Our heads are spinning faster than a Viennese Waltzer, we’ve got so much happening at Sapphire these days! Read below to hear about all the exciting changes for Sapphire Ballroom and check out all of our offerings, old and new.

1. Sapphire is expanding!
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2. Merengue Variations: Smokin' Circle Patterns
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3. Carolina Shag  & Waltz featured in Upper Level Workshops
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4. Night Groove Dance Party, Saturday, August 10
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5. August Group Classes in Blacksburg
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6. Sapphire T-Shirts for sale!  
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7. Wrapping up a Decade of Dancing
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As you might already know, earlier this summer Danielle Bland, owner and teacher of The Dance Place (and our neighbor for the last nine years), is hanging up her dance shoes.   After teaching in the Christiansburg area for 30 years, Danielle has decided it’s time to retire. “We’ve enjoyed having The Dance Place next door, sharing our facilities, back and forth,” says Linda Stancill, “And so now, I wish Danielle the best of luck and many relaxing days ahead.”   Her retirement left us with two things: an empty studio next door and a fantastic opportunity.  

The result? Sapphire is expanding and Linda is spearheading a comprehensive performing arts program that includes classes in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and more for ages 3 to adult.  

Our mission with ballroom and social dancing has always been to provide excellent instruction in a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. All of us strive to teach precise, artistic, and healthy movement as well as encourage friendly, social interaction.  We are so thrilled to have this opportunity to carry over these same values into more styles of dance. “I love the energy that this program will bring to Sapphire,” says Debbi Richey, long-time teacher at Sapphire Ballroom, “Kids are always so fun to work with! I’m thrilled that we get this chance to explore another world of dance.”

Linda has already recruited 2 consultants to guide the new program to success, and will hire a team of teachers that pursue these same goals. “I am happy to have access to the vast knowledge and experience of Danielle Bland, previous owner of The Dance Place and Carina Stern, who danced pre-professionally with the Southwest Virginia Ballet and has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Bellhaven University.” says Linda Stancill. Our new students will benefit from classes that challenge but do not overwhelm, while providing individualized encouragement and critique.  “Linda has built such an amazing ballroom dance community,” says Lane Mattox, teacher and head of operations at Sapphire Ballroom, “I am certain she will do great things with the kids programs.”

Our class line-up, while not finalized yet, will include ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary plus some hip hop and junior ballroom as well. “After teaching Hustle to all of Mallory’s friends at her birthday party,” Linda comments about her husband and daughter, “Dail is even more excited about the junior ballroom than ever.” We also plan to offer beginner classes for pre-teens and teens who have never taken dance before, and options for adults wanting to experience the joy and art of dance.  

So what will change for Sapphire’s current students?  We’re moving our “office area” next door, which will make the dance floor bigger; and we now have access to a storage closet, so less “stuff” will be hanging around. We’re working on having a better storefront for our shoes, and now have the space to carry some other pieces of merchandise (see Item 6). You’ll get the same great instruction from the same great teachers you always have, plus now you have a place to bring to your kids, too.

Contact us now to give your input on what you'd like to see on the schedule. So, send your daughters, your sons, your cousins, nieces, and nephews, and send yourself too.  We probably have a class to meet your needs.

Open House and registration is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, with classes starting Tuesday, September 3 (directly after Labor Day).  

For more information, contact linda@sapphiredance.com and keep checking SapphireDanceCenter.com for updates.  Show your support by "liking" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SapphireDanceCenter and tell all your friends too.

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We have just the thing your Merengue needs...circle patterns, and smokin' ones at that! The possibilities are endless when you start looking at circle based moves. Starting this Monday, August 5, Sapphire's very own David Verde is going to give you some new, interesting ways to burn up the dance floor, www.sapphiredance.com/class.php#Merengue.

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We know there is a large number of Carolina Shag enthusiasts out there and we don't want you to miss out on the set of workshops we have coming up, www.sapphiredance.com/class.php#cshag. Come celebrate summertime with us while it’s still here and explore this classic beach-lover’s dance.

If you came to our previous Waltz workshop and want more, not to worry, we have three more! This classic dance will be moving up the levels in this series, www.sapphiredance.com/class.php#Waltz.

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Ray Charles had the right idea when he said "Night time is the right time to be with the one you love." It's also the right time to dance! Come get carried away by the night as you dance under the starlight to our moonstruck playlist. Dennis will kick the night off with a groovy Night Club 2 Step lesson, www.sapphiredance.com/events.php.

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Wow, we don't know what has gotten into our community lately, but it’s awe-some! We are lovin' the great attendance and desire to learn filling our Group Classes at the Blacksburg Community Center. We are seeing people from all walks of life stepping out of their comfort zone to try something new. Thank you for giving us the chance to share our love of dance with you!

A new set of classes will be starting the second week of August. Find Fox Trot, West Coast Swing, Hustle & Cha Cha classes for your dancing pleasure! We will also be offering some continuation classes: Level 2 East Coast Swing, Tuesdays @ 8:15 and get a double dose with Level 3 East Coast Swing on Wednesdays @ 8:00. Check out the complete line-up at www.sapphiredance.com/groupclasses.php.

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Debbi has had many visions of T-shirt designs dancing in her head, and we finally made her vision a reality... our first Sapphire Ballroom T-Shirt is here! We have both men's ($18.99) and women's ($21.99). We even have two colors for the men and three colors in two different styles in the women's: a slim fit and relaxed fit. You know you want one!

Notice I said "many" visions. Be on the lookout for other designs down the road.

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On the fourth weekend of July in 2004, Sapphire Ballroom and Dance Center hosted it’s first social dance in the space that we now know as Sapphire Studio. Next summer will be the ten-year anniversary of that marvelous occasion, and we’re thinking we all need to party! We’re just starting plans, but are thinking about a Showcase (so dust off your performing clothes), and maybe a dance-a-thon for a local charity. There will definitely be a fancy Dance Party, and who knows what else. So watch for more news as we plan what is sure to be a dance-filled celebration.

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