DAKOTA TERRITORY
DANCE CLUB
NEWSLETTER
march
2003
Volume 10, Edition No 6
March 2003
Our Primary Goal is to Promote Dance!
Officers
President Elect – Jim Bob Stephenson 342-2245
Vice President – Not currently filled
Vice President – Not currently filled
Treasurer - Gary Willmes 343-3309
Secretary – Not currently filled
Past Co- Presidents- Elaine Reed & Henry
Olivier
Committees
Cards: Kathy Goodrich 343-3309
Web Master: Don Reed 343-8929
Telephone/E-mail: Dennis & Arlene
Wilkerson 255-4383
dawkrson@enetis.net
Jackets: Elaine Reed 343-8929
Host:
Henry Olivier 343-3235
Membership:
Elaine Reed 343-8929
Newsletter: Don Reed
reed_de@hotmail.com 343-8929
Practice:
Linda Splittstoesser 399-9813
Public Relations: Terry & Colleen
Marvin 341-1285
Tickets: Need a volunteer!
Workshops: Linda Splittstoesser 399-9813
Area
Representatives
Belle Fourche / Deadwood / Lead /
Spearfish
Sturgis / Whitewood / Vale
Patrica Hofer 644-1649
Rapid City
Arlene and Dennis Wilkerson 255-4383
Linda Splittstoesser 399-9813
The Board of Trustees
includes all elected positions at large, area representatives, and the last
past president. If your area appoints a
new representative contact the president so he/she can be included.
Advertising
Rates
Business card ad (card only, no larger
than 2 inches)
Non-member $45/12 or $25/6
Business card (member) $1 per issue
Full page ad $15.00 per issue
Half page ad $7.50 per issue
Per column inch $1.50 per issue
Fliers $.03 (150 flier minimum)
Send payment
with a brief worksheet explaining your figures to Dakota Territory Dance Club,
ATTN: Treasurer, PO Box 9583, Rapid City, SD
57709.
Newsletter
article deadline is the 20th of the month previous to publication. Contact a
board member or send information to Dakota Territory Dance Club % Newsletter
Chairman, PO Box 9583, Rapid City, SD 57701
http://rap.midco.net/reedde/www
Notes
From the PRESIDENT
Dakota
Territory Dance Club
Invites
you to join us: Saturday, March 22nd
at the Moose Lodge. Dinner served between
5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Dance begins at 8:00 p.m.. Featuring:
Fiddle Strings
J. R. Stephenson
FEB.
Meeting Minutes
Dakota
Territory Dance Club
Tuesday Feb.
11, 2003, 6:30 PM Canyon Lake Senior Citizen Center (CLSCC)
Minutes of previous meeting were approved
as written in the newsletter.
Old
Business:
Kathy Willmes announced the slate of nominees for the April
election. They are as follows: President: Gary Willmes, Vice President: Henry
Oliver, Treasurer: Dennis Wilkerson
Anyone else who wishes to run for office or nominate
someone must do so before the April meeting at which time the election will be
held.
Don Reed will
continue to publish the newsletter, and Elaine Reed will continue as membership
chair for the coming year.
The next three
dances will be at the Moose, with DTDC sharing the cost of the band. These
dance dates are February 15, March 22, and April 19.
Treasurer's
Report: Gary Willmes
Membership fees
and dance classes are keeping the club afloat because we lose money on every
dance. The January dance lost $174.50.
The treasurer's report was accepted as submitted.
New
Business:
Motion was made
and seconded that we give $250 to Henry and Linda ($10 per week) to help pay
for CD's and equipment for the weekly dance classes. Motion carried.
Wanda said that Deb Ellerton, Rich and Judy, Linda
& Henry and Dave & Wanda have all taught several classes throughout
this past year and she asked if DTDC would be interested in sponsoring one big
graduation dance for all of those new dancers. Dave Pakalski would DJ for a
percentage of the cover charge. DTDC could recruit new club members and the
music would be geared to beginners. It was suggested that we try to rent a room
at the Civic Center on a Saturday night in March or early April as that
location would be more enticing to a wide range of dancers. Gary made the
motion that we do it and that Wanda find a location and date. The motion was
seconded and carried. Wanda will try to pin it all down by next Tuesday so that
advertising can progress. She will also notify the other dance instructors so
that they can phone their students and distribute flyers. Elaine reported that
we have 92 active members. Kathy reported that no cards were sent in January.
Notes
taken by Nancy Stephenson
PRACTICE
Our lessons are held at the Canyon Lake Senior Citizen’s Center,
and are usually located in the Main Hall.
Beginner level lessons, emphasizing basic footwork, are at 7:00
p.m. Intermediate level lessons,
emphasizing patterns and moves, begin at 8:00 p.m. The charge is $2 per person.
[We
need single men, men, men!]
Henry
& I will do the East Coast Swing in March.
April
is still open, so if there is a dance you’d like to
learn
or expand on, give me a call.
Instructors,
if there is something you would like to
teach,
give me a call.
Again,
all of you dancers remember these instructors
volunteer
their time for the lessons; that’s one reason
the
price stays so reasonable. Please, thank them for
their
efforts and patience.
See
You on the Dance Floor!!
Linda Splittstoesser,
Practice Chairman
Card Corner
No cards sent last month.
Kathy
Goodrich-Willmes,
Cards Chairman, 343-3309
Email
Those who serve on the
telephone committee appreciate all of the E-mail addresses we have now. It has saved many hours on the phone when
notifying members of club activities.
More addresses can save more time.
We encourage those of you who have not shared your E-mail address with
us to do so.
Send your E-mail address to:
dawkrson@enetis.net or reed_de@hotmail.com
jackets
The new style jacket is available and can be purchased individually but at a savings if several are ordered at one time. Call Elaine Reed @ 343-8929 or reed_de@hotmail.com for more information.
Member Profile
Charleene Smith & Riley
Wallingford
Both Charlene and Riley are Government employees, however
Riley say’s “That’s an oxymoron”. They’re both long time residents of the area
and “collectively have been here longer than dirt!” (Note: It’s quite easy to
see Riley’s input to this profile). They joined the DTDC two years ago and when
asked how long they’ve been dancing answered, “Obviously not long enough if
you’ve seen us dance!”. While Riley like the Cha-cha and Latin influenced
music; Charlene appreciates most all types of music, including jazz and blues.
“But we compromise on the polka”. They enjoy dancing together, meeting and
making new friends and the laughter. They also find enjoyment in the relaxed
atmosphere of dancing/practicing at the “Boot” and the “Legion” where everyone
is dancing for the fun of it! Their most memorable dance moment “Hasn’t
happened yet; but there’s still time – always time for learning to dance. We’re
living it to that end!”
Membership
News
Thank
you
to those who have renewed their memberships:
Mary
& Paul Arthur
Vern
Erickson
Gina
Nania & David Gwinn
Welcome
to
our new members:
Patricia
& Jerry Wright
Membership Due Dates are printed on the
newsletter-mailing label “Membership
Due” is stamped on newsletters the month previous to and the month of
your membership due date. “Last Newsletter” is used the month
after your due date. Please use the membership registration form enclosed to
send your renewal ($15/ person.)
Happy Birthday to the
following members:
April:
02 Vern Erickson
06 Rita Patterson
18 Bonita Ley
19 Lu Olson
23 Ronald
Kazmierczak
24 Darla Reddick
Anniversary’s:
None
Encourage
your friends to join us.
See
you on the dance floor!
Elaine Reed,
Membership Chairman
UPCOMING
DANCE EVENTS:
March 28 – 30
“March Madness in Music City” – Workshop Weekend. Nashville, TN
Event Coord.
Jamie Marshall, 615-822-7345
E-mail: jddancer@aol.com
April 19 “Dance-A-Lot” workshops
Kenosh, WI.
Workshops & evening dance.
Debi Erskine,
262-554-6547, E-mail: gale@dancalot.com.
April 24, 25
& 26 6th
Annual “Black Hills Dance Festival” begins with dance workshops
on Thursday evening at the Canyon Lake Senior Citizen’s Center and continues on
Friday afternoon and evening, and all day Saturday at the Civic Center. There
will be dances on Friday and Saturday evening, with two dance floors to
accommodate line dance, swing and country/western progressive dancing. Instructors include: Barry & Darianne
Amato, Joe & Linda Fabian, Machelle Cook-Holloway, Jerry & Kathy Nusz,
Tim& Donna Pattison, Dick Mortenson & Renae Whalen, and Judy Yamakishi.
Rushmore Plaza
Civic Center, Rapid City, SD. Sponsored by: Black Hills Dance Company
605-341-1285 (Terry Marvin).
E-mail: Stephenson@rushmore.com
June 19-23,
12th annual “Colorado Country Classic” Starts with a club crawl at 6:00 PM
Thursday the 19th; ending with a golf tournament on Monday the 23rd.
In between are hourly dance lessons, competitions, a pizza party and a dinner
dance show.
http://www.coloradocountryclassic.net
July 10-13 7th Annual “Rocky Mountain
Regional Dance Festival” in Casper, Wyoming at Club Dance West (Machelle Cook-Holloway, Director). This event begins with a “Kick-off Dance
Party” at Club Dance West on Thursday evening.
Dance workshops are held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There is a dinner show on Saturday evening.
This event will feature the following instructors: John Robinson, Barry & Darianne Amato, Martin Moser, Joe
& Linda Fabian, Machelle Cook-Holloway, Dave & Jodi Crandell.
For more
information or registration packet, contact Machelle Holloway at 307-234-8811;
email: clubdancew@aol.com or website: www.centralwyoming.com.
- Graduation Dance for Area
Lessons -
The following area instructors: Debbie Ellerton,
Ritchie & Judy, Wanda & Dave Pakalski, Henry & Linda and Les &
Naomi; will be having a unified graduation dance on April 12, 2003 at the Rapid
City, “Rushmore Plaza Civic Center” Upstairs ballroom “H” at 7:30 PM until
11:30 PM. Dakota Territory Dance Club members and the public are invited.
Cost will be $5.00 per person and music will be
provided via a DJ.
DANCE BASIC'S
Borrowed
from http://www.SuperDanceUSA.com
Huston,
Tx. et.al.
Copyright
©1996-2002 PMRC - all rights reserved
The
following material is for prospective or new Whip, Push, or West Coast Swing;
dance participants.
First,
in Whip/West Coast Swing dancing there is a specific dance move called the whip
step (The specific combination and sequence of foot, arm, and body movements
done by the couple together in a structured social dance such as swing, is
referred to as a step, or a "move", "pattern", or
"piece").
In
the whip step, the man appears to whip the lady past him in a fast
side-changing maneuver.
The
Whip dance is a Texas version (style) of "slotted" swing
dancing.
It is also called the Push (in Dallas) or more generally the West Coast Swing
(WCS). There are however, differences in regional styles of WCS, and especially
between Whip and WCS. Specific dance characteristics set the Whip apart from
Push or West Coast, but they are all types of slotted swing dance. Whip is done
with a partner to a variety of rock, rhythm and blues, top forty and other
popular music. Tempos are generally moderate, usually ranging from 90 thru 140
beats per minute (BPM). Familiar example songs include:
"Living
in the USA"- James Brown 114 BPM.
"Billy
Jean" - Michael Jackson - 118 BPM
"Good
Man, Good Woman" - Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Raitt - 110 BPM
"September"
- Earth, Wind and Fire - 125 BPM
The
whip is enjoyed by a wide age range of people from all walks of life. Many
regular folks find their way into one of the organized non-profit dance/social
groups around town, or one of the for-profit studios or dance instructor
situations. After a few lessons, they can be on the floor practicing basic
steps with a partner. The Whip/Push/WCS is an exciting and fun dance, and can
at times have elements of the provocative and sensual partner dance styling,
and at other times the flash and electricity of a showcase Latin; ballroom
style. It is fascinating
to
watch, having many patterns and combinations of arm work, foot work, turns and
spins. It is a partner dance. Whip 'moves' range from very simple to intricate
and physically challenging. It has a mystique and variety different from most
other dances.
Most
people learn Whip or Push in one of the social club organizations around the
major cities in Texas or Oklahoma. These clubs are usually quite inexpensive,
having dues in the $40-60 per sixth months range. That usually includes the
weekly
lessons. There are usually 3 to 6 class levels taught on club lesson night, and
these levels are usually some variation of beginner, intermediate or advanced.
During the first six months of membership you will learn basic and intermediate
level dancing. It is not necessary to bring a partner as there
are
usually other singles at the lessons. Most instructors rotate partners in their
classes. Most people repeat these classes several times to get a solid
foundation before moving up to the next level.
Later you will add style and variation too your dance as you become
adept in the basic and intermediate levels of Whip. At this stage you begin to
try more advanced patterns with more advanced dance partners. You may even find
yourself entering Whip/WCS dance competitions.
Learning
Whip/Push/Swing will be challenging, entertaining and rewarding. So much so in fact that some people get
addicted to this dance! (Even people who have never danced much before coming
to the Whip)
ORIGINS
OF WHIP
There
is a debate about whether the Whip started in Texas at
"http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/garner/garner.htm">
Garner
State Park. out west of San Antonio or at North Texas State University. You hear both stories. Maybe it actually
happened at both places simultaneously.
Some
say they saw it done in service men's clubs around San Antonio in the late
forties. There are other weird and outlandish stories about the origins of
Whip, but who knows. For other opinions, link to http://www.sdhis10.htm#whip “History of Whip”.
In
older days, some people were referred to as an "old Garner
Whipper". The park has a large
pavilion building right on the river where the teens danced and partied at
night on family camping trips. This occurred through out the fifties and
sixties. To these people, it was a time of summer love and first
kisses
and other fond memories. There is even a reunion weekend at the state park,
usually in April.
Most
of the organized teaching of Whip seemed to begin in the seventies. Before
that, it was strictly an apprentice, watch and learn, type thing. It is said
that the really "cool" dancers (guys) were hard pressed to share the
"secrets" of their best cool moves (with other guys); and they
certainly did not want
to
give classes. They used the dance to impress ladies! In those times, the man
did more "stuff" than the ladies. That seems to have changed, almost
going too far in the structured, regimented lesson approach and especially with
the proliferation of the private expert instructor. The low-level
club
basic instruction seems to be the happy medium.
One
personal observation is that the Whip is as much a social phenomena as much as
a dance (subcultures I have known!). There are dedicated followers, rules and
customs, folklore, personal accomplishment and competitive spirit among those
that dance in competitions, and even inter-mural competition between the
various clubs. Like many other small SIG's (special interest groups), usually
non-profit clubs or organizations built around some kind of activity or hobby,
there are individuals who have been around the organization for a
very
long time, and have taken a de facto ownership of the club. This is very depressing and detrimental to
the main activity. There are people around these groups that may have agendas
that go beyond the simple enjoyment of the subject activity. These agendas
range from making money, promoting a
business,
meeting new partners, supporting big egos, making sure they stay in a
leadership position, or simply a need to control and be in charge.
Here
are several actual quotes heard from people about Whip:
"People who don't know about Whip
can't possibly imagine
why all the excitement about a dance ..
It's not just a dance;
but a whole experience."
"It's the dance I've always dreamed
about, but never knew
existed."
"I only wish I had known about Whip
twenty years ago!"
"I wish I had some of those nights
back I spent going out to
the clubs and dancing."
"...can't believe I wasted all that
time in those stupid club
meetings!"
"It's just a dance for god's
sake...not rocket science."
"Thousands of people have gone thru
these dance
classes; where are they now?"
"I'd rather be bowling."
