Splash-o-Rama

Sapphire Ballroom News - July 2021

We used to go to a water park every year for my birthday (which is this week). For lots of different reasons, COVID just one of them, we have not made it in several years, but I would like to make it a thing again. Maybe next year.

In the meantime, I bring you the “Splash-O-Rama” edition for Sapphire News. It's a tidal wave of fun news and churning full of good information on how to stay cool without going for a dunk in the nearest mountain stream (that does sound lovely, but it would ruin my dance shoes), as well as several of the sparkling dance opportunities flooding Sapphire’s calendar this month. And don’t miss the River Cruise Playlist - it’s a wonder-pool of different dance styles with a distinctly watery theme.

Finally, we are lifting the mask requirement in-studio. Please know that your safety and the wellbeing of our staff and their families are top of our priorities and so, the COVID measures might come back if things go down the drain. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen! If you would like your instructor to continue wearing a mask during your lesson, we are happy to do so, no reason needed.

In this issue...

- Highlights and Headlines

- Staying Cool when the Dancing is Hot

- River Cruise Playlist

- Upcoming Dance Classes and Events

Lyric Quote of the Month:

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the desert of truth
To the river so deep

We all end in the ocean
We all start in the streams
We're all carried along
By the river of dreams

     -    "River of Dreams" by Billy Joel (a slow Samba)

  

Highlights and Headlines

Summer Sale - 6 Friday Beginner Workshops for only $40

June 20-September 22, the “official” days of summer, you can buy a package of 6 FBWs for just $40! Share them with friends, your sweetheart, or keep them for yourself - it’s up to you. You have 3 months (about the length of Summer) to use them after purchase, so feel free to take your time and figure out when you want to come out. The dance floor is waiting for you.

This sale is for Friday Beginner Workshops (FBWs) only.See the summer schedule on our webpage at SapphireDance.com/GroupLessons.php

To buy your six pack, talk to your instructor or visit our online store at SapphireBallroom.square.site and choose Friday Beginner Workshops.

Romantic Rumba and Groovy Swing - Blacksburg Group Classes start July 13 and 14

Rumba and Swing are the dynamic duo of party dances. Either one would be useful at weddings, office parties, concerts, wherever! The two dances together would cover 90% of the music you’ll hear out and about. So, whether you pick sweet, slow Rumba, or you gear up for fast, exciting Swing (or take them both), you know you’ll be using what you learn for years to come. No experience required or expected!

Details available at SapphireDance.com/GroupLessons.php

Carolina Shag - Studio Group Class on Sundays July 11- Aug 1

We added this class because of your requests and it looks like it’s gonna be a winner! It’s 1 hour on Sunday afternoons for 4 weeks. I would love to carry it into a Level 2 in August. CaShag is not the easiest of dances, and you might be happier if you’ve danced something before. But beginners are welcome and we will definitely explain everything from the ground up.
More details available at SapphireDance.com/GroupLessons.php

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Staying Cool when the Dancing is Hot

Staying cool when you're moving a lot is always challenging, especially when you are surrounded by fellow dancers adding to the “atmosphere.” Dancing adds the extra challenge of trying to dress up and look nice when you go out, making the cooler clothing you might wear jogging or to the gym inappropriate or just un appealing. So what can be done? Here are seven tips for keeping your cool while heating up the dance floor.

1 Embrace the Chill.

Your first line of defense is our air conditioning, which we kick into high gear when we expect the studio is going to heat up. Sorry if it’s uncomfortable when you get here, but you’ll thank us as your lesson goes on. Meanwhile, you might want to bring a light sweater or long sleeved shirt to wear until you get warmed up.

2 Stay hydrated.

To help with this, you might want to bring your own water bottle. Having your favorite water bottle handy will make it easier to identify which water is yours and help us save cups, thereby helping the environment as well. (Bonus!) Or buy one of Sapphire's awesome steel insulated water bottles, support your favorite dance studio, save the environment, and stay cool all at once. (Bonus squared.)

3 Expose your ankles.

It’s amazing how much it helps to show just a little skin. You are always welcome to wear shorts to your lesson, but for many people that’s not an option. If you can wear lower socks and/or roll up your pant legs, you’ll help the rest of you stay cool too.

4 Watch what you eat.

Especially right before a lesson. Although that BBQ and burger are truly delectable, snacking on fruits and veggies will actually help lower your body temperature and keep you from feeling the heat when you start moving.

5 Dress for the Heat, even when you dress up.

In some way this seems obvious, but there is a huge variety of athletic clothes that look really nice for dancing in. Golf pants, “activewear” polo shirts, and moisture wicking tops and dresses come in all kinds of styles that would look right at home on the dance floor.

6 Bring a fan.

Old fashioned, yes. Wonderful on a hot evening? Oh heck yes. It only takes a few minutes to get the motion down pat (it’s all in the wrist). Before you know it, you’ll have your own, private air conditioning unit. Just remember to put it down before you start dancing.

7 Dance early in the day.

If you have the option, try scheduling your lesson before mid-afternoon. The later the day, the more everything heats up, including our studio. Morning lessons have the added benefit of being less popular and therefore more likely that you would have the studio and music all to yourself.

These tips mostly apply to your weekly lessons and classes, but are going to be extra helpful when we start having Dance Parties again in the fall. Those end of summer sales might be the perfect time to expand your athletic dance wardrobe.

Do you have a favorite technique for staying cool? Let us know! Comment on our Facebook page.

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River Cruise Playlist

This month’s playlist was inspired by this crazy heat and the strong desire to go tubing. It’s gonna happen - but not this week. (I love that we live so close to the New River!) I had no idea there would be so many options for a river themed playlist. I think it really needs to be a dance party. But what would we call it? “Riverdance” is taken. Please check out the whole list at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGEmFFdzKkkZNVb9esHJr5Fr-6IOUyQF9 - it’s more than 30 songs long, and still growing.

See all of our YouTube Playlists at https://www.youtube.com/user/SapphireBallroom/playlists
These playlists are always changing, so come back frequently. If you have a suggestion, we’d love to hear it! Send us a link at info@sapphiredance.com.

If you read our newsletter frequently, you know by now that we publish a playlist of dance music every month, usually with some kind of quirky theme (like songs about rivers). But do you know we also have a large library of music just for you to practice to?

Visit our YouTube Channel “Songs for Practice” and you’ll find 20+ playlist organized by dance style. There’s one for Waltz, one for Bachata, a big one for West Coast Swing, one for almost every style we teach. And they are always growing and improving. We'd love your input - if you have a suggestion, let us know by email at infor@sapphiredance.com or Facebook message!

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Upcoming Dance Classes: online and in-person

Events are hosted by Sapphire Ballroom & Dance Center: online, at our studio in Christiansburg, or at the Blacksburg Community Center. Please check locations before traveling!

Taking online classes is affordable and easy, once you try it. You do not need a partner; you do not need a fancy space. You do not have to share your picture or video. Online events require a Zoom link (included below), but not a Zoom account.

All Group Lessons have a maximum of 12 people in-studio. To prevent being turned away from a full class, please register by or before noon the day of the class by emailing us at info@SapphireDance.com or contacting the Blacksburg Community Center (for Blacksburg classes).

All group events and lessons cost $6-$15/person/hour. Visit our Square Store to pay online for classes and private lessons.

More information available on our webpage or Facebook page.

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

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