With it being the beginning of a new year full of new possibilities, this
newsletter is going to be really getting into the NEW: new classes, new challenges, and (best of all) new dancers.

This year, we are hoping to entice you to try something new. If you’re already a dancer, try out a new style. If you’re new to dancing - try anything! You will find a list of most of our events at the bottom of this email - neatly laid out for you see to what’s on for this month. But if you are looking for that first class, you’re path to really get involved, keep reading to see 3 wonderful options.

I hope, if you are on the fence about trying out social dancing, if you have always sat and watched while wishing you knew how, if you love dancing when no one is watching but fear the crowd, that you will let 2019 be the year to throw caution to the wind and take that leap. The worst thing that can happen is you fall on your butt! We have all probably literally and figuratively done just that. And, frankly, it’s not that bad. : ) You are in good company!

Check out below three perfect ways to jump in. The water is fine.

Here’s hoping your new year is full of fun, engaging activities, and lots-and-lots of dancing!

Skip to Coming Events.

This is for everyone new to dance, new to Sapphire, new to this newsletter, or who still feels new, no matter what date you might have started. Welcome, we hope you like it here, and here are a few things we want you to know about us.

One of Sapphire’s main goals is making social dancing accessible and fun for beginners. Every dance has a basic, which can be broken down into a few organized steps. It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that. Of course, dancing will challenge you, the same as anything new or worth doing well. But our instructors love helping each person get the fell or the logic of their dance, in whatever way works.

As a studio and community, our main focus is on the “social” aspect of dance. Our heart lies is in helping people feel comfortable getting on any dance floor and being able to dance to a variety of music with a variety of partners (if you so choose). This means performance or competition are lower on the priority list, but not necessarily excluded. Those are exciting and worthy aspects of the wonderful world of dance, and we do dabble in it occasionally. It also means that the only person judging your dance performance is you.

All of our regular classes are open to singles or couples and we encourage (but never require) frequent rotating of partners to help everyone learn better, faster, and more thoroughly. Whether you have a partner or not, whether you want to learn your traditional gender-role or not, you are welcome at Sapphire’s classes and events.

Your goals are important to us. Let us know how you want to dance, who you want to dance with, and where you want to dance - we can help you with that. That means, if you are interested in either performing or competing, we are happy to help with that. We can hook you up with venues and help you polish your dance to make you proud.

Finally, being new is nothing to be ashamed of. We all started as newbies, and all experience moments when we are a bit too challenged (the not-fun kind of challenged) while learning.

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Kicking off the Winter/Spring 2019 session of Group Classes, Sapphire’s Winter Sampler is on Wednesday, January 9, 7:15pm at the Blacksburg Community Center (Add map link) and lasts at least an hour. Everyone who comes will receive $8 off any 4-class class offered before May.

Group Classes at the Blacksburg Community Center have been at the core of Sapphire’s schedule from the very beginning, more than 14 years ago. Although they have changed in structure over the years, they remain a tried and true way to begin your dancing journey.

BUT, how do you choose? There are so many styles to try, how do you know which one will be the best fit for you? How about a night to come out and “sample” the styles featured on the Spring schedule and meet the teachers at the same time? It’s your chance to give dancing a try with no obligation and get any questions answered.

This open-house format is perfect for people who don’t want to commit to a 4-week class without a taste first. Some of the people who come to the Sampler choose to learn in a different way, like private lessons or workshops at the studio, which is fine! Sometimes, people come and decide not to sign up for a class at that time: also just fine! There is nothing to lose but the hour you spend… and there are far worse ways to spend an hour.

The Blacksburg Group Classes start Tuesday, January 15, and Wednesday, January 16. The schedule is available on our webpage or as a downloadable image, or in paper at the studio, at the Sampler, or anywhere you can find a Sapphire instructor.

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This special class is brand spankin’ new, created just for new dancers, AND (as a first for us) designed just for couples!

Because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, making this class all about the lovebirds seems like a no brainer. This time, we are going to focus just on the couples who want to learn to dance with each other. This may be the only class in the history of Sapphire that has been just for couples! With all that said, if you want to join with a non-romantic partner, that is perfectly fine with us.

As the name implies, this a “Special” class and has a special price: $58 per couple. That’s 4 date-nights where you can learn a skill - something you can share again and again! The class begins on Monday, January 21 at 8pm and ends on February 11, right before Valentines Day. Find all the details and how to register at http://www.sapphiredance.com/sweetheart.html. Love (and dancing) is in the air!

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We can’t talk about classes that are perfect beginners without mentioning the Friday Night Beginner Workshops. These classes serve so many different purposes and are good for so many people that it’s hard to know just what to say about them!

First, they never require any experience or a partner. CTAMs, while being a really great date night for couples, are absolutely perfect for singles as well. Also, while CTAMs are a really great review/refresher for experienced dancers, they always begin from scratch and build at a nice, easy pace perfect for beginners.

Second, the schedule rotates through 13 different dance styles. That’s right, thirteen is now a lucky number! There are tons of fun styles out there and this a great way to get introduced to many of them without commiting to a full class. Each week features 2 styles - teaching the basic and a fun move or two, and gives a sneak peak of a 3rd style. Variety is the spice of life!

Third, they are, in fact, Cheaper Than A Movie. For less than the cost of a movie (at a traditional theatre at least, there are some really affordable movies now-a-days at places like the Lyric and the Radford theatre, yay!) you can go dancing. You get an hour and a half of instruction for $9/a person or $15/couple. That’s as little as $5 an hour! And if that wasn’t affordable enough we offer a package of 6 nights at even more of discount. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.

Finally, they are almost every Friday barring occasional holidays or special events. So you can always count on them being around.Come regularly, come on a whim: it doesn’t matter! Find the full schedule and all other details about these amazing workshops at http://www.sapphiredance.com/CTAM-Fridays.php

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		Coming Events: Events are hosted at the Sapphire Studio on Main Street in Christiansburg unless specified otherwise.
	Friday Night Beginner Workshops (CTAM) - Every Friday in January, 7:00pm Come learn the basics of some pretty exciting dances without any commitment, every Friday this month.
	West Coast Swing: Deconstruction Zone - Monday, 1/7, 7:00 PM For intermediate and advanced dancers. Level 2 Prerequisite required.
	Hustle 1-Night Workshop - Monday, 1/ 7, 8:00 PM Checking out the “Other Basic”: Sliding Doors and just a few fantastic variations. Intermediate Level Workshop: level 2 prerequisite required.
	Social Dance Class Sampler: a FREE introduction to Ballroom Dancing - Wednesday, 1/9, 7:15 PM Tired of watching other people dance? Start your year off with Sapphire and this one-night workshop! Taught at Blacksburg Community Center
	Winter Luau Dance Party - Saturday, 1/12, 7:30 PM Dig out your flowered shirts, wear them over your long-johns, and get ready to Luau at Sapphire Ballroom!
	Rumba 1-Night Workshop - Monday, 1/14, 8:00 PM Time to brush up on this romantic favorite? We’ve got you covered. Intermediate Level Workshop: level 2 prerequisite required.
	Learn to Waltz, a 4-Week Class for beginners - Tuesday, 1/15, 6:15 PM Interested in whirling around the dance floor like you're in a classic romantic movie? Then this beginner class is for you! Taught at Blacksburg Community Center
	Swing Dance for Beginners, 4-Week Class - Tuesday, 1/15, 7:15 PM Get ready to dance the night away to awesome music. No previous dance experience required - this is a great class for beginners! - so come on out and get groovy. Taught at Blacksburg Community Center
	Intro to Lindy Hop - Wednesday, 1/16, 6:15 PM Already know the basics of East Coast Swing? Let's get your dancing "hopping!" Taught at Blacksburg Community Center
	Level 3 Rumba - Wednesday, 1/16, 7:15 PM Add more flair, moves, and motion to your Rumba. Taught at Blacksburg Community Center
	Learn to Cha Cha - Wednesday, 1/16, 8:15 PM Get moving to this fast, challenging, and super-versatile dance style. Taught at Blacksburg Community Center
	Senior Social & Dance Party - Sunday, 1/20, 3:00 PM Just for Seniors - enjoy some dancing, snacks, and new friends, all to fantastic music from the 40's, 50's, & 60's.
	Sweethearts Dance Class - Monday, 1/21, 8:00 PM Looking for the ultimate date experience this Valentine's Day?

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Thanks for reading; we hope you found something you liked. Until we see you again, happy dancing!

To subscribe to Sapphire Dance News, our monthly e-newsletter, visit us at SapphireDance.com/email.php.