by AMCyp | Aug 1, 2012 | Blog |
We have had so many exciting things happening in the studio lately that we can hardly keep up, so let me take the time to update you on all the news.
For starters staff and students, Linda Newkirk and John Myers, headed to Orange County, California recently to compete at Arthur Murray Dance-O-Rama. We sure left our mark as student Linda Newkirk made the finals in numerous events, and John Myers won in the associate bronze all around. John Meyers says he not only enjoys the thrill of competition, but also the camaraderie that these events hold, uniting staff and students from studios across the country. Our staff also had great success with Stephen Rallison and Lindsay Perrone placing second in both Professional Rhythm and Smooth Future Champion events, and Chris and April Muller also placing second in the prestigious Open Professional Smooth category. Congratulations Team Cypress, we rocked it!
Back in the studio this past week we also had some show worthy styling from Marsha Hanson, partnering her teacher Stephen Rallison in an east coast swing spotlight that lit up our sock hop Wednesday night party. Many were seen sporting poodle skirts, and other throw back attire, as we sipped on root beer floats and danced the night away. The sock hop was a fun way to liven up the mid summer doldrums of heat and humidity. Make sure the heat isn’t getting to you and join us tonight for another exciting party.
Pre-party CHA CHA class @ 7:45
Party @ 8:30
by AMCyp | Jul 11, 2012 | Blog |
WHY DANCE?
Anyone that has ever danced would probably agree that the mood-enhancing endorphins it releases should be reason enough. After all, who can deny that the feeling of moving in synchronicity with the earth is intoxicating?
But is that all there is to it? Why do we like dancing? Why do we dance?
To answer this question, it helps to understand why our ancestors danced.
History tells us that, in ancient cultures, dance was a form of ritual or worship. Early on, the discovery of dancing to music was incubating. Imagine a tribal dance—a mass of bodies pulsing in unison to a percussive beat against the earth. This image is not so different from that of a ballroom full of dancers flowing effortlessly around the floor, just like we dance today at our studio. (Except that we don’t have a dirt floor and we don’t chant and pound drums to create our music, unless it’s festival. 🙂 For better or for worse, we’ve evolved.)
But isn’t the act alone enchanting enough to be worthy of itself, worship aside?
Over time, dancing progressed from the sacred altar to the secular courtyard, where it became a form of entertainment for the aristocra
cy. (Did you know that Louis XIV is credited for establishing the first academy for dance, specifically ballet?) Adding performance value brought a shiny new face to the concept of dancing. (Insert spray tan joke here!) Along with commissioned musical performances came the royal appreciation of dance, empowering it with the dignity and social legitimacy needed to become its own true art form. (Yay, dance!!!) Okay—enough history.
Back to our original question: WHY DANCE?
Thankfully, there is no “right” answer to this question; here are a few heard lately:
“Dancing helped me connect with my wife again.”
“I’ve lost a lot of pounds just having fun and literally dancing my butt off!”
“I can walk up to anyone with confidence, have a reason to talk to them and say….let’s dance!”
“Dancing gives me the opportunity to express myself!!”
“My love of music has been amplified by the ability to move to it!”
The benefits are numerous, to say the least. So if you’re asked, “Why dance?”
Simply reply, “Why not?”
Join us this week for a group class or party and share with us; why do you dance?
“We dance to the earth, we dance to the water.
Our hearts hear the song, our feet move along.
And to the music of our souls….WE DANCE!”
by AMCyp | Jul 3, 2012 | Blog |
Top Ten Reasons to Come to Arthur Murray’s 4th of July Party
So Happy 4th of July Week Everyone! As most of you have seen, the studio is all jazzed up with red, white, and blue to get you into the patriotic mood. We are excited to see all of you at our 4th of July party this Friday (actually happening on the 6th of July), and just in case you are still needing some convincing, here are our top ten reasons why you should come party with us.
10.’Cause you know you want to wear those hot red pants you have hanging in your closet.
9. You know our lovely 70 degree temperature is much more comfortable than the 100 degree weather outside.
8. You want to come to practice your star-spangled steps.
7. Because Hunter is going to sing us the National Anthem.
6. To see a mystery performance to Yankee Doodle Dandy.
5. To dance to “Red Solo Cup,” instead of just drinking from one.
4. To take shelter from the dangers of amateur firework displays.
3. ‘Cause we are way more fun than your annual family barbeque.
2. To ignite that spark between you and your spouse.
And to finish off the list here is your number one reason for coming this Friday.
Because deep down you know Arthur Murray Dance Studio is the best place on Earth!!!!!!!!
So just in case you didn’t realize it already…we really want you to come party with us 🙂 Hope to see you there!
7:00 pm: Pre -Party Group Class: Cha Cha
7:45 pm: 4th of July Party
by AMCyp | Jun 28, 2012 | Blog |
We’ve had a busy week in the studio. Things kicked off with a bang Saturday night during open dance, and were just as happening Wednesday evening in our weekly dance party where we turn down the lights, put on the disco ball, and cut loose. This week was extra special too because we not only had one, but two student spotlight performances during the party. The first was a lovely waltz done by Joseph Castillo partnering his instructor April Muller. Joseph looked confident and debonair as he smoothly covered the floor in his favorite dance. The following was the first dance of the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Jordan. Brent and Jennifer swept up the dance floor with a Viennese Waltz that melted the hearts of all the audience, and will surely do the same on their wedding day in just under three weeks. To cap off the excitement in the studio, we also enjoyed guest coaches Thomas and Izabella Lewandowski these past two days.
Make sure to stay tuned for what’s going on next week as we head into July. Happy Fourth! Hope to see you all at our patriotic party Friday July 6th.
by AMCyp | Jun 21, 2012 | Blog |
This spring’s international dance festival was a blast! We traveled the world, discovering the destinations that in some way influenced Arthur Murray throughout his dance career. We danced polka in Germany where he was born, jitterbugged in New York, and did the samba all night long in Brazil. In Cuba salsa was the dance of choice; and Hollywood is probably still doing the cha-cha! The six week long festival ended its journey in Hawaii where our dear Arthur was laid to rest. In honor, our dancers did the hula to the sounds of the Pacific Ocean waves. We enjoyed yummy cultural food, fun games, many prize giveaways and of course tons of dancing! A shout out to those participants who came in costumes, they were some of the most clever and creative of any festival! Also, thanks again to our friends at Arthur Murray in the Woodlands for letting us crash your party for “Night on the Town.” We sure enjoyed all the dancing and the party bus ride over.
