Firefly Welcomes a New Member to the Team

We are extremely delighted to welcome the fabulous Elena Samodanova to the Firefly team! Elena and her partner Gleb have just become the National Capital Professional Latin Champions! She is of course an amazing International Latin teacher but also very skilled in International Standard Ballroom. Some of our students have already taken lessons with Elena and have been thoroughly inspired by her knowledge and teaching approach.

Elena currently has limited availability on Monday and Thursday evenings for Private lessons. She is also teaching the following group classes:

International Latin Intermediate/Advanced – Mon 7.45pm

International Standard Ballroom Intermediate/Advanced – Mon 8.30pm

International Latin & Ballroom Level 2 – Thurs 6.15pm

New Vogue Intermediate/Advanced – Thurs 7pm

Salsa Intermediate/Advanced – Thurs 8.30pm

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New Casual Salsa Classes at Firefly

Due to popular demand we have now added Salsa Level 1 & 2 to Firefly’s Casual Group Classes!

We understand that many of you are unable to commit to 8 week series classes due to work commitments, family activites, travel etc. but don’t want to miss out on the fun you have in group classes at Firefly. We hear you! So from the 26th of July we will commence Salsa Level 1 & 2 as casual classes.

Salsa Level 1  every Tuesday at 7.00pm

Salsa Level 2 every Tuesday at 7.45pm

The benefits are:

• You can progress to the next level when you are ready – no pressure at the end of 8 weeks to move up a class
• You can pay $20 per class, buy a 4 class pass for $75 (expires 6 weeks after first class) or an 8 class pass for $140 (expires 10 weeks after first class)
• You can attend classes at levels below for practice and/or revision any week
• If you miss a class you can cover that material in the next rotation
• No need to pre-book you can just come and have some fun

Due to these classes becoming Casual we cannot guarantee numbers or gender balance.
Salsa Level 1 & 2 are now included in Firefly Dance Club’s Full Membership.

Check the full Casual Group Class Timetable for further information or ask one of our teachers which level is right for you.

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Q’s Views Ep 3

Q’s Views

Ok so this version is a bit late and I apologise for that as some of you may or may not know I have been a little unwell of late and seeing as there is only one Q (that’s me) there has been no Q’s Views.
So a wrap up on what has been happening at Firefly Dance Club and what is coming up.
Recently we have had some students go through the gruelling Bronze exam process and pass with honours. Those students are Tracy Allen, Danielle Keogh and Leonie Lemont. All fabulous students with an amazing teacher…..
The Firefly Dance Club DDD was a huge success and all those who performed did a great job. We will never look at Michael the same way again mr TOO SEXY not to mention the country girl Louise in her cowboy boots…. The food at the Freeway was great lots of platters of flesh for all you meat eaters so everyone was covered…..
FFF is tomorrow night and it’s a Musicals theme with a prize for best dressed. So although I won’t be there I will be seeing all the pics and will still get a chance to judge you all hehe. With love of course. There will be a high energy dance demonstration that will get you bopping in your seats so stay tuned for it.
OK now onto the Firefly Dance Club Ball, it seems that currently I yes me Q am doing a great number of student routines at this stage and I am more than happy to share the stage or dance floor with other students and their teacher (in fact I encourage it). So please register with your teacher so that I am not the only one performing.
I will be back next week with a wrap up on all things FFF and Firefly. I wish you all a fun Musical’s FFF and a safe weekend.
Peace Love and Mungbeans

Q

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Q’s Views – Ep 2

Q‘s Views

Ep2

Welcome back to another episode of Q’s Views I hope you liked my first rant on all things Firefly.

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who attended our Climb for a Cure Charity Dance at The Cremorne Hotel on Fri 25/3/2011. It was a smashing night full of dancing, drinking, eating and I must admit you were all very well behaved, even John Lincoln….Serghei did a wonderful pas de deux with his student Sheree, Jackie & Troy did a sizzling salsa with some crazy far – out lifts ( that mirror ball was scared for its life on more than one occasion) and Ashley / Ingrid and I did a fusion of Rumba / Tango and Contemporary. Now the question your are all asking is “how does he do all those incredible flips and splits”. Well the answer is I do it by not thinking about how sore I will be the next day and the day after that …. Don’t forget our auction for Cure for Cancer is still going on in the studio and will be drawn at DDD so bid generously. Thank you to everyone for your support and to those that couldn’t make the Charity Dance but donated anyway. Congrats to Tracy Allen for winning the seafood platter raffle. You and your kitty “Billy” will be well fed…

The Firefly Dance Club DDD is coming up so I hope that all you groovers and shakers have sorted out your numbers and are well underway to being way cool. I am looking forward to seeing all your dances on the night. Don’t forget to invite your friends, family, neighbours, cousins and anyone else you like….. The demo will be at the studio and the fun festivities after will be held at the Freeway Hotel.

So what’s been going on around the studio?…… Glad you asked. Well, you may have noticed that Mrs Steer (Caroline) graced us with her presence last week, we are excited that she is back and is looking all relaxed and bronzed (unlike some of us mmmmm). My talented Salsa 2 kids are moving to Salsa 3 which is exciting. Soon they will be leaving me and going to intermediate / advanced…. This is exciting times.

Lauren has clocked up 2000 lessons taught for Firefly Dance Club, I don’t know if she gets a Steak Knife or a Watch I will keep you all posted. What do you think Lauren should get?

Dr Clive is out of action as he was beaten up by a girl soccer player. Dr Clive will be out of action for at least 3 months with a ruptured tendon. Hope you get better soon Doc.

Argentine Tango class is at an end this week. I hope all of you that did it found it inspirational and challenging and I hope you all had mints and sprayed a little nice smelling stuff before class cause that dance is close my friends….

A pact was made in Practice Class on the 30/3/11 to keep Alan in time with the music, we all agreed to be cruel to be kind. We would make it our mission to to link the rhythm that is in Alan’s head with the music that plays out of the stereo. This is for your own good old Al and we do it cause we love ya…

Well my faithful readers it is time to sign off. Hope you all enjoyed this episode of Q’s Views and keep on dancin.

Q

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Q’s Views

Q’s Views

Hi all you Firefly dancers – welcome to Q’s Views, a new column where you will get the inside scoop on what is happening in the studio, up coming events and all the latest goss on everything Firefly.

Firstly has everyone met our new teacher Serghei?? If you have, you will notice he is not from around these parts, thats right Serghei is Russian born but I am still the Vodka drinker so remember that….. Serghei is teaching International Ballroom and Latin as well as Salsa and New Vogue. I am counting to see how many different coloured socks he has (you would know what I mean if you see him around the studio).

Cancer Charity event is next Friday at Cremorne Hotel and it goes without saying that I expect to see all of you there. This is for a great cause and you have no excuses. The night will be filled with raffle prizes, giveaways, fun, dancing, drinking, dancing and I am guessing more drinking. Just don’t drink and drive. Tickets are available at Reception.

So what’s been happening in the studio of late. Well one of our male students was randomly asked to join the New Vogue class on thur night due to lack of male attendants. I believe he was thrown in the deep end and survived without using his floaties.

At the Practice class the students were asked to demonstrate their teaching abilities by teaching each other steps as if teaching a beginner in a social setting. Its funny how much people think they know until they are put on the spot ….hehe.

It was my birthday last Wed yes the 9^rd March – put it in your diaries for next year. For those who got me a gift or card thank you and for those who didn’t get me anything I will assume its cause you’re still shopping for the perfect gift….. Jokes

DDD is quickly approaching so I hope you and your teacher have decided on a dance style and are getting ready to strut your stuff. Remember this is a fun night so don’t stress: bring along your family and friends so they can finally have an understanding as to why you are cha charing to the lunch room or foxtrotting down the hall or shopping centre aisle. Come on, I know you all do it….

Worlds Greatest Shave – Robert has shaved his head, lets see if anyone notices. Also Julian is going to shave his head as well – this is long overdue and is well worth your support.

Our fabulous teacher, Mrs Caroline Steer, is away attending a wedding up north – the lucky chicken. Let’s hope you don’t get too sun burnt laying in the sun while the rest of us work ….hehe.

The lovely Amelia, as you may have noticed was sporting a new trend in fashion last week. Fresh off the runway at Fashion Week it was the crutches look. Amelia had a big bad needle placed in her foot to help with the pain and discomfort she has been experiencing. Please be nice to our fashion trend setter whether she has her trendy crutches with her or not.

So this has been Q’s Views, a look into the inner workings of Firefly. Hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed getting all the goss for you.

See you next time.

Q

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American Style, International Style & New Vogue Dancing now all at Firefly!

From February 21, 2011, Firefly Dance Club will be offering International Latin, Ballroom & New Vogue in addition to our current American Smooth (Ballroom) and Rhythm (Latin) dance styles.

So what’s the difference between American, International and New Vogue?

• The American style starts with simpler patterns than International (or Modern) and the focus is more on learning partnership and floorcraft skills so that the patterns can be put together depending on the social situation.

• The American style has moves which are “open” (in which partners can separate from each other) while International Ballroom stays in closed position. Partners dance closer together in International style rather than the more “distant” connection which characterises the Social style at Bronze level and can be less intimidating for newcomers .

• International style is what you would recognise from dance competitions, but is also taught as a more social style, as what most people want is to be able to use dance in social settings. It tends to use a set sequence of patterns.

• Using an analogy, the American style starts with “words” and builds sentences then paragraphs. International style tends to come from the other direction, starting with sequences of patterns like paragraphs and then “pulls them apart” to examine sentences then words. For that reason, International style includes some dances that don’t lend themselves to social partner dance, such as Paso Doble.

• Both are legitimate styles with recognised curricula, technique, skills and levels

• The American style includes Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Cha Cha, Mambo, Rumba, Bolero, Samba, and East Coast Swing. At Firefly we also teach West Coast Swing, Salsa, Two Step and Hustle which are danced in more casual social settings often to modern music.

• The International style includes Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Qick Step, Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Jive and Paso Doble

• However, there are different steps in each style, differences in technique and more confusingly in some cases, the dances are very different even though they are called the same eg American Rumba and International Rumba.

• New Vogue started in the 1930s and is based on Modern Ballroom technique. However, in this style every couple on the dance floor performs the same steps at the same time and at the end of the sequence, the steps are started again. This makes it quite easy to learn at first and is very popular as a social dance. It is also a competitive style.

• International and New Vogue classes and private lessons are available with Serghei Bolgarschii from February 21, 2011. He will be bringing his existing students with him and we welcome them into the Firefly “family”.

If I have been learning one style can I try the other?

Yes is the simple answer. Any style Firefly teaches is open to everyone, although we do have some pre-requisities for some of our more difficult dances.

The best idea is to talk to your teacher about how this fits into your dance goals
For the students who have started with the International style, the Dance Sampler class is an easy way to experience the American style and anyone doing private lessons at Firefly can come to the Sampler class at no cost.

Which is best for me?

Over time it will be good to know the basics and basic differences in technique of both styles as you will be able to dance with a broader range of people at social events.
Anyone wanting to compete should do International style.
Learning both gives you a better understanding about dance, rhythm and partnership.

What’s the advantage of Firefly extending the range of styles we offer?

Firefly has always been innovative in its approach to partner dancing, and while most Studio’s tend to opt for one style or the other (and sometimes see a great divide between them), we are building a “dance community” which can benefit from knowing and using a number of different styles which exist in the broader social scene.
Firefly will continue to acknowledge and embrace other styles you may come across socially (eg maybe Zouk or Lindy Hop) as we continue to grow.

Will the introduction of International and New Vogue styles change Firefly?

Yes, for the better – we will have more to offer current and new students
No – Firefly Dance Club is dedicated to the social use of partner dance, to our Club, to the best teaching, the best experience, the best environment and to individualising our programs. So our underlying philosophy and approach will not change. Serghei will be a Firefly staff member and will bring some new dimensions to what we can offer existing and future students.
We already have people with International experience that come to Firefly Fridays and are made very welcome
We will be looking at Club membership to make sure our International style students have the opportunity to join.

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