Too Good to Miss! Join in the Fun! Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge

Time flies, so don’t lose track! The Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge is rapidly approaching. There is something for everyone! Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Spend an afternoon remembering how much FUN it is to dance. Registration forms will be posted on our events page. Most details will be on Facebook.

We are fortunate to have Lori Woods-Gay conducting the medal tests and workshops on Saturday. Lori is a distinguished AIDA Examiner. Lori and Cher Rutherford co-authored Components of Partnered Choreography the syllabus for Theatrical Dance. Lori is also a world-class adjudicator. Among her many accomplishments, Lori has performed at the British Exhibition Championship at Blackpool,

On Sunday, Lori will be joined by Michael Choi. Michael is also an AIDA examiner. Those of you who participated in our Spring Ballroom Challenge will remember Michael. This is a fantastic opportunity to get feedback and learn from two world-renowned Ballroom Competitors and coaches.

Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge Schedule – October 30-31, 2021

(Times subject to adjustments only based on registrations)

Saturday, October 30 – At CM Fine Arts, 17 Executive Park Drive, Halfmoon, NY 12065

  • 10:00 AM - Testing and private coaching sessions with Lori Woods Gay.

  • 12:00 - Workshop 1 with Lori Woods Gay. Topic: What you would like your partner to do

    or not do. (No partner required.) – 50 minutes

  • 1:00 - Workshop 2 with Lori Woods Gay. Topic: Four ways to lead. (No partner required.)

    – 50 minutes

  • 2:00 - Individual Dance Competition heats (must sign up in advance) – Salsa, Hustle, Cha

    Cha, Swing, WCS. Judged by Lori.

  • 2:20 - Team Match (must sign up in advance) – Standard/Smooth Waltz, Quickstep,

    Tango; Latin/Rhythm Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive/Swing. Judged by Lori.

  • 2:45 - Adult Fun Dances – Variable speed Waltz, Clockwise Quickstep, Leader/Follow

    Switch Swing, Back to Back Mambo. Judged by audience.

    Sunday, October 31 – At Dance Fire Studio, 22341 Nott St. E, Suite 104, Niskayuna, NY 12309

  • 11:00 – Youth testing with Michael Choi.

  • 11:30 – Youth Proficiency Competition. Judged by Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi.

  • 12:30 – Youth Fun Dances, Halloween costumes encouraged. Judged by volunteer

    judges.

  • 12:45 – Youth Q&A session with Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi.

  • 1:30 – Adult Proficiency Competition. Judged by Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi.

  • 2:30 - Adult Testing with Michael Choi.

  • 3:00 – Workshop with Michael Choi. Topic: Spins and Turns. (No partner required.)

  • 4:00 - Pizza with the Pros with Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi.

  • 4:45 – Adult Fun Dances – Straight Leg Samba, Superspeed Hustle, Three’s a Crowd

    Merengue, Mystery Song [non-ballroom dance, interpretive]. Judged by the audience.

  • 5:00 – 7:00 Social Dance.

Deadline for applications is Saturday, October 16th! Don’t miss out! Join us for some long-awaited fun.

Spooktaculuar Ballroom Challenge OCTOBER 30 and 31

AIDA has been busy preparing for the Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge which will be held Saturday, October 30th at CM Fine Arts, 17 Executive Park Drive, Clifton Park, NY 10265. Sunday festivities will be at DanceFire Studio 2341 Nott Street East, Suite 104, Niskayuna, NY 12309

Looking to escape from the same old routine? Join us for our fun-filled Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge!

There will be something for everyone!

TWO certified AIDA Examiners will be providing opportunities in medal testing.

Not ready to test? The proficiency Competition will give you constructive feedback on your dancing. There will be individual competitive heats as well as team dancing.

If competition is not your style you can take a coaching session or attend any of the 3 workshops with our pros!

Plenty of opportunities just to have fun! Fun Dances, trivia questions, Pizza with the pros: a question and answer session, and an adult social dance from 5 to 7 on Sunday.

Don’t miss out! Join us to support our local AIDA chapter!

Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge

SAVE THE DATE! October 39 and 31st Albany NY AIDA is holding our Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge. The weekend will include proficiency competition, medal testing, workshops, fun dances and more. Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi, AIDA examiners, will be here to conduct the medal tests and evaluate the competitions. More details will be posted on our events page as they become available.

Learn and Practice with Louise and Paul Giuliano

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Louise and Paul Giuliano for the wonderful lessons on Swing/Jive and Tango they presented at our August Learn and Practice. It is always a pleasure to have them teach the Learn and Practice

Our September Learn and Practice will be taught by Boris and Sasha Spitchka, owners of the Latham Fred Astaire Dance Studio. For more information see our events page.

First Live Learn and Practice

Thank you to all who came out to support our first live Learn and Practice at Crystal Cove! Alex and Ashley gave a fantastic lesson on American rumba and waltz. Thank you to Ashley ad Alex for donating the lesson. Congratulations are in order because they are awaiting the arrival of their baby in January. We wish them well! Crystal Cove proved to be a beautiful venue with an open air pavilion with a great wood floor.

Crystal Cove will also be our venue for August, Our next Learn and Practice will be Sunday August 29th from 1:00 to 3:00. Our instructors for August are Louise and Paul Giuliano. They will be teaching Tango and Swing/Jive. There will be dancing following the lesson from 3:30 to 5:30. Don’t miss this Learn and Practice, it promises to be an awesome afternoon. We’re looking forward to seeing you all.

Learn and Practice at Crystal Cove in Averill Park

Our first live Learn and Practice will be held this Sunday, July 25th at Crystal Cove in Averill Park. Crystal Cove is a beautiful outdoor venue with a wood dance floor. Ashley and Alex Ivashchenko will be teaching American Rumba and Waltz. After a short break, there will be dancing from 3:30 to 5:30. Water and Soda will be available for purchase. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food if they desire.

The COVID policy for this event is as follows:

Proof of Vaccination is required.

Those who have not been vaccinated must wear a mask.

If you choose not to share your vaccination status you will be required to wear a mask also,

For complete information go to our events page. We look forward to seeing you!

In-Person Learn and Practice to resume!

Our July and August Learn and Practice Events will be held at Crystal Cove in Averill Park. This is an outdoor facility with a wood dance floor. AIDA will be selling water and soda. You may bring food for yourself if desired. The Learn and Practice will be held from 1 pm to 3 pm. Following the Learn and Practice there will be dancing from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. For further information go to our Events Page.

Thank you to Jang and Adele Don.

Yesterday we held our final Zoom Learn and Practice led by Jang and Adele Don.. They taught an outstanding lesson in Mambo and helped with talking about the differences in Mambo and Salsa. The lesson was amazing with some great choreography! We cannot thank them enough for their generosity. If you missed it, there is limited video available.

News Update

Thank you to those of you who attended our picnic fundraiser at Tawasentha Park. It was wonderful to be among friends and spend time catching up and dancing. Also a big thank you to Florin Vlad for leading us in a Cha Cha Line Dance. We would also like to thank our excellent DJ Ray Smith who donated his services. Stewart’s donated ice cream and toppings for our make your own sundae bar. A huge thank you to Cindy Crounse and her committee for organizing this event and Sue Martin who is largely responsible for keeping us going during COVID and beyond.

Reminder: Tomorrow is our final Zoom Learn and Practice, our instructors will be Jang and Adele Don. Jang and Adele are accomplished dancers. Jang has a Ph.D. in Dance. They have competed internationally and have many noteworthy achievements, among them the UK Open Professional 10 Dance Champions. This is one Learn and Practice you don’t want to miss!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89088152087?pwd=VmUyRlJtelpJanhKY3h6bXRUYXlQQT09

Meeting ID: 890 8815 2087

Passcode: 436942