Is it just me, or is the summer FLYING by! Don’t let this summer eclipse you (hehe)....get out of those summertime shadows and get dancing. We still have one more set of Blacksburg Group Classes, lots of great, upper level workshops and classes, and two more social dances before summer is officially over. The solar eclipse should not be the only epic thing you experience this month...experience dance!

Summer Sizzle Dance Party this Saturday, August 12 - read more Upper Level Workshops get a little “Twangy” with Country styles - read more August Group Classes in Blacksburg start next week and have lots of options for lots of skill levels - read more Monday Night Shake Up! New times starting in September - read more Argentine Tango with Karen and Tate in September! - read more

Dates to Remember:

Saturday, August 12 - Summer Sizzle Dance Party with Salsa Lesson
Tuesday & Wednesday, August 15 & 16 - Blacksburg Group Classes begin
Sunday, August 27 - Junior Ballroom Summer Dance Party
Friday & Monday, September 1 & 4 - CTAM Beginner Workshop and Monday Night Classes cancelled for Holiday
Friday, September 8 - Junior Ballroom Fall Session starts
Saturday, September 9 - Black and White Ball with Viennese Waltz Lesson
Wednesday, September 20 - Fall Sampler: FREE Intro Lesson at the Blacksburg Community Center
Friday-Sunday, September 29-October 1 - Argentine Tango with Karen and Tate

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Hot summer nights just got hotter. But in a good way. A spicy way.

Join your fellow dance enthusiasts this Saturday when Sapphire heats things up with the Summer Sizzle Dance Party on August 12.

Lane will have you burning up the floor with a Salsa lesson starting at 7:30. As usual, come out early in the lesson to get a friendly introduction to this smokin’ Latin style, and hang-on-tight as the lesson erupts into something truly fiery towards the end. It’s a night that’s sure to Sizzle!

Bring a snack to share and possibly win some some dance dollars to be used toward any Sapphire classes, events, or merchandise. Plus, you will need some nourishment after tearing up the dance floor!

Check out more pictures from last Summer's Sizzle on the Sapphire Facebook page.You might notice that lots of people dressed in fiery colors to reflect the theme - I love it when that happens!

For more information about all the Sapphire Dance Parties, visit us on-line at http://www.sapphiredance.com/events.php.

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We started this month off with Country Two-Step to get the Country-Western vibe going. The next dances are not as obviously Country, because they are often danced them to other styles of music. But they all gained popularity and recognition in the UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council).

Nightclub 2-Step on August 14 will be slow and smooth. Polka on August 21 will be energetic and bouncy. And West Coast swing on August 28 will be groovy and funky. All these workshops are at 8pm at the Sapphire Studio in downtown Christiansburg.

Monday night classes are cancelled on Labor Day, so plan to rest your feet that night and save your energy for the rest of September’s dance opportunities. Check below for news about some changes in the schedule!

The Fall Monday Night Schedule is not set yet, but I can tell you - there is more West Coast Swing and Quickstep on the Fall Schedule. Yay! ;-)

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August Group Classes in Blacksburg might be one of the most “Upper Level” sessions ever!

There are always plenty of options for people starting out, and this month is no exception, but there are a whopping 4 different classes for dancers with a bit of experience.

If you are just starting out, and looking for that perfect first dance style to give social dancing a try, then the Level 1 Rumba class on Tuesdays at 7:15 is the class for you. Rumba is one of the most approachable Latin styles, and can be danced to many styles of music including contemporary pop, country, and more. It is definitely a go to wedding/event dance for these reasons.

If you want something to give your brain and leg muscles a little more of a workout, then you should try Level 1 Salsa and Merengue (two dance styles in one class) on Wednesdays at 7:15pm. Salsa will give you the “exercise” and Merengue will teach you all about Latin technique and how improvise with your partner.

For dancers with experience, check out these fantastic options:

• Level 3 Swing, featuring both single- and triple-time swings
• Dips and Tricks in Swing, approachable and fun dips and tricks!
• Level 3 Fox Trot, a great level for long-timers to review and refine, getting into the nitty gritty of box timing
• Intro to 3-Count Hustle, listed as Level 3 Hustle, but really appropriate for anyone ready to take their 4-Count Hustle into the fast lane

Find all the dates, times, and other information at http://www.sapphiredance.com/groupclasses.php. You'll also see the Fall Schedule up there.

We take a little break after this set and start a fresh season with the Fall Sampler, a FREE introduction to the Group Classes being offered in Blacksburg on Wednesday, September 20, 7:15pm, at the Blacksburg Community Center.

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Sapphire’s Upper Level Monday classes, both one-night workshops and 4-week group classes, have been filling the 7pm and 8pm time slots for as long as they have been around.

Starting right after Labor Day, we are shifting things around a little and putting these classes at 6pm and 7pm. The 8pm slot can still be used for private and semi-private lessons, as well as spontaneously formed group classes.

The new schedule will get the early birds home earlier, provide more options in general, and hopefully make it easier for you to join in one or both of the upper classes offered on Monday evenings.

We’re trying out the new schedule until the end of the year, at which point we’ll decide whether or not to continue the earlier times into 2018. Be sure to give us your feedback: positive or negative, we want to hear from you. And as always, let us know what dance styles, subjects, and levels you want to see.

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The end of September will be here before you know and it, and we will be welcoming Karen and Tate back to the NRV for the second time! We at Sapphire are so excited to be one of the many stops on their 2017 tour. If you participated last year, you already know what excellent teachers and dancers they are. If you missed them last time, you are in for a treat! Karen and Tate both have incredible enthusiasm and passion for Tango, paired with warm and friendly personalities that make them easy to talk to and learn from. They stay true to the the traditions and culture of Argentine Tango while making it approachable for all levels.

We have a basic outline for our weekend, September 29 - October 1, that we want to share with you so you can start reserving the time for Tango! We will be adding and firming up more details as we move closer to the weekend and will be keeping you posted on our website http://www.sapphiredance.com/Karen-Tate.html, our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SapphireBallroom/ and in the next Sapphire groupmail.

Here is what we know! Friday night we will have a 2 hour class geared toward folks who have never experienced Tango before but also good for anyone who wants to practice and refine their techniques. The last half hour will be a practice time guided by Karen and Tate.

On Saturday afternoon we will have a continuation class that assumes you either came to Friday night’s class or have a basic level of experience. Still keeping things foundational, Karen and Tate will dig in a little deeper. Then, there will be a more advanced class for dancers who have been dancing Tango for awhile.

All weekend, there will be private lesson availabilities with both Karen and Tate.

To finish off our weekend we are going to move things over to Beliveau Winery, http://www.beliveauestate.com/ and indulge our senses! We will sample empanadas and fine wine while sitting back and letting Karen and Tate take us through the history of Argentine Tango with a multimedia performance: “A Taste of Argentina.” And to finish the night off, we will have an open dance floor to use!

Stay tuned for information on times, class topics, prices and more!

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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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