Two Left Feet Newsletter - March Issue

David Rosinski Is Back

Our visiting coach David Rosinski is responsible for the choreography of most of our showcase dances performed by students and teachers. David has been teaching for 25 years and with his former partner Michele Evans became: 1985, 1986 U.S. Theatrical Champion. 1985, Fred Astaire National Rising Star Latin Champion. 1985 Fred Astaire National Theatrical Champion. 1986 Blackpool Exhibition Champion. Cherry Hill Theatrical Champion. Classique Theatrical Champion. Florida States Theatrical Champion. Texas Challenge Grand Champion. Ohio Star Ball Theatrical Champion. Boston Cup Champion. Yankee Classic Champion. Constitution State Champion and many more.

He appeared on Star Search in 1990, three times on PBS and has made numerous appearances in England, Germany, Holland, Canada, Poland and throughout the United States. During the months of March and April, David is back to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Hanover and will be available for coaching sessions with you and your teacher. Make sure to ask your instructor for the exact dates and times you can book lessons with him, or call 1.781.826.2500 for more information.

From Students To Students

No Blarney!
They say everyone is Irish
When St. Patrick's Day comes around
Toasting to St. Patrick who
Sent the snakes out of town


At Fred Astaire there's no blarney,
When it comes to dance.
They'll change the way you move
If you give them half a chance.


The teachers are top notch,
And will share the Irish wit,
Well those that wear the green that day,
Even if they happen to be Brit.


O'Banks, Canty, and Hutton,
Clemmons and O'Deyan,
Will greet you, and that's no blarney
So come and join the fun!

by Mike Cifello

Formation Cha Cha

You might ask what is a Formation Team, so let's start with answering that question first. Formation is a dancing exhibition consisting of three or more couples performing a choreographed routine to a specific piece of music.
Starting in March we are putting together a formation team for our Spring Showcase on April 30th. The dance we have picked out is the fast and earthy rhythm dance Cha Cha.
Classes will meet on Thursday nights at 8:15 and 9:00 pm. /time and day subject to change/.
If you haven't participated in one of our showcases the formation team is a great way to get started. You will learn new steps and improve the ones you already know, while having fun with fellow dancers.
See you on Thursdays and let's all hope we don't have to make that Saturdays.

Competition Dress Code

In the month of our New England Regional Dance Competition we would like to point out the appropriate dress code for both the ladies and gentlemen competitors. Let's start with the American Smooth and International Standard Divisions :
A. Gentlemen must wear all of the following:
1. Plain black dress pants.
2. Plain long sleeved dress shirt.
3. Black or white bow tie or traditional long tie, ascot or decorative neck brooch. Plus one of the following - Plain black sleeveless Vest or Tail Suit - as preferred options that don't affect the look of the man's frame.
B. Ladies: Ball gowns are optional. Dress must have full flare skirt and must cover the knee. For all type dresses - the distance between the top of the anklebone and the bottom of the dress including trim, feathers etc. must be at least 4 inches, allowing the feet and the ankles to be visible, with no slits or paneled skirts. Sheer see-through skirts are not allowed.
Here is the code for the American Rhythm and the International Latin :
A. Gentlemen must wear plain black dress pants plus one of the following:
1. Long or short-sleeved plain black or white turtleneck, mock t-neck, scoop neck or v-neck dance shirt.
2. Long-sleeved plain black or white collared dress shirt with buttons down front.
B. Ladies may wear cocktail dress or the current style Latin dress, but not tight mini-skirts or dresses. Ankle length is not allowed. Two-piece Latin dresses are not encouraged for Pro/Am Divisions. The new Latin dresses with less flesh exposed in the front are preferred. Slits and cutout skirts are allowed within good taste. Dresses must be 8-12 inches above top of anklebone.
Penalties will be given to violators and they will be asked to change.

Dance Spot – The Head Position

The Head Position is generally thought of as important mainly for styling. Its importance for balance maybe appreciated if one considers that the Head constitutes approximately 1/8 of the body weight. As a consequence, an understanding of the use and positioning of the Head is necessary not only for turns, but for the control of many other movements and lines. The Head can add a great deal of expression to a movement when used well in styling. Basically, the neck should feel long without tension, and the Head should be "carried" by the neck, without dropping or lifting the chin.
The upright carriage of the dancer will give a look of naturalness, ease and grace while maintaining a slight "body tone" to achieve unity of the different body parts.

Did You Know?

Ballroom dancing is so popular in China that people practice at the bus stops!

Ballroom dancing at Oxford University has been upgraded to stand alongside canoeing, cycling, rugby league, judo, karate and lacrosse, considered equal in terms of athleticism and competitive excellence.

Between 500,000 and one million dance examinations are taken annually in the UK. A Hollywood executive's comments on Fred Astaire's first screen test were "Can't act, can't sing, slightly bald. Can dance a little".

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were not permitted to dance together in public, according to their movie contracts.

Fred Astaire's favorite dance partner was Gene Kelly.

Moderate dancing burns 250 to 300 calories an hour.

All of the dance scenes in the 1983 movie "Flashdance" were not performed by the lead actress Jennifer Beals, but by a double, Marine Jahan.

Events This Month

We would like to wish the best of luck to Yukie Banks and Vickie Hess competing in their very first Ballroom Dance Competition in the Sheraton Hotel in Springfield MA on the 18^th and 19^th of March.
In March we are starting Country Western Class Series that will meet Fridays at 7:30. Michele will teach you "Two-Step" on the 4^th, 11^th and 25^th of the month. The cost of the series is $40 per person pre-registered and the series must be completed within March. No carry over to another month or refunds after the starting date are allowed. You may use your existing Group Classes when registering.
Finally Spring will be here on March 20^th. Just 308 days to Christmas!

Fred Astaire Dance Studios – The Beginnings

Fred Astaire had helped, along with other influences to awaken the public to the pleasures and benefits of better social dancing. It was the time of the “Big Bands”, and couples on dance floors around the country danced to the romantic and lively music of the 30's and 40's as aspiring Freds and Gingers. Recognizing the dancing need was a dedicated Fred Astaire fan, Charles L. Casanave, who at the time was a well known motion picture executive. He had a dream of sharing Astaire's gift with the American public and approached Mr. Astaire with his idea, at a meeting in the Plaza Hotel in New York City in 1946. These two dynamic personalities from different sides of the film industry stirred each other's imagination to such an extent that before the meeting was over, a great new partnership had been formed. Fred Astaire was to bring his immense talent out of glamorous Hollywood onto the dance floors of America and the world. The Fred Astaire Dance Studios had been born!
Many still remember the excitement surrounding the opening of the first studio on Park Avenue in New York City, in March, 1947.
Today, numerous Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios, located in cities throughout North America and the world, are franchised to individual owners who are required to maintain the highest standards of excellence. For almost half a century, our schools have produced a wealth of amateur and professional ballroom dancers who are living embodiment of the Astaire style and approach:
"Superb social dancing performed with ease, style and elegant grace, combined, with a sound technical foundation."

Dance Horoscope

Pisces, the fishes, are crazy about temple dances. Music with a hint of nostalgia that is what the Pisces really love, like in Italian, French or Spanish music. They dream away with expressive dances such as Salsa and the Tango.


Picture Of The Month

Who says we aren't a full service studio! Usually in the real world younger people help the older, but here at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Hanover we don't live in a boring reality. Oh, we almost forgot to answer your question. Yes, it is Richard!