quality tote bag, and 30% off private lessons while enrolled in “Junior Ballroom @ Sapphire.”

We are very pleased to announce that we have sponsorship from an anonymous donor for a student in financial need. How awesome is that! If you know someone who would benefit from this opportunity, or if you feel led to offer a scholarship opportunity for a deserving student, contact linda@sapphiredance.com as soon as possible.

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If you have danced with us for very long then you have probably heard about George Gammon. He is famous here at Sapphire and around town for two reasons. First, he has been a long time supporter of Sapphire Ballroom, taking lessons with Linda from the beginning, even before she opened the studio, offering encouragement and support every step of the way. We could easily say he is one of our biggest fans. Secondly, he turns 100 on February 22nd...that’s this month!

When you see George on the dance floor (yes, he still takes 3 lessons a week!) you will see him dancing fast dances like East Coast Swing and Country 2 Step, slow dances like Fox Trot and Night Club 2-Step, dances with fancy footwork like Carolina Shag. Students that observe him will say “if only I can still dance like that when I’m 100.” Others will say “if only I could dance like that next month!”

Needless to say, George is an inspiration to us all. Watching his dedication and love towards dance is a testament to taking care of your body, mind, and spirit with this all-encompassing, enjoyable hobby. It is also a pleasure to witness the way he gets to know every new person that he sees come through our doors. Not only that, he is known for striking up conversations anytime he is out and about. He keeps a few Sapphire pamphlets on hand in case he runs into any one that hasn’t heard about dancing at Sapphire.

We are so excited to be honoring him on his 100th birthday!

Fun Facts:
The first dance step George ever learned was the Fox Trot Box Step.
George retired from his career as a payroll accountant the same year Linda was born.
He got his coal mining license in 1933, but never used it.
In addition to dancing, George still owns and operates a furniture store in Christiansburg.
Night Club 2-Step is George’s newest dance - he started learning it at age 97!

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