It’s officially Spring and we have a fresh new line-up of Upper Level Workshops popping up on Monday nights, another crop of group classes beginning in Blacksburg ripe for the picking as well as our ever cheerful and refreshing Friday Night Beginner Workshops for our blossoming new dancers. There's something for everyone during this vibrant time of year, so full of possibility!

1. Fire & Ice Dance Party (NEW theme!), Saturday, April 11 - read more 2. Sam & Denise Miller, April 25 & 26 - read more 3. Welcome to Bolero, starting Monday, April 13 - read more 4. Bachata, WCS, and Fox Trot in Monday Night Workshops - read more 5. April Group Classes and CBRs in Blacksburg start April 7 & 8 - read more 6. Teen Ballroom Dance Summer-Camps - read more 7. Special Savings for Students This Summer - read more

Dates to remember:

Tuesday and Wednesday, April 7 & 8 - Last Spring Session in Blacksburg begins
Saturday, April 11 - Fire & Ice Dance Party
Monday, April 13 - Welcome to Bolero
Friday-Sunday, April 24-26 - Sam and Denise Miller visit for a weekend of Workshops, Lessons, and Dancing
Tuesday, May 12 - Registration for Summer Classes in Blacksburg begins
Wednesday, May 20 - Summer Sampler: Free Intro Lesson
Saturday, May 30 - Sapphire Dance Center’s Spring Recital
Saturday, June 6 - Shaggin’ @ Sapphire

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Experience the excitement as two extremes meet in this new addition to our Dance Party line up... Fire & Ice!!! Social dancing is all about the dynamic of opposites: leaders and followers, fast and slow, light hearted and intense, and this dance is going to take that to extremes. We will start with a lesson on the fiery of extreme: Samba! Join us for the lesson at 7:30 and open dancing at 8:30.

As always, bring a snack to share for your chance to win a “dancing chef” prize. I can see some interesting snacks to go with the theme headed our way. Check here for events and Dance Parties.

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Sam and Denise Miller are on their way to Sapphire, and people getting excited! You've been talking about what workshops you want on taking, when they want to schedule private lessons, and what you're going to work on, and asking when the heck Sapphire will have the weekend schedule set!?! So, now we have the all the details, and just need to get them published, and the excitement and the signing up can officially begin!!! Starting April 2 (Thursday!), you can find the full lineup of workshops at http://www.sapphiredance.com/Millers.htm along with on-line registration.

This also means an extra dance this month! Whether or not you are part of the workshops, you should be dancing with us Saturday, April 25 at 8:00p. Sam & Denise are going to get things started with a Country 2 Step lesson and open dancing featuring the styles of the weekend will ensue at 9pm. Admission is $15 and $10 for full-time students.

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One of the most romantic dances out there, Bolero, is coming to Monday nights. It has been a while since this dance has appeared in our jam packed Monday night schedule, so don’t miss out! This is an introductory class, meaning no Bolero experience is required but a background in any Latin style will be helpful because Bolero is not for the faint at heart! We will be exploring the slow and dramatic Bolero April 13th- May 4th at 8pm. See http://www.sapphiredance.com/groupclasses.php to find the full line up of group classes.

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Bachata, West Coast Swing, and Fox Trot - Latin, Swing & Ballroom. These three groovy dances will be featured in our upper-level, one-night, Monday workshops this Spring. Come to one, come to all!

Starting April 6th with a Bachata: “Simple Turns” workshop at 7pm, you will see a stellar line up working with different topics in these three dance styles through the beginning of June. Find the full line up at http://www.sapphiredance.com/int-adv-wksp.php.

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Did you know that Sapphire began teaching at the Blacksburg Community Center even before we opened the doors in Christiansburg? It takes a good thing to last for over 10 years.

Join our time honored group classes for our last Spring session this April - another session doesn't start until June!

For Level 1 classes we have a Rumba, American Tango, Carolina Shag and a Salsa / Merengue duo for you to choose from. We also have a Level 2 Swing (Tues @ 7:15) class and Level 3 Waltz (Wed @ 8:15) offered in our “Class-By-Request” slots. Find schedule and registration details at http://www.sapphiredance.com/groupclasses.php

So, now you're thinking, “So many dances, how do you pick just one?!”. They really are like potato chips and it is pretty hard to stop at just one class, so we have loyalty cards that mild, moderate, and extreme addicts to get ½ off your 4th class. Some people like to take one each session and some like to take several a session. Either way, you'll get your reward.

We will be taking a break for May and picking back up in June. Be sure to put May 20th on your schedule when we have our Summer Sampler to kick off the summer classes. This is a FREE event AND if you sign up for a summer partner-dance class that evening you get $6 off your registration fee (excludes Teen Dance Camps).

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Got a teen and don't know what to do with 'em this summer?
Social Dancing provides so many benefits to the young! It gives a skill for the rest of our lives, bringing enjoyment on the dance floor while improving balance, coordination, and endurance. It also builds “social” muscles, giving practice socializing and becoming comfortable interacting with a variety of people. At Sapphire, we hear so many people lament that they didn’t start social dancing sooner in their life! So, parents of teens, here is a great way for your child to spend some of their summer days... Teen Dance Camps.

We have 3 different Dance Camps for your teen this summer:

Latin Camp - Monday-Friday, June 15-19
Ballroom Camp - Monday-Friday, July 6-10
Swing Camp - Monday-Friday, July 27-31

Each camp will include 2-3 dance styles, with an emphasis on social dance techniques, and culminate with a Dance Party on Friday. Camps will be offered at the Blacksburg Community Center and will cost $60/Blacksburg Resident and $70/Non-resident.

Make plans now to sign up for any one, two, or all three of them!
Details will be available through Blacksburg Parks and Recreation or on-line soon at SapphireDance.com. If you have questions - let us know at info@sapphiredance.com or 540-382-8782.

Teens are always welcome at any of our classes and events, but these camps are just for them, giving them a chance to dance and have fun with their friends and peers. Let's get these kids dancing!

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During our Summer session of group classes in Blacksburg we are making it easier for full time high school and college students to enjoy the benefits of social dancing. In addition to our Teen Dance Camps for 18 and under we are giving any full-time student $10 off any of our 4-week group classes (full-time during the regular school year).

Summer break is the perfect time to pack in the dancing before the studying begins again in the fall. See http://www.sapphiredance.com/groupclasses.php to find the full line up of group classes (summer classes coming soon).

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