News 11th June 2009

What's happening...
Congratulations to everyone who competed in the Sydney competition! Awesome job Le Step and Le Step On the Coast!.
Almost all of our Brisbane group got a trophy or made it to the final!
The crew from Le Step OTC had a huge contingent and were on the podium for basically every event in which they had someone competing. There is a full list towards the bottom of this page.
Apart from the brilliant results at the competition, we had a fantastic weekend in Sydney just hanging out together and attending the massive dance party on Sunday night.

Allan and Holly start their WCS classes tonight. Congratulations on such a big venture. More details below. There is a Dance Party on the Coast on Saturday night at Dance HQ.

We have workshops this weekend for everyone from Beginners to Advanced.
The next Brisbane Dance Party is on Saturday 20th June at Mt.Gravatt.

We're also thrilled to announce that to bring you something a bit different, our next Brisbane Routine that starts on the first Sunday of July, will be co-choreographed by myself (Mick) and a very talented female dancer from Sydney! All will be revealed soon.

The weather has turned a bit cooler but it's great to see people still getting along to class. Once you're there it's nice and warm and it's a great way to keep fit over winter.

Monday Night - Guest Teachers
Next week we have Lee Rays and Helen Leury as guest teachers at Holland Park for both classes.

They are fantastic dancers and just placed third in the Advanced Freestyle section of the Sydney competition. Thanks to Lee's fantastic gluing ability (ask him if you don't understand) they and also received the 'best dressed' award for their level.

Lee is originally from the Gold Coast but then went to the UK on a working holiday where he worked as an operations manager for the biggest dance group over there. Whilst there, he met Helen (from the UK) and they now live here in Brisbane.

Come check out their fun class on Monday night next week!
St.Joachim's School Hall - Crown St Holland Pk.


Chermside Venue
I (Mick) will be visiting Chermside next Tuesday and teaching both classes there.
I hope to see lots of you there for something a little different.

A reminder to Chermside Crew that we have our crew meeting at Chermside next Tuesday night.

New Brisbane Routine - Guest Co-Choreographer from Sydney
Our new Intermediate/Advanced routine will start on Sunday 5th July.

In a bid to bring you something totally new and inspiring, we are flying in one of the Sydney dancers to co-choreograph our next routine.
We have awesome dancers here in Queensland but I thought it might be interesting to bring in some cross-fertilization of ideas from interstate.

The girl I have chosen is one of Australia's most recognized Modern Jive dancers and has a swag of medals for her achievements.
All will be announced soon.


Beginner Workshop this Sunday with Kellie & Robbie
The aim of the beginners' workshop is to get you out there on the floor enjoying freestyle as soon as possible - after all, that's what it's all about! You will learn a number of base moves (moves which can be varied later on) in more detail than our regular classes allow. The basic techniques you'll learn from these base moves can then be applied to the many variations you'll encounter in our Intermediate / Advanced classes. Beginner workshops do not require your own partner but you do need to book.

Technique covered will include:

• Rhythm and Timing
• Handholds and Leads from the Man
• Spinning Technique
• Footwork
• Freestyling
• Basic Dips and Drops; and
• Developing Your Own Style.

Give yourself a head start with a two hour intensive workshop!

Date:	Sunday 14th June 2009
Time:	3:00 - 5:00pm
Cost:	Just $25pp for two hours
Venue:	St.Joachim's Hall - Crown St HOLLAND PK
Partner:	No partner required. However, if you organise your own partner we'll admit the two of you for $45 instead of $25ea.
Bookings:	Bookings essential. Book at any class or phone 3849 2553.
	See Events - Workshops - Bris for full details.

Intermediate/Advanced Workshop with Mick & Julia
We've put together a mixed bag of stuff for this workshop.
It's all about connection with your partner/s, lead and follow.
This workshop is NOT about new moves but is about
a whole stack of technique stuff to keep you up to date and on your toes.

Date:	Sunday 14th June 2009
Time:	5:30 - 7:30pm
Cost:	$25pp for two hours
Venue:	St.Joachim's Hall - Crown St HOLLAND PK
Partner:	OWN partner required.
Bookings:	Bookings essential. Book at any class or phone 3849 2553.

New curriculum starts soon
We are really excited about our new curriculum of moves and routines.

Based on feedback from our teachers, crew and students, we have simplified lots of things to assist our newer dancers, added some skill based 'drills', changed some of the moves and generally tweaked our current system to make it even better for you!

This month we have been running training sessions for all Le Step crew in preparation for our new curriculum which will kick off in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast at the beginning of July.


WCS Classes plus Combined WCS & Modern Jive Dance Party
Al and Holly start their West Coast Swing classes tonight (Thursday) at Greenslopes and to celebrate they are having the "First ever combined West Coast Swing & Modern Jive dance party in Queensland!" on Saturday. Allan and Holly love their WCS and want to share their passion with you. So, if you want to know more about Al and Holly's WCS classes you can check it out at www.rawconnection.com.au.

Party Info:
An opportunity to freestyle to a greater mix of music and dance more than one style in one night.

Date: Sat 13th June 09
Time: 8.30 - 12am (with the possibility to extend)
Where: Dance HQ - 4/16 Pinter Dr, Southport
Cost: $10 per person!

The Coasties have at least 10 guest dancers & teachers from both Modern Jive and West Coast Swing dance styles from Melbourne & Sydney attending this party night so this party is a "must not miss event"! Come and be a part of this celebration of dance....

Dance HQ offers a unique environment to dance with plenty of parking and heaps of dance space too. Cold drinks available for purchase and you are welcome to BYO alcohol if you wish too.

Mark this date in your diary and tell all your dancing friends. All welcome!

The Soiree is also coming up soon on the first Saturday of August.
Brisbane will be performing our new routine there.


Next Brisbane Dance Party - not this weekend but next!
A reminder too that our next Brisbane Dance Party is on Saturday 20th June at 7:15pm at Mt.Gravatt Bowl's Club.
As usual, there will be great music, cheap drinks and a good sized dance floor.
Bring your friends and see you there for another great night.


Dance Camp 2009
Our Dance Camp will be 20th - 22nd November at Mapleton.
More details to be announced later in the year.

WCS Classes
Jamie and Erin are also offering WCS classes.

Jamie and Erin, opened Brisbane West Coast Swing a few weeks ago so that they can bring their passion and enthusiasm for this smooth dance style from the U.S. to their home town in its most authentic form.
Jamie and Erin have fun, friendly classes in the Brisbane CBD on a Friday night and will also soon be opening classes on a Tuesday night in a central location outside of the city. Free street parking is available on Friday nights and unlimited parking is only $8 across the road at the Myer Centre. They also have WCS 101 Absolute Beginner Workshops commencing in Brisbane from mid June 2009 over a 4 week period. The workshops will give you the basic technique and the 14 beginner patterns as established by the World Swing Dance Council to get you socially dancing this creative style sooner.

Check out their website at www.brisbanewestcoastswing.com.au for more details.


Dancers beat Boyle in "Britain's Got Talent"
Personally, I don't really care who won Britain's Got Talent but I must admit it was nice to see a Dance Group win a major competition like this.
I think it is indicative of the height of dance across the world at the moment.

Here's one of the news pages if you want to read more;
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/mp/5617694/dancers-beat-boyle-in-britains-got-talent/


Please pay cash for purchases under $45.
At some venues we offer eftpos/credit card facilities for purchases of $45 and over.

We have deliberately set the limit at $45 so people cannot slow things up at the door by paying by this method for just one class.
The reason for that is that we have sooooo many people (140 on Wednesday) trying to get through the door in time for the classes and obviously paying by card is slower than paying by cash. So, please try bring cash and keep everyone else smiling too!

We have allowed our door staff to offer this facility for purchases under $45 at their discretion but this is slowly getting out of hand and really slowing things up on the door for everyone else. So, please help us and everyone else by bringing cash to class if you care just paying for a standard class.


Results from the Sydney Competition
There are some people listed here who dance very regularly in Brisbane as well as on the Coast, so for easy reference I have highlighted anyone who dances in Brisbane on a fairly regular basis.


Beginner Dance With A Stranger
1st - Tyler van der Weide (Le Step on the Coast) and Kathy Tubb (Ceroc Australia)
2nd - Matthew Gardner (CMJ Willoughby) and Natasha Seeto (Le Step on the Coast)
3rd - Dave Cureton (Le Step on the Coast) and Anita Nemarich (CMJ Willoughby)

Beginner Freestyle
1st - Tyler Van der Weide and Natasha Seeto (Le Step on the Coast)
2nd - Matthew Dillon-Mayne and Charlotte Elder (Ceroc Melbourne/Le Bop and City NZ)
3rd - Prashin Kapahi and Sharon Simmons (Le Step)

Intermediate A Dance With A Stranger
1st - Austin D'Silva (Le Step on the Coast) and Ciara Donnelly (Le Step on the Coast)
2nd - Ocean Sherwood (CMJ Concord) and Melitta Siragusa (Ceroc Melbourne)
3rd - Ajay Ranipeta (CMJ Camperdown) and Kelly Wright (CMJ Concord)
Finalist - Akiko Aslett (Le Step)

Intermediate B Freestyle
1st - Ehsan Gharaie and Melitta Siragusa (Ceroc Melbourne)
2nd - Mervin Almeida and Rachel Cureton (Le Step on the Coast)
3rd - Atul Choudhary and Ciara Donnelly (Le Step on the Coast)
Austin and Jess made the Final

Intermediate A Freestyle
1st - Patryck Allen and Emma van den Bos (CMJ Camperdown)
2nd - Austin D'Silva and Akiko Aslett (Le Step on the Coast)
3rd - Steve Kuljis (Ceroc Melbourne) and Jessica White (CMJ Camperdown)
Ty and Bree were Finalists
Anthony and Kate made the Semi Final.


Advanced Dance With A Stranger
1st - Adrian Dozcy (danceVibe) and Amy Mak (Ceroc Perth)
2nd - Julian Pietsch (CMJ Adelaide) and Emma Priest (Ceroc Melbourne)
3rd - Sean Kavanagh (Ceroc Australia) and Helen Leury (Le Step on the Coast)

Advanced Freestyle
1st - Sean Kavanagh and Charlotte Cowie (Nuroc and Ceroc Australia)
2nd - Jake Colburn and Amy Mak (Ceroc Perth)
3rd - Lee Rays and Helen Leury (Le Step on the Coast)

Champions Dance With A Stranger
1st - Scott Stuart (Ceroc Melbourne) and Holly Skinner (Le Step on the Coast)
2nd - Coby Chapple (Le Step on the Coast) and Kate Foster (CMJ Northside and Camperdown)
3rd - Nick Sissons (Ceroc Melbourne) and Caterina Panay-Kuljis (Ceroc Melbourne)

Champions Freestyle
1st - Coby Chapple and Holly Skinner (Le Step on the Coast)
2nd - Clinton Glasgow (Ceroc Australia) and Emma Willis (Le Step on the Coast)
3rd - Scott Stuart (Ceroc Melbourne) and Katrina Ostrenski (Le Step on the Coast)
Mick French (yep - me) made it to the final which meant having to do a 'spotlight'.

Showcase
1st - Allan Skinner and Holly Skinner (Le Step on the Coast)
2nd - Clinton Glasgow (Ceroc Australia) and Emma Willis (Le Step on the Coast)
3rd - Sean Kavanagh and Charlotte Cowie (Nuroc and Ceroc Australia)

Team Cabaret
1st - The Divas (Ceroc Melbourne)
2nd - Class Act (CMJ Manly)
3rd - See You Again (CMJ Camperdown)

Best Dressed Couples
Beginner - Daniel Connell and Sabina Wojtkiewicz (Ceroc Canberra)
Intermediate (A and B) - Saxon Smith and Anita Freeman (CMJ Willoughby)
Advanced and Champions - Lee Rays and Helen Leury (Le Step on the Coast)

Enjoy the dancefloor!
From Mick, Rach and the Le Step Team