We made it to 10 years! Thank you to all that participated in our 10th Anniversary Showcase, those who celebrated with us at our Dance Party, and most of all, we want to thank every person who has come through our doors and made teaching dance a true pleasure these many years. Here’s to many more!

Let's keep the floor crowded as we head into the end of the summer with these awesome, upcoming opportunities.

1. Sapphires & Diamonds, 10th Anniversary Gala: It was soooooooooooooo cool. (read more) 2. New Group Classes in Blacksburg start August 12 & 13 (read more) 3. September Class Preview (read more) 4. Hoop Dance Basics starts in Studio A, August 11 (read more) 5. Ice Cream Social, September 6 (read more) 6. Old Man Kelly returns to Sapphire on Friday, October 17 (read more) 7. ASPIRE Performing Arts Program Kicks Off Year #2 (read more) World Tour Dance Party this Saturday, August 9 Travel the world without a passport. We'll have costumes and decorations on display from around the world, music that celebrates the joys of traveling, and for the lesson, one of our favorite internationally-inspired dances: Argentine Tango, taught by Lane. Be sure to join us for the beginning of the lesson if this is your first time dancing Argentine Tango.

Dates to remember:

Saturday, August 9 -World Tour Dance Party
Monday, August 11 - Hoop Dance Basics (weekly class)
Tuesday & Wednesday, August 12 & 13 - Blacksburg Group Classes Start
Monday, August 25 - Rumba joins the ULW line-up
Friday, August 29 - CTAM cancelled for Labor Day
Saturday, September 6 - Ice Cream Social & Dance Party
Wenesday, September 17 - Fall Sampler Free Intro Lesson at Blacksburg Community Center

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Saturday, July 26, started fairly calm. The chairs were already set up, the dancers weren't here yet. Ran to the store to get fresh flowers (can't have a Gala without flowers, right?) and few other things. Programs ready to hand out. Tickets. Music. Check. Everything's ready.

Then the people start flowing in. Performers, spectators, family members. Familiar faces, new faces, and faces we haven't seen in way too long. The chairs fill up, the performers get ready, and then the Showcase is on, and like a wave of music and dancing, stories and laughs, it carries us through the afternoon. We had Waltzes, Fox Trots, and a Tango. There was a Rumba, Samba, and Cha Cha. Night Club 2-Step and a Hustle. East and West Coast Swings. All done by students, some dancing with teachers, others dancing with other students. There was even a skit honoring Linda and her family.

If you didn't make to the Sapphires & Diamonds Gala, or if you want to relive the fun, check out the photos going up on our Facebook page. They will appear in several waves - so keep checking back: Facebook.com/SapphireBallroom.

Yes, we also took video. We will be making a montage of the performances to share on YouTube, so be watching for activity there in the next few weeks. Full videos we will provide to the performers, who can in turn share them, if they choose to.

In all, the entire day was spactacular. I could not believe how much fun it was. I'm left feeling so grateful that this is my job and that I get to spend my time with such wonderful people.
- Thanks for listening, Debbi

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Can you believe this is the last set of classes for the summer? Neither can we!

The most beginner-friendly class this session is Level 1 Fox Trot, Wednesdays at 8:00. This breezy dance is a great way to get introduced into the world of partner dance and feel like Fred Astaire all the while. If you want to see a sample of the moves you'd learn in this class, check out this video: Fox Trot First Steps.

If you are looking for something with some pep and fast footwork, you will find that in Level 1 Cha Cha or Level 1 East Coast Swing. The only question is: Are you looking for a Latin or Swing feel?

Also, there is a Level 1 Argentine Tango for those with some partner dance experience ambitious beginners intrigued by this dance.

For the two Class-By-Request spots, we offer you a Level 4 Carolina Shag class sure to get your feet flying on Tuesdays and a Level 2 Rumba on Wednesday for all you romantics.

Find details at http://www.SapphireDance.com/groupclasses.php

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One of the things you can be looking for this Fall, other than football, autumn colors, and cooler temps, is the very welcoming, very informative, and very FREE Fall Sampler on Tuesday, September 17, 7:00 pm, at the Blacksburg Community Center.

Also, this September you will have the choice of 2 unique, 2 hours for 2 weeks classes starting Tuesday, September 23 (Level 1 Salsa) and Wednesday, September 24 (Level 1 Waltz). The condensed format is so that we can offer you as many varied classes as possible before the winter holidays start. Did we just say “holidays”? Oh man.

http://www.sapphiredance.com/groupclasses.php

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New! Hoop Dance Basics is a low impact, high energy, core busting way to achieve physical fitness, and we are offering a four week class on Mondays at 5:15p starting Monday, August 11.  Using oversized, weighted hula hoops, the instructor will guide you through a series of exercises on the waist and hips mastering core control, hand hooping, tosses and jumps. No expereince required. Contact us if interested.

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What happens when dancing and ice cream collide?

No, not a mess….an Ice Cream Social! On Saturday, September 6 at 3:00pm, we are enjoying the last bits of summer and welcoming students back to town and into the studio with some delicious icy treats and dancing.

We will be serving up some excellent ice-cream with a variety of toppings. Banana split anyone? Then mix it up on the dance floor with a blend of your favorite dance styles. We also plan to do some ice “cream” breakers to help us all get to know each other more.

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We are excited to welcome Old Man Kelly & The Streetsweepers back to Sapphire to throw down some honky-tonk, rockabilly, jump blues for our dancing pleasure on Friday, October 17.

The band will cut-loose at 8:30 after our regularly scheduled “Cheaper-Than-A-Movie” beginner workshop, which begins at 7:00pm. In preparation for the big event, we will be featuring Single Time Swing, Waltz, and Rumba during the workshop - yes, Rumba is fun even at a honky tonk!

Come to the workshop and the live band dance for $14/person. The last time they were here we packed the house with a fun-lovin’, crazy-dancin’ crowd (check out the pictures on our facebook page). We can’t wait to do it again.

http://SapphireDance.com/events.php
http://www.oldmankelly.com/

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Classes for Sapphire’s Performing Arts program begin soon.

Looking for a class for your baby ballerina?
How about something new and creative for your grandchild?
Your neighbor?
Your nephew’s child?
Spread the word to whomever you know who might be seeking a great studio with dedicated, qualified teachers. Our vision is to help each student discover the art and joy of dance.

Look for a schedule of workshops from Monday, August 25 - Saturday, September 6 at cburgdance.com.  These workshops are a fun and easy way to meet our staff, try a class, and get a taste of what we offer including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and junior ballroom.  We will have workshops for all ages: little ones, teens, and adults.  There’s something for bashful new dancers and experienced ‘can’t-get-enough’ dancers.

Our full class schedule begins Monday, September 8.  We are currently finalizing those plans, so there is still time to put in your requests for classes and times.  Plus, with our new referral program, you could earn dance $$ for yourself just by sending a new student our way. Ask the new student to write your name on his/her Registration Form, and after he/she signs up for at least one month of classes, you can claim your $25 in Sapphire Dance Dollars, good for either Ballroom or Performing Arts programs.

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